[ARRL-OK] ARRL News

[Mark Conklin via ARRL-OK]

Oklahoma Grant Will Fund Amateur Radio-Based SKYWARN Location-Tracking 
System 
ARRL.org
 
05/20/2014
  
Okmulgee County, Oklahoma, Emergency Management (OCEM) has been awarded a 
grant of nearly $3700 from Operation Round Up and 
the ECE Foundation that will allow the agency to purchase a Amateur 
Radio-based location-tracking system for SKYWARN storm spotters. ARRL 
Oklahoma Section Emergency Coordinator Mark Conklin, N7XYO, and several area 
radio amateurs helped county emergency managers in planning the project.

“This grant award will allow for the installation of an Automatic Packet 
Reporting System (APRS) I gate, several APRS digipeaters, and several portable 
APRS beacons,” Conklin said. “Working with as partners, together we are able to 
serve our community through Amateur Radio.”

In Oklahoma most SKYWARN storm spotters report their observations via Amateur 
Radio to local emergency management, but tracking and guiding storm spotters to 
safe observation locations during severe weather events can be a challenge. 
APRS, which permits a station to report its location as it moves, is a useful 
tool, both for SKYWARN storm spotters and those involved in emergency 
communication. Accurate position information is crucial when reporting 
information during severe weather events or other emergencies. In disaster 
scenes, APRS can prove especially helpful to emergency managers when known 
landmarks have been damaged or removed.

OCEM said it plans to construct and maintain several APRS digital repeaters 
systems and an APRS base receiving station for its Emergency Operations Center, 
add APRS systems to several key OCEM vehicles, and develop several portable APRS 
tracking systems.

“The support of community partners like East Central Electric Coop is 
critical to our efforts to service the citizens of Okmulgee County,” said OCEM 
Director Tim Craighton. “This grant will allow OCEM to begin to make these 
improvements immediately.” These improved APRS systems will be open to all 
Amateur Radio SKYWARN storm spotters and will be installed in locations that 
will benefit counties to the east, south, and west of Okmulgee County.

In addition to Conklin, those involved in laying the groundwork for the grant 
included Okmulgee County Emergency Coordinator Jason Dawson, KF5KFB; Regional 
ARES leader Ben Joplin, WB5VST, and ARES volunteer Andrew McCullough, 
KE5WPH. — Thanks to Mark Conklin, N7XYO, Oklahoma Section Emergency 
Coordinator 


http://www.arrl.org/news/oklahoma-grant-will-fund-amateur-radio-based-skywarn-location-tracking-system