Hello to all..

..A Brief Period of a Light Wintry Mix of snow, sleet and freezing rain will affect Northwest Massachusetts and Southwest New Hampshire overnight tonight and possibly into the Thursday Morning commute..
..A Winter Weather Advisory is in effect from 2 AM to 9 AM ET Thursday for a light mix of snow, sleet and freezing rain for Franklin and Northern Worcester County Massachusetts and Cheshire and Western and Central Hillsborough Counties in New Hampshire. The light wintry mix should change to rain after 9 AM at the latest..
..SKYWARN Self-Activation will monitor conditions in the advisory area towards the morning commute timeframe. Ops at NWS Taunton will not be needed. This will likely be the only coordination message on this event. Below is the NWS Taunton Winter Weather Advisory Statement and Hazardous Weather Outlook..

NWS Taunton Winter Weather Advisory Statement:
http://kamala.cod.edu/ma/latest.wwus41.KBOX.html

NWS Taunton Hazardous Weather Outlook:
http://kamala.cod.edu/ma/latest.flus41.KBOX.html

Respectfully Submitted,

Robert Macedo (KD1CY)
ARES SKYWARN Coordinator
Eastern Massachusetts ARES Section Emergency Coordinator
Home Phone #: (508) 994-1875 (After 6 PM)
Home/Data #: (508) 997-4503 (After 6 PM)
Work Phone #: 508-346-2929 (8 AM-5 PM)
Email Address: rmacedo@rcn.com
http://ares.ema.arrl.org
http://beta.wx1box.org

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Hello to all..

..Strong and Quick Hitting Coastal Storm affecting the region with Heavy Rain, a brief period of heavy snow to the far northwest interior and strong winds to portions of the higher terrain and coastal locations Wednesday Night through daybreak Thursday Morning..
..A Flood Watch is now in effect for Rhode Island, Northern Connecticut, Central Massachusetts including Eastern Hampden County and Eastern Massachusetts except for Cape Cod and the Islands through Thursday Morning for rainfall of 1.5 to 2.5 inches with isolated higher amounts possible. This could result in urban and poor drainage flooding and possibly some minor river and stream flooding though most rivers and streams are expected to remain in their banks. Flood Advisories may be posted for urban and poor drainage flooding as required overnight..
..A Winter Weather Advisory remains in effect from Midnight through 6 AM Thursday for Cheshire and Western-Central Hillsborough Counties of New Hampshire and Franklin, Western Hampshire, Western Hampden, Northern Worcester and Northern Middlesex Counties of Massachusets for 3-5″ of snow with the highest amounts in Cheshire County NH and in the higher elevations near the east slopes of the Berkshires where a few amounts could exceed 6 inches..
..A Wind Advisory remains in effect from 3 to 10 AM Thursday for Cape Cod and the Islands for sustained winds 25-35 MPH with gusts to 50 MPH. These winds may be sufficient to cause isolated pockets of tree and wire damage in the advisory area..
..SKYWARN Self-Activation will be utilized to monitor rainfall totals, urban/poor draiange flood reports, snowfall totals, changeover from rain to snow in the interior and strong winds over the region. On Thursday Morning, the New England reflector system *NEW-ENG* node: 9123/IRLP 9123 system and a check of the Paxton and Pack Monadnock Repeaters will be done to collect snowfall totals from the advisory between 6-8 AM as precipitation should be ending rapidly during this timeframe. If required other SKYWARN repeaters will be checked for rain, flood and wind information..

At 940 PM, Doppler Radar shows a large area of precipitation affecting portions of Southern New England especially in interior Southern New England through Eastern New York and the Middle Atlantic states. A Flood Watch is now in effect for Rhode Island, Northern Connecticut, Central Massachusetts including Eastern Hampden County and Eastern Massachusetts except for Cape Cod and the Islands through Thursday Morning for rainfall of 1.5 to 2.5 inches with isolated higher amounts possible. This could result in urban and poor drainage flooding and possibly some minor river and stream flooding though most rivers and streams are expected to remain in their banks. Flood advisories may be issued overnight in some areas.

As the low continues to spin up at the coast, this will draw down colder air into northwest portions of the area bringing a changeover to wet snow which will be heavy at times but ending around daybreak and near or just before the morning commute starts. A Winter Weather Advisory remains in effect from Midnight to 6 AM for Cheshire, West-Central Hillsborough Counties of New Hampshire, and Franklin, Western Hampshire, Western Hampden, Northern Worcester and Northern Middlesex Counties of Massachusetts for 3-5″ of snow with the highest amounts in Cheshire County NH and in the higher elevations of northwest Massachusetts. In those areas, a few locations could receive greater than 6 inches of snow.

Strong winds will affect coastal areas and to a certain extent in the higher terrain locations of interior Massachusetts. A Wind Advisory remains in effect for Cape Cod and the Islands from 3 to 10 AM Thursday for sustained winds 25-35 MPH with gusts to 50 MPH probable. These winds may be sufficient to cause some isolated pockets of tree and wire damage. Interior high terrain locations will also need to be monitored to see if winds become strong enough to hit advisory levels or strong winds combined with 3 to 5 inches of potentially wet snow may cause isolated pockets of tree and wire damage in those locations as well.

SKYWARN Self-Activation will be utilized to monitor this storm system. Ops at NWS Taunton don’t appear to be necessary but that will be monitored. A particular timeframe that will still be monitored will be between the 6 to 8 AM Thursday Morning timeframe to collect rain and snowfall totals of criteria as well as any wind measurements or damage reports of criteria. Snow is expected to fall during the overnight period while rain heavy at times continuing into early Thursday Morning with precipitation is expected to stop near or just prior the start of the morning commute around the daybreak timeframe.

This will be the last coordination message on this storm event as we move into SKYWARN Self-Activaiton Ops mode. Below is the NWS Taunton Flood Watch Statement, Winter Weather Advisory Statement, Wind Advisory Statement and Hazardous Weather Outlook:

NWS Taunton Flood Watch Statement:
http://kamala.cod.edu/ma/latest.wgus61.KBOX.html

NWS Taunton Winter Weather Advisory Statement:
http://kamala.cod.edu/ma/latest.wwus41.KBOX.html

NWS Taunton Wind Advisory Statement:
http://kamala.cod.edu/ma/latest.wwus71.KBOX.html

NWS Taunton Hazardous Weather Outlook:
http://kamala.cod.edu/ma/latest.flus41.KBOX.html

Respectfully Submitted,

Robert Macedo (KD1CY)
ARES SKYWARN Coordinator
Eastern Massachusetts ARES Section Emergency Coordinator
Home Phone #: (508) 994-1875 (After 6 PM)
Home/Data #: (508) 997-4503 (After 6 PM)
Work Phone #: 508-346-2929 (8 AM-5 PM)
Email Address: rmacedo@rcn.com
http://ares.ema.arrl.org
http://beta.wx1box.org

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Hello to all..

..Strong and Quick Hitting Coastal Storm will bring Heavy Rain, a brief period of heavy snow to the far northwest interior and strong winds to portions of the higher terrain and coastal locations Wednesday Night through daybreak Thursday Morning..
..A Winter Weather Advisory is in effect from Midnight through 6 AM Thursday for Cheshire and Western-Central Hillsborough Counties of New Hampshire and Franklin, Western Hampshire, Western Hampden, Northern Worcester and Northern Middlesex Counties of Massachusets for 3-5″ of snow with the highest amounts in Cheshire County NH and in the higher elevations near the east slopes of the Berkshires..
..A Wind Advisory is in effect from 3 to 10 AM Thursday for Cape Cod and the Islands for sustained winds 25-35 MPH with gusts to 50 MPH. These winds may be sufficient to cause isolated pockets of tree and wire damage in the advisory area..
..Heavy Rainfall of 1.5-2.5 inches of rain may cause minor urban and poor drainage flooding during the day and tonight over portions of Southern New England resulting in flood advisory issuances..
..SKYWARN Self-Activation will be utilized to monitor rainfall totals, urban/poor draiange flood reports, snowfall totals, changeover from rain to snow in the interior and strong winds over the region. On Thursday Morning, the New England reflector system *NEW-ENG* node: 9123/IRLP 9123 system and a check of the Paxton and Pack Monadnock Repeaters will be done to collect snowfall totals from the advisory between 6-8 AM as precipitation should be ending rapidly during this timeframe. If required other SKYWARN repeaters will be checked for rain, flood and wind information..

At 740 AM, Doppler Radar shows a large area of precipitation affecting portions of Southern New England with heavier rain just offshore of the coast and affecting the islands and heavy rainfall in the Central and Eastern Pennsylvania area that will move northeast into Southern New England later today. This rain also extend back into West Virginia. Much of today will see rain heavy at times extending into tonight. The rain may cause some urban and poor draiange flooding and result in some urban flood advisory issuances over areas that receive heaviest rainfall. Rainfall totals of 1.5 to 2.5″ are expected across the area especially along and south of the Mass. Pike. As the low spins up at the coast, this will draw down colder air into northwest portions of the area bringing a changeover to wet snow which will be heavy at times but ending around daybreak and near or just before the morning commute starts. A Winter Weather Advisory is in effect from Midnight to 6 AM for Cheshire, West-Central Hillsborough Counties of New Hampshire, and Franklin, Western Hampshire, Western Hampden, Northern Worcester and Northern Middlesex Counties of Massachusetts for 3-5″ of snow with the highest amounts in Cheshire County NH and in the higher elevations of northwest Massachusetts.

Strong winds will affect coastal areas and to a certain extent in the higher terrain locations of interior Massachusetts. A Wind Advisory is in effect for Cape Cod and the Islands from 3 to 10 AM Thursday for sustained winds 25-35 MPH with gusts to 50 MPH probable. These winds may be sufficient to cause some isolated pockets of tree and wire damage. Interior high terrain locations will also need to be monitored to see if winds become strong enough to hit advisory levels or strong winds combined with 3 to 5 inches of potentially wet snow may cause isolated pockets of tree and wire damage in those locations as well.

SKYWARN Self-Activation will be utilized to monitor this storm system. Ops at NWS Taunton don’t appear to be necessary but that will be monitored. A particular timeframe that will be monitored will be between the 6 to 8 AM Thursday Morning timeframe to collect rain and snowfall totals of criteria as well as any wind measurements or damage reports of criteria. Most of the snow is expected to fall during the overnight period while heavy rainfall can be expected Wednesday Afternoon and Night into early Thursday Morning. Precipitation is expected to stop near or just prior the start of the morning commute.

Another coordination message will be posted by 10 PM this evening. Below is the NWS Taunton Winter Weather Advisory Statement, Wind Advisory Statement and Hazardous Weather Outlook:

NWS Taunton Winter Weather Advisory Statement:
http://kamala.cod.edu/ma/latest.wwus41.KBOX.html

NWS Taunton Wind Advisory Statement:
http://kamala.cod.edu/ma/latest.wwus71.KBOX.html

NWS Taunton Hazardous Weather Outlook:
http://kamala.cod.edu/ma/latest.flus41.KBOX.html

Respectfully Submitted,

Robert Macedo (KD1CY)
ARES SKYWARN Coordinator
Eastern Massachusetts ARES Section Emergency Coordinator
Home Phone #: (508) 994-1875 (After 6 PM)
Home/Data #: (508) 997-4503 (After 6 PM)
Work Phone #: 508-346-2929 (8 AM-5 PM)
Email Address: rmacedo@rcn.com
http://ares.ema.arrl.org
http://beta.wx1box.org

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Hello to all..

..The Amateur Radio SKYWARN team and NWS Taunton forecasters wish all Amateur Radio Operators and SKYWARN Spotters a very Happy Thanksgiving and are extremely thankful for all the support received during the historic 2011 severe weather season..
..Strong Storm System to Adversely affect travel across the Northeast United States Wednesday on the busiest travel day of the year due to expected high traffic volume typical of the day before Thanksgiving and the storm impacts..
..A Winter Weather Advisory is now in effect for Franklin County Massachusetts and Cheshire and West-Central Hillsborough Counties of New Hampshire from 10 PM Tuesday Evening through 2 PM Wednesday for 1-3 inches of snow and a tenth of an inch of ice with snow amounts up to 5 inches possible especially in Northern Cheshire County New Hampshire and possibly in the higher elevations of the advisory area. A Winter Weather Advisory is in effect for neighboring Rockingham County New Hampshire and Coastal York County Maine from Midnight to 6 PM Wednesday for similar conditions..
..Across the remainder of Southern New England widespread rainfall of 1 to 3 inches with the heaviest rainfall occurring in the morning through early afternoon will adversely affect the morning commute and any holiday travellers during this timeframe. This rainfall may cause pockets of urban and poor drainage flooding and rapid within bank rises across area rivers. Strong winds will also be possible during and after the heavy rainfall lightens up along coastal areas of the region with sustained winds 20-30 MPH with gusts 40-45 MPH possible..
..Minor Coastal Flooding is possible on the Wednesday Morning high tide along East Coastal Massachusetts and Cape Cod and the Islands. This could cause minor street flooding of typical shore roads with onshore flow and a high astronomical high tide..
..Areas of Northern New England and Northeast New York will be getting a widespread heavy snow event with some mixed precipitation. Winter Storm Warnings and Winter Weather Advisories are in effect for much of these areas. Due to Wednesday being a busy travel day, these statements have been provided in the coordination message for those Amateur Radio Operators and SKYWARN Spotters travelling on Wednesday or to provide for people that they know are travelling on Wednesdsay. If you are going to these areas, travel would be best prior to Wednesday or later Wednesday Evening after the heaviest snow has passed and roads can be treated in these areas..
..SKYWARN Self-Activation will be utilized to monitor conditions Wednesday around the region. Ops at NWS Taunton are unlikely to be utilized but that will be monitored closely..

The entire Amateur Radio SKYWARN team would like to wish everyone a Happy Thanksgiving from our team and on behalf of the NWS Taunton forecasters. We are very grateful for all the support received across all of the activations during 2011 and the particularly historic severe weather events that include the June 1st tornado outbreak, Tropical Storm/Hurricane Irene, and the Snowtober Nor’easter. The day before Thanksgiving, the busiest travel day of the year, will feature a strong storm system bringing a myriad of weather threats to the region adversely impacting travel Wednesday.

A Winter Weather Advisory is now in effect from 10 PM this evening through 2 PM Wednesday Afternoon for Cheshire and West-Central Hillsborough Counties New Hampshire and Franklin County Massachusetts. In this area, widespread 1-3″ of snow with one-tenth of an inch of ice is possible. Isolated snowfall amounts of up to 5 inches are possible in Northern Cheshire County New Hampshire as well as the higher elevations of the advisory area. It is noted that the NWS Gray Maine office has issued a Winter Weather Advisory for neighboring Rockingham County NH and coastal York County Maine for similar conditions. The snow and ice in these areas is expected to changeover to rain late Wednesday Morning in these areas.

Across other parts of Southern New England, there could be a brief period of snow in higher elevations and other locations in extreme northwest parts of Massachusetts that neighbor the Winter Weather Advisory area but little accumulation is expected before a change over to rain and the rain will be heavy at times across this area and precipitation will start as rain elsewhere across Southern New England and be heavy at times. Rainfall amounts of 1 to 3 inches are likely over a widespread area. This rainfall will hamper the morning commute in particular but should lessen in intensity after midday. The rain could cause minor urban and poor drainage flooding in the typical areas and slow down traffic that may already be at high volume across the region. Rapid within bank river rises are possible but no river or stream flooding is expected but this will be monitored.

Strong winds will accompany the rainfall and occur after the heaviest rainfall has passed along coastal areas. Sustained winds of 20-30 MPH with gusts to 40 to 45 MPH will be possible. These strong winds from a northeast direction may result in minor coastal flooding at the time of high tide across East Coastal Massachusetts. This could result in the vulnerable shore roads being flooded for an hour or two either side of the Wednesday Morning high tide. This is expected to be a minor coastal flood event across East Coastal Massachusetts.

Areas of Northern New England and Northeast New York will be getting a widespread heavy snow event with some mixed precipitation. Winter Storm Warnings and Winter Weather Advisories are in effect for much of these areas. Due to Wednesday being a busy travel day, these statements have been provided in the coordination message for those Amateur Radio Operators and SKYWARN Spotters travelling on Wednesday or to provide for people that they know are travelling on Wednesdsay. If you are going to these areas, travel would be best prior to Wednesday or later Wednesday Evening after the heaviest snow has passed and roads can be treated in these areas.

SKYWARN Self-Activation will be utilized to monitor conditions Wednesday around the region. Ops at NWS Taunton are unlikely to be utilized but that will be monitored closely. This will likely be the last complete coordination message on this storm event as we moved to SKYWARN Self-Activation Operations mode. If time allows, a shortened coordination message may be sent to update the situation due to Wednesday being one of the busiest travel days of the year. Below is the NWS Taunton Winter Weather Advisory Statement and Hazardous Weather Outlook as well as statements from surrounding offices on storm impact in Northeast New York and the remainder of New England:

NWS Taunton Massachusetts Winter Weather Advisory:
http://kamala.cod.edu/ma/latest.wwus41.KBOX.html

NWS Taunton Massachusetts Hazardous Weather Outlook:
http://kamala.cod.edu/ma/latest.flus41.KBOX.html

NWS Gray Maine Winter Storm Warning/Winter Weather Advisory Statement:
http://kamala.cod.edu/me/latest.wwus41.KGYX.html

NWS Caribou Maine Winter Storm Warning/Winter Weather Advisory Statement:
http://kamala.cod.edu/me/latest.wwus41.KCAR.html

NWS Burlington Vermont Winter Storm Warning/Winter Weather Advisory Statement:
http://kamala.cod.edu/vt/latest.wwus41.KBTV.html

NWS Albany New York Winter Storm Warning/Winter Weather Advisory Statement:
http://kamala.cod.edu/vt/latest.wwus41.KALY.html

Respectfully Submitted,

Robert Macedo (KD1CY)
ARES SKYWARN Coordinator
Eastern Massachusetts ARES Section Emergency Coordinator
Home Phone #: (508) 994-1875 (After 6 PM)
Home/Data #: (508) 997-4503 (After 6 PM)
Work Phone #: 508-346-2929 (8 AM-5 PM)
Email Address: rmacedo@rcn.com
http://ares.ema.arrl.org
http://beta.wx1box.org

Read more

Hello to all..

..The Amateur Radio SKYWARN team and NWS Taunton forecasters wish all Amateur Radio Operators and SKYWARN Spotters a very Happy Thanksgiving and are extremely thankful for all the support received during the historic 2011 severe weather season..
..The busiest travel day of the year will be impacted by a strong storm system affecting much of Southern New England with heavy rain on Wednesday Morning through early afternoon letting up as we get into the mid-afternoon to evening hours. Rainfall of 1-3″ may cause minor urban and poor drainage flooding in the most flood prone areas. Some wet snow may mix in especially over Southern New Hampshire as the precipitation starts but the precipitation is then expected to changeover to rain. This storm could slow already long commute times due to heavy holiday traffic..
..Minor Coastal Flooding is possible at the time of the Thursday Morning high tide across portions of East Coastal Massachusetts. Strong Winds will be possible on Wednesday into Thursday across the region..
..If you are travelling into Northern New England, a heavy wet snow storm is expected to significantly impact travel and potentially causing pockets of tree and wire damage in portions of these regions. Winter Storm Warnings are in effect for much of Maine and Northern and Central New Hampshire for Wednesday for 6-12″ of snow with isolated higher amounts. A Winter Weather Advisory is in effect for Rockingham County NH and Coastal York County Maine for Wednesday and for Vermont and Northeast New York for a wintry mix of snow, sleet, freezing rain and rain. If you’re travelling into these areas on Wednesday, a significant amount of extra time will be required and if travel can be made earlier than Wednesday, that would be best..
..SKYWARN Self-Activation will be utilized to monitor conditions Wednesday across the region and as required Thanksgiving Day for heavy rainfall, strong winds and minor coastal flooding..
..Further details will be posted in another coordination message by 9 PM. Below is the NWS Taunton Hazardous Weather Outlook as well as Winter Storm Products from neighboring weather offices for folks travelling on Wednesday..

NWS Taunton Massachusetts Hazardous Weather Outlook:
http://kamala.cod.edu/ma/latest.flus41.KBOX.html

NWS Gray Maine Winter Storm Warning/Winter Weather Advisory Statement:
http://kamala.cod.edu/me/latest.wwus41.KGYX.html

NWS Caribou Maine Winter Storm Watch Statement:
http://kamala.cod.edu/me/latest.wwus41.KCAR.html

NWS Burlington Vermont Winter Weather Advisory Statement:
http://kamala.cod.edu/vt/latest.wwus41.KBTV.html

NWS Albany New York Winter Weather Advisory Statement:
http://kamala.cod.edu/vt/latest.wwus41.KALY.html

Respectfully Submitted,

Robert Macedo (KD1CY)
ARES SKYWARN Coordinator
Eastern Massachusetts ARES Section Emergency Coordinator
Home Phone #: (508) 994-1875 (After 6 PM)
Home/Data #: (508) 997-4503 (After 6 PM)
Work Phone #: 508-346-2929 (8 AM-5 PM)
Email Address: rmacedo@rcn.com
http://ares.ema.arrl.org
http://beta.wx1box.org

Read more

Hello to all..

….The following is a final reminder and update on SKYWARN Recognition Day. We are pleased to announced that ARRL HQ Manager of Prepardness and Response, Mike Corey-NI1U and Assistant Manager of Preparedness and Response Ken Bailey-K1FUG will be joining us for SRD’2011 Saturday Afternoon around 1 PM. We welcome them to our SRD operations. Below is the original announcement with no changes..

The following is a special announcement on SKYWARN Recognition Day. This announcement also appears on the WX1BOX home page via the following link:

http://beta.wx1box.org/node/1556

Announcement text is listed below:

The National Weather Service in Taunton Amateur Radio Station, WX1BOX, will once again be active for SKYWARN Recognition Day 2011. In addition, for the fifth straight year, the National Weather Service Gray, Maine Office will also be active under call-sign, WX1GYX. The Boston Amateur Radio Club will also be active as they have been over the past several years at the NWS Blue Hill Observatory under call-sign W1BOS/MQE from 9 AM-3 PM Saturday December 3rd, 2011.

This will be the 13th year of SKYWARN Recognition Day and its
anticipated that over 100 NWS Forecast Offices will be participating once again this year. This event was featured on page 68 of the December 2011 Issue of QST Magazine and web links to information on SKYWARN Recognition Day can be seen at the following links:

http://hamradio.noaa.gov
http://www.arrl.org/news/the-13th-annual-skywarn-recognition-day-set-for-december-3

We have received several inquries on HF operations at WX1BOX for SRD. HF has been an integral part of SRD activities for WX1BOX operations since participation was started in 2004. In fact, without HF capability, we did not participate in past SRD events because HF is a very critcal part of a SRD operation and some of our more significant events such as during a Tropical Storm/Hurricane or during significant winter storm events.

In the past, when we have scheduled what band we were going to be on at a given time, it would always change due to propagation and other factors. Over the past several SRD events, we have typically operated on Friday Evening mostly on 40 and 75 Meters though with propagation improved since past SRD events, 20 Meters may also be an option on Friday Evening. On Saturday, we have typically started on 20 Meters with some 40 and 75 Meter operation toward evening. There is the possibility that we will be able to have 2 HF stations this year which may allow us multiple band operation on HF but the HF antennas are in close proximity to one another and may preclude us operating on 2 bands. We are unable to setup a temporary antenna for the event due to government restrictions.

During the event, as we move through our schedule of repeaters and are on the Echolink/IRLP systems, we will announce what HF band and frequency we are operating for people wishing to make contact on HF. We will also post this information periodically on our facebook and twitter pages and possibly post to a DXCluster as well. We hope this HF update will draw folks who would like to make contact with us on HF.

The following is a schedule of repeaters that will be
utilized along with simplex being utilized during certain timeframes on Saturday at WX1BOX. We hope Amateurs will utilize this schedule and try and work WX1BOX during these various timeframes. If you don’t hear NWS, feel free to call for WX1BOX and if the office is monitoring, a response will be given. When you make contact, give your current sky condition and temperature as required. Below is the tentative schedule of operations:

Friday December 2nd, 2011:
7:00-7:30 PM:    146.970-Paxton Repeater (PL: 114.8 Hz)
7:30-8:00 PM:    147.180-Bridgewater Repeater (PL: 67.0 Hz)
8:00-8:30 PM:    145.490-Fairhaven Repeater (PL: 67.0 Hz)
8:30-9:00 PM:    146.955-Westford Repeater (PL: 74.4 Hz)
9:00-9:30 PM:    146.79-Vernon, CT Repeater (PL: 82.5 Hz) (linked via IRLP.)
9:30-10:00 PM:   147.225-Killingly, CT Repeater (PL: 156.7 Hz)
10:00-10:30 PM:  146.760-Scituate, RI Repeater PL: 67.0 Hz
10:30-11:00 PM:  145.470-Danvers Repeater (PL: 136.5 Hz)
11:00-11:30 PM:  146.955-Barnstable PL: 88.5 or 147.375-Falmouth Repeater PL: 110.9
11:30 PM-12:00 AM: 146.640-Waltham Repeater

**Will Attempt to monitor both the New England Network and the *WX-TALK*/IRLP Reflector 9219 systems during this entire timeframe.

**It is possible we may switch off to different repeaters or simplex during time slots if we run out of contacts.

Saturday December 3rd, 2011:
7:00-8:30 AM:   146.595 Simplex
8:30-9:00 AM:   Litchfield County Linked System via KB1AEV repeater system
9:00-9:30 AM:   145.230-Boston Repeater (PL: 88.5 Hz)
9:30-10:00 AM:  146.640-Waltham Repeater
10:00-10:30 AM: 146.895-Walpole Repeater (PL: 123.0 Hz)
10:30-11:00 AM: 147.225-Killingly, CT Repeater (PL: 156.7 Hz)
11:00-11:30 AM: 145.470-Danvers Repeater (PL: 136.5 Hz)
11:30 AM-Noon:  146.79-Vernon, CT Repeater (Linked via IRLP.)
Noon-1:00 PM:   146.595 Simplex
1:00-1:30 PM:   146.685-Plymouth Repeater (PL: 82.5 Hz)
1:30-2:00 PM:   145.130-Gloucester Repeater (PL: 107.2 Hz)
2:00-2:30 PM:   146.955-Barnstable (PL: 88.5) or 147.375-Falmouth Repeater (PL: 110.9)
2:30-3:00 PM:   146.955-Westford Repeater (PL: 74.4)
3:00-3:30 PM:   146.970-Paxton Repeater (PL: 114.8)
3:30-4:00 PM:   147.165-Exeter, RI Repeater (PL: 67.0)
4:00-4:30 PM:   146.760-Scituate, RI or 145.37-Coventry, RI Repeater (PL: 67.0)
4:30-5:00 PM:   145.490-Fairhaven Repeater (PL: 67.0)
5:00-5:30 PM:   147.180-Bridgewater Repeater (PL: 67.0)
5:30-6:00 PM:   449.375-Pack Monadnock, NH Repeater (PL: 88.5 Hz)
6:00-6:30 PM:   146.895-Walpole Repeater (PL: 123.0)
6:30-7:00 PM:   147.000-Dartmouth Repeater (PL: 67.0)

**Will Attempt to monitor both the New England Network and the *WX-TALK*/IRLP Reflector 9219 systems during this entire timeframe.

**It is possible we may switch off to different repeaters or simplex during time slots if we run out of contacts.

The following is information EchoLink/IRLP operations during SKYWARN Recognition Day. The schedule has now been finalized:

Time in UTC NWS Office Call-Sign
0000-0100: WX0GLD (Confirmed to keep the time slot)
0100-0200: WX1GYX (Confirmed to keep the time slot)
0200-0300: WX4MLB (Confirmed to keep the time slot)
0300-0400: W0ABR (Confirmed to keep the time slot)
0400-0500: WX1BOX (Confirmed to keep the time slot)
0500-0600: WX9GRB (Confirmed to keep the time slot)
0600-0700: WX4HUN (Confirmed to keep the time slot)
0700-0800: N0NWS (Confirmed to keep the time slot)
0800-0900: KL7FWX (Confirmed to keep time slot. Will Show Up on Echolink as KL2GS – NWS Fairbanks AK)
0900-1000: KL7FWX (Confirmed to keep time slot. Will Show Up on Echolink as KL2GS – NWS Fairbanks AK)
1000-1100: KL7FWX (Confirmed to keep time slot. Will Show Up on Echolink as KL2GS – NWS Fairbanks AK)
1100-1200: WX4HUN (Taking WX7PHX Time Slot and relinguishing their 1400-1500 UTC time slot)
1200-1300: W7NWS (Confirmed to keep the time slot)
1300-1400: KL7FWX (Confirmed to keep time slot. Will Show Up on Echolink as KL2GS – NWS Fairbanks AK)
1400-1500: WX7SLC (New NWS Office for SRD’2011)
1500-1600: WX1BOX (Confirmed to keep the time slot)
1600-1800: WX4NC (Confirmed to keep the time slot, 2 hour time slot and time slot is from last year)
1800-1900: WX6MTR (Confirmed to keep the time slot)
1900-2000: K0MPX (Confirmed to keep the time slot)
2000-2100: WX4MLB (Confirmed to keep the time slot)
2100-2300: WX4NHC (Confirmed to keep the time slot)
2300-2400: WX6NWS (Confirmed the NWS Sacramento California Office for this time slot)

There will be other conference systems utilized for SKYWARN Recognition Day. They are as follows:

The New England Reflector Gateway System will be utilized by the NWS Taunton, Mass. and NWS Gray, Maine offices from 0000-0500 UTC and 1200-2400 UTC. The New England Gateway system is on EchoLink Conference server *NEW-ENG* Node: 9123, IRLP reflector 9123. If other NWS offices would like to join the
system, they are welcome to do so and participants in SKYWARN Recognition Day can also use that system to make contact with various NWS offices.

Also, the Western Reflector will be having NWS offices calling CQ as in past years on reflector 9250 and have its gateway system on IRLP 9258/EchoLink Conference *NV-GATE* Node: 125266 open for NWS offices. Please contact Kent-W7AOR for additional information on the Western Reflector.

A few technical reminders for folks interested in making contacts with the NWS Forecast Offices on the *WX-TALK* Node: 7203/IRLP 9219 and New England Reflector Gateway IRLP 9123/*NEW-ENG* Echolink Node: 9123 systems:

-The system allows both EchoLink and IRLP connections. For EchoLink users, you connect to the *WX-TALK* Node: 7203 conference system. For IRLP users, you would connect to IRLP reflector 9219.

-If you are using EchoLink, the RF node or PC that you’re using must have EchoLink conferencing disabled. If it is not disabled, the system will automatically kick the node or PC off of the system.

The reason this occurs is to prevent unintentional interference from a conferencing station that may not know the node is connected somewhere else. This will keep traffic moving on the net and reduce interference considerably.

For more information on VoIP Technical Configuration Tips, please go to our web site at http://www.voipwx.net where we have a link to that information on the main menu of the web site. This announcement will also be on the web site.

We are looking forward to another fun SKYWARN Recognition Day on the *WX-TALK* Node: 7203/IRLP reflector 9219 system, New England Reflector Gateway system and Western Reflector system. Thanks to all for there support!

Respectfully Submitted,

Robert Macedo (KD1CY)
ARES SKYWARN Coordinator
Eastern Massachusetts ARES Section Emergency Coordinator        
Home Phone #: (508) 994-1875 (After 6 PM)
Home/Data #: (508) 997-4503 (After 6 PM)
Work Phone #: 508-346-2929 (8 AM-5 PM)
Email Address: rmacedo@rcn.com
http://ares.ema.arrl.org
http://beta.wx1box.org

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Hello to all..

The following is a NWS Taunton Public Information Statement on the Dual Polarization Doppler Radar Installation that will occur January 4th through January 15th, 2012 as well as a link to a web page on the Dual Polarization Doppler Radar from the NWS Taunton web site:

NWS Taunton Dual Polarization Doppler Radar Web Page:
http://www.erh.noaa.gov/box/radar/dualpol.htm

NWS Taunton Dual Polarization Doppler Radar Public Information Statement:

000
NOUS41 KBOX 151821
PNSBOX
CTZ002>004-MAZ002>024-026-NHZ011-012-015-RIZ001>008-162200-

PUBLIC INFORMATION STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE TAUNTON MA
118 PM EST TUE NOV 15 2011

…DUAL POLARIZATION RADAR INSTALLATION JANUARY 4-15 2012…

THE TAUNTON DOPPLER RADAR…KBOX…WILL UNDERGO A MODERNIZATION
TO USE NEW TECHNOLOGY KNOWN AS DUAL POLARIZATION. NWS TAUNTON
WILL BE AMONG THE FIRST RADARS IN THE NORTHEAST TO ACQUIRE THIS NEW
AND EXCITING TECHNOLOGY. INSTALLATION WILL TAKE UP TO TWO WEEKS AND
BEGIN ON WEDNESDAY…JANUARY 4 2012.

THIS UPGRADE WILL CAUSE THE KBOX RADAR TO BE DOWN AND UNAVAILABLE
FOR MUCH OF THIS TWO WEEK PERIOD. DURING THIS DOWN TIME…NWS
TAUNTON WILL USE SURROUNDING NWS DOPPLER RADARS IN ALBANY AND BROOKHAVEN
NEW YORK…AS  WELL AS THE ONE IN GRAY MAINE FOR COVERAGE.  OUR
OFFICE WILL ALSO INCORPORATE THE FAA TERMINAL DOPPLER RADAR IN
WEYMOUTH MA.

TO LEARN MORE ABOUT DUAL POLARIZATION RADAR VISIT OUR WEBSITE OR
BROWSE TO THE WARNING DECISION TRAINING BRANCH
WEBSITE AT…LOWER CASE…
HTTP://WWW.WDTB.NOAA.GOV/COURSES/DUALPOL/OUTREACH/INDEX.HTML

PLEASE CONTACT METEOROLOGISTS HAYDEN FRANK (EMAIL HAYDEN.FRANK@NOAA.GOV)
OR STEPHANIE DUNTEN (EMAIL STEPHANIE.DUNTEN@NOAA.GOV) WITH ANY
QUESTIONS OR CONCERNS.

$$

FRANK/DUNTEN

Respectfully Submitted,

Robert Macedo (KD1CY)
ARES SKYWARN Coordinator
Eastern Massachusetts ARES Section Emergency Coordinator
Home Phone #: (508) 994-1875 (After 6 PM)
Home/Data #: (508) 997-4503 (After 6 PM)
Work Phone #: 508-346-2929 (8 AM-5 PM)
Email Address: rmacedo@rcn.com
http://ares.ema.arrl.org
http://beta.wx1box.org

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Hello to all..

..Heavy Rainfall in convective showers will affect Southern New England particularly portions of Central and Eastern Massachusetts, Rhode Island and Northeast Connecticut. Rainfall of 1-3″ will be possible. Doppler Radar shows the leading edge of heavy showers just offshore and will move on shore between 8 AM and Noon from south to north. The rainfall may cause some urban and poor drainage flooding over the area in locations that receive heaviest rainfall particularly this afternoon and the evening commute..
..SKYWARN Self-Activation will be utilized to handle any 2″ or more rainfall reports and flooding reports. Ops at NWS Taunton are unlikely but that will be monitored..
..This will be the only coordination message issued on this event unless an upgrade to the situation occurs. Below is the NWS Taunton Hazardous Weather Outlook..

NWS Taunton Hazardous Weather Outlook:
http://kamala.cod.edu/ma/latest.flus41.KBOX.html

Respectfully Submitted,

Robert Macedo (KD1CY)
ARES SKYWARN Coordinator
Eastern Massachusetts ARES Section Emergency Coordinator
Home Phone #: (508) 994-1875 (After 6 PM)
Home/Data #: (508) 997-4503 (After 6 PM)
Work Phone #: 508-346-2929 (8 AM-5 PM)
Email Address: rmacedo@rcn.com
http://ares.ema.arrl.org
http://beta.wx1box.org

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Hello to all..

As part of our nation’s ongoing efforts to strengthen our resilience against all hazards, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), in close coordination with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association (NOAA), will conduct the first ever nationwide test of the Emergency Alert System on Wednesday, November 9, at 2:00 p.m. EST. The test will occur simultaneously across the United States and the U.S. territories and will last approximately 30 seconds, after which regular programming will resume. The test will appear on all broadcast radio and television stations, cable television systems, satellite radio and television systems, and wireline video service systems. The test will not involve landline or mobile phones or other infrastructure such as power grids.

Further details on what will occur during this test is listed below in a press release by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA):

FEMA EAS Test Press Release:
http://www.fema.gov/eastest/

Respectfully Submitted,

Robert Macedo (KD1CY)
ARES SKYWARN Coordinator
Eastern Massachusetts ARES Section Emergency Coordinator
Home Phone #: (508) 994-1875 (After 6 PM)
Home/Data #: (508) 997-4503 (After 6 PM)
Work Phone #: 508-346-2929 (8 AM-5 PM)
Email Address: rmacedo@rcn.com
http://ares.ema.arrl.org
http://beta.wx1box.org

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NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE SKYWARN TRAINING
Ipswich Mass – November 19, 2011

The National Weather Service (NWS) will be sponsoring a severe weather spotter training session, part of its SKYWARN program, in Ipswich Massachusetts. The class will be on Saturday November 19, 2011 from 11 AM to approximately 2 PM. It will be held at the Ipswich Town Hall, 25 Green Street, in Ipswich MA.

The session is open to the public at no charge. Amateur Radio Operators are encouraged to attend. Also, Emergency managers, police, fire, and other first responders are also encouraged to attend. Everyone age 16 and older who stays to complete the training will be able to become trained NWS weather spotters.

The training session includes a two-hour thirty-minute computer-based presentation, which discusses the development of thunderstorms, the criteria for “severe” thunderstorms, as well as the cloud features associated with severe thunderstorms and tornados. Additional information will be presented about winter storms and proper snow measurement. The session will also present the procedure for reporting weather information to the National Weather Service. Anyone attending should bring a pen or pencil and bringing a notebook is optional.

No pre-registration is required for this training session.

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