Skywarn is just over a month away and we still need a bunch of operators. This is a 24 hour ARRL Sponsored Event so we need folks to work overnight as well.We will be operating on HF, VHF, UHF and Echolink at least. Using AM, FM, SSB.
If anyone has a digital HF station (PSK31, FT8/FT4, JT65 etc) who would be willing to being their station and let folks use it during the 24 hours we’d appreciate it.
Skywarn Recognition Day (Saturday, Dec. 7 0:00-23:59 ZULU)
December 6, 2019, 2:00pm – December 7, 2019, 7:00pm
National Weather Service
2242 W North Temple, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, USA
Skywarn Recognition Day is a 24 Hour ARRL DX Exercise intended to allow HAM radio operators working with their local Weather Service Office the opportunity to test equipment and facilities on as many modes and bands as possible on the first Saturday (zulu) of December. Locally we will begin setup at the Salt Lake Weather Service office at 2242 West North Temple at 2:00 PM on Friday December 6 with Recognition Day starting at 5:00 PM local time. Tear down will be immediately after the end of Skywarn Recognition Day on Saturday December 7 at 5:00 PM.
When the sky turns dark or the wind picks up, public service volunteers provide essential weather information as it’s happening. SKYWARN Recognition Day every first Saturday in December is a day to acknowledge their contributions to their communities.
The purpose of the observation is to recognize the vital public service contributions that Amateur Radio operators make during National Weather Service severe weather warning operations. It also strengthens the bond between Amateur Radio operators and the local National Weather Service.
HOW TO OBSERVE
If you are a SKYWARN radio operator, you can participate in SKYWARN Recognition Day by visiting a National Weather Service office or by contacting other radio operators. To learn more about becoming a SKYWARN spotter go to the Training and Classes section of the UtahSAG.org website. Use #SkywarnRecognitionDay to post on social media.
HISTORY
SKYWARN Recognition Day was created in 1999 by the National Weather Service and the American Radio Relay League (ARRL) to recognize the importance that amateur radio provides during severe weather. Many NWS offices acquire real-time weather information from amateur radio operators in the field. These operators, for example, may report the position of a tornado, the height of flood waters, or damaging wind speeds during hurricanes. All of this information is critical to the mission of the NWS which is to preserve life and property. The special day celebrates this contribution by amateur radio operators.
SKYWARN Recognition Day Operating Instructions
1. Object For all amateur stations to exchange QSO information with as many National Weather Service Stations as possible on 80, 40, 20, 15, 10, 6, and 2 meter bands plus the 70 centimeter band. Contacts via repeaters are permitted. SKYWARN (TM) Recognition Day serves to celebrate the contributions to public safety made by amateur radio operators during threatening weather.
2. Date NWS stations will operate December 7, 2019, from 0000 – 2400 UTC (December 6, 2019 5:00 PM to December 7, 2019 5:00 PM MST).
3. Exchange: Call sign, signal report, QTH, and a one or two word description of the weather occurring at your site (“sunny”, “partly cloudy”, “windy”, etc.).
4. Modes: NWS stations will work various modes including SSB, FM, AM, RTTY, CW, and PSK31. While working digital modes, special event stations will append “NWS” to their call sign (e.g., N0A/NWS).
5. Station Control Operator: It is suggested that during SRD operations a non-NWS volunteer should serve as a control operator for your station.
6. Event and QSL Information: The National Weather Service will provide event information via the internet. Event certificates will once again be electronic and printable from the main website after the conclusion of SRD.
To sign up for one or more shifts for Skywarn Recognition Day please follow this link https://forms.gle/exqNr6mREHwDTz9i9
For More Information about Skywarn Recognition Day:
https://www.skywarn.org/about/
http://www.weather.gov/crh/skywarnrecognition
http://www.arrl.org/skywarn-recognition-day
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Mickey. KE7NZA