[CVRC] SKYWARN Recognition Day Update

[Matthew Parker]

Greetings to all,

Here are some updates regarding activities planned for WX7RNO during 
SKYWARN Recognition Day:

1.  NNARS Secretary/Treasurer Richard Nehrbass, N7TGB, has made available 
to us his IRLP node for use during the event. Stations anywhere within 
reach of an IRLP node will be able to contact us utilizing this facility. 
The IRLP reflector designated for contacting all NWS stations during the 
event is reflector 921. I had not previously planned to bring in 2-meter 
equipment to set up in the conference room, favoring instead the use of the 
permanently installed equipment located in the forecast room. However, in 
light of this announcement, I will set up 2-meter gear in the conference 
room so that we can continually monitor Richard's node for IRLP contacts. I 
still envision using the regular station equipment in the forecast room for 
repeater, simplex, and packet contacts. Many, many thanks to Richard for 
his generosity!!!

2.  In celebration of this event, we will run two extra sessions of the 
Reno Area SKYWARN Net. The first extra session will be Friday evening at 
2100 hours local, and the second extra session will be at 1000 hours local 
Saturday morning. These nets will follow the general protocol of the Reno 
Area SKYWARN Net, with two primary exceptions. First, after checkins and 
weather reports are taken, the frequency will be opened for any and all 
discussion related to the topic of weather. This could include inquiries 
about the latest area forecasts, questions about the SKYWARN program, your 
greatest weather story - anything that will help celebrate that event and 
make these extra nets a fun time on the air.

The second exception - in light that Saturday is Pearl Harbor Day and this 
is being commemorated as a part of the event, a special weather bulletin 
will be transmitted during the Saturday net reporting the weather as it was 
just prior to the attack. This is in-line with what is being included in 
the net nationally to mark this day. Both nets will take place on the 
147.120+/P.L. 123.0 repeater and will run until everyone participating is 
talked out (again, the primary purpose of doing this is to HAVE FUN!). 
Stations from outlying areas not normally able to reach the 147.12 repeater 
are encouraged to try 147.120 simplex - as we will be operating from a 
location at a higher level than the repeater is located, it is possible 
that we may be able to pick up some of you who are out of range of the 
repeater.

3.  During the aforementioned nets, we will have the packet equipment at 
the station connected to the RNO node and logged into "talk". This is a 
conference feature that allows several packet users to converse in a round 
table - everything sent by users utilizing this function is sent to all 
others in the group. I encourage all packet operators to join us using this 
mode; simply connect to RNO and then send TALK. I don't know how many users 
can connect at one time, but let's find out.

4.  I am still in the process of setting up some special demonstrations as 
part of this event. One is setting a schedule for making a repeater contact 
using the 147.150 repeater with the Sacramento Office (operating as W6S) to 
demonstrate the ease of establishing amateur radio contact between these 
two facilities. I will also be working to coordinate with the operators of 
the stations to be set up at the Elko and Las Vegas office a time and 
frequency for the three Nevada offices to meet and exchange weather 
reports. Other special demonstrations may be forthcoming as additional 
ideas of how to play in this event come to mind or are offered by others.

5.  I would like to stress again that the opportunity to join in operations 
during this event is open to ALL amateurs and interested persons, not just 
NNARS or SKYWARN members. We want anyone with interests in ham radio and 
weather to come out and enjoy the event. I would particularly encourage 
weather spotters from outside the immediate Reno area who don't normally 
get involved in operating the equipment at the Reno office to come up and 
join in. Also, if becoming a registered weather spotter sounds interesting, 
here is an opportunity to sign up, learn more, and meet others involved in 
the program.

SKYWARN Recognition Day operations from the Reno National Weather Service 
Office will begin at 1600 hours local on Friday, December 6 and continue 
until 1600 hours local on Saturday, December 7. Those interested in 
operating with us are welcome to come by the Reno office, located at 2350 
Raggio Parkway, at any time during the 24 hour period. To learn more about 
the event, view the national web site at http://hamradio.noaa.gov.

73,

Matthew B. Parker, N7TOD
Chairman, Northern Nevada Amateur Radio Services
http://www.qsl.net/nnars
ARES Emergency Coordinator - Washoe County
32 South Amanda Circle
Sparks, Nevada   89436
(775) 425-6102
(775) 858-8536 (Pager)