NOAA - National Weather Service

1. NOAA - National Weather Service SKYWARN Net Control Station Training Steve Crow, KG4PEQ – Amateur Radio Coordinator Gary Turner, W4WGT – Assistant Amateur Radio Coordinator Jim Tuttle, N5MDL – Assistant Amateur Radio Coordinator Jeffrey Seay, N4LFJ – Assistant Amateur Radio Coordinator This training effective 05-Aug-2008, replaces all previous versions.

2. What is SKYWARN? National Severe Weather spotting program administered exclusively by The National Weather Service. SKYWARN is a volunteer program with participants of all ages and backgrounds. Most have a strong interest in weather, or are public service minded. The SKYWARN Spotters assist NWS in its mission to protect life and property by providing real time reporting of and ground truth about severe weather events.

3. SKYWARN is Independent SKYWARN is administered by and reports to the National Weather Service. It is not a part of, nor will it bear the name of, any other group. Local amateur radio clubs are encouraged to “sponsor” their local SKYWARN District by promoting the SKYWARN program within the amateur radio community. SKYWARN works hard to maintain a good relationship with ARES, RACES, and other emergency communications groups and encourages cooperation amongst these groups. SKYWARN is a part of the National Weather Service and the Amateur Radio Support Team operates within the guidelines agreed upon with the local NWS office.

4. Amateur Radio is an important part of what SKYWARN does. Amateur Radio Operators fill a vital role in the operation of the Program.

5. The Role of Amateur Radio Our Mission: To move time-critical spotter reports to the forecasters by the most expedient means possible. We assist NWS by seeking out reports from areas where Severe Weather is occurring, or thought to have occurred.

6. Amateur Radio Supports: Convective Watches (Severe Thunderstorm and Tornado)‏ Hurricanes, Tropical Storms, and the remnants of those systems. Flash Flood Watches Winter Storms Amateur Radio Does So Through: • Directed Nets on Local Repeaters • Operation of WX4AKQ • Use of “Report Mode” to gather reports during less intense weather events

7. Wakefield SKYWARN Program We use Amateur Radio as our primary means of reporting severe weather to the forecasters. This is primarily done on VHF FM repeaters, but we may also use Echolink, IRLP, APRS, Packet, UHF, HF, and VHF Simplex. We use whatever works: radio, telephone, e-mail, text messaging, instant messaging, eSpotter.

8. In other words:Getting reports to the forecasters, so that they can fulfill their mission to protect life and property is what matters most for a SKYWARN Spotter.

9. Forecasters often pass requests for information from specific areas through the Amateur Net. Any licensed amateur may report severe weather through the amateur radio net. All we ask is that reports meet severe weather criteria. Scanner listeners are invited to tune to their local amateur radio net frequency.

10. Organization The Chain of Command The Areas We Serve. Activation Modes

11. SKYWARN LeadershipChain of Command Meteorologist-in-Charge (MIC)‏ Warning Coordination Meteorologist (WCM)‏ SKYWARN Amateur Radio Coordinator Assistant Amateur Radio Coordinators Trained Responders SKYWARN Net Control Stations

12. Meteorologist In Charge Anthony Siebersanthony.siebers@noaa.gov “Runs the show” at NWS Wakefield Responsible for all aspects of operations at the WFO.

13. Warning Coordination Meteorologist Bill Sammlerwilliam.sammler@noaa.gov The National Weather Service side of the SKYWARN Leadership. Requests activation of WX4AKQ as necessary.

14. Amateur Radio Coordinator Steve Crow, KG4PEQkg4peq@wx4akq.org THE interface between amateur radio and the National Weather Service. Appointed by and reports to the Warning Coordination Meteorologist. Responsible for all aspects of the SKYWARN amateur radio team.

15. Amateur Radio Coordinator Monitors NWS products for guidance on potential activations. Receives “The Call” from NWS Wakefield to activate during severe weather events. Works with the Warning Coordination Meteorologist (WCM) to appoint Trained Responders to operate WX4AKQ.

16. Amateur Radio Coordinator Sets program policies, develops and maintains the SKYWARN Operations Manual. Partners with the SKYWARN Outreach Team at NWS Wakefield to spread the word about the amateur radio program at Spotter Training events.

17. Meet your Coordinator Steve Crow, KG4PEQ * Licensed ham since September 2001 * Lives in Mechanicsville (Hanover County), Virginia * Involved in SKYWARN since Spring 2002 * SKYWARN Amateur Radio Coordinator since July 2008 * Holds a General Class license * Loves 40 meters, PSK31, and greasy cheeseburgers * Has spent the last 10 years in retail sales * “Other” hobby is the study of supermarket history and architecture (“with an emphasis on Safeway”), “dead malls” and defunct retail chains of yesteryear. Just wait, it gets better. * Has “been nearly struck by lightning more times than anyone else you know, guaranteed.”

18. Assistant Coordinators One per SKYWARN District. Districts based roughly on Primary Repeater coverage. Appointed by the Amateur Radio Coordinator. Trained as Net Control Stations and Trained Responders.

19. Assistant Coordinators Responsible for recruiting and coordinating training of prospective Net Control Stations in their respective District. Are ultimately responsible for ensuring a net goes on the air when requested by the Amateur Radio Coordinator or NWS Wakefield. Represent their district in the SKYWARN Committee.

20. Assistant Coordinators Maintain the NCS roster. Reach out to amateur radio clubs and service groups in their District to rally support for the SKYWARN program. Serve as an interface between the SKYWARN amateur radio program and the repeater trustees.

21. Trained Responders Recommended by the Amateur Radio Coordinator, approved by the Warning Coordination Meteorologist. These are the “faces” of ham radio in the NWS office. Respond to NWS Wakefield any time of the day or night to run WX4AKQ, for a few minutes, or a few days.

22. Trained Responders Are selected based on past EMCOMM experience and training, and their ability to interface well with Net Control Stations, NWS Staff, and representatives of other agencies. Must be proficient communicators with an exceptional passion for quality service.

23. Trained Responders Operate the WX4AKQ Primary Net to receive reports from subnets by radio. Serve as the Wakefield SKYWARN interface to the Hurricane Watch Net, National Hurricane Center, ARES, RACES, VDEM. Pass information requests from NWS Wakefield to the subnets.

24. Net Control Stations These are the local voices of SKYWARN. Called upon to operate local subnets. Usually have a fairly consistent availability. Do not need to have prior Net Control experience, though it is preferred. Above all else, must be professional and teachable!

25. Net Control Stations May operate under extremely stressful situations. Must be very well organized, thorough, and cool under pressure. Must be firm and in control but tactful on the air. May also have the most boring job in the whole program: sitting and waiting.

26. Net Control Stations Maintain order on the airwaves. Prioritize traffic. Filter non-severe traffic. LOG EVERYTHING. Spread the word about the SKYWARN program outside the nets.

27. County Warning Area WX4AKQ

28. SKYWARNAmateur Radio Station (WX4AKQ)‏ • 2 VHF Radios – 144-148 MHz • 2 UHF Radios – 440-450 MHz • HF Radio – 1.8-30 MHz • Packet station under development • Echolink is being considered • Equipment belongs to the National Weather Service. • Radio model information and manuals online at WX4AKQ.org.

29. SKYWARNActivation Modes Standby or “Watch” Mode Active or “Warning” Mode Report Mode

30. Watch Mode Triggered by issuance of a Watch product from the Storm Prediction Center or NWS. May or may not be specifically requested. May be activated by the Amateur Radio Coordinator if a widespread weather event has a history of periodic severe tendencies (warnings) even without an actual watch product in effect.

31. Watch Mode This is often a “sit and wait” mode. Informal nets are called into action. Net Control announces their presence periodically and reads the Watch Mode Script at the designated interval. Repeater remains open for regular amateur radio use.

32. Watch Mode NCS invites reports from other amateur stations. Stations call for “SKYWARN Net Control” when they have something to relay. All activity is logged; severe reports are passed to NWS Wakefield. NCS reads all watches and warnings over the air as they are issued.

33. Warning Mode Triggered when a warning is active within the coverage area of the repeater (not necessarily just within the District.)‏ A directed net is called. The repeater is dedicated solely to SKYWARN use and genuine emergency traffic.

34. Warning Mode At least two trained Net Control Stations should be on each frequency. Have a backup plan: announce the backup repeater frequencies often and be prepared to move quickly if the primary repeater goes off the air. NCS may or may not be busy.

35. Report Mode Report Mode – Seldom used Normally utilized for reports of measured rainfall, snowfall, or after-action reports. Urgency and time value of reports is typically low. OR In the case where different interests are using the repeater, promotes a more friendly and cordial atmosphere for interacting with groups like ARES, RACES, Commuter or Traffic Nets.

36. SKYWARNActivation Modes Report Mode: Undirected. No Net Control. An amateur simply sits and listens, occasionally announcing that they are present and listening. WX4AKQ or liaison station can be activated to take any reports.

37. Activating WX4AKQ Many of the severe weather events in the Wakefield CWA are localized. WX4AKQ generally will not be activated for localized events. The Amateur Radio Coordinator and the Warning Coordination Meteorologist make the decision whether to activate WX4AKQ.

38. Activating WX4AKQ WX4AKQ will activate for potential or active widespread, “outbreak” type events. WX4AKQ will be manned in the period before and during tropical and severe winter weather events such as tropical storms, hurricanes, nor'easters, ice storms. WX4AKQ can also be activated if there is a communications emergency at AKQ.

39. Role of WX4AKQ Passes information over the air between the subnets and NWS staff (both directions.)‏ Monitors specific subnets to collect reports directly from NCS. Interfaces with other agencies and nets.

40. Being A SKYWARN Net Control Qualifications Station Requirements Other things that will help you while acting as a SKYWARN NCS

41. Net Control Requirements SKYWARN Basic training completed within the last three years and kept current. Serious interest in SKYWARN involvement. Net Control Class (optional but preferred). Must be teachable! Equipment capable of reliable communication on net frequencies

42. Net Control Basic Equipment Main Radio – VHF (VHF/UHF preferred)‏ Backup Radio – same coverage Battery backup available SKYWARN scripts (from Manual/website)‏ SKYWARN log sheets (from website)‏

43. Net Control Recommendations Computer at your radio position with internet connection Weather information available www.wx4akq.org has a net control page, or - National Weather Service watches and warnings, or - Interwarn (special weather information software)‏ Google Talk instant messaging program SKYWARN Manual

44. Why Google Talk? We all have Google accounts anyway. Great way to pass “administrative” traffic without interfering with a net or occupying another frequency. Informal comments, conflict resolution, etc. Available via our webmail system, downloadable Google Talk software, Blackberry, Jabber software, etc.

45. Because Our Businessis Severe Weather: Pen or Pencil and Paper Backup Lighting Source Hard copies of the SKYWARN Scripts Please make sure that you have a place of safety to retreat to should your position come under direct threat!

46. Volunteering for Net Control Contact current Net Control Operator and volunteer for a slot. Contact current Net Control Operator or Assistant Amateur Radio Coordinator on Google Talk to volunteer. Contact by phone. Email works, too. NEVER ASSUME SKYWARN HAS ENOUGH NET CONTROL OPERATORS… PLEASE VOLUNTEER!

47. Preparing for Net Control Operation When taking over an existing net, listen for at least 30 minutes before assuming Net Control. This will give you an understanding of the flow of the net and stations involved. You will also better understand the weather event. Test your radios and backup systems. Update your list of watches and warnings.

48. Handing Off Net Control Incoming Net Control Stations should be given the following information: List of current Watches and Warnings Pending traffic for the Net and stations involved Any special WX events anticipated Any special NWS report requests Status of WX4AKQ (if necessary)‏ Liaison station to main or sub nets

49. Net Control Guidelines Remember the Chain of Command. Never argue with the Coordinator, Assistant Coordinators, or anyone else on the air. Wait until after activation to work out issues. If an immediate resolution is needed, use a back door such as Google Talk or the telephone.

50. Net Control Leads the Net Net Participants look to Net Control for guidance, direction, and assistance. REMEMBER: You are in charge! REMEMBER: You are also responsible! Be tactful and professional at all times. Expect the same from all your spotters. Always remember that 90% of verbal communication is through your tone of voice.