Hello to all…

Massachusetts ARRL State Government Liaison, Shawn O’Donnell-K3HI, has been following and has put together a summary on pending cell phone legislation bill H-4475 and what it says and does not say about Amateur Radio. We encourage Amateurs to closely follow Shawn O’Donnell’s instructions in his info that we have posted to the ema.arrl.org web site. See link below:

http://ema.arrl.org/node/1661

It is noted that ARES Emergency Coordinator for Scituate, Massachusetts, Bob Callahan-W1QWT, has already been successful in getting state representative Jim Cantwell from his district to push an ammendment exempting federally licensed Amateur Radio Operators specifically from this legislation. When writing to your state senator, it may be good to mention this ammendment and the fact that this ammendment was in similar cell phone bill legislation a few years ago but that whole cell phone bill legislation was later defeated in the legislature.

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://beta.wx1box.org
http://ares.ema.arrl.org

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Hello to all..

..Major Winter Storm to affect portions of Southern New England..
..A Winter Storm Warning is in effect from 8 AM Wednesday to 1 AM Thursday for Northern Connecticut, all of Rhode Island, Hampden, Hampshire, Central and Southeast Middlesex, Southern Worcester, Suffolk, Norfolk, Bristol, Plymouth Counties of Massachusetts and Cape Cod and Martha’s Vineyard. Amounts along and north of the Mass. Pike will be 4-9 inches with the higher amounts closer to the Pike. Amounts south of the Mass Pike will range from 9-15 inches with isolated higher amounts..
..A Winter Storm Warning is in effect for Nantucket Island from 3 PM Wednesday to 1 AM Thursday for 4-8 inches of snow. A snow, sleet, rain mix will hold down snow amounts and delay the storm in this area but warning criteria snowfall is still expected on Nantucket..
..A Winter Weather Advisory is in effect for Franklin, Northern Worcester, Essex and Northern Middlesex Counties of Massachusetts for 3-6 inches of snow. The Winter Storm Watch for Southern New Hampshire has been cancelled with only 1-3″ inches expected in this area with highest amounts closest to the Massachusetts state line..
..A High Wind Warning remains in effect for Cape Cod and the Islands from 6 PM Wednesday to 5 AM Thursday..
..The combination of potentially heavy wet snow especially at the coast and strong wind gusts of 40-55 MPH in Southeast New England with the potential for wind gusts as high as 60 MPH over Cape cod and the islands could result in power outages and tree and power line damage. These conditions could also cause a period of near blizzard conditions. All in the Winter Storm Warning and High Wind Warning areas should closely monitor the progress of this system..
..There could be a sharp cutoff of heavy snow versus lighter snow across the warning area where just 20-30 miles could make the difference between heavy snow accumulations and lighter amounts. This means some snowfall amounts over the northern parts of the region are lower confidence versus over southern parts of the region..
..SKYWARN Activation with Ops at NWS Taunton are likely starting at 10 AM Wednesday lasting through early Thursday Morning..
..ARES/RACES Groups should closely montior the progress of this significant coastal storm/nor’easter to impact Southern New England and seek advice from local leadership. Eastern Massachusetts ARES will be placed on stand-by starting at 10 AM Wednesday through Thursday Morning. RACES will be active at the Massachusetts State EOC. Also, have received word that Connecticut ARES is on a level-2 mode to monitor the storm situation…

Model runs continue to be similar on the track of the storm though their remains a sharp cutoff in the heavy snow versus lighter snows and the position of this sharp cutoff could cause snow amounts in the northern areas to be much too high or much too low depending on where this cutoff occurs. A difference of just 20-30 miles could make a huge difference in this cutoff. This message reflects the current thinking as o this morning.

A Winter Storm Warning remains in effect from 8 AM Wednesday through 1 AM Thursday over Northern Connecticut, Rhode Island and Southeast Massachusetts including Cape Cod and Martha’s Vineyard, Suffolk, Southern Worcester, Hampden and Norfolk County Massachusetts. This area is now expected to receive 9-15 inches of snow with isolated higher amounts possible to the south and amounts closer to 9″ in the northern part of the warning area. A Winter Storm Warning is now in effect for Central and Southeast Middlesex, and Hampshire Counties of Massachusetts from 8 AM-1 PM Thursday for 4-9″ of snow. In this part of the area the highest amounts are expected closest to the Mass Pike and there could be a sharp cutoff in heavier snowfall accumulations versus lighter amounts as stated previously.

On Nantucket Island, the Winter Storm Warning is now in effect from 3 PM Wednesday to 1 AM Thursday for 4-8 inches of snow. Precipitation will likely start as a period of mixed snow, sleet and rain before changing over to snow this afternoon and becoming heavy and wet. The wet snow clinging to trees and power lines along with potential wind gusts to 60 MPH could cause tree and power line damage in this area as well so a high impact is possible though snowfall amounts will be lower.

A Winter Weather Advisory is now in effect for Franklin, Northern Worcester, Essex and Northern Middlesex Counties of Massachusetts for 3-6 inches of snow with locally higher amounts in the southern parts of the advisory area. Across Southern New Hampshire, the Winter Storm Watch has been cancelled and only 1-3 inches of snow is expected there with the highest amounts near the Massachusetts border.

The storm will also have strong wind gusts up to 40 MPH in the interior portion of the Winter Storm Warning area with coastal areas of the Winter Storm Warning seeing winds of 40-55 MPH in gusts. Over Cape Cod and the Islands, a High Wind Warning is in effect from 6 PM Wednesday through 5 AM Thursday and in this area wind gusts of up to 60 MPH and possibly slightly higher could occur. The combination of the strong to damaging winds and the heavy wet snow potentially clinging to trees and power lines could result in tree and power line damage and power outages. This will be monitored closely. In addition, if the snow is falling heavy enough and not mixed with sleet and rain, a period of near blizzard conditions could occur in the Southeast New England portion of the Winter Storm Warning in particular. This will also be monitored closely.

Any coastal flooding is expected to be minor and would be on north and east facing coastline of East Coastal Massachusetts. The greatest risk for minor coastal flooding would be over the Outer Cape and Nantucket Island.

SKYWARN Activation with Ops at NWS Taunton will start at approximately 10 AM lasting through early Thursday Morning. Snowfall reports, changeover in precip type and damage reports from wet snow/wind and wind measurements will be very critical to providing situational awareness to emergency management and for NWS forecasters for the warning process. We appreciate SKYWARN Spotters activating and being on high alert for this storm particularly in areas along and south of the Mass. Pike.

ARES/RACES Groups should closely montior the progress of this significant coastal storm/nor’easter to impact Southern New England and seek advice from local leadership. Eastern Massachusetts ARES will be placed on stand-by starting at 10 AM Wednesday through Thursday Morning. RACES will be active at the Massachusetts State EOC. Also, have received word that Connecticut ARES is on a level-2 mode to monitor the storm situation.

This will be the last coordination message for this storm system. Below is the NWS Taunton Winter Storm Warning/Watch Statement, High Wind Warning Statement and Hazardous Weather Outlook:

NWS Taunton Winter Storm Warning/Watch Statement:
http://kamala.cod.edu/ma/latest.wwus41.KBOX.html

NWS Taunton High Wind Warning 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 National Weather Service (NWS) Taunton SKYWARN Coordinator team and the staff of forecasters at NWS Taunton would like to take a moment to wish everyone a Merry Christmas, Happy New Year and Happy Holiday Season to all. It was another extremely successful year for the NWS Taunton SKYWARN program in 2009.

While the summer of 2009 was not as active in terms of number of events versus the summer of 2008, it was still a fairly active summer with several significant severe weather episodes resulting in 2 tornadoes in the NWS Taunton County Warning Area and several microburst/macroburst events in the region. The winter has gotten off to a busy start with 3 significant SKYWARN Activations in the month of December including one as recently as this past weekend for the Blizzard of 2009. The reports that are received by the SKYWARN Spotter and Amateur Radio SKYWARN Spotter community are a very important part of the forecasting and warning process for the National Weather Service in Taunton and is becoming increasingly critical for local, state and federal emergency management officials to gather situational awarenes and disaster intelligence on events that start out significant at the local level and could become a more widespread incident over time when severe winter or summer weather strikes. This was recently acknowledged by the attendance of FEMA and MEMA (Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency) officials who attended the last SKYWARN Coordinators Meeting that coincided with SKYWARN Recognition Day. The high level of reporting from SKYWARN Spotters and Amateur Radio SKYWARN Spotters serves a tremendously important function for NWS, Emergency Management and Public Safety officials.

Speaking of SKYWARN Recognition Day, the SKYWARN Recognition Dya event at NWS Taunton was another significant success. There were 309 total contacts made with 271 unique contacts to 41 NWS Forecast Offices. Further details will be posted in the next SKYWARN Newsletter.

In terms of SKYWARN Training, we had another successful ‘year round’ cycle of SKYWARN Training. In 2010, a new SKYWARN Training Spotter guide will be issued at SKYWARN training sessions. The new guide is significantly modernized and will have new photos and data based on the latest severe weather research. Further details on SKYWARN training will be posted as we get into the new year.

We, once again, wish everyone a very Merry Christmas, Happy New Year and Happy Holiday season. We look forward to working with everyone once again in 2010.

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://beta.wx1box.org
http://ares.ema.arrl.org

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Hello to all..

..Major Coastal Storm and Blizzard to Pound Much of Southern New England with Heavy Snowfall, Near Blizzard to Blizzard conditions with whiteout conditions likely. Strong to damaging winds will occur near and along the coast. Travel is not recommended Saturday Night and Sunday and will become difficult and nearly impossible at times in the Blizzard Warning area and southern edges of the Winter Storm Warning area..
..A Blizzard Warning remains in effect through 1 PM Sunday for South Coastal Massachusetts and Cape Cod and the Islands and has been expanded to include all of Bristol and Plymouth Counties of Massachusetts and all except Western Kent and North Providence Counties of Rhode Island for 12-16″ of snow with higher amounts in heavier snow bands up to 18″ possible in isolated locations, sustained winds of 25-35 MPH with gusts to 50-60 MPH and the potential for pockets of wind damage and power outages..
..A Winter Storm Warning remains in effect through Noon Sunday for Northern Connecticut, North-Central Rhode Island and Eastern Massachusetts and now includes Hampden, Eastern Hampshire, Northern Middlesex and all of Worcester County for a widespread area of 6-12″ of snow and a band of 10-15″ of snow in the warning area particlarly across Northern Connecitcut, Northwest RI and parts of Eastern Massachusetts..
..A Winter Weather Advisory is now in effect from 10 PM this evening through 1 PM Sunday for 3-6″ of snow for Franklin and Western Hampshire County Massachusetts and all of Southern New Hampshire..
..SKYWARN Activation with Ops at NWS Taunton will commence at 6 PM Saturday lasting through early Sunday Afternoon. Overnight Operations will be done due to the severity of the storm..
..ARES/RACES Groups should closely monitor the progress of this major storm and seek advice from local/section ARES/RACES leadership. Eastern Massachusetts ARES will be placed on stand-by at 8 PM ET Saturday through Sunday Evening. Massachusetts State EOC and Region 1 and 2 offices will be in a partial activation starting around or before 9 PM..

A major coastal storm and blizzard will pound Southern New England with heavy snowfall and near blizzard to blizzard conditions. Along and near the coast strong to damaging winds will have the potential to cause pockets of tree and power line damage and power outages. The region from Boston to Providence south through the Cape and Islands will have a period of difficult to impossible travel overnight into Sunday Morning. The following is the latest information as of 5 PM this evening:

A Blizzard Warning remains in effect through 1 PM Sunday for South Coastal Massachusetts and Rhode Island and Cape Cod and the Islands and now includes all of Bristol and Plymouth Counties of Massachusetts and all of Rhode Island except for Northwest Providence and Western Kent Counties. This area will have the potential to see 10-15″ of snow with higher amounts in heavier snow bands of up to 18″ in a few locations and a period of whiteout/blizzard conditions. Winds will increase to sustained winds of 25-35 MPH with gusts in the 50-60 MPH range near the coast with 20-30 MPH winds with 40-50 MPH gusts in locations away from the coast. This will have the potential to cause isolated to scattered pockets of tree and power line damage. Travel will become difficult if not impossible during the Blizzard Warning timeframe and travel is not recommended.

It is noted that with the track a bit more northwest that portions of the Outer Cape and Nantucket Island may have a period of mixed precipitation with sleet and rain before changing back to snow. This may cut down amounts in these areas but should still achieve warning thresholds. It is noted that this may mean a wetter snow for portions of the Cape Cod and the Islands and along with the strong winds could cause some additional damage to trees and power lines. This is an aspect of the storm that is hard to know hours ahead of time but an item that should be monitored for portions of the Blizzard Warning region.

A Winter Storm Warning remians in effect through Noon Sunday for the remainder of Eastern Massachusetts, Northwest Rhode Island and Northern Connecticut and now includes all of Worcester County Massachusetts, Hampden and Eastern Hampshire Counties of Massachusetts. In this area, a widespread area of 6-12″ of snow with a band of 10-15″ of snow is likely with a heavier snow band in Northern Connecticut, Northwest Rhode Island and into Eastern Massachusetts. Winds will be strong in the interior parts of the warning area with sustained winds of 15-25 MPH with gusts up to 30-40 MPH and this will result in considerable blowing and drifting of snow. In the area of the Warning from Boston to the North Shore, winds may be similar to what is seen in the interior but there is also the possibility of sustained winds of 20-30 MPH with gusts of 40-50 MPH resulting in considerable blowing and drifting of snow and the potential for isolated to scattered pockets of tree and power line damage. If the stronger wind threat becomes more likely the Boston area and possibly the North Shore could be upgraded to a Blizzard Warning. Regardless, travel is not recommended in this area tonight and Sunday due to the heavy snow and significant blowing and drifting of snow.

A Winter Weather Advisory is now in effect for Southern New Hampshire and Franklin County Massachusetts from 10 PM Saturday Evening through 1 PM Sunday for 3-6″ of snow. This area will escape a much larger blow from this coastal storm and nor’easter but will still receive a light to moderate snowfall.

SKYWARN Activation with Ops at NWS Taunton will commence at 6 PM and last through early Sunday Afternoon. Overnight Operations will be done due to the severity of the storm. ARES/RACES groups should closely monitor the progress of this storm and seek advice from local and section ARES/RACES leadership. Eastern Massachusetts ARES will be placed on stand-by at 8 PM ET Saturday through Sunday Evening. Massachusetts State EOC and Region 1 and 2 offices will be in a partial activation starting around or before 9 PM.

This may be the last coordination message on this system as we move to storm operations mode. Below are the NWS Taunton Blizzard/Winter Storm Warning, Winter Weather Advisory Statement, Special Weather Statement and Hazardous Weather Outlook:

NWS Taunton Blizzard/Winter Storm Warning/Winter Storm Watch Statement:
http://kamala.cod.edu/ma/latest.wwus41.KBOX.html

NWS Taunton Special Weather 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

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Hello to all…

It has been one year since the major destructive ice storm that had a major impact on the Northeast United States and portions of Southern New England and the NWS Taunton County Warning Area on December 11th-12th, 2008 with damaging ice in portions of Southern Maine, Central and Southern New Hampshire, Western, Central and interior Northeast Massachusetts, Northwest Connecticut and portions of New York and Vermont. It is important to remember the history of such a destructive storm. This special announcement has been written to recall the events of this serious storm over the region.

It became clear by December 9th and 10th of 2008 that the region had the potential to see a destructive ice storm over the interior region of New York and New England. In addition, Southeast Massachusetts, portions of Rhode Island and Connecticut were in the path for heavy rainfall with the potential of flooding and strong to damaging winds in these areas. Just prior to the major destructive ice storm/nor’easter event, a period of strong to damaging winds affected portions of Eastern New England with mild temperatures.

Winter Storm/Ice Storm Watches were issued on December 9th and 10th and these were upgraded to Winter Storm/Ice Storm Warnings. A Flood Watch and Wind Advisory/High Wind Warnings were also issued. The storm began to unfold on Thursday December 11th starting as plain rain and as the day wore on, the rain changed to freezing rain as colder air from Canada oozed southward and was wrapped into the major storm system. By early evening, locations began to get signifcant icing and reports gradually came in of ice storm damage starting as early as 7 PM that evening. By Midnight Friday December 12th, 2008, reports were rapidly increasing of significant icing damage in the NWS Taunton County Warning Area roughly from Amesbury to Haverhill to Hudson to Marlboro to Northboro and Worcester through Southwest Worcester County Massachusetts and northward through New Hampshire, Southern Maine and Southern Vermont particularly in the higher elevations. Power, Cable and phone outages mounted and it became clear this would be one of the biggest storms to affect the region in recent memory.

It is also noted that shortly after midnight, both local area Amateur Radio repeaters in Worcester County were off the air. Through the extraordinary efforts of the Worcester Emergency Communications Team (WECT), Amateur Operators activated the city of Worcester Emergency Operations Center (EOC) and with their Amateur Radio station at nearly a 1500 foot elevation, they were able to contact stations directly and maintain contact with the National Weather Service Forecast Office in Taunton until the repeaters were brough back on the air later on Friday Morning December 12th. If it were not for the efforts of the WECT, it is quite likely critical data of what the storm was doing and how severe the storm was would not have been known until hours later. Many Amateur Operators woken up by the storm to the sound of exploding electrical transformers and the snapping and knock down of large branches and trees from the icing got on the air to report what they were seeing, even in cases where some Amateur Operators, lost whole antenna arrays and suffered severe damage on their own property that they needed to go address. It is this type of effort that made the level of reporting so extraordinary and drew praise from many agencies.

At the height of the storm, over 500,000 people were without power in Massachusetts and New Hampshire. State of emergencies were declared in New Hampshire and Massachusetts where the ice storm had its most significant impact.

Amateur Radio SKYWARN Operations active throughout the storm was the first means of providing critical situational awareness and disaster intelligence information to the National Weather Service Taunton Massachusetts and Gray Maine forecast offices, state emergency management in New Hampshire, Maine and Massachusetts and to FEMA Region 1. The first reports of significant damange and power outages were relayed by Amateur Radio Operators. Information was given by radio and other technological mechanisms to state emergency management officials. This information was also given to local media outlets. NWS Taunton SKYWARN Amateur Radio Operations were active for 27 straight hours.

In addition to the major icing in the interior, SKYWARN operations had to focus on a fairly significant and widespread moderate river and stream flood event and a major urban flood event timed for the Friday Morning December 12th, 2008 rush hour. Winds gusted to near 60 MPH downing pockets of trees and power lines. Coastal flooding occurred along south coastal areas with vulnerable shore roads closed and some homes that were not elevated getting coastal storm surge flooding. Coastal Flood and Flood Warnings for urban areas and small streams were issued. River Flood Warnings also went into effect. This added an additional dynamic to storm reporting on top of the disaster situation that occurred with the interior New England ice storm.

Amateur Radio Operators staged an ARESMAT (Amateur Radio Emergency Services Mutual Aid Team) to Gardner Massachusetts with ARES in Eastern and Western Massachusetts active supporting local shelters in specific cities and towns.  The ARESMAT that was staged to Gardner Massachusetts was the largest mutual aid team deployed since the September 11th, 2001 terrorist attacks in New York City. The North Shore ARES team affiliated with the North Shore Radio Association provided a significant amount of support to Gardner as did the South Shore ARES team. North Shore ARES Coordinators also served as the primary points of contact for staging people on the ARESMAT. Amateur Operators associated with RACES and Northern Middlesex County ARES supported local cities and towns severely affected by the ice storm in Chelmsford and Westford. Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency (MEMA) RACES (Radio Amateur Civil Emergency Services) were active at the State Emergency Operations Center and at Region 1 and Region 3/4 headquarters for almost a week due to the direct impacts of the ice storm.

It is important to know that some weather/storm situations or non-weather sitautions can evolve into a disaster without advanced warning or without the realization that a ‘run of the mill storm’ can become such a significant dusaster situation. The reporting of this data to NWS Forecast Offices and Emergency Management can be key in escalating the recovery response more rapidly when required and can help improve forecasts on severity of such storms or if conditions are not as severe as forecasted. This is why the SKYWARN program is such an important cog for both weather forecasting and Emergency Management.

There is a significant amount of data that remains online from this destructive ice storm. Links to that data appear below:

ARRL Web Articles:
http://www.arrl.org/news/stories/2008/12/15/10506/?nc=1
http://www.arrl.org/news/stories/2008/12/18/10511/?nc=1
http://ares.ema.arrl.org/node/441

Ice Storm Videos:
http://www.nsradio.org/video/features/icestorm08/rev2/
http://www.nsradio.org/video/features/icestorm08/

Ice Storm Reports:
http://nsradio.org/ARES/icestorm_121208/index.htm

Local Storm Report, Public Information Statement and Special Weather Statement
from NWS Taunton during that event:
http://beta.wx1box.org/files/SPS_121208.pdf
http://beta.wx1box.org/files/lsr_12_12_08.txt
http://beta.wx1box.org/files/pns_12_12_08.txt

This ice storm resulted in a federal disaster declaration with over 32 Million Dollars in federal aid granted in Massachusetts, 10 Million Dollars in Maine and 15 Million Dollars in New Hampshire. The federal disaster declaration was given in early January to various states and the links below describes the aid given and to what areas by state:

Massachusetts:
http://www.fema.gov/news/event.fema?id=10968

New Hampshire:
http://www.fema.gov/news/event.fema?id=10948

Maine:
http://www.fema.gov/news/event.fema?id=11008

Vermont:
http://www.fema.gov/news/event.fema?id=11029

It is hoped that another storm of this magnitude does not affect the region. If one does, the importance of storm reporting during and shortly after the incident can not only help weather forecasts but can also support recovery efforts and expedite the arrival of resources to support an area adversely effected by dangerous severe weather. Thanks to all for your continued support of the SKYWARN Program, ARES/RACES/MARS/CERT and Emergency Management!

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..

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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