Learn to use your ham radio resources to stay safe! I started listening to SkyWarn operations long before I passed my extra class FCC license exam. I heard it while scanning with my police scanner. I didn’t really understand exactly how it worked, but I knew that these guys were the eyes of the National Weather Service. And I figured that could maybe give me a few minutes extra warning of severe storms.

Once I got my license and radio I realized I would be doing a commute for around 94 minutles a day. I figured - as long as I’m going to be out in the weather for nearly two hours a day - I may as well learn how to report something just in case I see something severe! That was a good choice. I taught me about the structure of the SkyWarn operation and about severe weather. I got to get a tour of the forecast office. And I got to discuss weather with the forecast guys at the weather office. They were very nice and answered all of this dumb no-code ham’s questions. Better yet - I made some good new friends. I guess that’s the best part. Plus, I learned how to operate in a group net under stress.

Now - will I go looking for trouble and chase storms? Not yet. I’m still learning. Maybe some day. For now, I just want to be able to report what I see when I am out and about. I can also report from my apartment. Either way, I will have an escape route and be close to cover. Safety is number one. No one wants a dead hero. Turns out you can’t report anything when you’re dead!

So take the time to explore some of the SkyWarn and weather forecasts and weather radars links on this site. There are more than a quick review will show you. Take some time and click around and use the various setting on the different tools. They are amazing!

Thanks for reading this blog post!

Jon Kreski AB9NN
Owner
www.HamRadioResources.com