[Skywarn] New guy signing on !-Welcome

[Kevin Heyboer]

Welcome aboard Robert.  With all that background, I am surprised that I do
not see a ham radio call sign in your signature line.  I seriously encourage
you to pursue amateur radio as part of both your interest in weather and
disaster services.  Ham radio is the original social media dating back to
the early 1900's when the wireless radio was invented, and it will always
work, even in the absence of commercial power, cellular service, internet
service, and telephone service.

Obtaining a license is easier than you might think.  Morse Code is no longer
required for any level license.  The knowledge required is basic electronic
and radio propagation theory which can be learned through practice tests,
from taking a class sponsored by a local club, or by reading the manual
available through www.arrl.org.  The license itself is free and there is a
very minimal charge (about $15.00) for the testing which is done solely by
volunteers.  I am sure you have experience using Marine VHF FM working with
USCG Auxiliary and possibly even Marine HF.  The principles are the same and
the operation is very similar.

With a General Class or higher license, you can get on the HF (shortwave)
radio bands, where you would be surprised how many Christian groups you will
find meeting over radio nets (sort of like a big conference call) from all
over the world.  Ham radio is even used to help support Christian missions
in distant areas and disaster areas.  The Salvation Army maintains a Health
and Welfare Net (SATERN) on 14.288 MHz for any and all disasters worldwide,
and the Tropical Prediction Center in Miami maintains amateur radio station
WX4NHC with the Hurricane Watch Net on 14.325 MHz anytime a hurricane
threatens land in the Atlantic Basin, including the Caribbean and the Gulf
of Mexico.  I am quite certain there is also a local SKYWARN net operated
locally in Harris County for WSFO Galveston on VHF or UHF, or both.

Equipment costs vary, but the availability of used equipment is huge.  You
can always start small and work your way up, especially in a large metro
area like Houston-Harris County.  Small hand-held radios can be purchased
for as little as $35-$50.

PS, I have a 33 year old son who lives in Katy and works in Houston for
Comcast Cable, so when I saw your location, I could not resist making a
reply.  I am trying to encourage him to get his license as well.  He is
senior engineer at Comcast, so he already has the electronics background.

Keep your eyes to the sky and your umbrella dry, and thanks for all your
varied public service.

As you can see by my signature line, I am a SKYWARN Amateur Radio Net
Manager.  In my case, I am one of seven coordinators for the County Warning
Area for WSFO Morristown, Tennessee and the WX4MRX ham radio station at
their facility watching the weather over the Cumberland Plateau and the
Great Smoky Mountains.  In my particular case, the very far southwest end of
North Carolina where Tennessee, North Carolina, and Georgia intersect, which
is on the lee side at the west end of the Great Smoky Mountains.

Kevin Heyboer KD4UYR
AEC Cherokee County NCARES
Southwest Carolina SKYWARN Net Manager
http://www.cherokee-ares.net

-----Original Message-----
From: Skywarn [mailto:skywarn-bounces at mailman.qth.net] On Behalf Of Rev.
Robert A. Crutchfield via Skywarn
Sent: Wednesday, August 13, 2014 10:59 AM
To: skywarn at mailman.qth.net
Subject: [Skywarn] New guy signing on !

My name is Robert Crutchfield, I am a bi-vocational minister and brand new
spotter based in Katy, Texas outside Houston. I just joined the Skywarn
program out of the Houston-Galveston office of the National Weather Service.
I have been a member of Red Cross Disaster Services, The Texas State Guard,
The U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary and Chaplain at the Katy Fire and EMS
Department. This has given me quite a bit of practical experience with the
weather and weather products. I have always been fascinated with weather and
look forward to learning more about it through working with the Skywarn
Program.
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