🚀 go-pugleaf

Ah, yes, the famous get under the overpass video...well at least that one
is better than the grainy 1970's film copied to video they used to use....

My biggest concern regarding NWS Skywarn training isn't the value or
quality of the photographs or videos depicting severe weather events, but
rather, the lack of time devoted to proper radio reporting procedures.
In most of the training sessions I have attended, the NWS rep uses up all
the time answering questions about the new doppler radar and neat
graphics, leaving no time to discuss on the air protocols.

As mentioned by others, all the spotters are volunteers and most of them
do not have either a hobby or professional interest in weather.  And, of
course, as hams they are very verbose...both on and off the air.  There
are many reasons why we become hams, but I think it is safe to say that
hams like to talk on the radio, which presents a real problem for running
a weather spotter net.

When I took over managing the net in our local area two years ago, I
immediately became frustrated on the non-severe reports I was receiving.
It didn't seem to matter how many times I said "Severe Weather and Severe
Weather ONLY."

My favorite reports are things like, "It's pouring here" or "The
temperature dropped ten degrees when the gust front came through."

I didn't realize it at first, but I discovered that myself and the other
net control stations were the cause of the problem.  Prior to most severe
weather events, we would come up on the air and discuss the situation
amongst ourselves.  We would talk about the severity of the incoming
cells on radar....heights of the storms....sudden changes in barometric
pressure...forecast products from the NWS...etc.  We were showing an
example of exactly what shouldn't be done while the net was active.

We finally figured this out...and created a secondary "talk" frequency
intended for use primarily between net control stations...like an
intercom between stations.  We now leave the primary frequency clear
except for occasional announcements indicating the level of spotter
activation and the incoming weather scenario..ie, Tornado Watch in Effect
until 9 pm...all spotters should be prepared to activate...etc....

This has reduced the "blue sky" reports to new hams and new stations not
yet familiar with our procedures and leaves the net frequency clear for
real emergency traffic.

Along these same lines, the biggest problem I have now is the apparent
inability for reporting stations to be concise and accurate in their
reports.  We received training which includes what information needs to
passed along to the NWS, ie...describe WHAT you saw, WHERE you saw it,
WHEN you saw it, and WHICH way was it moving.

Therefore, the report I want to hear is...."This is KB4XYZ, Spotter #11,
at Main Street and First Avenue.  I am receiving hail one inch in diamter
with winds gusting to 40 miles per hour for the past five minutes."

Instead, what I get is the following conversation:

        This is KB4XYZ, its hailing here
        KB4XYZ from net control, what is your location?
        KB4XYZ, I am on Main Street.
        KB4XYZ, roger, where on Main Street?
        KB4XYZ on First Avenue
        Roger KB4XYZ, how large is the hail?
        I don't know, I can hear it but I can't see it, and
                its real windy too.
        KB4XYZ, net control roger, what is the estimated wind speed?
        I can't be sure, the tree tops are bending horizontal
        Roger KB4XYZ, please look outside and advise size of hail.
        Net Control from KB4XYZ, nevermind, the hail has stopped.

*The callsign in this scenario, KB4XYZ, is used for example only and in
no way should be construed as actual.

I mention this on the sig in the hopes that some of you might have some
additional suggestions.  I have a training session scheduled for April
19, 1996 in the local area.  I hope to augment the training to include
helpful hints on radio procedure....any ideas out there?

Thanks in advance,

Kevin Heyboer
kheyboer@pinegov.co.pinellas.fl.us
KD4UYR@W4DPH.#CLW.FL.US
Skywarn Coordinator
Pinellas County, Florida