Roswell’s National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Weather Radio transmitter hasn’t worked for about three years. In the meantime, people in Roswell and parts of Chaves County have been referred to the Ruidoso NOAA Weather Radio for information.
The radio broadcasts local weather forecasts and alerts on a special frequency relied on by many residents to stay ahead of weather alerts. Ruidoso’s broadcast is at WXJ-38 and can be found on a frequency of 162.550 megahertz (+0.100). It serves portions of Chaves County, the National Weather Service reports.
However, Roswell’s own transmitter might be up and running once again, said Karen Sanders, Roswell Emergency manager.
“We’re hoping NOAA could be back up in a matter of weeks,” Sanders said. “We miss not having that signal.”
The transmitter failed after being moved to a Chaves County-area tower under the control of multiple private entities, including a radio station.
After a lengthy period spent obtaining site agreements and purchasing new, much-needed equipment, all that remains is the arrival of skilled technicians from Albuquerque to install the transmitter, antenna and related items.
Along with installation skills, the technicians also need to be able to climb up a transmission tower. And the workers with these special skills will have to be available to travel from Albuquerque to do this work.
The return of a more localized NOAA weather broadcast will be welcome as winter approaches.
“It’s going to be a very wet winter,” Sanders added.
Information on broadcast and frequency details to hear the local broadcast will also be available soon.
