Weather Band Radio Antenna Connector Guide
Weather Band Radio Antenna Connector and Adapter Guide
There are two ways to determine the weather band antenna input jack on a weather band radio: a listing or visual identification. Included in this guide are several models of weather band radios and the type of weather band antenna connector required to attach an external weather band antenna to it. However, if the weather radio model needed is not listed a visual identification of the weather band antenna connector is quite easy as there are generally only 3 weather band antenna connectors in use, from most to least common: RCA, BNC, and screw on F. This guide will assist in determining the weather band radio antenna connector on your weather band radio. This guide is limited to weather band radios that are primarily for weather radio reception. Many, many radios allow reception of the NOAA weather band, but this guide deals with those models that are exclusively for National Weather Service radio broadcasts.
If you are looking for a solution to reception issues on a weather band radio, check out the following Web site that offers what you need:
Weather Band Radio External Antennas
RCA or Phono Weather Band Antenna Adapter
The RCA, also known as phono, jack is by far the most common antenna connector used on weather band radios simply because Midland and Radio Shack brand weather band radios use the RCA jack almost exclusively (there are exceptions). The weather band antenna connector itself is simple to identify because it is one of the most common connectors out there as it is used for audio and video ins and outs on sound (stereos) and video (TVs) equipment. It is a small, smooth connector.
 RCA Antenna Connection |
 RCA Weather Band Radio Antenna Adapter Plug |
The following models use the RCA or phone connector for the weather band antenna jack or receptacle:
Alert Works EAR-10
Midland 74-109, 74-200, 74-210, WR-10, WR-11, WR-100, WR-120B, WR-300, WR-301
MTS 5120
Oregon Scientific WR-196
Radio Shack 12-241, 12-249, 12-250, 12-258, 12-261, 12-262, 12-382
Reecom R1630, R1650
Sangean CL-100
Sima First Alert WX-67
ShareCom Model WRP-500
BNC Weather Radio Antenna Connector
The BNC jack or receptacle has two small points that stick out that can be seen and easily felt to help identify it.
 BNC Antenna Jack |
 BNC Antenna Plug |
The following models use the BNC connector for the weather radio antenna jack or receptacle:
Computer Automation Technology WX-200, WX-250, WX-1000
Radio Shack 12-251, 12-519
Thunder Eagle WeatherEagle 105, WeatherEagle 110
Warning Systems AdaptAlert DSP-300-NW
Screw On F Weather Radio Connector
Currently, most of Sima’s First Alert series of weather band radios use the F connector. The F connector is well-known as an antenna connector for both stereos and televisions.
 Screw on F NOAA Radio Antenna Jack |
 Screw On F Connector |
The following models use the screw on F connector for the weather radio antenna jack or receptacle:
Dayton Industrial AF610, AF612, AF630
Gorman Redlich CRW-S
Sima First Alert WX-167, WX-200, WX-268
TFT EAS Safety 1st, EAS 930A,
If you have a weather radio model that isn’t listed and you know the antenna connector, please leave the model and antenna connector in the comments below and it will be added to this guide.
For an antenna solution to resolve Weather Radio reception issues please visit the following:
Deep Fringe Weather Radio 6.3 db Gain Yagi Antenna
Voyager 4way powered NOAA WEATHER ALERT by Kaito seems to have no antenna jack. Can I connect to a better antenna that clips onto the Voyager antenna?
Hi,
There is no way to add an external antenna to that radio that I can see. However, there are some things you can do to maximize reception.
1/ Use a measuring tape or yardstick and measure to adjust the length of the antenna rod to 17.25″ (17 and 1/4 inch) and no longer or shorter.
2/ Try to get the antenna as vertical as possible (straight up and down).
3/ Determine the direction of your local NOAA transmitter by going to http://www.nws.noaa.gov/nwr/Maps/ and entering your state and county.
Once you know where the signal is coming from you may place the radio in front of a window or at least to an outside wall towards the transmitter to give you best possible reception. Height is also your friend, the higher the better so the top of the window would theoretically be better.
You may not be able to leave it there all the time, but perhaps if you know the best reception spot at your location, you may put the radio there for best reception during those times of need.
Regards,
May 4th, 2011 at 1:31 PMLake