🚀 go-pugleaf

Greetings from a frequent lurker, seldom poster  :-)

>Date:    Tue, 8 Sep 1998 08:47:13 -0400
>From:    Kevin Heyboer <kd4uyr@GTE.NET>
>Subject: Re: SKYWARN Digest - 6 Sep 1998 to 7 Sep 1998

>Once again, the discussion on who is responsible for Skywarn rears its ugly
>head.

>Here in Florida, the NWS is the primary agency responsible for the Skywarn
>program and the WCM at each NWSFO prepares the training and maintains the
>program.  NOT ALL SKYWARN SPOTTERS ARE HAM OPERATORS!  We have many trained
>local government workers and utility company workers, just to name a few.

<<<<BIG SNIP FOR BREVITY!>>>>

It's not just in Florida.  Skywarn is a program of, by, and for the National
Weather Service - everywhere.  Period!  Nothing more should be read into it.
They call the shots.  Period!

The fact that many of us happen to use amateur radio to relay reports
doesn't in any way automatically make it a program of the ARRL, ARES, or
RACES, EMA, etc.  (On the other hand, nothing says it can't be, but that is
at the discretion of NWS.)  Yes, I'm aware of the MOU between the ARRL and
NWS.  I also think that well trained amateur radio operators in an efficient
system are the most effective method of relaying weather info to NWS.  So
what?  Just because some police officers call in reports doesn't make
SKYWARN a program of the International Association of Police Chiefs or FOP.
Our amateur radio operation supports the Wilmington, Ohio NWS office. We
cover the 21 county area around Cincinnati, Ohio.  We have only the loosest
affiliation with RACES or ARES, in that most of our members are also
affiliated with those groups.  We like it that way.  It's very streamlined.
No politics.  We answer to two people outside of our organization, the
Warning Coordination Meteorologist, then the Meteorologist in Charge at ILN.

Works for us.  Works for NWSILN.  Would it work everywhere? No.  As they
say, your mileage may vary.  There is no blanket system that will work
everywhere.  The important part is that it works for the served agency
(NWS).

Just another opinion.

Mike Nie - KB8VMX
Public Information Officer
Weather Amateur Radio Net (WARN)
Cincinnati, Ohio
http://www.warn.org
mnie@fuse.net

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