Hurricane Season is upon us

So why am I sending everyone on the list something about Hurricanes when we have none?  Well all hams should be aware of the Hurricane Nets that are activated during a potential or actual hurricane so that you don't tune up, key up, or transmit on their frequencies.  Is it required?  Do these nets own the frequencies they are on?  No, it's still considered an open frequency, but be nice.  They are there to pass emergency traffic or critical traffic and it's just considerate to others to just avoid these frequencies when in use.  Also it's a good idea that when you are sitting next to your radio and not actually transmitting or doing anything, just listen in.  You might be the only station on the net to hear emergency traffic, thus making you a lifeline to help others out.  Plus if gives you a good sense of what is happening and good learning experience.

 

Hurricane Season 2012
The forecast for hurricane season 2012, which begins next month, is a bit more benign than past years, but that is no reason for complacency. Prepare now!

EXTENDED RANGE FORECAST OF ATLANTIC SEASONAL HURRICANE ACTIVITY AND LANDFALL STRIKE PROBABILITY FOR 2012
"We anticipate that the 2012 Atlantic basin hurricane season will have reduced activity compared with the 1981-2010 climatology. The tropical Atlantic has anomalously cooled over the past several months, and it appears that the chances of an El Niño event this summer and fall are relatively high. We anticipate a below-average probability for major hurricanes making landfall along the United States coastline and in the Caribbean. However, coastal residents are reminded that it only takes one hurricane making landfall to make it an active season for them, and they need to prepare the same for every season, regardless of how much activity is predicted. (as of April 4, 2012)" -- Philip J. Klotzbach and William M. Gray, Department of Atmospheric Science, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO 80523

ARES and Hurricane Operations

Now is the time for ARES® members to assess their portfolio of communications equipment and disaster response knowledge. Here are several tips for amateurs involved with hurricane operations:

Monitor major HF hurricane networks during events this season. The Hurricane Watch Net (HWN) on 14.325 MHz is one of several key players. It serves either the Atlantic or Pacific during a watch or warning period and coordinates with the National Hurricane Center (NHC) in Miami. Frequent, detailed information is issued on nets when storms pose a threat to the US mainland. In addition to hurricane spotting, local communicators may announce that residents have evacuated from low-lying flood areas. Other amateurs across the country can help by relaying information, keeping the net frequency clear and by listening. See the HWN's website for more information. The net works closely with WX4NHC, the Amateur Radio station at the NHC.

The SATERN Net (Salvation Army Team Emergency Radio Network) provides emergency communication support to the Salvation Army and populations at large. They also handle health-and-welfare traffic. SATERN holds high profile nets on 20 meters (14.265 MHz) during major hurricanes and has a long history of excellence, discipline and service. Refer to the SATERN website for more information.

The Maritime Mobile Service Net (MMSN) meets on 14.300 MHz and is composed of hams who serve and assist those in need of communications on the high seas. According to its website, the primary purpose of the net is for handling traffic from maritime mobile stations. The network is recognized by the United States Coast Guard and has an excellent working relationship with that agency. The MMSN has handled hundreds of incidents involving vessels in distress and medical emergencies in remote locations, as well as passing health and welfare traffic in and out of affected areas. They also work closely with the NWS and NHC by relaying weather reports from maritime stations.

The VoIP SKYWARN and Hurricane Net operates by combining both the EchoLink and IRLP linked repeater networks, while handling critical wide area communications during major severe weather and tropical events. These operations have gained national stature in recent years and the net is a critical partner with WX4NHC. Whenever tropical weather is imposing a threat to the US mainland and certain other areas of interest, the VoIP WX net will be fully operational. See the VoIP SKYWARN and Hurricane Net website for more information.

Florida Hurricane Net on D-STAR

The Florida Hurricane Net is a D-STAR net that meets each Monday night on D-STAR Reflector Ø34A at 2100 EST. The primary purpose of the Net is to provide training to ARES members in the three Florida ARRL Sections and hurricane emergency communications in the State of Florida for served agencies if a hurricane or other disaster is threatening or strikes Florida. Although this net is focused on training and support for ARES members and their served agencies, any Amateur Radio emcomm operator or organization is welcome and encouraged to participate in the net. In addition to hurricanes, the net can and will be activated by any major emergency of state wide or regional significance where it would be necessary to provide communications for and to served agencies and/or the State Emergency Operations Center.

To participate in the net, repeaters and Dongle users should connect directly to REFØ34A. D-STAR stations using their local repeater should have their radio programmed for local use with CQCQCQ in the UR field and their local repeater's gateway in RPT2.
The net takes check-ins using the Quick Key Format to transmit your callsign. When your Section is called, key your radio or Dongle for one second only when the frequency is clear. Net Control will acknowledge all check-ins seen. -- Journal of the North East Florida D-STAR Repeater Network

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Where am I going? And why am I in a handbasket?

KE7VLC Amateur Extra Class
Orion Thrower