ALERT NEWSLETTER – January 2014

ALERT NEWSLETTER – January 2014 Vol. 7 No. 7 79th EDITION Hi Everyone, As we welcome 2014, we wish to thank you for the callout response during the recent severe weather threat. We had 6 operators, Charlie Catt, Dale Chambers, John Gray, Ronnie King, Michael Lamb and Roger Parsons, who gave roughly 4 hours of their time, between 8pm Saturday and 5:30am Sunday, December 21 & 22. This was a great response to the call-out. Ideally ALERT responders work 2 hour shifts and do not travel when they will encounter severe weather enroute to or from the NWS BMX Office. The reasons for this are for the safety of everyone involved and to not overwork those who volunteer. A BIG THANKS to those who were able to respond. Looking ahead to the spring severe weather season, assuming we do not have a severe weather episode (as the GFS – Goofy Forecast System – is hinting), ALERT will be conducting an ALERT Training class Saturday Jan 11, 2014 at 10:00 am, at the NWS forecast office. This is not just for the newer members; anyone can come and participate or have a “refresher class”. Also, check out the NWS spotter class schedule http://www.srh.noaa.gov/bmx/?n=skywarnschedule for upcoming classes and online seminars as they become available. It will do you good, and help you to. …………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. The History Of ALERT “Times are “a changin” Bob Dylan once said, and so it was twenty years ago. For the 1990’s were days of major changes and challenges for the NWS and for the Skywarn community as a whole. The first of these changes began with the implementation of WSR-88 NEXRAD Doppler radar. For decades the only weather radar site in Alabama was the WSR-57 site in Centerville. This radar, which was the best they had at that time, could not archive its data. A Polaroid camera was the only way to preserve images. It could not be “put into motion”, and grease pencils were used to track storm movement. The radar angle could only be changed by a hand crank. But, as I said, it was the best they had for 30 years. When it was decided that Alabama would receive a new WSR-88 installation, the NWS conducted a survey of several sites in and around Birmingham and chose a location about 25 miles south-southeast of downtown Birmingham on property owned by Alabama Power Company, near Interstate 65. This new technology would require extensive renovations at the 11 West Oxmoor Road NWS office, and it was decided that it would be better to construct a new state of the art facility. In 1992 the NWS signed a 50-year lease with the Shelby County Commission for approximately three acres located at the Shelby County airport immediately across the interstate from the radar site & construction began on the new NWS office. A name was needed for the unnamed street it was located on, and WCM Brian Peters suggested “Weathervane Road”, as it is called today. The new facility opened November 30, 1993. This facility change had an odd ripple effect upon the Skywarn community. During the 22 years that the NWS office was at West Oxmoor Road, the BARC would send hams to the office to collect stormspotter reports. This resulted in friction with some amateurs, who resented BARC’s involvement, either due to personal issues or “territorial issues”, as there was a certain amount of jealousy since BARC was at that time one of the largest, if not the largest club in the state. The result was that much needed reports were missed, which hampered the NWS in its mission. To help complicate things, with the move to Calera, there was now resentment from some BARC members, who felt that the Shelby County Club had somehow “stolen” the NWS office from Birmingham. This just compounded the problem of missing reports. Then in the mid 1990’s the NWS began talk of major restructuring. It was proposed that the old Huntsville and Montgomery NWS offices would be closed and that the Birmingham office would take over the counties covered by those offices. This posed the problem of how the hams at the Birmingham office could reach these counties, as they were mostly far out of range of the equipment they had. As possible solutions to these issues were being discussed, the question was posed by SCARC DEC David Black KB4KCH, on August 21, 1995 “Do we need to consider forming a Skywarn entity (Skywarn Council, etc.) separate from BARC and SCARC to consider key management and personnel issues?” “…separate and independent from the local radio clubs.” This proposal was the seed that would, on May 29, 1996 become the “Alabama Emergency Response Team”. Formed to “provide amateur radio emergency communications, training, logistical support and technical assistance services to public service agencies.” The first ALERT meeting was held May 30, 1996 in Hoover, where the first ALERT Officers were appointed. President: Mark Parmley WA4UHC (now NR4J) Training: Jim Smiley KE4CAP Operations: Terry Treutt KR4UD & Ron Arant N4PHP Membership: Mark Parmley WA4UHC Treasurer: Carolyn Black N4NQB One of the major features of ALERT was to be training. The initial concept of ALERT training consisted of earned certifications – Level 1, HF, Level 2, Net Control & Digital Certification. With the first Level 1 class being held August 29, 1996 The certification requirements of 1996 per the class handout were as follows: “Level 1 Certification Requirements To obtain a Level 1 Certification, the ALERT member must be a amateur radio operator with at least a Technician class license and complete the following training requirements and have access to the equipment listed below: Training Requirements 1. Have a current ALERT registration form on file 2. Participate in two (minimum) Skywarn Nets as an ALERT Member 3. Complete the ALERT Level 1 training program Equipment Requirements 1. 2m or 2m/70cm (preferred) synthesized handheld transceiver 2. Backup battery pack and/or Alkaline battery pack for handheld transceiver 3. 5/8 wave or gain antenna for handheld transceiver 4. Earphone for handheld transceiver 5. ALERT Skywarn Operations Manual with Level 1 Package Expected Duties 1. Stationary Spotter from Home/Office/Location during storm 2. Roving Spotter, being routed to locations by Net Control (both involve relaying information to/from Net Control or Liaison (as directed) on a specified repeater) HF Certification Requirements To obtain HF Certification, the ALERT member must have held a Level 1 Certification for three months (minimum), hold at least a General class license, PLUS complete the following training requirements and have access to the equipment listed below: Training Requirements 1. Have a current ALERT registration form on file 2. Participate in two (minimum) Skywarn Nets as HF Liaison Equipment Requirements 1. HF transceiver capable of portable operation 2. Headphones for HF transceiver 3. Backup battery (gelcel or equivalent for minimum 8 hour operation) for HF transceiver 4. Portable HF antenna and antenna tuner suitable for operation on normal/alternate HF Net frequencies 5. 50 feet of coax (RG8 or better) with proper connectors for antenna/tuner and HF transceiver 6. ALERT Skywarn Operations Manual with HF Package Expected Duties 1. HF Net Liaison Position in a fixed, mobile, or portable operation (involves relaying information to/from your responsibility group (HF Net on 3965, etc) on an HF frequency from/to Skywarn Net Control on a specified repeater) Level 2 Certification Requirements To obtain a Level 2 Certification, the ALERT member must have held a Level 1 Certification for three months (minimum), PLUS complete the following training requirements and have access to the equipment listed below: Training Requirements 1. Have a current ALERT registration form on file 2. Demonstrated proficiency in VHF/UHF packet operations 3. Participate in two (minimum) Skywarn Nets as an ALERT member in one, or more of the following positions: a. Red Cross Liaison b. EMA Liaison c. Area Skywarn Net Liaison d. NWSFO Liaison 4. Complete the ALERT Level 2 training program Equipment Requirements (in addition to Level 1 requirements): 1. 2m/70cm synthesized mobile transceiver (capable of portable operation) or separate 2m and 70cm mobiles 2. Headphones for mobile transceiver 3. Backup battery (gelcel or equivalent for minimum 8 hour operation) for mobile transceiver 4. Magmount 2m/70cm antenna with coax and proper connector for mobile transceiver 5. Portable 2m/70cm antenna for mobile transceiver 6. 50 feet of coax (RG8 mini or better) with proper connectors for antenna and mobile transceiver 7. Portable Operations Gear (see recommended list below) 8. Personal Preparedness Gear (see recommended list below) 9. ALERT Skywarn Operations Manual with Level 2 Package Expected Duties 1. Any Net Liaison Position in a fixed, mobile, or portable operation VHF/UHF operation (involves relaying information to/from your responsibility group (NWS/EMA/Red Cross/Local Net, etc.) on one specified repeater from/to Skywarn Net Control on a different specified repeater) Net Control Certification Requirements To obtain Net Control Certification, the ALERT member must have held a Level 2 Certification for three months (minimum), PLUS complete the following training requirements and have access to the equipment listed below: Training Requirements 1. Have a current ALERT registration form on file 2. Participate in two (minimum) Skywarn Nets as an ALERT member as Skywarn Net Control Equipment Requirements (in addition to Level 1and 2 requirements): 1. Base station to include the following: a. 2m/70cm dual-band mobile transceiver b. Headphones for dual-band mobile transceiver c. Backup/emergency power for all base station equipment operation d. Omnidirectional antenna system for 2m and 70cm operation on dual-band transceiver e. VHF/UHF Packet system with transceiver, TNC, computer, and appropriate software. f. Telephone 2. ALERT Skywarn Operations Manual with Net Control Package Expected Duties 1. Skywarn Net Control (involves relaying information to/from various Liaisons an Spotters, controlling net operations, adapting, improvising, etc., as needed to mitigate the emergency) Digital Certification Requirements To obtain Digital Certification, the ALERT member must have held a Level 2 Certification for three months (minimum), PLUS complete the following training requirements and have access to the equipment listed below: Training Requirements 1. Have a current ALERT registration form on file 2. Participate in two (minimum) Skywarn Nets using Packet mode Equipment Requirements (in addition to Level 1 and 2 requirements): 1. Portable Packet system including Transceiver, TNC, Laptop computer with appropriate software and all connecting cables. 2. Backup battery (gelcel or equivalent for minimum 8 hour operation) 2. ALERT Skywarn Operations Manual with Digital Package Expected Duties 1. Any Spotter of Net Liaison Position in a fixed, mobile, or portable VHF/UHF Packet operation (involves relaying information to/from your responsibility group (NWS/EMA/Red Cross/Local Net, etc. to/from Skywarn Net Control via Packet) ALERT Equipment List Portable Operations Gear (minimum list) 1. Flashlight with spare batteries 2. 100 feet nylon rope (1/4” or larger) 3. Slingshot or weight (for hanging portable antennas in trees) 4. Spare coax (50’) and connectors (PL259, SO238, N, BNC, etc) 5. Connector adaptors (four each for each possible combination of radio/antenna/etc. connector you could have) 6. Butane powered soldering iron and solder 7. Roll of electrical tape 8. Pocket knife 9. Screwdriver assortment 10. Pliers (assorted) 11. Adjustable wrench 12. Hatchet 13. Spare fuses for all gear 14. Spare Molex connectors (male and female) Personal Preparedness Gear (minimum list) 1. Water (2 quarts minimum) 2. High energy snack food 3. Personal first aid kit 4. Ten dollars in singles and change 5. Ball cap 6. Sun glasses 7. Lightweight jacket 8. Butane lighter 9. Candle(s) 10. Toilet paper 11. Backpack for carrying all this stuff and the portable operations gear Equipment Requirements (Vehicle): Should be carried in vehicle at all times 1. 2m or 2m/70cm (preferred) synthesized handheld transceiver 2. Mag-mount antenna or J-Pole (5/8 wave or some type of antenna with gain) 3. Charged battery pack and/or Alkaline battery pack for handheld transceiver 4. Earphone for transceiver 5. ALERT Skywarn Operations Manual (Minimum equipment for a certified Level 1 ALERT member) Portable Operations Gear (Extended Emergencies): 1. Flashlight with spare batteries 2. 100 feet nylon rope (1/4” or larger) 3. Slingshot or weight (for hanging portable antennas in trees) 4. Spare coax (50’) and connectors (PL259, SO238, N, BNC, etc) 5. Connector adaptors (four each for each possible combination) 6. Butane powered soldering iron and solder 7. Roll of electrical tape 8. Pocket knife 9. Assortment of hand tools (screwdrivers, hammer, pliers, etc.) 10. Hatchet 11. Spare fuses for all gear 12. Spare Molex connectors (male and female) 13. Plastic Tarp 14. Visqueen (to cover radios) 15. Power strips 16. Multimeter 17. Lawn chair or some type of portable seat 18. Towels 19. Pillow 20. Spot light 21. Fire extinguisher 22. Jumper cables 23. U-bolts 24. UHF/VHF couplers 25. Writing utensils 26. Ear/head phones 27. Repeater Directors 28. ARRL Formal Written Traffic sheets 29. Legal note pads 30. Charged batteries and battery charger (car gel cell, marine, etc,) 31. Extension Cords 32. Radios and power supplies 33. Antacids (Tums, Rolaids, Gaviscon, etc.) 34. Hose clamps 35. Antenna Mast (Small collapsible) 36. Hammer and stakes 37. Pencil sharpener 38. Mosquito repellant 39. Clip-on lamp 40. Blankets 41. Lanterns 42. Portable air compressor Personal Preparedness Gear: 1. Water (2 quarts minimum) 2. High energy snack food 3. Personal first aid kit 4. Money (ten dollars in singles and change minimum) 5. Ball cap or hat 6. Sun glasses 7. Lightweight jacket 8. Butane lighter 9. Candles 10. Toilet paper 11. Backpack to carrying this and the portable gear 12. Extra clothes 13. Name tag 14. Rain coat 15. Suntan lotion” As you can see, the initial concept of ALERT included the possibility of, in addition to her primary role for the NWS, the capability of responding to other agencies, including field deployment, if the resources and manpower were available and if it were desired to do so. The idea incidentally wasn’t to compete with ARES. For ARES in the 1990’s was much different from the ARES of today. In some counties ARES was active, in others club’s provided the public service functions, some acknowledging ARES, some not. In other counties independent groups provided public service/skywarn services, and shunned any affiliations. This had been the case for many years. The dynamic, proactive ARES organization that you see today is the result a massive restructuring & training program led by Les Rayburn N1LF, Hub Harvey N4HUB, Ed Manley W4AGA & others during the early 2000’s. It is much to their credit that ARES is the vital organization that it is today. As the years passed ALERT’s focus has remained on the NWS. However, the possibility of a broadened outreach is still reflected in the current by-laws. The ALERT ham station, KF4ZGU was installed, equipped with an NWS supplied HF rig & VHF/UHF equipment on permanent loan from the BARC. KF4ZGU became K4NWS in October 1998. Callouts were originally issued using Alpha One pagers, as cellphones did not yet exist. Packet operations were carried out, but, interference hindered operations, and computer security restrictions after the 911 attacks basically put an end to this avenue of operation. As time went on, and requirements changed and experience was gained, the training process evolved away from the initial highly structured approach to a one-on-one approach with an experienced operator training the newer operators, as we see today. The current ALERT Newsletter began publication in July 2007. It succeeded the original “ALERT News Update” newsletter that ran from 1996 to 2001. The original By-laws were revised and re-written in November 2007, with the latest amendment being added in 2013. In the 17 years since its foundation, ALERT has responded to countless severe weather outbreaks, including the 1998 West Jefferson tornadoes, Hurricanes Ivan and Katrina and the 2011 Superoutbreak. ALERT provides a vital service for the NWS and the Skywarn community. ALERT is healthy and is here to stay! …………………………………………………………………………………………………………. Mark’s Almanac January is named for the Roman god Janus, the god of gates and doors, and so openings and beginnings. January receives more sunlight than December, but the equilibrium between incoming solar heat and the heat radiated into space by the northern snowfields does not peak until late January and early February, six weeks after winter solstice. So the weather continues to cool, with January 8 – 20 being the coldest part of the year. Typically in January there is a 53% chance of up to one inch of snow & a 25% chance of over one inch of snow. With the exception of the southern tip of Nova Scotia, all of Canada and roughly one half of the Continental US, or “CONUS”, are now covered with snow. Canada’s Hudson’s Bay is frozen, as is the ocean water between Baffin Island and Greenland. http://www.natice.noaa.gov/pub/ims/ims_gif/DATA/cursnow_usa.gif Barometric pressure is highest in January. Looking skyward, Mercury is hidden by the sun. Brilliant Venus is dropping lower in the evening twilight. In a telescope it is presenting a nice crescent shape. Mars rises around midnight and is high in the south in Virgo at the first light of dawn. Jupiter glows in the east as twilight fades and is blazing highest in the middle of the night in Gemini. It is growing brighter as its orbit draws it closer to the Earth & it will reach its closest point on January 5. Saturn is well up in the southeastern sky in Libra as dawn begins to brighten. Uranus in Pisces is high in the south right after dark. Neptune in Aquarius is getting low in the southwest after dark. January’s Full Moon is “Wolf Moon” in Native American folklore. Coincidentally, January was called “Wulf-Monath” or “Wolf Month” by the Saxons. So called because this full Moon appeared when wolves howled in hunger outside the villages. Full moon will occur Wednesday January 15, 11:52 P.M. ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… This month’s meeting will be on January 14 at 7PM at the National Weather Service Forecast office at the Shelby County Airport. If for some reason you cannot attend the meeting in person, you can still participate via telephone. The teleconference number is 1-877-951-0997 & and the participant code is 741083. Did you know that the Birmingham Hamfest is only eight weeks away, March 1 & 2? Hope to see you there! Mark / WD4NYL ALERT