Foreword:
The following is written as a memo of understanding, to inform storm spotters and other NWS Skywarn groups on how ALERT/K4NWS (NWS Birmingham’s Amataur Radio Station) will operate when in a situation where there is more than one served agency on frequency.
Please direct any comments/questions/feedback to feedback @ alert-alabama.org.
Skywarn/ARES Storm Spotters:
- No significant operational change for storm spotters.
- Storm spotters may make storm reports on the reflector as they always have, by calling either K4NWS (Birmingham) or KMOB/Mobile NWS, prior to giving your storm spotter report. This keeps it clear which office the report was intended for.
- Generally, REF058B does not go into a true directed net status. In the rare event that REF058B is activated into directed net by any other group, a KBMX/K4NWS area storm spotter may request direct contact with K4NWS from the acting net control, with priority, at any time. *Keep in mind, emergency traffic comes before priority traffic. As with any directed net, please follow net control’s guidance and directions.
The Procedure for K4NWS Operators:
When multiple NWS/Skywarn groups are on the same D-Star reflector, the ALERT operator representing K4NWS will recognize other NWS partner stations by their tactical callsign(s), if they do not have an official club call for the station.
- Skywarn for Mobile NWS will identify themselves as KMOB or Mobile NWS.
- ALERT (Skywarn) for Birmingham NWS will identify as “K4NWS Birmingham.”
- Other NWS offices may likewise choose to identify with tactical callsigns.
- A station operator with either group may need to occasionally remind operators that it is a statewide reflector. Example: “Multiple NWS stations are currently available on this reflector in Alabama, and listening for storm spotter reports as priority traffic, for each area.”
*NOTE: When using tactical callsigns, the stations who are doing so must additionally identify themselves with the callsign of the control operator present, in accordance with applicable FCC Part 97 regulations.
(Start/end of communication and every 10 minutes during.)
Nets on REF058B
Generally, REF058B does not become called into an active / directed net status during severe weather.
In the unlikely event that REF058B is called into an actual active net status by another group, K4NWS should act as a served agency liaison, and proactively report to net control that we are here for receiving any reports for NWS Birmingham’s area. Much like we would participate in county nets, we would participate in any other net.
