Hello to all….

The VoIP Hurricane Net activation for Hurricane Lorenzo secured at 5 AM EDT/0900 UTC as Lorenzo weakened to a tropical storm. Lorenzo hit a fairly remote area of the Southwest Mexico coast. No reports were received from this area. John McHugh-K4AG, WX4NHC Coordinator, checked in on the net from home at 1145 PM EDT/0345 UTC to give his thanks for our efforts in being there to provide reports to WX4NHC as needed.

The net activation also served as a way to break in a few new net controls who monitored during the overnight hours and to test how quickly the net could be brought up if a tropical system became a hurricane quickly near a land area. Special thanks to Bill Aber-N2JAI from Cape May County SKYWARN for his efforts as well as the efforts of Jim Palmer-KB1KQW on monitoring the system and scheduling and to Tony Langdon-VK3JED for his overnight monitoring of the net as well.

The VoIP Hurricane Net Management team will continue to monitor Karen and any other potential developing tropical systems in the Atlantic. Thanks to all for their continued support of the VoIP Hurricane Net!

73,Rob-KD1CY.
Director of Operations for the VoIP Hurricane Net
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Hello to all….

…VoIP Hurricane Net Activation to Commence at 8 PM EDT/0000 UTC Thursday September 27th, 2007 for Tropical Storm Lorenzo’s potential landfall as a Category-1 hurricane on the Southwest Mexico Coast….
…Activation may run informally due to short-fused nature of activation….

The VoIP Hurricane Net will be activating at 8 PM EDT/0000 UTC Thursday September 27th, 2007 to support WX4NHC with surface/meterological reports from stations in the affected area on *WX-TALK* node: 7203/IRLP reflector 9219. Given the short fused nature of getting this activation put together, the net may be run more informally than normal. Tropical Storm Lorenzo is expcted to intensify into a hurricane before making landfall on the Southwest Mexico coast sometime beween Midnight and 4 AM EDT Friday or 0400-0800 UTC.

As of 5PM EDT Thursday Evening/ 21:00 UTC, A Hurricane Warning is in effect for the gulf coast of Mexico from Palma Sola to Cabo Rojo. A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect from south of Palma Sola to Veracruz. Lorenzo is currently located 105 miles East-Southeast of Tuxpan, Mexico.

The VoIP Hurricane Net will be looking for any reporting stations in the affected area of Lorenzo. In addition, any relays into the affected area that can monitor any emergency nets on other frequencies and modes along with Mexican Television and radio stations would be especially helpful for this net activation. Spanish translators will also be helpful for this activation.

The reporting criteria and activation policy for our net during hurricane net activations can be found on our web site at http://www.voipwx.net

Listen Only IRLP/EchoLink capability include the following systems:

IRLP:
Reflector 9508 Sydney Australia Reflector channel 8.
Reflector 9129 New England Reflector channel 9.
Reflector 9058 Northeast Reflector channel 8.

EchoLink:
*KC4QLP-C* Node: 290251
*VKEMCOMM* Node: 270177
*N5API* Node: 77433
*NCPENN* Node: 137634

73,Rob-KD1CY.
Director of Operations for the VoIP Hurricane Net
1
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Hello to all….

Tropical Depression (TD)13 became Tropical Storm Lorenzo at the 2 PM EDT/1800 UTC advisory from the National Hurricane Center. Maximum sustained winds are now near 60 MPH. A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for the Gulf Coast of Mexico from Palma Solo to Cabo Rojo and a Tropical Storm Watch is in effect along the Gulf Coast of Mexico from north of Cabo Rojo to La Cruz. Lorenzo is currently a small tropical storm with tropical storm force winds only extending 35 miles from the center.

The VoIP Hurricane Net Management Team will continue to closely monitor the progress of Lorenzo. Lorenzo is not expected to strengthen further but this will be monitored in case something unexpected occurs. Thanks to all for their continued support of the VoIP Hurricane Net!

73,Rob-KD1CY.
Director of Operations for the VoIP Hurricane Net
1
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Hello to all….

Tropical Depression (TD) 13 has formed in the Southweat Gulf of Mexico. TD-13 is expected to intensify into a tropical storm and potentially make landfall in Southwest Mexico. It is too early to say whether it will reach hurricane strength. If TD-13 were to intensify as expected, it would be named Lorenzo.

The VoIP Hurricane Net management team will continue to closely monitor the progress of TD-13, Karen and several other areas of disturbed weather in the Atlantic, Gulf and Caribbean. Thanks to all for their continued support of the VoIP Hurricane Net!

73,Rob-KD1CY.
Director of Operations for the VoIP Hurricane Net
1
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Hello to all….

TD-12 has intensified into Tropical Storm Karen Tuesday Morning. Karen is expected to remain in the open Atlantic waters over the next 5 days and may get near hurricane strength. The VoIP Hurricane Net Management team will continue to monitor the progress of Karen. Additional tropical waves over the Southern Gulf of Mexico, the Caribbean and Western Atlantic are also being monitored for signs of development and the VoIP Hurricane Net Management team is also monitoring those systems in case they develop. Thanks to all for their continued support of the VoIP Hurricane Net!

73,Rob-KD1CY.
Director of Operations for the VoIP Hurricane Net
1
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Hello to all….

TD-12 has formed in the Open Atlantic. TD-12 is expected to intensify into a tropical storm in the next day or two and may reach hurricane strength in 5 days. At this time, TD-12 is not expected to impact any land areas but this will be monitored closely. If TD-12 intensifies as expected, it would be named Karen.

The VoIP Hurricane Net Management team will closely monitor the progress of TD-12. Thanks to all for their continued support of the VoIP Hurricane Net!

73,Rob-KD1CY.
Director of Operations for the VoIP Hurricane Net
1
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Hello to all….

Subtropical Depression 11 has become Subtropical Storm Jerry as of the 11 AM EDT/1500 UTC Sunday 9/23 Advisory. Jerry may become fully tropical and strengthen a bit more before being absorbed by a larger non-tropical system. Jerry poses no threat to land and is largely only a concern for marine interests in the open Atlantic and Jerry is not expected to become a hurricane at this time.

There remains several other areas where tropical depressions could develop per the previous tropical update. The VoIP Hurricane Net management team will continue to monitor the progress of these systems. Thanks to all for their continued support of the VoIP Hurricane Net!

73,Rob-KD1CY.
Director of Operations for the VoIP Hurricane Net
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Hello to all….

The Tropics have become very active in the last couple of days with Subtropical Depression (TD) 11 forming in the open Atlantic west of the Azores. In addition, there are several other potential systems that may become Tropical Depressions in the next several days.

SubTropical Depression 11 has formed in the open Atlantic west of the Azores and is expected to take on tropical characteristics and become a tropical storm before being absorbed but a larger non-tropical system. If that were to occur, it would be named Jerry as Tropical Depression 10 made landfall in the Northern Gulf of Mexico prior to becoming a tropical storm. Sub TD-11 should remain over open waters and be no threat to land. Several other systems have the potential to become tropical depressions in the next few days and are being monitored per the National Hurricane Center Tropical Weather Outlook.

A broad area of low pressure in the Northern Yucatan Peninsula is moving into a favorable environment for intensification as it emerges into the Gulf of Mexico. An Air Force Recon Aircraft may investigate this system later today.

Another broad area of low pressure associated with a westward moving tropical wave about 450 miles east of the Windward Islands is continuing to get better organized. A tropical depression may form in this area during the next couple of days as it moves through the Windward islands.

Yet another tropical wave about 600 miles south-southwest of the Cape Verde Islands is showing signs of organization. This system also has the potential to become a tropical depression as it moves to the West at 15 MPH.

There is the possibility that we could have as many as 4 tropical systems to monitor over the next several days. The VoIP Hurricane Net Management team will continue to monitor the active pattern we now appear to be in across the Atlantic, Caribbean and Gulf of Mexico. Thanks to all for their continued support of the VoIP Hurricane Net!

73,Rob-KD1CY.
Director of Operations for the VoIP Hurricane Net
1 1 1
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Hello to all….

Sub Tropical Depression (TD) 10 has formed in the Northeast Gulf of Mexico. Tropical Storm Watches have been posted for portions of the Florida Panhandle, Southern Alabama, Southern Mississippi and Southeast Louisiana. Sub TD-10 is expected to intensify into a tropical storm and if that occurs, it will be named Jerry. It is not expected to intensify into a hurricane at this time.

The VoIP Hurricane Net Management Team will continue to closely monitor this situation. Thanks to all for their continued support of the VoIP Hurricane Net!

73,Rob-KD1CY.
Director of Operations for the VoIP Hurricane Net
1
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Hello to all….

A tropical system off the coast of Florida in the Eastern Gulf of Mexico is showing signs of organization and an Air Force Recon unit will be investigating the system later today. It has the potential to form into a subtropical or tropical cyclone. Interests in the Northern Gulf of Mexico should closely monitor the progress of this system.

Another system about 1,000 miles east of Bermuda is also being monitored for signs of tropical development. The VoIP Hurricane Net Management team will continue to closely monitor the progress of both these systems. Thanks to all for their continued support of the VoIP Hurricane Net!

73,Rob-KD1CY.
Director of Operations for the VoIP Hurricane Net
1
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Hello to all….

TD #8 strengthened into Tropical Storm Ingrid late Thursday Evening. Ingrid may intensify a bit more before encountering westerly shear which will halt intensification and potentially weaken the system. Ingrid is expected to stay over the open waters and be no threat to land over the next several days.

The VoIP Hurricane Net management team will continue to closely monitor the progress of Ingrid. Thanks to all for their continued support of the VoIP Hurricane Net!

73,Rob-KD1CY.
Director of Operations for the VoIP Hurricane Net
1
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Hello to all….

Humberto surprised forecasters and intensified into a hurricane despite being very close to land. I want to thank several stations including an Amateur from Houma, Lousiana, AA5HY-Dave from DeSoto Louisiana ARES and several stations on the N5KBW Repeater near Port Arthur, Texas for the information they were able to provide Thursday Morning and it was appreciated. These stations gave their own conditions while relaying reports from other repeaters/frequencies to try and ascertain conditions near Humberto. Also, thanks to Lloyd Colston-KC5FM, for relaying reports from the Texas 40 Meter traffic net.

As many are aware, Humberto was a surprise in the amount of damage it caused and its rate of intensification. One of the issues in hurricane prediction that is still particularly problematic is intensification/weakening of tropical systems. To give you the idea of the rarity of such an intensification rate near land, here is a quote from the 11 AM EDT National Hurricane Center Technical Discussion written by Hurricane Specialist James Franklin:

BASED ON OPERATIONAL ESTIMATES…HUMBERTO STRENGTHENED FROM A 30 KT DEPRESSION AT 15Z YESTERDAY TO A 75 KT HURRICANE AT 09Z THIS MORNING…AN INCREASE OF 45 KT IN 18 HOURS. TO PUT THIS DEVELOPMENT IN PERSPECTIVE…NO TROPICAL CYCLONE IN THE HISTORICAL RECORD HAS EVER REACHED THIS INTENSITY AT A FASTER RATE NEAR LANDFALL. IT WOULD BE NICE TO KNOW…SOMEDAY…WHY THIS HAPPENED.

In fact, per an AP Internet article, only 3 tropical systems, Blanche in 1969, Harvey in 1981, and Alberto in 1982 have ever made such a rapid intensification and these systems were all away from land. Humberto was the first system ever to rapidly intensify in the same manner as these systems and be close to land.

Finally, a report was found on a New England Weather Forum called Eastern US weather on damage and conditions in Southeast Texas from a poster who had a contact with an individual in Harris County, TX flood control. Below is the text of that report:

Here are the Harris County Texas Flood Control reports:

Harris County Flood Control:
1 fatality in Bridge City TX

Total power outages : 115,000

Power infrastructure is damaged, but large transmission towers appear to have survived..so outages should be confined to 3-5 days.

First damage assessment teams indicate wind damage is confined to roofing materials and window failures as well as widespread tree fall.

Galveston, Chambers, Jefferson, Orange counties are requesting federal disaster declarations.

Jefferson Co:
73,000 without power.
Widespread minor to moderate wind damage to structures across the county.
Petro-chemical plants in BPT have been knocked offline due to power failures (Valero, Motiva, and Total Petrochemicals)
All critical services are offline (water, sewer, hospitals, gas stations)

City of Port Arthur is 80% without power.
Hampshire area: significant wind damage to houses with trees down and into homes.

Orange County:
Entire county is without power.
Widespread tree fall into structures

Galveston County:
HWY 87 is closed to all traffic
Large powerline transmission towers have collapsed onto HWY 87.
Storm surge and wave action breached parts of HWY 87.
Estimated power restoration to Bolivar is 3-5 days.
Houses have suffered wind damage to roofs and decking at Crystal Beach and High Island.
It is estimated that 500 residents are stranded on Bolivar

Humberto will be an excellent research case for forecasters for better hurricane intensity prediction. Thanks to those Hams who assisted quickly to a rapidly changing weather situation. Thanks to all for their continued support of the VoIP Hurricane Net!

73,Rob-KD1CY.
Director of Operations for the VoIP Hurricane Net 1
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Hello to all….

Humberto has intensified unexpectedly into a hurricane during the overnight hours and is a Category-1 hurricane. His peak intensity was 85 MPH and is now down to 80 MPH. The hurricane force wind field is small extending about 15 miles from the center. Tropical Storm force winds extend outward up to 60 miles. Humberto made landfall in Southeast Texas and is now entering Southwest Lousiana.

Due to the unexpected intensification and the fact it occurred during overnight hours with no pre-planned activation ramp up, no formal VoIP Hurricane Net activation has taken place but we are now informally monitoring *WX-TALK* EchoLink conference node: 7203 and IRLP reflector 9219 for any stations in the affected area that have reports per the reporting criteria. This monitoring will continue until about Noon EDT/1600 UTC. If you have any reports per the reporting criteria on the voipwx.net web site, please get in touch with us via email, EchoLink or IRLP.

Thanks to all for their continued support of the VoIP Hurricane Net!

73,Rob-KD1CY.
Director of Operations for the VoIP Hurricane Net 1
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Hello to all….

Tropical Depression (TD) #9, the system in the Northwest Gulf of Mexico, has strengthened into Tropical Storm Humberto. Humberto may intensify a bit more before making landfall along the Texas coast. Humberto is not anticipated to reach hurricane strength but this will be monitored closely. Thanks to all for their continued support of the VoIP Hurricane Net!

73,Rob-KD1CY.
Director of Operations for the VoIP Hurricane Net
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Hello to all….

Tropical Depression (TD) #8 has formed east of the Lesser Antilles. TD #8 is expected to intensify and is expected to become a tropical storm later today or Thursday. This system poses no immediate threat to land as of yet but the system will be monitored.

Tropical Depression (TD) #9 has formed in the Northwest Gulf of Mexico. TD #9 is expected to reach tropical storm strength before making landfall in Texas. It is not expected to reach hurricane strength before landfall but this will be monitored.

If TD #8 and TD #9 intensify to tropical storm intensity, they would be named Humberto and Ingrid respectively and they would be named depending on which one intensifies to tropical storm status first. The first one that intensifies to TS status will be given the name Humberto and the second one that intensifies to TS status will be given the name Ingrid.

The VoIP Hurricane Net Management team continues to monitor the Tropics carefully. Advisories can be obtained via the National Hurricane Center web site at http://www.nhc.noaa.gov or via the VoIP Hurricane Net web site at http://www.voipwx.net and clicking Atlantic Tropical Products from the Main Menu. Thanks to all for their continued support of the VoIP Hurricane Net!

73,Rob-KD1CY.
Director of Operations for the VoIP Hurricane Net
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Hello to all….

The latest NHC Tropical Weather Outlook indicates that an area of low pressure about 1150 miles east of the Windward Islands is becoming better organized and a Tropical Depression could form there later today or tonight. Another area of low pressure in the Northwestern Gulf of Mexico is also trying to develop and some development of this system is possible over the next few days.

The VoIP Hurricane Net Management team continues to closely monitor developments in the tropics as we are in the peak part of the season of mid-September. Thanks to all for their continued support of the VoIP Hurricane Net.

73,Rob-KD1CY.
Director of Operations for the VoIP Hurricane Net
1
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Hello to all….

The VoIP Hurricane Net in Amateur Radio News section of the web site is now updated with articles from the ARRL web site on the net’s efforts during Hurricane Felix. This includes an ARRL Audio News article on the net’s activities that was given by Dennis Dura-K2DCD, ARRL Manager of Emergency Preparedness and Response and Assistant Director of VoIP Hurricane Net Operations.

Amateur Radio Newsline also featured the VoIP Hurricane Net’s efforts during Hurricane Felix in their September 7th, 2007 edition of Newsline. That audio clip has also been added to the VoIP Hurricane Net in Amateur Radio News section of the web site.

To get to these web articles and audio clips, go to the VoIP Hurricane Net web site at http://www.voipwx.net and select VoIP Hurricane Net in Amateur Radio News link from the main menu. All the web page link and audio articles will be on that page. Thanks to all for their continued support of the VoIP Hurricane Net!

73,Rob-KD1CY.
Director of Operations for the VoIP Hurricane Net
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Hello to all….

SubTropical Storm Gabrielle has formed off the Southeast US Coast of the United States. Gabrielle is expected to make the full transition to a tropical storm and potentially affect portions of the Eastern North Carolina and South Carolina coasts with tropical storm force conditions and a Tropical Storm Watch has been posted for portions of this area. At this time, Gabrielle is not expected to reach hurricane strength at this time but it will be monitored closely.

After affecting the Carolinas, the system is expected to pass south of the 40 N/70 W “benchmark” position. If this track holds, this would spare any direct impact for Southern New England but the track, speed and intensity will need to be watched closely for Southern New England and any impact for this area as track guidance out 4-5 days can be subject to large errors.

From the National Hurricane Center web site glossary, a Subtropical storm or cyclone is as follows:
A non-frontal low pressure system that has characteristics of both tropical and extratropical cyclones. Gabrielle at this time has characteristics of both types of systems (Tropical and Subtropical) but is expected to make a transition to a fully tropical system over the next day or so.

Gabrielle Advisories and Satellite Imagery can be found on the VoIPWXNet web site by going to http://www.voipwx.net and click Atlantic Tropical Products from the Main Menu and links for the Gabrielle Advisories and Satellite imagery will appear. You can also go direct to the National Hurricane Center web site at http://www.nhc.noaa.gov

The VoIP Hurricane Net Management Team will continue to closely monitor the progress of Gabrielle. Thanks to all for their continued support of the VoIP Hurricane Net!

73,Rob-KD1CY.
Director of Operations for the VoIP Hurricane Net

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Hello to all….

Aircraft investigating the area of disturbed weather north of the Bahamas hasn’t found enough of a circulation to classify the system but it could be classified soon and Tropical Storm Watches may be required for parts of the US East Coast later tonight. Latest Tropical Disturbance Statement is shown below:

000
WONT41 KNHC 072106
DSAAT
SPECIAL TROPICAL DISTURBANCE STATEMENT
NWS TPC/NATIONAL HURRICANE CENTER MIAMI FL
505 PM EDT FRI SEP 07 2007

THE AIR FORCE RESERVE HURRICANE HUNTER AIRCRAFT INVESTIGATING THE LOW PRESSURE SYSTEM BETWEEN BERMUDA AND THE SOUTHEAST U.S. COAST HAS NOT YET IDENTIFIED A WELL-DEFINED CLOSED SURFACE CIRCULATION. THE AIRCRAFT WILL CONTINUE TO INVESTIGATE THIS SYSTEM…AND IT COULD BECOME A TROPICAL OR SUBTROPICAL CYCLONE AT ANY TIME AS IT MOVES WEST-NORTHWESTWARD AT ABOUT 10 MPH. INTERESTS ALONG THE SOUTHEAST AND MID-ATLANTIC COAST OF THE U.S. SHOULD CLOSELY MONITOR THE PROGRESS OF THIS SYSTEM…AND TROPICAL STORM WATCHES COULD BE ISSUED THIS EVENING.

$$
FORECASTER KNABB

The VoIP Hurricane Net Management Team will continue to closely monitor the progress of this system. Thanks to all for their continued support of the VoIP Hurricane Net!

73,Rob-KD1CY.
Director of Operations for the VoIP Hurricane Net
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Hello to all….

A Special Tropical Disturbance Statement has been issued on a system forming north of the Bahamas. It has the potential to become a Tropical Depression. Computer models have hinted at this system for many days and it could become a threat for somewhere along the US East Coast from the Carolinas to New England. Interests in the area should closely monitor its progress. See the statement below:

000
WONT41 KNHC 071242
DSAAT
SPECIAL TROPICAL DISTURBANCE STATEMENT
NWS TPC/NATIONAL HURRICANE CENTER MIAMI FL
845 AM EDT FRI SEP 07 2007

SATELLITE IMAGES INDICATE THAT THE AREA OF LOW PRESSURE LOCATED BETWEEN BERMUDA AND THE SOUTHEAST U.S. COAST HAS BECOME BETTER ORGANIZED OVERNIGHT. UPPER-LEVEL WINDS ARE BECOMING MORE FAVORABLE FOR ADDITIONAL DEVELOPMENT…AND A TROPICAL DEPRESSION COULD FORM LATER TODAY. AN AIR FORCE RESERVE HURRICANE HUNTER AIRCRAFT IS SCHEDULED TO INVESTIGATE THIS SYSTEM THIS AFTERNOON. THE LOW IS FORECAST TO MOVE GENERALLY WESTWARD OR NORTHWESTWARD DURING THE NEXT COUPLE OF DAYS…AND INTERESTS ALONG THE EAST COAST OF THE UNITED STATES SHOULD CLOSELY MONITOR THE PROGRESS OF THIS SYSTEM.

$$
FORECASTER KNABB

The VoIP Hurricane Net Management Team will closely monitor the progress of this system. Thanks to all for their continued support of the VoIP Hurricane Net!

73,Rob-KD1CY.
Director of Operations for the VoIP Hurricane Net
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Hello to all….

With Felix making landfall and dissipating, the Tropics are not done yet as we continue into the heart of hurricane season. Another potential system may develop halfway between the US East Coast and Bermuda. A reconnasiance aircraft could be sent into that system today if it continues to hold its intensity or increase further during the day today per the Atlantic Tropical Weather Outlook issued at 530 AM EDT Wednesday September 5th.

The VoIP Hurricane Net Management team will continue to closely monitor developments in the Tropics. Thanks to all for their continued support of the VoIP Hurricane Net!

73,Rob-KD1CY.
Director of Operations for the VoIP Hurricane Net
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Hello to all….

Hurricane Felix Audio clips of some key reports are now available on the VoIP Hurricane Net web site under the VoIP Hurricane Net in Action During Hurricanes section off of the Main Menu. In addition, Lu-KA4EPS has made available a complete recording of the Felix activation. It is about 15 Meg in size and can be found at the following link:

VoIP Hurricane Felix Net Activation Complete Recording

Thanks to all for their continued support of the VoIP Hurricane Net!

73,Rob-KD1CY.
Director of Operations for the VoIP Hurricane Net
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Hello to all….

The following is a link to the September Edition of the VoIP Huricane Net Newsletter. Special thanks to new newsletter editor, Rich Long-KF6BKA for putting this newsletter together. A text version is sent to the Yahoogroups email list with a link to the graphical PDF version. The Link to the newsletter is below:

September VoIP Hurricane Net Newsletter

Thanks to all for their continued support of the VoIP Hurricane Net!

73,Rob-KD1CY.
Director of Operations for the VoIP Hurricane Net
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Hello to all….

It is with great pleasure that I welcome, Richard (Rich) Long-KF6BKA, a VoIP Hurricane Net Control Operator, to the net management team as VoIP Hurricane Newsletter editor. Rich asked if he could do a newsletter monthly for our net to keep the interest level up in our net and to assist with hurricane preparedness/mitigation efforts. Rich did an excellent job with a first draft of the newsletter and after much review with the net management team, the first newsletter will be issued to the email list within the next hour.

We will send a text newsletter to the email list and a link to the graphical newsletter will be posted in the email and the graphical newsletter will reside on the VoIP Hurricane Net web site. We hope everyone who follows the activities of our net will enjoy the newsletter.

If you have suggestions on articles that you wish to see or are willing to assist with the newsletter, particularly to get a Spanish version of the Newsletter put together, please email Rich Long-KF6BKA at kf6bka@voipwx.net as he’d like the help and suggestions for articles for the newsletter and to get a Spanish version sent out for those who only speak Spanish. We appreciate your help in supporting the newsletter.

Once again, we welcome Richard Long-KF6BA to the net management team as the VoIP Hurricane Newsletter editor. Please give Rich your support and thanks to all for their continued support for the VoIP Hurricane Net.

73,Rob-KD1CY.
Director of Operations for the VoIP Hurricane Net
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Hello to all….

….Felix downgraded to a Tropical Storm in the 8 PM EDT Tuesday/0000 UTC Wednesday Advisory. VoIP Hurricane Net Activation Secured at this time….
….Web Site Graphic will reflect not_activated in the next couple of hours….

We have secured operations of the VoIP Hurricane Net at 8 PM EDT/0000 UTC today as Felix has weakened to a tropical storm with maximum sustained winds of 60 MPH. Felix should continue to degenerate to a remant low by Wednesday. Major River and Stream Flooding is now the main threat for Nicaragua and portions of Honduras.

The VoIP Hurricane Net wishes to thank all of its net controls for their support for this catastrophic system. Special thanks also goes out to NP3OD-Fransisco and the IRESC, International Radio Emergency Support Coalition for translating the local TV feed from Nicaragua and Nicaragua web sites. Special thanks also to Carlos-XE2WCG from Tampico, Mexico for his support in translating reports from Spanish to English and relaying reports from the 40 Meter Nicaragua Emergency Net to our net.

The ARRL has been following the story of the VoIP Hurricane Net and our activation. See link below for the latest article:
VoIP Hurricane Net Active as Hurricane Felix Makes Landfall in Northeastern Nicaragua

That article maybe updated once more on Wednesday with more information. Those that wish to see reports that were handled via the VoIP Hurricane Net can go to the VoIP Hurricane Net web site and click on Report Viewer from the Main Menu. You can then click the individual reports as they were submitted to the net.

Below is an announcement from Julio Ripoll-WD4R on the securing of the Hurricane Felix activation:

WX4NHC ANNOUNCEMENT – HURRICANE FELIX OPERATIONS

Released September 4, 2007, 5 PM EDT

Felix is forecast to be downgraded to a Tropical Storm about 8 PM EDT this evening.

WX4NHC will conclude its operations at that time.

The NHC Hurricane Forecasters were very happy to receive reports via Ham Radio as there are no weather stations along the landfall area called “The Miskito Coast”.

This lowland area of Nicaragua is sparsely populated by indigenous Miskito people, which do not have much infrastructure.

Felix was the second CAT-5 Atlantic Hurricane to make landfall as a CAT-5 this year.

This has never happened before in recorded history.

The Ham Radio reports will be part of this historic hurricane’s official NHC archives.

WX4NHC extends its sincere thanks to all the Ham Radio Operators from many countries and Nets for being the link between NHC and those in the path of this extremely powerful and dangerous hurricane. We hope that our continued efforts to spread the hurricane warnings will helped save lives.

Our thoughts and prayers are with those people who were affected by Hurricane Felix, and hope that they can rebuild their lives quickly.

73,

Julio, WD4R

-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-
Julio Ripoll Architect WD4R
WX4NHC Amateur Radio Asst. Coordinator
www.wx4nhc.org

National Hurricane Center
www.nhc.noaa.gov
-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-

73,Rob-KD1CY.
Director of Operations for the VoIP Hurricane Net
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Hello to all….

…VoIP Hurricane Net Activation to Commence at 4 AM EDT/0800 UTC Tuesday September 4th, 2007 for Potentially Catastrophic Hurricane Felix’s impact to Nicaragua, Honduras and Belize as we attempt to get contacts in the affected area of Felix in Honduras. Activation timeframe sped up due to the speed of motion of Felix…
….Additional Net Activations are Possibly but less likely than the previous notice. Activation may be continuous into Wednesday but the net maybe able to secure some time late Tuesday or Wednesday if the current track scenario verifies….

The VoIP Hurricane Net in coordination with WX4NHC will be activating at 4 AM EDT/0800 UTC Tuesday September 4th, 2007 to support WX4NHC with surface/meterological reports from stations in the affected area on *WX-TALK* node: 7203/IRLP reflector 9219. Impact to Nicaragua and Honduras is expected Tuesday with impact to Belize later Tuesday into Wednesday. It now appears that activation past Wednesday is less likely per the current track guidance but this is subject to change and the activation notice will be updated as needed pending Felix’s track.

As of 5PM EDT Monday Evening/ 21:00 UTC, A Hurricane Warning is in effect from Puerto Cabezas Nicaragua Northward to the Honduras/Nicaragua border and for Honduras from Limon eastward to the Honduras/Nicaragua border. A Hurricane Watch is in effect for Honduras west of Limon, the Caribbean coast of Guatemala and the entire coast of Belize. Felix, fluctuating betweeen Category 4 and Category 5 intensity, is expected to pass near the Nicaragua/Honduras border and into Honduras on Tuesday. We are currently making contact with Amateurs and other folks in Honduras, Nicaragua and Belize or with any Amateurs who have contact with Amatuers or other people in these areas. Any stations with contacts in that area are urged to assist us by relaying reports from those contacts in the affected area wherever possible.

The reporting criteria and activation policy for our net during hurricane net activations can be found on our web site at http://www.voipwx.net

Listen Only IRLP/EchoLink capability include the following systems:

IRLP:
Reflector 9508 Sydney Australia Reflector channel 8.
Reflector 9129 New England Reflector channel 9.
Reflector 9058 Northeast Reflector channel 8.

EchoLink:
*KC4QLP-C* Node: 290251
*VKEMCOMM* Node: 270177
*N5API* Node: 77433
*NCPENN* Node: 137634

We have the following streaming audio capability up and running for the VoIP Hurricane Net:

KA4EPS Streaming Audio Feed

WX4NHC is planning to be active as early as 600 AM EDT now based on notes with Julio Ripoll-WD4R exchanged this morning. Excerpts of their activation announcement are listed below:

WX4NHC ANNOUNCEMENT – HURRICANE FELIX OPERATIONS
Released September 2, 2007, 7 PM EDT
PLEASE RELAY TO STATIONS IN THE AFFECTED AREAS.

We request all land based stations as well as ships at sea in the areas affected by Hurricane Felix to send us weather data (measured or estimated) and damage reports.

If you are in the affected area and normally monitor on a local Net on VHF, 40 or 80 meters, we would appreciate your checking into the HWN NET or EchoLink/IRLP Net once per Hour to receive the latest Hurricane Advisories and to report your LOCAL conditions.

Please do not venture outside during the hurricane to gather weather data.

Your safety is the first priority.

There are many constantly changing atmospheric variables that affect the storm’s track and strength.

Please refer to the National Hurricane Center Advisories for official information. www.nhc.noaa.gov

WX4NHC will be monitoring the Hurricane Watch Net www.hwn.org on 14.325 MHz.

Secondary HF frequencies will be 7.268 MHz and 3.950 MHz +/- QRM, should we loose propagation on 20 meters.

EchoLink WX-Talk Conference Room and IRLP node 9219 will also be monitored. www.voipwx.net

WX4NHC will also monitor CWOP, APRS and MADIS/MESONET Automated weather stations in the affected area.

Surface Reports using our On-line Hurricane Report form will be monitored.

Amateur Weather Enthusiasts and ON-NHC Volunteers may report directly to WX4NHC on-line.

http://www.wx4nhc.org/WX-form1.html

ON-NHC Volunteers are both Ham Radio Operators and Non-Ham weather observers that use their own weather instruments to submit “Surface Reports” directly to NHC over the Internet via the WX4NHC on-line report form. These “Surface Reports” are very important as they give Hurricane Specialists at NHC a better idea of what is actually happening on the ground level during the storm.

The WX4NHC Group continues to expand its efforts to increase the quantity and quality of surface reports to include many different modes of reception and groups of people; including HF, VHF/UHF IRLP & EchoLink, VHF & HF APRS, CWOP NOAA Program and ON-NHC Weather Observers Network.

(see our web site for more information on these programs): www.wx4nhc.org

WX4NHC is very proud to have maintained an active Amateur Radio Station at the National Hurricane Center for the past 27 years.

We appreciate all of the volunteers who help with our efforts.

OUR MISSION: TO HELP SAVE LIVES.

-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-
Julio Ripoll Architect WD4R
WX4NHC Amateur Radio Asst. Coordinator
www.wx4nhc.org

National Hurricane Center
www.nhc.noaa.gov
-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-

73,Rob-KD1CY.
Director of Operations for the VoIP Hurricane Net
1
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Hello to all….

Hurricane Felix is a Category 2 Hurricane as of the 11 AM EDT adivsory with maximum sustained winds of 105 MPH. Further strengthening is likely and Felix is expected to become a major hurricane later today.

On the current track, Felix is expected to make a close pass to the Eastern part of Honduras on Tuesday possibly spreading hurricane force conditions to that area. This may prompt activation of the VoIP Hurricane Net for much of the day Tuesday into early Wednesday unless Felix’s track is adjusted further north away from Honduras.

By Wednesday, Felix is currently tracked to make landfall in Belize and may also affect the Southern part of Mexico bordering Belize. This may prompt another activation of the VoIP Hurricane Net from Wednesday Morning through Thursday Afternoon assuming no changes to the track guidance.

Felix may then emerge in the Bay of Campeche and could possibly affect mainland Mexico late Friday or Saturday. It may also maintain hurricane status throughout this timeframe. Please note track and intensity guidance several days out is prone to large errors.

The VoIP Hurricane Net Management team is attempting to make contact with Amateurs in the affected area. Those Amateurs with contacts in the affected area that are either Amateur Operators or personal friends are asked to assist by letting those people know about Felix and that we would like to gather weather and damage informastion from them if possible. The reporting we are looking for is listed off the Main Menu of the VoIP Hurricane Net web site at http://www.voipwx.net under Reporting Criteria.

The next update on Felix will be posted on Monday. It will either be an update similar to this one if activation plans get pushed back due to a change in the track of Felix or it will be an activation notice if our net activates on Tuesday. Activation decisions are based on the plans of WX4NHC and the eventual track of Felix along with contact with the affected area.

For latest advisory information, you can go to the VoIP Hurricane Net web site and click Atlantic Tropical Products from the Main Menu and click the links provided on information for Felix. You can also go to the National Hurricane Center web site at http://www.nhc.noaa.gov for the latest information as well.

Thanks to all for their continued support of the VoIP Hurricane Net!

73,Rob-KD1CY.
Director of Operations for the VoIP Hurricane Net
1
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Hello to all….

Dennis Dura-K2DCD, Manager of Emergency Communications and Preparedness of the ARRL and Assistant Director for VoIP Hurricane Net Operations, presnted at the Global Amateur Radio Emergency Conference (GAREC) 2007 Conference on EchoLink and IRLP technologies and how the VoIP Hurricane Net uses those technologies. This was featured on the ARRL web site and on Amateur Radio Newsline. Links to that information appear below:

GAREC 2007 Article on the ARRL Web Site

GAREC 2007 Amateur Radio Newsline Article

These articles have also been added to the VoIP Hurricane Net in Amateur Radio News section off the Main Menu of the VoIP Hurricane Net web site. Thanks for your continued support of the VoIP Hurricane Net!

73,Rob-KD1CY.
Director of Operations for the VoIP Hurricane Net
1
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Hello to all….

The VoIP Hurricane Net in Action During Hurricanes section has been updated with Hurricane Dean Audio clips from the various land areas affected. It features reports and information being disseminated via the net during the various activations for land areas that were affected by Hurricane Dean. To get to the audio clips go to http://www.voipwx.net and on the Main Menu click VoIP Hurricane Net in Action during hurricanes and you’ll receive a web page with links to the various audio clips.

In addition, Lu Vencl-KA4EPS has provided the entire audio clips in both high and low audio formats. The high audio format is 200 Meg and the low audio format is 70 Meg. They can be obtained via his web site at the following link:

http://www.ka4eps.com/audio

This completes all the follow-up work from Hurricane Dean. The Net Management Team’s attention will now turn to Hurricane Felix and potential impact to Honduras, Belize and Mexico. Thanks to all for their continued support of the VoIP Hurricane Net!

73,Rob-KD1CY.
Director of Operations for the VoIP Hurricane Net

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Hello to all….

The VoIP Hurricane Net efforts for Hurricane Dean were featured on Amateur Radio Newsline reports from both August 24th and August 31st, 2007. The clips featuring the VoIP Hurricane Net can be heard by clicking VoIP Hurricane Net in Amateur Radio News and scrolling to the bottom of the page for the Amateur Radio Newsline audio clips. It includes some audio of the net in action. They can also be heard directly through the links below:

Amateur Radio Newsline Audio Article featuring VoIP Hurricane Net Efforts During Hurricane Dean from the 8/24/07 Newsline Report

Amateur Radio Newsline Audio Article featuring VoIP Hurricane Net Efforts Dring Hurricane Dean from the 8/31/07 Newsline Report

Thanks to Amateur Radio Newsline for their coverage of the VoIP Hurricane Net. Also, thanks to everyone for their continued support of the VoIP Hurricane Net.

73,Rob-KD1CY.
Director of Operations for the VoIP Hurricane Net
1
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Hello to all….

At 5 AM EDT, Tropical Depression 6 became Tropical Storm Felix and Felix intensified slightly further in the 8 AM advisory. Felix is bringing tropical storm force conditions to parts of the Southern Windward Islands. Julien-9Z4FZ reports flooding of a street in Tobago with heavy rain and some strong winds over the area as well as Grenada.

Felix is expected to intensify into a hurricane over the next couple days and could potentially affect Belize and parts of Mexico in the Yucatan Peninsula area in 3-4 days. Some of these areas are the same parts to be affected by Hurricane Dean a few weeks ago.

The VoIP Hurricane Net Management Team will continue to closely monitor the progress of Felix over the next few days. There is the potential for additional tropical systems to develop as we approach the peak of hurricane season in mid-September.

Thanks to all for their continued support of the VoIP Hurricane Net!

73,Rob-KD1CY.
Director of Operations for the VoIP Hurricane Net
1
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