[NevadaARES] SKYWARN Recognition Day Update

[Matthew Parker]

Greetings to all,

SKYWARN Recognition Day 2002 is just a day away.  I would like to update 
everyone on some changes and remind all of a few things regarding Reno's 
participation:

1.  Bad news first - we lost our PSK-31 operator and therefore will not 
have this mode this year.  All other plans will carry on (CW and Phone on 
10/15/20/40/80 meters, IRLP on 2 meters, general voice contacts on 2 
meters/70 centimeters, and packet on 2 meters).

2.  Best news next - News Channel 8 (KOLO-TV) will be doing a feature story 
on ham radio and this event to air during the 11 O'Clock News Friday 
night.  Chief Meteorologist Jeff Martinez will also be doing his forecast 
segments for the evening newscasts live from the Weather Service Office 
with us.  Check us out on TV!

3.  This event has been developed to honor the contribution that ham 
operators nationwide make to the SKYWARN severe weather spotter 
program.  SKYWARN spotters include a wide segment of the  amateur radio 
community and not just ARES/RACES members.  In this spirit, I would like to 
again stress that the Reno operation is open to ALL amateurs, regardless of 
club affiliation or lack thereof.  Hams who are registered as SKYWARN 
Spotters are particularly encouraged to participate.  Anyone interested 
will be welcome to come up, visit, operate, and find out more about Reno's 
SKYWARN program.

4.  Unlike Field Day, this is not a contest.  The idea here is to HAVE FUN 
with amateur radio - this is what we have done in the previous two events 
Reno has participated in and what we will be doing in this event.  As part 
of this fun time and to add some extra activities to the event, we will 
conduct two extra sessions of the Reno Area SKYWARN Net.  One session will 
be at 9 P.M. local on Friday night, the other will be at 10 A.M. local on 
Saturday, both on the 147.120+/P.L. 123.0 repeater (stations not within 
range of the repeater are encouraged to try simplex on 147.120 as the Reno 
office is located at a fairly elevated level and we may be able to hear 
you).  Once checkins have been taken and weather reports obtained, the nets 
will be opened to any and all discussion related to the topic of 
weather.  This could include questions about the SKYWARN program, your 
favorite weather story, or anything in between.  Also, as Saturday is the 
61st anniversary of the attack on Pearl Harbor, we will transmit the 
weather observation from Pearl Harbor recorded just prior to the attack 
during the Saturday morning net (this is in line with what is being done 
nationally to mark this anniversary)  Again, the idea here is for everyone 
to get involved and have some fun with this event.  Any amateur who 
participates and contacts at least one NWS station can submit for a 
certificate acknowledging their participation - contact with station WX7RNO 
during one of these nets will count toward this goal.  For more information 
about certificates, see the national website at http://hamradio.noaa.gov.

5.  As previously noted, we will be using IRLP to make contacts as will a 
number of other NWS stations around the country.  This has been made 
possible through the generosity of Richard, N7TGB, who has opened up his 
IRLP node for our use throughout this event.  We will be monitoring this 
node on 147.405 throughout the event.  Other 2 meter/70 centimeter and 
packet contacts will use the equipment permanently installed in the 
forecasting room at the office; this equipment may not be manned at all 
times.  While the station is manned, it is my intent to connect the packet 
to the conference function on the RNO node.  To chat keyboard-to-keyboard 
with us using this mode, connect to RNO and then, once connected, type TALK 
and enter.  This will put you into the conference feature.  If we're not 
there, you can try us direct by connecting to WX7RNO and, as a last resort, 
leave a message in the mailbox at WX7RNO-1.

6.  Roger has declared a SKYWARN Spotter Open House on Saturday from 9:30 
A.M. to 3:30 P.M.  This will be an opportunity for all SKYWARN spotters 
(hams and non-hams) to come up for a visit.  Roger has indicated that he 
will be providing some refreshments - I will be bringing some goodies as well.

7.  Remember that the radiosonde balloon launches occur at 3:00 A.M. and 
3:00 P.M.  This is a very interesting process - come up and watch if you're 
interested.

8.  We will be joined on the air in this event by the offices in Elko and 
Las Vegas, making this the first event in which all three Nevada offices 
have participated.

9.  The event runs from 4:00 P.M. local time on Friday through 4:00 P.M. 
local time on Saturday.  We will be in operation throughout the 24 hour 
period of the event.  Those wishing to come by during this operation are 
welcome to do so at any time during the event.

10.  Again, this event is for the benefit of ALL amateurs - so, if you're 
interested, please join us!   This year promises to be the best SKYWARN 
Recognition Day event for Reno yet.

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)