[PPRAANet] Come Participate in Skywarn Recognition Day Special Event

[Wes Wilson KØHBZ]

ARRL/NWS Skywarn Recognition Day
National Weather Service, Pueblo, CO
December 4th & 5th

All amateur radio operators are invited and encouraged to come to Pueblo and
participate in the 11th annual ARRL/NWS Skywarn Recognition Day special
event hosted by the NWS Pueblo Skywarn Group at the National Weather Service
Forecast Office in Pueblo starting at 17:00 (5 pm) MST on Friday, December
4th and running 24-hours continuous through 17:00 (5 pm) on Saturday,
December 5th.   The Pueblo Forecast Office is located at 3 Eaton Way,
Pueblo, CO – just a few blocks SW of the Pueblo Municipal Airport terminal
building.  For directions, enter the address, city & state into MapQuest at
www.mapquest.com

NWS Skywarn Recognition Day is a nationwide special event co-sponsored by
the National Weather Service and the ARRL that has been growing rapidly in
popularity and participation since its inception ten years ago.  This is a
truly unique event, part special event and part contest, where operators
from all around the country/world try to work as many of the NWS Forecast
Offices as possible and exchange weather observations during a 24-hour
period.  It’s really fun being a station everyone is trying to work, and
finding yourself on the receiving end of a big pileup.  Last year, over 100
NWS Forecast Offices participated.

Mike Stansberry (KØTER) is the SRD Station Coordinator for this event, feel
free to contact him at (719) 636-1290 or E-mail k0ter (AT) arrl (DOT) net if
you have any questions.

The NWS Pueblo Skywarn Group will be operating under its club call, WXØPUB,
and will have two HF SSB stations, an HF Digital station (CW, RTTY, Amtor,
Pactor, PSK-31) and a VHF/UHF/Packet/APRS station.  All of the stations,
antennas, computers and equipment are provided, so all operators need to do
is show up, roll up your sleeves and help keep the stations on the air.
Nighttime is especially fun, and the event runs ALL night, so if you’re a
night owl . . . we especially need your help (we provide the coffee)!  If
you have an ARES or RACES ID card or a Callsign/Name badge, please be sure
to bring it and wear it.

For those involved in ARES or RACES, this is an opportunity to see and
operate a first class portable EmComm setup – as none of the equipment or
antennas are permanent fixtures at NWS Pueblo, it is all brought in and set
up as is most-frequently required in real emergencies. 

If you don’t have HF privileges under your current license class, just ask –
if control operators are available (and they usually are) you can explore
the fun and excitement of HF operation with an experienced operator to help
you along.  This also is an excellent opportunity to learn about HF SSB &
Digital, packet, APRS and other exciting modes.

Last year, WXØPUB ranked 11th of the 89 NWS stations that submitted logs,
making 339 contacts in 40 states and worked 27 other NWS forecast offices
during the 24-hour period.

Because setup must be accomplished very quickly/efficiently on Friday, we
have a dedicated and experienced group of volunteers who do this.  If you’re
particularly interested in the setup process, contact KØTER if you would
like to observe or help.  Volunteers are always needed and welcome for
teardown which will start at 17:00 on Saturday evening.
  
For additional information you can visit the NOAA website at
http://www.crh.noaa.gov/hamradio/index.php

The NWS Pueblo Skywarn Group is made up of Skywarn-trained weather spotters,
both hams and non-hams.  NWS Pueblo appreciates the contributions of all our
Skywarn spotters, and especially those made by amateur radio; we hope you
will come join us for this special event.

73 Wes KØHBZ