The National Weather Service maintains over a 1000 transmitters that broadcast important weather information and alerts 24 hours a day, seven days a week. These broadcasts can be picked up with a NOAA weather radio like this one. But while there is coverage for almost the entire united states and territories, there are some areas where the signal may be weak, or reception might be difficult inside concrete or metal buildings like factories, schools, or hospitals. Using an external antenna will greatly improve your reception if you live in a weak signal area or building.

Most weather radios like the Midland All Hazards Weather Radio have an RCA jack on the back for an external antenna. My NOAA Weather J-Pole antenna is tuned for reception on the weather radio band, and I have an adapter kit so you can use common RG-6 coax cable to connect the radio to the antenna.

So, to attach the antenna to the radio, first mount the antenna to a mast or pole outside. A couple of hose clamps will do the trick. Then take the adapter kit and thread the F male connections on the cable to the F female connections on the adapters. You can then route the cable through your house or building and attach the large PL-259 connector to the antenna. Seal things up with electrical tape. A choke or balun is not required for receive only. Next attach the RCA connector to the radio. The radio will automatically use the external antenna when plugged in.  With an external antenna you’ll now have strong and solid reception of NOAA weather broadcasts.

If you have any questions about using an external antenna with your weather radio, please feel free to contact me or leave a comment below.

Links and Resources

Midland WR-120 NOAA All Hazards Weather Radio

NOAA Weather J-Pole Antenna

RCA Male to F Female and PL-259 to F Female Adapter Kit
(For RG-6 Coaxial Cable)

 

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