Weather alert radios
Reecom R-500
Reecom
AM/FM and SAME radio that watches all seven NOAA channels at once while in standby.
Where to buy in
What you get
A SAME alert radio with AM/FM that can monitor one to seven NOAA channels in standby. It holds 26 county codes and 51 event memories with date and time stamps. On four AA batteries the maker rates standby at up to 280 hours on a single channel.
- Watches up to all 7 NOAA channels at once for S.A.M.E. alerts
- 26 county codes and 51 event memories with date/time stamps
- AM/FM radio with 112 station memories
- Up to 280 hours standby on 4 x AA batteries
- Alarm-out, audio-out and external antenna jacks
Pros and cons of the Reecom R-500
Pros
- Monitors up to all seven NOAA channels at once for SAME alerts while in standby.
- Holds 51 event memories with date and time stamps plus 112 AM/FM station presets.
- Up to 280 hours of standby on four AA batteries by the maker's rating when watching one channel.
Cons
- Watching all seven channels cuts the rated standby from 280 hours to 120 hours on batteries.
- Reecom's page shows the Public Alert logo. The NWS list of NWR All Hazards models does not include it.
Specs
- SAME county coding
- Yes
- Public Alert certified
- Yes
- Alert types
- voice alert with EOM detection and timer, siren with timer (max 90 dB, 40 levels), display-only, flashing LED for Warning/Watch/Advisory
- Battery backup
- 4 x AA alkaline (280 h single-channel / 120 h 7-channel standby; not included)
- External alert jack
- Yes
- Display
- LCD with active-event count, receiving channel and effective-time countdown; backlight brightness control
- Bands
- AM/FM + NOAA weather band
- Size
- 5.32 x 2.36 x 2.48 in (135 x 60 x 63 mm)
Why it scores 8.2
8.2/10
Shortlist score. How it is calculated
Emergency features
- SAME county coding
- Public Alert certified
- Battery backup
- External alert jack
- More than one alert type
Tester picks
No pick by the testing outlets we track.
Search demand
Number 9 of 20 on this shortlist for Google searches by model name.
More weather alert radios
Full shortlist
Sources
Some links on this site are affiliate links. If you buy something after clicking one, the store may pay us a commission. The price stays the same for you, and commissions do not decide which emergency radios we recommend.