[CALV-ARES] SKYWARN ID update

[Donald Kirby]

Hi Dennis,
Some time ago I took the Skywarn trainning and received my spotter number.
It is  CTN 06. Yes, I know that I am not very active but here is my number, CTN 06.
73, Don, KR3A


  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: Dennis N3QHC 
  To: calv-ares at mailman.qth.net 
  Sent: Saturday, April 20, 2013 3:27 PM
  Subject: [CALV-ARES] SKYWARN ID update


  Attached is a list of SKYWARN ID's for hams local to the K3CAL-R.  Updated list will be sent as new ID's are received.

   

  I do not know who are SKYWARN NCS trained by NWS.  If we do not have substantial number of hams trained SKYWARN NCS then I suggest we ask for volunteers as long as we stick to the NWS NCS Scripts.  

   

  From experience, SKYWARN NCS should be those hams available in the mid-afternoon through the evening hours since a major weather event requiring SKYWARN activation occurs doing this time-frame.  The alternative is not to activate SKYWARN which presents a safety of life and property in the repeater coverage area.  Recent U.S. Government Sequestration has made getting NWS NCS training very difficult to obtain, I rather see us have SKYWARN Nets than risk life and property to those in our coverage area.  Please monitor NWS website for Hazard Outlook Forecast to see if SKYWARN activations will be needed for weather events, hence, start a SKYWARN NET for our coverage area.  

   

  Roll calls are not needed for SKYWARN NETS.  Listen for the script SKYWARN NCS reads and report for only those conditions being asked.  NWS is looking for certain conditions on the ground and is not interested that the "sky is blue" at your location, for example.  In other words, keep radio traffic to a minimum so those experiencing weather events can report to SKYWARN NCS.  The job of being SKYWARN NCS is intense and very demanding.  SKYWARN NCS needs to take local reports and to rely those reports to NWS Sterling timely. 

   

  It is normal & necessary operational procedures to have a backup station for the NCS since so much information is being passed at times.  It also gives NCS time to call NWS Sterling with updates, time to take a break since some weather events last hours and in case NCS goes off-the-air for some reason.

   

  NWS Sterling host quarterly SKYWARN Meetings with a meteorologist.  Dates and times are posted on NWS Sterling website under SKYWARN on the right side. For those that like to go to a meeting let me know.  I have been to dozens of their meetings in the past and do not mind driving there.  The meetings are informative and would let us be more up to date on NWS objectives.  Since these meetings occurs on Government property a list of names of those attending is required prior to the meeting.  

   

  FAll ARES and RACES members should have an all-weather radio with S.A.M.E. (Specific Area Messaging Encoding, i.e., one can set radio to turn ON when Calvert County is included in a bulletin) feature at their location.  Not only do these radios alert one for weather critical bulletins for specific areas but other national emergencies utilizes these radios too for notifications.  Just like a smoke alarm in your home, a weather radio with S.A.M.E. is the next safety equipment ALL households should be equipped.  

   

  73, Dennis N3QHC      



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