SKYWARN™ Recognition Day (SRD) 2018 takes place on Saturday, December 1, from 0000 until 2400 UTC (11/30 1900 – 12/1 1900 Eastern). Developed in 1999 by the National Weather Service (NWS) and ARRL, SRD celebrates the contributions that SKYWARN volunteers make to the NWS mission, the protection of life and property. During SKYWARN™ Recognition Day, special event stations will be on the air from NWS offices, contacting radio amateurs around the world.
The object of SRD is for amateur stations to exchange contact
information with as many National Weather Service stations as
possible on 80, 40, 20, 15, 10, 6, and 2 meters, plus 70 centimeters.
Contacts via repeaters are permitted. Stations should exchange call
sign, signal report, and location plus a quick description of the
weather at your location (e.g., sunny, partly cloudy, windy, rainy,
etc.). EchoLink and IRLP nodes, including the Voice over Internet
Protocol Weather Net (VoIP-WX),
are expected to be active as well.
SSB, FM, AM, RTTY, CW, and PSK31 are modes that can be utilized
during the event. While working digital modes, special event stations
will append “NWS” to their call signs (e.g., N0A/NWS). It’s
suggested that during SRD operations a non-NWS volunteer serve as a
station control operator.
It’s that time of year when you should change the batteries in you smoke detectors. While you are checking things, check the date on the detector. Typically detector lifetimes are 10 years. Remember your CO and combustible gas detectors too. If you happened to have the 10 year versions,that the batteries are not replaceable, at least press the test button.
There is plenty that can be done to mitigate the adverse effects of a disaster,
whether it is a local or a large wide area issue.
Please take some time to review the information on the web site.
The information can help you, your family and your neighbors.
This information provided in cooperation with America’s PrepareAthon! America’s PrepareAthon! is a grassroots campaign for action to increase community
preparedness and resilience. Join others around the country to practice your preparedness!
Remember that the Tenth Annual 13 Original Colonies event is active.
The 2018 Event Dates / July 1 (9AM Eastern) to July 7 (Midnight Eastern)
(July 1, 2018-1300 UTC to July 8, 2018-0400 UTC)
This event a good way to get some activity on your home HF station or even take your mobile station out to see how well it works. This is not a contest but an all mode event to locate and contact as many of the listed Thirteen Original Colonies special event stations. There is also a special event station located in England. They always have a very nice certificate available, if you are interested in such.
With the official arrival of Summer on June 20, I expect most of us feel that considering the high temperatures and severe weather we’ve experienced, it seems like Summer has been around for awhile already.
A couple weather issues that we need to keep in mind are lightning and the effects high temperatures. Often lightning concerns take a back seat relative to our activities but the saying “When Thunder Roars, Go Indoors” really should be followed.
Along with lightning concerns we need to take into consideration the high temperatures that can effect people of all ages. Parents and grand-parents need to be especially aware of the high temperatures when they have children in the vehicle. In our hectic world it is too easy to get caught up in thinking ahead of ourselves. Try to keep in the current moment to avoid any tragedies! Also remember folks who might need extra attention during high temperatures and severe weather.
Try to be aware of your location to be able to articulate where you are in the event a 911 call is made. Many 911 centers don’t have the cell phone location ability.
If you are relatively new to amateur radio do not be concerned with the technical aspect of understanding all of the details and terminology. You may be surprised that many of the graphics and audio explanations that are given will definitely provide you with a greater knowledge of what goes on with the signals radiated to and from your antenna, even without getting wrapped up in the technical terminology. I sincerely believe that you will learn some interesting aspects relating to amateur radio which will give you a better understanding of the why and how radio signals work.
This course is also for the veteran amateur radio operator. There is plenty content that will likely get you thinking and recalling some of the information you may have learned years ago.
There are quizzes during and at the end of course. You can take them but again do not get overly concerned with getting all the correct answers. Then again, you may be surprised at what you have learned! Passing the final quiz will net you a printable certificate of completion.
This course has great graphics with very good explanations, turn your speakers on. Give yourself about 1.5 hours for the course and quizzes. You can’t beat this education, at no charge!
You will need to register to create an account to take any of the MetEd courses. Radio Wave Propagation is only one of many other informative topics, be sure to check the list of available courses.
The National Weather Service, Spring Safety Campaign is in effect. There are many aspects of Spring weather that can ruin a good day and we have to be aware of such adverse weather. Being aware and recognizing is only part of the equation, we have to follow the advise to remain safe. One that this area is familiar with is flooding. The catch phrase of “Turn Around, Don’t Drown” is so appropriate to safety but too often is not followed. Driving into high water places not only the driver and passengers but then involves the responders who have to jeopardize their lives.
I briefly looked at this site before but today I decided to spend a little more time looking. It was worth the time! I found the GOES-East GEOColor screens, they are really interesting and the resolution is quite good. Be sure to click on the GeoColor Loop, located in the GeoColor panel, it provides an animated view of the satellite’s images. This page updates so be sure to check back to see the current satellite images. Be sure to adjust the “LOOP” as this will enable you to see more or fewer images. You will be able to see the lights of the cities as the grey-line moves across the earth!
A full disk image can be seen at GOES-EastImage viewer web-page. This image, considering the time, depicts the grey-line as the earth rotates and night time occurs.
The National weather Service has expanded some experimental winter weather informational pages. I believe that you will find these pages interesting and informative. They may assist you in planning for upcoming winter weather events in you locale. Be sure to scroll down the page and also check out the four tabs. There is a lot of information on this page.
Remember this is experimental, hopefully it will prove out to be well received information and become a standard page to refer to. There is a link to provide feed back, if you are so inclined to do so.
Here is another On The Air Special Event that you can get your HF as well as 2 meter and 70 cm rigs warmed up for. The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) is beginning their year long NASA On The Air Special Event beginning December 11, 2017 and will run through December 2018. There will be at least 14 stations operating across the U.S., including the International Space Station (ISS). The On The Air Special Events have been well received and no doubt the NASA event will be well received as well.
Details, rules and other related information can be found at the NASA Special Event web page:
This year the official date for the SkyWarn™ Recognition Day event is December 2. The event will be in operation from 0000 UTC – 2400 UTC, December 2, 2017.
This is a rather simple event, the purpose is to contact as many National Weather Service stations as possible on 80 meter – 70cm bands with repeater contacts accepted as well. The contact exchange includes: your call sign, signal report, QTH, and a very brief description of your weather conditions. You can print your own certificate at the end of the event, as detailed on the ARRL web site listed below.
Clicking on the icon for the NWS office, on the map, will enable you to obtain information such as frequencies and operating times relative that office.
Remember to keep a log, or use the handy .pdf checklist that can be found under the RESOURCES heading and click on the SKYWARN™ Recognition Checklist line, on the NWS SkyWarn recognition web-page.
Just as a personal side note – this is yet another opportunity to help improve your operating skills whether it relates to everyday operating, contesting, and/or emergency preparedness.
Please make checks payable to: Quad County Amateur Radio Club. You can print the completed application, mail it to Quad County Amateur Radio Club, P.O. Box 599, Du Bois, PA 15801 or bring it to a meeting. Hope to see you at the meeting!
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