My Midland WR-300 just failed, apparently this happens to these radios.

Before I buy another, I'm looking for a weather radio that

1. Has S.A.M.E. alerting.

2. Allows me to select what alerts trip the audible alarm (e.g. a Thunderstorm Warning is NOT something I want setting the thing off on the middle of the night, a Tornado warning is)

3. Ideally, has some sort of rational programming interface via USB connection to a computer.

Cost is not an issue.

Suggestions?

One "feature" that has kept mine mostly off is the weekly test - loud alarm and I have to run off and turn it off.

You might want to check with the radio section of the Weather Forum:

http://www.wxforum.net/index.php?PHPSESSID=8c3d3e729cf8c10bb4878631b676fa53&board=86.0

They probably have some serious Wx radioheads.

I know that a previous version of the handheld RadioShack weather radio has the first two features you want, and so the current version probably has them, too:

http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=12758247

I haven't seen anything with an USB programming interface. Most of the time the USB is on a hand crank radio, and it's for charging a cell phone. (I'm suspicious of this sort of do-it-all radios. Too many parts that can fail.)

The other weather radios in the $50-$99 range may be worth a look:

http://www.radioshack.com/family/index.jsp?categoryId=2032069&allCount=43&fbc=1&fr=StorePrice%2FRSK%2F00005000%2F00009999&fbn=Price%2F%2450.00+-+%2499.99&filterName=Price&filterValue=%2450.00+-+%2499.99

Good luck, and let us know what you figure out!

Thanks,

Looks like Radio Shack used to make a WX radio with USB programming, but it's not around anymore.

Midland and Oregon scientific are the underlying makers of the Radio Shack items.

So far, nothing looks good.

The Midland C300 had the option of killing most alarms, which is exactly why I bought it. Only "Unblockable" alerts get through.

At this point, it seems like the only choice, I just wish it had a programming interface to make it more reasonable to program.

I think I might just do a "Kickstarter" to make a new "Hazard Watch" radio that is configured and managed via either USB or WiFi, that way you can do away with idiotic "modal" screens.

The Midland C300 has a PC interface they claim you "can't use" - I call BS - I think that there's a clone mode for firmware, and since I have broken radio that works except for the IF section being fubar, it's time to get a serial sniffer and get to work.

The Reecom 1630 looks like a nice radio, but it too does not indicate a USB input.

I don't have a weather radio at all. The only environmental issues I'm concerned with are earthquakes and wildfires; for one there is no warning and for the other any local news will cover the big fires 24/7.

Did you try asking on the Weather Forum? I'd be interested to learn what you've found out.

Needless to say, I like gadgets!

I barely have the time for this forum, I'll read current posts on the other one and see what I can find.

Found what I need - build your own with an Arduino - no fancy radio needed.

http://www.raydees.com/Weather_Radio.html

I have everything needed but the time...but will give it a try one evening.

Meanwhile, bought a Reecom R-1630 S.A.M.E Weather Alert Radio.