These two additions bring the total number of NOAA Weather Radio transmitters in western and central Oklahoma, and western sections of North Texas, to eight. The other five transmitters programmed from the Norman Forecast Office were installed by the National Weather Service and have been in operation for many years, McCarthy said. Automation, which allows NWS Forecast Offices to speed critical weather information from advanced workstations directly to the growing number of transmitters, makes use of a computer synthesized voice. This new technology eliminates many of the delays inherent in the older systems and allows simultaneous broadcasts on multiple transmitters when necessary. The NOAA Weather Radio network has more than 480 stations, covering all 50 states, adjacent coastal waters, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and U.S. Pacific Territories.
Weather radios come in many sizes, with a variety of functions and costs.
Some receivers can automatically sound an alarm and turn themselves on if a severe weather warning is broadcast. Some are SAME-equipped. Weather radios can be purchased at many electronics stores.