The Midland WR120DSP is a digital SAME (Specific Area Message Encoding) NOAA weather alert radio. It lets you receive alerts only for the areas you select and includes over 80 emergency alerts, AMBER Alerts, a loud alert siren, color-coded indicators, and more.
Key Features
- SAME Technology (single/multiple/any counties)
- 7 NOAA Weather Channels
- Over 80 Alert Types, including AMBER Alerts
- Color-coded Alert Indicators
- Alarm Clock with Snooze
- Trilingual Display (English, Spanish, French)
- Battery Backup (3 AA batteries)
- External Alert and Antenna Jacks
- Built-in Speaker and LCD Display
What’s in the Box
- WR120DSP Weather Radio
- AC Power Adapter
- Owner’s Manual
- Quick Start Guide
Powering the WR120DSP
AC Power (Primary)
- Plug the included AC adapter into the back of the radio.
- Connect to a wall outlet.
Battery Backup (Secondary)
- Insert 3 AA alkaline batteries (not included) into the battery compartment on the underside.
- Maintains operation and memory during power outages.
Setup Steps
Upon first power-up, the radio will prompt you to configure:
- Language (English, Spanish, French)
- Location (SAME) – Single, Multiple, or Any
- Time (12-hour or 24-hour format)
- Channel – NOAA weather radio channel with best reception
- Alert Type – Tone, Display, Voice
Controls Overview
Front Buttons:
- MENU – Access menu and settings
- SELECT – Confirm selections
- ▲ / ▼ (Up/Down Arrows) – Navigate options
- WEATHER/SNOOZE – Listen to the current weather or snooze alarm
- ALERT ON/OFF – Toggle siren alert
- VOLUME – Adjust volume level
Back Panel:
- DC Power Jack
- External Antenna Jack
- External Alert Jack
- Headphone Jack
- Battery Compartment
Menu Options & Settings
Set Language
- Options: English, Spanish, French
Set Location (SAME Code)
- SINGLE – 1 county
- MULTIPLE – Up to 25 counties
- ANY – All alerts regardless of location
- Find your SAME code at: weather.gov/nwr
Set Time
- Select 12-hr or 24-hr format
- Adjust hours and minutes with arrow keys
Set Channel
- Scroll through 7 NOAA weather channels
- Choose the one with best reception for your area
Set Alert Type
- VOICE – Siren, then voice broadcast
- DISPLAY – Scrolls text alert only
- TONE – Siren only
Alert System
Alert Levels & Indicators
| Color | Alert Level |
|---|---|
| Red | Warning |
| Orange | Watch |
| Yellow | Advisory |
| Green | Power ON (no alerts) |
Receiving Alerts
When an alert is received:
- Radio activates selected alert type
- Color-coded LED illuminates
- LCD displays the alert type and location
- Press any button to silence the siren
NOAA Weather Broadcast
- Press the WEATHER button to hear the latest weather broadcast
- Use the ▲ / ▼ buttons to scroll through channels
- Ensure antenna is fully extended for best reception
Alarm Clock
Set Alarm
- Press MENU, scroll to SET ALARM, press SELECT
- Use arrows to set hours/minutes
- Press SELECT to confirm
Snooze
- Press WEATHER/SNOOZE button during alarm
- Snooze duration: ~9 minutes
Additional Features
Backlight
- Adjustable brightness
- Turns off automatically after several seconds (unless in an alert)
External Ports
- External Antenna Jack – For signal boosting in poor reception areas
- External Alert Jack – Connect to alerting accessories (bed shakers, strobes, etc.)
- Headphone Jack – 3.5mm standard audio
Customizing Alerts (Set Events)
- Choose which alert types you want to receive
- Disable unnecessary alerts to avoid nuisance alarms
- Scroll through 80+ alert types (e.g., Tornado Warning, Flood Watch, Child Abduction Emergency)
Resetting the Radio
- Use RESET in the menu to return all settings to factory defaults
Troubleshooting
| Issue | Solution |
|---|---|
| No power | Check AC adapter and batteries |
| No alerts received | Verify SAME code and NOAA channel |
| Poor reception | Reposition antenna or use external antenna |
| Alert won’t stop | Press any button or change alert type |
| Clock reset | Replace or check backup batteries |
Technical Specs
- Power Source: 120V AC / 3 AA batteries
- NOAA Frequencies: 162.400 – 162.550 MHz (7 channels)
- Audio Output: 0.5W speaker / headphone out
- Dimensions: Approx. 6" x 5" x 2"
Limited Warranty (U.S. Only)
- Three-year warranty from date of purchase on radios.
- 90-day warranty on accessories.
- Does not cover misuse, water damage, or unauthorized repair.
- Submit warranty claims in the Midland Returns and Claims Portal
Download the full owner's manual here.
Comments
0 comments
Please sign in to leave a comment.