As of Wednesday morning, the National Hurricane Center (NHC) reported Beryl would bring hurricane conditions to Jamacia by midday with life-threatening winds and storm surge and is expected to approach the Cayman Islands by Wednesday evening into Thursday.

Bobby Graves, KB5HAV, Hurricane Watch Net (HWN) Manager, reports the HWN is active as of Wednesday, July 3rd, at 7:00 AM EDT (1100 UTC) on 14.325.00 MHz, and at 8:30 AM EDT (1230 UTC), or just as soon as the Waterway Net has completed, on 7.268.00 MHz.

“Any additional change to the forecast track could bring hurricane conditions, perhaps, even landfall, on Thursday across the Cayman Islands. We will watch the track closely,” said Graves.

“The Hurricane Watch Net is also preparing for a Friday activation for when Hurricane Beryl is expected to make landfall in the Yucatan of Mexico,” added Graves. “As always, we greatly appreciate the daily users and various nets who use 14.325.00 MHz and 7.268.00 MHz for allowing us a clear frequency. It certainly makes our job easier, and I know those in the affected area appreciate it as well. Our prayers go out to those who could be affected by Hurricane Beryl. HWN is prepared, ready to serve, and do what we can to help save lives.”

On Tuesday, Zian Julio Aguirre Taboada, XE1ATZ, Director of the National Emergency Network of the Mexican Federation of Radio Experimenters, asked for the protection of 7.128 MHz that will be used during the activation of their network due to the threat of Hurricane Beryl.

Amateur radio operators have been preparing for activation since Sunday evening, June 30. The Voice Over Internet Protocol (VoIP) Hurricane Net was activated Monday morning July 1, and was secured at 500 PM EDT Monday. Beryl intensified into an intense Category 4 hurricane as it swept through the Grenadines, Grenada, and Petit Martinique, with impacts also into St. Vincent, St. Lucia, Trinidad and Tobago, and Barbados.

Some of the net reports were utilized in the 11 AM Monday 7/1/24 NHC Advisory. They included structural damage reports to buildings with roofs blown off, trees/wires/poles down, storm surge and heavy rainfall related flooding.

"We appreciate any and all support from amateur operators in the affected area," said Rob Macedo, KD1CY, director of operations for the VoIP Net.

ARRL Director of Emergency Management Josh Johnston, KE5MHV, reminded amateurs it’s important to be ready to help.

“Now is the time to make sure you are prepared individually and as a group. Touch base with your partner agencies. As NOAA has predicted the potential for a busier hurricane year, know your plan. We all will be watching and staying connected with officials in the coastal regions of the country. Amateur radio still has a very important role during times of crisis and as we have seen in the past, hurricanes can test a community’s preparedness better than most other disasters.”