🚀 go-pugleaf

>
>
> Topic of the day:
>
>
>   2. SKYWARN Organization
>   ----------------------------------------------------------------------
>
>
> Date:    Thu, 20 Aug 1998 07:28:11 -0500
> From:    Sam Barricklow <k5kj@PULSE.NET>
> Subject: SKYWARN Organization
>
> REORGANIZE RACES and SKYWARN?
>
> A point was raised during the FEMA Tornado Emergency seminar broadcast
> this morning on C-SPAN2 that relates directly to the current
> organization of SKYWARN at the local level.
>
> Don Burgess and Joseph Golden both pointed out that spotters are most
> needed in rural areas.  This is because WSR-88D coverage is best near
> larger cities, where the radars are located.  Due to the characteristics
> of the radar beam, doppler resolution of wind speeds and reflectivity
> signatures degrades with increased distance from the radar.  The
> probability of detecting a tornado using doppler radar is directly
> effected by these factors.
>
> Currently, most SKYWARN organizations, especially those organized under
> RACES, are under either county or city control.  In many cases, such as
> with Dallas County RACES, the focus of the group is within the county.
> Typically, SKYWARN nets are shut down when storm activity moves out of
> Dallas County into the surrounding rural counties.  (There are a few
> dedicated spotters from Dallas County who will track stronger storms
> outside of the county.)
>

OK..Stop The Presses! It's time for me to come out of hiding and submit my
 nickels
worth here..

Sam, while it's true that the majority of RACES organizations are only concerned
about "what's happenning" at the city or county level {also known as "living in
 a
vacuum"}, there are many places, east of the Mississippi River {and some west of
it} that have organized SKYWARN efforts under the Amateur Radio Emergency
 Services
{ARES} banner! I'm curious if you are familiar with this organization? This is
 how
the NC and SC area that I'm most familar with is organized.

Year ago, when the NC ARES/SKYWARN program was in it's infancy, we discovered
 that
not only were the current RACES rules  too restrictive for SKYWARN use, ARES
provided the flexibility that was needed for SKYWARN ops. All across NC, wide
coverage
{aka regional} SKYWARN nets were formed, using wide coverage 2 meter repeaters
 that
generally cooresponded with the current NWSO CWA's {pre-NEXRAD}. We realized
early-on that SVR WX doesn't respect city, county, or even state boundaries!
 This
meant that RACES, which emphazises operations primarily at city/county lines,
 was
not feasible for SKYWARN ops. Technically, then curent RACES regulations
 restricted
ops unless the organization was activated by the local city/county EM
 orgainization
not the NWS, which supposedly is the "controlling" agency for SKYWARN ops!
 Today,
RACES regulations are in the process of being deregulated to allow the same
operational advantages that ARES organizations have enjoyed and utilized for
 years!

Now that the NWS has undergone their moderization, both NC, SC and VA and thier
associated NWSFO's are happy co-sponsors of several successful and effective,
regional ARES SKYWARN Nets!
No need for current restrictive RACES regs. Spotters and net management staff
 just
follow current net S.O.P's and Part 97 rules governing prudent ham radio
operations. This situation has provided some of the best effective and efficient
network operations in the NWS's Eastern Region!

> Since the probability of detecting a tornado using the WSR-88D is lower
> outside of the Metroplex (DFW) area and decreases as the distance from
> the radar site increases, the need for trained SKYWARN spotters is
> greater in the rural areas where spotter resources are less.  (I use the
> DFW area only as an example and assume that there are other SKYWARN
> groups that behave in a similar fashion.)

Sam, not everyone "behaves" or operates SKYWARN nets like the DFW group. That's
 a
HUGE ASSUMPTION on your part! Just because the SKYWARN net I coordinate isn't
located in "Tornado Alley" doesn't mean we don't know what we are doing! I will
agree that SKYWARN Nets in "Tornado Alley" are more active than other nets and
 that
other nets {mine included} couldn't learn something from, they in turn may be
 able
to learn somethings from our nets! Like, net operations during Hurricane condxs,
etc..

>
>
> As a result of these factors, it is time to consider a basic
> reorganization of RACES and SKYWARN, changing from a local organization
> controlled by a city or county government to a regional organization.
> The governmental focus of responsibility should be either the National
> Weather Service Forecast Office (NWSFO) with warning responsibility for
> the location or a state controlled multi-county organization that
> parallels NWSFO responsibility.
>
> In some areas of the country, this regional approach is already
> practiced.  But, in many areas it is not.  A standard approach is
> needed.

Sam, I think it would be an "astronomical challenge" to try to reorganize this
situation, even though I agree that it is needed! We have been fortunate in the
NC/SC/southern VA areas to have the personnell in leadership positions that have
formed and maintains a beneficial and cooperative multi-state ARES SKYWARN
organization! More power to the person's that can make this happen nation-wide!
 {As
a matter of fact, ARES/SKYWARN organizations are hardly existent in several
 states,
CA being one of them. That's just the way it is!}

I also agree with the comments made by Alan Moeller in a recent post addressing
this issue. Tnx Alan.

>
>
> Comments?
>
> Sam Barricklow K5KJ
>
> ------------------------------
>
> End of SKYWARN Digest - 16 Aug 1998 to 20 Aug 1998
> **************************************************



--
***********************************************************************
73 de Greg, WB4HRR/Charlotte {NC} Area SKYWARN EC {CASN}
and Piedmont Emergency Training Net {PETN} Manager

Visit the Charlotte Area SKYWARN Interactive Website!
@: WWW.CLTSKYWARN.ORG

The CASN and the PETN utilize the 145.35, WA4AOS rptr.
They appreciate the continued support!
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