Abstract: One telephone system embodiment having an alert module includes a base unit and at least one handheld unit. The base unit has a processor in data communication with a telephone network interface, a radio receiver, a first local transmitter, a first local receiver, and a first computer memory having a first program. The handheld unit has a processor in data communication with a second local receiver, a second local transmitter, a microphone, a speaker, and a second computer memory having a second program. At least one of the first and second programs includes instructions for passing signals between a telephone network on one end and the microphone and the speaker on another end. At least one of the first and second programs includes instructions for presenting an emergency warning through the speaker upon receipt of alert data from an emergency broadcast radio transmitter.

Abstract: In one embodiment, an emergency radio includes a processor in data communication with a radio receiver, electronic memory, an input device, an output device, and electronic instructions. The electronic instructions, when executed by the processor, perform steps for: (a) automatically obtaining a SAME code and at least one initial frequency setting for a given location; (b) sampling each of the at least one initial frequency settings using the radio receiver and disregarding any initial frequency setting that fails to meet predetermined criteria, whereby any remaining initial frequency setting is a potential frequency setting; (c) identifying a selected frequency setting from all of the potential frequency settings; (d) storing the SAME code and the selected frequency setting in the electronic memory; and (e) causing all alert data associated with the SAME code and the selected frequency setting to be output.

Abstract: One telephone system embodiment having an alert module includes a base unit and at least one handheld unit. The base unit has a processor in data communication with a telephone network interface, a radio receiver, a first local transmitter, a first local receiver, and a first computer memory having a first program. The handheld unit has a processor in data communication with a second local receiver, a second local transmitter, a microphone, a speaker, and a second computer memory having a second program. At least one of the first and second programs includes instructions for passing signals between a telephone network on one end and the microphone and the speaker on another end. At least one of the first and second programs includes instructions for presenting an emergency warning through the speaker upon receipt of alert data from an emergency broadcast radio transmitter.