Midland 74-200 Digital Weather Receiver Manual

							 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Model 74-200 
Digital Weather Receiver with 
NWR-SAME decoding and 
Digital clock with alarm  
						

							 
 2 PRODUCT INFORMATION 
 
The 74-200 N.W.R./ S.A.M.E. (National Weather Radio/Specific 
Area Message Encoding) Weather / All Hazard Monitor provides 
you with constant monitoring of your local National Weather 
Service broadcast for messages warning you of hazardous 
conditions. The NWR/SAME decoding allows you to hear only 
messages concerning the area concerning you.  You now have a 
choice as to what information will be brought to you. No more 
will you be awakened to hear of a problem many miles from your 
home that will not affect you.  A clock with alarm is also featured.   
 
The 74-200 has an emergency battery backup system for use if 
you lose power. It will provide up to three hours of operation if 
power fails. 
 
The 74-200 NWR/SAME Weather / All Hazard Monitor is the 
latest advance in Weather monitoring technology providing you 
with the information you need for your greatest safety from the 
effects of weather and other external hazards. 
 
FEATURES: 
 
 
· VHF Weather Monitor with seven different National 
Weather Service channels in the 162 MHz FM band 
– Provides 24-hour-a-day National Weather Service 
information from seven different channels for  
						

							 
 3 maximum reception possible (in areas where 
available) 
· Alert monitor system receives NWR/SAME codes 
transmitted by National Weather Service stations 
warning of dangerous weather conditions and other 
general hazards. The SAME codes designate which 
counties or parts of counties are affected by the 
individual message. When the alert feature is 
activated, the receiver remains in a standby mode. 
As SAME coded messages are received, the 
receiver automatically activates to warn you of 
dangerous weather conditions. 
· User-selectable warning system – Your choice of 
siren alarm, voice or visual flasher. 
· Weather Command Button – large touchbar turns 
unit from alert mode to full time monitoring. 
· High Performance Chassis – Receives weather 
broadcasts up to 50 miles from transmitter. 
· Large Top-Firing Speaker – Directs alerts and audio 
toward listener. 
· Eight-character LCD display for viewing alert type 
and monitor status. 
· Clock displays time and date and has alarm and 
snooze functions.   
· Emergency Powered from a single 9-volt battery 
(optional). 
· Telescopic Antenna – Provides maximum range  
						

							 
 4 reception-up to 50 miles. Antenna folds down for 
easy transport. 
· Fully Variable Volume Control – Adjusts audio 
output. 
· Alert siren volume adjustable for maximum 
flexibility. 
· External Alert jack to operate external warning 
devices. 
· External Antenna Jack – Permits use of an optional 
extended range base antenna or a mobile antenna. 
· External Power Jack – Allows use of AC adapter 
(included) or DC cigarette lighter power cord 
(optional) to run off a car or boat battery. 
· Compact, Ultra Modern Styling – Small enough to 
take along – looks good anywhere. 
· Earphone Jack – Allows private listening or remote 
speaker location. 
 
CONTROLS: 
 
 
[add illustration with numbers and lines to controls.] 
 
 
1. Weather Bar Button – This is a push on button. 
One push activates the weather receiver.  Push 
again to return receiver to standby. 
2. Alert Bar Button – This is a push on switch. It  
						

							 
 5 enables and disables the alert siren and external 
alert signals. When Alert is off, only the LED 
indicators are active.  
3. Off Bar button – this switch cancels alert siren 
sounds and any external alert features when alert is 
active. 
4. “WARNING” LED Indicator – This red light emitting 
diode visual indicator tells you that the unit has 
received a SAME message that has issued a 
warning for your area.  
5.  “WATCH” LED Indicator – This yellow light emitting 
diode visual indicator tells you that the unit has 
received a SAME message that has issued a watch 
for your area. 
6. “STATEMENT” LED Indicator – This green light 
emitting diode visual indicator tells you that the unit 
has received a SAME message that has issued a 
statement for your area. 
7. Off/On/Volume Control – This is the volume control 
and the main power switch. It lets you adjust 
volume to the desired listening level. 
8. Earphone Jack – Allows private listening with use of 
an optional earphone.  Also may be used for 
connecting an external speaker. 
9. Alarm Switch – Enables and disables clock alarm 
function. 
10. DISP. MODE/year button – Normally this button 
selects what is seen on the LCD display.  Pressing 
the button changes the display from current time to 
current date to alarm time to weather alert.  The  
						

							 
 6 display automatically switches to display messages 
from the SAME decoder when they are received. 
11. SET button – Press this button to switch from 
display to set mode in time, date or alarm time 
display modes.  Characters will flash in set mode.  
Use the other three adjacent buttons to change 
settings.  Press SET again to return to display 
mode. 
12. MIN/ MONTH and HOUR/DATE buttons – Used 
mostly for time and date setting.  Not active in 
normal display mode. 
13. SNOOZE button – Used for advancing the alarm 
time by 9 minutes each time the clock alarm 
sounds. 
14. Programming Keypad – used to enter “FIPS” codes 
into the memory of the radio, to set the radio to the 
National Weather Radio channel for your area and 
to change other programmable functions.  See 
section on programming your radio for details. 
 
NWR-SAME: 
 
In 1994, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration 
(NOAA) began broadcasting coded emergency signals that 
identify the specific geographic area (such as a county) affected 
by an emergency.  Until that time such specific emergency 
weather information was sent in other ways to broadcast stations 
and others then relayed to the public. 
 
NOAA transmits the coded weather emergency signals using a  
						

							 
 7 technique called SAME (Specific Area Message Encoding). The 
Midland 74-200 7-channel weather/ all hazards monitor is 
designed to receive these SAME transmissions. 
 
Your Midland 74-200 can be programmed with up to 15 
predefined state/county codes that will define which notices 
broadcast by your NOAA weather station will cause the radio to 
alert you.  Warnings, watches and statements of weather and other 
area emergencies, about 40 different types- will activate the radio 
if one or more location code programmed into your unit is 
included in the SAME message. 
 
Also included in the SAME message is the amount of time for 
which the message is effective.  The 74-200 will continue to 
display the alert until its time expires. 
 
You don’t need to wait for the 74-200 to give you an alert.  Just 
find the NWR station broadcasting to your area from the 7 
available channels.  You can listen at any time, day or night to the 
latest weather information from the National Weather Service. 
 
 
EMERGENCY POWER 
 
To install the emergency backup battery, turn the unit off and 
disconnect it from the AC power adapter. Remove the cover by 
pushing the battery door in the direction of the arrow.   
						

							 
 8 Install a 9-volt alkaline battery (Eveready 522 or equivalent, not 
supplied). Observe the battery polarity (+ and -). Replace the 
battery cover.  (Rechargeable batteries are not recommended 
because the 74-200 will not charge the battery.) 
 
INITIAL SETUP 
Connecting power –  
The AC power adapter is required for normal operation if the 
radio is to be in service for more than a few hours.  Plug the wall 
adapter into a 110-115 Volt AC (standard house current) outlet. 
Connect the cord end to the DC-12Volt power jack on the back of 
the unit.   
A backup battery as stated above is also recommended.  The 
condition of the battery is monitored by the radio.  When 
REPLACE BATTTERY appears on the display, the battery has 
been discharged and should be replaced.  Do not leave a dead or 
weak battery in the radio.  Do not leave a battery in the radio 
when it is not in use.  The battery may leak and possibly damage 
your unit.  Dispose of batteries properly. 
Antenna - 
The telescoping antenna on the back of the radio should be 
positioned vertically and extended to its full length.  In most cases 
this antenna should provide good reception of your NWR 
broadcast. 
In some cases especially in remote areas an external antenna may 
be used to improve weak reception.   
  
						

							 
 9  
NOTE:  The National Weather Radio service operates 
Weather Broadcast systems covering a large area of the 
United States. Some areas are not included. Check the 
directory enclosed for weather broadcast availability. 
 
Your 74-200 can receive broadcasts from the Weather Stations up 
to 50 miles. Hills and certain terrain can reduce reception. An 
external antenna can improve range. If your city is listed as 
having a Weather Service Station but you do not receive it please 
call your local Weather Service to confirm they are broadcasting 
(Sometimes these stations are shut down for maintenance). If your 
local Weather Service is transmitting and you are not receiving 
the broadcasts, you may need an outdoor antenna. 
 
What is a FIPS Code: 
 
The NWR divides the United States and territories by state and 
county (or parish) and assigns a six digit code number called a 
FIPS (Federal Information Processing System) code or also 
known as a NWR/SAME county code. The first digit identifies 
subdivision. The next two identify the state or territory, and the 
last three identify the county. For example the code for Clay 
county Missouri is 029047. The“047” indicates the county, the 
“29” indicates the state, and the “0” indicates the subdivision of 
the county.  In this case and most cases the code will have a zero 
for the first digit, indicating that no subdivision is in use.  The 
NWS plans to introduce subdivisions of some counties in the 
future, assigning digits 1 through 9 to the parts resulting in codes  
						

							 
 10 like 529047. 
 
Acquiring FIPS codes for Your Area: 
 
The FIPS codes can be found by calling the NWS toll free 
number 
1-888-NWS-SAME 
(1-888-697-7263) 
Automated instructions will guide you to the numbers you 
need. 
 
The FIPS codes and much more information can be found by 
way of the Internet at www.nws.noaa.gov/nwr/indexnw.htm 
 
Note:  You might want to obtain the codes for other counties 
close to you or those you might frequently travel 
through.  The counties still must be within the coverage 
area of your NWS broadcast. 
 
This is what to expect when you call the NWS number.  
      You will be prompted to enter your state. We suggest 
entering the entire state to expedite the process. Next you 
will be prompted to enter the county. Again spell the entire 
county. We suggest you locate several counties surrounding 
you especially the county in the direction most of the storms 
will be coming from. When you have entered the county, 
the system will ask you to confirm what you entered is 
correct. Be ready to write the number. The system tells you