WELCOME!
News and Site Updates
STORMCAM-2 Has Arrived!
JUNE 16, 2011: The original Stormcam was retired in 2007, with the intent of eventually replacing it with a more technologically advanced camcorder. After four years, I am pleased to announce the arrival of Stormcam-2, a Sony Handycam HD 3.3 Megapixel camcorder with 160 gigabytes of built-in storage.
SITE UPDATE (2/15/2010): Added CONUS Snow Cover map on the Current Weather page.
Back in Albuquerque: W1VXA Station is Back Up and Running, New Digital Weather Station Installed and Online
DECEMBER 21, 2010: The W1VXA HF and VHF station is back online after a two week transition back to Albuquerque, New Mexico. I also purchased a new digital weather station, and it is up and running. Click here to read my review of the Lacrosse Professional Weather Station.
Digital Weather Station Presentation Slideshow Now Available
JANUARY 14, 2008: During the January 2008 NPSARC meeting was a presentation on personal weather stations. The accompanying slideshow Digital Weather Stations for the Ham Shack (Powerpoint) is now available for download.
Severe Weather Outlook
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| Convective Outlook | Watches, Warnings, Advisories | Storm Reports |
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The Role of Amateur Radio in Emergency Preparedness
Amateur radio is often the first and only means of communication during severe weather events, storm spotting, and storm chasing. During a major storm or other disaster, commercial communications networks (i.e., cellular phones, landline phones, mass media, and Internet) cease to function either by becoming overwhelmed by the flood of people trying to make contact with loved ones, or by physical damage to the network infrastructure. The September 11 Terrorist Attacks and Hurricane Katrina taught us a valuable lesson that it took several days (and for some places weeks) until commercial communications networks were fully restored. Meanwhile, critical information was passed to and from these disaster-stricken areas via amateur radio operators in the days and weeks following these horrific events.
Why? Because the amateur radio service is a self-sustaining network of amateur radio operators and stations, whereby information can be passed with great flexibility. For example, if one amateur radio station becomes inoperable, there are several other stations readily available to fill in the void, creating multiple levels of redundancy that is not present in cellular or landline phone, TV, Internet or commercial radio networks. More importantly, most amateur radio equipment is portable, so amateur radio stations can be quickly moved to locations where they are most needed. In contrast, cellular phone, Internet, and mass media rely on fixed transmission sites, that cannot be moved without great expense. When severe weather strikes, ham radio operators relay storm information and damage reports to the National Weather Service and authorities. The information radio amateurs provide is used to alert the public to protect lives and property.
