[PBARC] Arkansas SKYWARN

[WOLF, EARNEST G]

Follows an overview of Arkansas SKYWARN.  This overview is the result of numerous emails regarding activation of Arkansas SKYWARN.  Hopefully, this will explain the consensus of the collective thinking of those responding.  I appreciate everyone who responded.  I think this discussion was healthy and cleared up some misunderstandings.  

The position of the National Weather Service Office in North Little Rock, has not changed regarding Arkansas SKYWARN activation.  It continues to be business as usual.  What has changed is a more formal statement regarding the activation of the CAREN Weather Net when Arkansas SKYWARN is not active.

 

Overview

Arkansas SKYWARN

6-1-03

Purpose:

1-To collect and provide the National Weather Service, timely and accurate Sever Weather Reports via Ham Radio. Track Severe Thunderstorms, collect and report requested Severe Weather related information from trained, volunteer Ham Radio Operators, to save lives and property. 

2-To provide Severe Weather warning information to Ham Radio Operators, broadcast media, Emergency Managers and the public. This is only done by reading Severe Warnings when issued by the National Weather Service. Net Control Operators do not function as Radar Operators. Net Control Operators do not direct Storm Chasers or Storm Spotters into or out of Harms Way. Net Control Operators do not issue warnings. Radar Information is available from numerous Media sources and Internet Sites, so don't ask Net Control for Radar Readings. Radar interpretation is not an exact science. Radar Interpretation is left to the Professionals during Arkansas SKYWARN Nets. 

3-To organize and train Ham Radio Operators to prepare themselves and their families for disaster or emergency events. Until Ham Radio Operators and their families are safe and secure, they are not available for Arkansas SKYWARN or Emergency Communications duty.

4-To maintain Arkansas SKYWARN, as a volunteer Emergency Communications Network, that transcends jurisdictional and political boundaries, operating uniformly, across the County Warned Area of the National Weather Service, independent of any club, group, organization or political jurisdiction. Arkansas SKYWARN is not a club, but rather a Public Service Organization dedicated to serve the National Weather Service. 

 

DO'S AND DON'TS

DO monitor SKYWARN Repeaters for developing severe weather information.As Severe Weather approaches Arkansas, the National Weather Service will activate Arkansas Skywarn by phone to designated volunteer Ham Radio SKYWARN Stations. Issuance of Severe Weather Watches by the National Weather Service should alert volunteer Ham Radio Operators to monitor SKYWARN frequencies for developing severe weather information. Ham Radio Stations are respectfully requested to refrain from long conversations on SKYWARN repeaters during Severe Weather Watches. Long conversations are defined as 5 minutes or longer conversations. 

DON'T check into an Arkansas SKYWARN net unless you have Emergency, Priority or reportable Weather information. Net Controls will request other check ins when needed. ALWAYS follow Net Control Instructions on any net.

DO use the severe weather report form as a guide and reminder, available on www.carenclub.com web site. The criteria listed therein is the ONLY information requested by the National Weather Service and Arkansas SKYWARN.

DO take SKYWARN Severe Storm Training from the National Weather Service.

DON'T make Blue Sky reports to a SKYWARN Net, announcement of rain, lightning, thunder or if it has cleared up and the blue sky is showing, the sirens are going off OR any other non-reportable, information. Such unwanted, meaningless, reports do not reflect the professional conduct Arkansas SKYWARN desires. 

DON'T check into a net during a tornado warning or when the net has emergency or priority traffic, UNLESS, you have equally as important information to share.

DON'T get upset if you don't follow the rules and are either ignored or reminded of the rules.

DON'T check into a net, "for the count" unless directed to do so by Net Control

DO follow Net Control Instructions

DON'T give damage reports without specific permission of Net Control. If in doubt, ask Net Control. Damage reports are extremely important to the National Weather Service. Generally Storm Damage Reports can wait for a slack time during Arkansas SKYWARN Net. HOWEVER, there are times when the Severe Weather Forecaster will request Storm Damage Reports immediately. In this event, Net Control should immediately request Storm Damage Reports. Storm Damage Reports should be reported to the National Weather Service by the Arkansas SKYWARN Net, Telephone, Email, etc. ALWAYS REPORT STORM DAMAGE REPORTS to the National Weather Service. They are very important for verification of Severe Thunderstorms and historical records used sometimes years later for Insurance and Commercial purposes. 

DO monitor local Emergency Frequencies and report Emergency Traffic or Reportable Severe Storm information. ALWAYS report the source of your

information. 

DO use the tactical call sign "Net Control" when addressing the SKYWARN Net. Net Control Operators should end all exchanges with their FCC call sign to comply with FCC rules of identification and to acknowledge they are finished and ready for other business. 

DO end all exchanges with Net Control with your own FCC call sign to comply with FCC rules of identification and to acknowledge you have finished your traffic.

DO pay attention to net activity of Tornado Warnings, Emergency or Priority Traffic so you won't inadvertently transmit on top of higher priority traffic.

DO monitor SKYWARN nets. Many, stations sit through many SKYWARN nets and never transmit. This is good, if you don't have anything to report, don't transmit.

DO use good judgment during any SKYWARN Net. Only by using good judgment can we provide a quality product for the National Weather Service and the communities we serve in Arkansas. 

DON'T engage in point to point communications unless permission is given by Net Control.

DO pay attention to surrounding events. Arkansas SKYWARN volunteer Ham Radio Operator Safety is of utmost importance. Obey all traffic laws, use Amber Emergency Flashing Lights and vehicle flashers. Always have picture Identification and your FCC Amateur Radio License with you. 

Do Assist injuries and dangerous conditions by reporting it to Net Control. 

DON'T treat injuries beyond your level of training. Your request for assistance is your primary assignment.

DO avoid damaged utilities, spills or pools of unknown liquids. Our assignment is to observe and report. In this way, YOU do make an important and positive difference.

CAREN Weather Net

In the event Severe Weather develops suddenly and Arkansas SKYWARN is not activated, the CAREN Weather Net is available. The CAREN Weather Net will operate the same as Arkansas SKYWARN per the above where applicable, except, Net Control, his or her designee, will maintain contact with the National Weather Service via telephone and operate from locations outside the National Weather Service office.

The CAREN Weather Net can be activated by any ARES/RACES Emergency Coordinator, Assistant Emergency Coordinator, CAREN Club Officer or Arkansas SKYWARN Net Control. 

The CAREN Weather Net will remain active at the discretion of the activating official. The CAREN Weather Net will immediately cease operation when Arkansas SKYWARN is activated. 

Arkansas SKYWARN Net Control

To volunteer for Net Control Duty, Contact Pat Dixon, N5ZSN, Arkansas SKYWARN Personnel Coordinator, Dale Temple, W5RXU, Arkansas SKYWARN President or Scott Derden, K5SCD, Arkansas SKYWARN Operations Coordinator.

Upon arrival at the National Weather Service to Open an Arkansas SKYWARN Net, look for white three ring binders; one for the W5DI Linked System and one for the NYU Linked System. Opening Net instructions and the necessary codes are contained in these books.

The operating conditions at the National Weather Service during Arkansas SKYWARN activation, generally are stressful, with increased tension and pressure. Net Control assignments are authorized by Arkansas SKYWARN management ONLY. No one should just "show up" at the National Weather Service. Net Control Operators should have a photo ID (Arkansas Drivers License is sufficient) and should wear a name badge. This is for Homeland Security. 

No more than three Net Controls are allowed at the National Weather Service except for shift change. Don't bring guests. 

Sensitive information is openly discussed at the National Weather Service and is confidential. Sensitive information should not be discussed during or after an Arkansas SKYWARN Net. Arkansas SKYWARN Net Controls are not authorized to give media interviews.

One Net Control will operate the W5DI Linked System. A second Net Control will operate the N5YU Linked System as needed. The third Net Control will act as runner between the Severe Weather Forecaster in Charge, the Severe Warning printer and the radar operator. Net Control shift will be approximately 4 hours with the Net Controls changing assignments about every hour, so everyone gets Net Control opportunities.

Arkansas SKYWARN Net Controls are requested to use good judgment on how and when to pass written Severe Storm Reports to the Severe Weather Forecaster in Charge. Critical information or Emergency information should be immediately delivered. Other reportable information can wait a few minutes until an appropriate time for delivery.

All Arkansas SKYWARN Net stations should use the tactical call sign "Net Control". At the end of each concluded exchange, Net Control Operators should use their FCC assigned call sign for identification purposes and to let the Net know you have concluded and are ready for further business. The Net should be identified as "Arkansas SKYWARN" about every 10 minute.

When the threat of Severe Weather has ended, the Severe Weather Forecaster will indicate that the Net may be secured. 

Local Skywarn Nets

The W5DI and N5YU Linked Systems do not cover the entire County Warning Area of the North Little Rock office of the National Weather Service. Local Skywarn Nets exist in these areas. Local Skywarn Nets exist in local areas because local clubs or groups want a Local Net.

Local Skywarn Nets are welcome to provide liaison stations to Arkansas SKYWARN or the CAREN Weather Net, whichever is available

 

 

 

 



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