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| Reviews Summary for Sima First Alert WX-268 |
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Reviews: 4
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Average rating: 4.5/5
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MSRP: $129.95
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Description: Dual EAS and NWR receivers for round-the-clock emergency coverage.
Sima’s First Alert Brand Emergency Alert Radio is designed for use before, during and after emergencies by simultaneously monitoring broadcasts by both the Emergency Alert System (EAS) and NOAA Weather Radio (NWR).
AM/FM/Weather Band clock radio
AlwaysSet™ Radio Controlled Clock
Dual alarm setting
Includes new messages for 2004 such as AMBER ALERT and 911 Call Outage.
Meets new CEA-2009 standard for Public Alert™ devices.
Scrolling LCD text display of message information.
Easy to program using full text programming. FIPS codes are no longer needed when programming your location into the WX-268. Program the state and county to set your location.
Weather Band Channel and NOAA Location Codes
(Specific Area Message Encoding) technology to select the most accurate broadcast for your location.
Automatically sounds a loud alert siren when emergency conditions such as chemical spills, tornados, civil emergencies and more occur in your area.
Never obsolete, upgradeable using a PC.
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More info: http://www.simacorp.com
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K5ADF
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Rating: 4/5
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Jan 18, 2007 10:30
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Weather alert works
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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I bought the First Alert WX268 in September 2005. This is my first weather alert radio. It was easy to set up and receives the test signals and weather alerts without any problems. I live in San Antonio so the NOAA station is local. I keep it in my radio shack where I also have a MFJ123 Atomic clock wall mounted. The MFJ locks onto the time signal, but the WX268 does not. Since I only use the WX268 as a weather alert, the lack of NIST time lock is not important. The alert is loud and would wake anyone in the house.
I use the radio capability from time to time to listen to the local NPR station (low power). The reception is clear but again local. I have not tried to update the unit from my PC so I cannot comment on that capability. I have not had any problem with RFI from my HF radio running 600 watts.
The WX268 is functional and I am satisfied with it.
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SW-FAN
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Rating: 5/5
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Feb 15, 2006 12:51
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CAUTION - But A Perfect Weather Radio
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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UPDATED FEBRUARY 15, 2006
CAUTION: I HAVE HAD PROBLEMS WITH THIS UNIT AS DESCRIBED BELOW. IT IS STILL UNDER WARRANTY AND I HAVE RETURNED IT TO SIMA CORP. FOR REPAIR. They were extremely responsive and concerned. I am keeping my recommendation the same, but apparently there is a batch of defective units (I think) with the problems I listed below. They said upon receipt the unit will be repaired (replaced) and back to me in about 1 week. They seemed very familiar with these problems I have described below and responded immediately to return the unit ASAP and the problems will be corrected. HERE IS WHAT I EXPERIENCED AND IN READING OTHER REVIEWS ON THE INTERNET OTHERS HAVE HAD SAME OR SIMILAR PROBLEMS. However, this appears to be a very well designed and manufactured unit. If I still have problems after I get it back from SIMA Corp, I will post here...
1. Significant lack of sensitivity for receiving the NIST clock signal. Required placing in multiple locations before NIST clock signal was received. Other clocks here have no difficulty receiving the NIST clock signal at any location.
2. Has never received the NOAA test signals. Multiple locations were tired over the past one and onehalf months with no success. Other weather radios here receive the signal fine at any location. We know the days/times the signals are transmitted in this area by NOAA, and the WX-268 never receives the test signal from NOAA.
MY EARLIER REVIEWS. (I feel this is still an excellent unit.)
This weather radio works exactly as advertised and even better than advertised! It is exceptionally stable in functions and reception, and very well built. I have owned a number of weather radios over the years and most were junk. I decided this time to try to find the best weather radio I could find without getting into the high end professional units. I searched the Internet a lot and found a number of folks talking about how great this particular weather radio worked. I am raving about this particular weather radio because I have been searching a long time for a quality unit without getting into the expensive high end professional units.
I bought one and I am 100% pleased and very impressed. The advanced weather programming features of this unit work extremely well, as well as, the AM and FM. Where I live the reception of the NOAA reports had a fair amount of static with other weather radios, but this one comes in exceptionally clear. This unit also has the SAME technology which is really nice, especially when you need the radio on 24 hours per day. It also has the Emergency Alert System.
Summary of features and capabilities: Dual Emergency Alert System (EAS) and NOAA Weather Radio (NWR) for round-the-clock emergency coverage; AM/FM/Weather Band clock radio; Radio Controlled Clock; Dual alarm setting; Messages for AMBER ALERT, 911 Call Outage and many many more; CEA-2009 standard for Public Alert devices; Scrolling LCD text display of message information; Easy full text programming, for example, program the state and county to set your location; Weather Band Channel and NOAA Location Codes; (Specific Area Message Encoding SAME) technology to select the most accurate broadcast for your location; Automatically sounds a loud alert siren (programmable) when emergency conditions such as chemical spills, tornados, civil emergencies, etc. occur in your area; Operates on 120 VAC, internal batteries for backup, and 12DC, for example, in a car. And also has external antenna jack for remote sites with fringe reception. And external outputs for flashing light, remote speaker, etc. etc.
VERY IMPORTANT: Never obsolete, upgradeable using a PC.
NOTE: User manual can be downloaded from the Sima Corporation web site to fully study all of the features which is what I did first, and it was very impressive. (simacorp.com)
I am also a professional in electronics and I highly recommend this weather radio from my experience with the First Alert WX-268 Emergency Alert Radio with Same Technology. Just as a side note, I also had to call their technical support with a question and they actually responded on the 4th ring of the telephone and a technical support person answered that was very helpful and friendly. I just could not have asked for more with this wonderful weather radio.
Please note: This unit is designed / manufactured by the Sima Products Corporation located in Oakmont, Pennsylvania. The unit is also called the Sima WX-268. And, the First Alert WX-268. They are the same unit, same labeling, everything. If searching for more information also search under Sima WX-268.
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N1KSN
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Rating: 4/5
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Jan 30, 2006 06:40
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First unit didn't work
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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This radio seems OK, and it was easy enough to program. However, the first unit I purchased did not capture alerts--the whole reason for having the radio. I sent the unit in under warranty and received a second unit soon thereafter from Sima, but with no explanation. The second unit seems to work.
The programming was especially easy, because one doesn't need to know the SAME codes for your area, as these are programmed in. You only need to select your state, county, and sub-county region (if desired).
I did need to move the unit around my house to find a place where it picked up the NIST time signal. Unfortunately, this was not in our bedroom, my preferred location. Perhaps it is for the best, as the alert signal on HI is loud!
I'm giving a score of 4 because of the defective first unit I received. Otherwise, this is a good weather alert radio with lots of features.
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WT3844
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Rating: 5/5
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Jul 23, 2005 16:30
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GREAT ALERT RECEIVER
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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THIS IS DEFINETLY THE CADILLAC OF ALERT RADIOS.HASN'T MISSED AN ALERT YET UNLIKE THE WX167 WHICH I THINK HAS SOME BUGS I OWN TWO OF THOSE,THIS IS DEFINETLY A KEEPER. ALSO THIS RECEIVER IS VERY USER FRIENDLY.I LIKE THE RADIO CONTROLLED CLOCK ALSO.BACKLITE COULD BE A LITTLE BRIGHTER BUT THAT IS THE ONLY COMPLAINT I HAVE VERY MINOR,
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