🚀 go-pugleaf

I think you missed the point of my message Brad...

The FCC regulation on RACES stations communicating with non-RACES
stations ONLY APPLIES DURING AN FCC DECLARED COMMUNICATIONS EMERGENCY.

Secondly, the FCC stopped issuing RACES callsigns years ago.  Our EOC has
the radio officer's callsign on its repeater.

Thirdly, the Memorandum of Understanding for Skywarn operations and ham
radio is between the ARRL and the NWS.  ARES is part of the ARRL, and as
such, can act as an umbrella organization for Skywarn.

HOWEVER, it is the NWS who decides who is and who is not a Skywarn
Spotter, and many Skwyarn units operate under their own local club or
organization...some of which are registered as not-for-profit
organizations at the state level, thus allowing them to collect
charitable solications to purchase equipment without violating FCC regs
on getting paid for it.

The bottom line is...whoever is running around and saying you can't be in
Skywarn because your not a member of RACES and I can't talk to you is
full of that icky brown stuff...and should have part 97 shoved under his
nose so he can read it.

PS...we accept reports from any ham that calls in, whether trained as a
spotter or not...we try to get confirmation from a trained spotter when
we can...but if someone calls in that his roof just blew off his
house....I think I am gonna take him at his word unless he has previously
been proven to be erronious.

Nuff said,

de Kevin KD4UYR
Pinellas County, Florida
Skywarn Coordinator