The first Winter Storm of the Season.
A Winter Storm Warning is in effect until 4pm Monday for all of West Michigan north of a line from Holland to Lansing for 6-8″ of new snow. A Winter Weather Advisory is in effect for Allegan, Barry, Eaton, Ingham, Van Buren, Kalamazoo, Calhoun and Jackson Counties. Very little snow from Allegan Co. south. The computer models keep the snow going with an additional 1-4″ overnight…the least to the south and more to the north of I-96. Temperatures will stay around 32 tonight and tomorrow. Any heavy snow will accumulate on the main roads…if it’s very light, main roads should just be wet. Side streets, rural roads, sidewalks and parking lots will be snow covered and slushy to slippery. Click here to see advisories/watches/warnings for neighboring states.
Sunday, November 30, 2008
Friday, November 28, 2008
It's The Christmas Season
The Christmas season is here. I wonder If I made a list of radios, antennas and other gear, send it to Santa, do you think I may get lucky………..probably not.
So, maybe I will start with an antenna on my Christmas list seems how I have a rig w/ power supply.
I just hope to regain some of the interest I have lost in Amateur Radio.
So, maybe I will start with an antenna on my Christmas list seems how I have a rig w/ power supply.
I just hope to regain some of the interest I have lost in Amateur Radio.
Thursday, November 20, 2008
SKYWARN Recognition Day December 6, 2008
This is one reason I got involved with Amateur Radio.
Storm Chasing.
I am all for the local communities having a SkyWarn program. I just wish they all had the same to of requirements. So often I hear HAMS sent out to many locations to report current weather conditions and I wonder if those out in the elements are really prepared for the worst.
They are out in the storm with no medical gear, No self protection gear. No idea when and where the storm is unless the have a real good Net control person who is watching the radar, local news and paying close conditions to the many local weather stations in there community.
I firmly believe these guys should take some training on what to do when out in the elements.
SKYWARN Recognition Day Set for December 6
The 10th Annual SKYWARN Recognition Day (SRD) Special Event will take place Saturday, December 6, 2008. SRD is co-sponsored by the ARRL and the National Weather Service (NWS) as a way to recognize the commitment made by Amateur Radio operators in helping to keep their communities safe. According to SRD Coordinator David Floyd, N5DBZ, Amateur Radio operators can visit their local participating NWS office, working as a team to contact other hams across the world throughout the 24 hour event.
2008 SKYWARN Recognition Day will be held on December 6 from 0000 UTC-2400 UTC. Last year, contacts were made in all 50 states and 40 countries during the 24 hour event. If you haven't joined in the fun, make 2008 your year to do so!
Storm Chasing.
I am all for the local communities having a SkyWarn program. I just wish they all had the same to of requirements. So often I hear HAMS sent out to many locations to report current weather conditions and I wonder if those out in the elements are really prepared for the worst.
They are out in the storm with no medical gear, No self protection gear. No idea when and where the storm is unless the have a real good Net control person who is watching the radar, local news and paying close conditions to the many local weather stations in there community.
I firmly believe these guys should take some training on what to do when out in the elements.
SKYWARN Recognition Day Set for December 6
The 10th Annual SKYWARN Recognition Day (SRD) Special Event will take place Saturday, December 6, 2008. SRD is co-sponsored by the ARRL and the National Weather Service (NWS) as a way to recognize the commitment made by Amateur Radio operators in helping to keep their communities safe. According to SRD Coordinator David Floyd, N5DBZ, Amateur Radio operators can visit their local participating NWS office, working as a team to contact other hams across the world throughout the 24 hour event.
2008 SKYWARN Recognition Day will be held on December 6 from 0000 UTC-2400 UTC. Last year, contacts were made in all 50 states and 40 countries during the 24 hour event. If you haven't joined in the fun, make 2008 your year to do so!
Saturday, November 15, 2008
CALIFORNIA WILDFIRE UPDATE
CALIFORNIA WILDFIRE UPDATE
Wildland fire activity remains light throughout most of the country. Yesterday, seven new fires were reported in California, one of which became a large fire. Currently, two major fires are burning in California. The Tea fire is 1,800 acres and has burned 111 residences. The new Sayre fire is 2,600 acres and destroyed 65 structures yesterday.
Significant fire potential continues in Southern California today. A building high pressure ridge across the West will bring warmer temperatures and drier conditions. Strong offshore winds in combination with low humidity and unseasonably warm temperatures will continue today across the southern mountains and valleys of Southern California. Widespread showers associated with a cold front will move across the east.
Sayre (Los Angeles City Fire Department): 2,600 acres at zero percent contained. This fire is three miles northeast of San Fernando. Numerous residences and power lines are threatened. A mandatory evacuation notice is in effect for the North West valley. Information: Call (800) 439-2909 or visit the web-site
Tea Incident (Montecito Fire Department): 1,800 acres at 40 percent contained. The fire is located one mile northeast of Montecito. About 1,500 residences are threatened. Mandatory evacuations are in effect in Montecito, Santa Barbara City and areas within Santa Barbara County. An early warning notification system helped to evacuate 4500 residents and communicated a voluntary evacuation of an additional 4500 residents. Information: Call 805-681-5197 or visit the
California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection
Wildland fire activity remains light throughout most of the country. Yesterday, seven new fires were reported in California, one of which became a large fire. Currently, two major fires are burning in California. The Tea fire is 1,800 acres and has burned 111 residences. The new Sayre fire is 2,600 acres and destroyed 65 structures yesterday.
Significant fire potential continues in Southern California today. A building high pressure ridge across the West will bring warmer temperatures and drier conditions. Strong offshore winds in combination with low humidity and unseasonably warm temperatures will continue today across the southern mountains and valleys of Southern California. Widespread showers associated with a cold front will move across the east.
Sayre (Los Angeles City Fire Department): 2,600 acres at zero percent contained. This fire is three miles northeast of San Fernando. Numerous residences and power lines are threatened. A mandatory evacuation notice is in effect for the North West valley. Information: Call (800) 439-2909 or visit the web-site
Tea Incident (Montecito Fire Department): 1,800 acres at 40 percent contained. The fire is located one mile northeast of Montecito. About 1,500 residences are threatened. Mandatory evacuations are in effect in Montecito, Santa Barbara City and areas within Santa Barbara County. An early warning notification system helped to evacuate 4500 residents and communicated a voluntary evacuation of an additional 4500 residents. Information: Call 805-681-5197 or visit the
California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection
Saturday, November 8, 2008
Global Simulated Emergency Test
Saturday November 8th 2008 04.00 - 08.00 UTCIARU Region 1 invites the HQ-Stations of all IARU member societies andstations of Emergency Communications Groups to participate in a GlobalSimulated Emergency Test on Saturday November 8th, 2008 04.00 – 08.00UTC. The operation will take place on and near the emergencyCentre-of-Activity (CoA) frequencies on 80, 40, 20, 17 and 15 metres (+-QRM ).The objectives of the test are;1/ increase the common interest in emergency communications.2/ test how usable the CoA frequencies are across ITU regions.3/ create practices for international emergency communication and4/ practice the relaying of messages using all modes.Please remember that this is not a contest, it is an emergencycommunications exercise !Following the recommendation of the GAREC conferences, participatingstations are requested to use /D in their callsign (D=distress/disaster)where permitted by their licensing administration.Traffic may be passed on voice (SSB), Data or CW modes as detailed below.Voice modeEach IARU Region will have a HQ station operating on voice as follows:Region 1 – GB4NRCRegion 2 – XE1LMRegion 3 – BY7PP
For further reading; Click Here
W1AW to Participate in Global Simulated Emergency Test (Nov 4, 2008) -- On November 8, W1AW, the Hiram Percy Maxim Memorial Station, will be participating in the 2008 Global Simulated Emergency Test (GlobalSET), sponsored by IARU Region 1. The event runs from 0400-0800 UTC, but due to the W1AW transmission schedule, the ARRL station will be on the air from 0500-0800 UTC. ARRL Emergency Preparedness and Response Manager Dennis Dura, K2DCD, and ARRL Regulatory Information Manager Dan Henderson, N1ND, will be on the air from W1AW. According to event organizer Greg Mossop, G0DUB, the GlobalSET is an exercise for headquarters stations of IARU Member Societies and stations of emergency communications groups -- it is not a contest. Activity will be concentrated around the IARU Emergency Centre of Activity frequencies. Where permitted by their licensing administration, participating stations will use “/D” after their call sign, indicating distress or disaster. A list of participating stations can be found here.
Link to this item
source
For further reading; Click Here
W1AW to Participate in Global Simulated Emergency Test (Nov 4, 2008) -- On November 8, W1AW, the Hiram Percy Maxim Memorial Station, will be participating in the 2008 Global Simulated Emergency Test (GlobalSET), sponsored by IARU Region 1. The event runs from 0400-0800 UTC, but due to the W1AW transmission schedule, the ARRL station will be on the air from 0500-0800 UTC. ARRL Emergency Preparedness and Response Manager Dennis Dura, K2DCD, and ARRL Regulatory Information Manager Dan Henderson, N1ND, will be on the air from W1AW. According to event organizer Greg Mossop, G0DUB, the GlobalSET is an exercise for headquarters stations of IARU Member Societies and stations of emergency communications groups -- it is not a contest. Activity will be concentrated around the IARU Emergency Centre of Activity frequencies. Where permitted by their licensing administration, participating stations will use “/D” after their call sign, indicating distress or disaster. A list of participating stations can be found here.
Link to this item
source
Friday, November 7, 2008
Hurricane Net and WX4NHC to Activate for Paloma
Just when we thought the season was over.
We need to watch the forcast and be prepared.
It's a growing!
Hurricane Watch Net, VoIP Hurricane Net and WX4NHC to Activate for Paloma
As Hurricane Paloma, a Category 1 hurricane, makes its way through the Caribbean, WX4NHC, the Amateur Radio Station at the National Hurricane Center, the Hurricane Watch Net (HWN) and the VoIP Hurricane Net (VoIPWXNet) plan to activate. According to the National Weather Service, Hurricane Paloma is expected to make a gradual turn toward the northeast Friday night and into Saturday, with the center of Paloma passing near the Cayman Islands late Friday or early Saturday and approaching the coast of central Cuba late Saturday. As of 10 AM EST on Friday, November 7, Paloma's center is about 75 miles south-southwest of Grand Cayman and about 245 miles west of Montego Bay, Jamaica.
HWN and WX4NHC are set to activate at 6 PM Friday. The VoIP Hurricane Net will activate in an informal mode Friday afternoon and will likely go into a formal mode later that afternoon into the night.
HWN Manager Dave Lefavour, W7GOX, said the Net will operate on their usual frequency of 14.325 MHz. "We will be providing the latest storm bulletins and collecting real time weather data from hams in the affected area for relay to the National Hurricane Center in Miami, Florida," Lefavour said. "The Net plans to operate until the band closes due to propagation loss. This schedule is subject to change depending on storm forecast wind and track predictions."
WX4NHC will be monitoring the Hurricane Watch Net on 14.325 MHz. Secondary HF frequencies will be 7.268 MHz and 3.950 MHz +/- QRM, should we lose propagation on 20 meters. EchoLink "WX-Talk" Conference Room and IRLP node 9219 will also be monitored. WX4NHC will also monitor CWOP, APRS and MADIS/MESONET Automated weather stations in the affected area. Surface Reports using our Online Hurricane Report form will be monitored.
"We request all land based stations, as well as ships at sea in the areas affected, to send us weather data (measured or estimated) and damage reports," said WX4NHC Assistant Coordinator Julio Ripoll, WD4R. "If you are in the affected area and normally monitor on a local Net on VHF, 40 or 80 meters, we would appreciate your checking into the HWN NET or EchoLink/IRLP Net once per hour to receive the latest Hurricane Advisories and to report your local conditions."
The National Weather Service reported that Paloma is strengthening and the storm is expected to reach Category 2 status late Friday, possibly reaching Category 3 intensity by Saturday.
source
We need to watch the forcast and be prepared.
It's a growing!
Hurricane Watch Net, VoIP Hurricane Net and WX4NHC to Activate for Paloma
As Hurricane Paloma, a Category 1 hurricane, makes its way through the Caribbean, WX4NHC, the Amateur Radio Station at the National Hurricane Center, the Hurricane Watch Net (HWN) and the VoIP Hurricane Net (VoIPWXNet) plan to activate. According to the National Weather Service, Hurricane Paloma is expected to make a gradual turn toward the northeast Friday night and into Saturday, with the center of Paloma passing near the Cayman Islands late Friday or early Saturday and approaching the coast of central Cuba late Saturday. As of 10 AM EST on Friday, November 7, Paloma's center is about 75 miles south-southwest of Grand Cayman and about 245 miles west of Montego Bay, Jamaica.
HWN and WX4NHC are set to activate at 6 PM Friday. The VoIP Hurricane Net will activate in an informal mode Friday afternoon and will likely go into a formal mode later that afternoon into the night.
HWN Manager Dave Lefavour, W7GOX, said the Net will operate on their usual frequency of 14.325 MHz. "We will be providing the latest storm bulletins and collecting real time weather data from hams in the affected area for relay to the National Hurricane Center in Miami, Florida," Lefavour said. "The Net plans to operate until the band closes due to propagation loss. This schedule is subject to change depending on storm forecast wind and track predictions."
WX4NHC will be monitoring the Hurricane Watch Net on 14.325 MHz. Secondary HF frequencies will be 7.268 MHz and 3.950 MHz +/- QRM, should we lose propagation on 20 meters. EchoLink "WX-Talk" Conference Room and IRLP node 9219 will also be monitored. WX4NHC will also monitor CWOP, APRS and MADIS/MESONET Automated weather stations in the affected area. Surface Reports using our Online Hurricane Report form will be monitored.
"We request all land based stations, as well as ships at sea in the areas affected, to send us weather data (measured or estimated) and damage reports," said WX4NHC Assistant Coordinator Julio Ripoll, WD4R. "If you are in the affected area and normally monitor on a local Net on VHF, 40 or 80 meters, we would appreciate your checking into the HWN NET or EchoLink/IRLP Net once per hour to receive the latest Hurricane Advisories and to report your local conditions."
The National Weather Service reported that Paloma is strengthening and the storm is expected to reach Category 2 status late Friday, possibly reaching Category 3 intensity by Saturday.
source
Saturday, November 1, 2008
KD8BIG- My Blog
I have not forgot the blog site.
The last few weeks since I started this I have been ill.
I have however, had several e-mails asking me about my point of view on many issues in regards to Amateur Radio. I will go into that later.
I can tell you that I have worked in Emergency Communications. ARES and RACES.
I am a Storm Spotter and love working weather events.
I have worked with the American Red Cross.
I have also worked with a group known as IRESC. International Radio Emergency Support Coalition. IRESC, (pronounced-"I Risk") is an Echo-Link based group that has many members able to connect to VOIP through a repeater system using many different frequencies.
I hope to in the near future have my storm chase vehicle on the road.
Anyway, I hope to learn more about amateur radio through this blog and maybe help others learn more about this great hobby.
73,
KD8BIG
The last few weeks since I started this I have been ill.
I have however, had several e-mails asking me about my point of view on many issues in regards to Amateur Radio. I will go into that later.
I can tell you that I have worked in Emergency Communications. ARES and RACES.
I am a Storm Spotter and love working weather events.
I have worked with the American Red Cross.
I have also worked with a group known as IRESC. International Radio Emergency Support Coalition. IRESC, (pronounced-"I Risk") is an Echo-Link based group that has many members able to connect to VOIP through a repeater system using many different frequencies.
I hope to in the near future have my storm chase vehicle on the road.
Anyway, I hope to learn more about amateur radio through this blog and maybe help others learn more about this great hobby.
73,
KD8BIG
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