NWS Gray SKYWARN Amateur Radio
Team Official Supporter Program
During
our presentation for the Maine Virtual Hamfest in March, we mentioned
the creation of a new program to encourage greater participation in
SKYWARN. I’d like to personally invite your organization to consider
becoming an Official Supporter of the NWS Gray SKYWARN Amateur Radio
Team.
Due
to the enormous size of the Weather Forecast Area that NWS Gray is
responsible for, which includes most of western and southern Maine and
the entire state of New Hampshire, the task of covering it for SKYWARN
is challenging. The only way we can effectively cover all of it is to
lean on the support of local nets spread out across the entire area.
That’s where the Official Supporter program comes in.
Many
hams are naturally weather enthusiasts and you may already know a few
who are, but an interest in weather isn’t necessary to take part. When
hams put their radio skills to use by volunteering as a SKYWARN radio
operator, they practice one of the most important ways they can apply
those communications skills. SKYWARN traffic occurs real time, during
ongoing weather events, and forecasters use the information exchanged
to create, update, and validate warnings, which can save lives.
Being
part of the NWS Gray SKYWARN Amateur Radio Team is a meaningful way to
experience the hobby while making a positive impact on our community.
As
an Official Supporter, we recognize that your organization will embrace
SKYWARN as a way to enhance the amateur radio experience, use it as a
real-time training and preparedness tool to sharpen Emergency
Communications skills, and to provide a vital service.
Thank
you,
Tim
Watson, KB1HNZ
Here’s how
you can help:
Criteria to
earn Official Supporter status:
•
Commit at least one (1) liaison to SKYWARN, and one (1) local Net
Control operator (this can be the same person or
different people within
your organization.
•
Activate local nets as needed or as requested by NWS throughout the
year.
•
Participate in regional drills and exercises throughout the year.
•
Maintain a list of trained SKYWARN Spotter ham radio operators within
your organization.
•
Assist in hosting SKYWARN Spotter training in your area.
•
Actively support and promote the SKYWARN program within your
organization and community.
What you’ll
receive:
•
Guidance from NWS Gray SKYWARN leadership and support materials.
•
Access to the SKYWARN net reporting form.
•
Certificates and recognition for your team’s efforts throughout the
year.
•
Official SKYWARN swag.
•
A special logo representing your team’s status as an Official NWS Gray
SKYWARN Supporter.
• Your organization will be listed on the NWS Gray SKYWARN website and in
future press releases as an Official Supporter.
Official
Supporters
We'd
like to thank the following ham radio clubs and EmComm groups for their
support:
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WSSM
Emergency Communications Team |
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Wireless Society of Southern
Maine, P.O. Box 6833, Scarborough, ME 04074
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