[SMCARA] Skywarn

[Tom Shelton]

Hi All,

I presume that the skywarn net will be activated, though I haven’t heard anything official yet.

When (or if) the Skywarn net is turned on, in our area, the following repeaters (all linked) will be active on the net.

N3NO Repeater 147.390 (+) PL 146.2
N3PX Repeater 147.195 (+) PL 156.7
N3PX Repeater 147.255 (+) PL 146.2
N3PX Repeater 443.300 (+) PL 156.7
N3NO Repeater 444.350 (+) PL 156.7
WMSMR Repeater 147.150 (+) PL 114.8
KA3TQD Repeater 145.350 (-) PL 156.7
N3PX Hub 449.225 (-)


To make a report on the net, here are some important points.

1)  Know who you are – if you are a registered Skywarn spotter give your callsign and your spotter number.  If you are not a registered spotter, give your callsign and first name.  

2) Know your location – Do not use Landmarks, rather use your city (or location from nearest town/city).  For example, do not say, “I’m just up the road from St. Mary’s Hospital,” rather you should say, “I am one mile north of Leonardtown.”

3) Know what to report – and what not to report – Let’s face it, they know that it is rainy and windy.  They don’t need to know this – However, if you observe any of the following, call it in...

Downed Trees (roadway or property hazards only)
Down Power Lines
Funnel Clouds (not on the ground) or Tornados (on the ground)
Hailstones – give approximate size compared to coins (dime, quarter) or other familiar sizes (golf ball, baseball) or actual measurements (“measured 2 inches in diameter”)
Roadway Flooding

When reporting, be as accurate as possible with the location of what you are reporting. 

Finally, don’t give in to the temptation to jump-in and ragchew about the weather.  

It’s been a little while since I attended any Skywarn training, or checked into a net, so I might be a little fuzzy on some of this – feel free to add to this e-mail with your comments or corrections – and please post them to the reflector.



Tom Shelton 

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