NXP has a receiver chip that goes up to 500 MHz.  The SA626, and can
be had for less than $4.50 from Mouser.
http://www.nxp.com/documents/data_sheet/SA626.pdf

Youll have to add a couple of external's, like a LC bandpass filter in
front of RF in, and some of the IF circuitry, but the datasheet goes
into a lot of detail on what you need.

Hope this helps,

-Eric

On Fri, Dec 11, 2009 at 10:13 AM, Mark <mark@cgmark.us> wrote:
> I have a project where I want to build a custom weather radio for use in
> north america. The band they use is around 162 Mhz. Does anyone know of
> any IC or parts that would make this easier. All the parts I keep
> finding are either no longer produced or very hard to get . I'm hoping
> not to have to build one from discrete parts like a bunch of transistors
> and coils, really hoping there is a chip out there , preferably in dip
> format , that I could add just a few parts to.
>
> Thanks
> Mark
>
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