Special Announcement: WX1BOX on Facebook and Twitter/SKYWARN Training Schedule Update

Hello to all..

..Happy Easter/Passover to those celebrating those holidays..

For SKYWARN Spotters and Amateur Radio Operators that utilize Facebook and Twitter, a reminder that the WX1BOX Amateur Radio Station now has a presence on both Facebook and Twitter. The Facebook page is at the following link:

http://www.facebook.com/wx1box

Please click ‘like’ to like the page. The facebook page features updates tied to the wx1box.org web site and occasional posting of pictures from storm activity as it happens and can serve as a medium for reporting for those that like to use Facebook.

We also have a twitter account under the ‘WX1BOX’ name. Click follow to follow us on Twitter. This is typically monitored for reports and updates on storm situations are posted on Twitter. The facebook page and Twitter is linked together to provide this service.

We have a few updates to SKYWARN Training sessions. We have confirmed a session in Windham County CT for Thursday May 24th. We also have made the Brimfield session, preregistration required, as their is potentially a large turnout expected. Please send email as stated below if you’re interested in attending that class. The site’s capacity is approximately 50 people. Also, we have added a SKYWARN Training session for Friday Afternoon August 24th, 2012 prior to the Boxboro New England Division ARRL Convention and Ham Radio Show/Hamfest. The complete training schedule including links to the schedule are listed below:

NWS Taunton SKYWARN Training Link via NWS web site: http://www.erh.noaa.gov/box/officePrograms/skywarn/skywarnTraining.shtml

NWS Taunton SKYWARN Training Link via wx1box.org web site: http://beta.wx1box.org/node/36

The following are SKYWARN Training Sessions booked for 2012. Further training sessions will be booked over the course of the year so check back frequently for updates.

Tuesday April 17th, 2012: 7-10 PM:
Wilton NH Fire Department
102 Main Street
Wilton, NH
Taught by: NWS Taunton Forecaster
Registration: None Required

Saturday April 21st, 2012: 10 AM-1 PM:
Lanesville Community Center
8 Vulcan Street
Gloucester, MA
Taught by: Amateur Radio Coordinator
Registration: None Required

Monday April 30th, 2012: 630-930 PM:
NH West Chapter House
83 Court Street
Keene, NH
Taught by: NWS Taunton Forecaster
Registration: None Required
Sponsored by: Cheshire County NH CCDX Amateur Radio Club

Thursday May 3rd, 2012: 7-10 PM:
Walpole Public Library
147 School Street
Walpole, MA
Taught by: NWS Taunton Forecaster
Registration: None Required

Saturday May 5th, 2012: 10 AM-1 PM:
Scouter’s Hall
13 North Main Street
North Smithfield, RI
Taught by: Amateur Radio Coordinator
Registration: None Required
Building Location/Parking:
The entrance to the parking is across the street from the N. Smithfield Library and N. Main Street. The gray building is in about 200 yards off the street behind a very old stone building.  It is at the east end of Pacheco Park.

Saturday May 12th, 2012: 10 AM-1 PM:
Clay Center Observatory Lecture Hall
Dexter and Southfield Schools
20 Newton Street
Brookline, MA
Taught by: Amateur Radio Coordinator
Registration: None Required
Directions: www.claycenter.org

Wednesday May 16th, 2012: 7-10 PM:
Canton, CT Community Center
40 Dyer Avenue
Canton, CT
Taught by: NWS Taunton Forecaster
Registration: None Required

Thursday May 24th, 2012: 7-10 PM:
Quinebaug Valley Emergency Communications 911 Center
1249 Hartford Pike Rt.101
Dayville, Ct.
Taught by: NWS Taunton Forecaster
Registration: None Required

Thursday May 31st, 2012: 7-10 PM:
22News WWLP-TV
1 Broadcast Center
Chicopee, Mass.
Taught by: NWS Taunton Forecaster
Registration: None Required

Saturday June 2nd, 2012: Noon-3 PM:
Hitchcock Free Academy
2 Brookfield Road
Brimfield, Mass.
Taught by: NWS Taunton Forecaster
Registration: Pre-registration required. Please email Rob Macedo-KD1CY at rmacedo at rcn.com or William Babcock at william.babcock at noaa.gov (Emails presented this way to prevent spamming)

Friday August 24th, 2012: 1-4 PM:
Holiday Inn – Boxborough
242 Adams Place
Boxborough Mass.
Taught by: Amateur Radio Coordinator
Registration: None Required
Sponsorship: This training is being run in conjunction with the ARRL New England Division Convention and Ham Radio Show. This is being done prior to the Hamfest starting and no admission will be charged on Friday for those interested in attending this SKYWARN Training session.

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

Fire Weather Coordination Message for Wednesday 4/4/12 Through Sunday 4/8/12

Hello to all..

..Fire Weather to once again reach critical levels due to recent dry conditions and low relative humidities. These conditions may persist through the weekend..
..A Red Flag Warning is now in effect from 11 AM Wednesday Morning through 8 PM Wednesday Evening for the entire NWS Taunton coverage area except for Cape Cod and the Islands. Local Fire Weather officials have advised that any fires that develop will have the potential to spread rapidly. Outdoor burning is not recommended and people should not throw cigarette butts out from moving vehicles as that could cause a brush fire that could spread out of control quickly..
..This is not a SKYWARN Activation type of event but this message is sent for public awareness to use caution and to postpone any outdoor burning..
..It is noted that there are fire weather concerns for much of this week. Additional Fire Weather Watches/Red Flag Warnings could be issued for portions of the region over the next few days..
..To cover the threat, this coordination message is designed to point people who are interested in these statements to the appropriate links to see when Fire Weather Watches and Red Flag Warnings are being issued over the next few days and to raise public awareness. This will be the only coordination message to cover the threat of fire weather conditions over the next few days..
..Below is the NWS Taunton Red Flag Warning/Fire Weather Watch Statement link, Hazardous Weather Outlook and SPC Day-1 and Day-2 Fire Weather Outlooks..

NWS Taunton Fire Weather Watch/Red Flag Warning Statement:
http://kamala.cod.edu/ma/latest.wwus81.KBOX.html

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

SPC Day-1 Fire Weather Outlook:
http://www.spc.noaa.gov/products/fire_wx/fwdy1.html

SPC Day-2 Fire Weather Outlook:
http://www.spc.noaa.gov/products/fire_wx/fwdy2.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

FCC Seeks Public Comments on Emergency Communications by Amateur Radio and Impediments to Amateur Radio Communications

Hello to all..

Please see the following notice in regards to Amateur Radio and Emergency Communications and a study that is being executed. Time is short with a 45-day comment period as proposed by the FCC and the ARRL is looking for comments over the next 3 weeks to collate a common report. Please don’t delay and provide comments. Thanks to all for their support. The text of the memo from ARRL HQ with full details is listed via the link below:

http://ares.ema.arrl.org/node/610

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

Fire Weather Coordination Message #2 – Tuesday April 3rd, 2012 Fire Weather Conditions

Hello to all..

..Fire Weather to once again reach critical levels due to recent dry conditions and low relative humidities..
..A Red Flag Warning is now in effect from 11 AM Tuesday Morning through 7 PM Tuesday Evening for the entire NWS Taunton coverage area except for Cape Cod and the Islands. Local Fire Weather officials have advised that any fires that develop will have the potential to spread rapidly. Outdoor burning is not recommended and people should not throw cigarette butts out from moving vehicles as that could cause a brush fire that could spread out of control quickly..
..This is not a SKYWARN Activation type of event but this message is sent for public awareness to use caution and to postpone any outdoor burning. This will be the last coordination message for today’s fire weather concerns. It is noted that there are fire weather concerns for much of this week. Below is the NWS Taunton Red Flag Warning statement and Hazardous Weather Outlook..

NWS Taunton Red Flag Warning Statement:
http://kamala.cod.edu/ma/latest.wwus81.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

Read more

Fire Weather Coordination Message #1 – Tuesday April 3rd, 2012 Potential Fire Weather Conditions

Hello to all..

..Fire Weather to once again reach critical levels due to recent dry conditions and low relative humidities..
..A Fire Weather Watch is now in effect from Tuesday Morning through Tuesday Evening for the entire NWS Taunton coverage area except for Cape Cod and the Islands. Local Fire Weather officials have advised that any fires that develop will have the potential to spread rapidly. Outdoor burning is not recommended and people should not throw cigarette butts out from moving vehicles as that could cause a brush fire that could spread out of control quickly..
..This is not a SKYWARN Activation type of event but this message is sent for public awareness to use caution and to postpone any outdoor burning. Another coordination message will be issued by 830 AM Tuesday Morning. Below is the NWS Taunton Fire Weather Watch statement and Hazardous Weather Outlook..

NWS Taunton Fire Weather Watch Statement:
http://kamala.cod.edu/ma/latest.wwus81.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

Read more

Fire Weather Coordination Message #1 for Tuesday March 27th, 2012 Conditions

Hello to all..

..Fire Weather to once again reach critical levels due to recent dry conditions and strong winds despite very cold temperatures..
..A Red Flag Warning is now in effect 10 AM to 7 PM today for the entire NWS Taunton Coverage Area except for Block Island Rhode Island. Local Fire Weather officials have advised that any fires that develop will have the potential to spread rapidly. Outdoor burning is not recommended and people should not throw cigarette butts out from moving vehicles as that could cause a brush fire that could spread out of control quickly..
..This is not a SKYWARN Activation type of event but this message is sent for public awareness to use caution and to postpone any outdoor burning. This will be the only coordination message for these conditions. Below is the NWS Taunton Red Flag Warning statement, Hazardous Weather Outlook and SPC Day-1 Fire Weather Outlook..

NWS Taunton Red Flag Warning Statement:
http://kamala.cod.edu/ma/latest.wwus81.KBOX.html

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

SPC Day-1 Fire Weather Outlook:
http://www.spc.noaa.gov/products/fire_wx/fwdy1.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

Fire Weather Coordination Message #2 for Friday March 23rd, 2012

Hello to all..

..Fire Weather Conditions will be critical over portions of Southern New England Friday as near record heat and some level of winds result in the threat of elevated fire spread..
..A Red Flag Warning is now in effect from 11 AM Friday Morning through 8 PM Friday Evening for Hillsborough County NH, Western Essex and North-Central Middlesex Counties Massachusetts. A Red Flag Warning means critical fire weather conditions exists meaning that if a brush or grass fire occurs/ignites, it could spread and become out of control rapidly..
..The Fire Weather Watch has been cancelled for Franklin, Worcester, Eastern Essex and Cheshire Counties due to the fact that winds will not reach Red Flag Warning criteria, however, an elevated fire risk exists in these areas and much of Southern New England due to low relative humidities, relatively dry conditions, warm temperatures and that grass is still in the ‘pre-greenup’ phase..
..This is not a SKYWARN Activation type of event but this message is sent for public awareness to use caution and not throw cigarette butts out on to the ground and for public safety awareness with any burning. This will be the last coordination message for these conditions. Below is the NWS Taunton Red Flag Warning statement, Hazardous Weather Outlook and SPC Day-1 Fire Weather Outlook..

NWS Taunton Red Flag Warning Statement:
http://kamala.cod.edu/ma/latest.wwus81.KBOX.html

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

SPC Day-1 Fire Weather Outlook:
http://www.spc.noaa.gov/products/fire_wx/fwdy1.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

Fire Weather Coordination Message #1 for Friday March 23rd, 2012

Hello to all..

..Fire Weather Conditions have the potential to become critical over portions of Southern New England Friday as record heat and some level of winds result in the threat of elevated fire spread..
..A Fire Weather Watch is now in effect from Friday Morning through Friday Evening for Southern New Hampshire and Franklin, Worcester, Essex, and Middlesex Counties of Massachusetts. A Fire Weather Watch means that if a brush or grass fire occurs/ignites, it could spread and become out of control rapidly..
..This is not a SKYWARN Activation type of event but this message is sent for public awareness to use caution and not throw cigarette butts out on to the ground and for public safety awareness with any burning. Another coordination message will be sent by 830 AM Friday Morning. Below is the NWS Taunton Fire Weather Watch statement, Hazardous Weather Outlook and SPC Day-2 Fire Weather Outlook..

NWS Taunton Fire Weather Watch Statement:
http://kamala.cod.edu/ma/latest.wwus81.KBOX.html

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

SPC Day-2 Fire Weather Outlook:
http://www.spc.noaa.gov/products/fire_wx/fwdy2.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

Special Announcement: National Hurricane Conference Amateur Radio Workshop and Livestreaming

Hello to all..

The National Hurricane Conference is coming up next week from Monday March 26th through Thursday March 29th. Amateur Radio will be represented at two sessions during the conference as well as at a function at the Orange County Florida Emergency Operatons Center Monday Evening March 26th where Dr. Richard Knabb of The Weather Channel will be present.

All workshops will be livestreamed. The livestream links that are available are as follows:

http://www.nsradio.org/stream.htm
http://www.voipwx.net/files/stream.htm

Information on the presenters including presenters from the NWS Taunton Amateur Radio Program are listed via the link below:

http://www.arrl.org/news/2012-national-hurricane-conference-to-feature-amateur-radio-activities

This information is also posted in the ARES E-Letter via the following link:

http://www.arrl.org/ares-el?issue=2012-03-21

We encourage folks to watch the livestream as presenters go through the role of the Amatuer Radio Station at the National Hurricane Center, WX4NHC, the WX4NHC group’s role in the Haiti mission, an in-depth review of Amateur Radio’s role in the response to Hurricane/Tropical Storm Irene and other topics as listed. We will be looking into archiving the information via video on the web for those that cannot watch the livestream as it happens. Thanks to all for their 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

 

Read more

Special Announcement: SKYWARN Training Schedule 2012

Hello to all..

We have confirmed a few additional SKYWARN training sessions for the region. More work is being done to schedule additional classes.

The class schedule can be seen at the following links and it is also listed below:

NWS Taunton SKYWARN Training Schedule link (WX1BOX web site):
http://beta.wx1box.org/node/36

NWS Taunton SKYWARN Training schedule link (NWS Taunton web site):
http://www.erh.noaa.gov/box/officePrograms/skywarn/skywarnTraining.shtml

The following are SKYWARN Training Sessions booked for 2012. Further training sessions will be booked over the course of the year so check back frequently for updates.

Monday April 2nd, 2012: 7-10 PM:
Hancock Town Library
25 Main Street
Hancock, NH
Taught by: NWS Taunton Forecaster
Registration: None Required

Tuesday April 17th, 2012: 7-10 PM:
Wilton NH Fire Department
102 Main Street
Wilton, NH
Taught by: NWS Taunton Forecaster
Registration: None Required

Saturday April 21st, 2012: 10 AM-1 PM:
Lanesville Community Center
8 Vulcan Street
Gloucester, MA
Taught by: Amateur Radio Coordinator
Registration: None Required

Monday April 30th, 2012: 630-930 PM:
NH West Chapter House
83 Court Street
Keene, NH
Taught by: NWS Taunton Forecaster
Registration: None Required
Sponsored by: Cheshire County NH CCDX Amateur Radio Club

Thursday May 3rd, 2012: 7-10 PM:
Walpole Public Library
147 School Street
Walpole, MA
Taught by: NWS Taunton Forecaster
Registration: None Required

Saturday May 5th, 2012: 10 AM-1 PM:
Scouter’s Hall
13 North Main Street
North Smithfield, RI
Taught by: Amateur Radio Coordinator
Registration: None Required
Building Location/Parking:
The entrance to the parking is across the street from the N. Smithfield
Library and N. Main Street. The gray building is in about 200 yards off
the street behind a very old stone building.  It is at the east end of
Pacheco Park.

Saturday May 12th, 2012: 10 AM-1 PM:
Clay Center Observatory Lecture Hall
Dexter and Southfield Schools
20 Newton Street
Brookline, MA
Taught by: Amateur Radio Coordinator
Registration: None Required
Directions: www.claycenter.org

Wednesday May 16th, 2012: 7-10 PM:
Canton, CT Community Center
40 Dyer Avenue
Canton, CT
Taught by: NWS Taunton Forecaster
Registration: None Required

Thursday May 31st, 2012: 7-10 PM:
22News WWLP-TV
1 Broadcast Center
Chicopee, Mass.
Taught by: NWS Taunton Forecaster
Registration: None Required

Saturday June 2nd, 2012: Noon-3 PM:
Hitchcock Free Academy
2 Brookfield Road
Brimfield, Mass.
Taught by: NWS Taunton Forecaster
Registration: None Required

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

1 175 176 177 178 179 198