[Skywarn] Skywarn Digest, Vol 24, Issue 1

[N4AOF]

Larry,

I agree with your comments about the problem (which is NOT limited to rural 
areas) and about the value of spotters (also not limited to rural areas), 
but UNTIL NOW the discussion has NOT been about either the generic problem 
or the value of spotters.  The discussion has been about how the classes are 
scheduled at one specific facility in one town in one rural area.

73 de N4AOF

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Larry Nelson" <lanelson1 at juno.com>
To: <skywarn at mailman.qth.net>
Sent: Thursday, August 04, 2011 13:10
Subject: Re: [Skywarn] Skywarn Digest, Vol 24, Issue 1


> Re:  "Thank you for sharing your local problem with the entire world -- we 
> all wait breathlessly to seen the next installment of the Trials and 
> Tribulations of Weather Spotting in Rural Nevada"
> ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
> IMO, that was a rather snarky response to a problem that lots of rural 
> hams have, regardless of state or territory. While weather spotters are 
> valuable in more densely populated areas, they become life savers in rural 
> areas. I speak not just as a ham, but as an Emergency Management 
> professional and educator. The National Weather Service (at least in my 
> area) is very proactive in working with rural hams. They do this because 
> it protects the public and the radar periphery is not as accurate. The 
> local operator probably has tremendous native intelligence about local 
> weather history and patterns, which is invaluable. And don't forget, the 
> Eyeball, Mark I, is still the most effective tool in spotting. So, instead 
> of being rude and part of the problem, do you have any suggestions that 
> might improve the situation? Since I wouldn't expect you to do something 
> that I wouldn't do myself, here are my suggestions: Please, rural hams... 
> work with your local Emergency Managers, develop a re
> lationship and nurture it. Work with your SECs (Section Emergency 
> Coordinator - in ARRL-speak) 
> http://www.arrl.org/section-emergency-coordinator With your EM and SEC, 
> work with the Warning Coordination Meteorologist (all NWS offices have 
> them) for your area to schedule classes. GROW MORE AMATEURS!! - We 
> complain about the 'mean old FCC taking away our bandwidth'. Well, if we 
> don't use it, we lose it. and we only have ourselves to blame. And while 
> we are growing those amateurs - DON'T EAT OUR YOUNG! (and not so young), 
> by being rude to one another. OK, off the soap box, nomex gear on... 
> 'Paratus et Vigilis'Larry Nelson MS NMCEMKC5KZVPortales NM USA
> ____________________________________________________________