[Skywarn] Skywarn ID cards FINAL

[Lloyd Colston]

On Wed, May 24, 2017 at 9:55 PM, <skywarn-owner at mailman.qth.net> wrote:

> How much of a budget is needed to say, "You are now known as spotter #3"?


Lets "devils advocate" here.

1.  Why do you need a card that says you are #3?  I want to be #3.  We
already have a problem with 30 other folks in the ranks of the hundreds of
others wanting a specific ID card with a specific ID marking.  We can't ALL
be Number Three!  Someone has to be NUMERO UNO.  :)

2.  Why do you need a card when you already have a name, a "caller ID"
(unless you ^67 before you dial the number), and location from which to
give a report?  When I call my LOCAL weather forecast office, they already
know me.  They trained me.  They see me in NWSchat every day and, on bad
weather days, in NWSchat on the phone.  They hear me on #hamradio announce
"QSL WX5ASA".  They even recognize my voice on webinars and conference
calls.

I am distressed by folks, even on this list, who do not know the number to
their local WFO and emergency management office.

When I travel, I determine the local WFO phone number.  I call them to let
them know, beforehand, I am coming.  In between, should I see something in
an area that I may not know the local WFO, I have called my LOCAL WFO to
let them know.  They can take the report and relay it faster than I.

3.  The Elephant in the Room reason for not having NWS issue cards is
http://www.usdebtclock.org/ and the States are in trouble too.  Puerto Rico
has already declared bankruptcy.  OK has has OVER US$800 MILLION shortfall
this year.  Click the link.  The number continues to rise.

The fiscal conservative in me would say "As long as it's rising, there is
NO justification for spending money for a program that has no funding".

4.  I have a spotter ID.  I am on Spotter Network.  I have an account and
can issue a report there that is time stamped.  I already know more from
Skywarn training than Spotter Network requires to get an ID.  My report
there is tied to my GPS on the phone and is routed to the appropriate WFO.
I see them in NWS chat.  If I can't pass their test, I am in sad shape.  If
I send false reports, I'm not doing it more than once or twice (SN has a
verification program too).

BTW, in addition to appearing in NWSchat, SN reports also appear on
RadarScope.  I monitor RS and see Chaser Convergence AKA known as the MARCH
of the Ants.

http://www.spotternetwork.org/ is the link.

Operationally, when I see a Spotter in an area of interest, I call them or
email them.  Sadly, the majority of the folks on SN do not provide phone,
email, or callsign data.

5.  I have a spotter ID.  It's issued from my community.  It says I am an
emergency manager.  My volunteers have a spotter ID.  It says they work in
a LOCAL program.  You can be #3, if you want there, but you can't be #3
here because we don't number those "stinkin badges".

Please support your LOCAL Skywarn program.  They have even less of a budget
and can use your help.

<sarcasm mode on> By the power vested in me as your list moderator, You are
now Spotter Number THREE.  Please print this email and place it in a safe
place.  When you call the WFO, please tell them you are spotter number
three.  They won't care.  They want your hail size, wind speed accurately
reported, damage you are seeing, flood, rainfall rate, snow, ice, fog
reports and any traffic issues you may be encountering, ex. chaser
convergence.  <sarcasm off>

Lets draw this thread to a close please.  As I have mentioned,
http://mailman.qth.net/pipermail/skywarn/ has evidence of discussion over
the last 16 years.  The answer has not changed.  You get a "spotter ID"
from your LOCAL WFO or Emergency Management program, IF they offer one.

In the mean time, BE SAFE.

-- 


Lloyd Colston   director
Altus Emergency Management
Altus, OK      http://www.altusok.gov
Phone:  580.481.2260
Fax:  580.482.4738

Præparate Ante malum.