[TVARC] Severe Weather Warnings via packet, etc.

[John Spoonhower]

During the recent "isolation" I have been working on and testing 2 new
severe weather warning capabilities for the local TVARC community. I
operate NX2I-11, an APRS fill-in digipeater on the standard APRS frequency,
144.390 MHz. I know many of you receive weather warnings via a smartphone,
but here are some additional alternatives.

I have implemented software that checks the National Weather Service (NWS)
website to determine if there is a severe weather warning for Sumter county
every 5 minutes. If a warning is in effect the warning is transmitted as a
packet on APRS. Included in the warning packet are additional data that
indicates the affected area on maps; users of programs like YAAC or XASTIR
would see the warning areas.

In addition, I have built an SDR-based digital radio that listens to the
local NOAA weather channel. If there is a warning issued, even the weekly
tests that occur on Wednesdays, the warning is transmitted to a digital
online service called Pushbullet, that subsequently sends notifications to
your desktop computer or phone. You can subscribe (free) for this service
at the link https://www.pushbullet.com/channel?tag=ncfwxalerts.
<https://www.pushbullet.com/channel?tag=ncfwxalerts>
Once users install the Pushbullet app on their phone or computer, they
receive the notifications.
Try these out at your leisure,
72, John, NX2I
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