Hello to all..

Just a reminder and special announcement on SKYWARN Recognition Day (SRD’09) as posted in SKYWARN Newsletter #264. This will be updated once more either late Thursday Evening or Friday Morning. See article below:

SKYWARN Recognition Day 2009 Friday Evening December 4th Thru Saturday December 5th..

The National Weather Service in Taunton Amateur Radio Station, WX1BOX, will once again be active for SKYWARN Recognition Day 2009. In addition, for the third straight year, the National Weather Service Gray, Maine Office will also be active under call-sign, WX1GYX.

This will be the 11th 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 62 of the December 2009 Issue of QST Magazine and web links to information on SKYWARN Recognition Day can be seen at the following links including information in the ARRL ARES
E-Letter:

http://hamradio.noaa.gov
http://www.arrl.org/news/stories/2009/11/17/11199/?nc=1
http://www.arrl.org/FandES/field/ares-el/index.html?issue=2009-11-18#toc02

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 4th, 2009:
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 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 5th, 2009:
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)
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. Further updates to follow as we get closer to the event:

Time in UTC NWS Office Call-Sign
0000-0100: WX0GLD  (Confirmed to Keep Time Slot)
0100-0200: WX1GYX  (Confirmed to Keep Time Slot)
0200-0300: WX4MLB (Confirmed to Keep Time Slot)
0300-0400: Open
0400-0500: Open
0500-0600: WX9GRB (Confirmed to Keep Time Slot)
0600-0700: WX4HUN (Confirmed to Keep Time Slot)
0700-0800: N0NWS (Confirmed to Keep Time Slot)
0800-0900: Open
0900-1000: Open
1000-1100: Open
1100-1200: WX7PHX (Moved to new time slot and confirmed.)
1200-1300: W7NWS (Confirmed to Keep Time Slot)
1300-1400: Open
1400-1500: WX4HUN (Confirmed to Keep Time Slot)
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 Time Slot)
1900-2000: K0MPX (Confirmed to Keep Time Slot)
2000-2100: WX4MLB (Confirmed to Keep Time Slot)
2100-2300: WX4NHC (2 hour time slot is from last year and confirmed to keep the time slot)
2300-2400: Open

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….

SKYWARN Newsletter #264 has been posted in the newsletter archive which can be seen off the Main Menu of the web site.

Regards,

Rob Macedo (KD1CY)
ARES SKYWARN Coordinator for NWS Taunton Massachusetts

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Hello to all..

First of all, my apologies for the extremely late notice on this SKYWARN Training session. Due to work commitments and the storms of the past 2 weeks, there wasn’t enough time to get this press release out until now. That said, if you or people you know are interested in taking a SKYWARN class, please forward this news release along. This has also been posted to the wx1box web site and may get posted to the NWS web site if time allows.

NEWS RELEASE
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE TO CONDUCT FREE SEMINAR ON UNUSUAL, SEVERE AND VIOLENT WEATHER

The National Weather Service will conduct a free program on severe, violent and unusual weather conditions.  Rob Macedo, KD1CY a 14-year veteran of the NWS SKYWARN program will be the presenter. The program covers topics such as hurricanes, lightning, tornadoes, down bursts and other summer and winter weather events. This highly informative and timely program will also provide information on identifying cloud formations, identifying hail sizes and estimating wind speed.  

This program is open to all and will be of particular interest to anyone who enjoys outside activities such as sports, camping, boating or is just interested in learning more about the weather.  This program will also cover safety tips that are appropriate during severe weather events.

Each year the National Weather Service SKYWARN program conducts a series of outreach programs that are tailored to their respective forecast areas.  Scituate is pleased that the National Weather Service, Taunton office has recognized Scituate for a SKYWARN Training session in 2009.  In addition the program will cover information on this nationally recognized program in which Scituate is active.  The program will also cover subjects on how one can participate, what information is requested and how to report that information.  The SKYWARN program helps to save lives.

The National Weather Service relies on real time weather information from local SKYWARN weather spotters.  Weather observations received from spotters located where the weather event is taking place helps the Weather Service to issue timely reports and severe weather warnings.  These reports also help to validate forecasts with real time on the ground observations.

At the end of the program participants will have the opportunity to join the National Weather Service SKYWARN Spotters Program.  

Each year the program is updated with the latest information on severe, violent and unusual weather conditions which affect our area and will be held on Thursday Night, October 29th, 2009 from 730 to 1000 PM at the GAR Hall, 353 Country Way in Scituate,  MA.

Directions to the GAR Hall follow below:
From South: Make your way to RT3A in Scituate. Head north till First Parish Road. Take right on First Parish Rd. At next intersection with traffic light take a right and the GAR Hall is the second building on the right.

From the North head south on Rt 3A and take a left onto first Parish RD at the lights right after the Police Station. Again follow it to the next lights and take a right.

If there is no parking at the GAR Hall you can park across the street down a few buildings at the Masonic Lodge.

Preregistration is not required but is recommended to attempt to insure enough materials are handed out. Please preregister with Rob Macedo at rmacedo@rcn.com.

Respectfully Submitted,

Robert Macedo (KD1CY)
ARES SKYWARN Coordinator
Eastern Massachusetts ARES Section Emergency Coordinator
Pager #: (508) 354-3142
Home Phone #: (508) 994-1875 (After 6 PM)
Home/Data #: (508) 997-4503 (After 6 PM)
Work Phone #: 1-800-445-2588 Ext.: 72929 (8 AM-5 PM)
Email Address: rmacedo@rcn.com
http://ares.ema.arrl.org
http://beta.wx1box.org

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The SKYWARN Training Schedule is updated. Check out the updated SKYWARN Training Schedule off the Main Menu of the web-site. This information is also highlighted in SKYWARN Newsletter #263.

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As posted in SKYWARN Newsletter #263:

The Massasoit Amateur Radio Association and the Whitman Amateur Radio Club
will be co-sponsoring a Skywarn presentation by meteorologist Mish Michaels
(formerly from WBZ) on Wednesday November 18th, 2009 at 7:00pm at the
Whitman-Hanson Regional High School on Route 27 in Whitman. Mish has
indicated that she will be discussing her recent research on tornadoes in
New England. While there will be NO CHARGE for this event, seating is
limited. Therefore we are requesting that if you are planning on attending,
please pre-register with NWS Taunton Assistant SKYWARN Coordinator Carl
Aveni-N1FY at caave@peoplepc.com as he is tracking a list for pre-registration.
In addition, there will be other events going on at the school that same
night so parking may be an issue. The Whitman and Massasoit Amateur Radio
Clubs ask that you carpool if you can.

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As posted in SKYWARN Newsletter #263:

Similar to a previous talk given in late August by Northeast River Forecast
Center Hydrologist-In-Charge and former NWS Taunton Science Officer and
Senior Forecaster Dave Vallee, a new talk will be given on how El Nino
and the Southern Oscillation impacts hurricanes and our Winter Weather.
Details follow below:

Recent news reports have stated that an “EL NINO” is developing in the
Pacific. Have you ever wondered exactly what El Nino is, how it can affect
the Atlantic Hurricane Season, or if it could have an impact on our coming
winter in Southeast New England?  If you are looking for answers to these
questions, then we invite you to attend a special presentation at the North
Providence Public Library.   On Thursday evening September 17th, at 7 pm,
Mr. David Vallee, Hydrologist-in-Charge at the National Weather Service’s
Northeast River Forecast Center, and life-long resident of the Ocean State,
will give an informative and entertaining discussion on the El Nino-Southern
Oscillation. David will discuss how this complex Ocean-Atmosphere
phenomenon occurs, how it can impact our Atlantic Hurricane Season and what
it might mean for our upcoming winter.

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Hello to all….

SKYWARN Newsletter #263 has been posted in the newsletter archive which can be seen off the Main Menu of the web site.

Regards,

Rob Macedo (KD1CY)
ARES SKYWARN Coordinator for NWS Taunton Massachusetts

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Hello to all..

The Southern New England Weather Conference will be held on Saturday October 24th, 2009. Early-bird registration, which is at the lowest registration prices, is now available. Details on the weather conference can be seen at the following link:

http://www.sneweatherconf.org/

A link to a flyer for the weather conference is listed below:

http://beta.wx1box.org/files/FlyerReed.pdf

Early-Bird Registration has opened and will remain open through September 14th with a registration fee of $65 dollars and for those who come to the dinner, an additional $30 dollars for the optional dinner in the evening. Regular registration between September 15th through October 17th is $75 dollars with an additional $30 dollars for the optional dinner in the evening, and late registration between October 18th-25th of $85 dolalrs with an additonal $30 dollars for the optional dinner in the evening. It is noted that students and teachers are given a $10 dollar discount and their affiliation should be listed on the registration.

While this conference does have a cost associated with it, it is high value for the money with speakers coming from other parts of the country to give talks at the conference. The registration fee does include breakfast, lungh and snacks. Of note, Julio Ripoll-WD4R, Assistant Amateur Radio Coordinator for the National Hurricane Center Amateur Radio station WX4NHC will be giving a presentation on the 29-year history of their operations at the Hurricane Center and the role they play in National Huricane Center operations and is coming up from Miami Florida. Additional presentations of topics include:

The July 24, 2008 New Hampshire Tornado (Mish Michaels)
Hurricanes Affecting Atlantic Canada (Peter Boyer, Canadian Hurricane Center)
How Weather Affects Aviation
An Analysis of Waterspout Development in Southern New England
(NWS Forecasters)
Ice Storm 2008 (NWS forecasters, National Grid, US Dept. of Agriculture, Amateur Radio SKYWARN Coordinator)

After the optional dinner, Reed Timmer from the Discovery Channel’s Storm Chaser program will be the after dinner speaker. He will discuss what he has seen and his experiences on the program.

This is one of the best Southern New England Weather Conference line-ups in the last couple of years. It is hoped that many can attend. This will be posted again via a SKYWARN Newsletter in the coming weeks.

Respectfully Submitted,

Robert Macedo (KD1CY)
ARES SKYWARN Coordinator
Eastern Massachusetts ARES Section Emergency Coordinator
Pager #: (508) 354-3142
Home Phone #: (508) 994-1875 (After 6 PM)
Home/Data #: (508) 997-4503 (After 6 PM)
Work Phone #: 1-800-445-2588 Ext.: 72929 (8 AM-5 PM)
Email Address: rmacedo@rcn.com
http://ares.ema.arrl.org
http://beta.wx1box.org

Read more

Hello to all….

SKYWARN Newsletter #262 has been posted in the newsletter archive which can be seen off the Main Menu of the web site.

Regards,

Rob Macedo (KD1CY)
ARES SKYWARN Coordinator for NWS Taunton Massachusetts

Read more

Hello to all….

SKYWARN Newsletter #261 has been posted in the newsletter archive which can be seen off the Main Menu of the web site.

Regards,

Rob Macedo (KD1CY)
ARES SKYWARN Coordinator for NWS Taunton Massachusetts

Read more