What We Do

    444.200 under repair

    ALERT member Ron Arant, N4PHP, works on the
    444.200 MHz repeater, one of two UHF systems
    amateur radio operators in the Birmingham area
    use during severe weather.  (Photo by KB4KCH)

    ALERT is dedicated to providing Skywarn and other emergency communications messaging services using amateur radio. ALERT works closely with the National Weather Service Forecast Office in Alabaster, the Birmingham-Jefferson Co. Emergency Management Agency and with other public safety and amateur
    radio emergency communications groups involved in Skywarn services elsewhere across Alabama.

    ALERT's Mission Statement, adopted by its Board of Directors, states:

    To promote and enhance Amateur Radio Emergency Communications through training and the use of operating standards during severe weather and other emergencies.

    ALERT members activate whenever severe weather threatens counties across the northern two thirds of Alabama and four counties in west Georgia. Coverage area includes all counties in the Coverage Warning Area as designated by the NWS.

    Activations are designed to provide the NWS with the fastest possible,
    real-time relay of spotter and other severe weather information so that
    forecasters can issue severe weather warnings as appropriate to warn
    the public. ALERT members who have met training qualification
    requirements are dispatched to the NWS to operate as Skywarn Net
    Relays, helping to pass reports from established Skywarn Nets operated
    by other amateur radio emergency communications groups elsewhere
    in Alabama.

    ALERT provides emergency communications services to the NWS seven days a week, 365 days a year through use of a 24 hour on-call system.

    To learn more about who we are and what we do, read these
    Frequently Asked Questions.