VoIP Hurricane Net

Hello to all..

**The VoIP Hurricane Net will activate at 2 PM EDT Friday Afternoon through late Saturday Morning for Hurricane Isaias and impacts to the Southern Mississippi, Southern Alabama Gulf Coasts and the Florida Panhandle. The net, on *WX_TALK* Echolink conference node: 7203/IRLP 9219 system and other VoIP radio systems via the KC5FM-R node is supporting WX4NHC, the Amateur Radio station at the National Hurricane Center in Miami Florida. Note during overnight hours the net may be in an activation monitoring mode for any stations that call on the system**

**WX4NHC will also be active with their Amateur Radio Station as well during this timeframe starting at 6 PM EDT Friday Evening.**

**We ask any and all Amateur Radio Operators who may know of Amateur Radio or non-Amateur Radio Operators in the affected area of the Southern Mississippi, Southern Alabama Gulf Coasts and the Florida Panhandle to give any and all reports from their area. In addition, any folks that can monitor online weather stations, reliable social media sources for reports to get to our net team would be helpful and then our team can discern the data that gets sent to WX4NHC, the Amateur Radio Station at the National Hurricane Center**

**Any pictures or videos of wind damage, river/stream/urban/storm surge flooding etc. can be sent to our voipwxnet Facebook and Twitter feeds or the following email address: pics@nsradio.org and credit will be given to the Amateur Radio Operator, weather spotter or individual that took the photos and media and be shared with the Amateur Radio team at the National Hurricane Center and other agencies and outlets.**

**The VoIP Hurricane Prep Net for Saturday Evening 10/10/26 is canceled due to this net activation and the Columbus Day Holiday Weekend. The next VoIP Hurricane Prep Net will be Saturday Evening 10/17/26 unless a hurricane net activation is required.**

Here are the VoIP Hurricane Net Plans for Hurricane Isaias as of Thursday Evening 10/8/26 at 1100 PM EDT:

The VoIP Hurricane Net will activate at 2 PM EDT Friday Afternoon through late Saturday Morning for Hurricane Isaias and impacts to the Southern Mississippi, Southern Alabama Gulf Coasts and the Florida Panhandle. The net, on *WX_TALK* Echolink conference node: 7203/IRLP 9219 system and other VoIP radio systems via the KC5FM-R node is supporting WX4NHC, the Amateur Radio station at the National Hurricane Center in Miami Florida. Note during overnight hours the net may be in an activation monitoring mode for any stations that call on the system. WX4NHC will also be active with their Amateur Radio Station as well during this timeframe starting at 6 PM EDT Friday Evening.

We ask any and all Amateur Radio Operators who may know of Amateur Radio or non-Amateur Radio Operators in the affected area of the Southern Mississippi, Southern Alabama Gulf Coasts and the Florida Panhandle to give any and all reports from their area. In addition, any folks that can monitor online weather stations, reliable social media sources for reports to get to our net team would be helpful and then our team can discern the data that gets sent to WX4NHC, the Amateur Radio Station at the National Hurricane Center.

Any pictures or videos of wind damage, river/stream/urban/storm surge flooding etc. can be sent to our voipwxnet Facebook and Twitter feeds or the following email address: pics@nsradio.org and credit will be given to the Amateur Radio Operator, weather spotter or individual that took the photos and media and be shared with the Amateur Radio team at the National Hurricane Center and other agencies and outlets.

Advisories on Isaias can be seen off of the Atlantic Tropical Products menu selection on the voipwxnet web site, via our Facebook and Twitter feeds, and off the National Hurricane Center web site via the following link:
https://www.nhc.noaa.gov

Reports as obtained via the VoIP Hurricane Net from Amateur Radio Operators in the affected area, relays from the affected area or from APRS/CWOP Weather Station feeds and other social media outlets can be found at the following link:
https://secure.powersrvcs.com/qilan/nhcwx/list_VOIP_records1?auth=OK

APRS, Winlink, AllStar, Hams Over IP and other resources that can be monitored are as follows:
Allstar 28848,
Echolink KC5FM-R
Hams over IP 15154
Amateur Wire 30415154
NZSIP 57715154
Mesh Phone 5728803
DMR TGIF 31207
Fusion 31027
APRS KC5FM-9
Winlink KC5FM

Stations outside the affected area that do not have relays into the affected area who would like to listen into the VoIP Hurricane Net can use any of the following systems for listen-only purposes and can connect on either Echolink or IRLP:
*NEW-ENG3* Echolink conference node: 9123/IRLP 9123
*SKY_GATE* Echolink conference node: 868981/IRLP 9252
*KC4QLP-C* Echolink conference node: 290251
*ARERT* Echolink conference node: 902723 (Also bridged to Allstar on Node 273660 and on the YCS311 C4FM Server at http://c4fm.mntrbo.net ID:74)
*FLORIDA* Echolink conference node: 3082

These three streaming audio feeds should be available. Those streaming audio feeds are as follows:
Streaming feed 1: http://74.208.24.77:8000 -Provided by KC4QLP-Bob Carter
Streaming feed 2: http://radio.arert.net:8000/ARERT -Provided by the ARERT conference owners and sysops
Streaming feed 3: https://www.broadcastify.com/listen/feed/38868 -Provided by the ARERT conference owners and sysops

Video streams will be provided by ARERT if they find video feeds from the affected area and will have audio from the hurricane net on it. Those streams are below:
Video stream feed 1: https://www.twitch.tv/pp93news
Video stream feed 2: https://dlive.tv/ARERT
Special thanks to N0VZC-Mike Norrbom and the ARERT sysops for their support of these feeds.

Please note that there could be additional listen only nodes and streaming feeds. If time allows, this info will be updated via the voipwxnet web site and social media feeds.

The VoIP Hurricane Prep Net for Saturday Evening 10/10/26 is canceled due to this net activation and the Columbus Day Holiday Weekend. The next VoIP Hurricane Prep Net will be Saturday Evening 10/17/26 unless a hurricane net activation is required.

The VoIP Hurricane Net Management team continues to closely watch Hurricane Isaias. Thanks to all for their continued support of the VoIP Hurricane Net!

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

Hello to all..

Tropical Storm Isaias has formed in the Gulf of America and is expected to make landfall along the Northern US Gulf Coast somewhere between Southern Mississippi to the Florida panhandle as a hurricane. Isaias will require a formal VoIP Hurricane Net activation and Amateur Radio Operators in the Northern US Gulf Coast should have their hurricane plan in place and hopefully we will hear from many Amateur Radio Operators in the affected area of Isaias. A Hurricane Watch is in effect for Bay St. Louis to Indian Pass. A Storm Surge Watch is in effect for the Mouth of the Mississippi River to Yankeetown. A Tropical Storm Watch is in effect for Jefferson/Plaquemines Parish line to west of Bay St. Louis, east of Indian Pass to the Aucilla River. Advisories on Isaias can be seen on the VoIP Hurricane Net web site under Atlantic Tropical Products, via the voipwxnet Facebook/X social media feeds or at the National Hurricane Center web site at the following link:

https://www.nhc.noaa.gov

A formal VoIP Hurricane Net Activation Plan for Isaias will be posted by Thursday evening with the timeframe from activation likely some time mid to late afternoon Friday through late morning Saturday. The VoIP Hurricane Net Management team will closely monitor the progress of Isaias. Thanks to all for their continued support of the VoIP Hurricane Net!

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

Hello to all…

As of Monday 10/5/26 at 830 PM EDT, the National Hurricane Center (NHC) is monitoring a trough of low pressure in the Southwestern Gulf of America that could develop into a tropical depression in the next few days as it drifts east-northeastward and eventually turns northward. While its too early to determine potential impacts to the Northern US Gulf coast, the time is now to begin monitoring this system as it has a high chance 70% of development within 48 hours with an 80% chance of development within 7 days. Updates from the NHC can be seen under Atlantic Tropical Products via the Tropical Weather Outlook on the voipwx.net web site, via our voipwxnet Facebook/X social media feeds and via the NHC web site at the following link:

https://www.nhc.noaa.gov

The VoIP Hurricane Net Management Team will closely monitor the progress of this system and any other systems 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

Hello to all…

Join us tonight for the VoIP Hurricane Prep Net at 8 PM ET this Saturday Evening 10/3/26 as our net control for tonight will be NK5LA-Daryl from Little Rock Arkansas. An update on the Tropics and other weather updates will be provided this evening.

Also, we wanted to mention our schedule for October 2026. With the Columbus Day US holiday long weekend, the VoIP Hurricane Prep Net will be canceled for Saturday October 10th 2026. In addition, Halloween falls on a Saturday and given that will not occur again until 2037 and many Amateurs may have family or even public service events with neighborhood Hallowen Neighborhood watch and other events, the net for Saturday 10/31/26 will also be cancelled. Our next nets for the month of October will be Saturday 10/17/26 and Saturday 10/24/26.

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

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

Hello to all…

Due to activation of net management team members and net controls in New England for the nor’easter, Hurricane Nolo monitoring in Hawaii and Hurricane Pollo monitoring for the Baja California Peninsula later Sunday into Monday, the VoIP Hurricane Prep Net for this evening is cancelled. We will resume on Saturday 10/3/26. If conditions warrant, we will connect the *WX_TALK* conference to the *NEW_ENG3* Echolink conference so folks can monitor nor’easter operations as they unfold as we utilize the system if needed while we also monitor Hurricane Nolo for Hawaii and Hurricane Pollo for the Baja Califonria Peninsula. We appreciate everyone’s support of the VoIP Hurricane Prep Net!

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

Hello to all…

Our scheduled net control had an unexpected issue late this evening once agaon so unfortunately we have had to again cancel the net. We will attempt to resume the net again on Saturday September 19th 2026 at 8 PM ET.

We have yet to put out a more formal notice as we informally activated for Hurricane Lowell’s impacts to Western Hawaii last week and we will do so some time this upcoming week but as stated previously, we could use additional net controls for both our weekly net and net activations. Some of our regular net controls and net management team members are experience life changes and other life related items affecting their schedules more so than normal and in some cases last minute and out of their control. If you are interested in being a net control, please message me off list and we can provide details. Many thanks to all!

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

Hello to all…

Tropical Storm Edouard made landfall at 325 PM EDT/225 PM CDT Tuesday 9/1/26 near Johnson Bayou Louisiana. The landfall ends any threat of Edouard becoming a hurricane and the Hurricane Watch for parts of the Gulf Coast is discontinued. Informal monitoring of the *WX_TALK* Echolink conference node: 7203/IRLP 9219 reflector system began shortly after 12 PM EDT by KC5FM-Lloyd and AE4WX-Mark for any calls for reports or issues. This informal monitoring will end at 5 PM EDT Tuesday 9/1/26 with Edouard having made landfall and no formal VoIP Hurricane Net activation is needed. Wind gusts as high as 71 MPH in Texas Point, TX have been reported. Port Arthur, TX recently had a wind gust to 54 MPH. These kind of winds will continue for a few hours on portions of the Southeast Texas and Southwest Louisiana coast line. A few of the reports our team has submitted to WX4NHC, the Amateur Radio can be seen at the VoIP Hurricane Net Report Viewer:

https://secure.powersrvcs.com/qilan/nhcwx/list_VOIP_records1?auth=OK

A reminder that advisories on Edouard can be seen on the VoIP Hurricane Net web site under Atlantic Tropical Products or at the National Hurricane Center web site at the following link:

https://www.nhc.noaa.gov

The VoIP Hurricane Net management team will closely monitor the progress of Edouard and any other potential threats in the Tropics as 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

Hello to all…

Tropical Storm Edouard formed over the Northern Gulf of America (Mexico) Monday and has the potential to reach hurricane strength prior to landfall on the Northwest Gulf Coast between Southeast Texas and Southwest Louisiana. A Hurricane Watch is posted from High Island to Cameron Louisiana with a Tropical Storm Warning from Port Bolivar to the Vermilion/Iberia Parish line. A Storm Surge Warning is in effect from High Island to the Vermilion/Iberia Parish line. Advisories on Edouard can be seen on the VoIP Hurricane Net web site under Atlantic Tropical Products or at the National Hurricane Center web site at the following link:

https://www.nhc.noaa.gov

If Edouard continues to strengthen through the day as expected, a short fused, short duration Hurricane Net activation is likely for surface reports in and around the affected area of Edouard. This would likely be during the course of Tuesday late PM/Evening into early Wednesday AM. The VoIP Hurricane Net management team will closely monitor the progress of Edouard, thanks to all for their continued support of the VoIP Hurricane Net!

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

Hello to all…

Our scheduled net control had an unexpected issue late this evening so unfortunately we have had to again cancel the net. We will resume again in 2 weeks on Saturday September 12th 2026 at 8 PM ET due to the Labor Day Holiday weekend next weekend.

We have yet to put out a more formal notice and we will do so over the next couple weeks but as stated previously, we could use additional net controls for both our weekly net and net activations. Some of our regular net controls and net management team members are experience life changes and other life related items affecting their schedules more so than normal and in some cases last minute and out of their control. If you are interested in being a net control, please message me off list and we can provide details. Many thanks to all!

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

Hello to all…

The VoIP Hurricane Net is considering net activation for Tropical Storm Lala which is expected to become a hurricane near the big island of Hawaii. At minimum, a listening watch will be maintained for any stations in the affected area and we will potentially provide occasional updates on the status of Lala and impacts on Hawaii. Given this situation, we will cancel the regular session of the VoIP Hurricane Prep Net and resume next Saturday, 8/22/26 at the normal time. Additional activation or listening watch mode info on Lala will follow later tonight or Saturday Morning. Thanks to all for the continued support of the VoIP Hurricane Net!

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

Hello to all…

Due to a late medical issue affecting our scheduled net control for this evening’s net shortly before net time, the VoIP Hurricane Prep Net for Saturday Evening 7/11/26 is canceled. The net will resume on Saturday 7/18/26 barring any unforseen circumstances to our net control like what occurred today. We apologize for the inconveience this may cause and appreciate everyone’s support of the VoIP Hurricane Prep Net!

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

Hello to all…

With Amateur Radio Field Day weekend on Saturday 6/27/26-Sunday 6/28/26 and the US Independence Day Holiday falling on Saturday 7/4/26, the VoIP Hurricane Prep Nets for Saturday 6/27/26 and Saturday 7/4/26 are cancelled. This is to allow Amateur Radio Operators to enjoy Amateur Radio Field Day weekend and time with family and friends for the US Independence Day holiday, which is also America’s 250th “Birthday” as a country on Saturday 7/4/26. The next VoIP Hurricane Prep Net will be Saturday 7/11/26.

We hope everyone enjoys Amateur Radio Field Day weekend and the US Independence Day Holiday weekend and stay safe! We hope to catch many of you on our next VoIP Hurricane Prep Net on Saturday 7/11/26. Thanks to all for their continued support of the VoIP Hurricane Net!

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

Hello to all…

An area of low pressure over South Texas is expected to move offshore the Texas coast and has a medium chance, 60%, of becoming a short-lived tropical depression or tropical storm. The main threat from this system will be heavy rainfall, flooding and perhaps severe thunderstorms. This low pressure area is not expected to reach hurricane strength but the VoIP Hurricane Net Management Team will continue to monitor the progress of this system. The National Hurricane Center has initiated Potential Tropical Cyclone (PTC-1) advisories as of 11 AM EDT/10 AM CDT – Tuesday 6/16/26 and a Tropical Storm Watch is in effect from Sargent TX to Morgan City LA. Advisories on this PTC-1 are available off the main menu of the VoIP Hurricane Net web site and the National Hurricane Center web site at the following link:

https://www.nhc.noaa.gov

The VoIP Hurricane Net Management Team will continue to monitor all 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

Hello to all…

Due to the Easter and Passover holidays and the many folks that may be celebrating these holdiays, the VoIP Hurricane Net Management Team has decided to cancel the Saturday 4/4/26 VoIP Hurricane Prep Net. The next VoIP Hurricane Prep Net will occur on Saturday 5/2/26 at 8 PM EDT. Starting with the first Saturday in June 2026 with some likely exceptions for holiday weekends and Amateur Radio Field Day weekend, the VoIP Hurricane Prep Net will move to weekly conicident with the start and end of the 2026 Atlantic Hurricane Season. We also will post an email some time over the next week with a recap of the 2026 Amateur Radio Workshop at the National Hurricane Conference in Orlando FL along with info on new products and services from the National Hurricane Center.

We hope that those that celebrate either the Easter or Passover holidays enjoy the down time with family during this time period. Thanks to all for their continued support of the VoIP Hurricane Net!

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

Hello to all…

Below are the details for the 2026 National Hurricane Conference Amateur Radio Workshop information in Orlando Florida including YouTube livestream link info:

Amateur Radio will again be represented at the 2026 National Hurricane Conference which will be held this year in Orlando, Florida (https://www.hurricanemeeting.com). This year, the workshop will be done both live at the conference and over livestream similar to 2025. The conference theme is to improve hurricane preparedness as it has been in past years. After the workshop is completed, the Amateur Radio Workshop will be uploaded to YouTube for those that can’t attend the sessions live. For 2026, all the Amateur Radio sessions will be on Tuesday March 31st, 2026 from 130 PM-315 PM EDT and from 330 PM-500 PM EDT. Each presenter will not only give an overview of their respective group but also how their group handled the significant hurricanes over the past year. Here is the session breakdown:

NHC Session #1 – 130 PM-315 PM EDT: Bob Robichaud-VE1MBR from the Canadian Hurricane Centre will present on Hurricane Meteorological topics and a 2025 Hurricane Season review. He will also provide a brief overview of Canadian Hurricane Centre Operations. The National Hurricane Center (NHC) will present a NHC Overview of Amateur Radio Collaboration During Hurricanes. Julio Ripoll-WD4R will present WX4NHC Operations. KB5HAV-Bobby Graves will give an overview on the Hurricane Watch Net (HWN).

NHC Session #2: 330 PM-500 PM EDT: Rob Macedo-KD1CY will present on the VoIP Hurricane Net and best practices in SKYWARN for Tropical Systems, Bill Feist-WB8BZH & Joe Bassett-W1WCN will present a SATERN (Salvation Army Team Emergency Response Radio Network) overview. Josh Johnston-KE5MHV will give an ARRL update. This will be followed by a Q & A session and raffle prizes will be offered.

Amateur Radio presentations will be recorded and posted to YouTube after the workshop within the month of April. The Amateur Radio presentations will also be livestreamed via YouTube as a best effort. It is noted that Internet connectivity can be a challenge at hotel locations for livestreaming though it has been very robust in 2024-2025 so we expect 2026 to be no different. That said, we remind participants that we will do our best to livestream the workshop but please note technical difficulties could affect the livestream so please be patient if you watch the livestream and we will have recordings available post workshop. The YouTube livestream link will be https://www.youtube.com/live/k9aHwsliekU

2026 National Hurricane Conference Presenters and Moderator:
• Moderator: Rob Macedo, KD1CY, VoIP Hurricane Net
• Special guest speaker Brad Reinhart, Senior Hurricane Specialist, National Hurricane Center
• Special guest speaker Bob Robichaud, VE1MBR, Canadian Hurricane Center
• Special guest speaker Josh Johnston, KE5MHV, Director of Emergency Management, ARRL HQ
• Bobby Graves, KB5HAV, Hurricane Watch Net – Net Manager
• Julio Ripoll, WD4R, WX4NHC Assistant Amateur Radio Station Coordinator
• Bill Feist, WB8BZH, SATERN, Salvation Army Team Emergency Response Radio Network
• Joe Bassett, W1WCN, Southern Territory Assistant SATERN Coordinator

Detailed Schedule Outline – All Times (Eastern Daylight Time):
130-135 PM: Opening Remarks
135-200 PM: Canadian Hurricane Centre and Hurricane Meteorological Topics (VE1MBR-Bob R)
200-210 PM: NHC Overview of Amateur Radio Collaboration During Hurricanes (NHC)
210-245 PM: WX4NHC Amateur Radio Station at the National Hurricane Center (WD4R)
245-315 PM: HWN Overview (KB5HAV)
315-330 PM: Break
330-400 PM: VoIP Hurricane Net Overview & Best Practices in SKYWARN for Tropical Systems (KD1CY)
400-420 PM: SATERN – Salvation Army Team Emergency Radio Network Overview (WB8BZH & W1WCN)
420-440 PM: ARRL Update (KE5MHV)
440-500 PM: Moderated Q & A session/Panel Discussion & Door Prizes (All)

We hope folks can attend the conference live and in person for those in and around the Orlando FL area or attending the conference and that those outside of the area can participate in the livestream. For those can’t see it live, the workshop video will be posted online via YouTube within a week or two after the conference if not sooner. Thanks to all for their continued support of the VoIP Hurricane Net!

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

Hello to all…

On behalf of the entire VoIP Hurricane Net Management Team, we hope everyone had a Happy Thanksgiving and are enjoying what is a long weekend holiday period for many people. We wanted to provide the 2025 Atlantic Hurricane Season Ending Press Release and storm verification information from NOAA and the National Hurricane Center and a couple net reminders. See links below from NOAA and the National Hurricane Center:

2025 Atlantic Hurricane Season Ending Press Release:
https://www.noaa.gov/news-release/2025-atlantic-hurricane-season-marked-by-striking-contrasts

2025 National Hurricane Center Storm Verification Report Preview:
https://www.nhc.noaa.gov/pdf/NHC_Verification_Report_2025_Preview.pdf

Also a couple reminders that due to the long holiday weekend for many people, the VoIP Hurricane Prep Net for Saturday 11/28/25 is canceled. Our final net for 2025 as we shift to monthly with the end of Hurricane Season will be Saturday 12/6/25 at 7 PM ET/6 PM CT (1 hour earlier than usual) as while SRD’2025 has been canceled, it is a one off change for this year so we will leave the net at the earlier time. We appreciate everyone’s support of the VoIP Hurricane Net!

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

Hello to all…

On behalf of the VoIP Hurricane Net Management Team, we wish a very Happy Thanksgiving to all US based Amateur Radio Operators! We hope everyone has a great holiday weekend with friends, family and hopefully some time on Amateur Radio.

By now, everyone should be aware that the SKYWARN Recognition Day, SRD’25, has been cancelled at a national level. Some local NWS offices may choose to do a local event for SRD’25 at their discretion. While this is disappointing, its understandable due to the government shutdown and the residual impacts it has on planning and on the staff of the agency. As a member of the national committee for SRD, we are looking at making the event bigger and better than ever for 2026. Please see the ARRL web site post on SRD 2025 cancellation:
https://www.arrl.org/news/skywarn-recognition-day-2025-cancelled

Regarding the VoIP Hurricane Prep Net Schedule for the rest of 2025, we will have our prep net for Saturday 11/22/25 as scheduled. Due to the Thanksgiving holiday, we will cancel the Saturday 11/29/25 net. Our final net for 2025 will remain on Saturday 12/6/25 at 7 PM ET, one hour earlier than the scheduled time, despite SRD’2025 being cancelled, as this is a one-off that the event is cancelled for this year. The December net will mark the VoIP Hurricane Prep Net shifting to monthly for the non-hurricane season months of December thru May.

Again, we hope everyone has a Happy Thanksgiving! Thanks to all for their continued support of the VoIP Hurricane Net!

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

Hello to all…

With the activation for Major Hurricane Melissa over 5 days this week, the VoIP Hurricane Prep Net for Saturday 11/1/25 is canceled. Our next VoIP Hurricane Prep Net will be Saturday 11/8/25 unless a net activation for a hurricane occurs which is currently not expected. A final Hurricane Melissa report will be posted this weekend. We appreciate everyone’s support of the VoIP Hurricane Net!

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

Hello to all…

**VoIP Hurricane Net Activation Secured at 10 PM EDT Wednesday Evening as Hurricane Melissa moved away from the Bahamas. Melissa slammed Eastern Cuba and the Bahamas with hurricane force winds, heavy rainfall and coastal storm surge flooding resulting in tree/power line and structural damage and significant flooding of neighborhoods . While direct Amateur Radio contact with these areas did not occur, report relaying from various online weather station and social media were utilized and the weather station info from the Bahamas was utilized in NHC advisories Wednesday Evening.**
**The VoIP Hurricane Net is likely to activate once again at 5 PM EDT Thursday for Hurricane Melissa and its passage by Bermuda as it is currently close enough where hurricane conditions are expected and a Hurricane Warning is in effect for Bermuda. This will be the final activation for Hurricane Melissa as she will become post tropical after passage by Bermuda late tonight/early Friday Morning.**
**A reminder that the Saturday 11/1/25 VoIP Hurricane Prep Net is Cancelled due to extended VoIP Hurricane Net Activation Operations**

During Wednesday, Melissa slammed Eastern Cuba and the Bahamas with hurricane force winds, heavy rainfall and coastal storm surge flooding resulting in tree/power line and structural damage and significant flooding of neighborhoods . While direct Amateur Radio contact with these areas did not occur, report relaying from various online weather station and social media were utilized and the weather station info from the Bahamas was utilized in NHC advisories Wednesay Evening. Rainfall as high as 15″ was recorded in Eastern Cuba as relayed from reports gathered from the Cuban Meteorological office, with trees and power lines down and structural damage to roofs and even some structural collapses. Highest wind gust on Eastern Cuba recorded was 116 MPH. In the Bahamas, a weather station in Pitts Town – Crooked Island Bahamas gusted to 88 MPH. All reports including pictures/videos from social media can be seen at the report viewer at the following link:

https://www.voipwx.net/qilan/nhcwx/list_VOIP_records1?auth=OK

The VoIP Hurricane Net is likely to activate once again at 5 PM EDT Thursday for Hurricane Melissa and its passage by Bermuda as it is currently close enough where hurricane conditions are expected and a Hurricane Warning is in effect for Bermuda. This will be the final activation for Hurricane Melissa as she will become post tropical after passage by Bermuda tonight/early Friday Morning.

The situation reports from Monday and Tuesday are listed below followed by the activation plans for Thursday.

During Tuesday, the full brunt of Category-5 Major Hurricane Melissa was felt over Jamaica. Melissa caused catastrophic damage in Jamaica with roofs off parts of 5 hospitals, hotel roof damage, roof damage to homes and numerous trees and wires down. Significant damage was confirmed at the Montego Bay Jamaica Airport. Storm Surge flooding in Southwest Jamaica was also significant along with significant to catastrophic inland river/stream flooding from heavy rainfall. At least one Amateur Radio Operator lost his antenna tower due to the catastrophic damaging winds of Melissa. Many of the weather stations that were online Tuesday Morning were no longer reporting but some reports were sent in before they went down. We also received one very high-end report confirming category 5 winds that we are working to validate from an Amateur Radio Operator, the same one that lost their tower. We are appreciative to a number of Hams who relayed reports from Jamaican News Radio, Amateur Radio HF and other outlets today. This is a way Amateur Radio Operators that are not in the affected area and can help relay reports from within the affected area. Special thanks to AE4WX-Mark, KC5FM-Lloyd and KK7AHR-George for their robust net control support today. Over 45 webform reports were sent with many of the reports containing multiple reports via social media, direct Amateur Radio Jamaican Station reports and relayed reports from Amateur Radio Operators outside of the affected area with contacts in the affected area.

During Monday, Jamaica experienced lower end tropical storm force conditions due to the slow speed of Melissa to the south and southeast of the island. Wind Gusts of 40-50 MPH were common along with heavy rainfall. These conditions downed trees and power lines and caused flooding with numerous road closures due to flooding, trees and wires down and even a few sinkholes from heavy rainfall. Earlier in the afternoon, Jamaica had 51,000 customers of 700,000 without power but some power was able to be restored due to Melissa’s slower movement such that about 21,000 were without power as of approximately 11 PM EDT this evening. Special thanks to K2DCD-Dennis, KC5FM-Lloyd, AE4WX-Mark and KK7AHR-George for their support of Net Control Operations for the net. A total of 40 reports were sent into the National Hurricane Center were sent in via various sources that included online weather stations and social media between Sunday Afternoon through Monday Evening. Our report viewer below shows the reports submitted:

The report viewer can be seen here:

https://www.voipwx.net/qilan/nhcwx/list_VOIP_records1?auth=OK

The rest of this update is from the activation notice with the headline updates above and updates to some of the video streaming services provided by N0VZC-Mike Norrbom:

Here are the VoIP Hurricane Net Plans for Major Hurricane Melissa as of Thursday Morning 650 AM EDT:

The VoIP Hurricane Net is likely to activate once again at 5 PM EDT Thursday for Hurricane Melissa and its passage by Bermuda as it is currently close enough where hurricane conditions are expected and a Hurricane Warning is in effect for Bermuda. This will be the final activation for Hurricane Melissa as she will become post tropical after passage by Bermuda tonight/early Friday Morning.

We ask any and all Amateur Radio Operators who may know of Amateur Radio or non-Amateur Radio Operators in the affected area of Bermuda to give any and all reports from their area. In addition, any folks that can monitor online weather stations, reliable social media sources for reports to get to our net team would be helpful and then our team can discern the data that gets sent to WX4NHC, the Amateur Radio Station at the National Hurricane Center.

Any pictures or videos of wind damage, river/stream/urban/storm surge flooding etc. can be sent to our voipwxnet Facebook and Twitter feeds or the following email address: pics@nsradio.org and credit will be given to the Amateur Radio Operator, weather spotter or individual that took the photos and media and be shared with the Amateur Radio team at the National Hurricane Center and other agencies and outlets.

Advisories on Melissa can be seen off of the Atlantic Tropical Products menu selection on the voipwxnet web site, via our Facebook and Twitter feeds, and off the National Hurricane Center web site via the following link:
https://www.nhc.noaa.gov

Reports as obtained via the VoIP Hurricane Net from Amateur Radio Operators in the affected area, relays from the affected area or from APRS/CWOP Weather Station feeds and other social media outlets can be found at the following link:
https://www.voipwx.net/qilan/nhcwx/list_VOIP_records1?auth=OK

APRS, Winlink, AllStar, Hams Over IP and other resources that can be monitored are as follows:
APRS kc5fm-9
Winlink KC5FM
Allstar 28848
Echolink KC5FM-R 906281
Hams Over IP 15154
Amateur Wire 30415154
DMR TGIF 31207
P25 31207
DSTAR XLXOKL C
Yaesu Fusion 31207
M17-SUN module A

Stations outside the affected area that do not have relays into the affected area who would like to listen into the VoIP Hurricane Net can use any of the following systems for listen-only purposes and can connect on either Echolink or IRLP:
*NEW-ENG3* Echolink conference node: 9123/IRLP 9123
*SKY_GATE* Echolink conference node: 868981/IRLP 9252
*KC4QLP-C* Echolink conference node: 290251
*ARERT* Echolink conference node: 902723 (Also bridged to Allstar on Node 273660 and on the YCS311 C4FM Server at http://c4fm.mntrbo.net ID:74)
*FLORIDA* Echolink conference node: 3082

These three streaming audio feeds should be available. Those streaming audio feeds are as follows:
Streaming feed 1: http://74.208.24.77:8000 Provided by KC4QLP-Bob Carter
Streaming feed 2: http://radio.arert.net:8000/ARERT -Provided by the ARERT conference owners and sysops
Streaming feed 3: https://www.broadcastify.com/listen/feed/38868 -Provided by the ARERT conference owners and sysops

Video streams will be provided by ARERT if they find video feeds from the affected area and will have audio from the hurricane net on it. Those streams are below:
Video stream feed: https://www.liveweatherusa.com/
Special thanks to N0VZC-Mike Norrbom and the ARERT sysops for their support of these feeds.

Please note that there could be additional listen only nodes and streaming feeds. If time allows, this info will be updated via the voipwxnet web site and social media feeds.

A reminder that the VoIP Hurricane Prep Net for Saturday Evening 11/1/25 has been canceled. The next VoIP Hurricane Prep Net will be Saturday Evening 11/8/25 unless a hurricane net activation is required.

The VoIP Hurricane Net Management team continues to closely watch Hurricane Melissa. Thanks to all for their continued support of the VoIP Hurricane Net!

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

Hello to all…

**VoIP Hurricane Net shifting to a monitor/listen only mode for the overnight hours Tuesday Evening with Major Hurricane Melissa expected to approach Eastern Cuba during the late overnight hours into Wednesday Morning and then into the Bahamas later Wednesday. The VoIP Hurricane Net will reactivate at or before 7 AM EDT Wednesday Morning supporting, WX4NHC, the Amateur Radio Station at the National Hurricane Center Operations.**
**Melissa caused catastrophic damage in Jamaica with roofs off parts of 5 hospitals, hotel roof damage, roof damage to homes and numerous trees and wires down. Significant damage was confirmed at the Montego Bay Jamaica Airport. Storm Surge flooding in Southwest Jamaica was also significant along with significant to catastrophic inland river/stream flooding from heavy rainfall. At least one Amateur Radio Operator lost his antenna tower due to the catastrophic damaging winds of Melissa**
**A reminder that the Saturday 11/1/25 VoIP Hurricane Prep Net is Cancelled due to extended VoIP Hurricane Net Activation Operations**

During Tuesday, the full brunt of Category-5 Major Hurricane Melissa was felt over Jamaica. Melissa caused catastrophic damage in Jamaica with roofs off parts of 5 hospitals, hotel roof damage, roof damage to homes and numerous trees and wires down. Significant damage was confirmed at the Montego Bay Jamaica Airport. Storm Surge flooding in Southwest Jamaica was also significant along with significant to catastrophic inland river/stream flooding from heavy rainfall. At least one Amateur Radio Operator lost his antenna tower due to the catastrophic damaging winds of Melissa. Many of the weather stations that were online Tuesday Morning were no longer reporting but some reports were sent in before they went down. We also received one very high-end report confirming category 5 winds that we are working to validate from an Amateur Radio Operator, the same one that lost their tower. We are appreciative to a number of Hams who relayed reports from Jamaican News Radio, Amateur Radio HF and other outlets today. This is a way Amateur Radio Operators that are not in the affected area and can help relay reports from within the affected area. Special thanks to AE4WX-Mark, KC5FM-Lloyd and KK7AHR-George for their robust net control support today. Over 45 webform reports were sent with many of the reports containing multiple reports via social media, direct Amateur Radio Jamaican Station reports and relayed reports from Amateur Radio Operators outside of the affected area with contacts in the affected area. The report viewer can be seen here:

https://www.voipwx.net/qilan/nhcwx/list_VOIP_records1?auth=OK

The situation report from Monday is listed below followed by the activation plans for Wednesday.

During Monday, Jamaica experienced lower end tropical storm force conditions due to the slow speed of Melissa to the south and southeast of the island. Wind Gusts of 40-50 MPH were common along with heavy rainfall. These conditions downed trees and power lines and caused flooding with numerous road closures due to flooding, trees and wires down and even a few sinkholes from heavy rainfall. Earlier in the afternoon, Jamaica had 51,000 customers of 700,000 without power but some power was able to be restored due to Melissa’s slower movement such that about 21,000 were without power as of approximately 11 PM EDT this evening. Special thanks to K2DCD-Dennis, KC5FM-Lloyd, AE4WX-Mark and KK7AHR-George for their support of Net Control Operations for the net. A total of 40 reports were sent into the National Hurricane Center were sent in via various sources that included online weather stations and social media between Sunday Afternoon through Monday Evening. Our report viewer below shows the reports submitted:

The rest of this update is from the activation notice with the headline updates above and updates to some of the video streaming services provided by N0VZC-Mike Norrbom:

Here are the VoIP Hurricane Net Plans for Major Hurricane Melissa as of Tuesday Evening 1140 PM EDT:

VoIP Hurricane Net shifting to a monitor/listen only mode for the overnight hours Tuesday Evening with Major Hurricane Melissa expected to approach Eastern Cuba during the late overnight hours into Wednesday Morning and then into the Bahamas later Wednesday. The VoIP Hurricane Net will reactivate at or before 7 AM EDT Wednesday Morning supporting, WX4NHC, the Amateur Radio Station at the National Hurricane Center Operations.

We ask any and all Amateur Radio Operators who may know of Amateur Radio or non-Amateur Radio Operators in the affected area of Eastern Cuba into the Bahamas and Turks & Caicos Islands to give any and all reports from their area. In addition, any folks that can monitor online weather stations, reliable social media sources for reports to get to our net team would be helpful and then our team can discern the data that gets sent to WX4NHC, the Amateur Radio Station at the National Hurricane Center.

Any pictures or videos of wind damage, river/stream/urban/storm surge flooding etc. can be sent to our voipwxnet Facebook and Twitter feeds or the following email address: pics@nsradio.org and credit will be given to the Amateur Radio Operator, weather spotter or individual that took the photos and media and be shared with the Amateur Radio team at the National Hurricane Center and other agencies and outlets.

Advisories on Melissa can be seen off of the Atlantic Tropical Products menu selection on the voipwxnet web site, via our Facebook and Twitter feeds, and off the National Hurricane Center web site via the following link:
https://www.nhc.noaa.gov

Reports as obtained via the VoIP Hurricane Net from Amateur Radio Operators in the affected area, relays from the affected area or from APRS/CWOP Weather Station feeds and other social media outlets can be found at the following link:
https://www.voipwx.net/qilan/nhcwx/list_VOIP_records1?auth=OK

APRS, Winlink, AllStar, Hams Over IP and other resources that can be monitored are as follows:
APRS kc5fm-9
Winlink KC5FM
Allstar 28848
Echolink KC5FM-R 906281
Hams Over IP 15154
Amateur Wire 30415154
DMR TGIF 31207
P25 31207
DSTAR XLXOKL C
Yaesu Fusion 31207
M17-SUN module A

Stations outside the affected area that do not have relays into the affected area who would like to listen into the VoIP Hurricane Net can use any of the following systems for listen-only purposes and can connect on either Echolink or IRLP:
*NEW-ENG3* Echolink conference node: 9123/IRLP 9123
*SKY_GATE* Echolink conference node: 868981/IRLP 9252
*KC4QLP-C* Echolink conference node: 290251
*ARERT* Echolink conference node: 902723 (Also bridged to Allstar on Node 273660 and on the YCS311 C4FM Server at http://c4fm.mntrbo.net ID:74)
*FLORIDA* Echolink conference node: 3082

These three streaming audio feeds should be available. Those streaming audio feeds are as follows:
Streaming feed 1: http://74.208.24.77:8000 Provided by KC4QLP-Bob Carter
Streaming feed 2: http://radio.arert.net:8000/ARERT -Provided by the ARERT conference owners and sysops
Streaming feed 3: https://www.broadcastify.com/listen/feed/38868 -Provided by the ARERT conference owners and sysops

Video streams will be provided by ARERT if they find video feeds from the affected area and will have audio from the hurricane net on it. Those streams are below:
Video stream feed: https://www.liveweatherusa.com/
Special thanks to N0VZC-Mike Norrbom and the ARERT sysops for their support of these feeds.

Please note that there could be additional listen only nodes and streaming feeds. If time allows, this info will be updated via the voipwxnet web site and social media feeds.

A reminder that the VoIP Hurricane Prep Net for Saturday Evening 11/1/25 has been canceled. The next VoIP Hurricane Prep Net will be Saturday Evening 11/8/25 unless a hurricane net activation is required.

The VoIP Hurricane Net Management team continues to closely watch Major Hurricane Melissa. Thanks to all for their continued support of the VoIP Hurricane Net!

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

Hello to all…

**VoIP Hurricane Net shifting to a monitor/listen only mode for the overnight hours Monday Evening due to Major Hurricane Melissa’s slower movement toward Jamaica. The VoIP Hurricane Net will reactivate at or before 7 AM EDT Tuesday Morning coincident with WX4NHC, the Amateur Radio Station at the National Hurricane Center Operations.**
**Melissa has now made the turn North-Northeast and will be moving toward Jamaica overnight with the worst conditions in Jamaica Tuesday AM through PM and then conditions will worsen in Eastern Cuba Tuesday Night into Wednesday followed by the Turks & Caicos Islands and Central/Southeast Bahamas Wednesday. After that time, a threat to Bermuda will be monitored for Thursday Night into Friday**
**A reminder that the Saturday 11/1/25 VoIP Hurricane Prep Net is Cancelled due to extended VoIP Hurricane Net Activation Operations**

During Monday, Jamaica experienced lower end tropical storm force conditions due to the slow speed of Melissa to the south and southeast of the island. Wind Gusts of 40-50 MPH were common along with heavy rainfall. These conditions downed trees and power lines and caused flooding with numerous road closures due to flooding, trees and wires down and even a few sinkholes from heavy rainfall. Earlier in the afternoon, Jamaica had 51,000 customers of 700,000 without power but some power was able to be restored due to Melissa’s slower movement such that about 21,000 were without power as of approximately 11 PM EDT this evening. Special thanks to K2DCD-Dennis, KC5FM-Lloyd, AE4WX-Mark and KK7AHR-George for their support of Net Control Operations for the net. A total of 40 reports were sent into the National Hurricane Center were sent in via various sources that included online weather stations and social media between Sunday Afternoon through Monday Evening. Our report viewer below shows the reports submitted:

https://www.voipwx.net/qilan/nhcwx/list_VOIP_records1?auth=OK

The rest of this update is from the activation notice with the headline updates above and updates to some of the video streaming services provided by N0VZC-Mike Norrbom:

Here are the VoIP Hurricane Net Plans for Major Hurricane Melissa as of Monday Evening at 1115 PM EDT:

VoIP Hurricane Net shifting to a monitor/listen only mode for the overnight hours Monday Evening due to Major Hurricane Melissa’s slower movement toward Jamaica. The VoIP Hurricane Net will reactivate at or before 7 AM EDT Tuesday Morning coincident with WX4NHC, the Amateur Radio Station at the National Hurricane Center Operations. Melissa has now made the turn North-Northeast and will be moving toward Jamaica overnight with the worst conditions in Jamaica Tuesday AM through PM and then conditions will worsen in Eastern Cuba Tuesday Night into Wednesday followed by the Turks & Caicos Islands and Central/Southeast Bahamas Wednesday. After that time, a threat to Bermuda will be monitored for Thursday Night into Friday

We ask any and all Amateur Radio Operators who may know of Amateur Radio or non-Amateur Radio Operators in the affected area starting with Jamaica and through Eastern Cuba into the Bahamas and Turks & Caicos Islands to give any and all reports from their area. In addition, any folks that can monitor online weather stations, reliable social media sources for reports to get to our net team would be helpful and then our team can discern the data that gets sent to WX4NHC, the Amateur Radio Station at the National Hurricane Center.

Any pictures or videos of wind damage, river/stream/urban/storm surge flooding etc. can be sent to our voipwxnet Facebook and Twitter feeds or the following email address: pics@nsradio.org and credit will be given to the Amateur Radio Operator, weather spotter or individual that took the photos and media and be shared with the Amateur Radio team at the National Hurricane Center and other agencies and outlets.

Advisories on Melissa can be seen off of the Atlantic Tropical Products menu selection on the voipwxnet web site, via our Facebook and Twitter feeds, and off the National Hurricane Center web site via the following link:
https://www.nhc.noaa.gov

Reports as obtained via the VoIP Hurricane Net from Amateur Radio Operators in the affected area, relays from the affected area or from APRS/CWOP Weather Station feeds and other social media outlets can be found at the following link:
https://www.voipwx.net/qilan/nhcwx/list_VOIP_records1?auth=OK

APRS, Winlink, AllStar, Hams Over IP and other resources that can be monitored are as follows:
APRS kc5fm-9
Winlink KC5FM
Allstar 28848
Echolink KC5FM-R 906281
Hams Over IP 15154
Amateur Wire 30415154
DMR TGIF 31207
P25 31207
DSTAR XLXOKL C
Yaesu Fusion 31207
M17-SUN module A

Stations outside the affected area that do not have relays into the affected area who would like to listen into the VoIP Hurricane Net can use any of the following systems for listen-only purposes and can connect on either Echolink or IRLP:
*NEW-ENG3* Echolink conference node: 9123/IRLP 9123
*SKY_GATE* Echolink conference node: 868981/IRLP 9252
*KC4QLP-C* Echolink conference node: 290251
*ARERT* Echolink conference node: 902723 (Also bridged to Allstar on Node 273660 and on the YCS311 C4FM Server at http://c4fm.mntrbo.net ID:74)
*FLORIDA* Echolink conference node: 3082

These three streaming audio feeds should be available. Those streaming audio feeds are as follows:
Streaming feed 1: http://74.208.24.77:8000 -Provided by KC4QLP-Bob Carter
Streaming feed 2: http://radio.arert.net:8000/ARERT -Provided by the ARERT conference owners and sysops
Streaming feed 3: https://www.broadcastify.com/listen/feed/38868 -Provided by the ARERT conference owners and sysops

Video streams will be provided by ARERT if they find video feeds from the affected area and will have audio from the hurricane net on it. Those streams are below:
Video stream feed: https://www.liveweatherusa.com/
Special thanks to N0VZC-Mike Norrbom and the ARERT sysops for their support of these feeds.

Please note that there could be additional listen only nodes and streaming feeds. If time allows, this info will be updated via the voipwxnet web site and social media feeds.

A reminder that the VoIP Hurricane Prep Net for Saturday Evening 11/1/25 has been canceled. The next VoIP Hurricane Prep Net will be Saturday Evening 11/8/25 unless a hurricane net activation is required.

The VoIP Hurricane Net Management team continues to closely watch Major Hurricane Melissa. Thanks to all for their continued support of the VoIP Hurricane Net!

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

Hello to all..

**The VoIP Hurricane Net will activate at 8 AM EDT Monday Morning through at least late Wednesday Evening for Major Hurricane Melissa and impacts on Jamaica, Southwest Haiti, Eastern Cuba, the Turks & Caicos Islands. The net, on *WX_TALK* Echolink conference node: 7203/IRLP 9219 system and other VoIP radio systems via the KC5FM-R node is supporting WX4NHC, the Amateur Radio station at the National Hurricane Center in Miami Florida. Note during overnight hours and at other points in this three day period, we will be in an activation monitoring mode for any stations that call on the system as these areas can be difficult to have direct contact with given their infrastructure etc.**
**WX4NHC will also be active with their Amateur Radio Station as well during this timeframe starting at 7 PM EDT Monday Evening.**
**We ask any and all Amateur Radio Operators who may know of Amateur Radio or non-Amateur Radio Operators in the affected area starting with Jamaica and through Eastern Cuba into the Bahamas and Turks & Caicos Islands to give any and all reports from their area. In addition, any folks that can monitor online weather stations, reliable social media sources for reports to get to our net team would be helpful and then our team can discern the data that gets sent to WX4NHC, the Amateur Radio Station at the National Hurricane Center**
**The VoIP Hurricane Prep Net for Saturday Evening 11/1/25 has been canceled. The next VoIP Hurricane Prep Net will be Saturday Evening 11/8/25 unless a hurricane net activation is required.**

Here are the VoIP Hurricane Net Plans for Major Hurricane Melissa as of Sunday Evening 10/26/25 at 800 PM EDT:

The VoIP Hurricane Net will activate at 8 AM EDT Monday Morning through at least late Wednesday Evening for Major Hurricane Melissa and impacts on Jamaica, Southwest Haiti, Eastern Cuba, the Turks & Caicos Islands. The net, on *WX_TALK* Echolink conference node: 7203/IRLP 9219 system and other VoIP radio systems via the KC5FM-R node is supporting WX4NHC, the Amateur Radio station at the National Hurricane Center in Miami Florida. Note during overnight hours and at other points in this three day period, we will be in an activation monitoring mode for any stations that call on the system as these areas can be difficult to have direct contact with given their infrastructure etc. WX4NHC will also be active with their Amateur Radio Station as well during this timeframe starting at 7 PM EDT Monday Evening.

We ask any and all Amateur Radio Operators who may know of Amateur Radio or non-Amateur Radio Operators in the affected area starting with Jamaica and through Eastern Cuba into the Bahamas and Turks & Caicos Islands to give any and all reports from their area. In addition, any folks that can monitor online weather stations, reliable social media sources for reports to get to our net team would be helpful and then our team can discern the data that gets sent to WX4NHC, the Amateur Radio Station at the National Hurricane Center.

Any pictures or videos of wind damage, river/stream/urban/storm surge flooding etc. can be sent to our voipwxnet Facebook and Twitter feeds or the following email address: pics@nsradio.org and credit will be given to the Amateur Radio Operator, weather spotter or individual that took the photos and media and be shared with the Amateur Radio team at the National Hurricane Center and other agencies and outlets.

Advisories on Melissa can be seen off of the Atlantic Tropical Products menu selection on the voipwxnet web site, via our Facebook and Twitter feeds, and off the National Hurricane Center web site via the following link:
https://www.nhc.noaa.gov

Reports as obtained via the VoIP Hurricane Net from Amateur Radio Operators in the affected area, relays from the affected area or from APRS/CWOP Weather Station feeds and other social media outlets can be found at the following link:
https://www.voipwx.net/qilan/nhcwx/list_VOIP_records1?auth=OK

APRS, Winlink, AllStar, Hams Over IP and other resources that can be monitored are as follows:
APRS kc5fm-9
Winlink KC5FM
Allstar 28848
Echolink KC5FM-R 906281
Hams Over IP 15154
Amateur Wire 30415154
DMR TGIF 31207
P25 31207
DSTAR XLXOKL C
Yaesu Fusion 31207
M17-SUN module A

Stations outside the affected area that do not have relays into the affected area who would like to listen into the VoIP Hurricane Net can use any of the following systems for listen-only purposes and can connect on either Echolink or IRLP:
*NEW-ENG3* Echolink conference node: 9123/IRLP 9123
*SKY_GATE* Echolink conference node: 868981/IRLP 9252
*KC4QLP-C* Echolink conference node: 290251
*ARERT* Echolink conference node: 902723 (Also bridged to Allstar on Node 273660 and on the YCS311 C4FM Server at http://c4fm.mntrbo.net ID:74)
*FLORIDA* Echolink conference node: 3082

These three streaming audio feeds should be available. Those streaming audio feeds are as follows:
Streaming feed 1: http://74.208.24.77:8000 -Provided by KC4QLP-Bob Carter
Streaming feed 2: http://radio.arert.net:8000/ARERT -Provided by the ARERT conference owners and sysops
Streaming feed 3: https://www.broadcastify.com/listen/feed/38868 -Provided by the ARERT conference owners and sysops

Video streams will be provided by ARERT if they find video feeds from the affected area and will have audio from the hurricane net on it. Those streams are below:
Video stream feed 1: https://www.twitch.tv/pp93news
Video stream feed 2: https://dlive.tv/ARERT
Special thanks to N0VZC-Mike Norrbom and the ARERT sysops for their support of these feeds.

Please note that there could be additional listen only nodes and streaming feeds. If time allows, this info will be updated via the voipwxnet web site and social media feeds.

The VoIP Hurricane Prep Net for Saturday Evening 11/1/25 has been canceled. The next VoIP Hurricane Prep Net will be Saturday Evening 11/8/25 unless a hurricane net activation is required.

The VoIP Hurricane Net Management team continues to closely watch Major Hurricane Melissa. Thanks to all for their continued support of the VoIP Hurricane Net!

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

Hello to all…

Tropical Storm Melissa after holding its own against shear for several days is now intensifying in the Caribbean Sea and expected to rapidly intensify this weekend close to the coast of Jamaica. It will be moving slowly and will begin its approach to Jamaica Sunday into Monday but not make landfall in Jamaica until Tuesday based on the current track and speed of the system. Melissa is expected to become a major hurricane and could become a catastrophic high-end Category 4 to Category 5 hurricane making landfall in Jamaica. It will likely maintain major hurricane status over Cuba and then continue as a hurricane near the near Bahamas and the Turks & Caicos Islands. Melissa is likely to result in a multi-day activation of the VoIP Hurricane Net but the timing is uncertain. Activation could start as early as Sunday or as late as Monday. We will keep everyone posted.

Advisories on Melissa can be seen off the main menu of the voipwx.net web site, via our Facebook and X feeds and via the National Hurricane Center web site at the following link:

https://www.nhc.noaa.gov/

The VoIP Hurricane Net will continue to monitor Melissa, update activation plans this weekend and monitor any other developments in the Tropics. The VoIP Hurricane Prep Net for Saturday 10/25/25 at 8 PM EDT will currently take place as planned but the net for next weekend, 11/1/25 will likely be canceled. Thanks to all for their continued support of the VoIP Hurricane Net!

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

Hello to all…

Tropical Storm Melissa has formed in the Caribbean Sea and a Hurricane Watch has been issued for Southwest Haiti with a Tropical Storm Watch for Jamaica. Melissa’s intensity forecast is uncertain on when it will become a hurricane. In addition, Melissa’s track is uncertain on where it eventually goes and how quickly it affects land areas particularly when it comes to landfall. This will be monitored over the next several days for possible VoIP Hurricane Net activation which is also uncertain at this time.

Advisories on Melissa can be seen off the main menu of the voipwx.net web site, via our Facebook and X feeds and via the National Hurricane Center web site at the following link:

https://www.nhc.noaa.gov/

The VoIP Hurricane Net will continue to monitor Melissa and any other developments in the Tropics. We will update as needed. Thanks to all for their continued support of the VoIP Hurricane Net!

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

Hello to all…

We have one area of disturbed weather with a high chance for development over the next 2-7 days in the Central Tropical Atlantic associated with a tropical wave. This system will be in the open waters of the Atlantic for several days potentially approaching the Leeward Islands towards the end of this week. There is also an area of low pressure along the Northern US Gulf Coast but that does not have any chance for development at this time.

The VoIP Hurricane Net Management Team will continue to monitor the Tropics as we go through October. Thanks to all for their continued support of the VoIP Hurricane Net!

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

Hello to all…

A reminder that the VoIP Hurricane Prep Net for Saturday 10/4/25 has been cancelled due to activation earlier this week for Hurricane Imelda and impacts on Bermuda. The prep net will reconvene on Saturday 10/11/25 at 8 PM EDT barring a hurricane net activation. Thanks to all for their continued support of the VoIP Hurricane Net!

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

Hello to all…

The VoIP Hurricane Net secured the activation for Hurricane Imelda on Bermuda at 2 AM EDT, Thursday 10/2/25. Special thanks to AE4WX-Mark and KC5FM-Lloyd for their Net Control support. Also, special thanks to K2DCD-Dennis and KC5FM-Lloyd for various posts on the Bermuda Radio Society Facebook pages and other areas to notify people in the affected area of our net activation.

We monitored numerous weather stations and social media during Imelda. The National Museum of Bermuda did get sustained 76 knots gust 86 knots on the southwest part of the island. Gilbert Hill Smiths Bermuda had a 76 mph gust and a weather station on south road – Sam Hall’s bay had sustained 57 mph/gust 78 mph – a report our net sent in that was used in advisory. There also seemed to be a period of much lighter winds around 11 PM EDT before stronger winds resumed around 12 AM EDT. The eye was close but not over Bermuda at that point. As of this morning, BELCO reports over 17,000 customers without power in Bermuda which is a significant number but not as bad as some prior hurricane impacts on Bermuda.

A complete list of reports sent in from our net can be seen on the VoIP Hurricane Net Report Viewer at the following link:
https://www.voipwx.net/qilan/nhcwx/list_VOIP_records1?auth=OK

A couple of new areas of disturbed weather have a low chance of development over the next 7 days, one in the Bahamas moving toward the Gulf of America and the other just off the coast of Africa. We will monitor these systems over the course of this week. Thanks to all for their continued support of the VoIP Hurricane Net!

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

Hello to all..

**Corrected Notice to remove Hamshack Hotline system as it is now out of service and add Hams Over IP and Amateur Wire systems. Remainder is unchanged.**

**The VoIP Hurricane Net will activate at 2 PM EDT Wednesday Afternoon through Thursday Morning for Hurricane Imelda and impacts on Bermuda. The net, on *WX_TALK* Echolink conference node: 7203/IRLP 9219 system and other VoIP radio systems via the KC5FM-R node is supporting WX4NHC, the Amateur Radio station at the National Hurricane Center in Miami Florida. Note during overnight hours Wednesday Evening into Thursday Morning, we will be in an activation monitoring mode for any stations that call on the system**
**WX4NHC will also be active with their Amateur Radio Station as well during this timeframe starting at 3 PM EDT Wednesday Afternoon.**
**The VoIP Hurricane Prep Net for Saturday Evening 10/4/25 has been canceled. The next VoIP Hurricane Prep Net will be Saturday Evening 10/11/25 unless a hurricane net activation is required.**

Here are the VoIP Hurricane Net Plans for Imelda as of Wednesday Morning 10/1/25 at 800 AM EDT:

The VoIP Hurricane Net will activate at 2 PM EDT Wednesday Afternoon through Thursday Morning for Hurricane Imelda and impacts on Bermuda. The net, on *WX_TALK* Echolink conference node: 7203/IRLP 9219 system and other VoIP radio systems via the KC5FM-R node is supporting WX4NHC, the Amateur Radio station at the National Hurricane Center in Miami Florida. Note during overnight hours Wednesday Evening into Thursday Morning, we will be in an activation monitoring mode for any stations that call on the system. WX4NHC will also be active with their Amateur Radio Station as well during this timeframe.

The VoIP Hurricane Prep Net for Saturday Evening 10/4/25 has been canceled. The next VoIP Hurricane Prep Net will be Saturday Evening 10/11/25 unless a hurricane net activation is required.

Any Amateur Radio Operators in the affected area of Imelda or with relays into the affected area of Imelda are asked to provide surface and damage reports into the VoIP Hurricane Net for relay into WX4NHC, the Amateur Radio station at the National Hurricane Center. We appreciate any and all support from Amateur Operators in the affected area or Amateur Operators with relays into the affected area. We are looking for reports based on the National Weather Service SKYWARN Reporting criteria. This can be seen on the VoIP Hurricane Net web site at the following link:

Any pictures or videos of wind damage, river/stream/urban/storm surge flooding etc. can be sent to our voipwxnet Facebook and Twitter feeds or the following email address: pics@nsradio.org and credit will be given to the Amateur Radio Operator, weather spotter or individual that took the photos and media and be shared with the Amateur Radio team at the National Hurricane Center and other agencies and outlets.

Advisories on Imelda can be seen off of the Atlantic Tropical Products menu selection on the voipwxnet web site, via our Facebook and Twitter feeds, and off the National Hurricane Center web site via the following link:
https://www.nhc.noaa.gov

Reports as obtained via the VoIP Hurricane Net from Amateur Radio Operators in the affected area, relays from the affected area or from APRS/CWOP Weather Station feeds and other social media outlets can be found at the following link:
https://www.voipwx.net/qilan/nhcwx/list_VOIP_records1?auth=OK

APRS, Winlink, AllStar, Hams Over IP and other resources that can be monitored are as follows:
APRS kc5fm-9
Winlink KC5FM
Allstar 28848
Echolink KC5FM-R 906281
Hams Over IP 15154
Amateur Wire 30415154
DMR TGIF 31207
P25 31207
DSTAR XLXOKL C
Yaesu Fusion 31207
M17-SUN module A

Stations outside the affected area that do not have relays into the affected area who would like to listen into the VoIP Hurricane Net can use any of the following systems for listen-only purposes and can connect on either Echolink or IRLP:
*NEW-ENG3* Echolink conference node: 9123/IRLP 9123
*SKY_GATE* Echolink conference node: 868981/IRLP 9252
*KC4QLP-C* Echolink conference node: 290251
*ARERT* Echolink conference node: 902723 (Also bridged to Allstar on Node 273660 and on the YCS311 C4FM Server at http://c4fm.mntrbo.net ID:74)
*FLORIDA* Echolink conference node: 3082

These three streaming audio feeds should be available. Those streaming audio feeds are as follows:
Streaming feed 1: http://74.208.24.77:8000 -Provided by KC4QLP-Bob Carter
Streaming feed 2: http://radio.arert.net:8000/ARERT -Provided by the ARERT conference owners and sysops
Streaming feed 3: https://www.broadcastify.com/listen/feed/38868 -Provided by the ARERT conference owners and sysops

Video streams will be provided by ARERT if they find video feeds from the affected area and will have audio from the hurricane net on it. Those streams are below:
Video stream feed 1: https://www.twitch.tv/pp93news
Video stream feed 2: https://dlive.tv/ARERT
Special thanks to N0VZC-Mike Norrbom and the ARERT sysops for their support of these feeds.

Please note that there could be additional listen only nodes and streaming feeds. If time allows, this info will be updated via the voipwxnet web site and social media feeds.

The VoIP Hurricane Net Management team continues to closely watch Hurricane Imelda. Thanks to all for their continued support of the VoIP Hurricane Net!

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

Hello to all…

Hurricane Idelma will cause direct impacts to Bermuda as we get into late Wednesday Afternoon through Thursday Morning. A Hurricane Watch is posted for Bermuda and it is expected that the watch will be converted to a Hurricane Warning later today. VoIP Hurricane Net Activation is likely for Idelma and impacts to Bermuda in the Wednesday Afternoon to Thursday Morning timeframe. A net activation announcement will be posted later tonight or Wednesday Morning. Presuming net activation occurs for Bermuda as expected, we will cancel the VoIP Hurricane Prep Net for Saturday Evening due to the net activation for Idelma. Hurricane Humberto will pass west and north of Bermuda and may cause wind gusts to tropical storm force today over Bermuda.

Advisories on Imelda and Humberto can be seen off the main menu of the voipwx.net web site, via our Facebook and X feeds and via the National Hurricane Center web site at the following link:

https://www.nhc.noaa.gov/

The VoIP Hurricane Net will continue to monitor Imelda, Humberto and any other 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

Hello to all…

Some fairly significant changes to the forecast for Tropical Storm Imelda and Major Hurricane Humberto could bring tropical storm conditions to Bermuda. Here are the latest updates:

Tropical Depression (TD) 9 became Tropical Storm Imelda earlier this afternoon and a Tropical Storm Warning remains in effect for the Bahamas. Our net has forwarded a couple reports of tropical storm force conditions in the Bahamas that was used in the 5 PM EDT advisory on Imelda. Rain Gauge totals in the area range from about 2-5.5″. Imelda will continue to intensify and likely reach hurricane strength late Monday Night or Tuesday.

The track of Imelda now keeps it far enough offshore where the Southeast US coast will get some heavy rain and potential flooding between Imelda and interaction with a frontal system but the core of the strong winds will remain offshore of the Southeast US coast. The NHC track also now has it hooking right well away from the Southeast US coast. Therefore, VoIP Hurricane Net activation is not expected over the next 3-4 days and local SKYWARN groups will handle heavy rainfall and flood threat, however, some model solutions bring Imelda close to Bermuda and this will be monitored as we get towards late this week for possible net activation. We will also provide any known reports of tropical storm force conditions from the Bahamas and if needed, other areas, to WX4NHC, the Amateur Radio Station at the National Hurricane Center, via our reporting form.

Major Hurricane Humberto is a significant reason for why Imelda’s track has changed and is now a more offshore solution. Humberto’s hurricane core is currently expected to stay away from Bermuda at this time but tropical storm conditions could affect the island in the next couple days and a Tropical Storm Watch is posted for Bermuda. We will continue to monitor Humberto’s progress until he is past Bermuda.

Advisories on Imelda and Humberto can be seen off the main menu of the voipwx.net web site, via our Facebook and X feeds and via the National Hurricane Center web site at the following link:

https://www.nhc.noaa.gov/

The VoIP Hurricane Net will continue to monitor Imelda, Humberto and any other 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

Hello to all…

The VoIP Hurricane Net Management Team is monitoring Potential Tropical Cyclone (PTC-9) and Major Hurricane Humberto for potential net activation as we get to the early to middle part of next week. There remains considerable uncertainty especially with PTC-9 and its track toward the Southeast US coast.

Starting with PTC-9, this area of disturbed weather is becoming better organized and will likely become Imelda later tonight or Sunday as it tracks north-northwest through the Bahamas towards the Southeast US Coast off the South Carolina and Southeast North Carolina coast. Tropical Storm Warnings are in effect for much of the Bahamas. From there, the forecast is highly uncertain with a number of models stalling the system off the coast and even tracking it straight east with no landfall to the coast though winds and heavy rainfall would affect the coast before the eastward turn. Other models take it to a landfall on the South Carolina coast while still other models stall it for several days and then have a landfall on the US East Coast between South Carolina and the Delmarva. The track differences will likely not be resolved for another 1-2 days and we will monitor the progress of the system closely including monitoring all forms of ground truth data as it tracks over the Bahamas.

Major Hurricane Humberto will not affect the US East Coast but will play a role with steering PTC-9. In addition, Humberto could cause impacts to the island of Bermuda and interest in Bermuda should monitor the progress of Humberto. VoIP Hurricane Net activation for Humberto and impacts to Bermuda are possible this week as well depending on how close Humberto tracks to Bermuda.

Advisories on PTC-9 and Humberto can be seen off the main menu of the voipwx.net web site, via our Facebook and X feeds and via the National Hurricane Center web site at the following link:

https://www.nhc.noaa.gov/

The VoIP Hurricane Net will continue to monitor PTC-9, Humberto and any other 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

Hello to all…

The Atlantic Tropics have become more active this week. Here are the latest updates as of Wednesday 9/24/25 – 800 PM EDT Update:

Hurricane Gabrielle is a threat to the Azores Islands of Portugal with hurricane force conditions expected Thursday Night to Friday Morning and Hurricane Warnings are in effect for the Azores. We have had stations from time to time from that area on the net and we will likely do a “limited” net activation for Gabrielle and her impacts on the islands. Please contact the net management team if you have any contacts in the Azores that could assist with reporting storm conditions as Gabrielle passes through the islands.

Tropical Storm Humberto has formed in the Atlantic. Humberto is expected to intensify into a hurricane in the next few days while remaining in the open waters of the Atlantic. Thereafter, its unclear whether Humberto remains out at sea, impacts Bermuda or the US East Coast due to interaction with another tropical wave in the Eastern Caribbean Sea that is expected to emerge over the Bahamas.

Advisories on Gabrielle and Humberto can be seen on the voipwx.net web site under Atlantic Tropical Products, via the voipwxnet Facebook/X feeds or via the National Hurricane Center web site at the following link:

https://www.nhc.noaa.gov/

The area of disturbed weather as mentioned above in the Eastern Caribbean Sea (designated as AL94) has a medium chance 40% for development in the next 48 hours and a high chance, 80%, for development over 7 days. The system is expected to be classified and if it reaches tropical storm strength as expected, it would be named Imelda. This system could have a closer track to the US East Coast but it is very low confidence due to its likely interaction with Humberto and whether that interaction leads to the “Fujiwhara Effect” occurring or simply has the track influenced being near Humberto. Information on the “Fujiwhara Effect” can be seen at the following link:

https://www.weather.gov/news/fujiwhara-effect

The VoIP Hurricane Net Management Team will closely monitor all activity 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

Hello to all…

Tropical Depression (TD) 7 became Tropical Storm Gabrielle as of the 11 AM EDT/1500 UTC Wednesday 9/17/25 Advisory. Gabrielle will not be a threat to land over the next 5 days so no VoIP Hurricane Net Activation is expected during this timeframe. Advisories on Gabrielle can be seen off the main menu of the VoIP Hurricane Net web site under Atlantic Tropical Products, via our voipwxnet Facebook and X feeds and on the National Hurricane Center web site at the following link:

https://www.nhc.noaa.gov/

The VoIP Hurricane Net Management team will continue to monitor the progress of Gabrielle and any other systems 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

Hello to all…

Tropical Depression (TD) 7 has formed in the Atlantic. TD 7 is expected to strengthen a bit and currently expected to get to hurricane strength towards the end of the 5-day forecast period. If TD 7 strengthens as expected, it will be named Gabrielle. TD 7 will not be a threat to land over the next 5 days so no VoIP Hurricane Net Activation is expected during this timeframe. Advisories on TD 7 can be seen off the main menu of the VoIP Hurricane Net web site under Atlantic Tropical Products, via our voipwxnet Facebook and X feeds and on the National Hurricane Center web site at the following link:

https://www.nhc.noaa.gov/

The VoIP Hurricane Net Management team will continue to monitor the progress of TD 7 and any other systems 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

Hello to all…

Tropical Storm Fernand has formed in the Atlantic. Fernand is expected to strengthen a bit but remain below hurricane strength. Fernand is expected to remain out to sea and only be a threat to shipping lanes. Advisories on Fernand can be seen off the main menu of the VoIP Hurricane Net web site under Atlantic Tropical Products, via our voipwxnet Facebook and X feeds and on the National Hurricane Center web site at the following link:

https://www.nhc.noaa.gov/

The VoIP Hurricane Net Management team will continue to monitor the progress of Fernand and any other systems 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

Hello to all…

With the Labor Day Holiday weekend for next weekend Saturday 8/30/25 through Monday 9/1/25, we will cancel the VoIP Hurricane Prep Net to allow Amateur Radio Operators to enjoy the long weekend with friends and family. As always, if a hurricane were to threaten a land area, which is not expected at this time, we would active the net in support of WX4NHC, the Amateur Radio station at the National Hurricane Center. Our next weekly net will be on Saturday 9/6/25 at 8 PM ET. We appreciate everyone’s support of the VoIP Hurricane Net and hope everyone enjoys the Labor Day Holiday weekend!

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

Hello to all…

Tropical Storm Erin is now Hurricane Erin. Erin may impact portions of the Northern Leeward Islands, the US Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico with tropical storm force winds sustained or in gusts but the core of the hurricane is expected to remain offshore of those islands so no VoIP Hurricane net activation is expected at this time for this area. From there, Erin’s track could potentially either be between the US East Coast and Bermuda with no impact to land, closer to the US East Coast with some land impact, or closer to Bermuda with some impact. Track guidance will become more clear over the weekend on Erin’s track which will then dictate if there is a need for a VoIP Hurricane Net activation. Erin is expected to become a powerful major hurricane in the Atlantic over the weekend regardless of the track. Advisories on Erin can be found on the VoIP Hurricane Net web site under Atlantic Tropical Products, via our voipwx.net Facebook/X feeds and via the NHC web site at the following link:

https://www.nhc.noaa.gov/

The VoIP Hurricane Net Management Team will continue to monitor Erin and any other systems 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

Hello to all…

Tropical Storm Erin has formed in the Atlantic near the Cabo Verde Islands. Erin will slowly intensify over the next couple of days before undergoing more significant intensification in the 3-5 day period. Erin is expected to reach hurricane status later this week and major hurricane status in about 5 days or so. Erin’s current track is currently expected to be over the open ocean waters of the Atlantic over the 5-day period so no VoIP Hurricane Net activation is expected in this timeframe currently. Thereafter, it is extremely uncertain whether the track will be out to sea not affecting land, potential impacts to Bermuda and/or the Canadian Maritimes or to areas of the US East Coast. We won’t have those details until later this week or this weekend at the earliest. Advisories on Erin can be found on the VoIP Hurricane Net web site under Atlantic Tropical Products, via our voipwx.net Facebook/X feeds and via the NHC web site at the following link:

https://www.nhc.noaa.gov/

The VoIP Hurricane Net Management Team will continue to monitor Erin and any other systems 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

Hello to all…

Tropical Depression (TD) 3 has intensified into Tropical Storm Chantal. Chantal is expected to intensify more as it approaches the coast of South/North Carolina but, at this time, this system is not expected to become a hurricane so no VoIP Hurricane Net activation is currently anticipated but we will continue to monitor Chantal closely. Tropical Storm Warnings and Watches are posted for portions of the South Carolina and North Carolina coast. Advisories on Chantal including Tropical Storm Watch/Warning details can be found on the VoIP Hurricane Net web site under Atlantic Tropical Products, via our voipwx.net Facebook/X feeds and via the NHC web site at the following link:

https://www.nhc.noaa.gov/

The VoIP Hurricane Net Management Team will continue to monitor Chantal and any other systems 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

Hello to all…

Tropical Depression (TD) 3 has formed off the Southeast US coast in the Atlantic. TD 3 is expected to intensify into a minimal tropical storm before making landfall somewhere on the South Carolina coast Sunday Morning. If TD 3 is named as expected, it would be named Chantal. At this time, this system is not expected to become a hurricane so no VoIP Hurricane Net activation is anticipated. Advisories on TD 3 can be found on the VoIP Hurricane Net web site under Atlantic Tropical Products, via our voipwx.net Facebook/X feeds and via the NHC web site at the following link:

https://www.nhc.noaa.gov/

The VoIP Hurricane Net Management Team will continue to monitor TD 3 and any other systems 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

Hello to all…

Tropical Depression (TD) 2 has now become Tropical Storm Barry in the Bay of Campeche with Tropical Storm Warnings in affect for a portion of the Eastern Mexico coastline. This system is expected to intensify a bit more but still is not expected to become a hurricane so no VoIP Hurricane Net activation is anticipated. Advisories on Barry can be found on the VoIP Hurricane Net web site under Atlantic Tropical Products, via our voipwx.net Facebook/X feeds and via the NHC web site at the following link:

https://www.nhc.noaa.gov/

The VoIP Hurricane Net Management Team will continue to monitor Barry and any other systems 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

Hello to all…

Tropical Depression (TD) 2 has formed in the Bay of Campeche. TD 2 is expected to intensify into a minimal tropical storm before making landfall somewhere on the Eastern Mexican coast. If TD 2 is named as expected, it would be named Barry. At this time, this system is not expected to become a hurricane so no VoIP Hurricane Net activation is anticipated. Advisories on TD 2 can be found on the VoIP Hurricane Net web site under Atlantic Tropical Products, via our voipwx.net Facebook/X feeds and via the NHC web site at the following link:

https://www.nhc.noaa.gov/

The VoIP Hurricane Net Management Team will continue to monitor TD 2 and any other systems 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

Hello to all…

Tropical Storm Andrea has formed in the Atlantic. Andrea is the first named system of the 2025 Atlantic Hurricane Season. Andrea will pose no threat to land and has only briefly acquired tropical characteristics so no net activation is expected. Andrea will degenerate to a remnant low in 12-36 hours. Advisories on Andrea can be found on the VoIP Hurricane Net web site under Atlantic Tropical Products, via our voipwx.net Facebook/X feeds and via the NHC web site at the following link:

https://www.nhc.noaa.gov/

The VoIP Hurricane Net Management Team will continue to monitor Andrea and any other systems 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

Hello to all…

With Amateur Radio Field Day weekend on Saturday 6/28/25 and the Saturday 7/5/25 Net being the day after the US Independence Day holiday, the weekly VoIP Hurricane Prep Net for Saturday 6/28/25 and Saturday 7/5/25 will be canceled and the next weekly VoIP Hurricane Prep Net will resume on Saturday 7/12/25. If any landfalling hurricanes are expected during this timeframe including on both of these Saturday Evenings, the VoIP Hurricane Net will activate as needed to support WX4NHC, the Amateur Radio station at the National Hurricane Center.

We hope everyone enjoys Amateur Radio Field Day weekend and the US Independence Day holiday weekend and we hope to see many of you on the Saturday 7/12/25 weekly VoIP Hurricane Prep Net. Thanks to all for their continued support of the VoIP Hurricane Net!

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

Hello to all…

While we did not formally activate the VoIP Hurricane Net for Hurricane Erick and impacts to a rural portion of Southwest Mexico, using our approach of monitoring social media, any online weather stations and other sources from the affected area, over 20 reports were submitted to WX4NHC, the Amateur Radio station at the National Hurricane Center, and delivered to NHC Hurricane specialists. The reports can be seen on our VoIP Hurricane Net report viewer at the following link:

https://www.voipwx.net/qilan/nhcwx/list_VOIP_records1?auth=OK

The VoIP Hurricane Net Management Team will continue to monitor any 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

Hello to all..

Sunday June 1st, 2025 marks the start of the 2025 Atlantic Hurricane Season. The 2025 Atlantic Hurricane Season is expected to be an above normal season per the NOAA/National Hurricane Center and Colorado State University outlooks among others. To mark the start of Atlantic Hurricane Season, the National Hurricane Center/Tropical Prediction Center in Miami FL will issue advisories on named systems, Tropical Storm and Hurricane Watches and Warnings when a system threatens a land area, Tropical Cyclone Updates on named systems and Tropical Weather Outlooks for potential areas of tropical cyclone development. Their suite of products and tropical system names are listed in their first couple of tropical weather outlooks and the link from 8 AM EDT – Sunday June 1st, 2025 Tropical Weather Outlook is listed below:

https://voipwx.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/NHC_Tropical_Weather_Outlook_1st_day_of_Atlantic_Hurricane_Season_2025.pdf

The VoIP Hurricane Prep Net has shifted to weekly beginning with the Saturday June 7th, 2025 Net at 8 PM EDT/7 PM CDT/0000 UTC. We welcome all those who wish to participate in the net and we are looking for net controls both for the weekly net as well as net activations for landfalling hurricanes. If you are interested, contact Rob-KD1CY at kd1cy@voipwx.net for more information.

We also like to remind folks of a couple prior special announcements including that the founder and coordinator of WX4NHC, the Amateur Radio station at the National Hurricane Center was recognized by the national Amateur Radio Convention known as Dayton Hamvention for his 45 years of continuous service. Also note that the Hurricane Watch Net (HWN) will be holding a special event on Amateur Radio HF on Saturday 6/7/25-Sunday 6/8/25 to celebrate their 60th Anniversary. Those announcements are listed below:

WD4R-Julio Ripoll Received Dayton Havemention Special Achievement Award:
https://voipwx.net/2025/05/18/wd4r-julio-ripoll-founder-coordinator-of-national-hurricane-center-amatuer-radio-station-wx4nhc-receives-prestigious-dayton-hamvention-special-achievement-award/

Hurricane Watch Net – 60th Anniversary Special Event:
https://voipwx.net/2025/05/20/hurricane-watch-net-60th-anniversary-on-air-celebration-special-event-weekend-of-6-7-25-6-8-25/

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

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

Hello to all…

The long standing Amateur Radio Hurricane Watch Net will be doing a special event for its 60th Anniversary of their net’s support of hurricanes. The details on this special event are below from KB5HAV-Bobby Graves, Hurricane Watch Net – Net Manager:

The Hurricane Watch Net (HWN) will host a two-day on-air Special Event to celebrate our 60th Anniversary. During this event, taking place June 7–8, 2025, our members will operate using the callsign WX5HWN.

Operations will take place on, or near, 14.325 MHz ±, and 7.268 MHz, ± at the following times:

Saturday, June 7
· 14.325 MHz: 10:00 AM to 10:00 PM EDT (1400-0100 UTC)
· 7.268 MHz: 5:00 PM EDT to 10:00 PM EDT (2100-0200 UTC)

Sunday, June 8
· 14.325 MHz & 7.268 MHz 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM EDT (1400–2100 UTC)
Note: Operations on 7.268 MHz will conclude at 3:00 PM EDT (1900 UTC).

Our Net Control Stations – located across the United States – will all use the WX5HWN callsign, passing the virtual baton from one member to the next throughout the event.

The Atlantic Hurricane Season runs from June 1 through November 30. While the season typically peaks from mid-August to late October, tropical cyclones can form at any time.

Special Certificate Available:
To receive a commemorative certificate, please email your request to wx5hwn@hwn.org no later than June 30, 2025.

Certificates for confirmed contacts will be sent electronically only. Please, no QSL cards or postal requests.

For more details about the Hurricane Watch Net, visit: www.hwn.org, our QRZ page for WX5HWN, and our Hurricane Watch Net Social Media pages on Facebook and X (formerly known as Twitter).

73 & God Bless,
Bobby
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Bobby Graves – KB5HAV
7856 New Light Road
Starkville, MS 39759
(601) 405-7885

Hurricane Watch Net
Net Manager
Webmaster
www.hwn.org

We hope Amateur Radio Operators with HF capability can participate in this special event supporting the Hurricane Watch Net. Thanks to all for their support!

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

Hello to all…

On Saturday Evening, May 17th, 2025, WD4R-Julio Ripoll, Founder and Coordinator of WX4NHC, the Amateur Radio Station at the National Hurricane Center, received the prestigious Dayton Hamvention (a national Amateur Radio Convention), Special Achievement Award for 45 years of service to the National Hurricane Center and for founding the Amateur Radio station in 1980.

Julio announced at the 2025 National Hurricane Conference Amateur Radio Workshop in New Orleans, Louisiana that he will be retiring as the coordinator for the station at the end of the 2025 Hurricane Season. He will continue on for some time after 2025 to support the operation as an Amateur Radio Operator. On hand from the VoIP Hurricane Net to be present in this award presentation was VoIP Hurricane Net National Hurricane Conference videographer, KB1KQW-Jim Palmer, who also took a photo of Julio and the Awards Committee that presented this award to Julio. Picture attached to this web post.

The VoIP Hurricane Net Management team congratulates Julio on this award and we look forward to working with him in the 2025 Atlantic Hurricane Season. Julio has been a tremendous partner to the VoIP Hurricane Net realizing the value it can provide during landfalling hurricanes including are all encompassing approach to bring online weather stations including APRS/CWOP weather stations, public safety, social media and Amateur Radio reporting through our net. We appreciate his support and the WX4NHC Amateur Radio team support over so many years. We also appreciate all of you that support the VoIP Hurricane Net!

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

Hello to all…

2025 National Hurricane Conference Amateur Radio Workshop information is listed below and will be updated with YouTube livestream info this weekend:

Amateur Radio will again be represented at the 2025 National Hurricane Conference which will be held this year in New Orleans, Louisiana (https://www.hurricanemeeting.com). This year, the workshop will be done both live at the conference and over livestream similar to 2024. The conference theme is to improve hurricane preparedness as it has been in past years. After the workshop is completed, the Amateur Radio Workshop will be uploaded to YouTube for those that can’t attend the sessions live. For 2025, all the Amateur Radio sessions will be on Tuesday April 15th, 2025 from 130 PM-310 PM CDT (230 PM-410 PM EDT) and from 330 PM-510 PM CDT (430 PM-610 PM EDT) with door prizes completed between 510-520 PM CDT (610-620 PM EDT). Each presenter will not only give an overview of their respective group but also how their group handled the significant hurricanes over the past year. Here is the session breakdown:

NHC Session #1 – 130 PM-315 PM CDT (230 PM-415 PM EDT): Bob Robichaud-VE1MBR from the Canadian Hurricane Centre will present on Hurricane Meteorological topics and a 2024 Hurricane Season review. He will also provide a brief overview of Canadian Hurricane Centre Operations. The National Hurricane Center (NHC) will present a NHC Overview of Amateur Radio Collaboration During Hurricanes. Julio Ripoll-WD4R will present WX4NHC Operations. KB5HAV-Bobby Graves will give an overview on the Hurricane Watch Net (HWN).

NHC Session #2: 330 PM-500 PM CDT (430 PM-600 PM EDT): Rob Macedo-KD1CY will present on the VoIP Hurricane Net and best practices in SKYWARN Tropical Systems, Bill Feist-WB8BZH & Joe Badsett-W1WCN will present a SATERN (Salvation Army Team Emergency Response Radio Network) overview. Josh Johnston-KE5MHV will give an ARRL update and KD5KNZ-Matt Anderson will give out an update on a local response update for Amateur Radio Operators in Louisiana. This will be followed by a Q & A session and raffle prizes will be offered.

Amateur Radio presentations will be recorded and posted to YouTube after the workshop within the month of April. The Amateur Radio presentations will also be livestreamed via YouTube as a best effort. It is noted that Internet connectivity can be a challenge at hotel locations for livestreaming but we will do our best to livestream the workshop but please note technical difficulties could affect the livestream so please be patient if you watch the livestream and we will have recordings available post workshop. The YouTube livestream link is as follows: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6eFztSOliEU.

2025 National Hurricane Conference Presenters and Moderator:
• Moderator: Rob Macedo, KD1CY, VoIP Hurricane Net
• Special guest speaker Bob Robichaud, VE1MBR, Canadian Hurricane Center
• Special guest speaker Josh Johnston, KE5MHV, Director of Emergency Management, ARRL HQ
• Bobby Graves, KB5HAV, Hurricane Watch Net – Net Manager
• Julio Ripoll, WD4R, WX4NHC Assistant Amateur Radio Station Coordinator
• Bill Feist, WB8BZH, SATERN, Salvation Army Team Emergency Response Radio Network
• Joe Bassett, W1WCN, Southern Territory Assistant SATERN Coordinator
• Matt Anderson, KD5KNZ, Louisiana Emergency Preparedness Association – LEM-T
• Rob Macedo, KD1CY, Director of Operations, VoIP Hurricane Net & ARRL ARES Eastern Mass SEC
• Jim Palmer, KB1KQW, VoIP Hurricane Net (Videographer)

Detailed Schedule Outline – All Times (Central Daylight Time):
130-135 PM: Opening Remarks
135-200 PM: Canadian Hurricane Centre and Hurricane Meteorological Topics (VE1MBR-Bob R)
200-210 PM: NHC Overview of Amateur Radio Collaboration During Hurricanes (NHC)
210-240 PM: WX4NHC Amateur Radio Station at the National Hurricane Center (WD4R)
240-310 PM: HWN Overview (KB5HAV)
315-330 PM: Break
330-350 PM: VoIP Hurricane Net Overview & Best Practices in SKYWARN for Tropical Systems (KD1CY)
350-410 PM: SATERN – Salvation Army Team Emergency Radio Network Overview (WB8BZH & W1WCN)
410-430 PM: ARRL Update (KE5MHV)
430-450 PM: Katrina 20th Anniversary/Louisiana Hurricane Response Update (KD5KNZ)
450-500 PM: Moderated Q & A session and Panel Discussion (All)
500-510 PM: Door Prizes (All)

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

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

Hello to all…

With the Saturday 11/30/24 net being over the Thanksgiving holiday weekend, the VoIP Hurricane Prep Net for Saturday 11/30/24 is canceled. We wish all net participants and supporters a very Happy and Safe Thanksgiving holiday weekend. Our final VoIP Hurricane Prep Net for 2024 will be Saturday 12/7/24, one hour earlier, at 7 PM ET/6 PM CT/5 PM/4 PM PT immediately following SKYWARN Recognition Day as we’ve traditionally done. SKYWARN Recognition Day activities on the *WX_TALK* Echolink conference node: 7203/IRLP 9219 system will be posted via the link below and is at the top of the VoIP Hurricane Net web site:

SKYWARN Recognition Day (SRD) 2024 and VoIP Operations on EchoLink Node: 7203 *WX-TALK*/IRLP 9219 Update #2

Again, we wish everyone a Happy Thanksgiving! We also give thanks to all of our net participants and supporters who support our VoIP Hurricane Net!

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

Hello to all…

It’s hard to believe but another SKYWARN Recognition Day (SRD) is upon us and this year’s edition is the 25th anniversary of SRD which is an impressive milestone! The following is the fourth in the series of updates on SKYWARN Recognition Day (SRD) 2024 and Echolink/IRLP operations. SRD takes place on Saturday December 7th, 2024 0000-2400 UTC (Friday Evening 12/6/24 700 PM EST-Saturday Evening 12/7/24 700 PM EST). Also, there are other modes that will be available on the *WX_TALK* Echolink conference node: 7203/IRLP 9219 reflector system via the sunflower network. Those additional modes from the Sunflower network are listed below:

Allstar 28848
Echolink KC5FM-R 906281
Hamshack Hotline 94032
DMR TGIF 31207
P25 31207
DSTAR XLXOKL C
Yaesu Fusion 31207
M17-SUN module A

For 2024 SRD, more NWS offices will be on the air live from their local NWS offices and some may also maintain a virtual/hybrid component where offices may be active at their actual office as well as from home/other locations at different times or simultaneously. Similar to the last couple of years, you can operate with your personal call-sign as NWS coordinator or some may elect to use the NWS Call-Sign and state they are portable.

EchoLink and IRLP are just a couple of modes people can utilize to contact NWS offices during SKYWARN Recognition Day. Many NWS offices will be on 2 Meters, 440 MHz, HF and other VHF/UHF bands. Additional details on SKYWARN Recognition Day including a registration link opened up to all Amateurs given the new SRD format can be found via the following link:
https://www.weather.gov/crh/skywarnrecognition

This year’s Google registration form also auto-issues SRD Numbers to non-Amateur Radio SKYWARN Spotters. Similar to last year, SRD numbers will only be issued for non-Amateur Radio SKYWARN spotters. The form can be found off the SKYWARN Recognition Day web site and can be see at the link below:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSd5-bcm8jmg4wHs0-Q3TAdo2jp8vKBtVi3O-zm3Gf8YK1jXhQ/viewform

Similar to past years, there is also an optional GIS Spotter Mapper where NWS office Amateur Radio Operations and spotters can be mapped. At the end of the Google form registration, the registration link for the GIS Spotter Mapper will be seen and it will also be emailed as part of your Google form registration upon completion.

Also, there is a SRD Facebook group created. Those with Facebook can join it at the following link:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/429783718861293

For 2024, the EchoLink *WX_TALK* Node: 7203/IRLP reflector 9219 system will be scheduling time for NWS offices or SKYWARN Coordinators with specific NWS office time slots to act as a net control to make contacts with spotters that are on the system. If a NWS office/SKYWARN Coordinator runs out of contacts and there are other NWS offices/SKYWARN Coordinators on the system, the NWS office acting as net control can turn it over to a different NWS office or SKYWARN Coordinator to act as a net control on the system at their discretion.

We’d like to ask NWS offices/SKYWARN Coordinators to do their best to adhere to the schedule. Sometimes this is difficult due to the number of contacts received by NWS offices/SKYWARN Coordinators. We ask for everyone’s patience and work cooperatively to respect the time slot schedule.

Below is the 2024 SRD Schedule with NWS offices that have confirmed their time slot from last year, offices where we are still waiting for confirmation and open time slots. We would like to know if the remaining NWS offices or SKYWARN Coordinators with that office would like to keep their time slot or change time slots and then what call-sign should be listed on the schedule. Also, any new NWS offices added to our distribution, please let us know if there is a time slot that you would like from the current schedule. See the list below:

Time in UTC NWS Office Call-Sign
0000-0100: N0NWS (Time slot confirmed for this year)
0100-0200: WX1GYX (Time slot from last year)
0200-0300: WX7SLC (Time slot from last year)
0300-0400: WX4HUN (Time slot confirmed for this year)
0400-0500: Open
0500-0600: Open
0600-0700: WX4HUN (Time slot from last year)
0700-0800: WX8APX (Time slot from last year)
0800-0900: WX8APX (Time slot from last year)
0900-1000: Open
1000-1100: WX7SLC (Time slot from last year)
1100-1200: Open (Time slot released by WX1GYX)
1200-1300: Open
1300-1400: WX7SLC (Time slot from last year)
1400-1500: WX1AW (Time slot from last year)
1500-1600: WX1BOX (Time slot from last year)
1600-1700: WX4NC (Time slot confirmed for this year)
1700-1800: WX6NWS (New Time slot for this year)
1800-1900: WX2PHI (Time slot confirmed for this year)
1900-2000: WX1GYX (Time slot from last year)
2000-2100: Open
2100-2300: WX4NHC (Time slot confirmed for this year)
2300-2400: WX2PHI (New time slot for this office for this year)

Here will be other conference systems utilized for SKYWARN Recognition Day. They are as follows:

The New England Reflector Gateway System will be utilized by SKYWARN Coordinators from New England from 0000-0500 UTC and 1200-2400 UTC. The New England Gateway system is on EchoLink Conference server *NEW-ENG3* Node: 9123, IRLP reflector 9123. If other SKYWARN Coordinators and NWS offices would like to join the system, they are welcome to do so and participants in SKYWARN Recognition Day can also use that system to make contact with various NWS offices. This is a great place to move off the *WX_TALK* Node: 7203/IRLP 9219 system after your scheduled time if other Amateurs or NWS offices wish to make contact with you.

Also, the Western Reflector will be having NWS offices calling CQ as in past years and have multiple reflector channels and Echolink conferences available. There is reflector 9252/Echolink Conference *SKY_GATE* node: 868981, IRLP 9251 and the *WORLD* Echolink Conference node: 479886, IRLP 9257/*DCF-ARC* Echolink Conference node: 336037 and IRLP 9258/EchoLink Conference *NV-GATE* Node: 152566 open for NWS offices.

A few technical reminders for folks interested in making contacts with the NWS Forecast Offices on the *WX-TALK* Node: 7203/IRLP 9219 and New England Reflector Gateway IRLP 9123/*NEW-ENG3* Echolink Node: 9123 systems:

-The system allows both EchoLink and IRLP connections. For EchoLink users, you connect to the *WX-TALK* Node: 7203 conference system. For IRLP users, you would connect to IRLP reflector 9219. The Sunflower system will be connected that will allow other VoIP mode connections as listed at the top of this message.

-If you are using EchoLink, the RF node or PC that you’re using must have EchoLink conferencing disabled. If it is not disabled, the system will automatically kick the node or PC off of the system. The reason this occurs is to prevent unintentional interference from a conferencing station that may not know the node is connected somewhere else. This will keep traffic moving on the net and reduce interference considerably.

For more information on VoIP Technical Configuration Tips, please go to our web site at http://www.voipwx.net where we have a link to that information on the main menu of the web site. This announcement will also be on the web site.

We are looking forward to another fun SKYWARN Recognition Day on the *WX-TALK* Node: 7203/IRLP reflector 9219 system, New England Reflector Gateway system and Western Reflector systems. Thanks to all for their support!

73,Rob-KD1CY.
Director of Operations for the VoIP Hurricane Net
ARES SKYWARN Coordinator for NWS Boston/Norton Massachusetts
Eastern Massachusetts ARES Section Emergency Coordinator

Hello to all…

The VoIP Hurricane Net activation for Hurricane Rafael secured on Wednesday Evening 11/6/24 at 1000 PM ET and WX4NHC, the Amateur Radio station at the National Hurricane Center secured at that time. Special thanks to KC5FM-Lloyd for net control and technical connection support during the net. Approximately 40 volunteer hours of service was logged by the team.

While no direct Amateur Radio contact with Western Cuba, Cayman Brac and Little Cayman Island was established, through online weather stations and social media work, over 30 reports were generated from the affected area including wind damage, coastal storm surge and rain related flooding. Highest wind gusts were recorded from Mariel, Artemisa Cuba with sustained winds of 81 MPH (130 Kilometers Per Hour) and a gust of 115 MPH (186 Kilometers Per Hour) with a wind gust of 93 MPH in Casablanca Havana Batabano Cuba. Higher end damage reports were a light tower blown down at Artemisa Stadium and damage to Artemisa Hospital. The complete list of reports can be seen in the report viewer at the following link:

https://www.voipwx.net/qilan/nhcwx/list_VOIP_records1?auth=OK

Rafael has an uncertain future over the Gulf of Mexico in terms of both track and intensity but is not expected to threaten land over the next 5 days. The VoIP Hurricane Net management team will closely monitor the progress of Rafael and any other 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

Hello to all…

**The VoIP Hurricane Net will activate at 7 PM through 10 PM Tuesday Evening in anticipation of Rafael intensifying into a hurricane as it passes through the Cayman Islands. The VoIP Hurricane Net will activate on Wednesday from 9 AM-10 PM for Rafael and impacts across Western Cuba. The net, on *WX_TALK* Echolink conference node: 7203/IRLP 9219 system and other VoIP radio systems via the KC5FM-R node is supporting WX4NHC, the Amateur Radio station at the National Hurricane Center in Miami Florida.**
**WX4NHC will also be active with their Amateur Radio Station as well during this timeframe.**

Here are the VoIP Hurricane Net Plans for Rafael as of Tuesday 11/5/24 at 1010 AM EDT:

The VoIP Hurricane Net will activate at 7 PM through 10 PM Tuesday Evening in anticipation of Rafael intensifying into a hurricane as it passes through the Cayman Islands. The VoIP Hurricane Net will activate on Wednesday from 9 AM-10 PM for Rafael and impacts across Western Cuba. The net, on *WX_TALK* Echolink conference node: 7203/IRLP 9219 system and other VoIP radio systems via the KC5FM-R node is supporting WX4NHC, the Amateur Radio station at the National Hurricane Center in Miami Florida. WX4NHC will also be active with their Amateur Radio Station as well during this timeframe.

Any Amateur Radio Operators in the affected area of Rafael or with relays into the affected area of Rafael are asked to provide surface and damage reports into the VoIP Hurricane Net for relay into WX4NHC, the Amateur Radio station at the National Hurricane Center. We appreciate any and all support from Amateur Operators in the affected area or Amateur Operators with relays into the affected area. We are looking for reports based on the National Weather Service SKYWARN Reporting criteria. This can be seen on the VoIP Hurricane Net web site at the following link:
https://voipwx.net/voip-hurricane-net-reporting-criteria

Any pictures or videos of wind damage, river/stream/urban/storm surge flooding etc. can be sent to our voipwxnet Facebook and Twitter feeds or the following email address: pics@nsradio.org and credit will be given to the Amateur Radio Operator, weather spotter or individual that took the photos and media and be shared with the Amateur Radio team at the National Hurricane Center and other agencies and outlets.

Advisories on Rafael can be seen off of the Atlantic Tropical Products menu selection on the voipwxnet web site, via our Facebook and Twitter feeds, and off the National Hurricane Center web site via the following link:
https://www.nhc.noaa.gov

Reports as obtained via the VoIP Hurricane Net from Amateur Radio Operators in the affected area, relays from the affected area or from APRS/CWOP Weather Station feeds and other social media outlets can be found at the following link:
https://www.voipwx.net/qilan/nhcwx/list_VOIP_records1?auth=OK

APRS, Winlink, AllStar, Hamshack Hotline resources that can be monitored are as follows:
APRS kc5fm-9
Winlink KC5FM
Allstar 28848
Echolink KC5FM-R 906281
Hamshack Hotline 94032
DMR TGIF 31207
P25 31207
DSTAR XLXOKL C
Yaesu Fusion 31207
M17-SUN module A

Stations outside the affected area that do not have relays into the affected area who would like to listen into the VoIP Hurricane Net can use any of the following systems for listen-only purposes and can connect on either Echolink or IRLP:
*NEW-ENG3* Echolink conference node: 9123/IRLP 9123
*SKY_GATE* Echolink conference node: 868981/IRLP 9252
*KC4QLP-C* Echolink conference node: 290251
*ARERT* Echolink conference node: 902723 (Also bridged to Allstar on Node 273660 and on the YCS311 C4FM Server at http://c4fm.mntrbo.net ID:74)
*FLORIDA* Echolink conference node: 3082

These streaming audio feeds should be available. Those streaming audio feeds are as follows:
Streaming feed 1: http://74.208.24.77:8000 -Provided by KC4QLP-Bob Carter
Streaming feed 2: http://radio.arert.net:8000/ARERT -Provided by the ARERT conference owners and sysops
Streaming feed 3: https://www.broadcastify.com/listen/feed/38868 -Provided by the ARERT conference owners and sysops

Video streams will be provided by ARERT if they find video feeds from the affected area and will have audio from the hurricane net on it. Those streams are below:
Video stream feed 1: https://www.twitch.tv/pp93news
Video stream feed 2: https://dlive.tv/ARERT
Special thanks to N0VZC-Mike Norrbom and the ARERT sysops for their support of these feeds.

Please note that there could be additional listen only nodes and streaming feeds. If time allows, this info will be updated via the voipwxnet web site and social media feeds.

The VoIP Hurricane Net Management team continues to closely watch Rafael. Thanks to all for their continued support of the VoIP Hurricane Net!

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

Hello to all…

Tropical Storm Rafael has formed in the Southwest Caribbean Sea and is expected to become a hurricane by Tuesday Evening. A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for Jamaica, a Hurricane Warning for the Cayman Islands and a Hurricane Watch for portions of Western Cuba. VoIP Hurricane Net Activation is likely Tuesday Evening and again on Wednesday for Rafael and impacts in these areas. It is possible the net could activate earlier if Rafael intensifies sooner than expected as it passes near Jamaica. Advisories can be found off the Main Menu of the voipwx.net web site, via our Facebook and X feeds and via the National Hurricane Center web site at the following link:

https://www.nhc.noaa.gov/

The VoIP Hurricane Net Management Team will continue to monitor Rafael and any other systems as required in the Tropics. Hurricane Season’s official end is November 30th. Thanks to all for their continued support of the VoIP Hurricane Net!

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

Hello to all…

The following are VoIP Hurricane Net Activation Reports for Sunday 10/20/24 and the previous report for 10/19/24. The total number of reports for both days of activations are 24 reports with 70 volunteer hours generated. The reports for each individual activation are listed below:

VoIP Hurricane Net Activation Report – Hurricane Oscar for the Sunday 10/20/24:

On Sunday 10/20/24, Oscar made landfall late Sunday Afternoon in Eastern Cuba after making a landfall earlier in the day on Grand Inagua Island Bahamas. These areas are quite rural and Cuba has been dealing with a nationwide power outage over the last few days unrelated to the hurricane. While no direct Amateur Radio contact was made, utilizing online resources via social media, reports of wind damage, coastal storm surge and rain related flooding reports were received via these means along with limited weather station reporting. A total of 15 reports meeting criteria to submit to WX4NHC and 40 volunteer hours were generated during this activation. Special thanks to AE4WX-Mark, KK7AHR-George and KC5FM-Lloyd for their support during this activation. The report viewer link below shows the reports handled during this period:

https://www.voipwx.net/qilan/nhcwx/list_VOIP_records1?auth=OK

VoIP Hurricane Net Activation Report – Hurricane Oscar for the Saturday 10/19/24:

On Saturday 10/19/24, Oscar formed and rapidly intensified to a small but potent hurricane. This development resulted in a rapid activation of the VoIP Hurricane Net, WX4NHC, the Amateur Radio Station at the National Hurricane Center and the Hurricane Watch Net shortly before 3 PM EDT lasting through 10 PM EDT on Saturday 10/19/24. While no direct Amateur Radio contact with the affected area was obtained, a couple of online weather stations reported strong tropical storm force conditions before the stations were knocked offline. One of those reports were utilized in the Saturday 10/19/24 800 PM intermediate advisory. The maximum wind gust reported was 60 MPH in South Caicos Island in the Turks and Caicos Island chain. Many thanks to AE4WX-Mark, KK7AHR-George and KC5FM-Lloyd who were available to run the net and monitor activity. Approximately 30 hours of volunteer time was logged with a total of 9 reports of reporting criteria sent into WX4NHC. The complete list of reports can be seen on the VoIP Hurricane Net Report Viewer at the following link:

https://www.voipwx.net/qilan/nhcwx/list_VOIP_records1?auth=OK

At this time, Oscar is expected to remain below hurricane strength as it turns Northeast through the Bahamas and becomes absorbed in a frontal boundary. That said, as we saw this weekend, Oscar has had surprises in terms of intensity and we will monitor the progress of Oscar and any other developments in the Tropics closely. Thanks to all for their continued support of the VoIP Hurricane Net!

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

Hello to all…

**This post contains a post activation report for Hurricane Oscar and impacts to the Turks & Caicos Islands from Saturday 10/19/24 and the activation notice for the VoIP Hurricane Net for Hurricane Oscar and impacts to Eastern Cuba for Sunday Afternoon and Evening.**
**The VoIP Hurricane Net will activate at 1 PM EDT Sunday Afternoon through 8 PM Sunday Evening for Hurricane Oscar and impacts to Eastern Cuba. The net, on *WX_TALK* Echolink conference node: 7203/IRLP 9219 system and other VoIP radio systems via the KC5FM-R node is supporting WX4NHC, the Amateur Radio station at the National Hurricane Center in Miami Florida.**
**WX4NHC will also be active with their Amateur Radio Station as well during this timeframe.**

VoIP Hurricane Net Activation Report – Hurricane Oscar for the Saturday 10/19/24:

On Saturday 10/19/24, Oscar formed and rapidly intensified to a small but potent hurricane. This development resulted in a rapid activation of the VoIP Hurricane Net, WX4NHC, the Amateur Radio Station at the National Hurricane Center and the Hurricane Watch Net shortly before 3 PM EDT lasting through 10 PM EDT on Saturday 10/19/24. While no direct Amateur Radio contact with the affected area was obtained, a couple of online weather stations reported strong tropical storm force conditions before the stations were knocked offline. One of those reports were utilized in the Saturday 10/19/24 800 PM intermediate advisory. The maximum wind gust reported was 60 MPH in South Caicos Island in the Turks and Caicos Island chain. Many thanks to AE4WX-Mark, KK7AHR-George and KC5FM-Lloyd who were available to run the net and monitor activity. Approximately 30 hours of volunteer time was logged with a total of 9 reports of reporting criteria sent into WX4NHC. The complete list of reports can be seen on the VoIP Hurricane Net Report Viewer at the following link:

https://www.voipwx.net/qilan/nhcwx/list_VOIP_records1?auth=OK

Here are the VoIP Hurricane Net Plans for Hurricane Oscar as of Sunday 10/20/24 at 910 AM EDT:

The VoIP Hurricane Net will activate at 1 PM EDT Sunday Afternoon through 8 PM Sunday Evening for Hurricane Oscar and impacts to Eastern Cuba. The net, on *WX_TALK* Echolink conference node: 7203/IRLP 9219 system and other VoIP radio systems via the KC5FM-R node is supporting WX4NHC, the Amateur Radio station at the National Hurricane Center in Miami Florida.

Any Amateur Radio Operators in the affected area of Oscar or with relays into the affected area of Oscar are asked to provide surface and damage reports into the VoIP Hurricane Net for relay into WX4NHC, the Amateur Radio station at the National Hurricane Center. We appreciate any and all support from Amateur Operators in the affected area or Amateur Operators with relays into the affected area. We are looking for reports based on the National Weather Service SKYWARN Reporting criteria. This can be seen on the VoIP Hurricane Net web site at the following link:
https://voipwx.net/voip-hurricane-net-reporting-criteria

Any pictures or videos of wind damage, river/stream/urban/storm surge flooding etc. can be sent to our voipwxnet Facebook and Twitter feeds or the following email address: pics@nsradio.org and credit will be given to the Amateur Radio Operator, weather spotter or individual that took the photos and media and be shared with the Amateur Radio team at the National Hurricane Center and other agencies and outlets.

Advisories on Oscar can be seen off of the Atlantic Tropical Products menu selection on the voipwxnet web site, via our Facebook and Twitter feeds, and off the National Hurricane Center web site via the following link:
https://www.nhc.noaa.gov

Reports as obtained via the VoIP Hurricane Net from Amateur Radio Operators in the affected area, relays from the affected area or from APRS/CWOP Weather Station feeds and other social media outlets can be found at the following link:
https://www.voipwx.net/qilan/nhcwx/list_VOIP_records1?auth=OK

APRS, Winlink, AllStar, Hamshack Hotline resources that can be monitored are as follows:
APRS kc5fm-9
Winlink KC5FM
Allstar 28848
Echolink KC5FM-R 906281
Hamshack Hotline 94032
DMR TGIF 31207
P25 31207
DSTAR XLXOKL C
Yaesu Fusion 31207
M17-SUN module A

Stations outside the affected area that do not have relays into the affected area who would like to listen into the VoIP Hurricane Net can use any of the following systems for listen-only purposes and can connect on either Echolink or IRLP:
*NEW-ENG3* Echolink conference node: 9123/IRLP 9123
*SKY_GATE* Echolink conference node: 868981/IRLP 9252
*KC4QLP-C* Echolink conference node: 290251
*ARERT* Echolink conference node: 902723 (Also bridged to Allstar on Node 273660 and on the YCS311 C4FM Server at http://c4fm.mntrbo.net ID:74)
*FLORIDA* Echolink conference node: 3082

These streaming audio feeds should be available. Those streaming audio feeds are as follows:
Streaming feed 1: http://74.208.24.77:8000 -Provided by KC4QLP-Bob Carter
Streaming feed 2: http://radio.arert.net:8000/ARERT -Provided by the ARERT conference owners and sysops
Streaming feed 3: https://www.broadcastify.com/listen/feed/38868 -Provided by the ARERT conference owners and sysops

Video streams will be provided by ARERT if they find video feeds from the affected area and will have audio from the hurricane net on it. Those streams are below:
Video stream feed 1: https://www.twitch.tv/pp93news
Video stream feed 2: https://dlive.tv/ARERT
Special thanks to N0VZC-Mike Norrbom and the ARERT sysops for their support of these feeds.

Please note that there could be additional listen only nodes and streaming feeds. If time allows, this info will be updated via the voipwxnet web site and social media feeds.

The VoIP Hurricane Net Management team continues to closely watch Hurricane Oscar. Thanks to all for their continued support of the VoIP Hurricane Net!

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

Hello to all…

Here is an Atlantic Tropical Update for Saturday 10/19/24 at 1100 AM EDT:

Tropical Storm Oscar has now formed east of the Turks & Caicos Islands with Tropical Storm Warnings now in effect for the Turks & Caicos Islands and the Southeastern Bahamas with Tropical Storm Watches and Warnings for portions of Eastern Cuba. At this time, Oscar is not expected to reach hurricane strength but is a small tropical cyclone which could be subject to more rapid fluctuations in intensity up or down so Oscar will be monitored closely. Advisories on Oscar can be seen on the voipwx.net web site under Atlantic Tropical Products via our Facebook and X feeds and via the NHC web site at the following link:

https://www.nhc.noaa.gov

Tropical Storm Nadine will be making landfall in Belize as a tropical storm later in the next few hours. Tropical Storm force conditions are occurring in San Pedro Belize and a couple reports from online weather stations have been submitted to NHC with a high wind gust of 62 MPH recorded in San Pedro Belize. Nadine will continue to cause flooding from heavy rainfall and some wind damage with some coastal storm surge flooding in portions of Belize and the Yucatan Peninsula of Mexico. Nadine is still not expected to reach hurricane strength so VoIP Hurricane Net Activation is not anticipated. We will continue to monitor the progress of Nadine. Advisories on Nadine can be seen on the voipwx.net web site under Atlantic Tropical Products via our Facebook and X feeds and via the NHC web site at the following link:

https://www.nhc.noaa.gov

The VoIP Hurricane Net management team will closely monitor development in the Atlantic Tropics and will update these systems tonight at 8 PM EDT on the VoIP Hurricane Prep Net. Thanks to all for their continued support of the VoIP Hurricane Net!

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

Hello to all…

Here is an Atlantic Tropical Update for Saturday 10/19/24 at 925 AM EDT:

Tropical Storm Nadine has formed in the Western Caribbean Sea and will be making landfall in Belize as a tropical storm later today. Nadine will cause flooding from heavy rainfall and some wind damage with some coastal storm surge flooding in portions of Belize and the Yucatan Peninsula of Mexico. Nadine will not reach hurricane strength so VoIP Hurricane Net Activation is not anticipated. We will continue to monitor the progress of Nadine. Advisories on Nadine can be seen on the voipwx.net web site under Atlantic Tropical Products via our Facebook and X feeds and via the NHC web site at the following link:

https://www.nhc.noaa.gov

A low pressure system 100 miles east of the Turks and Caicos Islands now has a 90% chance of development into a tropical depression or tropical storm and advisories could be initiated as soon as later today. This system will be monitored closely over the next few days.

The VoIP Hurricane Net management team will closely monitor development in the Atlantic Tropics and will update these systems tonight at 8 PM EDT on the VoIP Hurricane Prep Net. Thanks to all for their continued support of the VoIP Hurricane Net!

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

Hello to all…

The VoIP Hurricane Net activation for Major Hurricane Milton secured on Thursday 10/10/24 at 1100 AM EDT. Informal system monitoring will occur through Thursday Evening. Also, a reminder that due to the lengthy and overnight activation of the VOIP Hurricane Net for Major Hurricane Milton, the VoIP Hurricane Prep Net for Saturday 10/12/24 is canceled.

We wish to thank the reporting stations and our net controls for their support during this activation that spanned 22 hours. Thanks to AE4WX-Mark, KC5FM-Lloyd, N1YLQ-Sparky, KK7AHR-George, WX9VOR-Debby for their efforts during this activation. It is estimated that over 150 volunteer hours were completed by the net including preparatory activation plans and this activation closure message. We also wish to thank all the sysops of listen only conferences and nodes that were on the system.

Using the VoIP Hurricane Net approach of Amateur Radio reporting stations on the net, social media monitoring, public safety and online weather station monitoring, 120 reports meeting the SKYWARN reporting criteria were passed on the net. Over 3.3 million are without power in the state of Florida. The net received dozens of reports of hurricane force wind conditions with the highest wind gust recorded from a Davis weather station of 109 MPH in Bradenton FL. Numerous reports of tornadoes including some large tornadoes were received by the net via various means as well. The first reports of the roof being blown off Tropicana Field in the Tampa Bay/St. Petersburg FL area, which was being used to house power company relief resources, was received via Amateur Radio on our net by various means including direct Amateur Radio reporting. Other structural damage, wind damage, flooding from both heavy rainfall and coastal storm surge flooding were received by various means from the net. A listing of all reports that were received can be seen via the VoIP Hurricane Net Report Viewer at the following link:

https://www.voipwx.net/qilan/nhcwx/list_VOIP_records1?auth=OK

We wish the Amateur Radio Operators and the residents well and keep them in our thoughts and prayers with their response and recovery efforts. We appreciate everyone’s support of the VoIP Hurricane Net!

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

Hello to all..

**The VoIP Hurricane Net will activate at 1 PM EDT Wednesday Afternoon through Early Thursday Afternoon for Major Hurricane Milton and impacts to Florida during this timeframe. The net, on *WX_TALK* Echolink conference node: 7203/IRLP 9219 system and other VoIP radio systems via the KC5FM-R node is supporting WX4NHC, the Amateur Radio station at the National Hurricane Center in Miami Florida.**
**WX4NHC will also be active with their Amateur Radio Station as well during this timeframe.**
**The VoIP Hurricane Prep Net for Saturday 10/12/24 Will Be Canceled Due to Net Activation that will span overnight hours Wednesday Evening into Thursday Morning and the potentially long duration of the net activation.**

Here are the VoIP Hurricane Net Plans for Major Hurricane Milton as of Tuesday 10/8/24 at 410 PM EDT:

The VoIP Hurricane Net will activate at 1 PM EDT Wednesday Afternoon through Early Thursday Afternoon for Major Hurricane Milton and impacts to Florida during this timeframe. The net, on *WX_TALK* Echolink conference node: 7203/IRLP 9219 system and other VoIP radio systems via the KC5FM-R node is supporting WX4NHC, the Amateur Radio station at the National Hurricane Center in Miami Florida. WX4NHC will also be active with their Amateur Radio Station as well during this timeframe. The VoIP Hurricane Prep Net for Saturday 10/12/24 Will Be Canceled Due to Net Activation that will span overnight hours Wednesday Evening into Thursday Morning and the potentially long duration of the net activation.

Any Amateur Radio Operators in the affected area of Milton or with relays into the affected area of Milton are asked to provide surface and damage reports into the VoIP Hurricane Net for relay into WX4NHC, the Amateur Radio station at the National Hurricane Center. We appreciate any and all support from Amateur Operators in the affected area or Amateur Operators with relays into the affected area. We are looking for reports based on the National Weather Service SKYWARN Reporting criteria. This can be seen on the VoIP Hurricane Net web site at the following link:
https://voipwx.net/voip-hurricane-net-reporting-criteria

Any pictures or videos of wind damage, river/stream/urban/storm surge flooding etc. can be sent to our voipwxnet Facebook and Twitter feeds or the following email address: pics@nsradio.org and credit will be given to the Amateur Radio Operator, weather spotter or individual that took the photos and media and be shared with the Amateur Radio team at the National Hurricane Center and other agencies and outlets.

Advisories on Milton can be seen off of the Atlantic Tropical Products menu selection on the voipwxnet web site, via our Facebook and Twitter feeds, and off the National Hurricane Center web site via the following link:
https://www.nhc.noaa.gov

Reports as obtained via the VoIP Hurricane Net from Amateur Radio Operators in the affected area, relays from the affected area or from APRS/CWOP Weather Station feeds and other social media outlets can be found at the following link:
https://www.voipwx.net/qilan/nhcwx/list_VOIP_records1?auth=OK

APRS, Winlink, AllStar, Hamshack Hotline resources that can be monitored are as follows:
APRS kc5fm-9
Winlink KC5FM
Allstar 28848
Echolink KC5FM-R 906281
Hamshack Hotline 94032
DMR TGIF 31207
P25 31207
DSTAR XLXOKL C
Yaesu Fusion 31207
M17-SUN module A

Stations outside the affected area that do not have relays into the affected area who would like to listen into the VoIP Hurricane Net can use any of the following systems for listen-only purposes and can connect on either Echolink or IRLP:
*NEW-ENG3* Echolink conference node: 9123/IRLP 9123
*SKY_GATE* Echolink conference node: 868981/IRLP 9252
*KC4QLP-C* Echolink conference node: 290251
*ARERT* Echolink conference node: 902723 (Also bridged to Allstar on Node 273660 and on the YCS311 C4FM Server at http://c4fm.mntrbo.net ID:74)
*FLORIDA* Echolink conference node: 3082

These streaming audio feeds should be available. Those streaming audio feeds are as follows:
Streaming feed 1: http://74.208.24.77:8000 -Provided by KC4QLP-Bob Carter
Streaming feed 2: http://radio.arert.net:8000/ARERT -Provided by the ARERT conference owners and sysops
Streaming feed 3: https://www.broadcastify.com/listen/feed/38868 -Provided by the ARERT conference owners and sysops

Video streams will be provided by ARERT if they find video feeds from the affected area and will have audio from the hurricane net on it. Those streams are below:
Video stream feed 1: https://www.twitch.tv/pp93news
Video stream feed 2: https://dlive.tv/ARERT
Special thanks to N0VZC-Mike Norrbom and the ARERT sysops for their support of these feeds.

Please note that there could be additional listen only nodes and streaming feeds. If time allows, this info will be updated via the voipwxnet web site and social media feeds.

The VoIP Hurricane Net Management team continues to closely watch major Hurricane Milton. Thanks to all for their continued support of the VoIP Hurricane Net!

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

Hello to all…

Tropical Depression (TD) 14 is now Tropical Storm Milton in the Southwestern Gulf of Mexico. It is expected to intensify into Hurricane Milton and threaten Florida Late Tuesday into Thursday Morning as a major hurricane with VoIP Hurricane Net activation likely. Advisories on Milton can be seen off the main menu of the VoIP Hurricane Net web site under Atlantic Tropical Products, via our voipwxnet Facebook and X feeds and via the National Hurricane Center (NHC) web site at the following link:

https://www.nhc.noaa.gov

Residents and Amateur Radio Operators along the west coast of Florida through the Florida Keys should prepare for a major hurricane strike now for the late Tuesday into Thursday Morning timeframe. Any Amateur Radio Operators in the affected area who can connect to our hurricane net during this potential event would be helpful to give surface reports to WX4NHC, the Amateur Radio station at the National Hurricane Center, as needed. Amateur Radio Operators who have relays into people that live in the affected area and can gather surface reports will also be helpful. Activation plans for this system will likely be posted early next week for a middle of next week Hurricane Net Activation.

The VoIP Hurricane Net Management Team will closely monitor the progress of Milton and any other systems threatening land in the Atlantic Tropics. Thanks to all for their continued support of the VoIP Hurricane Net!

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

Hello to all…

Tropical Depression (TD) 14 forms in the Southwestern Gulf of Mexico. It is expected to intensify into Hurricane Milton and threaten Florida mid-next week with VoIP Hurricane Net activation likely. Advisories on TD 14 can be seen off the main menu of the VoIP Hurricane Net web site under Atlantic Tropical Products, via our voipwxnet Facebook and X feeds and via the National Hurricane Center (NHC) web site at the following link:

https://www.nhc.noaa.gov

Residents and Amateur Radio Operators along the west coast of Florida through the Florida Keys should prepare for a hurricane strike now for the middle of next week. Any Amateur Radio Operators in the affected area who can connect to our hurricane net during this potential event would be helpful to give surface reports to WX4NHC, the Amateur Radio station at the National Hurricane Center, as needed. Amateur Radio Operators who have relays into people that live in the affected area and can gather surface reports will also be helpful. Activation plans for this system will likely be posted early next week for a middle of next week Hurricane Net Activation.

The VoIP Hurricane Net Management Team will closely monitor the progress of TD 14 and any other systems threatening land in the Atlantic Tropics. Thanks to all for their continued support of the VoIP Hurricane Net!

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

Hello to all…

The VoIP Hurricane Net secured formal activation for Hurricane Helene on Friday AM 9/27/24 at 500 AM EDT/900 UTC. The net was active for 19 continuous hours of operation. Special thanks to KC5FM-Lloyd, AE4WX-Mark and N1YLQ-Sparky for their Net Control support during this net activation with approximately 80 volunteer hours logged. A total of 88 reports were submitted from the affected area into WX4NHC, the Amateur Radio Station at the National Hurricane Center through Amateur Radio Operators, personal/online weather stations, social media, public safety and other sources. Some of the wind gusts recorded by our net were 103 MPH at Alligator Point, FL, 101 MPH at Wallkula High School in Crawfordville FL, 99 MPH at Dowling Park, FL, Perry FL ASOS 99 MPH, 99 MPH Jennings FL, 96 MPH Gust at Lowndes County Utility Grassypond, 94 MPH in Jasper FL, 82 MPH Gust in Mayo FL, 81 MPH Montgomery GA and 77 MPH in Midway GA. Higher sustained wind speeds and wind gusts likely occurred but the hurricane core tracked through an area with no coastal weather stations at the landfall point. Over 3 million people are without power in an area from Florida to Georgia to South Carolina to North Carolina at the time this message was written. A complete list of the reports received can be seen at the following link:

https://www.voipwx.net/qilan/nhcwx/list_VOIP_records1?auth=OK

We would like to thank N5OZG-Joe Glorioso, a long time VoIP Hurricane Net supporter, for assisting with getting the Georgia Echolink conference connected to our net as the Hams on that conference provided numerous reports for our net. We also thank all the stations who supported on the net with reports and connections to the affected area of Hurricane Helene. We wish those severely impacted by this hurricane a speedy recovery and we will keep them in our prayers.

While we have Hurricane Issac in the open Atlantic Ocean and another area of disturbed weather in the Atlantic with a high chance of development, no other land area is expected to be impacted by a tropical system over the next several days. The VoIP Hurricane Net management team will closely monitor the progress of Issac and any other development in the Tropics. The VoIP Hurricane Prep Net for Saturday 9/28/24 is canceled due to extended activation for Helene. Thanks to all for their continued support of the VoIP Hurricane Net!

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

Hello to all..

**The VoIP Hurricane Net will activate at 10 AM EDT Thursday Morning and remain active for as long as necessary for Hurricane Helene and impacts to Florida and Georgia Thursday Morning through Friday Morning. The net, on *WX_TALK* Echolink conference node: 7203/IRLP 9219 system and other VoIP radio systems via the KC5FM-R node is supporting WX4NHC, the Amateur Radio station at the National Hurricane Center in Miami Florida.**
**WX4NHC will also be active with their Amateur Radio Station as well beginning at 3 PM EDT Thursday Afternoon through late Thursday Evening.**
**The VoIP Hurricane Prep Net for Saturday 9/28/24 Will Be Canceled Due to Net Activation 36-48 hours prior to the day of the regular prep net and the potentially long duration of the net activation.**

Here are the VoIP Hurricane Net Plans for Hurricane Helene as of Wednesday 9/25/24 at 240 PM EDT:

The VoIP Hurricane Net will activate at 10 AM EDT Thursday Morning and remain active for as long as necessary for Hurricane Helene and impacts to Florida and Georgia Thursday Morning through Friday Morning. The net, on *WX_TALK* Echolink conference node: 7203/IRLP 9219 system and other VoIP radio systems via the KC5FM-R node is supporting WX4NHC, the Amateur Radio station at the National Hurricane Center in Miami Florida. WX4NHC will also be active with their Amateur Radio Station as well beginning at 3 PM EDT Thursday Afternoon through late Thursday Evening. The VoIP Hurricane Prep Net for Saturday 9/28/24 Will be canceled due to net activation 36-48 hours prior to the day of the regular prep net and the potentially long duration of the net activation.

Any Amateur Radio Operators in the affected area of Helene or with relays into the affected area of Helene are asked to provide surface and damage reports into the VoIP Hurricane Net for relay into WX4NHC, the Amateur Radio station at the National Hurricane Center. We appreciate any and all support from Amateur Operators in the affected area or Amateur Operators with relays into the affected area. We are looking for reports based on the National Weather Service SKYWARN Reporting criteria. This can be seen on the VoIP Hurricane Net web site at the following link:
https://voipwx.net/voip-hurricane-net-reporting-criteria

Any pictures or videos of wind damage, river/stream/urban/storm surge flooding etc. can be sent to our voipwxnet Facebook and Twitter feeds or the following email address: pics@nsradio.org and credit will be given to the Amateur Radio Operator, weather spotter or individual that took the photos and media and be shared with the Amateur Radio team at the National Hurricane Center and other agencies and outlets.

Advisories on Helene can be seen off of the Atlantic Tropical Products menu selection on the voipwxnet web site, via our Facebook and Twitter feeds, and off the National Hurricane Center web site via the following link:
https://www.nhc.noaa.gov

Reports as obtained via the VoIP Hurricane Net from Amateur Radio Operators in the affected area, relays from the affected area or from APRS/CWOP Weather Station feeds and other social media outlets can be found at the following link:
https://www.voipwx.net/qilan/nhcwx/list_VOIP_records1?auth=OK

APRS, Winlink, AllStar, Hamshack Hotline resources that can be monitored are as follows:
APRS kc5fm-9
Winlink KC5FM
Allstar 28848
Echolink KC5FM-R 906281
Hamshack Hotline 94032
DMR TGIF 31207
P25 31207
DSTAR XLXOKL C
Yaesu Fusion 31207
M17-SUN module A

Stations outside the affected area that do not have relays into the affected area who would like to listen into the VoIP Hurricane Net can use any of the following systems for listen-only purposes and can connect on either Echolink or IRLP:
*NEW-ENG3* Echolink conference node: 9123/IRLP 9123
*SKY_GATE* Echolink conference node: 868981/IRLP 9252
*KC4QLP-C* Echolink conference node: 290251
*ARERT* Echolink conference node: 902723 (Also bridged to Allstar on Node 273660 and on the YCS311 C4FM Server at http://c4fm.mntrbo.net ID:74)
*FLORIDA* Echolink conference node: 3082

These streaming audio feeds should be available. Those streaming audio feeds are as follows:
Streaming feed 1: http://74.208.24.77:8000 -Provided by KC4QLP-Bob Carter
Streaming feed 2: http://radio.arert.net:8000/ARERT -Provided by the ARERT conference owners and sysops
Streaming feed 3: https://www.broadcastify.com/listen/feed/38868 -Provided by the ARERT conference owners and sysops

Video streams will be provided by ARERT if they find video feeds from the affected area and will have audio from the hurricane net on it. Those streams are below:
Video stream feed 1: https://www.twitch.tv/pp93news
Video stream feed 2: https://dlive.tv/ARERT
Special thanks to N0VZC-Mike Norrbom and the ARERT sysops for their support of these feeds.

Please note that there could be additional listen only nodes and streaming feeds. If time allows, this info will be updated via the voipwxnet web site and social media feeds.

The VoIP Hurricane Net Management team continues to closely watch Hurricane Helene. Thanks to all for their continued support of the VoIP Hurricane Net!

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

Hello to all…

Tropical Storm Helene has formed in the Northwest Caribbean Sea. Helene is expected to become a major hurricane with significant impacts to Florida and Georgia Thursday into Friday. The VoIP Hurricane Net and WX4NHC, the Amateur Radio Station at the National Hurricane Center, will activate Thursday Morning into Friday Morning on the *WX_TALK* Echolink conference node: 7203/IRLP 9219 reflector system for Helene and impacts to Florida and Georgia. The net activation announcement will be posted by Wednesday Afternoon. Information on Helene can be seen in the Atlantic Tropical Weather Outlook off the main menu of the VoIP Hurricane Net web site under Atlantic Tropical Products, via the voipwxnet Facebook and X feeds and via the National Hurricane Center (NHC) web site at the following link:

https://www.nhc.noaa.gov/

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

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

Hello to all…

The VoIP Hurricane Net Management Team is monitoring Invest 97L in the Western Caribbean Sea. This system has a medium chance to develop in 48 hours and a high chance for development after 48 hours. If the system develops as expected, it would be named Helene. This system poses a potentially significant threat to the US northern Gulf Coast in the Thursday to Friday timeframe. Information on this system can be seen in the Atlantic Tropical Weather Outlook off the main menu of the VoIP Hurricane Net web site under Atlantic Tropical Products, via the voipwxnet Facebook and X feeds and via the National Hurricane Center (NHC) web site at the following link:

https://www.nhc.noaa.gov/

Elsewhere in the Atlantic Tropics, a tropical wave off the coast of Africa could develop into a Tropical Depression in the next 7 days and has a medium chance, 60% for development. This system will only be a threat to shipping interests over the next week to 10 days.

The VoIP Hurricane Net Management team will continue to monitor all of the tropics closely with a particular concern with Invest 97L in the Western Caribbean Sea. Thanks to all for the continued support of the VoIP Hurricane Net!

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

Hello to all…

Here is an update on the Atlantic Tropics as of Monday 9/16/24 at 820 AM EDT/1220 UTC:

Potential Tropical Cyclone 8 (PTC-8) is near the Southeast North Carolina/Northeast South Carolina coast line. Regardless of development into a named tropical storm, tropical storm force conditions of heavy rainfall, strong to damaging winds and coastal flooding are occurring in this area with Tropical Storm Warnings in effect for parts of the Southeast North Carolina and Northeast South Carolina coastline. The system may make landfall before it has enough organization to be a tropical storm or if it organizes sufficiently and becomes named before landfall, it would be named Helene. There is little to no risk of this system becoming a hurricane given its close proximity to land.

Tropical Depression Gordon is out in the Central Atlantic and will not be a threat to land over the next 7 days. The system is in a hostile environment for development but if its able to survive the hostile conditions over the next 2-3 days, Gordon would have an opportunity to strengthen. This will be monitored over the next few days.

Advisories on PTC-8 and Gordon can be seen off the main menu of the VoIP Hurricane Net web site under Atlantic Tropical Products, via our voipwxnet Facebook/X feeds or via the National Hurricane Center (NHC) web site at the following link:

https://www.nhc.noaa.gov

No other areas of tropical development are expected over the next 7 days. The VoIP Hurricane Net Management Team will closely monitor 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

Hello to all…

The VoIP Hurricane Net secured formal net operations for Hurricane Francine on Wednesday 9/11/24 at 1100 PM EDT/1000 PM CDT as Francine weakened to a tropical storm. Thanks to AE4WX-Mark, K2DCD-Dennis, and KC5FM-Lloyd for all the net control support and to all stations that checked in during the net and gave reports or just stood by and monitored while the net was conducted.

Additionally, specific thanks goes to N5OZG-Joe Glorioso and the Crescent City Amateur Radio Group along with N4KYS-Joe Humberger, who was stationed at the Orleans Parish EOC for their reports, connectivity to the N5OZG Repeater system and to various tools from the Orleans Parish EOC which provided a number of surface reports during Francine. This was in addition to social media, public safety and online weather station monitoring. A total of 58 reports were submitted to WX4NHC, the Amateur Radio station at the National Hurricane Center, some of which were used in NHC Advisories and Tropical Cyclone Updates. Reports ranged from wind damage to buildings, tree and wire damage reports, coastal storm surge flood, wind measurement, rain gauge and rain related street flooding reports. A complete listing of the reports can be seen in the VoIP Hurricane Net Report Viewer at the following link:

https://www.voipwx.net/qilan/nhcwx/list_VOIP_records1?auth=OK

The Atlantic Tropics are a bit more active and Tropical Depression 7 has formed in the far Eastern Atlantic. We will provide a complete update on the Atlantic Tropics later on Thursday or Friday. Thanks to all for their continued support of the VoIP Hurricane Net!

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

Hello to all..

**The VoIP Hurricane Net will activate at 9 AM EDT Wednesday Morning and remain active for as long as necessary for Hurricane Francine as it is expected she will strike the Louisiana and Mississippi Gulf Coast Wednesday late morning through Wednesday Night. The net, on *WX_TALK* Echolink conference node: 7203/IRLP 9219 system and other VoIP radio systems via the KC5FM-R node is supporting WX4NHC, the Amateur Radio station at the National Hurricane Center in Miami Florida.**
**WX4NHC will also be active with their Amateur Radio Station as well beginning at 9 AM EDT Wednesday Morning.**

Here are the VoIP Hurricane Net Plans for Hurricane Francine as of Tuesday 9/10/24 at 920 PM EDT:

The VoIP Hurricane Net will activate at 9 AM EDT Wednesday Morning and remain active for as long as necessary for Hurricane Francine as it is expected she will strike the Louisiana and Mississippi Gulf Coast Wednesday late morning through Wednesday Night. The net, on *WX_TALK* Echolink conference node: 7203/IRLP 9219 system and other VoIP radio systems via the KC5FM-R node is supporting WX4NHC, the Amateur Radio station at the National Hurricane Center in Miami Florida. WX4NHC will also be active with their Amateur Radio Station as well beginning at 9 AM EDT Wednesday Morning.

Any Amateur Radio Operators in the affected area of Francine or with relays into the affected area of Francine are asked to provide surface and damage reports into the VoIP Hurricane Net for relay into WX4NHC, the Amateur Radio station at the National Hurricane Center. We appreciate any and all support from Amateur Operators in the affected area or Amateur Operators with relays into the affected area. We are looking for reports based on the National Weather Service SKYWARN Reporting criteria. This can be seen on the VoIP Hurricane Net web site at the following link:
https://voipwx.net/voip-hurricane-net-reporting-criteria

Any pictures or videos of wind damage, river/stream/urban/storm surge flooding etc. can be sent to our voipwxnet Facebook and Twitter feeds or the following email address: pics@nsradio.org and credit will be given to the Amateur Radio Operator, weather spotter or individual that took the photos and media and be shared with the Amateur Radio team at the National Hurricane Center and other agencies and outlets.

Advisories on Francine can be seen off of the Atlantic Tropical Products menu selection on the voipwxnet web site, via our Facebook and Twitter feeds, and off the National Hurricane Center web site via the following link:
https://www.nhc.noaa.gov

Reports as obtained via the VoIP Hurricane Net from Amateur Radio Operators in the affected area, relays from the affected area or from APRS/CWOP Weather Station feeds and other social media outlets can be found at the following link:
https://www.voipwx.net/qilan/nhcwx/list_VOIP_records1?auth=OK

APRS, Winlink, AllStar, Hamshack Hotline resources that can be monitored are as follows:
APRS kc5fm-9
Winlink KC5FM
Allstar 28848
Echolink KC5FM-R 906281
Hamshack Hotline 94032
DMR TGIF 31207
P25 31207
DSTAR XLXOKL C
Yaesu Fusion 31207
M17-SUN module A

Stations outside the affected area that do not have relays into the affected area who would like to listen into the VoIP Hurricane Net can use any of the following systems for listen-only purposes and can connect on either Echolink or IRLP:
*NEW-ENG3* Echolink conference node: 9123/IRLP 9123
*SKY_GATE* Echolink conference node: 868981/IRLP 9252
*KC4QLP-C* Echolink conference node: 290251
*ARERT* Echolink conference node: 902723 (Also bridged to Allstar on Node 273660 and on the YCS311 C4FM Server at http://c4fm.mntrbo.net ID:74)
*FLORIDA* Echolink conference node: 3082

These two streaming audio feeds should be available. Those streaming audio feeds are as follows:
Streaming feed 1: http://74.208.24.77:8000 -Provided by KC4QLP-Bob Carter
Streaming feed 2: http://radio.arert.net:8000/ARERT -Provided by the ARERT conference owners and sysops
Streaming feed 3: https://www.broadcastify.com/listen/feed/38868 -Provided by the ARERT conference owners and sysops

Video streams will be provided by ARERT if they find video feeds from the affected area and will have audio from the hurricane net on it. Those streams are below:
Video stream feed 1: https://www.twitch.tv/pp93news
Video stream feed 2: https://dlive.tv/ARERT
Special thanks to N0VZC-Mike Norrbom and the ARERT sysops for their support of these feeds.

Please note that there could be additional listen only nodes and streaming feeds. If time allows, this info will be updated via the voipwxnet web site and social media feeds.

The VoIP Hurricane Net Management team continues to closely watch Hurricane Francine. Thanks to all for their continued support of the VoIP Hurricane Net!

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

Hello to all…

Tropical Storm Francine has formed in the Southwest Gulf of Mexico. Francine is expected to intensify into a hurricane with impacts to the Texas and Louisiana Coast Wednesday into Thursday. VoIP Hurricane Net and WX4NHC, the Amateur Radio Station at the National Hurricane Center (NHC) activation is likely some time Wednesday AM/Early PM lasting through late Wednesday Evening/Thursday Morning. Any stations in the affected area or stations with relays into the affected area of Francine are asked to join our net and give reports based on the SKYWARN reporting criteria to support surface reporting into NHC and other partner agencies/entities. We will post a definitive activation plan some time during the day Tuesday. Advisories on Francine can be seen off the main menu of the voipwx.net web site under Atlantic Tropical Products, via the voipwxnet Facebook and Twitter feeds and via the NHC web site at the following link:

https://www.nhc.noaa.gov/

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

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

Hello to all…

With no imminent tropical cyclone formation expected during the next 7 days in the Atlantic basin (one area of disturbed weather being monitored in the Central Tropical Atlantic with a 20% chance for development) and the US Labor Day Holiday Weekend, the VoIP Hurricane Prep Net for Saturday 8/31/24 will be canceled to allow US Amateur Radio Operators that support our net to enjoy the long holiday weekend. The next VoIP Hurricane Prep Net will be Saturday 9/7/24 at 8 PM EDT. Have a great holiday weekend and thanks to all for their continued support of the VoIP Hurricane Net!

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

Hello to all…

The VoIP Hurricane Net Activation for Hurricane Ernesto and impacts on Bermuda was closed on Saturday 8/17/24 at 12 PM EDT/1600 UTC. Bermuda had about 73% of the country or about 26,000 people without power. Coastal storm surge and wave action battered coastal areas. Sustained hurricane force conditions of 74.4 Knots (86 MPH) with a wind gust to 94.7 knots or 109 MPH was recorded at the National Museum of Bermuda on the Northwest part of the island. Hurricane force wind gusts were also recorded at the National Bermuda Library of 86 MPH with hurricane force wind gusts at St. David’s Island of 75 MPH and Spanishport Bermuda of 74 MPH. These weather station reports were relayed by our net along with social media reports of trees down and some structural damage. The tropical storm conditions with gusts to hurricane force lasted an extended period of time as Ernesto slowed after making landfall on Bermuda. A total of 21 reports were sent in via our net. Special thanks to K2DCD-Dennis, KC5FM-Lloyd, WX9VOR-Debby and AE4WX-Mark for monitoring the network for this hurricane and helping with overall net operations. Approximately 40 volunteer hours of service were logged by the team. A list of reports gathered from this net can be seen via the VoIP Hurricane Net Report viewer at the following link:

https://www.voipwx.net/qilan/nhcwx/list_VOIP_records1?auth=OK

Ernesto is expected to make a close pass to Southeast Newfoundland Canada while undergoing post tropical transition. At this time, we will watch Ernesto’s progress but based on his track and intensity, it appears a VoIP Hurricane Net activation for Southeast Newfoundland Canada will not be necessary but we will coordinate with the Canadian Hurricane Centre in addition to the WX4NHC Amateur Radio team on support. If no support is required, this will be the last message concerning Ernesto.

Elsewhere in the tropics, no tropical cyclone formation is expected over the next 7 days but as we get to late this week into next week, there could be tropical waves to monitor and we will be drawing closer to the mid-September peak of the 2024 Atlantic Hurricane Season, so now is the time to be prepared. Thanks to all for their continued support of the VoIP Hurricane Net!

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

Hello to all..

**The VoIP Hurricane Net will activate at 8 PM EDT Friday Evening through about 5 PM EDT Saturday Afternoon for Hurricane Ernesto and impacts on Bermuda. The net, on *WX_TALK* Echolink conference node: 7203/IRLP 9219 system and other VoIP radio systems via the KC5FM-R node is supporting WX4NHC, the Amateur Radio station at the National Hurricane Center in Miami Florida. Note during overnight hours Friday Evening into Saturday Morning, we will be in an activation monitoring mode for any stations that call on the system**
**WX4NHC will also be active with their Amateur Radio Station as well during this timeframe.**
**The VoIP Hurricane Prep Net for Saturday Evening 8/17/24 has been canceled. The next VoIP Hurricane Prep Net will be Saturday Evening 8/24/24 unless a hurricane net activation is required.**

Here are the VoIP Hurricane Net Plans for Ernesto as of Friday Morning 8/16/24 at 735 AM EDT:

The VoIP Hurricane Net will activate at 8 PM EDT Friday Evening through about 5 PM EDT Saturday Afternoon for Hurricane Ernesto and impacts on Bermuda. The net, on *WX_TALK* Echolink conference node: 7203/IRLP 9219 system and other VoIP radio systems via the KC5FM-R node is supporting WX4NHC, the Amateur Radio station at the National Hurricane Center in Miami Florida. Note during overnight hours Friday Evening into Saturday Morning, we will be in an activation monitoring mode for any stations that call on the system. WX4NHC will also be active with their Amateur Radio Station as well during this timeframe.

The VoIP Hurricane Prep Net for Saturday Evening 8/17/24 has been canceled. The next VoIP Hurricane Prep Net will be Saturday Evening 8/24/24 unless a hurricane net activation is required.

Any Amateur Radio Operators in the affected area of Ernesto or with relays into the affected area of Ernesto are asked to provide surface and damage reports into the VoIP Hurricane Net for relay into WX4NHC, the Amateur Radio station at the National Hurricane Center. We appreciate any and all support from Amateur Operators in the affected area or Amateur Operators with relays into the affected area. We are looking for reports based on the National Weather Service SKYWARN Reporting criteria. This can be seen on the VoIP Hurricane Net web site at the following link:

VoIP Hurricane Net Reporting Criteria

Any pictures or videos of wind damage, river/stream/urban/storm surge flooding etc. can be sent to our voipwxnet Facebook and Twitter feeds or the following email address: pics@nsradio.org and credit will be given to the Amateur Radio Operator, weather spotter or individual that took the photos and media and be shared with the Amateur Radio team at the National Hurricane Center and other agencies and outlets.

Advisories on Ernesto can be seen off of the Atlantic Tropical Products menu selection on the voipwxnet web site, via our Facebook and Twitter feeds, and off the National Hurricane Center web site via the following link:
https://www.nhc.noaa.gov

Reports as obtained via the VoIP Hurricane Net from Amateur Radio Operators in the affected area, relays from the affected area or from APRS/CWOP Weather Station feeds and other social media outlets can be found at the following link:
https://www.voipwx.net/qilan/nhcwx/list_VOIP_records1?auth=OK

APRS, Winlink, AllStar, Hamshack Hotline resources that can be monitored are as follows:
APRS kc5fm-9
Winlink KC5FM
Allstar 28848
Echolink KC5FM-R 906281
Hamshack Hotline 94032
DMR TGIF 31207
P25 31207
DSTAR XLXOKL C
Yaesu Fusion 31207
M17-SUN module A

Stations outside the affected area that do not have relays into the affected area who would like to listen into the VoIP Hurricane Net can use any of the following systems for listen-only purposes and can connect on either Echolink or IRLP:
*NEW-ENG3* Echolink conference node: 9123/IRLP 9123
*SKY_GATE* Echolink conference node: 868981/IRLP 9252
*KC4QLP-C* Echolink conference node: 290251
*ARERT* Echolink conference node: 902723 (Also bridged to Allstar on Node 273660 and on the YCS311 C4FM Server at http://c4fm.mntrbo.net ID:74)
*FLORIDA* Echolink conference node: 3082

These two streaming audio feeds should be available. Those streaming audio feeds are as follows:
Streaming feed 1: http://74.208.24.77:8000 -Provided by KC4QLP-Bob Carter
Streaming feed 2: http://radio.arert.net:8000/ARERT -Provided by the ARERT conference owners and sysops
Streaming feed 3: https://www.broadcastify.com/listen/feed/38868 -Provided by the ARERT conference owners and sysops

Video streams will be provided by ARERT if they find video feeds from the affected area and will have audio from the hurricane net on it. Those streams are below:
Video stream feed 1: https://www.twitch.tv/pp93news
Video stream feed 2: https://dlive.tv/ARERT
Special thanks to N0VZC-Mike Norrbom and the ARERT sysops for their support of these feeds.

Please note that there could be additional listen only nodes and streaming feeds. If time allows, this info will be updated via the voipwxnet web site and social media feeds.

The VoIP Hurricane Net Management team continues to closely watch Hurricane Ernesto. Thanks to all for their continued support of the VoIP Hurricane Net!

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

Hello to all…

Due to Hurricane Ernesto and impacts on Bermuda, the VoIP Hurricane Prep Net for Saturday 8/17/24 will be canceled. The next VoIP Hurricane Prep Net will take place Saturday 8/24/24 barring a net activation for a landfalling hurricane. The Hurricane Ernesto activation plan will be posted within the next hour. Thanks to all for their continued support of the VoIP Hurricane Net!

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

Hello to all…

Tropical Storm Erneseto has formed in the Atlantic. Tropical Storm Warnings are posted for portions of the Caribbean Islands including the US Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico. At this time, Ernesto is expected to be below hurricane strength as it affects the islands and as it turns northwest and northward away from the islands, Ernesto will strengthen into a hurricane. Given this forecast scenario, VoIP Hurricane Net activation is not expected as it affects the islands but the VoIP Hurricane Net Management team will closely monitor Ernesto’s progress in case he intensifies into a hurricane sooner. There is also a possible hurricane impact to the island of Bermuda as we get towards this weekend that will bear watching for possible VoIP Hurricane Net Activation. This will be updated as we get closer to this weekend. Advisories on Ernesto can be seen of the main menu of the voipwx.net web site under Atlantic Tropical Products, via our voipwxnet Facebook and Twitter feeds or directly via the National Hurricane Center web site at the following link:

https://www.nhc.noaa.gov/

The VoIP Hurricane Net will closely monitor the progress of Ernesto and any new developments in the Tropics. Thanks to all for their continued support for the VoIP Hurricane Net!

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

Hello to all…

Tropical Storm Debby is slowly intensifying offshore of the Georgia and South Carolina coast but lacks a good inner core to allow for reintensification and is currently expected to remain below hurricane strength when it makes a second landfall on the South Carolina coast late tonight or Thursday. Where Debby will remain below hurricane strength, no further VoIP Hurricane Net activations are anticipated for Debby. After the second landfall as a tropical storm, Debby will then get merged and swept into a frontal system and track north through the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast US with significant flooding and severe weather possible. Debby has caused significant flooding from heavy rainfall and storm surge and scattered tornadoes along its path after making landfall as a hurricane in the Big Bend area of Florida and is being handled at the local and regional level by ARES and SKYWARN groups.

Advisories on Debby can be seen off the main menu of the voipwx.net web site, via our Facebook and Twitter social media feeds and via the National Hurricane Center web site at the following link:

https://www.nhc.noaa.gov

Elsewhere in the Atlantic tropics, a tropical wave in the southwestern Caribbean Sea only has a low chance, 10% of development over the next 7 days as it track towards the Central America and Yucatan Peninsula of Mexico coastline. The VoIP Hurricane Net Management team will continue to monitor all 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

Hello to all…

The VoIP Hurricane Net activated informally at 6 AM EDT and went to a formal net at 8 AM EDT Monday Morning for Hurricane Debby as her landfall occurred approximately 7 hours earlier than originally forecast. Nonetheless, 11 reports were sent into WX4NHC, the Amateur Radio Station at the National Hurricane Center. This included an online weather station report of a 98 MPH Wind Gust with Sustained winds of 68 MPH at Horseshoe Beach, FL and a wind gust to 91 MPH a few miles south of Steinhatchee, FL. Storm surge flooding, and wind damage were also reported. Wind gusts of 60-70 MPH extended inland into Mayo through Madison FL and included Valdosta GA from an Amateur Radio APRS Station and those reports were submitted via our net. Special thanks to AE4WX-Mark, N1YLQ-Sparky and KC5FM-Lloyd for their support during this net activation. Full details on reports sent into WX4NHC can be seen on the VoIP Hurricane Net Report Viewer at the following link:

https://www.voipwx.net/qilan/nhcwx/list_VOIP_records1?auth=OK

The VoIP Hurricane Net will closely monitor the progress of Debby as it causes record breaking flooding in the Southeast US in Southeast Georgia and much of South Carolina and potentially North Carolina. If our network can assist and local and regional groups in the area, this system is available for use. While the current forecast keeps Debby from regaining hurricane strength, there are some weather models that bring Debby to hurricane strength and this will be watched closely as it will depend how much of the system remains over water to regain strength. The VoIP Hurricane Net Management Team will closely monitor the progress of Debby. Thanks to all for their continued support of the VoIP Hurricane Net!

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

Hello to all..

**The VoIP Hurricane Net will activate at 8 AM EDT Monday Morning and remain active for as long as necessary for Debby as it is expected she will strengthen into a hurricane on approach to the Florida Big Bend Coast and could intensify rapidly before landfall. The net, on *WX_TALK* Echolink conference node: 7203/IRLP 9219 system and other VoIP radio systems via the KC5FM-R node is supporting WX4NHC, the Amateur Radio station at the National Hurricane Center in Miami Florida.**
**An additional activation for the Carolinas is possible later in the week but will largely depend on Debby’s track which will be slow and erratic and may or may not be over the ocean waters which will determine her eventual strength in the Carolinas.**
**WX4NHC will also be active with their Amateur Radio Station as well during this timeframe.**

Here are the VoIP Hurricane Net Plans for Debby as of Sunday 8/4/24 at 1020 AM EDT:

The VoIP Hurricane Net will activate at 8 AM EDT Monday Morning and remain active for as long as necessary for Debby as it is expected she will strengthen into a hurricane on approach to the Florida Big Bend Coast and could intensify rapidly before landfall. The net, on *WX_TALK* Echolink conference node: 7203/IRLP 9219 system and other VoIP radio systems via the KC5FM-R node is supporting WX4NHC, the Amateur Radio station at the National Hurricane Center in Miami Florida.

An additional activation for the Carolinas is possible later in the week but will largely depend on Debby’s track which will be slow and erratic and may or may not be over the ocean waters which will determine her eventual strength in the Carolinas.

Any Amateur Radio Operators in the affected area of Debby or with relays into the affected area of Debby are asked to provide surface and damage reports into the VoIP Hurricane Net for relay into WX4NHC, the Amateur Radio station at the National Hurricane Center. We appreciate any and all support from Amateur Operators in the affected area or Amateur Operators with relays into the affected area. We are looking for reports based on the National Weather Service SKYWARN Reporting criteria. This can be seen on the VoIP Hurricane Net web site at the following link:
https://voipwx.net/voip-hurricane-net-reporting-criteria

Any pictures or videos of wind damage, river/stream/urban/storm surge flooding etc. can be sent to our voipwxnet Facebook and Twitter feeds or the following email address: pics@nsradio.org and credit will be given to the Amateur Radio Operator, weather spotter or individual that took the photos and media and be shared with the Amateur Radio team at the National Hurricane Center and other agencies and outlets.

Advisories on Debby can be seen off of the Atlantic Tropical Products menu selection on the voipwxnet web site, via our Facebook and Twitter feeds, and off the National Hurricane Center web site via the following link:
https://www.nhc.noaa.gov

Reports as obtained via the VoIP Hurricane Net from Amateur Radio Operators in the affected area, relays from the affected area or from APRS/CWOP Weather Station feeds and other social media outlets can be found at the following link:
https://www.voipwx.net/qilan/nhcwx/list_VOIP_records1?auth=OK

APRS, Winlink, AllStar, Hamshack Hotline resources that can be monitored are as follows:
APRS kc5fm-9
Winlink KC5FM
Allstar 28848
Echolink KC5FM-R 906281
Hamshack Hotline 94032
DMR TGIF 31207
P25 31207
DSTAR XLXOKL C
Yaesu Fusion 31207
M17-SUN module A

Stations outside the affected area that do not have relays into the affected area who would like to listen into the VoIP Hurricane Net can use any of the following systems for listen-only purposes and can connect on either Echolink or IRLP:
*SKY_GATE* Echolink conference node: 868981/IRLP 9252
*KC4QLP-C* Echolink conference node: 290251
*ARERT* Echolink conference node: 902723 (Also bridged to Allstar on Node 273660 and on the YCS311 C4FM Server at http://c4fm.mntrbo.net ID:74)
*FLORIDA* Echolink conference node: 3082

These two streaming audio feeds should be available. Those streaming audio feeds are as follows:
Streaming feed 1: http://74.208.24.77:8000 -Provided by KC4QLP-Bob Carter
Streaming feed 2: http://radio.arert.net:8000/ARERT -Provided by the ARERT conference owners and sysops
Streaming feed 3: https://www.broadcastify.com/listen/feed/38868 -Provided by the ARERT conference owners and sysops

Video streams will be provided by ARERT if they find video feeds from the affected area and will have audio from the hurricane net on it. Those streams are below:
Video stream feed 1: https://www.twitch.tv/pp93news
Video stream feed 2: https://dlive.tv/ARERT
Special thanks to N0VZC-Mike Norrbom and the ARERT sysops for their support of these feeds.

Please note that there could be additional listen only nodes and streaming feeds. If time allows, this info will be updated via the voipwxnet web site and social media feeds.

The VoIP Hurricane Net Management team continues to closely watch Hurricane Debby. Thanks to all for their continued support of the VoIP Hurricane Net!

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

Hello to all…

The VoIP Hurricane Net secured on Monday 7/8/24 at 1100 AM EDT as Beryl weakened to a tropical storm at that time. The VoIP Hurricane Net fielded dozens of reports from online weather stations reporting wind gusts between 50-98 MPH with winds above 74 MPH being hurricane force wind gust criteria. Sustained winds were high end tropical storm force to Category-1 hurricane force winds.

We wish to extend a special thank you to the South Coast Reflector and Amateur Radio Operator N6KNE (hopefully, we got that call-sign correct) for allowing a connection into our net where close to 10 Amateur Radio Operators checked in and provided storm reports that were sent to WX4NHC, the Amateur Radio Station at the National Hurricane Center. We would love to see more of this cooperation in the future with other parts of coastal areas threatened by hurricanes.

The VoIP Hurricane Net also relayed reports of storm damage via social media and public safety radio feeds during the 9 hour net activation from 2-11 AM EDT. Special thanks to K2DCD-Dennis and KC5FM-Lloyd on the net management team for providing support in gathering stations from the affected area and to AE4WX-Mark Snyder for his net control support this morning. A total of 56 reports were sent in by the net and some of the report submissions had multiple reports within the same report. You can see all the reports in the VoIP Hurricane Net Report Viewer at the following link:

https://www.voipwx.net/qilan/nhcwx/list_VOIP_records1?auth=OK

The Atlantic, Eastern Pacific and Central Pacific basins do not have any tropical cyclone development expected over the next week. This will give our team an opportunity to rest, however, a very active season is expected so now is the time for residents along the various ocean basis to prepare their hurricane plans in case they need to be executed upon as we get into a more active portion of the season particularly in August and September. Thanks to all for their continued support of the VoIP Hurricane Net!

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

Hello to all..

**We hope everyone is enjoying a great holiday weekend.**
**The VoIP Hurricane Net will activate at 2 AM EDT Monday Morning and remain active for as long as necessary for Beryl as it is expected he will strengthen into a hurricane on approach to the Texas Gulf Coast and could intensify rapidly before landfall. The net, on *WX_TALK* Echolink conference node: 7203/IRLP 9219 system and other VoIP radio systems via the KC5FM-R node is supporting WX4NHC, the Amateur Radio station at the National Hurricane Center in Miami Florida. This will be the last activation for Beryl as he moves inland and will weaken to a remnant system within 24 hours of landfall.**
**WX4NHC will also be active with their Amateur Radio Station as well during this timeframe.**

Here are the VoIP Hurricane Net Plans for Hurricane Beryl as of Sunday 7/7/24 at 920 AM EDT:

The VoIP Hurricane Net will activate at 2 AM EDT Monday Morning for Beryl as it is expected he will strengthen into a hurricane on approach to the Texas Gulf Coast and could intensify rapidly before landfall. The net is supporting WX4NHC, the Amateur Radio station at the National Hurricane Center in Miami Florida. This will be the last activation for Beryl as he moves inland and will weaken to a remnant system within 24 hours of landfall.

Any Amateur Radio Operators in the affected area of Beryl or with relays into the affected area of Beryl are asked to provide surface and damage reports into the VoIP Hurricane Net for relay into WX4NHC, the Amateur Radio station at the National Hurricane Center. We appreciate any and all support from Amateur Operators in the affected area or Amateur Operators with relays into the affected area. We are looking for reports based on the National Weather Service SKYWARN Reporting criteria. This can be seen on the VoIP Hurricane Net web site at the following link:
https://voipwx.net/voip-hurricane-net-reporting-criteria

Any pictures or videos of wind damage, river/stream/urban/storm surge flooding etc. can be sent to our voipwxnet Facebook and Twitter feeds or the following email address: pics@nsradio.org and credit will be given to the Amateur Radio Operator, weather spotter or individual that took the photos and media and be shared with the Amateur Radio team at the National Hurricane Center and other agencies and outlets.

Advisories on Beryl can be seen off of the Atlantic Tropical Products menu selection on the voipwxnet web site, via our Facebook and Twitter feeds, and off the National Hurricane Center web site via the following link:
https://www.nhc.noaa.gov

Reports as obtained via the VoIP Hurricane Net from Amateur Radio Operators in the affected area, relays from the affected area or from APRS/CWOP Weather Station feeds and other social media outlets can be found at the following link:
https://www.voipwx.net/qilan/nhcwx/list_VOIP_records1?auth=OK

APRS, Winlink, AllStar, Hamshack Hotline resources that can be monitored are as follows:
APRS kc5fm-9
Winlink KC5FM
Allstar 28848
Echolink KC5FM-R 906281
Hamshack Hotline 94032
DMR TGIF 31207
P25 31207
DSTAR XLXOKL C
Yaesu Fusion 31207
M17-SUN module A

Stations outside the affected area that do not have relays into the affected area who would like to listen into the VoIP Hurricane Net can use any of the following systems for listen-only purposes and can connect on either Echolink or IRLP:
*NEW-ENG3* Echolink conference node: 9123/IRLP 9123
*SKY_GATE* Echolink conference node: 868981/IRLP 9252
*KC4QLP-C* Echolink conference node: 290251
*ARERT* Echolink conference node: 902723 (Also bridged to Allstar on Node 273660 and on the YCS311 C4FM Server at http://c4fm.mntrbo.net ID:74)
*FLORIDA* Echolink conference node: 3082

These two streaming audio feeds should be available. Those streaming audio feeds are as follows:
Streaming feed 1: http://74.208.24.77:8000 -Provided by KC4QLP-Bob Carter
Streaming feed 2: http://radio.arert.net:8000/ARERT -Provided by the ARERT conference owners and sysops
Streaming feed 3: https://www.broadcastify.com/listen/feed/38868 -Provided by the ARERT conference owners and sysops

Video streams will be provided by ARERT if they find video feeds from the affected area and will have audio from the hurricane net on it. Those streams are below:
Video stream feed 1: https://www.twitch.tv/pp93news
Video stream feed 2: https://dlive.tv/ARERT
Special thanks to N0VZC-Mike Norrbom and the ARERT sysops for their support of these feeds.

Please note that there could be additional listen only nodes and streaming feeds. If time allows, this info will be updated via the voipwxnet web site and social media feeds.

The VoIP Hurricane Net Management team continues to closely watch Hurricane Beryl. Thanks to all for their continued support of the VoIP Hurricane Net!

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

Hello to all…

The VoIP Hurricane Net Activation for Hurricane Beryl’s impacts on the Yucatan Peninsula was secured at 115 PM Friday Afternoon. Online weather stations have reported a wind gust to 85 MPH in Tulka Chemuyil Mexico and a 78 MPH wind gust in Blue Ray Grand Esmeralda, Mexico. A couple Mexican Amateurs signed on at around 4 AM EDT but were not in the affected area and had no relays into the affected area. Additional reports via social media of downed trees, power lines and power poles along with coastal storm surge and rain related flooding were sent into the National Hurricane Center. Special thanks to AE4WX-Mark and KK7AHR-George who helped provide net control support during the net. A total of 39 reports were submitted to WX4NHC, the Amateur Radio Station at the National Hurricane Center. A report viewer showing the reports is listed below:

https://www.voipwx.net/qilan/nhcwx/list_VOIP_records1?auth=OK

Beryl is now a tropical storm but is expected to reintensify into a hurricane with strengthening forecast later today and especially Sunday into early Monday with impacts to the Texas Gulf Coast on Monday. The final VoIP Hurricane Net activation for Beryl will likely be on Monday supporting reporting out of the Gulf Coast of Texas.

Finally, a reminder that due to the holiday weekend and the multiple activations for Hurricane Beryl this week, the regular VoIP Hurricane Prep Net for Saturday 7/6/24 has been canceled. We will reconvene the regular weekly VoIP Hurricane Prep Net on Saturday 7/13/24 barring a hurricane net activation during the upcoming week or next weekend.

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

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

Hello to all..

**Happy Independence Day to all! We hope everyone had a wonderful holiday and enjoys a great holiday weekend.**
**VoIP Hurricane Net will be in a speaker/listening watch mode starting at 5 AM EDT Friday Morning and then activate at 7 AM EDT Friday Morning until 12 PM EDT Friday for Hurricane Beryl and its potentially significant impacts across the Yucatan Peninsula of Mexico supporting WX4NHC, the Amateur Radio station at the National Hurricane Center in Miami Florida. An additional activation is possible for the Gulf Coast of Mexico and/or Texas Sunday into Monday.**
**WX4NHC will also be active with their Amateur Radio Station as well**

Here are the VoIP Hurricane Net Plans for Hurricane Beryl as of Thursday 7/4/24 at 930 PM EDT:

VoIP Hurricane Net will be in a speaker/listening watch mode starting at 5 AM EDT Friday Morning and then activate at 7 AM EDT Friday Morning until 12 PM EDT Friday for Hurricane Beryl and its potentially significant impacts across the Yucatan Peninsula of Mexico supporting WX4NHC, the Amateur Radio station at the National Hurricane Center in Miami Florida. An additional activation is possible for the Gulf Coast of Mexico and/or Texas Sunday into Monday. WX4NHC will also be active with their Amateur Radio Station as well.

Any Amateur Radio Operators in the affected area of Beryl or with relays into the affected area of Beryl are asked to provide surface and damage reports into the VoIP Hurricane Net for relay into WX4NHC, the Amateur Radio station at the National Hurricane Center. We appreciate any and all support from Amateur Operators in the affected area or Amateur Operators with relays into the affected area. We are looking for reports based on the National Weather Service SKYWARN Reporting criteria. This can be seen on the VoIP Hurricane Net web site at the following link:
https://voipwx.net/voip-hurricane-net-reporting-criteria

Any pictures or videos of wind damage, river/stream/urban/storm surge flooding etc. can be sent to our voipwxnet Facebook and Twitter feeds or the following email address: pics@nsradio.org and credit will be given to the Amateur Radio Operator, weather spotter or individual that took the photos and media and be shared with the Amateur Radio team at the National Hurricane Center and other agencies and outlets.

Advisories on Beryl can be seen off of the Atlantic Tropical Products menu selection on the voipwxnet web site, via our Facebook and Twitter feeds, and off the National Hurricane Center web site via the following link:
https://www.nhc.noaa.gov

Reports as obtained via the VoIP Hurricane Net from Amateur Radio Operators in the affected area, relays from the affected area or from APRS/CWOP Weather Station feeds and other social media outlets can be found at the following link:
https://www.voipwx.net/qilan/nhcwx/list_VOIP_records1?auth=OK

APRS, Winlink, AllStar, Hamshack Hotline resources that can be monitored are as follows:
APRS kc5fm-9
Winlink KC5FM
Allstar 28848
Echolink KC5FM-R 906281
Hamshack Hotline 94032
DMR TGIF 31207
P25 31207
DSTAR XLXOKL C
Yaesu Fusion 31207
M17-SUN module A

Stations outside the affected area that do not have relays into the affected area who would like to listen into the VoIP Hurricane Net can use any of the following systems for listen-only purposes and can connect on either Echolink or IRLP:
*NEW-ENG3* Echolink conference node: 9123/IRLP 9123
*SKY_GATE* Echolink conference node: 868981/IRLP 9252
*KC4QLP-C* Echolink conference node: 290251
*ARERT* Echolink conference node: 902723 (Also bridged to Allstar on Node 273660 and on the YCS311 C4FM Server at http://c4fm.mntrbo.net ID:74)
*WASH_DC* Echolink conference node: 6154

These two streaming audio feeds should be available. Those streaming audio feeds are as follows:
Streaming feed 1: http://74.208.24.77:8000 -Provided by KC4QLP-Bob Carter
Streaming feed 2: http://radio.arert.net:8000/ARERT -Provided by the ARERT conference owners and sysops
Streaming feed 3: https://www.broadcastify.com/listen/feed/38868 -Provided by the ARERT conference owners and sysops

Video streams will be provided by ARERT if they find video feeds from the affected area and will have audio from the hurricane net on it. Those streams are below:
Video stream feed 1: https://www.twitch.tv/pp93news
Video stream feed 2: https://dlive.tv/ARERT
Special thanks to N0VZC-Mike Norrbom and the ARERT sysops for their support of these feeds.

Please note that there could be additional listen only nodes and streaming feeds. If time allows, this info will be updated via the voipwxnet web site and social media feeds.

The VoIP Hurricane Net Management team continues to closely watch Hurricane Beryl. Thanks to all for their continued support of the VoIP Hurricane Net!

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

Hello to all…

The VoIP Hurricane Net secured operations on Wednesday 7/3/24 at 8 PM EDT for Major Hurricane Beryl and its impacts to Jamaica. The impacts to Jamaica were significant but not as catastrophic as Grenada, CarriaCou, Union Island and the Grenadines. Beryl downed trees, power lines, caused significant rain related flooding as well as coastal storm surge flooding. Notably, the roof was torn off of the Norman Manley International Airport in Kingston Jamaica. In addition, 6Y5WW, William reported in from the Spanish Town, Jamaica EOC and 6Y5RW-Andrew also submitted reports into the net. A total of 37 reports were submitted between on-air Amateur Radio Operators, social media and online weather stations. Special thanks to Net Controls AE4WX-Mark, KK7AHR-George and to net management team members KC5FM-Lloyd and K2DCD-Dennis for their support of this net activation. A complete listing of reports can be seen on the VoIP Hurricane Net Report Viewer at the following link:

https://www.voipwx.net/qilan/nhcwx/list_VOIP_records1?auth=OK

The core of Beryl and the hurricane force conditions associated with Beryl should stay south of the coast of the Cayman Islands but tropical storm force conditions with gusts to hurricane force will be possible there overnight into Thursday Morning. No formal net is planned for Thursday for the Cayman Islands but the system will be monitored for any traffic especially for Thursday Morning.

The VoIP Hurricane Net will be active again Friday Morning for Beryl and impacts to the Yucatan Peninsula of Mexico and Belize. The final VoIP Hurricane Net activation for Beryl will likely be Sunday into Monday Morning for potential landfall as a hurricane in Northeast Mexico/Southeast Texas. The VoIP Hurricane Net Management Team will closely monitor the progress of Beryl. Thanks to all for their continued support of the VoIP Hurricane Net!

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

Hello to all..

**VoIP Hurricane Net will activate at 9 AM EDT Wednesday Morning and will remain active for as long as necessary for Major Hurricane Beryl and its potentially significant impacts across Jamaica and the Cayman Islands supporting WX4NHC, the Amateur Radio station at the National Hurricane Center in Miami Florida. Additional activations are possible for the Yucatan Peninsula of Mexico and the Gulf Coast of Mexico and/or Texas later this week and into the weekend**
**WX4NHC will also be active with their Amateur Radio Station starting on Wednesday 7/3/24 at 9 AM EDT**

Here are the VoIP Hurricane Net Plans for Major Hurricane Beryl as of Tuesday 7/2/24 at 930 PM EDT:

VoIP Hurricane Net will activate at 9 AM EDT Wednesday Morning and will remain active for as long as necessary for Major Hurricane Beryl and its potentially significant impacts across Jamaica and the Cayman Islands supporting WX4NHC, the Amateur Radio station at the National Hurricane Center in Miami Florida. Additional activations are possible for the Yucatan Peninsula of Mexico and the Gulf Coast of Mexico and/or Texas later this week and into the weekend. WX4NHC will also be active with their Amateur Radio Station starting at 9 AM Monday Morning.

Any Amateur Radio Operators in the affected area of Beryl or with relays into the affected area of Beryl are asked to provide surface and damage reports into the VoIP Hurricane Net for relay into WX4NHC, the Amateur Radio station at the National Hurricane Center. We appreciate any and all support from Amateur Operators in the affected area or Amateur Operators with relays into the affected area. We are looking for reports based on the National Weather Service SKYWARN Reporting criteria. This can be seen on the VoIP Hurricane Net web site at the following link:

VoIP Hurricane Net Reporting Criteria

Any pictures or videos of wind damage, river/stream/urban/storm surge flooding etc. can be sent to our voipwxnet Facebook and Twitter feeds or the following email address: pics@nsradio.org and credit will be given to the Amateur Radio Operator, weather spotter or individual that took the photos and media and be shared with the Amateur Radio team at the National Hurricane Center and other agencies and outlets.

Advisories on Beryl can be seen off of the Atlantic Tropical Products menu selection on the voipwxnet web site, via our Facebook and Twitter feeds, and off the National Hurricane Center web site via the following link:
https://www.nhc.noaa.gov

Reports as obtained via the VoIP Hurricane Net from Amateur Radio Operators in the affected area, relays from the affected area or from APRS/CWOP Weather Station feeds and other social media outlets can be found at the following link:
https://www.voipwx.net/qilan/nhcwx/list_VOIP_records1?auth=OK

APRS, Winlink, AllStar, Hamshack Hotline resources that can be monitored are as follows:
APRS kc5fm-9
Winlink KC5FM
Allstar 28848
Echolink KC5FM-R 906281
Hamshack Hotline 94032
DMR TGIF 31207
P25 31207
DSTAR XLXOKL C
Yaesu Fusion 31207
M17-SUN module A

Stations outside the affected area that do not have relays into the affected area who would like to listen into the VoIP Hurricane Net can use any of the following systems for listen-only purposes and can connect on either Echolink or IRLP:
*NEW-ENG3* Echolink conference node: 9123/IRLP 9123
*SKY_GATE* Echolink conference node: 868981/IRLP 9252
*KC4QLP-C* Echolink conference node: 290251
*ARERT* Echolink conference node: 902723
*WASH_DC* Echolink conference node: 6154

These two streaming audio feeds should be available. Those streaming audio feeds are as follows:
Streaming feed 1: http://74.208.24.77:8000 -Provided by KC4QLP-Bob Carter
Streaming feed 2: http://audio.arert.net/ -Provided by the ARERT conference owners and sysops

Please note that there could be additional listen only nodes and streaming feeds. If time allows, this info will be updated via the voipwxnet web site and social media feeds.

The VoIP Hurricane Net Management team continues to closely watch Major Hurricane Beryl. Thanks to all for their continued support of the VoIP Hurricane Net!

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

Hello to all…

The VoIP Hurricane Net activation was secured at 500 PM EDT Monday 7/1/24. Major Hurricane Beryl intensified into an intense Category-4 Hurricane as it swept through the Grenadines, Grenada and Petit Martinique with impacts also into St. Vincent, St. Lucia, Barbados, Trinidad and Tobago. Some of the net reports were utilized in the 11 AM Monday 7/1/24 NHC Advisory. They included structural damage reports to buildings with roofs blown off, trees/wires/poles down, storm surge and heavy rainfall related flooding. A complete list of reports captured from Amateur Radio Operators, online weather stations and social media can be seen at the following link:

https://www.voipwx.net/qilan/nhcwx/list_VOIP_records1?auth=OK

Beryl may pass far enough south of Jamaica and the Cayman Islands where the next net activation may not be until the end of the week for the Yucatan Peninsula but this will bear close monitoring. Beryl is expected to weaken some over the Caribbean Sea but is expected to remain a hurricane throughout its track to the Yucatan Peninsula coast. The VoIP Hurricane Net Management will continue to closely monitor the progress of Beryl. Thanks to all for their continued support of the VoIP Hurricane Net!

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

Hello to all..

**VoIP Hurricane Net will activate at 6 AM EDT Monday Morning and will remain active potentially through 5 PM EDT Monday Evening for Major Hurricane Beryl and its potentially significant impacts across the Windward Islands supporting WX4NHC, the Amateur Radio station at the National Hurricane Center in Miami Florida.**
**WX4NHC will also be active with their Amateur Radio Station starting on Monday 7/1/24 at 8 AM EDT..**

Here are the VoIP Hurricane Net Plans for Major Hurricane Beryl as of Sunday 6/30/24 at 1100 AM EDT:

VoIP Hurricane Net will activate at 6 AM EDT Monday Morning and will remain active potentially through 5 PM EDT Monday Evening for Major Hurricane Beryl and its potentially significant impacts across the Windward Islands supporting WX4NHC, the Amateur Radio station at the National Hurricane Center in Miami Florida. WX4NHC will also be active with their Amateur Radio Station starting at 8 AM Monday Morning.

Any Amateur Radio Operators in the affected area of Beryl or with relays into the affected area of Beryl are asked to provide surface and damage reports into the VoIP Hurricane Net for relay into WX4NHC, the Amateur Radio station at the National Hurricane Center. We appreciate any and all support from Amateur Operators in the affected area or Amateur Operators with relays into the affected area. We are looking for reports based on the National Weather Service SKYWARN Reporting criteria. This can be seen on the VoIP Hurricane Net web site at the following link:
https://voipwx.net/voip-hurricane-net-reporting-criteria

Any pictures or videos of wind damage, river/stream/urban/storm surge flooding etc. can be sent to our voipwxnet Facebook and Twitter feeds or the following email address: pics@nsradio.org and credit will be given to the Amateur Radio Operator, weather spotter or individual that took the photos and media and be shared with the Amateur Radio team at the National Hurricane Center and other agencies and outlets.

Advisories on Beryl can be seen off of the Atlantic Tropical Products menu selection on the voipwxnet web site, via our Facebook and Twitter feeds, and off the National Hurricane Center web site via the following link:
https://www.nhc.noaa.gov

Reports as obtained via the VoIP Hurricane Net from Amateur Radio Operators in the affected area, relays from the affected area or from APRS/CWOP Weather Station feeds and other social media outlets can be found at the following link:
https://www.voipwx.net/qilan/nhcwx/list_VOIP_records1?auth=OK

APRS, Winlink, AllStar, Hamshack Hotline resources that can be monitored are as follows:
APRS kc5fm-9
Winlink KC5FM
Allstar 28848
Echolink KC5FM-R 906281
Hamshack Hotline 94032
DMR TGIF 31207
P25 31207
DSTAR XLXOKL C
Yaesu Fusion 31207
M17-SUN module A

Stations outside the affected area that do not have relays into the affected area who would like to listen into the VoIP Hurricane Net can use any of the following systems for listen-only purposes and can connect on either Echolink or IRLP:
*NEW-ENG3* Echolink conference node: 9123/IRLP 9123
*SKY_GATE* Echolink conference node: 868981/IRLP 9252
*KC4QLP-C* Echolink conference node: 290251
*ARERT* Echolink conference node: 902723
*WASH_DC* Echolink conference node: 6154

These two streaming audio feeds should be available. Those streaming audio feeds are as follows:
Streaming feed 1: http://74.208.24.77:8000 -Provided by KC4QLP-Bob Carter
Streaming feed 2: http://audio.arert.net/ -Provided by the ARERT conference owners and sysops

Please note that there could be additional listen only nodes and streaming feeds. If time allows, this info will be updated via the voipwxnet web site and social media feeds.

The VoIP Hurricane Net Management team continues to closely watch Major Hurricane Beryl. Thanks to all for their continued support of the VoIP Hurricane Net!

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

Hello to all…

Beryl became a hurricane on Saturday 6/29/24 at 5 PM EDT and continues to strength. Steady to rapid intensification is expected with Beryl becoming a major hurricane as it cross the Windward Islands. The VoIP Hurricane Net and WX4NHC, the Amateur Radio station at the National Hurricane Center, will activate on Monday Morning 7/1/24 for Beryl and impacts to the Windward Islands. A full announcement will be posted by early Sunday Afternoon. Additional activations for Beryl for Jamaica and the Cayman Islands are possible later in the week. Advisories on Beryl can be seen off the Atlantic Tropical Products menu of the voipwx.net web site, via our VoIPWXNet Facebook and Twitter social media feeds or via the National Hurricane Center web site at the following link:

https://www.nhc.noaa.gov

Given the 4th of July holiday and the likely activations of the VoIP Hurricane Net over the course of this week for Hurricane Beryl, the VoIP Hurricane Prep Net for Saturday 7/6/24 is canceled. The next VoIP Hurricane Prep Net will be on Saturday 7/13/24 barring a net activation for a landfalling hurricane. We hope everyone has a great fourth of July and thanks to all for their continued support of the VoIP Hurricane Net!

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

Hello to all…

Tropical Storm Beryl formed in the Atlantic late Friday Evening and is expected to intensify into a hurricane threatening the Caribbean Islands late Sunday Night into Monday. A Hurricane Watch is now in effect for Barbados. The VoIP Hurricane Net will likely activate early Monday Morning for Beryl and impacts to the Caribbean Islands. Additional VoIP Hurricane Net activations are likely later in the week depending on Beryl’s track towards other islands in the Caribbean Sea. Advisories on Beryl can be seen off the Atlantic Tropical Products menu of the voipwx.net web site, via our VoIPWXNet Facebook and Twitter social media feeds or via the National Hurricane Center web site at the following link:

https://www.nhc.noaa.gov

Elsewhere in the tropics, in the Eastern Tropical Atlantic, an area of low pressure several hundred miles southwest of the Cabo Verde Islands has a low chance 20% for development in 48 hours and a medium chance 60% for development over the next 7 days. This will bear watching as it will have plenty of warm water and potentially conducive conditions for development as this system is behind Beryl by a considerable distance.

An area of disturbed weather in the Northwest Caribbean Sea will move into the Southwest Gulf of Mexico and has a medium chance (40%) for development. At this time, even if the system develops, it is not expected to intensify into a hurricane.

The Atlantic Tropics are quite active inline with seasonal forecasts. All Amateur Radio Operators along coastal areas of the Atlantic should use this time to prepare for eventualities the hurricane season will bring. Updates on VoIP Hurricane Net Activation for Beryl for the Monday timeframe will be posted to the email list on Sunday and updated on tonight’s VoIP Hurricane Prep Net at 800 PM EDT. Thanks to all for their continued support of the VoIP Hurricane Net!

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

Hello to all…

The following is a Tropical Storm Alberto and Atlantic Tropical Update that we wanted to provide ahead of Amateur Radio Field Day weekend and given the fact the VoIP Hurricane Prep net is canceled due to Amateur Radio Field Day weekend.

Tropical Storm Alberto formed out of Potential Tropical Cyclone-1 yesterday and has made landfall in Northeast Mexico. Alberto remained below hurricane strength as expected but has caused flooding from rainfall, coastal flooding at the coast and pockets of wind damage. This was handled at the local/regional level by ARES/AUXCOMM/SKYWARN groups and equivalent groups in Mexico. Alberto is expected to dissipate over the mountains of Northeast Mexico in the next 24 hours.

Elsewhere in the Atlantic Tropics, another system behind Alberto will be in the Southwest Gulf of Mexico in the Bay of Campeche and has a low 20% chance of becoming a tropical depression in 48 hours and a medium 50% chance of becoming a depression in 7 days. This will bear watching as we get into later this weekend and early next week. Another low pressure area in the Southwest Atlantic Ocean has a 40% chance of development in 48 hours and in 7 days as it approaches the East Georgia and Northeast Florida coasts and a recon plane will investigate this system if necessary today. This low pressure is expected to go over land on Friday preventing further development.

The Atlantic Tropical Weather Outlook that covers these areas of disturbed weather can be seen on the voipwx.net web site under Atlantic Tropical Products, via our voipwxnet Facebook and Twitter feeds and via the National Hurricane Center (NHC) web site at the following link:

https://www.nhc.noaa.gov/

The VoIP Hurricane Net Management Team continues to monitor all 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

Hello to all…

The National Hurricane Center has started issuing “Potential Tropical Cyclone” advisories on the area of disturbed weather in the Southwest Gulf of Mexico. If this area of disturbed weather becomes better organized, it could become the first Tropical Storm of the 2024 Atlantic Hurricane Season. If it were to become a tropical storm, it would be named Alberto. Tropical Storm Watches are now posted for portions of the Texas and Northeastern Mexico coast line. Advisories on PTC-1 can be seen off the main menu of the VoIP Hurricane Net web site under Atlantic Tropical Products, via the voipwxnet Facebook and Twitter Social media feeds or the National Hurricane Center web site via the following link:

https://www.nhc.noaa.gov

At this time, this area of disturbed weather is expected to be a fairly weak tropical storm so no activation of the VoIP Hurricane Net is currently anticipated, however, the science of how systems intensify and weaken is not exact and so the VoIP Hurricane Net management team will closely monitor the progress of this system for changes. People living in the Tropical Storm Watch area should prepare for flooding issues as heavy rain is expected to cause flooding and some strong winds could bring scattered power outages. ARES, SKYWARN and AUXCOMM groups in the area and equivalent Amateur Radio groups in Mexico should seek advice from local/regional leadership on any activation and support at that level.

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

Hello to all..

Saturday June 1st, 2024 marks the start of the 2024 Atlantic Hurricane Season. The 2024 Atlantic Hurricane Season is expected to be a well above normal to record breaking season per the NOAA/National Hurricane Center and Colorado State University outlooks among others. To mark the start of Atlantic Hurricane Season, the National Hurricane Center/Tropical Prediction Center in Miami FL will issue advisories on named systems, Tropical Storm and Hurricane Watches and Warnings when a system threatens a land area, Tropical Cyclone Updates on named systems and Tropical Weather Outlooks for potential areas of tropical cyclone development. Their suite of products and tropical system names are listed in their first couple of tropical weather outlooks and the link from 8 AM EDT – Saturday June 1st Tropical Weather Outlook is listed below:

https://voipwx.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/NHC_Tropical_Weather_Outlook_1st_day_of_Atlantic_Hurricane_Season.pdf

The VoIP Hurricane Prep Net has shifted to weekly beginning with the Saturday June 1st, 2024 Net at 8 PM EDT/7 PM CDT/0000 UTC. We welcome all those who wish to participate in the net and we are looking for net controls both for the weekly net as well as net activations for landfalling hurricanes. If you are interested, contact Rob-KD1CY at kd1cy@voipwx.net for more information.

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

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

Hello to all…

2024 National Hurricane Conference Amateur Radio Workshop information is listed below and will be updated with YouTube livestream info in the next week:

Amateur Radio will again be represented at the 2024 National Hurricane Conference which will be held this year in Orlando Florida (https://www.hurricanemeeting.com). This year, the workshop will be done both live at the conference and over a livestream so this will be a “hybrid workshop”. The conference theme is to improve hurricane preparedness as it has been in past years. After the workshop is completed, the Amateur Radio Workshop will be uploaded to Youtube for those that can’t attend the sessions live. For 2024, all the Amateur Radio sessions will be on Tuesday March 26th, 2024 from 130-300 PM EDT and from 330-500 PM EDT. Here is the session breakdown:

NHC Session #1 – 130 PM-300 PM EDT: John Cangialosi, Senior Hurricane Specialist, from the National Hurricane Center will also present on the importance of Amateur Radio surface reporting. Bob Robichaud-VE1MBR from the Canadian Hurricane Centre will provide a video on a Canadian Hurricane Centre Overview and a few meteorological topics via a video recording. Julio Ripoll-WD4R will present WX4NHC Operations and Bobby Graves-KB5HAV will present an overview on the Hurricane Watch Net (HWN).

NHC Session #2: 330 PM-500 PM EDT: Rob Macedo-KD1CY will present on the VoIP Hurricane Net and best practices in SKYWARN Tropical Systems presentation, Joe Bassett-W1WCN will provide a SATERN (Salvation Army Team Emergency Response Radio Network) overview video. Josh Johnston-KE5MHV will give an ARRL update and K1CE-Rick Palm will present on his personal Hurricane Idalia experience. This will be followed by a Q & A session and raffle prizes will be offered.

Amateur Radio presentations will be recorded and posted to Youtube after the workshop within the month of April. The Amateur Radio presentations will also be livestreamed via Youtube as a best effort. It is noted that Internet connectivity can be a challenge at hotel locations for livestreaming but we will do our best to livestream the workshop but please note technical difficulties could affect the livestream so please be patient if you watch the livestream and we will have recordings available post workshop. The YouTube livestream link is: https://www.youtube.com/live/-43X6wVrqwA?si=xK5F6F2I6m1Vu1dQ

2024 National Hurricane Conference Presenters and Moderator:
• Moderator: Rob Macedo, KD1CY, VoIP Hurricane Net
• John Cangialosi, Senior Hurricane Specialist, National Hurricane Center
• Special guest speaker Bob Robichaud, VE1MBR, Canadian Hurricane Center
• Special guest speaker Josh Johnston, KE5MHV, Director of Emergency Management, ARRL HQ
• Julio Ripoll, WD4R, WX4NHC Assistant Amateur Radio Station Coordinator
• Bobby Graves, KB5HAV, Hurricane Watch Net (HWN) Manager
• Joe Bassett, W1WCN, SATERN, Salvation Army Team Emergency Response Radio Network
• Rick Palm, K1CE, ARRL ARES E-Letter Editor/Public Service Columnist
• Rob Macedo, KD1CY, Director of Operations, VoIP Hurricane Net & ARRL ARES Eastern Mass SEC
• Jim Palmer, KB1KQW, VoIP Hurricane Net (Videographer)

Detailed Schedule Outline – All Times (Eastern Daylight Time):
130-135 PM: Opening Remarks
135-210 PM: Hurricane Surface Reports and 2023 Season Review (John Cangialosi)
210-220 PM: Canadian Hurricane Centre Overview and Meteorological Topics Video (VE1MBR-Bob R)
220-250 PM: WX4NHC Amateur Radio Station at the National Hurricane Center (WD4R)
250-310 PM: HWN Overview (KB5HAV)
310-330 PM: Break
330-400 PM: VoIP Hurricane Net Overview & Best Practices in SKYWARN for Tropical Systems (KD1CY)
400-410 PM: SATERN – Salvation Army Team Emergency Radio Network Overview Video (W1WCN)
410-430 PM: ARRL Update (KE5MHV)
430-450 PM: Florida Hurricane Response & His Personal Hurricane Idalia Story (K1CE)
450-500 PM: Moderated Q & A session and Panel Discussion (All)
500-510 PM: Door Prizes (All)

We hope folks can attend the conference live and in person for those in and around the Orlando FL area or attending the conference and that those outside of the area can participate in the livestream. For those can’t see it live, the workshop video will be posted online via Youtube within a week or two after the conference if not sooner.

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

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

Hello to all..

SKYWARN Recognition Day is Saturday December 3rd, 2022 from 0000-2400 UTC (Friday Evening 12/1/23 from 700 PM ET-Saturday Evening 12/2/23 at 700 PM ET) and Echolink and IRLP will be playing a role in SRD as it has in past years. SKYWARN Recognition Day is an opportunity for National Weather Service Forecast Offices across the United States to thank SKYWARN Spotters for their efforts in obtaining timely severe weather reporting for the protection of life and property. This is the SKYWARN program’s main mission.

EchoLink and IRLP are just a couple of modes people can utilize to contact NWS offices during SKYWARN Recognition Day. Also, there are other modes that will be available on the *WX_TALK* Echolink conference node: 7203/IRLP 9219 reflector system via the sunflower network. Those additional modes from the Sunflower network are listed below:

Allstar 28848
Echolink KC5FM-R 906281
Hamshack Hotline 94032
DMR TGIF 31207
P25 31207
DSTAR XLXOKL C
Yaesu Fusion 31207
M17-SUN module A

For 2023 SRD, more NWS offices will be on the air live from their local NWS offices and some may also maintain a virtual/hybrid component where offices may be active at their actual office as well as from home/other locations at different times or simultaneously. Similar to the last couple of years, you can operate with your personal call-sign as NWS coordinator or some may elect to use the NWS Call-Sign and state they are portable. WX4NHC, the Amateur Radio station at the National Hurricane Center, did a combined approach of live office and remote/hybrid operations for the 2023 Atlantic Hurricane Season. Many NWS offices will be on 2 Meters, 440 MHz, HF and other VHF/UHF bands.

EchoLink and IRLP are just a couple of modes people can utilize to contact NWS offices during SKYWARN Recognition Day. Many NWS offices will be on 2 Meters, 440 MHz, HF and other VHF/UHF bands. Additional details on SKYWARN Recognition Day including a registration link opened up to all Amateurs given the new SRD format can be found via the following link:
https://www.weather.gov/crh/skywarnrecognition

This year’s Google registration form also auto-issues SRD Numbers to non-Amateur Radio SKYWARN Spotters. For this year, SRD numbers will only be issued for non-Amateur Radio SKYWARN spotters. The form can be found off the SKYWARN Recognition Day web site and can be see at the link below:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSddUcp7LltIiaBLvu7bCKXhLzOe14XBQhao2y5eitJrp25WrQ/viewform

Similar to past years, there is also a GIS Spotter Mapper where NWS office Amateur Radio Operations and spotters can be mapped. The registration form for the mapper is different from the google registration form for registering as GIS cannot do some of the things that the GIS spotter mapper can do. Link to the spotter mapper registration form can be seen here:
https://survey123.arcgis.com/share/6af367236b8b499f8a3c40110e58a596

Also, there is a SRD Facebook group created. Those with Facebook can join it at the following link:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/429783718861293

The ARRL has posted the SRD’23 information via their weekly ARRL Letter and ARES E-Letter. The SRD article is listed below:
http://www.arrl.org/arrlletter?issue=2023-11-16#toc04 (ARRL Letter)
http://www.arrl.org/ares-el?issue=2023-11-15#toc02 (ARES Letter)

For 2023, the EchoLink *WX_TALK* Node: 7203/IRLP reflector 9219 system will be scheduling time for NWS offices or SKYWARN Coordinators with specific NWS office time slots to act as a net control to make contacts with spotters that are on the system. If a NWS office/SKYWARN Coordinator runs out of contacts and there are other NWS offices/SKYWARN Coordinators on the system, the NWS office acting as net control can turn it over to a different NWS office or SKYWARN Coordinator to act as a net control on the system at their discretion. You can also reach the network via Allstar 28848 and Hamshack Hotline 94032.

We’d like to ask NWS offices/SKYWARN Coordinators to do their best to adhere to the schedule. Sometimes this is difficult due to the number of contacts received by NWS offices/SKYWARN Coordinators. We ask for everyone’s patience and work cooperatively to respect the time slot schedule.

Below is the current 2023 SRD Schedule with NWS offices that have confirmed their time slot from last year. We will attempt to update this one more time on Friday with any updates:

Time in UTC NWS Office Call-Sign
0000-0100: N0NWS (Time slot confirmed for this year)
0100-0200: WX1GYX (Time slot confirmed for this year)
0200-0300: WX7SLC (Time slot from last year)
0300-0400: WX4HUN (New time slot for this year)
0400-0500: WX1BOX (Time slot confirmed for this year)
0500-0600: Open
0600-0700: WX4HUN (Time slot from last year)
0700-0800: WX8APX (Time slot confirmed for this year)
0800-0900: WX8APX (Time slot confirmed for this year)
0900-1000: Open
1000-1100: WX7SLC (Time slot from last year)
1100-1200: WX1GYX (Time slot from last year)
1200-1300: Open
1300-1400: WX7SLC (Time slot from last year)
1400-1500: WX1AW (Time slot from last year)
1500-1600: WX1BOX (Time slot confirmed for this year)
1600-1700: WX4NC (Time slot confirmed for this year)
1700-1800: WX4JKL (Time slot confirmed for this year)
1800-1900: N2KDX @ WX2PHI (New Time Slot for this year)
1900-2000: WX1GYX (New Time slot for this year)
2000-2100: WX4JKL (Time slot confirmed for this year)
2100-2300: WX4NHC (Time slot confirmed for this year)
2300-2400: Open

Here will be other conference systems utilized for SKYWARN Recognition Day. They are as follows:

The New England Reflector Gateway System will be utilized by SKYWARN Coordinators from New England from 0000-0500 UTC and 1200-2400 UTC. The New England Gateway system is on EchoLink Conference server *NEW-ENG3* Node: 9123, IRLP reflector 9123. If other SKYWARN Coordinators and NWS offices would like to join the system, they are welcome to do so and participants in SKYWARN Recognition Day can also use that system to make contact with various NWS offices. This is a great place to move off the *WX_TALK* Node: 7203/IRLP 9219 system after your scheduled time if other Amateurs or NWS offices wish to make contact with you.

Also, the Western Reflector will be having NWS offices calling CQ as in past years and have multiple reflector channels and Echolink conferences available. There is reflector 9250/Echolink Conference *HI-GATE* node: 357564, IRLP 9251 and the *WORLD* Echolink Conference node: 479886, IRLP 9257/*DCF-ARC* Echolink Conference node: 336037 and IRLP 9258/EchoLink Conference *NV-GATE* Node: 152566 open for NWS offices.

A few technical reminders for folks interested in making contacts with the NWS Forecast Offices on the *WX-TALK* Node: 7203/IRLP 9219 and New England Reflector Gateway IRLP 9123/*NEW-ENG3* Echolink Node: 9123 systems:

-The system allows both EchoLink and IRLP connections. For EchoLink users, you connect to the *WX-TALK* Node: 7203 conference system. For IRLP users, you would connect to IRLP reflector 9219. It is possible we will have DMR/D-STAR and other modes directly linked on the system. This will be updated in the next few days regarding that aspect.

-If you are using EchoLink, the RF node or PC that you’re using must have EchoLink conferencing disabled. If it is not disabled, the system will automatically kick the node or PC off of the system. The reason this occurs is to prevent unintentional interference from a conferencing station that may not know the node is connected somewhere else. This will keep traffic moving on the net and reduce interference considerably.

For more information on VoIP Technical Configuration Tips, please go to our web site at http://www.voipwx.net where we have a link to that information on the main menu of the web site. This announcement will also be on the web site.

We are looking forward to another fun SKYWARN Recognition Day on the *WX-TALK* Node: 7203/IRLP reflector 9219 system, New England Reflector Gateway system and Western Reflector system. Thanks to all for their support!

73,Rob-KD1CY.
Director of Operations for the VoIP Hurricane Net
ARES SKYWARN Coordinator for NWS Boston/Norton Massachusetts
Eastern Massachusetts ARES Section Emergency Coordinator

Hello to all…

As stated on the Saturday 11/18/23 VoIP Hurricane Net, the Saturday 11/25/23 VoIP Hurricane Net is canceled in observance of the long US Thanksgiving holiday weekend. Our last VoIP Hurricane Prep Net of 2023 will be on Saturday December 2nd, 2023, one hour earlier at 7 PM EST, 0000 UTC, immediately following SKYWARN Recognition Day (SRD)’2023 as we have done traditionally. Further information on SRD’2023 will be posted via our groups.io email list and as a web post on the voipwx.net email list over the next couple of days.

We wish everyone a Happy Thanksgiving! Thanks to all for continued support of the VoIP Hurricane Net!

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

Hello to all…

The VoIP Hurricane Net was active on Saturday 10/21/23 from 700 AM EDT-900 PM EDT for Hurricane Norma in the Eastern Pacific affecting the Baja California Sur peninsula of Mexico and Hurricane Tammy affecting the Northern Leeward Islands in the Atlantic. A huge thank you to our Net Control team which included K2DCD-Dennis, KC5FM-Lloyd, KB9LXH-Joe, KO4UMQ-Woody and KD1CY-Rob for their efforts on Saturday. Approximately 30 volunteer hours were logged by the Net Controls and Net Management team in preparing and executing this Hurricane Net activation.

While no direct contact with Amateur Radio Operators in the affected area occurred, our strategy of monitoring online weather stations and social media generated numerous reports particularly from Hurricane Norma but also from Hurricane Tammy. Weather stations in Cabo San Lucas reported wind gusts as high as 83 MPH with over 11″ of rain. Social media images of downed trees and wires around the Baja California Peninsula of Mexico were also received.

Later in the day with Hurricane Tammy in the Northern Leeward Islands, images of downed trees and flooding from Guadeloupe along with an unofficial report of a weather station at a hospital in Barbuda of sustained hurricane force conditions were also received. Over 30 reports were generated by the team with several observations used in National Hurricane Center advisories and discussions. The report viewer with the link of reports can be seen at the following link:
https://www.voipwx.net/qilan/nhcwx/list_VOIP_records1?auth=OK

We appreciate those that monitored and those that executed this net activation. As we enter the offseason, we will look for continued ways to improve Amateur Radio direct and relayed information from these affected areas for future hurricanes. Thanks to all for their continued support of the VoIP Hurricane Net!

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

Hello to all..

**VoIP Hurricane Net will activate at 7 AM EDT Saturday Morning and will remain active potentially through 11 PM EDT Saturday Evening for Hurricane Tammy and its potentially significant impacts across the Northern Leeward Islands supporting WX4NHC, the Amateur Radio station at the National Hurricane Center in Miami Florida.**
**WX4NHC will also be active with their Amateur Radio Station on Saturday.**
**The VoIP Hurricane Prep Net for Saturday 10/21/23 at 800 PM EDT is canceled.**

Here are the VoIP Hurricane Net Plans for Hurricane Tammy as of Friday 10/20/23 at 1140 AM EDT:

VoIP Hurricane Net will activate at 7 AM EDT Saturday Morning and will remain active potentially through 11 PM EDT Saturday Evening for Hurricane Tammy and its potentially significant impacts across the Northern Leeward Islands supporting WX4NHC, the Amateur Radio station at the National Hurricane Center in Miami Florida. WX4NHC will also be active with their Amateur Radio Station on Saturday.

Any Amateur Radio Operators in the affected area of Tammy or with relays into the affected area of Tammy are asked to provide surface and damage reports into the VoIP Hurricane Net for relay into WX4NHC, the Amateur Radio station at the National Hurricane Center. We appreciate any and all support from Amateur Operators in the affected area or Amateur Operators with relays into the affected area. We are looking for reports based on the National Weather Service SKYWARN Reporting criteria. This can be seen on the VoIP Hurricane Net web site at the following link:
https://voipwx.net/voip-hurricane-net-reporting-criteria

Any pictures or videos of wind damage, river/stream/urban/storm surge flooding etc. can be sent to our voipwxnet Facebook and Twitter feeds or the following email address: pics@nsradio.org and credit will be given to the Amateur Radio Operator, weather spotter or individual that took the photos and media and be shared with the Amateur Radio team at the National Hurricane Center and other agencies and outlets.

Advisories on Tammy can be seen off of the Atlantic Tropical Products menu selection on the voipwxnet web site, via our Facebook and Twitter feeds, and off the National Hurricane Center web site via the following link:
https://www.nhc.noaa.gov

Reports as obtained via the VoIP Hurricane Net from Amateur Radio Operators in the affected area, relays from the affected area or from APRS/CWOP Weather Station feeds and other social media outlets can be found at the following link:
https://www.voipwx.net/qilan/nhcwx/list_VOIP_records1?auth=OK

APRS, Winlink, AllStar, Hamshack Hotline resources that can be monitored are as follows:
APRS kc5fm-9
Winlink KC5FM
Allstar 28848
Echolink KC5FM-R 906281
Hamshack Hotline 94032
DMR TGIF 31207
P25 31207
DSTAR XLXOKL C
Yaesu Fusion 31207
M17-SUN module A

Stations outside the affected area that do not have relays into the affected area who would like to listen into the VoIP Hurricane Net can use any of the following systems for listen-only purposes and can connect on either Echolink or IRLP:
*NEW-ENG3* Echolink conference node: 9123/IRLP 9123
*SKY_GATE* Echolink conference node: 868981/IRLP 9252
*KC4QLP-C* Echolink conference node: 290251
*ARERT* Echolink conference node: 902723
*WASH_DC* Echolink conference node: 6154

These two streaming audio feeds should be available. Those streaming audio feeds are as follows:
Streaming feed 1: http://74.208.24.77:8000 -Provided by KC4QLP-Bob Carter
Streaming feed 2: http://audio.arert.net/ -Provided by the ARERT conference owners and sysops

Please note that there could be additional listen only nodes and streaming feeds. If time allows, this info will be updated via the voipwxnet web site and social media feeds.

The VoIP Hurricane Net Management team continues to closely watch Hurricane Tammy. Thanks to all for their continued support of the VoIP Hurricane Net!

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

Hello to all…

The VoIP Hurricane Net activation for Hurricane/Post Tropical Cyclone Lee was secured on Saturday 9/16/23 at 200 PM EDT. The Canadian Maritimes and portions of Downeast Maine were hit hardest by Lee with over 120,000 without power in Nova Scotia Canada, over 35,000 without power in New Brunswick Canada and nearly 95,000 without power in Maine. The highest wind gust recorded was 93 MPH at Long Point Eddy Lighthouse on Grand Manan Island and was a report this net gave to the WX4NHC, the Amateur Radio station at the National Hurricane Center, and was used in the Saturday 11 AM Advisory. The Halifax Nova Scotia Airport had a 72 MPH wind gust with Lee. In Maine, numerous reports of wind damage were received via email from SKYWARN Coordinators in Maine and sent to WX4NHC via email along with reports from various weather stations in the state of Maine.

In Eastern Massachusetts, tropical storm force conditions occurred on the Cape and Islands with the highest wind gust of 63 MPH recorded in Dennis, Massachusetts, a 60 MPH wind gust recorded in Eastham, MA and a 55 MPH gust with sustained winds of 44 MPH via the M.V. Selkie in Polpis Harbor – Nantucket Island. Isolated pockets of tree and power line damage caused over 3,000 customers to lose power in Massachusetts largely on the Cape and Islands. Several reports from the New England SKYWARN programs were used in the NHC advisories at 8, 11 AM and 5 PM EDT. The report viewer of reports from Lee can be seen at the following link:

https://www.voipwx.net/qilan/nhcwx/list_VOIP_records1?auth=OK

A total of 63 report submissions were sent in over the course of the Lee activation. Thanks to K2DCD-Dennis, KC5FM-Lloyd and KB9LXH-Joe for supporting net control duties during this period. They provided 18 hours of net control volunteer hour duties combined and with Dennis’, Lloyd and the rest of the management team’s preparatory work to contact the regions affected by Lee, its estimated that about 35 total volunteer hours were completed by the net controls and net management team members. We are grateful to the Canadian stations that checked into our net and to those across New England who provided their reports via various means into the VoIP Hurricane Net. We hope power is restored into these areas ASAP.

Elsewhere in the tropics, Tropical Storm Margot is weakening and expected to become post tropical over the open waters of the Atlantic. Tropical Storm Nigel is strengthening and will become a hurricane but remain over the open waters of the Atlantic and no threat to land. A tropical wave is expected to move off the west coast of Africa and has a 40% chance to develop into a tropical depression in 7 days. It will remain in the open Atlantic and no threat to land over this period. This system will be monitored as it develops. Advisories and National Hurricane Center Tropical Weather Outlook information can be seen off the Atlantic Tropical Products menu of the voipwx.net web site, via the voipwxnet Facebook/Twitter feeds or at the National Hurricane Center web site at the following link:

https://www.nhc.noaa.gov

The VoIP Hurricane Net Management Team will continue to monitor all 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

Hello to all..

**VoIP Hurricane Net will activate at 8 AM EDT Saturday Morning and will remain active potentially through 11 PM EDT Saturday Evening for Hurricane Lee and its potentially significant impacts across Eastern New England including the state of Maine, New Brunswick and Nova Scotia Canada supporting WX4NHC, the Amateur Radio station at the National Hurricane Center in Miami Florida. Lee is expected to be a hurricane or strong tropical/post tropical storm as it makes landfall somewhere between extreme Eastern Maine, New Brunswick and Nova Scotia Canada.**
**Due to impacts to Eastern New England, the *NEW-ENG3* Echolink conference node: 9123/IRLP 9123 New England Reflector system used for regional New England SKYWARN Activations will be tied into the *WX_TALK* Echolink conference node: 7203/IRLP 9219 reflector system for this hurricane net activation.**
**WX4NHC will also be active with their Amateur Radio Station from 8 AM EDT Saturday Morning through 11 PM EDT Saturday Evening.**
**The VoIP Hurricane Prep Net for Saturday 9/16/23 at 800 PM EDT is canceled.**

Here are the VoIP Hurricane Net Plans for Hurricane Lee as of Thursday 9/14/23 – 925 PM EDT:

The VoIP Hurricane Net will activate at 8 AM EDT Saturday Morning and will remain active potentially through 11 PM EDT Saturday Evening for Hurricane Lee and its potentially significant impacts across Eastern New England including the state of Maine, New Brunswick and Nova Scotia Canada supporting WX4NHC, the Amateur Radio station at the National Hurricane Center in Miami Florida. Lee is expected to be a hurricane or strong tropical/post tropical storm as it makes landfall somewhere between New Brunswick and Nova Scotia Canada. Due to impacts to Eastern New England, the *NEW-ENG3* Echolink conference node: 9123/IRLP 9123 New England Reflector system used for regional New England SKYWARN Activations will be tied into the *WX_TALK* Echolink conference node: 7203/IRLP 9219 reflector system for this hurricane net activation. WX4NHC will also be active with their Amateur Radio Station from 8 AM EDT Saturday Morning through 11 PM EDT Saturday Evening. The VoIP Hurricane Prep Net for Saturday 9/16/23 at 800 PM EDT is canceled.

Any Amateur Radio Operators in the affected area of Lee or with relays into the affected area of Lee are asked to provide surface and damage reports into the VoIP Hurricane Net for relay into WX4NHC, the Amateur Radio station at the National Hurricane Center. We appreciate any and all support from Amateur Operators in the affected area or Amateur Operators with relays into the affected area. We are looking for reports based on the National Weather Service SKYWARN Reporting criteria. This can be seen on the VoIP Hurricane Net web site at the following link:

VoIP Hurricane Net Reporting Criteria

Any pictures or videos of wind damage, river/stream/urban/storm surge flooding etc. can be sent to our voipwxnet Facebook and Twitter feeds or the following email address: pics@nsradio.org and credit will be given to the Amateur Radio Operator, weather spotter or individual that took the photos and media and be shared with the Amateur Radio team at the National Hurricane Center and other agencies and outlets.

Advisories on Lee can be seen off of the Atlantic Tropical Products menu selection on the voipwxnet web site, via our Facebook and Twitter feeds, and off the National Hurricane Center web site via the following link:
https://www.nhc.noaa.gov

Reports as obtained via the VoIP Hurricane Net from Amateur Radio Operators in the affected area, relays from the affected area or from APRS/CWOP Weather Station feeds and other social media outlets can be found at the following link:
https://www.voipwx.net/qilan/nhcwx/list_VOIP_records1?auth=OK

APRS, Winlink, AllStar, Hamshack Hotline resources that can be monitored are as follows:
APRS kc5fm-9
Winlink KC5FM
Allstar 28848
Echolink KC5FM-R 906281
Hamshack Hotline 94032
DMR TGIF 31207
P25 31207
DSTAR XLXOKL C
Yaesu Fusion 31207
M17-SUN module A

Stations outside the affected area that do not have relays into the affected area who would like to listen into the VoIP Hurricane Net can use any of the following systems for listen-only purposes and can connect on either Echolink or IRLP:
*SKY_GATE* Echolink conference node: 868981/IRLP 9252
*KC4QLP-C* Echolink conference node: 290251
*ARERT* Echolink conference node: 902723
*WASH_DC* Echolink conference node: 6154

These two streaming audio feeds should be available. Those streaming audio feeds are as follows:
Streaming feed 1: http://74.208.24.77:8000 -Provided by KC4QLP-Bob Carter
Streaming feed 2: http://audio.arert.net/ -Provided by the ARERT conference owners and sysops

Please note that there could be additional listen only nodes and streaming feeds. If time allows, this info will be updated via the voipwxnet web site and social media feeds.

The VoIP Hurricane Net Management team continues to closely watch Hurricane Lee. Thanks to all for their continued support of the VoIP Hurricane Net!

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

Hello to all…

With the recent VoIP Hurricane Net Activation for Hurricane Idaliya and the Labor Day Holiday weekend likely having many folks traveling to visit family and friends, the VoIP Hurricane Net for Saturday 9/2/23 is canceled. Our next VoIP Hurricane Prep Net will be on Saturday 9/9/23 at 800 PM EDT. The following is the Atlantic Tropical Update as of Saturday 9/2/23 – 920 AM EDT:

In the Atlantic, the only land affecting system is Post Tropical Cyclone Idaliya bringing tropical storm force conditions to the island of Bermuda. After passing Bermuda, Idaliya is expected to go out to sea only affecting shipping interests. Gert regenerated into a tropical storm and we now have Katia, also a tropical storm, but both Gert and Katia are out in the open Atlantic and no threat to land. Therefore, other than Idaliya affecting Bermuda with tropical storm force conditions, no tropical system is expected to affect land over the next several days.

There is a tropical wave in the Eastern Atlantic that could develop into a tropical depression as we get into the middle of next week as it moves from the Eastern Atlantic to the Central Atlantic Ocean that will be our next system to watch for potential land impacts presuming it can develop. Any land impacts wouldn’t be until late next week at the earliest so there will be plenty of time to monitor the progress of this potentially developing system.

Advisories on Idaliya, Gert and Katia and the Tropical Weather Outlook highlighting the tropical wave in the Eastern Atlantic can be seen off the Atlantic Tropical Products menu selection on the voipwx.net web site, via our voipwxnet Facebook/Twitter feeds or the National Hurricane Center web site at the following link:

https://www.nhc.noaa.gov

The VoIP Hurricane Net Management Team continues to monitor all developments in the Tropics. Our thoughts and prayers are with those significantly impacted by Hurricane Idaliya in the Southeast US and we hope their recovery is quick from that significant hurricane. We hope everyone enjoys the Labor Day Holiday Weekend and we will catch everyone on the next VoIP Hurricane Prep net on Saturday 9/9/23 at 800 PM EDT. Thanks to all for their continued support of the VoIP Hurricane Net!

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

Hello to all…

Hurricane Idalia made landfall in the Big Bend area of Florida and in one of the more sparsely populated parts of the state of Florida. Wind gusts as high as 86 MPH were recorded in the Big Bend area of Florida and were likely higher but there was a gap in weather station coverage where Idalia made landfall. Significant wind damage was observed in Perry to Lee Florida with widespread significant storm surge observed all across the Big Bend Florida area through portions of Tampa-St Petersburg FL. Wind damage and significant rainfall was also observed across portions of Southern Georgia from Valdosta to Lakeland GA and points north and east. A complete listing of reports obtained from online weather stations, social media, public safety resources and Amateur Radio relayed reports can be seen in the VoIP Hurricane Net Report Viewer at the following link:

https://www.voipwx.net/qilan/nhcwx/list_VOIP_records1?auth=OK

Idalia is expected to move off the Atlantic coast and remain a tropical storm possibly affecting Bermuda as a tropical storm. The VoIP Hurricane Net management team will monitor the progress of Idalia and all other developments in the Atlantic Tropics.

A reminder that the VoIP Hurricane Prep Net for Saturday 9/2/23 is canceled due to the hurricane net activation for Idalia and the long Labor Day Holiday weekend. Thanks to all for their continued support of the VoIP Hurricane Net!

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

Hello to all..

**VoIP Hurricane Net will activate at 6 AM EDT Wednesday Morning and will remain active potentially through 11 PM EDT Wednesday Evening for Hurricane Idalia and its potentially significant impacts across Northwest and Northern Florida, Southern Georgia and the Carolinas supporting WX4NHC, the Amateur Radio station at the National Hurricane Center in Miami Florida. Idalia is expected to achieve major hurricane status prior to landfall in the big bend area of Northwest Florida.**
**WX4NHC will also be active with their Amateur Radio Station through this time period for as long as needed.**

Here are the VoIP Hurricane Net Plans for Hurricane Idalia as of Tuesday Afternoon 8/29/23 – 245 PM EDT:

VoIP Hurricane Net will activate at 6 AM EDT Wednesday Morning and will remain active potentially through 11 PM EDT Wednesday evening for Hurricane Idalia and its potentially significant impacts across Northwest and Northern Florida, Southern Georgia and the Carolinas supporting WX4NHC, the Amateur Radio station at the National Hurricane Center in Miami Florida. WX4NHC will also be active with their Amateur Radio Station through this time period for as long as needed. Idalia is expected to achive major hurricane status prior to landfall in the big bend area of Northwest Florida. Due to this net activation for Hurricane Idalia and the long weekend for the Labor Day holiday, the VoIP Hurricane Prep Net for Saturday 9/2/23 has been canceled.

Any Amateur Radio Operators in the affected area of Idalia or with relays into the affected area of Idalia are asked to provide surface and damage reports into the VoIP Hurricane Net for relay into WX4NHC, the Amateur Radio station at the National Hurricane Center. We appreciate any and all support from Amateur Operators in the affected area or Amateur Operators with relays into the affected area. We are looking for reports based on the National Weather Service SKYWARN Reporting criteria. This can be seen on the VoIP Hurricane Net web site at the following link:
https://voipwx.net/voip-hurricane-net-reporting-criteria

Any pictures or videos of wind damage, river/stream/urban/storm surge flooding etc. can be sent to our voipwxnet Facebook and Twitter feeds or the following email address: pics@nsradio.org and credit will be given to the Amateur Radio Operator, weather spotter or individual that took the photos and media and be shared with the Amateur Radio team at the National Hurricane Center and other agencies and outlets.

Advisories on Idalia can be seen off of the Atlantic Tropical Products menu selection on the voipwxnet web site, via our Facebook and Twitter feeds, and off the National Hurricane Center web site via the following link:
https://www.nhc.noaa.gov

Reports as obtained via the VoIP Hurricane Net from Amateur Radio Operators in the affected area, relays from the affected area or from APRS/CWOP Weather Station feeds and other social media outlets can be found at the following link:
https://www.voipwx.net/qilan/nhcwx/list_VOIP_records1?auth=OK

APRS, Winlink, AllStar, Hamshack Hotline resources that can be monitored are as follows:
APRS kc5fm-9
Winlink KC5FM
Allstar 28848
Echolink KC5FM-R 906281
Hamshack Hotline 94032
DMR TGIF 31207
P25 31207
DSTAR XLXOKL C
Yaesu Fusion 31207
M17-SUN module A

Stations outside the affected area that do not have relays into the affected area who would like to listen into the VoIP Hurricane Net can use any of the following systems for listen-only purposes and can connect on either Echolink or IRLP:
*NEW-ENG3* Echolink conference node: 9123/IRLP 9123
*SKY_GATE* Echolink conference node: 868981/IRLP 9252
*KC4QLP-C* Echolink conference node: 290251
*ARERT* Echolink conference node: 902723
*WASH_DC* Echolink conference node: 6154

These two streaming audio feeds should be available. Those streaming audio feeds are as follows:
Streaming feed 1: http://74.208.24.77:8000 -Provided by KC4QLP-Bob Carter
Streaming feed 2: http://audio.arert.net/ -Provided by the ARERT conference owners and sysops

Please note that there could be additional listen only nodes and streaming feeds. If time allows, this info will be updated via the voipwxnet web site and social media feeds.

The VoIP Hurricane Net Management team continues to closely watch Hurricane Idalia. Thanks to all for their continued support of the VoIP Hurricane Net!

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

Hello to all…

**VoIP Hurricane Net and WX4NHC, the Amateur Radio Station at the National Hurricane Center, will activate for Hilary and storm impacts to Northwest Mexico, Southern California and Southwest Arizona from Sunday 8 AM EDT/1200 UTC Sunday Morning through 11 PM EDT/0300 UTC Sunday Evening**

The VoIP Hurricane Net will activate from than 8am EDT/1200 UTC Sunday morning August 20th, 2023 through 11pm/0300UTC Sunday evening for impacts from Hilary. Storm timing and changes in the forecast can alter this activation period, so please check for updates. This activation is in direct support to WX4NHC at the National Hurricane Center.

Any Amateur Radio Operators in the affected area of Hilary, or with relays into the affected area of Hilary are asked to provide surface and damage reports into the VoIP Hurricane Net for relay into WX4NHC, the Amateur Radio station at the National Hurricane Center. Any SKYWARN Nets active in the local area as Hilary moves into Southern California and surrounding States that can pass reports to the VoIP Hurricane Net for relay into WX4NHC are welcome to send a net liaison or connect directly at their discretion to the *WX_TALK* Echolink conference node: 7203/IRLP 9219. Stations on All-Star can connect to the Echolink side of the system by dialing *033007203. We appreciate any and all support from Amateur Operators in the affected area or Amateur Operators with relays into the affected area. We are looking for reports based on the National Weather Service SKYWARN Reporting criteria. This can be seen on the VoIP Hurricane Net web site at the following link:
https://voipwx.net/voip-hurricane-net-reporting-criteria/

Any pictures or videos of wind damage, river/stream/urban/storm surge flooding etc. can be sent to the following email address: pics@nsradio.org and credit will be given to the Amateur Radio Operator, weather spotter or individual that took the photos and media and be shared with the Amateur Radio team at the National Hurricane Center and other agencies and outlets.

Advisories on Hilary can be seen off of the Main Menu of the voipwxnet web site, via our Facebook and Twitter feeds, and off the National Hurricane Center web site via the following link:
https://www.nhc.noaa.gov

Stations outside the affected area who would like to listen into the VoIP Hurricane Net can use any of the following systems for listen-only purposes and can connect on either Echolink or IRLP: *NEW-ENG3* Echolink conference node: 9123/IRLP 9123

*Sky_Gate* Echolink conference node: 868981/IRLP 9252

Stations outside the affected area who would like to listen into the VoIP Hurricane Net can use any of the following systems for listen-only purposes on Echolink:
*KA1AAA* Echolink conference node: 269929
*WASH_DC* Echolink conference node: 6154

Stations outside the affected area who would like to listen into the VoIP Hurricane Net can use any of the following systems for listen-only purposes on All-Star by dialing *033270177 or *033009123.

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

Rob Macedo, KD1CY, Operations Director, VoIP Hurricane Net

Hello to all…

Tropical Depression (TD) 3 has formed in the Atlantic. TD 3 is expected to intensify into a tropical storm within the next day or two and expected to be a hurricane as it tracks near or over the Windward/Leeward Islands. If the storm intensifies as expected, it will be named Bret. National Hurricane Center (NHC) advisories on TD 3 can be seen off the Atlantic Tropical Products menu of the VoIP Hurricane Net web site, via our voipwxnet Facebook and Twitter feeds and at the NHC web site at the following link:

https://www.nhc.noaa.gov

VoIP Hurricane Net activation is possible some time in the Thursday to Friday timeframe depending on the track, speed and intensity of TD 3. The VoIP Hurricane Net will closely monitor TD 3 and other systems 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

Hello to all..

Thursday June 1st, 2023 marks the start of the 2023 Atlantic Hurricane Season. The 2023 Atlantic Hurricane Season is expected to be a near normal season per the NOAA/National Hurricane Center and Colorado State University outlooks among others. To mark the start of Atlantic Hurricane Season, the National Hurricane Center/Tropical Prediction Center in Miami FL will issue advisories on named systems, Tropical Storm and Hurricane Watches and Warnings when a system threatens a land area, Tropical Cyclone Updates on named systems and Tropical Weather Outlooks for potential areas of tropical cyclone development. Their suite of products and tropical system names are listed in their first couple of tropical weather outlooks and the link from 8 AM EDT – Thursday June 1st Tropical Weather Outlook is listed below:

https://voipwx.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/nhc_hurricane_season_start_tropical_weather_outlook_2023.pdf

Tropical Depression (TD) 2 has formed in the Gulf of Mexico. Slight strengthening is possible and if that occurs, it would become Tropical Storm Arlene. The system is not expected to affect land significantly and is expected to be a short lived system that dissipates in the next few days after any slight strengthening that occurs in the next 12-24 hours. Advisories can be found off the Main Menu of the VoIP Hurricane Net under Atlantic Tropical Products, via the voipwxnet Facebook and Twitter social media feeds or from the National Hurricane Center web site at the following link:

https://www.nhc.noaa.gov/

The VoIP Hurricane Prep Net will shift to weekly beginning Saturday June 3rd, 2023 at 8 PM EDT/7 PM CDT/0000 UTC. We welcome all those who wish to participate in the net and we are looking for net controls both for the weekly net as well as net activations for landfalling hurricanes. If you are interested, contact Rob-KD1CY at kd1cy@voipwx.net for more information.

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

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

Hello to all…

The annual WX4NHC On Air Communications Test has been set for Saturday May 27th, 2023 and WX4NHC will be on the air on the VoIP Hurricane Net system Echolink conference node: 7203/IRLP 9219 from 4-5 PM EDT (2000-2100z). Other Amateur Radio modes will be utilized and those details are listed in the announcement below from WD4R-Julio Ripoll, Assistant WX4NHC Coordinator:

Announcement from WX4NHC
Amateur Radio Station at the National Hurricane Center, Miami Florida
WX4NHC will be On-The-Air for the Annual Communications Test
Saturday May 27th, 2023 from 9AM – 5 PM EDT (1300z-2100z)

The amateur radio station of the National Hurricane Center, WX4NHC (NHC), located on the campus of Florida International University in Miami, will conduct their on-the-air Annual Communications Test on Saturday, May 27, 2023, from 9 AM – 5 PM EDT (1300z- 2100z).

This is the NHC’s 43rd year of public service. NHC Amateur Radio Assistant Coordinator Julio Ripoll, WD4R/WX4NHC, reports that the purpose of this event is to test amateur radio equipment and antennas at the NHC as well as operators’ home equipment, antennas, and computers prior to this year’s hurricane season. The 2023 hurricane season begins June 1 and runs through November 30.

This event is good practice for amateur radio operators worldwide to practice amateur radio communications during times of severe weather.

Ripoll said WX4NHC will be on HF, VHF, UHF, 2- and 30-meter APRS, and Winlink, To contact the NHC’s amateur radio station send an email to wx4nhc@winlink.org. The subject of the email must contain //WL2K.

The Hurricane Watch Net will try to stay on 14.325 MHz for most of the time, as well as 7.268 MHz depending on propagation. They may also change frequencies due to potential QRM.

You may be able to find WX4NHC on HF by using one of the DX spotting networks, such as the DX Summit website at http://www.dxsummit.fi.

The VoIP Hurricane Net will also be active from 4 PM – 5 PM EDT (2000-2100z), IRLP node 9219/EchoLink WX-TALK Conference node 7203. Visit their website for more information.

WX4NHC will also make a few contacts on local VHF and UHF repeaters, as well as the Florida Statewide Amateur Radio Network (SARnet) system to test station equipment.

QSL cards are available via WD4R with a self-addressed stamped envelope. More information about the NHC is available at their website.

Thank you for your participation in the WX4NHC Annual Station Test event.

73, Julio – WX4NHC/WD4R

-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-
Julio Ripoll Architect WD4R
WX4NHC Amateur Radio Asst. Coordinator
www.wx4nhc.org
Celebrating 43 years at the
National Hurricane Center
www.nhc.noaa.gov
-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-

We hope many can join the WX4NHC Annual On-Air Test for this year. Thanks to all for their continued support of the VoIP Hurricane Net!

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

Hello to all…

The 2023 National Hurricane Conference Amateur Radio Workshop from New Orleans Louisiana from Monday 4/3/23 is posted on Youtube. The video is at the following link:

2023 Amateur Radio Workshop – National Hurricane Conference – New Orleans Louisiana Video Recording:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iTpRE0PriJU

Here are the start timeframes for each of the workshop topics (Note: this information is not listed in the Youtube listing):
00:00 Opening Remarks – KD1CY-Rob Macedo – Director of Operations for the VoIP Hurricane Net
00:30 Canadian Hurricane Centre (CHC) – Hurricane Fiona Impacts and Hurricane Meteorological Topics – VE1MBR-Bob Robichaud – CHC Warning Preparedness Meteorologist
32:58 WX4NHC Amateur Radio Station at the National Hurricane Center Overview & Hurricane Watch Net Overview -WD4R-Julio Ripoll – WX4NHC Assistant NHC Coordinator
1:26:57 Importance of Amateur Radio Surface Reports with Q&A – Dan Brown – National Hurricane Center Senior Hurricane Specialist
1:43:50 VoIP Hurricane Net Overview & Best Practices in SKYWARN for Tropical Systems – KD1CY-Rob Macedo – Director of Operations for the VoIP Hurricane Net
2:14:01 SATERN Presentation – WB8BZH-Bill Feist, SATERN Southern Territory Coordinator
2:41:43 ARRL/ARES Update – KE5MHV-Josh Johnston, ARRL HQ – Director of Emergency Management
2:57:58 Louisiana Hurricane Ida Response & ARES Update – KD5KNZ-Matt Anderson – Louisiana ARRL Assistant Section Manager

We appreciate everyone who attended the workshop live (30-45 people in the room and about 70+ people on the livestream about half of which remained on until the end despite livestream technical difficulties) and we hope many more will view the video presentation recording via YouTube. There have already been close to 500 views of the video recording to date.

Thanks to all for their continued support of the Amateur Radio Hurricane program led by WX4NHC, the Amateur Radio Station at the National Hurricane Center, Hurricane Watch Net, VoIP Hurricane Net, SATERN, ARRL, National Hurricane Center and Canadian Hurricane Center as well as all the local regional SKYWARN/CANWARN programs in the United States and Canada and the various local groups that support us internationally.

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

Hello to all…

My sincerest apologies for the delay on this post as it was delayed due to me being ill for a good portion of the month of March. Below are all the details including livestream information for the 2023 National Hurricane Conference in New Orleans, LA:

Amateur Radio will again be represented at the 2023 National Hurricane Conference which will be held this year in New Orleans, Louisiana (http://www.hurricanemeeting.com). This year, the workshop will be done both live at the conference and over YouTube livestream so this will be a “hybrid workshop”. The conference theme is to improve hurricane preparedness as it has been in past years. After the workshop is completed, the Amateur Radio Workshop will be uploaded to Youtube for those that can’t attend the sessions live. For 2023, all the Amateur Radio sessions will be on Monday April 3rd, 2023 from 830 AM-1020 AM CDT (930 AM-1120 AM EDT) and from 1030 AM-1210 PM CDT (1130 AM-110 PM EDT) with door prizes completed between 1210-1220 PM CDT (110-120 PM EDT). Each presenter will not only give an overview of their respective group but also how their group handled the significant hurricanes over the past year. Here is the session breakdown:

NHC Session #1 – 830 AM-1020 AM CDT (930 AM-1120 AM EDT): Bob Robichaud-VE1MBR from the Canadian Hurricane Centre will present on Hurricane Meteorological topics including the last 2 years in review and the forecast for 2023. He will also provide a brief overview of Canadian Hurricane Centre Operations. Julio Ripoll-WD4R will present WX4NHC Operations and an overview on the Hurricane Watch Net (HWN). A representative from the National Hurricane Center will also present on the importance of Amateur Radio surface reporting.

NHC Session #2: 1030 AM-1210 PM CDT (1130 AM-110 PM EDT): Rob Macedo-KD1CY will present on the VoIP Hurricane Net and best practices in SKYWARN Tropical Systems presentation, Bill Feist-WB8BZH will present a SATERN (Salvation Army Team Emergency Response Radio Network) overview. Josh Johnston-KE5MHV will give an ARRL update and KD5KNZ-Matt Anderson will give out an update on a local response update for Amateur Radio Operators in Louisiana. This will be followed by a Q & A session and raffle prizes will be offered.

Amateur Radio presentations will be recorded and posted to Youtube after the workshop within the month of April. The Amateur Radio presentations will also be livestreamed via Youtube as a best effort. It is noted that Internet connectivity can be a challenge at hotel locations for livestreaming but we will do our best to livestream the workshop but please note technical difficulties could affect the livestream so please be patient if you watch the livestream and we will have recordings available post workshop. The YouTube livestream link is listed below:

2023 National Hurricane Conference Presenters and Moderator:

• Moderator: Rob Macedo, KD1CY, VoIP Hurricane Net
• Special guest speaker (Need name from NHC), National Hurricane Center
• Special guest speaker Bob Robichaud, VE1MBR, Canadian Hurricane Center
• Special guest speaker Josh Johnston, KE5MHV, Director of Emergency Management, ARRL HQ
• John McHugh, K4AG, WX4NHC Amateur Radio Station Coordinator
• Julio Ripoll, WD4R, WX4NHC Assistant Amateur Radio Station Coordinator
• Bill Feist, WB8BZH, SATERN, Salvation Army Team Emergency Response Radio Network
• Matt Anderson, KD5KNZ, Louisiana ARRL Assistant Section Manager
• Rob Macedo, KD1CY, Director of Operations, VoIP Hurricane Net & ARRL ARES Eastern Mass SEC
• Jim Palmer, KB1KQW, VoIP Hurricane Net (Videographer)

Detailed Schedule Outline – All Times (Central Daylight Time):
830-835 AM: Opening Remarks
835-915 AM: Canadian Hurricane Centre and Hurricane Meteorological Topics (VE1MBR-Bob R) 915-1000 AM: WX4NHC Amateur Radio Station at the National Hurricane Center & HWN Overview (WD4R)
1000-1020 AM: Importance of Amateur Radio Surface Reports (NHC)
1020-1030 AM: Break
1030-1050 AM: VoIP Hurricane Net Overview & Best Practices in SKYWARN for Tropical Systems (KD1CY)
1050-1110 AM: SATERN – Salvation Army Team Emergency Radio Network Overview (WB8BZH)
1110-1130 AM: ARRL Update (KE5MHV)
1130-1150 AM: Louisiana Hurricane Response Update (KD5KNZ)
1150-1210 PM: Moderated Q & A session and Panel Discussion (All)
1210-1220 PM: Door Prizes (All)

We hope folks can attend the conference live and in person for those in and around the New Orleans LA area or attending the conference and that those outside of the area can participate in the livestream. For those can’t see it live, the workshop video will be posted online via Youtube within a week or two after the conference if not sooner.

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

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

Hello to all..

SKYWARN Recognition Day is Saturday December 3rd, 2022 from 0000-2400 UTC (Friday Evening 12/2/22 from 700 PM ET-Saturday Evening 12/2/22 at 700 PM ET) and Echolink and IRLP will be playing a role in SRD as it has in past years. SKYWARN Recognition Day is an opportunity for National Weather Service Forecast Offices across the United States to thank SKYWARN Spotters for their efforts in obtaining timely severe weather reporting for the protection of life and property. This is the SKYWARN program’s main mission.

EchoLink and IRLP are just a couple of modes people can utilize to contact NWS offices during SKYWARN Recognition Day. Many NWS offices will be on 2 Meters, 440 MHz, HF and other VHF/UHF bands.

For 2022 SRD, more NWS offices will be on the air live from their local NWS offices but it will still be somewhat different than pre-COVID years and there maybe a virtual/hybrid component where offices may be active at their actual office as well as from home/other locations at different times or simultaneously. Similar to the last couple of years, you can operate with your personal call-sign as NWS coordinator or some may elect to use the NWS Call-Sign and state they are portable.

EchoLink and IRLP are just a couple of modes people can utilize to contact NWS offices during SKYWARN Recognition Day. Many NWS offices will be on 2 Meters, 440 MHz, HF and other VHF/UHF bands. Additional details on SKYWARN Recognition Day including a registration link opened up to all Amateurs given the new SRD format can be found via the following link:
https://www.weather.gov/crh/skywarnrecognition

This year’s Google registration form also auto-issues SRD Numbers to participant Amateur stations. Some NWS offices that registered may have received them but any offices that register from this evening forward will not get one. The form can be found off the SKYWARN Recognition Day web site and can be see at the link below:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdsiwFThctxPqEht9r7j1V1OLBNiAQjt-yJe7z3-XFMwiIx-w/viewform

Also, there is a SRD Facebook group created. Those with Facebook can join it at the following link:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/srd2021

The ARRL has posted the SRD’22 information on their web site and in their weekly ARRL Letter. The SRD article is listed below:
http://www.arrl.org/news/skywarn-recognition-day-set-for-december-3-2022

For 2022, the EchoLink *WX_TALK* Node: 7203/IRLP reflector 9219 system will be scheduling time for NWS offices or SKYWARN Coordinators with specific NWS office time slots to act as a net control to make contacts with spotters that are on the system. If a NWS office/SKYWARN Coordinator runs out of contacts and there are other NWS offices/SKYWARN Coordinators on the system, the NWS office acting as net control can turn it over to a different NWS office or SKYWARN Coordinator to act as a net control on the system at their discretion. You can also reach the network via Allstar 28848 and Hamshack Hotline 94032.

We’d like to ask NWS offices and/or coordinators who are operating from homw who operate at NWS offices do their best to adhere to the schedule. Sometimes this is difficult due to the number of contacts received by each net control. We ask for everyone’s patience and working cooperatively to respect the time slot schedule.

Below is the 2022 SRD Schedule with the time slots confirmed so far for 2021 and those time slots relinquished by NWS offices. See the list of NWS offices below:

Time in UTC NWS Office Call-Sign
0000-0100: N0NWS (Time slot confirmed for this year)
0100-0200: WX1GYX (Time slot confirmed for this year)
0200-0300: WX7SLC (Time slot confirmed for this year)
0300-0400: Open
0400-0500: WX1BOX (Time slot confirmed for this year)
0500-0600: Open
0600-0700: WX4HUN (Time slot confirmed for this year)
0700-0800: WX8APX (Time slot confirmed for this year)
0800-0900: WX8APX (Time slot confirmed for this year)
0900-1000: Open
1000-1100: WX7SLC (Time slot confirmed for this year)
1100-1200: WX1GYX (Time slot confirmed for this year)
1200-1300: Open
1300-1400: WX7SLC (Time slot confirmed for this year)
1400-1500: WX1AW (Time slot confirmed for this year – may arrive a bit late to the network)
1500-1600: WX1BOX (Time slot confirmed for this year)
1600-1700: WX4NC (Time slot confirmed for this year)
1700-1800: WX4JKL (Time slot confirmed for this year)
1800-1900: WX6LOX (Time slot confirmed for this year)
1900-2000: Open
2000-2100: WX4JKL (Time slot confirmed for this year)
2100-2300: WX4NHC (Time slot confirmed for this year)
2300-2400: Open

Here will be other conference systems utilized for SKYWARN Recognition Day. They are as follows:

The New England Reflector Gateway System will be utilized by SKYWARN Coordinators from New England from 0000-0500 UTC and 1200-2400 UTC. The New England Gateway system is on EchoLink Conference server *NEW-ENG3* Node: 9123, IRLP reflector 9123. If other SKYWARN Coordinators and NWS offices would like to join the system, they are welcome to do so and participants in SKYWARN Recognition Day can also use that system to make contact with various NWS offices. This is a great place to move off the *WX_TALK* Node: 7203/IRLP 9219 system after your scheduled time if other Amateurs or NWS offices wish to make contact with you.

Also, the Western Reflector will be having NWS offices calling CQ as in past years and have multiple reflector channels and Echolink conferences available. There is reflector 9250/Echolink Conference *HI-GATE* node: 357564, IRLP 9251 and the *WORLD* Echolink Conference node: 479886, IRLP 9257/*DCF-ARC* Echolink Conference node: 336037 and IRLP 9258/EchoLink Conference *NV-GATE* Node: 152566 open for NWS offices. Please contact Kent-W7AOR for additional information on the Western Reflector.

A few technical reminders for folks interested in making contacts with the NWS Forecast Offices on the *WX-TALK* Node: 7203/IRLP 9219 and New England Reflector Gateway IRLP 9123/*NEW-ENG3* Echolink Node: 9123 systems:

-The system allows both EchoLink and IRLP connections. For EchoLink users, you connect to the *WX-TALK* Node: 7203 conference system. For IRLP users, you would connect to IRLP reflector 9219. It is possible we will have DMR/D-STAR and other modes directly linked on the system. This will be updated in the next few days regarding that aspect.

-If you are using EchoLink, the RF node or PC that you’re using must have EchoLink conferencing disabled. If it is not disabled, the system will automatically kick the node or PC off of the system. The reason this occurs is to prevent unintentional interference from a conferencing station that may not know the node is connected somewhere else. This will keep traffic moving on the net and reduce interference considerably.

For more information on VoIP Technical Configuration Tips, please go to our web site at http://www.voipwx.net where we have a link to that information on the main menu of the web site. This announcement will also be on the web site.

We are looking forward to another fun SKYWARN Recognition Day on the *WX-TALK* Node: 7203/IRLP reflector 9219 system, New England Reflector Gateway system and Western Reflector system. Thanks to all for their support!

73,Rob-KD1CY.
Director of Operations for the VoIP Hurricane Net
ARES SKYWARN Coordinator for NWS Boston/Norton Massachusetts
Eastern Massachusetts ARES Section Emergency Coordinator

Hello to all…

With the Thanksgiving holiday week this weekend through next weekend and the late season November hurricane net activations, the net management team has decided to cancel tonight’s net on Saturday 11/19/22 and Saturday 11/26/22. Our next net, and the final net of 2022, will be on Saturday 12/3/22, one hour earlier, at 700 PM US ET/400 PM US PT immediately following the end of 2022 SKYWARN Recognition Day. Additionally, more info on 2022 SKYWARN Recognition Day will be posted by Monday 11/21/22. The VoIP Hurricane Net management team wishes all net participants a very healthy and Happy Thanksgiving and we will talk again in two weeks during 2022’SRD and on the net immediately following SRD. Thanks to all for their continued support of the VoIP Hurricane Net!

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

Hello to all..

**VoIP Hurricane Net will informally monitor conditions starting at 8 AM EST and formally activate at 12 PM EST Wednesday Afternoon and will remain active potentially through 12 PM EST Thursday for Nicole and its impacts on the Bahamas and Florida**
**WX4NHC will also be active with their Amateur Radio Station through this time period for as long as needed.**

Here are the VoIP Hurricane Net Plans for Nicole as of Tuesday Evening 1010 PM EST:

The VoIP Hurricane Net will will informally monitor conditions starting at 8 AM EST and formally activate at 12 PM EST Wednesday Afternoon and will remain active potentially through 12 PM EST Thursday for Nicole and its impacts on the Bahamas and Florida. WX4NHC, the Amateur Radio station at the National Hurricane Center in Miami Florida will also be active with their Amateur Radio Station through this time period for as long as needed.

Any Amateur Radio Operators in the affected area of Nicole or with relays into the affected area of Nicole are asked to provide surface and damage reports into the VoIP Hurricane Net for relay into WX4NHC, the Amateur Radio station at the National Hurricane Center. We appreciate any and all support from Amateur Operators in the affected area or Amateur Operators with relays into the affected area. We are looking for reports based on the National Weather Service SKYWARN Reporting criteria. This can be seen on the VoIP Hurricane Net web site at the following link:
https://voipwx.net/voip-hurricane-net-reporting-criteria

Any pictures or videos of wind damage, river/stream/urban/storm surge flooding etc. can be sent to our voipwxnet Facebook and Twitter feeds or the following email address: pics@nsradio.org and credit will be given to the Amateur Radio Operator, weather spotter or individual that took the photos and media and be shared with the Amateur Radio team at the National Hurricane Center and other agencies and outlets.

Advisories on Nicole can be seen off of the Atlantic Tropical Products menu selection on the voipwxnet web site, via our Facebook and Twitter feeds, and off the National Hurricane Center web site via the following link:
https://www.nhc.noaa.gov

Reports as obtained via the VoIP Hurricane Net from Amateur Radio Operators in the affected area, relays from the affected area or from APRS/CWOP Weather Station feeds and other social media outlets can be found at the following link:
https://www.voipwx.net/qilan/nhcwx/list_VOIP_records1?auth=OK

APRS, Winlink, AllStar, Hamshack Hotline resources that can be monitored are as follows:
APRS kc5fm-9
Winlink KC5FM
Allstar 28848
Echolink KC5FM-R 906281
Hamshack Hotline 94032
DMR TGIF 31207
P25 31207
DSTAR XLXOKL C
Yaesu Fusion 31207
M17-SUN module A

Stations outside the affected area that do not have relays into the affected area who would like to listen into the VoIP Hurricane Net can use any of the following systems for listen-only purposes and can connect on either Echolink or IRLP:
*NEW-ENG3* Echolink conference node: 9123/IRLP 9123
*SKY_GATE* Echolink conference node: 868981/IRLP 9252
*KC4QLP-C* Echolink conference node: 290251
*ARERT* Echolink conference node: 902723
*WASH_DC* Echolink conference node: 6154

These two streaming audio feeds should be available. Those streaming audio feeds are as follows:
Streaming feed 1: http://74.208.24.77:8000 -Provided by KC4QLP-Bob Carter
Streaming feed 2: http://audio.arert.net/ -Provided by the ARERT conference owners and sysops

Please note that there could be additional listen only nodes and streaming feeds. If time allows, this info will be updated via the voipwxnet web site and social media feeds.

The VoIP Hurricane Net Management team continues to closely watch Nicole. Thanks to all for their continued support of the VoIP Hurricane Net!

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

Hello to all…

Subtropical Storm Nicole has formed in the Atlantic east of the Bahamas this Monday Morning. Nicole is expected to intensify and impact the Bahamas, Florida and other parts of the Southeast US coast later this week transitioning into a fully tropical storm in the next couple of days and will have the potential to become a hurricane before landfall in Florida. Advisories on Nicole can be seen off the Atlantic Tropical Products menu of the voipwx.net web site and at the National Hurricane Center web site via the following link:

https://www.nhc.noaa.gov

VoIP Hurricane Net activation for Nicole is possible to likely as we get into the middle part of this week. Additional updates on Nicole will follow later this week as well. The VoIP Hurricane Net Management Team will continue to closely monitor the progress of Nicole. Thanks to all for their continued support of the VoIP Hurricane Net!

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

Hello to all…

The VoIP Hurricane Net Activation for Hurricane Lisa secured on Wednesday 11/2/22 at 1100 PM EDT. Several damage reports and information were received on net from Amateur Radio Operators in Belize via their Echolink/AllStar linked repeater system which was connected to our network until late evening when it appeared the Internet linking or power failed over the linked system. Numerous other reports of storm damage and meteorological data were obtained from Davis and Tempest Weatherflow online weather sensors and social media reports. A total of 25 reports were handled over the course of the net activation from all these resources. The complete list can be seen on the VoIP Hurricane Net Report viewer at the following link:

https://www.voipwx.net/qilan/nhcwx/list_VOIP_records1?auth=OK

Lisa is expected to move over the Bay of Campeche and is not expected to reintensify into a hurricane so this should end any hurricane net activations for Lisa. That said, the VoIP Hurricane Net management team will closely monitor Lisa and the rest of the Atlantic tropics which are more active than normal for the month of November. Thanks to all for their continued support of the VoIP Hurricane Net!

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

Hello to all..

**VoIP Hurricane Net will activate at 11 AM EDT Wednesday Morning and will remain active potentially through 11 PM EDT Wednesday evening for Hurricane Lisa and its impacts on Belize, the Bay Islands of Honduras and the Yucatan Peninsula of Mexico, the Amateur Radio station at the National Hurricane Center in Miami Florida**
**WX4NHC will also be active with their Amateur Radio Station through this time period for as long as needed.**

Here are the VoIP Hurricane Net Plans for Hurricane Lisa as of Wednesday Morning 1045 AM EDT:

VoIP Hurricane Net will activate at 11 AM EDT Wednesday Morning and will remain active potentially through 11 PM EDT Wednesday Evening for Hurricane Lisa and its impacts on Belize, the Bay Islands of Honduras and the Yucatan Peninsula of Mexico, the Amateur Radio station at the National Hurricane Center in Miami Florida WX4NHC will also be active with their Amateur Radio Station through this time period for as long as needed.

Any Amateur Radio Operators in the affected area of Lisa or with relays into the affected area of Lisa are asked to provide surface and damage reports into the VoIP Hurricane Net for relay into WX4NHC, the Amateur Radio station at the National Hurricane Center. We appreciate any and all support from Amateur Operators in the affected area or Amateur Operators with relays into the affected area. We are looking for reports based on the National Weather Service SKYWARN Reporting criteria. This can be seen on the VoIP Hurricane Net web site at the following link:
https://voipwx.net/voip-hurricane-net-reporting-criteria

Any pictures or videos of wind damage, river/stream/urban/storm surge flooding etc. can be sent to our voipwxnet Facebook and Twitter feeds or the following email address: pics@nsradio.org and credit will be given to the Amateur Radio Operator, weather spotter or individual that took the photos and media and be shared with the Amateur Radio team at the National Hurricane Center and other agencies and outlets.

Advisories on Lisa can be seen off of the Atlantic Tropical Products menu selection on the voipwxnet web site, via our Facebook and Twitter feeds, and off the National Hurricane Center web site via the following link:
https://www.nhc.noaa.gov

Reports as obtained via the VoIP Hurricane Net from Amateur Radio Operators in the affected area, relays from the affected area or from APRS/CWOP Weather Station feeds and other social media outlets can be found at the following link:
https://www.voipwx.net/qilan/nhcwx/list_VOIP_records1?auth=OK

APRS, Winlink, AllStar, Hamshack Hotline resources that can be monitored are as follows:
APRS kc5fm-9
Winlink KC5FM
Allstar 28848
Echolink KC5FM-R 906281
Hamshack Hotline 94032
DMR TGIF 31207
P25 31207
DSTAR XLXOKL C
Yaesu Fusion 31207
M17-SUN module A

Stations outside the affected area that do not have relays into the affected area who would like to listen into the VoIP Hurricane Net can use any of the following systems for listen-only purposes and can connect on either Echolink or IRLP:
*NEW-ENG3* Echolink conference node: 9123/IRLP 9123
*SKY_GATE* Echolink conference node: 868981/IRLP 9252
*KC4QLP-C* Echolink conference node: 290251
*ARERT* Echolink conference node: 902723
*WASH_DC* Echolink conference node: 6154

These two streaming audio feeds should be available. Those streaming audio feeds are as follows:
Streaming feed 1: http://74.208.24.77:8000 -Provided by KC4QLP-Bob Carter
Streaming feed 2: http://audio.arert.net/ -Provided by the ARERT conference owners and sysops

Please note that there could be additional listen only nodes and streaming feeds. If time allows, this info will be updated via the voipwxnet web site and social media feeds.

The VoIP Hurricane Net Management team continues to closely watch Hurricane Lisa. Thanks to all for their continued support of the VoIP Hurricane Net!

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

Hello to all…

Hurricane Julia has been downgraded to a tropical storm on Sunday 10/9/22 at 1100 AM EDT. The VoIP Hurricane Net Management Team, CU3AU-Francis from the Azores Islands of Portugal and NP3OD-Francisco from San Juan Puerto Rico have been monitoring the YN1YN-L associated with the Club de Radio-Experimentadores de Nicaragua – CREN group. We have obtained reports of widespread cell phone and power outages in Bluefields Nicaragua where Julia made landfall. Social media has numerous reports of downed trees, power lines, some structural damage reports and flooding with rivers out of their banks as Julia has pushed inland in Nicaragua. All these reports have been sent into WX4NHC, the Amateur Radio station at the National Hurricane Center. Our report viewer shows the information sent in and can be seen at the following link:

https://www.voipwx.net/qilan/nhcwx/list_VOIP_records1?auth=OK

With Julia now a tropical storm, our more formal monitoring of Julia has ended but we will send in any higher end reports received by CREN or via social media today. Julia will emerge over the Eastern North Pacific as a tropical storm before eventually dissipating along the Pacific coast of Guatemala in 48-72 hours. No other tropical systems of concern are noted in the Atlantic, Eastern North Pacific an Central Pacific basins at this time. The VoIP Hurricane Net Management team will continue monitoring Julia and 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

Hello to all…

Our VoIP Hurricane Prep Net will continue as planned for this evening at 800 PM EDT/0000 UTC. Julia has now become a Category-1 hurricane and has been impacting the islands of San Andreas and Providencia Islands Columbia. Julia will continue to the west and make landfall in Nicaragua as a hurricane late tonight or early Sunday Morning. The VoIP Hurricane Net will be semi-active during this period looking for any reports out of Nicaragua. We will be actively monitoring the couple of online weather stations and also monitoring the CREN group social media and any activity they may have on Echolink and IRLP as they have an active network they have utilized in the past for hurricanes. The VoIP Hurricane Net management team will closely monitor Julia and its impacts on Nicaragua overnight into Sunday Morning. Thanks to all for their continued support of the VoIP Hurricane Net!

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

Hello to all…

**VoIP Hurricane Net Activation for Hurricane Ian Secured at 5 PM EDT/2100 UTC – Friday 9/30/22**
**VoIP Hurricane Net for this Saturday 10/1/22 is canceled due to extended activation for Hurricane Ian this week. Our next net will be Saturday 10/8/22 at 800 PM EDT.**

The VoIP Hurricane Net and WX4NHC, the Amateur Radio station at the National Hurricane Center, secured operations at 500 PM EDT/2100 UTC – Friday 9/30/22 as Ian became a Post Tropical Storm. Ian is now a depression and the NHC has stopped issuing advisories with the Weather Prediction Center issuing advisories on Ian’s remnants. Hurricane Ian brought significant storm surge, fresh water flooding and damaging winds with wind gusts high as 91 MPH at Frying Pan Shoals, North Carolina , 87 MPH at Winyah Bay Range, South Carolina and 82 MPH at Morris Island Lighthouse, South Carolina with numerous locations with wind gusts between 40-80 MPH across Eastern South Carolina and Central and Eastern North Carolina. Ian brought significant storm surge to places such as Pawleys Island and significant fresh water flooding to places such as Charlestown and Georgetown South Carolina. Over 300,000 are without power in North Carolina and at the height of the hurricane, over 150,000 without power in South Carolina.

Over the entire course of Ian from its tropical storm force effects in Grand Cayman, major hurricane landfall in Cuba, his major landfall in Southwest Florida and its landfall in South Carolina into North Carolina, the VoIP Hurricane Net sent around 150 reports, many of which are in the report viewer with a few sent via email to WX4NHC, the Amateur Radio station at the National Hurricane Center. See the report viewer link below to view many of the reports:

https://www.voipwx.net/qilan/nhcwx/list_VOIP_records1?auth=OK

During Ian’s landfall and impacts on Southwest Florida, 7 water rescues were called into the US Coast Guard. We will likely never know the outcome of those rescues but our net was ready and handled those requests that came into our net from various means. Measured wind gusts as high as 140 MPH were recorded in Cape Coral Florida with numerous winds sustained at hurricane force with higher end hurricane force wind gusts. With the loss of power and Internet, it is quite likely even higher wind gusts occurred but will not be known until much after Ian’s passage as the historical forensic weather data is collected. The damage photos and videos received show a very grim picture of the issues in Florida from Hurricane Ian.

Our local National Weather Service office in Boston/Norton Mass was tasked to support monitoring Hurricane Ian for the local NWS offices impacted by monitoring social media and other tasks. Given our strong relationship with the local NWS office, they reached out to us knowing our support of hurricanes. Our net relayed data to the science officer who was tasked with this monitoring and fed this information including our report viewer into the local NWS offices and there was much appreciation for the service this net provided and the data collected. It is possible we could see more of this activity in future hurricanes striking the US East and Gulf coasts.

An approximate volunteer man hour count for this hurricane is estimated to be over 150 hours including the planning, execution and release of activation information and accounting for those stations in the affected area or stations that were relays into the affected area reporting storm damage. Also, for those that are in the affected area and lost power and all Internet connectivity, any post storm damage reports, pictures and videos that you may have may still be useful for recovery efforts and for the historical significance of Ian. They can be sent to my email address directly, via our voipwxnet social media feeds or to the email address pics@nsradio.org

With the extensive activation for Hurricane Ian over multiple days, the VoIP Hurricane Prep Net for this Saturday 10/1/22 is cancelled. Our next VoIP Hurricane Net will be Saturday 10/8/22 unless a hurricane net activation preempts our regular net.

As we look into the Atlantic tropics for this week, there is one tropical wave just west of Africa that has a high chance, 70%, for development in 5 days. It is no immediate threat to land at this time and we will have at least a week to monitor this system before it were to come close to any land areas.

We want to thank all the listen only node owners for providing their capabilities to the net and all those who stood by and monitored the net for Hurricane Ian and Hurricane Fiona a week prior. Thanks to all for their continued support of the VoIP Hurricane Net!

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

Hello to all…

**VoIP Hurricane Net was deactivated when Ian was downgraded to a tropical storm on Thursday 9/29/22 at 5 AM EDT but is now reintensifying at 11 AM EDT and will likely be a hurricane when it makes landfall in South Carolina**
**VoIP Hurricane Net reactivated at 1130 AM EDT 9/29/22 and will remain activated with a call-up with advisory information and looking for stations in the affected area or stations with relays into the affected area of Ian with any SKYWARN reporting criteria reports across Florida, Southeast Georgia, and South Carolina through Thursday 9/29/22 at 1100 PM EDT given its large tropical storm force wind field and heavy rainfall affecting a large area and the catastrophic effects on Florida in case anyone is in need of assistance. The net will shutdown into monitoring/listening watch mode overnight and reactivate from Friday 9/30/22 at 600 AM EDT through 11 PM EDT for Ian’s expected hurricane landfall and hurricane conditions in South Carolina**
**WX4NHC, the Amateur Radio station at the National Hurricane Center, will also be active throughout this period sending reports into the National Hurricane Center throughout this timeframe.**
**The VoIP Hurricane Prep Net for Saturday 10/1/22 has been cancelled due to the extended Hurricane Ian activation**

Hurricane Ian has had catastrophic impacts in the state of Florida. The net handled 7 calls for water rescue received over social media and were sent to the US Coast Guard and over 100 reports were sent into the National Hurricane Center, Miami Florida with several of the reports utilized in NHC advisories and updates. In addition, the NWS Boston/Norton mass office was assisting in monitoring for reports across the Florida peninsula and numerous reports were sent in from our office to local NWS offices for dissemination to the NWS offices affected by Ian. The report viewer complete with all reports is listed below:

https://www.voipwx.net/qilan/nhcwx/list_VOIP_records1?auth=OK

After Ian dropped to a 65 MPH Tropical Storm, it is now back up to 70 MPH winds and has moved over water. It is expected to reintensify into a hurricane. It has a huge area of tropical storm force winds and it will then have a core of hurricane force winds around the center between now and Friday Morning. We have reactivated to a format of call-ups looking for reports from stations in the affected area or stations with relays in the affected area of Ian, offer any assistance to the area, and read out advisory information every 20 minutes through 11 PM EDT Thursday Evening and we will then shut down and reactivate at 6 AM EDT Friday for Ian’s expected hurricane landfall in South Carolina.

Any Amateur Radio Operators in the affected area of Ian or with relays into the affected area of Ian are asked to provide surface and damage reports into the VoIP Hurricane Net for relay into WX4NHC, the Amateur Radio station at the National Hurricane Center. We appreciate any and all support from Amateur Operators in the affected area or Amateur Operators with relays into the affected area. We are looking for reports based on the National Weather Service SKYWARN Reporting criteria. This can be seen on the VoIP Hurricane Net web site at the following link:
https://voipwx.net/voip-hurricane-net-reporting-criteria

Any pictures or videos of wind damage, river/stream/urban/storm surge flooding etc. can be sent to our voipwxnet Facebook and Twitter feeds or the following email address: pics@nsradio.org and credit will be given to the Amateur Radio Operator, weather spotter or individual that took the photos and media and be shared with the Amateur Radio team at the National Hurricane Center and other agencies and outlets.

Advisories on Ian can be seen off of the Atlantic Tropical Products menu selection on the voipwxnet web site, via our Facebook and Twitter feeds, and off the National Hurricane Center web site via the following link:
https://www.nhc.noaa.gov

Reports as obtained via the VoIP Hurricane Net from Amateur Radio Operators in the affected area, relays from the affected area or from APRS/CWOP Weather Station feeds and other social media outlets can be found at the following link:
https://www.voipwx.net/qilan/nhcwx/list_VOIP_records1?auth=OK

APRS, Winlink, AllStar, Hamshack Hotline resources that can be monitored are as follows:
APRS kc5fm-9
Winlink KC5FM
Allstar 28848
Echolink KC5FM-R 906281
Hamshack Hotline 94032
DMR TGIF 31207
P25 31207
DSTAR XLXOKL C
Yaesu Fusion 31207
M17-SUN module A

Stations outside the affected area that do not have relays into the affected area who would like to listen into the VoIP Hurricane Net can use any of the following systems for listen-only purposes and can connect on either Echolink or IRLP:
*NEW-ENG3* Echolink conference node: 9123/IRLP 9123
*SKY_GATE* Echolink conference node: 868981/IRLP 9252
*KC4QLP-C* Echolink conference node: 290251
*ARERT* Echolink conference node: 902723
*WASH_DC* Echolink conference node: 6154
*WX5FWD* EchoLink conference node: 372418/IRLP: 0010 Reflector/Allstar: 516220 Hub

These two streaming audio feeds should be available. Those streaming audio feeds are as follows:
Streaming feed 1: http://74.208.24.77:8000 -Provided by KC4QLP-Bob Carter
Streaming feed 2: http://audio.arert.net/ -Provided by the ARERT conference owners and sysops

Please note that there could be additional listen only nodes and streaming feeds. If time allows, this info will be updated via the voipwxnet web site and social media feeds.

The VoIP Hurricane Net Management team continues to closely watch major Hurricane Ian. Thanks to all for their continued support of the VoIP Hurricane Net!

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

Hello to all..

**VoIP Hurricane Net will activate at 6 AM EDT Wednesday Morning and will remain active potentially through 11 PM EDT Thursday evening for Major Hurricane Ian and its potentially significant impacts on the state of Florida supporting WX4NHC, the Amateur Radio station at the National Hurricane Center in Miami Florida**
**WX4NHC will also be active with their Amateur Radio Station through this time period for as long as needed.**

Here are the VoIP Hurricane Net Plans for Major Hurricane Ian as of Tuesday Evening – 630 PM EDT:

VoIP Hurricane Net will activate at 6 AM EDT Wednesday Morning and will remain active potentially through 11 PM EDT Thursday evening for Major Hurricane Ian and its potentially significant impacts on the state of Florida supporting WX4NHC, the Amateur Radio station at the National Hurricane Center in Miami Florida. WX4NHC will also be active with their Amateur Radio Station through this time period for as long as needed.

Any Amateur Radio Operators in the affected area of Ian or with relays into the affected area of Ian are asked to provide surface and damage reports into the VoIP Hurricane Net for relay into WX4NHC, the Amateur Radio station at the National Hurricane Center. We appreciate any and all support from Amateur Operators in the affected area or Amateur Operators with relays into the affected area. We are looking for reports based on the National Weather Service SKYWARN Reporting criteria. This can be seen on the VoIP Hurricane Net web site at the following link:
https://voipwx.net/voip-hurricane-net-reporting-criteria

Any pictures or videos of wind damage, river/stream/urban/storm surge flooding etc. can be sent to our voipwxnet Facebook and Twitter feeds or the following email address: pics@nsradio.org and credit will be given to the Amateur Radio Operator, weather spotter or individual that took the photos and media and be shared with the Amateur Radio team at the National Hurricane Center and other agencies and outlets.

Advisories on Ian can be seen off of the Atlantic Tropical Products menu selection on the voipwxnet web site, via our Facebook and Twitter feeds, and off the National Hurricane Center web site via the following link:
https://www.nhc.noaa.gov

Reports as obtained via the VoIP Hurricane Net from Amateur Radio Operators in the affected area, relays from the affected area or from APRS/CWOP Weather Station feeds and other social media outlets can be found at the following link:
https://www.voipwx.net/qilan/nhcwx/list_VOIP_records1?auth=OK

APRS, Winlink, AllStar, Hamshack Hotline resources that can be monitored are as follows:
APRS kc5fm-9
Winlink KC5FM
Allstar 28848
Echolink KC5FM-R 906281
Hamshack Hotline 94032
DMR TGIF 31207
P25 31207
DSTAR XLXOKL C
Yaesu Fusion 31207
M17-SUN module A

Stations outside the affected area that do not have relays into the affected area who would like to listen into the VoIP Hurricane Net can use any of the following systems for listen-only purposes and can connect on either Echolink or IRLP:
*NEW-ENG3* Echolink conference node: 9123/IRLP 9123
*SKY_GATE* Echolink conference node: 868981/IRLP 9252
*KC4QLP-C* Echolink conference node: 290251
*ARERT* Echolink conference node: 902723
*WASH_DC* Echolink conference node: 6154

These two streaming audio feeds should be available. Those streaming audio feeds are as follows:
Streaming feed 1: http://74.208.24.77:8000 -Provided by KC4QLP-Bob Carter
Streaming feed 2: http://audio.arert.net/ -Provided by the ARERT conference owners and sysops

Please note that there could be additional listen only nodes and streaming feeds. If time allows, this info will be updated via the voipwxnet web site and social media feeds.

The VoIP Hurricane Net Management team continues to closely watch major Hurricane Ian. Thanks to all for their continued support of the VoIP Hurricane Net!

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

Hello to all…

Hurricane Ian will be affecting Western Cuba overnight tonight into Tuesday with hurricane conditions and the Florida Keys with tropical storm force conditions during Tuesday. Later Tuesday Night tropical storm conditions will begin affecting the west coast of Florida and then higher end tropical storm force and hurricane conditions will affect the west coast of Florida Wednesday through Friday Morning. This extended period of these conditions are due to Ian’s slowing approach to the West Coast of Florida which will bring an extended period of significant weather with very heavy rainfall, damaging winds and storm surge so this is likely going to be a multi-day activation of our net.

We would like to line up as many stations along the west coast of Florida as well as relays into this affected area of the west coast of Florida as possible for our net. This is likely to be the largest activation of the 2022 Atlantic Hurricane season.

Advisories on Hurricane Ian can be seen off the main menu of the VoIP Hurricane Net web site or at the National Hurricane Center web site at the following link:
https://www.nhc.noaa.gov/

We hope to hear from many of you on our net and further details on the activation plan will be published on Tuesday as we get a better refinement on the time range of impacts to the West coast of Florida. Thanks to all for their continued support of the VoIP Hurricane Net!

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

Hello to all…

**VoIP Hurricane Net Activation for Hurricane Fiona & The Canadian Maritimes Will Be Secured on Saturday 9/24/22 at 3 PM EDT/1900 UTC**
**The Weekly VoIP Hurricane Prep Net for Saturday 9/24/22 remains canceled as we prepare for activation for Ian as we get into next week as it approaches the Cayman Islands, Western Cuba and Florida as we get into early to middle next week**
**A special net focusing on stations in the affected area of Ian could be called ahead of formal activation when it reaches the US Coast early this upcoming week**

The VoIP Hurricane Net activation for Hurricane Fiona and the Canadian Maritimes will be secured on Saturday 9/24/22 at 3 PM EDT/1900 UTC. The net handled many reports from Emil-VE1EP from the Halifax area relaying numerous reports of storm damage and providing measured meteorological data. We also handled many online weather station reports of sustained hurricane force conditions in Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island and Newfoundland Canada. Power outage information and relayed reports from various sources as well Amateur Operators who relayed information from contacts in the affected area comprised many of the reports received by our net. All of this data was sent to WX4NHC, the Amateur Radio station at the National Hurricane Center, and the Canadian Hurricane Centre. Additional post storm damage reports, pictures and videos may be received post Fiona. A link to our report viewer featuring all the reports received from Fiona in the Canadian Maritimes, Bermuda, the Turks & Caicos Islands, Dominican Republic and Puerto Rico can be seen here:

https://www.voipwx.net/qilan/nhcwx/list_VOIP_records1?auth=OK

The weekly VoIP Hurricane Prep Net for Saturday 9/24/22 will remain canceled as we prepare for activation for Ian as we get into next week. A special net may be called ahead of formal activation for Ian focusing on stations in the affected area of Ian or stations with relays into the affected area of Ian. Tropical Storm Ian is expected to rapidly intensify into a hurricane passing near the Cayman Islands, Western Cuba and potentially threaten Florida as we get into early to mid next week. More to follow as the track of Ian becomes better defined as we get into early next week.

The VoIP Hurricane Net Management Team will continue to closely monitor the tropics and particular Ian during this period. Thanks to all for their continued support of the VoIP Hurricane Net!

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

Hello to all..

**VoIP Hurricane Net will activate at 8 PM EDT Friday Evening and will remain active potentially through 11 PM EDT Saturday for Large Major Hurricane Fiona and its potentially significant impacts on the Canadian Maritimes supporting the National Hurricane Center in Miami Florida and the Canadian Hurricane Centre in Halifax Nova Scotia Canada**
**VoIP Hurricane Prep Net for Saturday 9/24/22 at 8 PM EDT Canceled**

Here are the VoIP Hurricane Net Plans for Fiona as of Friday Evening 5 PM EDT:

The VoIP Hurricane Net will activate at 8 PM EDT Friday Evening and will remain active potentially through 11 PM EDT Sunday Evening for Fiona and its potentially significant impacts on the Canadian Maritimes supporting the National Hurricane Center in Miami Florida and the Canadian Hurricane Centre in Halifax Nova Scotia Canada.

Any Amateur Radio Operators in the affected area of Fiona or with relays into the affected area of Fiona are asked to provide surface and damage reports into the VoIP Hurricane Net for relay into WX4NHC, the Amateur Radio station at the National Hurricane Center. We appreciate any and all support from Amateur Operators in the affected area or Amateur Operators with relays into the affected area. We are looking for reports based on the National Weather Service SKYWARN Reporting criteria. This can be seen on the VoIP Hurricane Net web site at the following link:
https://voipwx.net/voip-hurricane-net-reporting-criteria

Any pictures or videos of wind damage, river/stream/urban/storm surge flooding etc. can be sent to our voipwxnet Facebook and Twitter feeds or the following email address: pics@nsradio.org and credit will be given to the Amateur Radio Operator, weather spotter or individual that took the photos and media and be shared with the Amateur Radio team at the National Hurricane Center and other agencies and outlets.

Advisories on Fiona can be seen off of the Atlantic Tropical Products menu selection on the voipwxnet web site, via our Facebook and Twitter feeds, and off the National Hurricane Center web site via the following link:
https://www.nhc.noaa.gov

Reports as obtained via the VoIP Hurricane Net from Amateur Radio Operators in the affected area, relays from the affected area or from APRS/CWOP Weather Station feeds and other social media outlets can be found at the following link:
https://www.voipwx.net/qilan/nhcwx/list_VOIP_records1?auth=OK

APRS, Winlink, AllStar, Hamshack Hotline resources that can be monitored are as follows:
APRS kc5fm-9
Winlink KC5FM
Allstar 28848
Echolink KC5FM-R 906281
Hamshack Hotline 94032
DMR TGIF 31207
P25 31207
DSTAR XLXOKL C
Yaesu Fusion 31207
M17-SUN module A

Stations outside the affected area that do not have relays into the affected area who would like to listen into the VoIP Hurricane Net can use any of the following systems for listen-only purposes and can connect on either Echolink or IRLP:
*NEW-ENG3* Echolink conference node: 9123/IRLP 9123
*KC4QLP-C* Echolink conference node: 290251
*ARERT* Echolink conference node: 902723

These two streaming audio feeds should be available. Those streaming audio feeds are as follows:
Streaming feed 1: http://74.208.24.77:8000 -Provided by KC4QLP-Bob Carter
Streaming feed 2: http://audio.arert.net/ -Provided by the ARERT conference owners and sysops

Please note that there could be additional listen only nodes and streaming feeds. If time allows, this info will be updated via the voipwxnet web site and social media feeds.

The VoIP Hurricane Net Management team continues to closely watch Large Major Hurricane Fiona. Thanks to all for their continued support of the VoIP Hurricane Net!

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

Hello to all..

**VoIP Hurricane Net will activate at 9 AM EDT Sunday Morning and will remain active potentially through 11 PM EDT Sunday for Fiona and its expected strengthening to become a hurricane and its impacts to the Puerto Rico, Dominican Republic and the US & British Virgin Islands**
**WX4NHC, the Amateur Radio Station at the National Hurricane Center, will also activate at 9 AM EDT Sunday Morning 9/18/22**

Here are the VoIP Hurricane Net and WX4NHC Activation Plans for Fiona as of Saturday Evening 1100 PM EDT:

The VoIP Hurricane Net will activate at 9 AM EDT Sunday Morning and will remain active active potentially through 11 PM EDT Sunday Evening for Fiona and its impacts to the Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands. Fiona is currently a tropical storm that is expected to intensify as a hurricane before making landfall in Puerto Rico.

Any Amateur Radio Operators in the affected area of Fiona or with relays into the affected area of Fiona are asked to provide surface and damage reports into the VoIP Hurricane Net for relay into WX4NHC, the Amateur Radio station at the National Hurricane Center. We appreciate any and all support from Amateur Operators in the affected area or Amateur Operators with relays into the affected area. We are looking for reports based on the National Weather Service SKYWARN Reporting criteria. This can be seen on the VoIP Hurricane Net web site at the following link:
https://voipwx.net/voip-hurricane-net-reporting-criteria

Any pictures or videos of wind damage, river/stream/urban/storm surge flooding etc. can be sent to our voipwxnet Facebook and Twitter feeds or the following email address: pics@nsradio.org and credit will be given to the Amateur Radio Operator, weather spotter or individual that took the photos and media and be shared with the Amateur Radio team at the National Hurricane Center and other agencies and outlets.

Advisories on Fiona can be seen off of the Atlantic Tropical Products menu selection on the voipwxnet web site, via our Facebook and Twitter feeds, and off the National Hurricane Center web site via the following link:
https://www.nhc.noaa.gov

Reports as obtained via the VoIP Hurricane Net from Amateur Radio Operators in the affected area, relays from the affected area or from APRS/CWOP Weather Station feeds and other social media outlets can be found at the following link:
https://www.voipwx.net/qilan/nhcwx/list_VOIP_records1?auth=OK

APRS, Winlink, AllStar, Hamshack Hotline resources that can be monitored are as follows:
APRS kc5fm-9
Winlink KC5FM
Allstar 28848
Echolink KC5FM-R 906281
Hamshack Hotline 94032
DMR TGIF 31207
P25 31207
DSTAR XLXOKL C
Yaesu Fusion 31207
M17-SUN module A

Stations outside the affected area that do not have relays into the affected area who would like to listen into the VoIP Hurricane Net can use any of the following systems for listen-only purposes and can connect on either Echolink or IRLP:
*NEW-ENG3* Echolink conference node: 9123/IRLP 9123
*KC4QLP-C* Echolink conference node: 290251
*ARERT* Echolink conference node: 902723

These two streaming audio feeds should be available. Those streaming audio feeds are as follows:
Streaming feed 1: http://74.208.24.77:8000 -Provided by KC4QLP-Bob Carter
Streaming feed 2: http://audio.arert.net/ -Provided by the ARERT conference owners and sysops

Please note that there could be additional listen only nodes and streaming feeds. If time allows, this info will be updated via the voipwxnet web site and social media feeds.

The VoIP Hurricane Net Management team continues to closely watch Fiona. Thanks to all for their continued support of the VoIP Hurricane Net!

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

Hello to all…

Tropical Storm Fiona is showing signs of organization per the NHC 11 AM EDT Saturday 9/17/22 advisory and a Hurricane Warning has now been issued for Puerto Rico. It is likely that the VoIP Hurricane Net will activate on Sunday for Fiona and impacts to Puerto Rico, the Dominican Republic and potentially the US Virgin Islands.

Tonight’s VoIP Hurricane Prep Net will take place as planned but we will be looking to line up stations in the affected area of Fiona or stations with relays into the affected area of Fiona to prepare for Sunday’s VoIP Hurricane Net. We will take these stations first followed by Net Management with comments from those stations as well as the latest advisory information on Fiona. We will then take check-ins from all other areas but skip comments for tonight’s net from stations outside of the affected area.

The latest NHC advisory information on Fiona can be seen off the VoIP Hurricane Net web site under Atlantic Tropical Products or via the National Hurricane Center web site at the following link:
https://www.nhc.noaa.gov/

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

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

Hello to all…

The VoIP Hurricane Net Management team is continuing to monitor the progress of Tropical Storm Fiona which is expected to impact portions of the Leeward Islands, the US and British Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico and possibly Dominica with tropical storm conditions Friday Night into Saturday Night. At this time, Fiona is not expected to reach hurricane strength as it gets near these islands but this aspect will be monitored closely. The latest National Hurricane Center advisory information including watches and warnings are available on the voipwx.net web site under Atlantic Tropical Products or on the National Hurricane Center web site at the following link:

https://www.nhc.noaa.gov

The long-term outlook on Fiona is highly uncertain so it is too soon to say what impacts, if any, Fiona will have beyond the islands listed above and Hispaniola. The VoIP Hurricane Net Management team will continue to monitor the progress of Fiona. Thanks to all for their continued support of the VoIP Hurricane Net!

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

Hello to all…

Given Amateur Radio Field Day weekend next weekend affecting the Saturday 6/25/22 net and the proximity of the Saturday 7/2/22 net near the July 4th US Independence Day holiday, we will cancel these nets and resume the weekly VoIP Hurricane Prep Net on Saturday 7/9/22 at the 8 PM EDT/7 PM CDT/0000 UTC. Thanks to all for their continued support of the VoIP Hurricane Net.

73,Rob-KD1CY.

Director of Operations for the VoIP Hurricane Net

WD4R-Julio Ripoll, Assistant WX4NHC Coordinator writes:

WX4NHC Annual Station Test 2022 Report:

After 2 years of our dedicated volunteer Ham Radio Operators working remotely from our home stations due to Covid, we operate from inside NHC for our annual test event on May 28th. (All our Ops were fully Covid vaccinated.) This is our 42nd year of volunteer communication services for the National Hurricane Center. The Test event was successful as all our radios and antennas performed well. In 8 hours, we made 289 contacts nationwide and international using HF, VHF, UHF radios and digital communications modes. Thanks to all our volunteer Ops for their continued efforts and for all the stations worldwide that help during hurricanes.

WX4NHC Annual Communication Test
Saturday May 28th, 2022

9am-11am: WD4R Julio (NHC)
11am-1pm: N4JLK Lloyd (NHC)
1pm-3pm: WX2L Susie & WB4L Alan (NHC)
3pm-5pm: KG4USN Ken (Remote)

Happy Memorial Day and thank you to all who served and sacrificed for our freedom!

73, Julio – WX4NHC/WD4R

Hello to all..

Wednesday June 1st, 2022 marks the start of the 2022 Atlantic Hurricane Season. The 2022 Atlantic Hurricane Season is expected to be above normal per the NOAA/National Hurricane Center, Colorado State University and Penn State University outlooks among others. To mark the start of Atlantic Hurricane Season, the National Hurricane Center/Tropical Prediction Center in Miami FL will issue advisories on named systems, Tropical Storm and Hurricane Watches and Warnings when a system threatens a land area, Tropical Cyclone Updates on named systems and Tropical Weather Outlooks for potential areas of tropical cyclone development. Their suite of products and tropical system names are listed in their first couple of tropical weather outlooks and the link from 8 AM EDT – Wednesday June 1st Tropical Weather Outlook is listed below:

https://voipwx.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/nhc_hurricane_season_start_tropical_weather_outlook_2022.pdf

The VoIP Hurricane Prep Net will shift to weekly beginning Saturday June 4th, 2022 at 8 PM EDT/7 PM CDT/0000 UTC. We welcome all those who wish to participate in the net and we are looking for net controls both for the weekly net as well as net activations for landfalling hurricanes. If you are interested, contact Rob-KD1CY at kd1cy@voipwx.net for more information.

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

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

Hello to all…

The annual WX4NHC On Air Communications Test has been set for Saturday May 28th, 2022 and WX4NHC will be on the air on the VoIP Hurricane Net system Echolink conference node: 7203/IRLP 9219 from 4-5 PM EDT (2000-2100z). Other Amateur Radio modes will be utilized and those details are listed in the announcement below from WD4R-Julio Ripoll, Assistant WX4NHC Coordinator:

Announcement from WX4NHC
Amateur Radio Station at the National Hurricane Center, Miami Florida
WX4NHC will be On-The-Air for the Annual Communications Test
Saturday May 28th, 2022 from 9AM – 5 PM EDT (1300z-2100z)

This is our 42nd year of public service at NHC.

The purpose of this event is to test WX4NHC Amateur Radio Equipment and Antennas at NHC as well as Operator’s home equipment, antennas and computers prior to this year’s Hurricane Season, which starts June 1st and runs through November 30th.

This event is good practice for Ham Radio Operators world-wide to practice Amateur Radio communications available during times of severe weather.

We will be making brief contacts on many frequencies and modes, exchanging signal reports and basic weather data exchange (Sunny, Rain, Temperature, etc.) with any station in any location.

WX4NHC will be On-The-Air on HF, VHF, UHF , 2 & 30 meter APRS and WinLink wx4nhc@winlink.org subject must contain //WL2K.

We will try to stay on the Hurricane Watch Net frequency 14.325 MHz most of the time. Also 7.268 MHz depending on propagation.

However, we will be operating different frequencies depending on QRM.

You may be able to find us on HF by using one of the DX Spotting Networks,
Such as the DX Summit Web Site: http://www.dxsummit.fi/Search.aspx

We will also be on VoIP Hurricane Net 4pm-5pm EDT (2000-2100z)
(IRLP node 9219 / EchoLink WX-TALK Conference node 7203). http://www.voipwx.net/

WX4NHC will also make a few contacts on local VHF and UHF repeaters as well as Florida Statewide SARNET system to test our station equipment.

QSL Cards are available via WD4R.
Please send your card with a S.A.S.E.

Please do NOT send QSLs directly to the Hurricane Center address, as it will get delayed.

Due to security measures and COVID-19 Coronavirus Pandemic:
NO VISITORS will be allowed entry to NHC.

For more information about WX4NHC, please visit our website
www.wx4nhc.org

Thank you for your participation in the WX4NHC Annual Station Test event.

73, Julio – WX4NHC/WD4R

-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-
Julio Ripoll Architect WD4R
WX4NHC Amateur Radio Asst. Coordinator
www.wx4nhc.org
Celebrating 42 years at the
National Hurricane Center
www.nhc.noaa.gov
-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-

We hope many can join the WX4NHC Annual On-Air Test for this year. Thanks to all for their continued support of the VoIP Hurricane Net!

73,Rob-KD1CY.

Director of Operations for the VoIP Hurricane Net

Hello to all…

The following is a complete 4 hour and 33 minute recording of the 2022 National Hurricane Conference Virtual Amateur Radio Workshop from Monday April 11th, 2022 uploaded via Youtube:

2022 Virtual Amateur Radio Workshop – National Hurricane Conference:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sTKJz9FpSAs

As listed in the YouTube listing, here are the start timeframes for each of the workshop topics:

00:05: Opening remarks
05:10: Canadian Hurricane Center and Hurricane Meteorological Topics – VE1MBR-Bob Robichaud
44:00: WX4NHC Amateur Radio Station at the National Hurricane Center Overview -WD4R-Julio Ripoll
1:45:40: VoIP Hurricane Net Overview & Best Practices in SKYWARN for Tropical Systems – KD1CY-Rob Macedo
2:17:55: HWN Overview – KB5HAV-Bobby Graves
2:56:00: SATERN Presentation – WB8BZH-Bill Feist
3:23:35: ARRL Update and First Part of Q&A session – K1FUG-Ken Bailey
4:03:50: Importance of Amateur Radio Surface Reports with Q&A – WX4KEG-Ken Graham
4:21:03: Remaining Q&A/Panel Discussion – All

Please note that Ken Graham-WX4KEG, NHC Director, had to join by phone due to an issue with his IPad and Zoom with Audio so during that portion of the presentation the visual portion may either be blank or show the last person that spoke to Ken or posed a question to him.

We appreciate everyone who attended the workshop live (it was between 85-95 people which was higher than last year) and we hope many more will view the video presentation recording via YouTube.

Thanks to all for their continued support of the Amateur Radio Hurricane program led by WX4NHC, the Amateur Radio Station at the National Hurricane Center, Hurricane Watch Net, VoIP Hurricane Net, SATERN, ARRL, National Hurricane Center and Canadian Hurricane Center as well as all the local regional SKYWARN/CANWARN programs in the United States and Canada and the various local groups that support us internationally.

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

Hello to all…

We will have the 2022 National Hurricane Conference Virtual Amateur Radio Workshop on Monday April 11th, 2022 from 1030 AM-1200 PM EDT and 130-500 PM EDT. The topics lineup for the workshop as well as the Zoom information details are listed below:

https://voipwx.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/National-Hurricane-Conference-2022-Session-and-Schedule-Information-2.pdf

The workshop will be recorded and added on to Youtube as well. We appreciate everyone’s support of the 2022 National Hurricane Conference Virtual Amateur Radio Workshop on Monday 4/11/22 and everyone’s support of the VoIP Hurricane Net!

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

Hello to all…

Well, unfortunately, those of us in Southern New England will not escape the 2021-2022 Winter without a Blizzard! New England Blizzard Operations will occur on Echolink/IRLP on the *NEW-ENG* Node: 9123/IRLP 9123 system. The *WX_TALK* Node: 7203/IRLP 9219 system will be linked in as a listen only reflector system to the operations late tonight or first thing Saturday Morning. SKYWARN Activation will start no later than 5 AM ET Saturday Morning lasting through Sunday Morning. Further details are available at:

http://www.wx1box.org
http://ares.ema.arrl.org (Updates to be posted here later today)

73,Rob-KD1CY.
Eastern Massachusetts ARES Section Emergency Coordinator
ARES SKYWARN Coordinator for NWS Boston/Norton Massachusetts
Director of Operations for the VoIP Hurricane Net

Hello to all..

SKYWARN Recognition Day is Saturday December 4th, 2021 from 0000-2400 UTC (Friday Evening 12/3/21 from 700 PM ET-Saturday Evening 12/4/21 at 700 PM ET) and Echolink and IRLP will be playing a role in SRD as it has in past years. SKYWARN Recognition Day is an opportunity for National Weather Service Forecast Offices across the United States to thank SKYWARN Spotters for their efforts in obtaining timely severe weather reporting for the protection of life and property. This is the SKYWARN program’s main mission.

EchoLink and IRLP are just a couple of modes people can utilize to contact NWS offices during SKYWARN Recognition Day. Many NWS offices will be on 2 Meters, 440 MHz, HF and other VHF/UHF bands. Additional details on SKYWARN Recognition Day including registration for all stations can be found via the following links:

http://www.weather.gov/crh/skywarnrecognition

Due to COVID19, volunteer Amateur Radio Operators are not allowed to be at NWS Forecast Offices. Forecast offices will be represented by Amateur Radio Operators at home and possibly by some NWS employees from actual NWS offices.

As in past years, the EchoLink *WX_TALK* Node: 7203/IRLP reflector 9219 system will be scheduling time for NWS offices and due to COVID, Amateur Operators who typically are at weather service hours, in 1-2 hour time slots to act as a net control to make contacts with spotters that are on the system. If a NWS office/SKYWARN NWS Operator runs out of contacts and there are other NWS offices on the system, the NWS office/SKYWARN Operator acting as net control can turn it over to a different NWS office to act as a net control on the system at their discretion. Also, for this year, we will have the following modes connected in through the efforts of KC5FM-Lloyd Colston and VK3JED-Tony Langdon. They are as follows:

Allstar 28848
Hamshack Hotline 94032
IRLP 9550
AllStar 27154
DMR BM TG 5053029
P25 TG 50535
YSF reflector 50535 (narrow mode only)
D-STAR XLX432 D (DCS432 D)

We’d like to ask NWS offices and/or coordinators who are operating from homw who operate at NWS offices do their best to adhere to the schedule. Sometimes this is difficult due to the number of contacts received by each net control. We ask for everyone’s patience and working cooperatively to respect the time slot schedule.

Below is the 2021 SRD Schedule with the time slots confirmed so far for 2021 and those time slots relinquished by NWS offices. See the list of NWS offices below:

Time in UTC NWS Office Call-Sign
0000-0100: N0NWS (Time slot confirmed for this year)
0100-0200: WX1GYX (Time slot confirmed for this year)
0200-0300: WX7SLC/KJ7MEB (Time slot confirmed for this year)
0300-0400: Open
0400-0500: WX1BOX (Time slot confirmed for this year)
0500-0600: WX9LOT (Confirmed time slot from last year)
0600-0700: WX4HUN (Time slot confirmed for this year)
0700-0800: WX8APX (Time slot confirmed for this year)
0800-0900: WX8APX (Time slot confirmed for this year)
0900-1000: Open
1000-1100: WX7SLC/AD7LO (Time slot confirmed for this year)
1100-1200: WX1GYX (New time slot this year for existing NWS Office)
1200-1300: W7NWS (Confirmed time slot from last year)
1300-1400: WX7SLC/W1YMI (Time slot confirmed for this year)
1400-1500: WX1AW (Confirmed time slot from last year)
1500-1600: WX1BOX (Time slot confirmed for this year)
1600-1700: WX4NC (Time slot confirmed for this year)
1700-1800: WX4JKL (Time slot confirmed for this year – NEW office)
1800-1900: WX6LOX (Time slot confirmed for this year)
1900-2000: K0MPX (Confirmed time slot from last year)
2000-2100: WX4JKL (Time slot confirmed for this year – NEW office)
2100-2300: WX4NHC (Time slot confirmed for this year)
2300-2400: Open

The New England Reflector Gateway System will be utilized by SKYWARN Coordinators from New England from 0000-0500 UTC and 1200-2400 UTC. The New England Gateway system is on EchoLink Conference server *NEW-ENG3* Node: 9123, IRLP reflector 9123. If other SKYWARN Coordinators and NWS offices would like to join the system, they are welcome to do so and participants in SKYWARN Recognition Day can also use that system to make contact with various NWS offices. This is a great place to move off the *WX_TALK* Node: 7203/IRLP 9219 system after your scheduled time if other Amateurs or NWS offices wish to make contact with you.

Also, the Western Reflector will be having NWS offices calling CQ as in past years and have multiple reflector channels and Echolink conferences available. There is reflector 9250/Echolink Conference *HI-GATE* node: 357564, IRLP 9251 and the *WORLD* Echolink Conference node: 479886, IRLP 9257/*DCF-ARC* Echolink Conference node: 336037 and IRLP 9258/EchoLink Conference *NV-GATE* Node: 152566 open for NWS offices. Please contact Kent-W7AOR for additional information on the Western Reflector.

A few technical reminders for folks interested in making contacts with the NWS Forecast Offices on the *WX-TALK* Node: 7203/IRLP 9219 and New England Reflector Gateway IRLP 9123/*NEW-ENG3* Echolink Node: 9123 systems:

-The system allows both EchoLink and IRLP connections. For EchoLink users, you connect to the *WX-TALK* Node: 7203 conference system. For IRLP users, you would connect to IRLP reflector 9219. It is possible we will have DMR/D-STAR and other modes directly linked on the system. This will be updated in the next few days regarding that aspect.

-If you are using EchoLink, the RF node or PC that you’re using must have EchoLink conferencing disabled. If it is not disabled, the system will automatically kick the node or PC off of the system. The reason this occurs is to prevent unintentional interference from a conferencing station that may not know the node is connected somewhere else. This will keep traffic moving on the net and reduce interference considerably.

For more information on VoIP Technical Configuration Tips, please go to our web site at http://www.voipwx.net where we have a link to that information on the main menu of the web site. This announcement will also be on the web site.

We are looking forward to another fun SKYWARN Recognition Day on the *WX-TALK* Node: 7203/IRLP reflector 9219 system, New England Reflector Gateway system and Western Reflector system. Thanks to all for their support!

73,Rob-KD1CY.
Director of Operations for the VoIP Hurricane Net
ARES SKYWARN Coordinator for NWS Boston/Norton Massachusetts
Eastern Massachusetts ARES Section Emergency Coordinator

Hello to all…

The 2021 Virtual National Hurricane Conference Amateur Radio Workshop that was held on Tuesday June 15th, 2021 is posted on Youtube. It can be seen at the following link:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9ecZRKVgIG0

In the interest of time to get this posted on Youtube since it has been several months since the conference, it is one long workshop video of 4 hours and 8 minutes but in the description of the video, we provide the rough start time for each of the workshop topics. We hope this will be useful to anyone in the coastal areas that are threatened by tropical systems each year.

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

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

Hello to all…

Tropical Storm Nicholas has formed in the Southwest Gulf of Mexico. While the current NHC official forecast is to keep it below a hurricane strength, it will not take much deviation in the forecast intensity for Nicholas to attain hurricane strength. This could occur if Nicholas stays over the warm waters of the Gulf of Mexico longer and tracks a little further east to avoid stronger shear in the atmosphere that could keep it weaker. These aspects will be monitored closely by the VoIP Hurricane Net Management Team. Advisories from the National Hurricane Center (NHC) on Nicholas can be found off the main menu of the voipwx.net web site under Atlantic Tropical Products, via our Social Media Facebook and Twitter feeds and via the NHC web site at the following link:

https://www.nhc.noaa.gov/

As mentioned on the VoIP Hurricane Prep Net last night, there are several other areas of disturbed weather in the Atlantic basin being monitored in the Atlantic basin. We are at the peak of hurricane season. All Amateur Radio Operators, spotters and residents in coastal areas should monitor the developments in the Atlantic Tropics, review and have in place their hurricane plans. Thanks to all for their continued support of the VoIP Hurricane Net!

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

Hello to all…

The VoIP Hurricane Net Activation for Hurricane Larry was secured at 230 AM EDT – Saturday 9/11/21 supporting both WX4NHC, the Amateur Radio station at the National Hurricane Center in Miami Florida and the Canadian Hurricane Centre in Halifax Nova Scotia Canada. Through the exemplary efforts of VO1IV-Aaron Abbott and a number of Amateur Radio Operators across Newfoundland Canada and one Amateur Operator in Ontario who relayed a report from a non-Amateur Radio CANWARN Spotter in St Johns Newfoundland, reports of damage to trees, power lines, power outages including roof damage to a school and a home were relayed off from Amateurs in the region. Additional information was captured via public safety feeds from the St Johns and Conception Bay areas of Newfoundland Canada as well as online weather stations including one report from Cape St Mary Lighthouse which was used in the Friday Evening 1100 PM EDT National Hurricane Center Advisory crediting Amateur Radio. The complete set of reports can be seen on the following link:

http://report.voipwx.net/qilan/nhcwx/list_VOIP_records?auth=OK

We are very grateful to VO1IV-Aaron and all Amateurs who supported the respective hurricane centers and our net. We wish them well in their storm recovery efforts!

We will have our regular VoIP Hurricane Prep Net this Saturday Evening at 800 PM EDT. While there are no named systems in the Atlantic basin, there are several areas of disturbed weather and we will discuss them on tonight’s net. Thanks to all for their continued support of the VoIP Hurricane Net!

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

Hello to all..

**VoIP Hurricane Net will activate at 8 PM EDT Friday evening and will remain active potentially through 2 AM EDT Saturday Morning for Hurricane Larry and its impacts to Southeast Newfoundland Canada**

Here are the VoIP Hurricane Net Activation Plans for Hurricane Larry as of Friday Morning 1130 AM EDT:

The VoIP Hurricane Net will activate at 8 PM EDT Friday evening and will remain active potentially through 2 AM EDT Saturday Morning for Hurricane Larry and its impacts to Southeast Newfoundland Canada.

Any Amateur Radio Operators in the affected area of Larry or with relays into the affected area of Hurricane Larry are asked to provide surface and damage reports into the VoIP Hurricane Net for relay into WX4NHC, the Amateur Radio station at the National Hurricane Center. We appreciate any and all support from Amateur Operators in the affected area or Amateur Operators with relays into the affected area. We are looking for reports based on the National Weather Service/Canadian Weather Service SKYWARN/CANWARN Reporting criteria. This can be seen on the VoIP Hurricane Net web site at the following link:

VoIP Hurricane Net Reporting Criteria

Any pictures or videos of wind damage, river/stream/urban/storm surge flooding etc. can be sent to our voipwxnet Facebook and Twitter feeds or the following email address: pics@nsradio.org and credit will be given to the Amateur Radio Operator, weather spotter or individual that took the photos and media and be shared with the Amateur Radio team at the National Hurricane Center and other agencies and outlets.

Advisories on Larry can be seen off of the Atlantic Tropical Products menu selection on the voipwxnet web site, via our Facebook and Twitter feeds, and off the National Hurricane Center web site via the following link:
http://www.nhc.noaa.gov

Reports as obtained via the VoIP Hurricane Net from Amateur Radio Operators in the affected area, relays from the affected area or from APRS/CWOP Weather Station feeds and other social media outlets can be found at the following link:
http://report.voipwx.net/qilan/nhcwx/list_VOIP_records?auth=OK

APRS, Winlink, AllStar, Hamshack Hotline resources that can be monitored are as follows:
APRS KC5FM-9
Winlink: KC5FM@winlink.org
Allstar 28848
Hamshack Hotline 94032

The VK3JED Megalink system will be connected to the VoIP Hurricane Net throughout the VoIP Hurricane Net offering the following modes of connectivity for stations in the affected area of Larry or stations with relays in the affected area of Larry:
DMR BM 50535
YSF. 50535. AU_VK_Multi_Link
P25 50535
M17 M17-432 D
D-STAR XLX432 D
IRLP 9550
AllStar 27154

Stations outside the affected area that do not have relays into the affected area who would like to listen into the VoIP Hurricane Net can use any of the following systems for listen-only purposes and can connect on either Echolink or IRLP:
*NEW-ENG3* Echolink conference node: 9123/IRLP 9123
*KC4QLP-C* Echolink conference node: 290251
*ARERT* Echolink conference node: 902723

The KC5FM All-Star Node will be connected to the VoIP Hurricane Net and can be connected to via Echolink by doing *328848.

These two streaming audio feeds should be available. Those streaming audio feeds are as follows:
Streaming feed 1: http://74.208.24.77:8000 -Provided by KC4QLP-Bob Carter
Streaming feed 2: http://audio.arert.net/ -Provided by the ARERT conference owners and sysops

Please note that there could be additional listen only nodes and streaming feeds. If time allows, this info will be updated via the voipwxnet web site and social media feeds.

The VoIP Hurricane Net Management team continues to closely watch Hurricane Larry. Thanks to all for their continued support of the VoIP Hurricane Net!

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

Hello to all…

The VoIP Hurricane Net activation for Hurricane Ida completed on Monday 8/30/21 at 1 AM EDT/1200 AM CDT. The net handled dozens of reports from stations in the affected area of Hurricane Ida as well as stations with relays into the affected area of Hurricane Ida. A Davis online weather station in Grand Isle, LA recorded a wind gust of 146 MPH before the instrument malfunctioned as Ira roared ashore. The Police Chief in Grand Isle stated a 148 MPH gust occurred which was likely from the same weather station and just wasn’t captured in the online feed from the station. Reports from this weather station as well as another Davis Weather Station oil platform “Dredge Illinois” near Pilottown, LA with a wind gust of 119 MPH were sent into WX4NHC, the Amateur Radio station at the National Hurricane Center.

Amateur Radio Operators from the N5OZG Repeater system provided constant ground truth from areas in and around the New Orleans area. Joe-N5OZG relayed numerous damage reports to trees, power poles and structures including flood reports. KA5EZQ-Rick in Belle Chasse, Louisiana provided numerous updates from his community during Ida. KI5NMF-Ryan, while working as a firefighter in Hammond, Louisiana, relayed numerous reports of storm damage and storm surge flooding calls that both he and fellow firefighters responded to before conditions were unsafe to respond to such calls. Many other Amateurs on the N5OZG Repeater system provided ground truth into the VoIP Hurricane Net despite dealing with direct and significant impacts to their communities and property and we are forever grateful for their support and the continued partnership we have had with their team since 2008 and Hurricane Gustav. All of these reports were also sent to WX4NHC, the Amateur Radio station at the National Hurricane Center as well.

Our Amateur Radio Net Controls from across the United States also assisted with reporting and monitoring of weather stations, social media outlets, public safety outlets and reached out to contacts in the affected area to provide reports of storm damage to WX4NHC, the Amateur Radio station at the National Hurricane Center. Our net controls included KC5FM-Lloyd, K2DCD-Dennis, WX9VOR-Debby, who also assisted with net control scheduling for the operation, K3CFG-Carl, KC8TCQ-Keith, WX0NET-Billy, who despite significant work commitments helped where possible during net operations, N4YKS-Joe (a new Net Control Operator) and KD4CLJ-David. The team did a tremendous job providing a constant data flow for situational awareness.

Reports were sent via our VoIP Hurricane Net web-based reporting form and database system. You can view the reports sent into WX4NHC, the Amateur Radio station at the National Hurricane Center at the following link:
http://report.voipwx.net/qilan/nhcwx/list_VOIP_records?auth=OK

We appreciate everyone who supported the VoIP Hurricane Net operation for Hurricane Ida. If there are further updates on Hurricane Ida from the affected area or any way we can support the area during Hurricane Ida, we will keep everyone posted. The peak of the Atlantic Hurricane Season is not until mid-September. The VoIP Hurricane Net Management Team will continue to monitor all 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

Hello to all..

**VoIP Hurricane Net will activate at 8 AM EDT/7 AM CDT Sunday Morning and will remain active potentially through 12 PM EDT/11 AM CDT Monday for Hurricane Ida and its impacts to the Northern US Gulf Coast states of Louisiana and Mississippi**
**WX4NHC, the Amateur Radio Station at the National Hurricane Center, will also be active with the VoIP Hurricane Net during Hurricane Ida**

Here are the VoIP Hurricane Net and WX4NHC Activation Plans for Ida as of Saturday Morning 930 AM EDT:

The VoIP Hurricane Net will activate at 8 AM EDT Sunday Morning and will remain active active potentially through 12 PM EDT Monday Afternoon for Hurricane Ida and its impacts to the Northern US Gulf Coast states of Louisiana and Mississippi.

Any Amateur Radio Operators in the affected area of Ida or with relays into the affected area of Hurricane Ida are asked to provide surface and damage reports into the VoIP Hurricane Net for relay into WX4NHC, the Amateur Radio station at the National Hurricane Center. We appreciate any and all support from Amateur Operators in the affected area or Amateur Operators with relays into the affected area. We are looking for reports based on the National Weather Service SKYWARN Reporting criteria. This can be seen on the VoIP Hurricane Net web site at the following link:
https://voipwx.net/voip-hurricane-net-reporting-criteria

Any pictures or videos of wind damage, river/stream/urban/storm surge flooding etc. can be sent to our voipwxnet Facebook and Twitter feeds or the following email address: pics@nsradio.org and credit will be given to the Amateur Radio Operator, weather spotter or individual that took the photos and media and be shared with the Amateur Radio team at the National Hurricane Center and other agencies and outlets.

Advisories on Ida can be seen off of the Atlantic Tropical Products menu selection on the voipwxnet web site, via our Facebook and Twitter feeds, and off the National Hurricane Center web site via the following link:
http://www.nhc.noaa.gov

Reports as obtained via the VoIP Hurricane Net from Amateur Radio Operators in the affected area, relays from the affected area or from APRS/CWOP Weather Station feeds and other social media outlets can be found at the following link:
http://report.voipwx.net/qilan/nhcwx/list_VOIP_records?auth=OK

APRS, Winlink, AllStar, Hamshack Hotline resources that can be monitored are as follows:
APRS KC5FM
Winlink: KC5FM@winlink.org
Allstar 28848
Hamshack Hotline 94032

The VK3JED Megalink system will be connected to the VoIP Hurricane Net throughout the VoIP Hurricane Net offering the following modes of connectivity for stations in the affected area of Ida or stations with relays in the affected area of Ida:
DMR BM 50535
YSF. 50535. AU_VK_Multi_Link
P25 50535
M17 M17-432 D
D-STAR XLX432 D
IRLP 9550
AllStar 27154

Through the efforts of N4YKS-Joe, we have TGIF DMR 3198 linked to the VoIP Hurricane Net as well.

Stations outside the affected area that do not have relays into the affected area who would like to listen into the VoIP Hurricane Net can use any of the following systems for listen-only purposes and can connect on either Echolink or IRLP:
*NEW-ENG3* Echolink conference node: 9123/IRLP 9123
*KC4QLP-C* Echolink conference node: 290251
*ARERT* Echolink conference node: 902723

The KC5FM All-Star Node will be connected to the VoIP Hurricane Net and can be connected to via Echolink by doing *328848.

These two streaming audio feeds should be available. Those streaming audio feeds are as follows:
Streaming feed 1: http://74.208.24.77:8000 -Provided by KC4QLP-Bob Carter
Streaming feed 2: http://audio.arert.net/ -Provided by the ARERT conference owners and sysops

Please note that there could be additional listen only nodes and streaming feeds. If time allows, this info will be updated via the voipwxnet web site and social media feeds.

The VoIP Hurricane Net Management team continues to closely watch Hurricane Ida. Thanks to all for their continued support of the VoIP Hurricane Net!

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

Hello to all..

**VoIP Hurricane Net will activate at 8 AM EDT Sunday Morning and will remain active through 11 PM EDT Sunday Evening for Hurricane Henri and its impacts to Southern New England, New York City area and Long Island New York**
**WX4NHC, the Amateur Radio Station at the National Hurricane Center, will also be active with the VoIP Hurricane Net during Henri starting on Sunday at 9 AM EDT**

Here are the VoIP Hurricane Net and WX4NHC Activation Plans for Henri as of Saturday Evening 1120 PM EDT:

The VoIP Hurricane Net will activate at 8 AM EDT Sunday Morning and will remain active through 11 PM EDT Sunday Evening for Hurricane Henri and its impacts to Southern New England, New York City area and Long Island New York for Sunday Morning through Sunday Evening.

Any Amateur Radio Operators in the affected area of Henri or with relays into the affected area of Hurricane Henri are asked to provide surface and damage reports into the VoIP Hurricane Net for relay into WX4NHC, the Amateur Radio station at the National Hurricane Center. We appreciate any and all support from Amateur Operators in the affected area or Amateur Operators with relays into the affected area. We are looking for reports based on the National Weather Service SKYWARN Reporting criteria. This can be seen on the VoIP Hurricane Net web site at the following link:

VoIP Hurricane Net Reporting Criteria

Please note that the VoIP Hurricane Net operation will be combined with New England SKYWARN regional opertions. The *NEW-ENG3* Echolink conference node: 9123/IRLP Reflector 9123 will be connected to the *WX_TALK* Echolink conference node: 7203/IRLP 9219 reflector system to form a large combined net to centralize reporting from the region.

Any pictures or videos of wind damage, river/stream/urban/storm surge flooding etc. can be sent to our voipwxnet Facebook and Twitter feeds or the following email address: pics@nsradio.org and credit will be given to the Amateur Radio Operator, weather spotter or individual that took the photos and media and be shared with the Amateur Radio team at the National Hurricane Center and other agencies and outlets.

Advisories on Henri can be seen off of the Atlantic Tropical Products menu selection on the voipwxnet web site, via our Facebook and Twitter feeds, and off the National Hurricane Center web site via the following link:
http://www.nhc.noaa.gov

Reports as obtained via the VoIP Hurricane Net from Amateur Radio Operators in the affected area, relays from the affected area or from APRS/CWOP Weather Station feeds and other social media outlets can be found at the following link:
http://report.voipwx.net/qilan/nhcwx/list_VOIP_records?auth=OK

APRS, Winlink, AllStar, Hamshack Hotline resources that can be monitored are as follows:

APRS KC5FM
Winlink: KC5FM@winlink.org
Allstar 28848
Hamshack Hotline 94032

Other digital resources such as DMR, DSTAR and Wires-X may be connected if time allows coordination to get those systems connected.

Stations outside the affected area that do not have relays into the affected area who would like to listen into the VoIP Hurricane Net can use any of the following systems for listen-only purposes and can connect on either Echolink or IRLP:
*KC4QLP-C* Echolink conference node: 290251
*ARERT* Echolink conference node: 902723

The KC5FM All-Star Node will be connected to the VoIP Hurricane Net and can be connected to via Echolink by doing *328848.

These two streaming audio feeds should be available. Those streaming audio feeds are as follows:
Streaming feed 1: http://74.208.24.77:8000 -Provided by KC4QLP-Bob Carter
Streaming feed 2: http://audio.arert.net/ -Provided by the ARERT conference owners and sysops

Please note that there could be additional listen only nodes and streaming feeds. If time allows, this info will be updated via the voipwxnet web site and social media feeds.

The VoIP Hurricane Net Management team continues to closely watch Hurricane Henri. Thanks to all for their continued support of the VoIP Hurricane Net!

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

Hello to all..

**VoIP Hurricane Net will activate at 12 PM EDT Saturday Afternoon and will remain active through 12 AM EDT Sunday Morning for Elsa and its impacts to Southern Hisapniola, Jamaica and Cuba. Elsa is a category 1 hurricane and will track near or over Southern Hispaniola and Cuba based on the current forecast track late Saturday Afternoon and Evening.**
**WX4NHC, the Amateur Radio Station at the National Hurricane Center, will also be active with the VoIP Hurricane Net during Elsa starting on Saturday at 12 PM EDT**
**The VoIP Hurricane Prep net scheduled for Saturday July 3rd, 2021 at 800 PM EDT/700 PM CDT is cancelled due to the net activation**

Here are the VoIP Hurricane Net and WX4NHC Activation Plans for Elsa as of Saturday Morning 900 AM EDT:

The VoIP Hurricane Net will activate at 12 PM EDT Saturday Afternoon and will remain active through 12 AM EDT Sunday Morning for Elsa and its impacts to Southern Hisapniola, Jamaica and Cuba. Elsa is a category 1 hurricane and will track near or over Southern Hispaniola and Cuba based on the current forecast track late Saturday Afternoon and Evening.

Any Amateur Radio Operators in the affected area of Elsa or with relays into the affected area of Elsa are asked to provide surface and damage reports into the VoIP Hurricane Net for relay into WX4NHC, the Amateur Radio station at the National Hurricane Center. We appreciate any and all support from Amateur Operators in the affected area or Amateur Operators with relays into the affected area. We are looking for reports based on the National Weather Service SKYWARN Reporting criteria. This can be seen on the VoIP Hurricane Net web site at the following link:

VoIP Hurricane Net Reporting Criteria

Any pictures or videos of wind damage, river/stream/urban/storm surge flooding etc. can be sent to our voipwxnet Facebook and Twitter feeds or the following email address: pics@nsradio.org and credit will be given to the Amateur Radio Operator, weather spotter or individual that took the photos and media and be shared with the Amateur Radio team at the National Hurricane Center and other agencies and outlets.

Advisories on Elsa can be seen off of the Atlantic Tropical Products menu selection on the voipwxnet web site, via our Facebook and Twitter feeds, and off the National Hurricane Center web site via the following link:
http://www.nhc.noaa.gov

Reports as obtained via the VoIP Hurricane Net from Amateur Radio Operators in the affected area, relays from the affected area or from APRS/CWOP Weather Station feeds and other social media outlets can be found at the following link:
http://report.voipwx.net/qilan/nhcwx/list_VOIP_records?auth=OK

APRS, Winlink, AllStar, Hamshack Hotline resources that can be monitored are as follows:

APRS KC5FM
Winlink: KC5FM@winlink.org
Allstar 28848
Hamshack Hotline 94032

Other digital resources such as DMR, DSTAR and Wires-X will not be connected given the affected area but could be connected for Elsa and potential impacts in Florida early next week.

Stations outside the affected area that do not have relays into the affected area who would like to listen into the VoIP Hurricane Net can use any of the following systems for listen-only purposes and can connect on either Echolink or IRLP:
*KC4QLP-C* Echolink conference node: 290251
*ARERT* Echolink conference node: 902723

The KC5FM All-Star Node will be connected to the VoIP Hurricane Net and can be connected to via Echolink by doing *328848.

These two streaming audio feeds should be available. Those streaming audio feeds are as follows:
Streaming feed 1: http://74.208.24.77:8000 -Provided by KC4QLP-Bob Carter
Streaming feed 2: http://audio.arert.net/ -Provided by the ARERT conference owners and sysops

Please note that there could be additional listen only nodes and streaming feeds. If time allows, this info will be updated via the voipwxnet web site and social media feeds.

The VoIP Hurricane Net Management team continues to closely watch Elsa. Thanks to all for their continued support of the VoIP Hurricane Net!

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

Hello to all…

With Amateur Radio Field Day weekend in full swing in the United States and COVID19 restrictions lifted across the nation, we will cancel the VoIP Hurricane Net for this Saturday 6/26/21. This will allow Amateurs to focus on Field Day weekend activities and enjoy operating at Field Day sites whether it be out in the field, at EOCs or via home stations. The VoIP Hurricane Net Management Team hopes everyone enjoys Field Day weekend. Thanks to all for their continued support of the VoIP Hurricane Net!

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

Hello to all…

We will have the 2021 National Hurricane Conference Virtual Amateur Radio Workshop on Tuesday June 15th, 2021 from 1030 AM-1210 PM EDT and 130-500 PM EDT. The topics lineup for the workshop as well as the Zoom information details are listed below:

https://voipwx.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/national_hurricane_conference_2020_PR_rev_1-3.pdf

The workshop will be recorded and added on to Youtube as well. We appreciate everyone’s support of the 2021 National Hurricane Conference Virtual Amateur Radio Workshop on Tuesday 6/15/21 and everyone’s support of the VoIP Hurricane Net!

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

Hello to all…

WX4NHC, the Amateur Radio station at the National Hurricane Center, will be active with its on air-test Saturday 5/29/21 from 9 AM-5 PM EDT (1300-2100z). They will be on the *WX_TALK* Echolink conference node: 7203/IRLP 9219 reflector system from 4-5 PM EDT (2000-2100 UTC) Saturday 5/29/21. A link to the WX4NHC On-Air Test Announcement as well as an announcement regarding the virtual Amateur Radio Workshop tied to the National Hurricane Conference from the ARRL and Assistant WX4NHC Coordinator, WD4R-Julio Ripoll, is listed below:

SB SPCL @ ARL $ARLX006
ARLX006 Annual WX4NHC On-the-Air Station Test Set for Saturday, May
29

ZCZC AX06
QST de W1AW
Special Bulletin 6 ARLX006
From ARRL Headquarters
Newington CT May 24, 2021
To all radio amateurs

SB SPCL ARL ARLX006
ARLX006 Annual WX4NHC On-the-Air Station Test Set for Saturday, May
29

The annual WX4NHC station on-the-air test will be held on Saturday,
May 29, 1300 – 2100 UTC. The WX4NHC operators plan to be working
remotely again this year as the National Hurricane Center plans to
maintain all CDC COVID-19 pandemic protocols until the end of 2021.
The yearly exercise takes place just ahead of the official start of
the Atlantic Hurricane Season, June 1 – November 30. Assistant
WX4NHC Coordinator Julio Ripoll, WD4R, said the event offers an
opportunity for radio amateurs worldwide to exercise the sorts of
communication capabilities available during severe weather.

“We will be making brief contacts on many frequencies and modes,
exchanging signal reports and basic weather data (sunny, rain,
temperature, etc.) with any station in any location,” Ripoll said.

Participating stations may use HF, VHF, UHF, APRS, and Winlink, with
WX4NHC HF activity centering on the Hurricane Watch Net frequencies
of 14.325 MHz and 7.268 MHz, depending on propagation, and will
operate elsewhere as conditions dictate. WX4NHC will also
participate in the VoIP Hurricane Net, 2000 – 2100 UTC.

As for the upcoming hurricane season, Ripoll said, “Even if you are
not directly affected by a hurricane situation, please volunteer to
monitor and relay reports; just one report can make a difference and
help save a life!”

In conjunction with the National Hurricane Conference next month,
the traditional Amateur Radio Workshop sessions will be held
virtually on Tuesday, June 15, 10:30 AM – 12 PM EDT and 1:30 – 5 PM
EDT. The sessions will be moderated by Rob Macedo, KD1CY, Director
of Operations, VoIP Hurricane Net, with Ripoll.

To access the Zoom meeting check-in, use the meeting ID 844 9788
6921, and the passcode 565708.
NNNN
/EX

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

Hello to all…

I hope everyone enjoyed SKYWARN Recognition Day 2020 and the new format. There will be some improvements made in 2021 due to the radical changes and shift we had to make due to the COVID-19 pandemic in a short amount of time but overall, it went well and kept this great event going for another year. My apologies for not being on the network much during the event. Due to a nor’easter coastal storm affecting New England, time was split between SRD and storm operations.

I wanted to let everyone know that our first net of 2021 will be Saturday 1/9/21 at 800 PM ET/700 PM CT/0100 UTC since the New Years day holiday will be Friday 1/1/21 and given the holiday on that weekend, we want people to enjoy whatever holiday time they can have given the pandemic and then we can resume nets in monthly mode until the start of the 2021 Atlantic Hurricane Season when we will shift again to weekly.

We appreciate everyone’s support of the VoIP Hurricane Net!

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

Hello to all..

SKYWARN Recognition Day is Saturday December 5th, 2020 from 0000-2400 UTC (Friday Evening 12/4/20 from 700 PM ET-Saturday Evening 12/5/20 at 700 PM ET) and Echolink and IRLP will be playing a role in SRD as it has in past years. SKYWARN Recognition Day is an opportunity for National Weather Service Forecast Offices across the United States to thank SKYWARN Spotters for their efforts in obtaining timely severe weather reporting for the protection of life and property. This is the SKYWARN program’s main mission.

EchoLink and IRLP are just a couple of modes people can utilize to contact NWS offices during SKYWARN Recognition Day. Many NWS offices will be on 2 Meters, 440 MHz, HF and other VHF/UHF bands. Additional details on SKYWARN Recognition Day including registration for all stations so they can get a SRD number (not required for event participation but needed if you are interested in getting A SRD number) can be found via the following links:

http://www.weather.gov/crh/skywarnrecognition

Due to COVID19, volunteer Amateur Radio Operators are not allowed to be at NWS Forecast Offices. Forecast offices will be represented by Amateur Radio Operators at home and possibly by some NWS employees from actual NWS offices.

As in past years, the EchoLink *WX_TALK* Node: 7203/IRLP reflector 9219 system will be scheduling time for NWS offices and due to COVID, Amateur Operators who typically are at weather service hours, in 1-2 hour time slots to act as a net control to make contacts with spotters that are on the system. If a NWS office/SKYWARN NWS Operator runs out of contacts and there are other NWS offices on the system, the NWS office/SKYWARN Operator acting as net control can turn it over to a different NWS office to act as a net control on the system at their discretion. Also, for this year, we will have the following modes connected in through the efforts of KC5FM-Lloyd Colston and VK3JED-Tony Langdon. They are as follows:

Allstar 28848
Hamshack Hotline 94032
IRLP 9550
AllStar 27154
DMR BM TG 50535
P25 TG 50535
YSF reflector 50535 (narrow mode only)
D-STAR XLX432 D (DCS432 D)

We’d like to ask NWS offices and/or coordinators who are operating from home who operate at NWS offices do their best to adhere to the schedule. Sometimes this is difficult due to the number of contacts received by each net control. We ask for everyone’s patience and working cooperatively to respect the time slot schedule.

Below is the 2020 SRD Schedule with the time slots confirmed so far for 2020 and those time slots relinquished by NWS offices. See the list of NWS offices below:

Time in UTC NWS Office Call-Sign
0000-0100: N0NWS (Confirmed time slot from last year)
0100-0200: WX1GYX (Confirmed time slot from last year)
0200-0300: WX7SLC (Confirmed time slot from last year)
0300-0400: WX9GRB
0400-0500: WX1BOX (Confirmed Time slot from last year)
0500-0600: WX9LOT (Confirmed Time slot from last year)
0600-0700: WX4HUN (Confirmed time slot from last year)
0700-0800: NM8RC (Confirmed time slot from last year)
0800-0900: NM8RC (Confirmed time slot from last year – same members of WX8APX but using different call sign this year)
0900-1000: Open
1000-1100: WX7SLC (Confirmed time slot from last year)
1100-1200: Open (WX7SLC relinquished this time slot for this year for the 1300-1400z time slot)
1200-1300: W7NWS
1300-1400: WX7SLC (New time slot for this year)
1400-1500: WX1AW
1500-1600: WX1BOX (Confirmed time slot from last year)
1600-1700: WX4NC (Confirmed time slot from last year)
1700-1800: WX4JKL (New NWS office for this year)
1800-1900: WX6LOX
1900-2000: K0MPX
2000-2100: WX4JKL (New NWS office for this year)
2100-2300: WX4NHC (Confirmed time slot from last year)
2300-2400: Open (Time slot relinquished in 2020 by WX6NWS)

There will be other conference systems utilized for SKYWARN Recognition Day. They are as follows:

The New England Reflector Gateway System will be utilized by the NWS Boston/Norton, Mass. and NWS Gray, Maine offices from 0000-0500 UTC and 1200-2400 UTC. The New England Gateway system is on EchoLink Conference server *NEW-ENG3* Node: 9123, IRLP reflector 9123. If other NWS offices would like to join the system, they are welcome to do so and participants in SKYWARN Recognition Day can also use that system to make contact with various NWS offices. This is a great place to move off the *WX_TALK* Node: 7203/IRLP 9219 system after your scheduled time if other Amateurs or NWS offices whish to make contact with you.

Also, the Western Reflector will be having NWS offices calling CQ as in past years and have multiple reflector channels and Echolink conferences available. There is reflector 9250/Echolink Conference *HI-GATE* node: 357564, IRLP 9251 and the *WORLD* Echolink Conference node: 479886, IRLP 9257/*DCF-ARC* Echolink Conference node: 336037 and IRLP 9258/EchoLink Conference *NV-GATE* Node: 152566 open for NWS offices. Please contact Kent-W7AOR for additional information on the Western Reflector.

A few technical reminders for folks interested in making contacts with the NWS Forecast Offices on the *WX-TALK* Node: 7203/IRLP 9219 and New England Reflector Gateway IRLP 9123/*NEW-ENG3* Echolink Node: 9123 systems:

-The system allows both EchoLink and IRLP connections. For EchoLink users, you connect to the *WX-TALK* Node: 7203 conference system. For IRLP users, you would connect to IRLP reflector 9219.

-If you are using EchoLink, the RF node or PC that you’re using must have EchoLink conferencing disabled. If it is not disabled, the system will automatically kick the node or PC off of the system. The reason this occurs is to prevent unintentional interference from a conferencing station that may not know the node is connected somewhere else. This will keep traffic moving on the net and reduce interference considerably.

For more information on VoIP Technical Configuration Tips, please go to our web site at http://www.voipwx.net where we have a link to that information on the main menu of the web site. This announcement will also be on the web site.

We are looking forward to another fun SKYWARN Recognition Day on the *WX-TALK* Node: 7203/IRLP reflector 9219 system, Allstar 28848 along with DMR/DSTAR and other modes provided by VK3JED-Tony, New England Reflector Gateway system and Western Reflector system. Thanks to all for their support!

73,Rob-KD1CY.
Director of Operations for the VoIP Hurricane Net
ARES SKYWARN Coordinator for NWS Boston/Norton Massachusetts
Eastern Massachusetts ARES Section Emergency Coordinator

Hello to all..

**VoIP Hurricane Net will activate at 12 PM EDT Wednesday Afternoon and will remain active through 11 PM EDT Wednesday Evening for Zeta and its impacts to the Northern US Gulf Coast from Southeast Louisiana through Southern Mississippi. Zeta is a strong tropical storm expected to make landfall as a category 1 hurricane late Wednesday Afternoon/early evening along the Southeast Louisiana/Southern Mississippi coast line.**
**WX4NHC, the Amateur Radio Station at the National Hurricane Center, will also be active with the VoIP Hurricane Net during Zeta starting on Wednesday at 12 PM EDT..

Here are the VoIP Hurricane Net and WX4NHC Activation Plans for Zeta as of Tuesday Evening 10/27/20 at 1100 PM EDT:

The VoIP Hurricane Net will activate at 12 PM EDT Wednesday Afternoon and will remain active through 11 PM EDT Wednesday Evening for Zeta and its impacts to the Northern US Gulf Coast from Southeast Louisiana through Southern Mississippi. Zeta is a strong tropical storm expected to make landfall as a category 1 hurricane late Wednesday Afternoon/early evening along the Southeast Louisiana/Southern Mississippi coast line. WX4NHC, the Amateur Radio Station at the National Hurricane Center, will also be active with the VoIP Hurricane Net during Zeta starting on Wednesday at 12 PM EDT.

Any Amateur Radio Operators in the affected area of Zeta or with relays into the affected area of Zeta are asked to provide surface and damage reports into the VoIP Hurricane Net for relay into WX4NHC, the Amateur Radio station at the National Hurricane Center. We appreciate any and all support from Amateur Operators in the affected area or Amateur Operators with relays into the affected area. We are looking for reports based on the National Weather Service SKYWARN Reporting criteria. This can be seen on the VoIP Hurricane Net web site at the following link:

Any pictures or videos of wind damage, river/stream/urban/storm surge flooding etc. can be sent to our voipwxnet Facebook and Twitter feeds or the following email address: pics@nsradio.org and credit will be given to the Amateur Radio Operator, weather spotter or individual that took the photos and media and be shared with the Amateur Radio team at the National Hurricane Center and other agencies and outlets.

Advisories on Zeta can be seen off of the Atlantic Tropical Products menu selection on the voipwxnet web site, via our Facebook and Twitter feeds, and off the National Hurricane Center web site via the following link:
http://www.nhc.noaa.gov

Reports as obtained via the VoIP Hurricane Net from Amateur Radio Operators in the affected area, relays from the affected area or from APRS/CWOP Weather Station feeds and other social media outlets can be found at the following link:
http://report.voipwx.net/qilan/nhcwx/list_VOIP_records?auth=OK

APRS, Winlink, AllStar, Hamshack Hotline, DSTAR and DMR resources that can be monitored are as follows:

APRS KC5FM
Winlink: KC5FM@winlink.org

Wiresx 43234
Allstar 28848
Hamshack Hotline 94032
D-STAR Ref052B

Also, we will have the following resources connected into the net directly to provide direct DMR Brandmeister and D-STAR capabilities along with other modes. This is through the efforts of VoIP Hurricane Net Technical Coordinator, Tony Langdon-VK3JED:

IRLP 9550
AllStar 27154
DMR BM TG 50535
P25 TG 50535
YSF reflector 50535 (narrow mode only)
D-STAR XLX432 D (DCS432 D)

Stations outside the affected area that do not have relays into the affected area who would like to listen into the VoIP Hurricane Net can use any of the following systems for listen-only purposes and can connect on either Echolink or IRLP:
*NEW-ENG3* Echolink conference node: 9123/IRLP 9123
*KC4QLP-C* Echolink conference node: 290251
*ARERT* Echolink conference node: 902723
*SKY_GATE* Echolink conference node: 868981
*USA-HAMS* Echolink conference node: 202721

Stations outside the affected area who would like to listen into the VoIP Hurricane Net can use any of the following systems for listen-only purposes on All-Star by dialing *33009123.

The KC5FM All-Star Node will be connected to the VoIP Hurricane Net and can be connected to via Echolink by doing *328848.

These two streaming audio feeds should be available. Those streaming audio feeds are as follows:
Streaming feed 1: http://74.208.24.77:8000 -Provided by KC4QLP-Bob Carter
Streaming feed 2: http://audio.arert.net/ -Provided by the ARERT conference owners and sysops

Please note that there could be additional listen only nodes and streaming feeds. If time allows, this info will be updated via the voipwxnet web site and social media feeds.

The VoIP Hurricane Net Management team continues to closely watch Zeta. Thanks to all for their continued support of the VoIP Hurricane Net!

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

Hello to all…

The VoIP Hurricane Net for this Saturday Evening will be cancelled due to the 16 hour activation for Hurricane Delta which ended at 12 AM EDT Saturday. Barring a VoIP Hurricane Net activation, the next VoIP Hurricane Net will be Saturday 10/17/20 at 8 PM EDT/700 PM CDT/0000 UTC. For a listing of reports during Hurricane Delta, you can view the VoIP Hurricane Net Report Viewer at the following link:

http://report.voipwx.net/qilan/nhcwx/list_VOIP_records?auth=OK

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

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

Hello to all..

**VoIP Hurricane Net has has activated at 8 AM EDT Friday Morning and will remain active through 2 AM EDT Saturday for Hurricane Delta and its impacts to the Northern US Gulf Coast from Southeast Texas through Southern Louisiana. Delta is currently a Category-3 hurricane and will be at Cat-2 to Cat-3 strength near landfall and will make landfall later Friday Afternoon and Evening along the Southwest Louisiana Coast.**
**WX4NHC, the Amateur Radio Station at the National Hurricane Center, will also be active with the VoIP Hurricane Net during Hurricane Delta and its landfall Friday Evening.**

Here are the VoIP Hurricane Net and WX4NHC Activation Plans for Delta as of Friday Morning at 915 AM EDT:

VoIP Hurricane Net has has activated at 8 AM EDT Friday Morning and will remain active through 2 AM EDT Saturday for Hurricane Delta and its impacts to the Northern US Gulf Coast from Southeast Texas through Southern Louisiana. Delta is currently a Category-3 hurricane and will be at Cat-2 to Cat-3 strength near landfall and will make landfall later Friday Afternoon and Evening along the Southwest Louisiana Coast. WX4NHC, the Amateur Radio Station at the National Hurricane Center, will also be active with the VoIP Hurricane Net during Hurricane Delta and its landfall Friday Evening.

Any Amateur Radio Operators in the affected area of Sally or with relays into the affected area of Sally are asked to provide surface and damage reports into the VoIP Hurricane Net for relay into WX4NHC, the Amateur Radio station at the National Hurricane Center. We appreciate any and all support from Amateur Operators in the affected area or Amateur Operators with relays into the affected area. We are looking for reports based on the National Weather Service SKYWARN Reporting criteria. This can be seen on the VoIP Hurricane Net web site at the following link:

VoIP Hurricane Net Reporting Criteria

Any pictures or videos of wind damage, river/stream/urban/storm surge flooding etc. can be sent to our voipwxnet Facebook and Twitter feeds or the following email address: pics@nsradio.org and credit will be given to the Amateur Radio Operator, weather spotter or individual that took the photos and media and be shared with the Amateur Radio team at the National Hurricane Center and other agencies and outlets.

Advisories on Delta can be seen off of the Atlantic Tropical Products menu selection on the voipwxnet web site, via our Facebook and Twitter feeds, and off the National Hurricane Center web site via the following link:
http://www.nhc.noaa.gov

Reports as obtained via the VoIP Hurricane Net from Amateur Radio Operators in the affected area, relays from the affected area or from APRS/CWOP Weather Station feeds and other social media outlets can be found at the following link:
http://report.voipwx.net/qilan/nhcwx/list_VOIP_records?auth=OK

APRS, Winlink, AllStar, Hamshack Hotline, DSTAR and DMR resources that can be monitored are as follows:

APRS KC5FM
Winlink: KC5FM@winlink.org

Wiresx 43234
Allstar 28848
Hamshack Hotline 94032
D-STAR Ref052B

Also, we will have the following resources connected into the net directly to provide direct DMR Brandmeister and D-STAR capabilities along with other modes. This is through the efforts of VoIP Hurricane Net Technical Coordinator, Tony Langdon-VK3JED:

IRLP 9550
AllStar 27154
DMR BM TG 50535
P25 TG 50535
YSF reflector 50535 (narrow mode only)
D-STAR XLX432 D (DCS432 D)

Stations outside the affected area that do not have relays into the affected area who would like to listen into the VoIP Hurricane Net can use any of the following systems for listen-only purposes and can connect on either Echolink or IRLP:
*NEW-ENG3* Echolink conference node: 9123/IRLP 9123
*KC4QLP-C* Echolink conference node: 290251
*ARERT* Echolink conference node: 902723
*SKY_GATE* Echolink conference node: 868981
*USA-HAMS* Echolink conference node: 202721

Stations outside the affected area who would like to listen into the VoIP Hurricane Net can use any of the following systems for listen-only purposes on All-Star by dialing *33009123.

The KC5FM All-Star Node will be connected to the VoIP Hurricane Net and can be connected to via Echolink by doing *328848.

These two streaming audio feeds should be available. Those streaming audio feeds are as follows:
Streaming feed 1: http://74.208.24.77:8000 -Provided by KC4QLP-Bob Carter
Streaming feed 2: http://audio.arert.net/ -Provided by the ARERT conference owners and sysops

Please note that there could be additional listen only nodes and streaming feeds. If time allows, this info will be updated via the voipwxnet web site and social media feeds.

The VoIP Hurricane Net Management team continues to closely watch Delta. Thanks to all for their continued support of the VoIP Hurricane Net!

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

Hello to all..

**VoIP Hurricane Net has been active since 6 AM EDT Tuesday Morning and will remain active through 12 PM EDT Wednesday for Hurricane Sally and its impacts to the Northern US Gulf Coast from the Florida Panhandle to Southeast Louisiana. Sally is currently a Category-1 hurricane and will be at Cat-1 to possibly Cat-2 strength and will make landfall later Tuesday or Wednesday Morning along the Northern US Gulf Coast.**
**WX4NHC, the Amateur Radio Station at the National Hurricane Center has also been active since 6 AM EDT Tuesday Morning. Both WX4NHC and the VoIP Hurricane Net were active from 6-10 PM EDT Monday Evening and secured operations overnight due to Sally’s slow movement and the strongest winds remaining offshore overnight.**

Here are the VoIP Hurricane Net and WX4NHC Activation Plans for Sally as of Tuesday Morning at 830 AM EDT:

The VoIP Hurricane Net has been active since 6 AM EDT Tuesday Morning and will remain active through 12 PM EDT Wednesday for Hurricane Sally and its impacts to the Northern US Gulf Coast from the Florida Panhandle to Southeast Louisiana. Sally is currently a Category-1 hurricane and will be at Cat-1 to possibly Cat-2 strength and will make landfall later Tuesday or Wednesday Morning along the Northern US Gulf Coast. WX4NHC, the Amateur Radio Station at the National Hurricane Center has also been active since 6 AM EDT Tuesday Morning. Both WX4NHC and the VoIP Hurricane Net were active from 6-10 PM EDT Monday Evening and secured operations overnight due to Sally’s slow movement and the strongest winds remaining offshore overnight.

Any Amateur Radio Operators in the affected area of Sally or with relays into the affected area of Sally are asked to provide surface and damage reports into the VoIP Hurricane Net for relay into WX4NHC, the Amateur Radio station at the National Hurricane Center. We appreciate any and all support from Amateur Operators in the affected area or Amateur Operators with relays into the affected area. We are looking for reports based on the National Weather Service SKYWARN Reporting criteria. This can be seen on the VoIP Hurricane Net web site at the following link:

VoIP Hurricane Net Reporting Criteria

Any pictures or videos of wind damage, river/stream/urban/storm surge flooding etc. can be sent to our voipwxnet Facebook and Twitter feeds or the following email address: pics@nsradio.org and credit will be given to the Amateur Radio Operator, weather spotter or individual that took the photos and media and be shared with the Amateur Radio team at the National Hurricane Center and other agencies and outlets.

Advisories on Sally can be seen off of the Atlantic Tropical Products menu selection on the voipwxnet web site, via our Facebook and Twitter feeds, and off the National Hurricane Center web site via the following link:
http://www.nhc.noaa.gov

Reports as obtained via the VoIP Hurricane Net from Amateur Radio Operators in the affected area, relays from the affected area or from APRS/CWOP Weather Station feeds and other social media outlets can be found at the following link:
http://report.voipwx.net/qilan/nhcwx/list_VOIP_records?auth=OK

APRS, Winlink, AllStar, Hamshack Hotline, DSTAR and DMR resources that can be monitored are as follows:

APRS KC5FM
Winlink: KC5FM@winlink.org

Wiresx 43234
Allstar 28848
Hamshack Hotline 94032
D-STAR Ref052B

Also, we will have the following resources connected into the net directly to provide direct DMR Brandmeister and D-STAR capabilities along with other modes. This is through the efforts of VoIP Hurricane Net Technical Coordinator, Tony Langdon-VK3JED:

IRLP 9550
AllStar 27154
DMR BM TG 50535
P25 TG 50535
YSF reflector 50535 (narrow mode only)
D-STAR XLX432 D (DCS432 D)

Stations outside the affected area that do not have relays into the affected area who would like to listen into the VoIP Hurricane Net can use any of the following systems for listen-only purposes and can connect on either Echolink or IRLP:
*NEW-ENG3* Echolink conference node: 9123/IRLP 9123
*KC4QLP-C* Echolink conference node: 290251
*ARERT* Echolink conference node: 902723
*SKY_GATE* Echolink conference node: 868981
*USA-HAMS* Echolink conference node: 202721

Stations outside the affected area who would like to listen into the VoIP Hurricane Net can use any of the following systems for listen-only purposes on All-Star by dialing *33009123.

The KC5FM All-Star Node will be connected to the VoIP Hurricane Net and can be connected to via Echolink by doing *328848.

These two streaming audio feeds should be available. Those streaming audio feeds are as follows:
Streaming feed 1: http://74.208.24.77:8000 -Provided by KC4QLP-Bob Carter
Streaming feed 2: http://audio.arert.net/ -Provided by the ARERT conference owners and sysops

Please note that there could be additional listen only nodes and streaming feeds. If time allows, this info will be updated via the voipwxnet web site and social media feeds.

The VoIP Hurricane Net Management team continues to closely watch Sally. Thanks to all for their continued support of the VoIP Hurricane Net!

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

Hello to all..

**VoIP Hurricane Net will activate on Wednesday Evening at 5 PM through 12 PM Thursday Morning for Major Hurricane Laura and its impacts on the Eastern Texas and Western Louisiana region. Laura is intensifying and is expected to maintain major hurricane status and is likely to be a Category-4 hurricane at landfall along the Texas/Louisiana border.**
**WX4NHC, the Amateur Radio Station at the National Hurricane Center will also be active Wednesday through Thursday Morning.**

Here are the VoIP Hurricane Net and WX4NHC Activation Plans for Laura as of Wednesday Morning at 810 AM EDT:

The VoIP Hurricane Net will activate on Wednesday Evening at 5 PM through 12 PM Thursday Morning for Major Hurricane Laura and its impacts on the Eastern Texas and Western Louisiana region. Laura is intensifying and is expected to maintain major hurricane status and is likely to be a Category-4 hurricane at landfall along the Texas/Louisiana border. WX4NHC, the Amateur Radio Station at the National Hurricane Center will also be active Wednesday through Thursday Morning.

Any Amateur Radio Operators in the affected area of Laura or with relays into the affected area of Laura are asked to provide surface and damage reports into the VoIP Hurricane Net for relay into WX4NHC, the Amateur Radio station at the National Hurricane Center. We appreciate any and all support from Amateur Operators in the affected area or Amateur Operators with relays into the affected area. We are looking for reports based on the National Weather Service SKYWARN Reporting criteria. This can be seen on the VoIP Hurricane Net web site at the following link:
https://voipwx.net/voip-hurricane-net-reporting-criteria/

Any pictures or videos of wind damage, river/stream/urban/storm surge flooding etc. can be sent to our voipwxnet Facebook and Twitter feeds or the following email address: pics@nsradio.org and credit will be given to the Amateur Radio Operator, weather spotter or individual that took the photos and media and be shared with the Amateur Radio team at the National Hurricane Center and other agencies and outlets.

Advisories on Laura can be seen off of the Atlantic Tropical Products menu selection on the voipwxnet web site, via our Facebook and Twitter feeds, and off the National Hurricane Center web site via the following link:
http://www.nhc.noaa.gov

Reports as obtained via the VoIP Hurricane Net from Amateur Radio Operators in the affected area, relays from the affected area or from APRS/CWOP Weather Station feeds and other social media outlets can be found at the following link:
http://report.voipwx.net/qilan/nhcwx/list_VOIP_records?auth=OK

APRS, Winlink, AllStar, Hamshack Hotline, DSTAR and DMR resources that can be monitored are as follows:

APRS KC5FM
Winlink: KC5FM@winlink.org

Wiresx 43234
Allstar 28848
Hamshack Hotline 94032
D-STAR Ref052B
DMR 3199

Also, we will have the following resources connected into the net directly to provide direct DMR Brandmeister and D-STAR capabilities along with other modes. This is through the efforts of VoIP Hurricane Net Technical Coordinator, Tony Langdon-VK3JED:

IRLP 9550
AllStar 27154
DMR BM TG 50535
P25 TG 50535
YSF reflector 50535 (narrow mode only)
D-STAR XLX432 D (DCS432 D)

Stations outside the affected area that do not have relays into the affected area who would like to listen into the VoIP Hurricane Net can use any of the following systems for listen-only purposes and can connect on either Echolink or IRLP:
*NEW-ENG3* Echolink conference node: 9123/IRLP 9123
*KC4QLP-C* Echolink conference node: 290251
*ARERT* Echolink conference node: 902723
IRLP reflector: 9129 (New England Reflector IRLP channel 9)

Stations outside the affected area who would like to listen into the VoIP Hurricane Net can use any of the following systems for listen-only purposes on All-Star by dialing *33009123.

The KC5FM All-Star Node will be connected to the VoIP Hurricane Net and can be connected to via Echolink by doing *328848.

These two streaming audio feeds should be available. Those streaming audio feeds are as follows:
Streaming feed 1: http://74.208.24.77:8000 -Provided by KC4QLP-Bob Carter
Streaming feed 2: http://audio.arert.net/ -Provided by the ARERT conference owners and sysops

Please note that there could be additional listen only nodes and streaming feeds. If time allows, this info will be updated via the voipwxnet web site and social media feeds.

The VoIP Hurricane Net Management team continues to closely watch Laura. Thanks to all for their continued support of the VoIP Hurricane Net!

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

Hello to all..

**VoIP Hurricane Net will activate on Monday Evening at 5 PM through 2 AM Tuesday Morning for Isaias and its impacts on the Eastern North Carolina and Northeast South Carolina coast line. Isaias is expected to intensify and reach Category 1 hurricane status before making landfall in the Carolinas.**
**WX4NHC, the Amateur Radio Station at the National Hurricane Center will be activating Monday 8/3/20 at 500 PM EDT.**

Here are the VoIP Hurricane Net and WX4NHC Activation Plans for Isaias as of Monday Afternoon at 230 PM EDT:

The VoIP Hurricane Net will activate on Monday Evening at 5 PM through 2 AM Tuesday for Isaias and its impacts on the Eastern North Carolina and Northeast South Carolina coast line. Isaias is expected to intensify and reach Category 1 hurricane status before making landfall in the Carolinas. WX4NHC, the Amateur Radio Station at the National Hurricane Center will be activating Monday 8/3/20 at 5 PM EDT.

Any Amateur Radio Operators in the affected area of Isaias or with relays into the affected area of Isaias are asked to provide surface and damage reports into the VoIP Hurricane Net for relay into WX4NHC, the Amateur Radio station at the National Hurricane Center. We appreciate any and all support from Amateur Operators in the affected area or Amateur Operators with relays into the affected area. We are looking for reports based on the National Weather Service SKYWARN Reporting criteria. This can be seen on the VoIP Hurricane Net web site at the following link:
https://voipwx.net/voip-hurricane-net-reporting-criteria/

Any pictures or videos of wind damage, river/stream/urban/storm surge flooding etc. can be sent to the following email address: pics@nsradio.org and credit will be given to the Amateur Radio Operator, weather spotter or individual that took the photos and media and be shared with the Amateur Radio team at the National Hurricane Center and other agencies and outlets.

Advisories on Isaias can be seen off of the Atlantic Tropical Products menu selection on the voipwxnet web site, via our Facebook and Twitter feeds, and off the National Hurricane Center web site via the following link:
http://www.nhc.noaa.gov

Reports as obtained via the VoIP Hurricane Net from Amateur Radio Operators in the affected area, relays from the affected area or from APRS/CWOP Weather Station feeds and other social media outlets can be found at the following link:
http://report.voipwx.net/qilan/nhcwx/list_VOIP_records?auth=OK

APRS, Winlink, AllStar, Hamshack Hotline, DSTAR and DMR resources that can be monitored are as follows:

APRS KC5FM
Winlink: KC5FM@winlink.org

Wiresx 43234
Allstar 28848
Hamshack Hotline 94032
D-STAR Ref052B
DMR 3199

Stations outside the affected area that do not have relays into the affected area who would like to listen into the VoIP Hurricane Net can use any of the following systems for listen-only purposes and can connect on either Echolink or IRLP:
*NEW-ENG3* Echolink conference node: 9123/IRLP 9123
*KC4QLP-C* Echolink conference node: 290251
*ARERT* Echolink conference node: 902723
IRLP reflector: 9129 (New England Reflector IRLP channel 9)

Stations outside the affected area who would like to listen into the VoIP Hurricane Net can use any of the following systems for listen-only purposes on All-Star by dialing *33009123.

The KC5FM All-Star Node will be connected to the VoIP Hurricane Net and can be connected to via Echolink by doing *328848.

These two streaming audio feeds should be available. Those streaming audio feeds are as follows:
Streaming feed 1: http://74.208.24.77:8000 -Provided by KC4QLP-Bob Carter
Streaming feed 2: http://audio.arert.net/ -Provided by the ARERT conference owners and sysops

Please note that there could be additional listen only nodes and streaming feeds. If time allows, this info will be updated via the voipwxnet web site and social media feeds.

The VoIP Hurricane Net Management team continues to closely watch Isaias. Thanks to all for their continued support of the VoIP Hurricane Net!

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

Hello to all…

Isaias has weakened slightly more to a 65 MPH tropical storm approaching and affecting Eastern Florida as of the 8 AM EDT – Sunday 8/2/20 advisory. The latest forecast track brings Isaias near the coast of Florida but keeps the worst conditions along and on the east side of the center offshore. With the system no longer expected to attain hurricane strength, the VoIP Hurricane Net will not activate for Sunday as initially planned. VoIP Hurricane Net Management team members will make a best effort to monitor the *WX_TALK* Echolink conference node: 7203/IRLP 9219 system for any local SKYWARN reports over the course of Sunday. WX4NHC, the Amateur Radio station at the National Hurricane Center, has suspended operations once the system weakened to tropical storm status. At this time future impacts to the US East Coast are as a tropical storm so no VoIP Hurricane Net activations at this time over the track of Isaias but this will be monitored closely for any unexpected track changes that might allow for unexpected intensification of Isaias into a hurricane.

Advisories on Isaias can be seen off the main menu of the voipwx.net web site, via our voipwxnet social media feeds on Facebook and Twitter and at the National Hurricane Center web site at the following link:

https://www.nhc.noaa.gov/

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

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

Hello to all…

Isaias has weakened to a 70 MPH tropical storm affecting as of the 8 PM EDT – Saturday 8/1/20 advisory. The latest forecast track brings Isaias near the coast of Florida with a possible landfall in extreme East Central Florida. Isaias will affect East-Central Florida over much of Sunday into Monday Morning and we are looking at net activation plans Sunday Morning through early Monday Morning. We will fine tune those details at the top of Sunday Morning. VoIP Hurricane Net Management team members will monitor the *WX_TALK* Echolink conference node: 7203/IRLP 9219 system over the course of the evening and early morning Sunday for any questions and updates out of Florida and update activation plans with specific details early Sunday Morning after conferring with coordinators from WX4NHC, the Amateur Radio station at the National Hurricane Center and seeing later forecast tracks and guidance from the National Hurricane Center. Future activation beyond this weekend will be determined based on the track, speed and intensity of Isaias.

Advisories on Isaias can be seen off the main menu of the voipwx.net web site, via our voipwxnet social media feeds on Facebook and Twitter and at the National Hurricane Center web site at the following link:

https://www.nhc.noaa.gov/

The VoIP Hurricane Net Management Team will update Isaias activation plans early Sunday Morning and continue to closely monitor the progress of Isaias. Thanks to all for their continued support of the VoIP Hurricane Net!

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

Hello to all…

Hurricane Isaias is an 85 MPH Category-1 hurricane currently affecting the Bahama islands as of the 8 AM EDT – Saturday 7/31/20 advisory. The latest forecast track brings Isaias near the coast of Florida but no longer making landfall there and then weakens Isaias to a strong tropical storm affecting the Carolinas on Monday and the Mid-Atlantic states, New York and New England Tuesday into Wednesday Morning. The VoIP Hurricane Net activation plans remain in flux due to the track changes that have occurred here. It no longer appears necessary to formally activate the net for Saturday but its possible an activation will be needed Sunday. VoIP Hurricane Net Management team members will monitor the *WX_TALK* Echolink conference node: 7203/IRLP 9219 system over the course of the day today for any questions and updates out of Florida and update possible activation plans for Sunday later this Saturday Afternoon and evening after conferring with coordinators from WX4NHC, the Amateur Radio station at the National Hurricane Center and seeing later forecast tracks and guidance from the National Hurricane Center. Future activation beyond this weekend will be determined based on the track, speed and intensity of Isaias.

The weekly VoIP Hurricane Prep Net for this Saturday Evening 8/1/20 has been cancelled due to the potential for activation of Isaias. Advisories on Isaias can be seen off the main menu of the voipwx.net web site, via our voipwxnet social media feeds on Facebook and Twitter and at the National Hurricane Center web site at the following link:

https://www.nhc.noaa.gov/

The VoIP Hurricane Net Management Team will update Hurricane Isaias activation plans later Saturday Afternoon or Evening and continue to closely monitor the progress of Isaias. Thanks to all for their continued support of the VoIP Hurricane Net!

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

Hello to all…

Hurricane Isaias is an 80 MPH Category-1 hurricane currently approaching and affecting the Bahama islands as of the 8 PM EDT – Saturday 7/31/20 advisory. The latest forecast track brings Isaias to a landfall on the East Coast of Florida on Sunday and then as a tropical storm up the US East Coast affecting the Carolinas on Monday and New York and New England Tuesday into Wednesday Morning. The VoIP Hurricane Net will likely activate for Isaias some time in the Saturday Afternoon to Saturday Evening timeframe into Sunday Evening. More details on the activation plan will be posted on Saturday Morning after conferring with coordinators from WX4NHC, the Amateur Radio station at the National Hurricane Center and seeing later forecast tracks and guidance from the National Hurricane Center. Future activations beyond this weekend will be determined based on the track, speed and intensity of Isaias.

The weekly VoIP Hurricane Prep Net for this Saturday Evening 7/31/20 has been cancelled due to the potential for activation of Isaias some time Saturday Afternoon or evening. Advisories on Isaias can be seen off the main menu of the voipwx.net web site, via our voipwxnet social media feeds on Facebook and Twitter and at the National Hurricane Center web site at the following link:

https://www.nhc.noaa.gov/

The VoIP Hurricane Net Management Team will update Hurricane Isaias activation plans Saturday Morning and continue to closely monitor the progress of Isaias. Thanks to all for their continued support of the VoIP Hurricane Net!

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

Hello to all…

The VoIP Hurricane Net activation for Hurricane Hanna secured at 900 PM EDT Saturday 7/25/20 coincident with WX4NHC, the Amateur Radio station at the National Hurricane Center, securing. While there was little direct contact with the local area, relayed reports from online weather stations, storm chasers and public safety feeds helped to provide a sense of conditions in and close to Hanna’s landfall point. It is also noted the landfall point was a rural area of South Texas.

A complete list of reports received by the net for Hanna can be seen at the VoIP Hurricane Net report viewer at the following link:
http://report.voipwx.net/qilan/nhcwx/list_VOIP_records?auth=OK

The VoIP Hurricane Net management team will continue to monitor any new developments in the tropics. Thanks to all for the continued support of the VoIP Hurricane Net!

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

Hello to all..

**VoIP Hurricane Net will activate on Saturday Morning 7/25/20 from 11 AM-6 PM EDT/10 AM-5 PM CDT for Hanna and its impacts on the Southeast Texas coast line. Hanna is expected to intensify and reach Category 1 hurricane status before making landfall in Southeast Texas.**
**WX4NHC, the Amateur Radio Station at the National Hurricane Center will be activating Saturday 7/25/20 from 12-6 PM EDT.**
**The weekly VoIP Hurricane Net for Saturday 7/25/20 is cancelled due to the net activation for Hanna*

Here are the VoIP Hurricane Net and WX4NHC Activation Plans for Hanna as of Friday Evening 750 PM EDT:

The VoIP Hurricane Net will activate on Saturday Morning 7/25/20 from 11 AM-6 PM EDT/10 AM-5 PM CDT Hanna and its impacts on the Southeast Texas coast line. Hanna is expected to intensify and reach Category 1 hurricane status before making landfall in Southeast Texas. WX4NHC, the Amateur Radio Station at the National Hurricane Center will be activating Saturday 7/25/20 from 12-6 PM EDT. The weekly VoIP Hurricane Net for Saturday 7/25/20 is cancelled due to the net activation for Hanna.

Any Amateur Radio Operators in the affected area of Hanna or with relays into the affected area of Hanna are asked to provide surface and damage reports into the VoIP Hurricane Net for relay into WX4NHC, the Amateur Radio station at the National Hurricane Center. We appreciate any and all support from Amateur Operators in the affected area or Amateur Operators with relays into the affected area. We are looking for reports based on the National Weather Service SKYWARN Reporting criteria. This can be seen on the VoIP Hurricane Net web site at the following link:
https://voipwx.net/voip-hurricane-net-reporting-criteria/

Any pictures or videos of wind damage, river/stream/urban/storm surge flooding etc. can be sent to the following email address: pics@nsradio.org and credit will be given to the Amateur Radio Operator, weather spotter or individual that took the photos and media and be shared with the Amateur Radio team at the National Hurricane Center and other agencies and outlets.

Advisories on Hanna can be seen off of the Atlantic Tropical Products menu selection on the voipwxnet web site, via our Facebook and Twitter feeds, and off the National Hurricane Center web site via the following link:
http://www.nhc.noaa.gov

Reports as obtained via the VoIP Hurricane Net from Amateur Radio Operators in the affected area, relays from the affected area or from APRS/CWOP Weather Station feeds and other social media outlets can be found at the following link:
http://report.voipwx.net/qilan/nhcwx/list_VOIP_records?auth=OK

Winlink and APRS resources that can be monitored are as follows:

APRS KC5FM
Winlink: KC5FM@winlink.org

DSTAR resources include REF052B

Stations outside the affected area that do not have relays into the affected area who would like to listen into the VoIP Hurricane Net can use any of the following systems for listen-only purposes and can connect on either Echolink or IRLP:
*NEW-ENG3* Echolink conference node: 9123/IRLP 9123
*KC4QLP-C* Echolink conference node: 290251
*ARERT* Echolink conference node: 902723
IRLP reflector: 9129 (New England Reflector IRLP channel 9)

Stations outside the affected area who would like to listen into the VoIP Hurricane Net can use any of the following systems for listen-only purposes on All-Star by dialing *33009123.

The KC5FM All-Star Node will be connected to the VoIP Hurricane Net and can be connected to by doing *328848.

These two streaming audio feeds should be available. Those streaming audio feeds are as follows:
Streaming feed 1: http://74.208.24.77:8000 -Provided by KC4QLP-Bob Carter
Streaming feed 2: http://audio.arert.net/ -Provided by the ARERT conference owners and sysops

Please note that there could be additional listen only nodes and streaming feeds. If time allows, this info will be updated via the voipwxnet web site and social media feeds.

The VoIP Hurricane Net Management team continues to closely watch Hanna. Thanks to all for their continued support of the VoIP Hurricane Net!

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

Hello to all…

The net management team has determined that with US Independence Day, July 4th, falling on a Saturday and consistent with what we have done when the New Year’s Day holiday has fallen on a Saturday in January, we will cancel the Saturday July 4th, 2020 VoIP Hurricane Prep Net to allow anyone who would normally check in to use that time for any holiday activities. The weekly net will resume on Saturday July 11th, 2020 at 8 PM ET/7 PM CT Saturday Evening. Thanks to all for their continued support of the VoIP Hurricane Net!

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

Hello to all…

WX4NHC, the Amateur Radio station at the National Hurricane Center, will be active with its on air-test Saturday 5/30/20 from 9 AM-5 PM EDT. They will be on the *WX_TALK* Echolink conference node: 7203/IRLP 9219 reflector system from 4-5 PM EDT (2000-2100 UTC) Saturday 5/30/20. A link to the WX4NHC On-Air Test Announcement from Assistant WX4NHC Coordinator, WD4R-Julio Ripoll, is listed below:

Below is our WX4NHC Annual Station Test announcement and a brief statement about the upcoming hurricane season.

The 2020 Hurricane Season outlook is about 140% more active than the average season.

That is about 14-18 named storms, which includes 7-9 hurricanes, possibly 4 major hurricanes (Cat-3 to Cat-5).

The 2019 season had 18 named storms, 6 became hurricanes, of which 3 were major hurricanes.

The above average prediction is largely due to the hot Atlantic and Caribbean waters and lack of a substantial El Niño in the Pacific.

The combination of a busy hurricane season and the ongoing Coronavirus COVID-19 Pandemic could be a nightmare scenario for areas affected by hurricanes.

FEMA and local Emergency Management Agencies are issuing COVID-19 guidelines for Hurricane Shelters, which include face masks and social spacing.

Please stay informed and prepare your Hurricane Supplies early.

Good Luck and Stay Safe!

73 de WX4NHC

Announcement from WX4NHC
Amateur Radio Station at the National Hurricane Center, Miami Florida

WX4NHC will be On-The-Air for the Annual Station Test
Saturday, May 30th , 2020 from 9AM- 5 PM EDT ( 1300z- 2100z)
This will be our 40th year of public service at NHC.

The purpose of this event is to test WX4NHC Amateur Radio Station Operations and equipment, antennas and computers prior to this year’s Hurricane Season, which starts June 1st and runs through November 30th.

This event is good practice for Ham Radio Operators world-wide to practice Amateur Radio communications available during times of severe weather.

We will be making brief contacts on many frequencies and modes, exchanging signal reports and basic weather data exchange (Sunny, Rain, Temperature, etc.) with any station in any location.

WX4NHC will be On-The-Air on HF, VHF, UHF , 2 & 30 meter APRS and WinLink wx4nhc@winlink.org subject must contain //WL2K.

We will try to stay on the Hurricane Watch Net frequency 14.325 MHz most of the time. Also 7.268 MHz depending on propagation.

However, we will be operating different frequencies depending on QRM.

You may be able to find us on HF by using one of the DX Spotting Networks,

Such as the DX Summit Web Site: http://www.dxsummit.fi/Search.aspx

We will also be on VoIP Hurricane Net 4pm-5pm EDT (2000-2100z)
(IRLP node 9219 / EchoLink WX-TALK Conference node 7203). http://www.voipwx.net/

Florida Statewide SARNET and local VHF & UHF Repeaters will be contacted.

QSL Cards are available via WD4R. Please send your card with a S.A.S.E.

Please do NOT send QSLs directly to the Hurricane Center address, as it will get delayed.

Due to security measures and COVID-19 Coronavirus Pandemic: NO VISITORS will be allowed entry to NHC.

For more information about WX4NHC, please visit our website
www.wx4nhc.org

Thank you for your participation in the WX4NHC Annual Station Test event.

73, Julio – WD4R
-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-
Julio Ripoll Architect WD4R
WX4NHC Amateur Radio Asst. Coordinator
www.wx4nhc.org
Celebrating 40 years at the
National Hurricane Center
www.nhc.noaa.gov

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

Hello to all…

Colorado State University has put out their seasonal hurricane forecast on Thursday April 2nd and they are expecting an above normal hurricane season. Given the current COVID-19 crisis, this will bear close watching as resources across the nation and around the world are absorbed coping with this current crisis. While it is hoped the COVID-19 crisis will settle down a bit by summer, there will likely be the potential for disaster fatigue among the various disaster response agencies both governmental and non-governmental at the local, regional and national level and if COVID-19 continues through the summer, resources nationally will be stretched to even further limits. If the hurricane season is active with multiple landfalling hurricanes in the Atlantic basin, this will take additional resources to manage that may not be available. This will be a question of the month and a topic for our monthly VoIP Hurricane Net this month tonight at 8 PM.

You can see the Colorado State University seasonal hurricane outlook schedule at the following link:
https://tropical.colostate.edu/

A link to the extended range forecast issued on 4/2/20 is available at the following link:
https://tropical.colostate.edu/media/sites/111/2020/04/2020-04.pdf

The next update of the seasonal forecast from CSU will be available on June 4th, 2020. The VoIP Hurricane Net Management Team will closely monitor the seasonal hurricane outlook as well as the continued impacts of COVID-19 across the country. We hope everyone is staying safe and healthy and continues to practice social distancing. We hope to hear many folks on the net tonight. Thanks to all for their continued support of the VoIP Hurricane Net!

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

Hello to all..

SKYWARN Recognition Day is December 7th, 2019 from 0000-2400 UTC (Friday Evening 12/6/19 from 700 PM ET-Saturday Evening 12/7/19 at 700 PM ET) and Echolink and IRLP will be playing a role in SRD as it has in past years. SKYWARN Recognition Day is an opportunity for National Weather Service Forecast Offices across the United States to thank SKYWARN Spotters for their efforts in obtaining timely severe weather reporting for the protection of life and property. This is the SKYWARN program’s main mission.

EchoLink and IRLP are just a couple of modes people can utilize to contact NWS offices during SKYWARN Recognition Day. Many NWS offices will be on 2 Meters, 440 MHz, HF and other VHF/UHF bands. Additional details on SKYWARN Recognition Day can be found via the following links:

http://www.weather.gov/crh/skywarnrecognition

As in past years, the EchoLink *WX_TALK* Node: 7203/IRLP reflector 9219 system will be scheduling time for NWS offices in 1-2 hour time slots to act as a net control to make contacts with spotters that are on the system. If a NWS office runs out of contacts and there are other NWS offices on the system, the NWS office acting as net control can turn it over to a different NWS office to act as a net control on the system at their discretion. Also, Allstar 28848 will be connected into the network with those with Allstar capability.

We’d like to ask NWS offices to do their best to adhere to the schedule. Sometimes this is difficult due to the number of contacts received by NWS offices. We ask for everyone’s patience and working cooperatively to respect the time slot schedule.

Below is the 2019 SRD Schedule with the time slots confirmed so far for 2019 and those time slots relinquished by NWS offices. See the list of NWS offices below:

Time in UTC NWS Office Call-Sign
0000-0100: N0NWS
0100-0200: WX1GYX (Confirmed time slot from last year)
0200-0300: WX7SLC (New NWS office for this year)
0300-0400: WX9GRB (Confirmed time slot for this year)
0400-0500: WX1BOX (Confirmed time slot from last year)
0500-0600: WX9LOT (Confirmed time slot from last year)
0600-0700: WX4HUN (Confirmed time slot from last year)
0700-0800: WX8APX (Confirmed time slot from last year)
0800-0900: WX8APX (Confirmed time slot from last year)
0900-1000: WX7SLC (New NWS office for this year)
1000-1100: WX4HUN (New time slot for this year)
1100-1200: WX7SLC (New NWS office for this year)
1200-1300: W7NWS
1300-1400: Open
1400-1500: WX1AW
1500-1600: WX1BOX (Confirmed time slot from last year)
1600-1700: WX4NC (Confirmed time slot from last year)
1700-1800: Open
1800-1900: WX6LOX (Confirmed time slot from last year)
1900-2000: K0MPX
2000-2100: Open (Relinquished by WX4MLB for 2019 due to no participation in SRD due to NWS office/radar major upgrade work)
2100-2300: WX4NHC (confirmed Time slot from last year)
2300-2400: WX6NWS

There will be other conference systems utilized for SKYWARN Recognition Day. They are as follows:

The New England Reflector Gateway System will be utilized by the NWS Boston/Norton, Mass. and NWS Gray, Maine offices from 0000-0500 UTC and 1200-2400 UTC. The New England Gateway system is on EchoLink Conference server *NEW-ENG3* Node: 9123, IRLP reflector 9123. If other NWS offices would like to join the system, they are welcome to do so and participants in SKYWARN Recognition Day can also use that system to make contact with various NWS offices. This is a great place to move off the *WX_TALK* Node: 7203/IRLP 9219 system after your scheduled time if other Amateurs or NWS offices whish to make contact with you.

Also, the Western Reflector will be having NWS offices calling CQ as in past years and have multiple reflector channels and Echolink conferences available. There is reflector 9250/Echolink Conference *HI-GATE* node: 357564, IRLP 9251 and the *WORLD* Echolink Conference node: 479886, IRLP 9257/*DCF-ARC* Echolink Conference node: 336037 and IRLP 9258/EchoLink Conference *NV-GATE* Node: 152566 open for NWS offices. Please contact Kent-W7AOR for additional information on the Western Reflector.

A few technical reminders for folks interested in making contacts with the NWS Forecast Offices on the *WX-TALK* Node: 7203/IRLP 9219 and New England Reflector Gateway IRLP 9123/*NEW-ENG3* Echolink Node: 9123 systems:

-The system allows both EchoLink and IRLP connections. For EchoLink users, you connect to the *WX-TALK* Node: 7203 conference system. For IRLP users, you would connect to IRLP reflector 9219.

-If you are using EchoLink, the RF node or PC that you’re using must have EchoLink conferencing disabled. If it is not disabled, the system will automatically kick the node or PC off of the system. The reason this occurs is to prevent unintentional interference from a conferencing station that may not know the node is connected somewhere else. This will keep traffic moving on the net and reduce interference considerably.

For more information on VoIP Technical Configuration Tips, please go to our web site at http://www.voipwx.net where we have a link to that information on the main menu of the web site. This announcement will also be on the web site.

We are looking forward to another fun SKYWARN Recognition Day on the *WX-TALK* Node: 7203/IRLP reflector 9219 system, Allstar 28848, New England Reflector Gateway system and Western Reflector system. Thanks to all for their support!

73,Rob-KD1CY.
Director of Operations for the VoIP Hurricane Net
ARES SKYWARN Coordinator for NWS Boston/Norton Massachusetts
Eastern Massachusetts ARES Section Emergency Coordinator

Hello to all..

**VoIP Hurricane Net will reactivate at 8 AM EDT Thursday 9/5/19 through Friday Afternoon for Hurricane Dorian and its impacts on Northeast South Carolina and Eastern North Carolina. The eye of Hurricane Dorian could make landfall in this area and will definitely come close enough to bring the potential for sustained hurricane force conditions in these areas.**
**WX4NHC, the Amateur Radio Station at the National Hurricane Center will be activating from 9 AM-11 PM EDT Thursday 9/5/19 and 8 AM-2 PM EDT Friday 9/6/19.**

Here are the VoIP Hurricane Net and WX4NHC Activation Plans for Dorian as of Wednesday Evening 11 PM EDT:

The VoIP Hurricane Net will reactivate at 8 AM EDT Thursday 9/5/19 through Friday Afternoon for Hurricane Dorian and its impacts on Northeast South Carolina and Eastern North Carolina. The eye of Hurricane Dorian could make landfall in this area and will definitely come close enough to bring the potential for sustained hurricane force conditions in these areas. WX4NHC, the Amateur Radio Station at the National Hurricane Center will be activating from 9 AM-11 PM EDT Thursday 9/5/19 and 8 AM-2 PM EDT Friday 9/6/19.

The remainder of this notice features information about reports from the affected area and listen only capability that should remain connected while in a monitoring mode and if we were to formally activate at any point later this week.

Any Amateur Radio Operators in the affected area of Dorian or with relays into the affected area of Dorian are asked to provide surface and damage reports into the VoIP Hurricane Net for relay into WX4NHC, the Amateur Radio station at the National Hurricane Center. We appreciate any and all support from Amateur Operators in the affected area or Amateur Operators with relays into the affected area. We are looking for reports based on the National Weather Service SKYWARN Reporting criteria. This can be seen on the VoIP Hurricane Net web site at the following link:
https://voipwx.net/voip-hurricane-net-reporting-criteria/

Any pictures or videos of wind damage, river/stream/urban/storm surge flooding etc. can be sent to the following email address: pics@nsradio.org and credit will be given to the Amateur Radio Operator, weather spotter or individual that took the photos and media and be shared with the Amateur Radio team at the National Hurricane Center and other agencies and outlets.

Advisories on Dorian can be seen off of the Atlantic Tropical Products menu selection on the voipwxnet web site, via our Facebook and Twitter feeds, and off the National Hurricane Center web site via the following link:
http://www.nhc.noaa.gov

Reports as obtained via the VoIP Hurricane Net from Amateur Radio Operators in the affected area, relays from the affected area or from APRS/CWOP Weather Station feeds and other social media outlets can be found at the following link:
http://report.voipwx.net/qilan/nhcwx/list_VOIP_records?auth=OK

We will attempt to monitor DMR and DSTAR resources provided by Quadnet. A listing of those resources will be posted in an update Thursday Morning.

Winlink and APRS resources that can be monitored are as follows:

APRS KC5FM
Winlink: KC5FM@winlink.org

Stations outside the affected area that do not have relays into the affected area who would like to listen into the VoIP Hurricane Net can use any of the following systems for listen-only purposes and can connect on either Echolink or IRLP:
*NEW-ENG3* Echolink conference node: 9123/IRLP 9123
*WX5FWD* Echolink conference node: 372418
*KC4QLP-C* Echolink conference node: 290251
*SKY_GATE* Echolink conference node: 868981
*ARERT* Echolink conference node: 902723
IRLP reflector: 9129 (New England Reflector IRLP channel 9)

Stations outside the affected area who would like to listen into the VoIP Hurricane Net can use any of the following systems for listen-only purposes on All-Star by dialing *33009123.
The KC5FM All-Star Node will be connected to the VoIP Hurricane Net and can be connected to by doing *328849. From All-Star, Amateurs can also use All-star listen-only resources provided by KA4EPS-Lu Vencl by dialing *327976.

Three streaming audio feeds are available. Those streaming audio feeds are as follows:
Streaming feed 1: http://74.208.24.77:8000 -Provided by KC4QLP-Bob Carter
Streaming feed 2: https://youtu.be/EfGc3Ye4hZU -Provided by K3CFG-Carl Gosline
http://audio.arert.net/ -Provided by the ARERT conference owners and sysops

The VoIP Hurricane Net Management team continues to closely watch Dorian. Thanks to all for their continued support of the VoIP Hurricane Net!

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

Hello to all..

**VoIP Hurricane Net secured formal net activation at 8 PM EDT Monday Evening 9/2/19. Given latest forecast track keeping the hurricane offshore of Florida and Dorian’s lack of movement overnight, the VoIP Hurricane Net will remain in a monitoring mode, today, Tuesday 9/3/19 and we will revisit formal activation status throughout the day each day this week until Dorian no longer poses a threat to the Southeast US coast. **
**WX4NHC, the Amateur Radio Station at the National Hurricane Center secured at 230 PM EDT Monday 9/2/19 and will not be active today at this time.**

Here are the VoIP Hurricane Net and WX4NHC Activation Plans for Dorian as of Tuesday Morning 9/3/19 at 730 AM EDT/1130 UTC:

The VoIP Hurricane Net went into a monitoring mode Monday Evening 9/2/19 at 8 PM EDT after reactivating at 8 AM EDT Monday Morning 9/2/19. The Abacos and Grand Bahama islands have had catastrophic impacts from Dorian. Information was relayed via social media outlets to WX4NHC. It is noted that the Hurricane Watch Net had contact with a couple Amateur Operators in the Abacos Islands but lost contact with them when the eyewall hit and had contact with an Amateur Radio Operator in Nassau Bahamas but this was south of the major impact area. The magnitude of the damage in the Abacos and Grand Bahama Island is likely that of a EF3 to EF4 Tornado. Given Dorian remaining stationary and offshore and the fact that WX4NHC, the Amateur Radio station, will remain inactive for the same reasons, the VoIP Hurricane Net will stay in a monitoring mode and not reactivate formally today at this time and continue to monitor the progress of Dorian throughout today and each day this week until the threat from Dorian has passed.

The remainder of this notice features information about reports from the affected area and listen only capability that should remain connected while in a monitoring mode and if we were to formally activate at any point later this week.

Any Amateur Radio Operators in the affected area of Dorian or with relays into the affected area of Dorian are asked to provide surface and damage reports into the VoIP Hurricane Net for relay into WX4NHC, the Amateur Radio station at the National Hurricane Center. We appreciate any and all support from Amateur Operators in the affected area or Amateur Operators with relays into the affected area. We are looking for reports based on the National Weather Service SKYWARN Reporting criteria. This can be seen on the VoIP Hurricane Net web site at the following link:
https://voipwx.net/voip-hurricane-net-reporting-criteria/

Any pictures or videos of wind damage, river/stream/urban/storm surge flooding etc. can be sent to the following email address: pics@nsradio.org and credit will be given to the Amateur Radio Operator, weather spotter or individual that took the photos and media and be shared with the Amateur Radio team at the National Hurricane Center and other agencies and outlets.

Advisories on Dorian can be seen off of the Atlantic Tropical Products menu selection on the voipwxnet web site, via our Facebook and Twitter feeds, and off the National Hurricane Center web site via the following link:
http://www.nhc.noaa.gov

Reports as obtained via the VoIP Hurricane Net from Amateur Radio Operators in the affected area, relays from the affected area or from APRS/CWOP Weather Station feeds and other social media outlets can be found at the following link:
http://report.voipwx.net/qilan/nhcwx/list_VOIP_records?auth=OK

DMR and DSTAR resources provided by Quadnet will not be monitored while the system is over the Bahamas but as impacts to the US East coast occur if the current westward track of Dorian continues, these systems will be monitored. A listing of those resources will be posted in an update later this week if we were to formally activate.

Winlink and APRS resources that can be monitored are as follows:

APRS KC5FM
Winlink: KC5FM@winlink.org

Stations outside the affected area who would like to listen into the VoIP Hurricane Net can use any of the following systems for listen-only purposes and can connect on either Echolink or IRLP:
*NEW-ENG3* Echolink conference node: 9123/IRLP 9123
*WX5FWD* Echolink conference node: 372418
*KC4QLP-C* Echolink conference node: 290251
*SKY_GATE* Echolink conference node: 868981
*ARERT* Echolink conference node: 902723
IRLP reflector: 9129 (New England Reflector IRLP channel 9)

Stations outside the affected area who would like to listen into the VoIP Hurricane Net can use any of the following systems for listen-only purposes on All-Star by dialing *33009123.
The KC5FM All-Star Node will be connected to the VoIP Hurricane Net and can be connected to by doing *328849. From All-Star, Amateurs can also use All-star listen-only resources provided by KA4EPS-Lu Vencl by dialing *327976.

Two streaming audio feeds are available. Those streaming audio feeds are as follows:
Streaming feed 1: http://74.208.24.77:8000 -Provided by KC4QLP-Bob Carter
Streaming feed 2: https://youtu.be/HzY2cTzALAY -Provided by K3CFG-Carl Gosline
http://audio.arert.net/ -Provided by the ARERT conference owners and sysops

The VoIP Hurricane Net Management team continues to closely watch Dorian. Thanks to all for their continued support of the VoIP Hurricane Net!

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

Hello to all…

Here is the briefing on Hurricane Dorian briefing for the 8/31/19 VoIP Hurricane Net:

https://voipwx.net/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/Hurricane-Dorian-and-Atlantic-Tropics-Update.pdf

73,Rob-KD1CY.

Director of Operations for the VoIP Hurricane Net

Hello to all..

**VoIP Hurricane Net activated starting at 8 PM EDT Friday Evening through late Sautrday Evening for Barry and his impacts across Southern Louisiana, Southern Mississippi, and surrounding areas.**
**WX4NHC, the Amateur Radio Station at the National Hurricane Center activated their station at 800 PM EDT Friday Evening through late Saturday Evening for Barry**

Here are the VoIP Hurricane Net and WX4NHC Activation Plans for Michael as of Friday Evening 7/12/19 at 830 PM EDT/7/13/19 0030 UTC – this plan maybe updated with additional info and listen-only capability later tonight or Saturday:

The VoIP Hurricane Net will activate starting at 800 PM EDT Friday Evening through late Saturday Evening for Barry’s impacts to Southern Louisiana, Southern Mississippi, and surrounding areas. WX4NHC, the Amateur Radio Station at the National Hurricane Center activated at 8 PM EDT Friday Evening through late Satuday Evening. Barry is expected to reach hurricane strength as it makes landfall in Southern Louisiana and spreads those conditions across Southern Mississippi and surrounding areas.

Due to the Hurricane Net activation for Barry, the weekly VoIP Hurricane Prep Net for Saturday 7/13/19 is cancelled. The next VoIP Hurricane Prep Net presuming no hurricane net activation will be Satuday 7/20/19 at 8 PM EDT.

Any Amateur Radio Operators in the affected area of Barry or with relays into the affected area of Barry are asked to provide surface and damage reports into the VoIP Hurricane Net for relay into WX4NHC, the Amateur Radio station at the National Hurricane Center. We appreciate any and all support from Amateur Operators in the affected area or Amateur Operators with relays into the affected area. We are looking for reports based on the National Weather Service SKYWARN Reporting criteria. This can be seen on the VoIP Hurricane Net web site at the following link:

VoIP Hurricane Net Reporting Criteria

Any pictures or videos of wind damage, river/stream/urban/storm surge flooding etc. can be sent to the following email address: pics@nsradio.org and credit will be given to the Amateur Radio Operator, weather spotter or individual that took the photos and media and be shared with the Amateur Radio team at the National Hurricane Center and other agencies and outlets.

Advisories on Barry can be seen off of the Atlantic Tropical Products menu selection on the voipwxnet web site, via our Facebook and Twitter feeds, and off the National Hurricane Center web site via the following link:
http://www.nhc.noaa.gov

Reports as obtained via the VoIP Hurricane Net from Amateur Radio Operators in the affected area, relays from the affected area or from APRS/CWOP Weather Station feeds and other social media outlets can be found at the following link:
http://report.voipwx.net/qilan/nhcwx/list_VOIP_records?auth=OK

In addition to our typical Echolink/IRLP resources, we will be maintaining a monitoring watch on the following modes of communication using DSTAR/DMR and APRS:

D-STAR Reflectors:
XRF757A, XRF735A, XLX307D and XLX049D

D-STAR Smart Groups:
DSTAR1, DSTAR2, DSTAR3 and DSTAR4

DMR Brandmeister (BM) 31012

DMR Plus talkgroup 320 (on the IPSC2-QuadNet Server)

Yaesu System Fusion 37099

Wires-X room #45058

APRS KC5FM

Winlink: KC5FM@winlink.org

Stations outside the affected area who would like to listen into the VoIP Hurricane Net can use any of the following systems for listen-only purposes and can connect on either Echolink or IRLP:
*NEW-ENG3* Echolink conference node: 9123/IRLP 9123

Stations outside the affected area who would like to listen into the VoIP Hurricane Net can use any of the following systems for listen-only purposes on Echolink:
*WX5FWD* Echolink conference node: 372418

Stations outside the affected area who would like to listen into the VoIP Hurricane Net can use any of the following systems for listen-only purposes on All-Star by dialing *33009123.
The KC5FM All-Star Node will be connected to the VoIP Hurricane Net and can be connected to by doing *328849.

The VoIP Hurricane Net Management team continues to closely watch Barry. Thanks to all for their continued support of the VoIP Hurricane Net!

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

Hello to all…

WX4NHC, the Amateur Radio station at the National Hurricane Center, will hold its On-The-Air test on Saturday June 1st, 2019 from 900 AM-500 PM EDT (1300-2100 UTC). WX4NHC will be on the *WX_TALK* Echolink conference node: 7203/IRLP 9219 system from 400-500 PM EDT on Saturday June 1st, 2019. WX4NHC will also be on other frequencies and modes as outlined in their announcement below:

Announcement from WX4NHC
Amateur Radio Station at the National Hurricane Center, Miami Florida

WX4NHC will be On-The-Air for the Annual Station Test
Saturday, June 1st , 2019 from 9AM- 5 PM EDT (1300z- 2100z)

This will be our 39th year of public service at NHC.

The purpose of this event is to test Amateur Radio Station equipment, antennas and computers prior to this year’s Hurricane Season, which starts June 1st and runs through November 30th.

This event is good practice for Ham Radio Operators world-wide as well as NWS Staff to become familiar with Amateur Radio communications available during times of severe weather.

We will be making brief contacts on many frequencies and modes, exchanging signal reports and basic weather data exchange (“Sunny”, or “Rain”, etc.) with any station in any location.

WX4NHC will be On-The-Air on HF, VHF, UHF , 2 & 30 meter APRS and WinLink wx4nhc@winlink.org subject must contain “//WL2K”.

We will try to stay on the Hurricane Watch Net frequency 14.325 MHz most of the time.

Due to space and equipment limitations, we will have 2 operators per shift, we cannot be on all frequencies or on every mode at the same time.
You may be able to find us on HF by using one of the DX Spotting Networks,

Such as the DX Summit Web Site: http://www.dxsummit.fi/Search.aspx

We will also be on VoIP Hurricane Net 4pm-5pm EDT (2000-2100z)
(IRLP node 9219 / EchoLink WX-TALK Conference node 7203). http://www.voipwx.net/

Florida Statewide SARNET and local VHF & UHF Repeaters will be contacted.

QSL Cards are available via WD4R. Please send your card with a S.A.S.E.

Please do NOT send QSLs directly to the Hurricane Center address, as it will get delayed.

Due to security measures:

NO VISITORS will be allowed entry to NHC without prior clearance from NHC PIO and Security.

Only WX4NHC Operators on the pre-approved operating schedule will be allowed entry.

For more information about WX4NHC, please visit our website
www.wx4nhc.org

Thank you for your participation in the WX4NHC Annual Station Test event.

73, Julio – WD4R

-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-
Julio Ripoll Architect WD4R
WX4NHC Amateur Radio Asst. Coordinator
www.wx4nhc.org
Celebrating 39 years at the
National Hurricane Center
www.nhc.noaa.gov
-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-

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

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

Hello to all…

Amateur Radio will again be represented at the 2019 National Hurricane Conference which will be held this year in New Orleans Louisiana. The conference theme is to improve hurricane preparedness as it has been in past years. All Amateur Radio sessions are free. For 2019, all the Amateur Radio sessions will be on Tuesday April 23rd, 2019 from 1030 AM-1215 PM CDT and 130-500 PM CDT. Each presenter will not only give an overview of their respective group but also how their group handled both the historic 2017 Atlantic Hurricane Season and the 2018 Atlantic Hurricane Season. We will be working to have the session livestreamed, however, in recent years, we have had issues with proper Internet connectivity speeds to support the livestream due to restrictions on Internet speed on some hotel Internet providers. Right now, the plan is to provide it but if not the videos will be uploaded and provided post event.

Amateur Radio presentations will be recorded and live streamed via Youtube follow below:

http://www.nsradio.org/stream
http://www.voipwx.net/files/stream.htm

Here is the session breakdown:

Detailed Schedule Outline – All Times (Eastern Daylight Time – CDT):
1030 AM-1035 AM: Opening Remarks
1035 AM-1105 AM: Importance of Amateur Radio Surface Reports (WX4KEG-Ken Graham, National Hurricane Center Director)
1105 AM-1135 AM: Canadian Hurricane Centre and Hurricane Meteorological Topics (VE1MBR-Bob R)
1135 AM-1215 PM: US Virgin Islands Response and Recovery to Hurricanes Irma and Maria (K9VV-Fred K)

—> NOTE: Speakers will be on a lunch break from 1215 PM-130 PM CDT

130-210 PM: WX4NHC Amateur Radio Station at the National Hurricane Center Overview (WD4R)
210-240 PM: Hurricane Watch Net Overview, Personal Weather Stations and Backup Power and Antenna Overview (KB5HAV)
240-310 PM: VoIP Hurricane Net Overview & Best Practices in SKYWARN for Tropical Systems (KD1CY)

—> NOTE: Speakers will be on a break from 310-330 PM CDT

330-415 PM: SATERN, Salvation Army Team Emergency Radio Network Overview (WB8BZH)
415-500 PM: Moderated Q & A session and Panel Discussion (All)
500-515 PM: Door Prize Raffles (In Person Audience Only)

We hope many of you can watch the livestream or see the recording of the Amateur Radio Workshop as the Atlantic Hurricane Season starts on June 1st. Thanks to all for their support of the Amateur Radio Workshop and the VoIP Hurricane Net.

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

Hello to all..

On behalf of the VoIP Hurricane Net Management Team, we would like to take this opportunity to wish everyone a Merry Christmas, Happy New Year and Happy Holidays to all. Thanks to all of you for your support of the VoIP Hurricane Net during 2018.

The 2018 Atlantic Hurricane Season was a bit less active than 2017 but still had 3 formal activations for landfalling or potential landfall hurricanes. Tropical Storm Gordon was a system we formally activated for due to the potential for Gordon to intensify to hurricane strength but did not do so. The two landfalling hurricanes we did activate for was Hurricane Florence and Hurricane Michael.

Hurricane Florence was a multi-day activation that while it lost major hurricane status intensity as it approached Eastern North Carolina, moved very slowly resulting in one of the most significant flooding events in Eastern North Carolina from slow moving heavy rainfall over that region that brought rainfall totals between 20 and 35″ of rain and flooding and submerged areas for weeks after Florence left the region. Florence also produced sustained hurricane force conditions, downed trees and power lines, structural damage from both flooding and damaging winds and life-threatening storm surge. Our net handled a number of critical reports for supporting WX4NHC, the Amateur Radio station at the National Hurricane Center and also handled emergency traffic for a high water rescue in the affected area of Florence in Eastern North Carolina. Its a case where a life was likely saved by the nets efforts directly. The net activation received publicity in Amateur Radio Newsline as well.

Hurricane Michael was a shorter 1 to 1.5 day activation for a system that intensified as it made landfall in the Florida panhandle. Michael caused wind damage that was as destructive as an EF-2 or even EF-3 tornado but over a larger area near the center of the hurricane. This caused widespread structural damage as well as damage to trees and wires. Storm surge flooding was catastrophic in the area of Mexico Beach, Florida as well. The net was often very quiet during the activation likely owing to the fact that the winds were so powerful, Amateur Operators had to take cover as the worst hit their region. Nonetheless, numerous reports of winds sustained at 100 MPH with gusts over 115 MPH were received by monitoring weather stations before they were no longer visible online or were damaged by the winds. The significant wind damage and extreme hurricane force winds extended into Southeast Georgia as well as Michael moved steadily through the region. Michael would then weaken and produce heavy rainfall and severe weather inland into the Southeast and Mid-Atlantic states. Local ARES groups supported communications in their region for several weeks after Michael affected the region.

A complete archive of the different Hurricane responses across the Amateur Radio community from Florence and Michael can be found at the following link:

http://www.arrl.org/2018-Hurricanes

A complete archive of reports compiled via the VoIP Hurricane Net can be seen in our report viewer in the following link:
http://report.voipwx.net/qilan/nhcwx/list_VOIP_records?auth=OK

As occurs yearly, we supported and presented at the 2018 National Hurricane Conference in Orlando Florida. Also occurring yearly, we did support WX4NHC, the Amateur Radio Station at the National Hurricane Center with the WX4NHC Communications Test at the start of the 2018 Atlantic Hurricane Season. As our main client, we appreciate WX4NHC’s support of our net and thank WX4NHC Coordinators, Julio Ripoll-WD4R and John McHugh-K4AG for their support. They have been an incredible partner with the VoIP Hurricane Net dating back to the net’s inception in the 2003-2004 timeframe. We also had another successful SKYWARN Recognition Day event on the home of the VoIP Hurricane Net, Echolink conference: *WX-TALK* Node: 7203/IRLP 9219. Many NWS offices rotated on the system making contacts with Amateur Radio Operators and SKYWARN Spotters from around the country thanking them for their support as well as making contact with different NWS offices around the country.

On a personal note, it was great to host Julio Ripoll-WD4R, Assistant WX4NHC Coordinator for a visit to South Coastal Massachusetts and my home location on Thursday September 6th 2018 and show him the local NWS Boston/Norton Massachusetts new office location and our Amateur Radio station and to have him present at the 2018 Boxboro ARRL New England Division Convention into Friday September 7th, 2018. It is another great memory from the 2018.

As we move into next year, we will again have a presence at the 2019 National Hurricane Conference which will be in New Orleans Louisiana in late April 2019. We will look at doing training presentations particularly on the non-hurricane season months in 2019 and continue the question of the week format for the weekly nets and possibly do a few training sessions during the weekly nets that we have during the 2018 Atlantic Hurricane Season. We will also look at boosting more stations and contacts within the affected areas of hurricanes to provide critical surface reports to WX4NHC. We will also be factoring in many lessons learned from the 2018 Atlantic Hurricane season for net activations in 2019 and this information will be factored into an updated NCO training for the 2019 Atlantic Hurricane Season. We will also be looking further at how stations outside of the affected area can assist with weather station, public safety and social media monitoring to provide more information for situational awareness and disaster intelligence during hurricane net activations and further investigate the experimentation with Zello utilized during Hurricane Net with CCARG. We will also continue the work started by Lloyd Colston-KC5FM on integrating DMR/DSTAR and All-Star into our net as we expand the digitial voice mode capabilities of our net. Finally, we would like to ask folks that might be interested to be a net control for the weekly/monthly VoIP Hurricane Prep Net and for net activations to please contact me directly as a reply to this email or at kd1cy@voipwx.net

We look forward to working with everyone again in 2019. The next VoIP Hurricane Prep Net will be will be Saturday January 5th, 2019 at 8 PM ET/7 PM CT/6 PM MT/5 PM PT which also equates to 0100 UTC Sunday. The net will meet monthly through May and then become weekly during the Atlantic Hurricane Season. We again wish all of our reporting stations, net controls and supporting stations that listen to the VoIP Hurricane Net a Merry Christmas, Happy New Year and a Happy Holiday season!

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

Hello to all..

SKYWARN Recognition Day is December 1st, 2018 from 0000-2400 UTC (Friday Evening 11/30/18 from 700 PM ET-Saturday Evening 12/1/18 at 700 PM ET) and Echolink and IRLP will be playing a role in SRD as it has in past years. SKYWARN Recognition Day is an opportunity for National Weather Service Forecast Offices across the United States to thank SKYWARN Spotters for their efforts in obtaining timely severe weather reporting for the protection of life and property. This is the SKYWARN program’s main mission.

EchoLink and IRLP are just a couple of modes people can utilize to contact NWS offices during SKYWARN Recognition Day. Many NWS offices will be on 2 Meters, 440 MHz, HF and other VHF/UHF bands. Additional details on SKYWARN Recognition Day can be found via the following links:

http://hamradio.noaa.gov

http://www.weather.gov/crh/skywarnrecognition

As in past years, the EchoLink *WX_TALK* Node: 7203/IRLP reflector 9219 system will be scheduling time for NWS offices in 1-2 hour time slots to act as a net control to make contacts with spotters that are on the system. If a NWS office runs out of contacts and there are other NWS offices on the system, the NWS office acting as net control can turn it over to a different NWS office to act as a net control on the system at their discretion.

We’d like to ask NWS offices to do their best to adhere to the schedule. Sometimes this is difficult due to the number of contacts received by NWS offices. We ask for everyone’s patience and working cooperatively to respect the time slot schedule.

Time in UTC NWS Office Call-Sign
0000-0100: N0NWS (New NWS Office for This Year)
0100-0200: WX1GYX (Confirmed time slot for this year)
0200-0300: WX4MLB (Confirmed time slot for this year)
0300-0400: WX1BOX (Confirmed time slot for this year)
0400-0500: WX9GRB (Confirmed time slot for this year)
0500-0600: WX9LOT (Confirmed time slot for this year)
0600-0700: WX4HUN (Confirmed time slot for this year)
0700-0800: WX8APX (New NWS Office for this year)
0800-0900: WX8APX (New NWS Office for this year)
0900-1000: Open
1000-1100: Open
1100-1200: Open
1200-1300: W7NWS (Confirmed time slot for this year)
1300-1400: WX2PHI (Confirmed time slot for this year)
1400-1500: WX1AW (Confirmed time slot for this year)
1500-1600: WX1BOX (Confirmed time slot for this year)
1600-1700: WX4NC (Confirmed time slot for this year)
1700-1800: WX2PHI (Confirmed time slot for this year)
1800-1900: WX6LOX (New NWS Office for this year)
1900-2000: K0MPX (Confirmed time slot for this year)
2000-2100: WX4MLB (Confirmed time slot for this year)
2100-2300: WX4NHC (Confirmed time slot for this year)
2300-2400: WX6NWS (Confirmed time slot for this year)

Here are the details on the DSTAR/DMR resources that will be available for SRD:

D-STAR Smart Groups:
WXNET1 in New York – Login command WXNET1, Logoff command WXNET1 T
WXNET2 in California – Login command WXNET2, Logoff command WXNET2 T

D-STAR Reflectors:
XLX307W in Wyoming – Link commands XRF307WL, DCS307WL or REF307WL
XLX735W in New York – Link commands XRF735WL, DCS735WL or REF735WL

DMR BM 31680

There will be other conference systems utilized for SKYWARN Recognition Day. They are as follows:

The New England Reflector Gateway System will be utilized by the NWS Boston/Norton, Mass. and NWS Gray, Maine offices from 0000-0500 UTC and 1200-2400 UTC. The New England Gateway system is on EchoLink Conference server *NEW-ENG3* Node: 9123, IRLP reflector 9123. If other NWS offices would like to join the system, they are welcome to do so and participants in SKYWARN Recognition Day can also use that system to make contact with various NWS offices. This is a great place to move off the *WX_TALK* Node: 7203/IRLP 9219 system after your scheduled time if other Amateurs or NWS offices wish to make contact with you.

Also, the Western Reflector will be having NWS offices calling CQ as in past years and have multiple reflector channels and Echolink conferences available. There is reflector 9250/Echolink Conference *HI-GATE* node: 357564, IRLP 9251 and the *WORLD* Echolink Conference node: 479886, IRLP 9257/*DCF-ARC* Echolink Conference node: 336037 and IRLP 9258/EchoLink Conference *NV-GATE* Node: 152566 open for NWS offices. Please contact Kent-W7AOR for additional information on the Western Reflector.

A few technical reminders for folks interested in making contacts with the NWS Forecast Offices on the *WX-TALK* Node: 7203/IRLP 9219 and New England Reflector Gateway IRLP 9123/*NEW-ENG3* Echolink Node: 9123 systems:

-The system allows both EchoLink and IRLP connections. For EchoLink users, you connect to the *WX-TALK* Node: 7203 conference system. For IRLP users, you would connect to IRLP reflector 9219.

-If you are using EchoLink, the RF node or PC that you’re using must have EchoLink conferencing disabled. If it is not disabled, the system will automatically kick the node or PC off of the system. The reason this occurs is to prevent unintentional interference from a conferencing station that may not know the node is connected somewhere else. This will keep traffic moving on the net and reduce interference considerably.

For more information on VoIP Technical Configuration Tips, please go to our web site at http://www.voipwx.net where we have a link to that information on the main menu of the web site. This announcement will also be on the web site.

There will be an operating a net on the NEDECN Skywarn Talkgroup on DMR from 9 AM-Noon Saturday December 1st with the WX1GYX-NWS Gray Maine and WX1BOX-NWS Boston/Norton offices.

We are looking forward to another fun SKYWARN Recognition Day on the *WX-TALK* Node: 7203/IRLP reflector 9219 system, New England Reflector Gateway system and Western Reflector system. Thanks to all for their support!

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

Hello to all…

WX4NHC, the Amateur Radio Station at the National Hurricane Center, secured operations at approximately 10 PM EDT Wednesday Evening 10/10/18. The VoIP Hurricane Net secured operations with the 11 PM EDT Hurricane Michael Public Advisory Wednesday Evening. Through various relays, the net gathered a number of wind measurement reports in excess of 100 MPH across the Florida Panhandle with other wind gust reports further inland between 50 and 90 MPH. Damage within 45 miles of the center of Michael is catastrophic particularly to the northeast side of the center and the wind speeds observed were that of EF1 to EF2 tornado strength and there were likely higher wind gusts that were not recorded. Significant structural damage has occurred in portions of Panama City Beach extending into Callaway and Mexico Beach Florida. It is quite likely the extent of the structural damage closest to the center is not known yet due to the extreme nature of the winds.

To see a list of the reports gathered from the net, please look at our VoIP Hurricane Net Report Viewer at the following link:
http://report.voipwx.net/qilan/nhcwx/list_VOIP_records?auth=OK

We appreciate all the stations that monitored the VoIP Hurricane Net, all those that provided livestream and listen-only capabilities and those who checked in directly to give reports as well as those who relayed reports into our net for relay into WX4NHC, the Amateur Radio Station at the National Hurricane Center. Assistant WX4NHC Coordinator, WD4R-Julio Ripoll, reports that National Hurricane Center Director Ken Graham WX4KEG expressed his thanks to all the Ham Operators for their dedication to public service and to the NHC. Thanks to all for their support of the VoIP Hurricane Net!

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

Hello to all..

**VoIP Hurricane Net will activate starting at 5 AM EDT Wednesday Morning through early Thursday Morning for Hurricane Michael across the Florida Panhandle, Southern Alabama and South-Central Georgia.**
**WX4NHC, the Amateur Radio Station at the National Hurricane Center, will activate at 900 AM EDT Wednesday 10/10/18 for Dangerous Hurricane Michael**

Here are the VoIP Hurricane Net and WX4NHC Activation Plans for Michael as of Tuesday Evening 10/9/18 at 615 PM EDT/2225 UTC:

The VoIP Hurricane Net will activate starting at 500 AM EDT Wednesday Morning through early Thursday Morning for Dangerous Hurricane Michael’s impacts to the Florida Panhandle, Southern Alabama and South-Central Georgia. WX4NHC, the Amateur Radio Station at the National Hurricane Center, will activate at 900 AM EDT Wednesday 10/10/18. Michael is expected to be a dangerous major hurricane as it makes landfall in the Florida panhandle and spreads those conditions across South-Central Georgia.

Any Amateur Radio Operators in the affected area of Hurricane Michael or with relays into the affected area of Michael are asked to provide surface and damage reports into the VoIP Hurricane Net for relay into WX4NHC, the Amateur Radio station at the National Hurricane Center. We appreciate any and all support from Amateur Operators in the affected area or Amateur Operators with relays into the affected area. We are looking for reports based on the National Weather Service SKYWARN Reporting criteria. This can be seen on the VoIP Hurricane Net web site at the following link:
https://voipwx.net/voip-hurricane-net-reporting-criteria/

Any pictures or videos of wind damage, river/stream/urban/storm surge flooding etc. can be sent to the following email address: pics@nsradio.org and credit will be given to the Amateur Radio Operator, weather spotter or individual that took the photos and media and be shared with the Amateur Radio team at the National Hurricane Center and other agencies and outlets.

Advisories on Hurricane Michael can be seen off of the Atlantic Tropical Products menu selection on the voipwxnet web site, via our Facebook and Twitter feeds, and off the National Hurricane Center web site via the following link:
http://www.nhc.noaa.gov

Reports as obtained via the VoIP Hurricane Net from Amateur Radio Operators in the affected area, relays from the affected area or from APRS/CWOP Weather Station feeds and other social media outlets can be found at the following link:
http://report.voipwx.net/qilan/nhcwx/list_VOIP_records?auth=OK

In addition to our typical Echolink/IRLP resources, we will be maintaining a monitoring watch on the following modes of communication using DSTAR/DMR and APRS:

D-STAR Smart Groups:

WXNET1 in New York – Login command WXNET1, Logoff command WXNET1 T

WXNET2 in California – Login command WXNET2, Logoff command WXNET2 T

D-STAR Reflectors:

XLX307W in Wyoming – Link commands XRF307WL, DCS307WL or REF307WL

XLX735W in New York – Link commands XRF735WL, DCS735WL or REF735WL

DMR BM 31680

APRS KC5FM-9

Winlink: KC5FM

Stations outside the affected area who would like to listen into the VoIP Hurricane Net can use any of the following systems for listen-only purposes and can connect on either Echolink or IRLP:
*NEW-ENG3* Echolink conference node: 9123/IRLP 9123

Stations outside the affected area who would like to listen into the VoIP Hurricane Net can use any of the following systems for listen-only purposes on Echolink:
*KA1AAA* Echolink conference node: 4439
*WX5FWD* Echolink conference node: 372418
*ARERT* Echolink conference node: 902723

Stations outside the affected area who would like to listen into the VoIP Hurricane Net can use any of the following systems for listen-only purposes on All-Star by dialing *33009123.
The KC5FM All-Star Node will be connected to the VoIP Hurricane Net and can be connected to by doing *328848.

We will have an audio livestream setup through the efforts of AI6YR-Benjamin Kuo at the following link:
http://wd6eby.actusa.net:8000/hurricane.mp3

The VoIP Hurricane Net Management team continues to closely watch Hurricane Michael. Thanks to all for their continued support of the VoIP Hurricane Net!

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

Hello to all…

Tropical Storm Michael formed in the Northwest Caribbean Sea and is nearing hurricane strength. Michael is expected to become a hurricane today and could become a Category-2 hurricane on Tuesday with potential landfall in the Florida panhandle on Wednesday. It is possible that Michael may reach major hurricane strength. WX4NHC, the Amateur Radio station at the National Hurricane Center, has already planned to activate at 9 AM EDT Wednesday Morning. The VoIP Hurricane Net will also activate at 9 AM EDT Wednesday 10/10/18 if not slightly earlier for Michael and his projected landfall as a hurricane in the Florida panhandle. Additional details on activation plans, listen-only feeds etc. will be posted late tonight or Tuesday Morning. Advisories on Michael can be seen off the Atlantic Tropical Products menu on the VoIP Hurricane Net web site, via the voipwxnet social media feeds and via the National Hurricane Center web site at the following link:

http://www.nhc.noaa.gov

The VoIP Hurricane Net Management Team is closely monitoring the progress of Michael. Thanks to all for their continued support of the VoIP Hurricane Net!

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

Hello to all…

The VoIP Hurricane Net Hurricane Florence Operations were featured on Amateur Radio Newsline Report #2134 on Friday 9/21/18. The transcript text and audio can be seen at the following link:

https://www.arnewsline.org/news/2018/9/20/amateur-radio-newsline-report-2134-for-friday-september-21-2018

Special thanks to VoIP Hurricane Net Public Information Officer KC5FM-Lloyd Colston for his efforts in publicizing the net efforts during Hurricane Florence. Thanks to all for their continued support of the VoIP Hurricane Net!

73,Rob-KD1CY.

Director of Operations for the VoIP Hurricane Net

Hello to all…

The VoIP Hurricane Net has secured the formal activation on Friday 9/14/18 at 800 PM EDT. Many critical flooding, storm surge, wind damage and wind measurement reports were received into the net using a variety of sources both relayed and direct. This information provided great situational awareness and disaster intelligence to WX4NHC, the Amateur Radio station at the National Hurricane Center, local National Weather Service (NWS) forecast offices, media and Amateur Operators around the world. Many thanks to all the stations who supported information gathering and thanks to those who listened and stood by as this was completed. In addition, emergency traffic was handled in New Bern, North Carolina where an Amateur Operator in Texas was in contact with a resident in New Bern who was waist deep in water and requiring rescue. We were able to contact New Bern authorities to make them aware of it and also learned it was on their list but their resources had yet to be able to rescue her. Our contact and update likely expedited her rescue. Finally, one of our high wind gust reports was in the 800 AM EDT Friday 9/14/18 National Hurricane Center intermediate advisory on Florence.

A complete list of reports gathered during the formal activation can be seen at the following link:
http://report.voipwx.net/qilan/nhcwx/list_VOIP_records?auth=OK

We are going to utilize a listening watch mode through at least Saturday Morning. The reason for this is because of a message that was seen in NWS Chat regarding the significant flash flooding in Southeast North Carolina and potential communications issues. That text issued at about 730 PM Friday Evening is listed below:

NWS Partners. We have issued a FLASH FLOOD EMERGENCY for Carteret/Jones/Craven and Pamlico Counties. The unprecedented rainfall approaching 2 feet in Carteret County is being exasperated by an intense rainband that extends into nearby counties. Widespread flooding is occurring. We at the NWS are having difficulty communicating this to the public. We appeal to you our partners to help us spread word of this particularly dangerous situation. Most roads across the area are becoming impassable and citizens are loosing time to evacuate before the flood water become too high.

The listening watch will be a monitoring mode where we will read selective urgent weather warnings and give the coordinates of now, Tropical Storm Florence. Any emergency traffic or spotter reports will be accepted.

Finally, after 35 hours of formal net activation and the listening watch through Saturday Morning which could be extended, the VoIP Hurricane Prep Net for this Saturday 9/15/18 at 800 PM EDT has been cancelled. We will reconvene next week barring another hurricane net activation.

WX4NHC Amateur Radio Team Coordinators, Julio Ripoll-WD4R and John McHugh-K4AG wishes to thank everyone for their help and support as the reports were extremely useful to their team and the hurricane specialists and our VoIP Hurricane Net Management team, again, expresses their appreciation. Thanks to all for their continued support of the VoIP Hurricane Net!

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

Hello to all..

Hello to all..

**VoIP Hurricane Net will activate starting at 5 PM EDT/4 PM CDT Tuesday 9/4/18 through Wednesday Morning for Gordon which should strengthen into a hurricane before landfall on the Southern Mississippi coast late Tuesday Night.**
**WX4NHC, the Amateur Radio Station at the National Hurricane Center, will activate around 400 PM EDT Tuesday 9/4/18 for Gordon**

Here are the VoIP Hurricane Net and WX4NHC Activation Plans for Gordon as of Tuesday Morning 9/4/18 at 1100 AM EDT/1500 UTC:

The VoIP Hurricane Net will activate starting at 500 PM EDT Tuesday Evening through Wednesday Morning for Gordon and his impacts on the Northern Gulf Coast region. WX4NHC, the Amateur Radio Station at the National Hurricane Center, will activate around 400 PM EDT Tuesday 9/4/18 for Gordon. Gordon is expected to intensify into a hurricane before making landfall on the Southern Mississippi coast late tonight.

Any Amateur Radio Operators in the affected area of Gordon or with relays into the affected area of Gordon are asked to provide surface and damage reports into the VoIP Hurricane Net for relay into WX4NHC, the Amateur Radio station at the National Hurricane Center. We appreciate any and all support from Amateur Operators in the affected area or Amateur Operators with relays into the affected area. We are looking for reports based on the National Weather Service SKYWARN Reporting criteria. This can be seen on the VoIP Hurricane Net web site at the following link:

VoIP Hurricane Net Reporting Criteria

Any pictures or videos of wind damage, river/stream/urban/storm surge flooding etc. can be sent to the following email address: pics@nsradio.org and credit will be given to the Amateur Radio Operator, weather spotter or individual that took the photos and media and be shared with the Amateur Radio team at the National Hurricane Center and other agencies and outlets.

Advisories on Gordon can be seen off of the Atlantic Tropical Products menu selection on the voipwxnet web site, via our Facebook and Twitter feeds, and off the National Hurricane Center web site via the following link:
http://www.nhc.noaa.gov

Reports as obtained via the VoIP Hurricane Net from Amateur Radio Operators in the affected area, relays from the affected area or from APRS/CWOP Weather Station feeds and other social media outlets can be found at the following link:
http://report.voipwx.net/qilan/nhcwx/list_VOIP_records?auth=OK

Stations outside the affected area who would like to listen into the VoIP Hurricane Net can use any of the following systems for listen-only purposes and can connect on either Echolink or IRLP:
*NEW-ENG3* Echolink conference node: 9123/IRLP 9123

Stations outside the affected area who would like to listen into the VoIP Hurricane Net can use any of the following systems for listen-only purposes on Echolink:
*KA1AAA* Echolink conference node: 4439
*WX5FWD* Echolink conference node: 372418

Stations outside the affected area who would like to listen into the VoIP Hurricane Net can use any of the following systems for listen-only purposes on All-Star by dialing *33009123.

We are working to get the audio livestream setup like last year on Youtube through the efforts of W5YAG-Chad Yaggie. That link is listed below if setup is completed:
http://voipwx.org (Can also be obtained via https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OZVq4KbPwXU)

The VoIP Hurricane Net Management team continues to closely watch Gordon. Thanks to all for their continued support of the VoIP Hurricane Net!

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

Hello to all…

Potential Tropical Cyclone 7 has strengthened into Tropical Storm Gordon in the Florida Keys. Tropical Storm Warnings are now in effect for South Florida from Golden Beach to Bonita Beach Florida and the Florida Keys from Craig Key to Ocean Reef including Florida Bay. Tropical Storm Warnings are also in effect from the Alabama-Florida border westward to east of Morgan City Louisiana including Lake Pontchartrain and Lake Murepas. A Storm Surge Watch is also in effect for the Mississippi-Alabama border westward to the mouth of the Mississippi River.

The current intensity forecast keeps Gordon at tropical storm strength up until landfall on the Northern Gulf Coast but this will bear close watching since it has already reached tropical storm strength a bit sooner than forecasted. Advisories on Gordon can be found under the Atlantic Tropical Products of the VoIP Hurricane Net web site, via the voipwxnet Facebook and Twitter feeds and via the National Hurricane Center web site at the following link:

http://www.nhc.noaa.gov

The main impacts to South Florida and the Florida Keys will be felt today through early Tuesday Morning. The main impacts to the Northern US Gulf Coast will be felt Tuesday Night through Wednesday Morning. The VoIP Hurricane Net Management Team will closely monitor the progress of Gordon. Thanks to all for their continued support of the VoIP Hurricane Net!

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

Hello to all…

The Atlantic Tropics have become more active. We continue to monitor Tropical Storm Florence. Florence is still expected to be out over the open waters over the next several days and only a threat to shipping interests.

Of more immediate concern is newly classified Potential Tropical Cyclone-7. This system is expected to become a tropical depression on Monday and potentially become Tropical Storm Gordon. This system has already prompted Tropical Storm Watches to be posted from the Alabama-Florida border to east of Morgan City Louisiana including Lake Pontchartrain and Lake Murepas. Where this system has just been classified as a potential tropical cyclone and advisories just being issued, we’ll need to monitor the system progress closely as conditions look reasonably favorable for development. While the initial intensify forecast keeps the system at tropical storm strength, we’ll need to monitor to see if the system intensifies further than the current intensity forecast.

Advisories on Potential Tropical Cyclone 7 and Tropical Storm Florence can be seen on the voipwx.net web site under Atlantic Tropical Products on the menu bar, via the voipwxnet Facebook and Twitter feeds and via the National Hurricane Center web site:

http://www.nhc.noaa.gov

Elsewhere in the tropics, another tropical wave will emerge off the western Africa coast and will have the potential for gradual development. The VoIP Hurricane Net Management Team will closely monitor the Atlantic Tropics. Thanks to all for their continued support of the VoIP Hurricane Net!

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

Hello to all…

As Director of Operations for the VoIP Hurricane Net, I am pleased to announce that WX9VOR-Debby Gray, has accepted the position of Assistant Director of Operations for the VoIP Hurricane Net. Debby will take the place of N0UAM, Jim Sellars, who became a silent key in May of this year. She joins K2DCD-Dennis Dura as a second assistant within the VoIP Hurricane Net Management team.

Debby joined the VoIP Hurricane Net as a net control operator in 2016. In 2017, not only did she do multiple long net control shifts during that historic Atlantic hurricane season, she also recruited several new and experienced net controls from within her local area that supported the net tirelessly during both Hurricane Irma and Maria.

Debby worked professionally for 22 years as an IT Consultant, Educator and Mission Critical Support Specialist. It was during this time that she was involved in disaster planning and recovery through many natural and man-made disasters. Debby has been involved in recent years with amateur radio as the Amateur Radio Emergency Services (ARES) Emergency Coordinator (EC) for Kane County Illinois (IL) and the ARES DEC for Districts 3 & 4 in Northeast IL. She also volunteers as a Sergeant for the Naperville EMA Communications and Weather units, and is one of the senior members of the WX9LOT Ham Team supporting NWS Chicago and the NWS Chicago SKYWARN program.

The VoIP Hurricane Net Management Team is proud to have Debby within our team. She brings additional valuable experience into our team from a different part of the United States and has brought a set of resources to the net and will continue to support recruitment. Thanks to all for their continued support of the VoIP Hurricane Net!

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

Hello to all…

The ARRL will be sponsoring the 2018 Atlantic Hurricane Season Webinar on Monday 6/11/18 at 800 PM EDT. Details on how to register for this very interesting webinar can be seen at the following link:

http://www.arrl.org/news/arrl-to-sponsor-2018-atlantic-hurricane-season-webinar

The webinar will go through an overview of the historic 2017 Atlantic Hurricane Season, lessons learned from the season, key Amateur Radio group’s preparedness for the new season and how Amateur Radio Operators and SKYWARN Spotters can become involved. These Amateur Radio Groups include, WX4NHC, the Amateur Radio Station at the National Hurricane Center, which is now in its 37th year of service, the Hurricane Watch Net, the VoIP Hurricane Net, SATERN (the Salvation Army Team Emergency Response Network) and the American Radio Relay League (ARRL). Also, an Amateur Radio Operator who is the Warning Preparedness Meteorologist at the Canadian Hurricane Centre will be giving the meteorological overview of the 2018 season.

We hope many folks can join the 2018 ARRL Hurricane Webinar! Thanks to all for their continued support of the VoIP Hurricane Net!

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

Hello to all…

Amateur Radio will again be represented at the 2018 National Hurricane Conference which will be held this year in Orlando Florida. The conference theme is to improve hurricane preparedness as it has been in past years. All Amateur Radio sessions are free. For 2018, all the Amateur Radio sessions will be on Tuesday March 27th, 2018 from 1030 AM-1215 PM EDT and 130-500 PM EDT. Each presenter will not only give an overview of their respective group but also how their group handled the historic 2017 Atlantic Hurricane Season. The session will be livestreamed and recorded. The live stream links follow below:

Amateur Radio presentations will be recorded and live streamed via Youtube. Livestream links below and these same links will serve as the links for the recorded session:

http://www.nsradio.org/stream

http://www.voipwx.net/files/stream.htm

Here is the session breakdown:

Detailed Schedule Outline – All Times (Eastern Daylight Time – EDT):

1030-1035 AM: Opening Remarks

1035-1105 AM: Importance of Amateur Radio Surface Reports (Dr. Ed Rappaport)

1105-1135 AM: Canadian Hurricane Centre and Hurricane Meteorological Topics (VE1MBR-Bob R)

1135 AM-1215 PM: ARRL “Force of Fifty Mission” and Caribbean Amateur Radio Response (KI1U)

—> NOTE: Speakers will be on a lunch break from 1215 PM-130 PM EDT

130-210 PM: WX4NHC Amateur Radio Station at the National Hurricane Center Overview (WD4R)

210-240 PM: Hurricane Watch Net Overview, Personal Weather Stations and Backup Power and Antenna Overview (KB5HAV)

240-310 PM: VoIP Hurricane Net Overview & Best Practices in SKYWARN for Tropical Systems (KD1CY)

—> NOTE: Speakers will be on a break from 310-330 PM EDT

330-415 PM: SATERN, Salvation Army Team Emergency Radio Network Overview (WB8BZH)

415-500 PM: Moderated Q & A session and Panel Discussion (All)

500-515 PM: Door Prize Raffles (In Person Audience Only)

We hope many of you can watch the livestream or see the recording of the Amateur Radio Workshop as the Atlantic Hurricane Season starts on June 1st.

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

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Hello to all..

On behalf of the VoIP Hurricane Net Management Team, we would like to take this opportunity to wish everyone a Merry Christmas, Happy New Year and Happy Holidays to all. Thanks to all of you for your support of the VoIP Hurricane Net during 2017.

The 2017 Atlantic Hurricane Season was the most active year for the VoIP Hurricane Net since the mid-2000s. There were 4 formal activations of the VoIP Hurricane Net for the year. The formal VoIP Hurricane Net activations included Hurricane Harvey, Hurricane Irma, Hurricane Maria and Hurricane Nate.

Hurricane Harvey tracked across Eastern Texas making landfall in Rockport Texas. Harvey produced major hurricane force conditions and several weather stations recorded measured wind gusts over 100 MPH. These winds caused significant, tree, wire and structural damage as well as a significant storm surge for the area around Rockport Texas and the immediate coastal areas. As Harvey weakened, his track slowed significantly and tapping into Gulf of Mexico moisture it caused tremendous rainfall amounts across portions of Texas including greater than 50″ of rain in the Houston Texas area and greater than 50″ of rain in the Beaumont, Graves and Port Arthur Texas. This led to catastrophic river, stream and urban flooding in these areas with tremendous damage. While Harvey was a tropical storm as this occurred, the VoIP Hurricane Net maintained a listening watch for several days handling a number of rain gauge, flooding and even a small number of rescues by informing the United States Coast Guard of the needs of a small number of residents. Harvey would be the start of a very active period of hurricanes in the Atlantic and Harvey was the first major hurricane to impact the US in 12 years.

Hurricane Irma formed during and shortly after Harvey’s impacts in Eastern Texas. Irma would cause massive destruction on the island of Barbuda where wind gusts as high as 155 MPH occurred there before the wind instrument malfunctioned. Many of the structures on Barbuda were destroyed by Irma. Some damage was also reported on the island of Antigua to trees and power lines and a few structures by Amateur Radio Operators but Antigua escaped the worst of Irma’s wrath. The islands of Anguilla and St Maarten/St Martin sustained very significant damage to trees, power lines and structures including storm damage to their airports. The Anguilla Department of Disaster Management weather station maintained by VP2EL-Larry had a sustained wind of 82 MPH with wind gusts to 117 MPH before that wind instrument failed. St Thomas in the US Virgin Islands had sustained winds of 82 MPH with gusts to 113 MPH before that instrument failed and had similar damage to Anguilla and St Maarten/St Martin. These areas would take weeks to months to recover from the damage brought by Irma. Irma would then go on to batter much of the state of Florida with widespread tree and power line damage and damage to structures from both the damaging winds and storm surge. Flooding from heavy rainfall was also an issue particularly in inland portions of Florida and where storm surge with the heavy rainfall caused further flooding issues. Close to 6 Million people were without power in Florida for numerous days and some would not get power back for over a week. The VoIP Hurricane Net was active through these various landfalls and got a number of reports from Amateur Radio Operators and SKYWARN Spotters in Florida and into Southern Georgia and included damage photos posted to the VoIP Hurricane Net Facebook page with credit given to those that shared storm damage photos.

Hurricane Maria formed shortly after Irma and would affect the Caribbean islands a bit south and west of the path of Maria. The island of Dominica would take a direct hit from Maria with significant damage to trees, power lines and structures from high winds, storm surge and heavy rainfall caused landslides in some of the villages on Dominica. Reports monitored by the Caribbean Emergency Weather Net were relayed by J69DS-Frans into the VoIP Hurricane Net along with reports monitored off of modern social media were collated and sent into WX4NHC, the Amateur Radio station at the National Hurricane Center. Many Amateur Radio Operators on the island of Dominica suffered significant property losses yet continued to operate their Amateur Radio stations during and after the storm to support their communities and to relay information about the state of the island. The same would be said for the Amateurs in Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands and other Amateur Radio stations affected by hurricanes this season. As Maria rolled into the US Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico significant infrastructure damage occurred in these areas causing significant communications and power issues. Wind gusts of over 100 MPH were recorded in Puerto Rico as Maria tore through the island. NP3OD-Francisco, long-time VoIP Hurricane Net participant, gave live updates and reported damage to his home and neighborhood. KB2WUS-Francisco provided many relayed damage reports and information from Puerto Rico as well providing high situational awareness. NP3OD-Francisco has managed to support efforts with his local Red Cross despite the damage at his location and is holding up well. He lost electrical power and had trouble at times finding gas for his generator but he maintained running water at his residence throughout the event. The infrastructure damage from Maria in Puerto Rico required the ARRL Force of Fifty mission supporting Red Cross.

A complete archive of the different Hurricane responses across the Amateur Radio community from Harvey, Irma and Maria can be found at the following links:

http://www.arrl.org/hurricane-harvey-response
http://www.arrl.org/hurricane-irma-2017
http://www.arrl.org/hurricane-maria-2017

Hurricane Nate was the last formal VoIP Hurricane Net activation. Nate’s main impacts were across the Southern Mississippi and Southern Alabama gulf coast with storm surge flooding, heavy rainfall causing river and stream flooding and damaging wind gusts and tornadoes from the convective bands of the hurricane. Impacts across Southeast Louisiana were negligible as the main conditions were along and to the east of the center leaving Louisiana on the weaker end of the storm system. A number of reports were handled from US Gulf Coast region along with interaction with local/regional SKYWARN teams out of the Mobile Alabama NWS Forecast Office and the Crescent City Amateur Radio Group (CCARG) in New Orleans Lousiana. It was also the first time experimenting with the Zello application using Amateur Radio procedures working with the CCARG team and will be something that will be reviewed as a use case to cast a wider reach to gather information for both Amateur Radio and non-Amateur Radio people that could provide information during hurricanes.

A complete archive of reports compiled via the VoIP Hurricane Net can be seen in our report viewer in the following link:
http://report.voipwx.net/qilan/nhcwx/list_VOIP_records?auth=OK

As occurs yearly, we did support WX4NHC, the Amateur Radio Station at the National Hurricane Center with the WX4NHC Communications Test at the start of the 2017 Atlantic Hurricane Season. As our main client, we appreciate WX4NHC’s support of our net and thank WX4NHC Coordinators, Julio Ripoll-WD4R and John McHugh-K4AG for their support. They have been an incredible partner with the VoIP Hurricane Net dating back to the net’s inception in the 2003-2004 timeframe. We also had another successful SKYWARN Recognition Day event on the home of the VoIP Hurricane Net, Echolink conference: *WX-TALK* Node: 7203/IRLP 9219. Many NWS offices rotated on the system making contacts with Amateur Radio Operators and SKYWARN Spotters from around the country thanking them for their support as well as making contact with different NWS offices around the country.

As we move into next year, we will again have a presence at the 2018 National Hurricane Conference which will be in Orlando Florida. As we move into 2018, we will look at doing training presentations particularly on the non-hurricane season months in 2018 and continue the question of the week format for the weekly nets and possibly do a few training sessions during the weekly nets that we have during the 2017 Atlantic Hurricane Season. We will also look at boosting more stations and contacts within the affected areas of hurricanes to provide critical surface reports to WX4NHC. We will also be factoring in many lessons learned from the 2017 Atlantic Hurricane season for net activations in 2018 and this information will be factored into an updated NCO training for the 2018 Atlantic Hurricane Season. We will also be looking further at how stations outside of the affected area can assist with weather station, public safety and social media monitoring to provide more information for situational awareness and disaster intelligence during hurricane net activations and further investigate the experimentation with Zello utilized during Hurricane Net with CCARG. We would like to ask folks that might be interested to be a net control for the weekly/monthly VoIP Hurricane Prep Net and for net activations to please contact me directly as a reply to this email or at kd1cy@voipwx.net

We look forward to working with everyone again in 2018. The next VoIP Hurricane Prep Net will be will be Saturday January 6th, 2018 at 8 PM ET/7 PM CT/6 PM MT/5 PM PT which also equates to 0100 UTC Sunday. The net will meet monthly through May and then become weekly during the Atlantic Hurricane Season. We again wish all of our reporting stations, net controls and supporting stations that listen to the VoIP Hurricane Net a Merry Christmas, Happy New Year and a Happy Holiday season!

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

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Hello to all..

**Made a change to the 0500-0600 UTC time slot to put WX9LOT in that time slot and remove KL7FWX as KL7FWX could no longer do that time slot.**

SKYWARN Recognition Day is December 2nd, 2017 from 0000-2400 UTC (Friday Evening 12/1/17 from 700 PM ET-Saturday Evening 12/2/17 at 7 PM ET) and Echolink and IRLP will be playing a role in SRD as it has in past years. SKYWARN Recognition Day is an opportunity for National Weather Service Forecast Offices across the United States to thank SKYWARN Spotters for their efforts in obtaining timely severe weather reporting for the protection of life and property. This is the SKYWARN program’s main mission.

EchoLink and IRLP are just a couple of modes people can utilize to contact NWS offices during SKYWARN Recognition Day. Many NWS offices will be on 2 Meters, 440 MHz, HF and other VHF/UHF bands. Additional details on SKYWARN Recognition Day can be found via the following links:

http://hamradio.noaa.gov

http://www.weather.gov/crh/skywarnrecognition

The ARRL has also published a web story for SRD. That web story can be seen via the following link:
http://www.arrl.org/news/skywarn-recognition-day-is-saturday-december-2

As in past years, the EchoLink *WX_TALK* Node: 7203/IRLP reflector 9219 system will be scheduling time for NWS offices in 1-2 hour time slots to act as a net control to make contacts with spotters that are on the system. If a NWS office runs out of contacts and there are other NWS offices on the system, the NWS office acting as net control can turn it over to a different NWS office to act as a net control on the system at their discretion.

We’d like to ask NWS offices to do their best to adhere to the schedule. Sometimes this is difficult due to the number of contacts received by NWS offices. We ask for everyone’s patience and working cooperatively to respect the time slot schedule.

Below is the 2017 SRD Schedule with the weather offices that have confirmed for 2017 and those left on the schedule from last year. We would like to know if the remaining NWS offices would like to keep their time slot or change time slots. See the list of NWS offices below:

Time in UTC NWS Office Call-Sign
0000-0100: KL7FWX (Confirmed new time slot for this year – WX0GLD relinquished this time slot)
0100-0200: WX1GYX (Confirmed time slot for this year)
0200-0300: WX4MLB (Confirmed time slot for this year)
0300-0400: WX1BOX (Confirmed time slot for this year)
0400-0500: WX9GRB (Confirmed time slot for this year)
0500-0600: WX9LOT (Confirmed new time slot for this year – KL7FWX had to relinquish this time slot)
0600-0700: WX4HUN (Confirmed time slot for this year)
0700-0800: WX9LOT (Taking the KL7FWX time slot now relinquished for this year)
0800-0900: Open (WX9LOT relinquishing this time slot from last year)
0900-1000: Open
1000-1100: Open
1100-1200: Open
1200-1300: W7NWS  (Confirmed time slot for this year)
1300-1400: WX2PHI (Confirmed time slot for this year)
1400-1500: WX1AW   (Confirmed time slot for this year)
1500-1600: WX1BOX (Confirmed time slot for this year)
1600-1700: WX4NC  (Confirmed time slot for this year)
1700-1800: WX2PHI (Confirmed time slot for this year)
1800-1900: Open (WX6MTR relinquished this time slot)
1900-2000: K0MPX  (Confirmed time slot for this year)
2000-2100: WX4MLB (Confirmed time slot for this year)
2100-2300: WX4NHC (Confirmed time slot for this year)
2300-2400: WX6NWS (Confirmed time slot for this year)

There will be other conference systems utilized for SKYWARN Recognition Day. They are as follows:

The New England Reflector Gateway System will be utilized by the NWS Taunton, Mass. and NWS Gray, Maine offices from 0000-0500 UTC and 1200-2400 UTC. The New England Gateway system is on EchoLink Conference server *NEW-ENG3* Node: 9123, IRLP reflector 9123. If other NWS offices would like to join the system, they are welcome to do so and participants in SKYWARN Recognition Day can also use that system to make contact with various NWS offices. This is a great place to move off the *WX_TALK* Node: 7203/IRLP 9219 system after your scheduled time if other Amateurs or NWS offices wish to make contact with you.

Also, the Western Reflector will be having NWS offices calling CQ as in past years and have multiple reflector channels and Echolink conferences available. There is reflector 9250/Echolink Conference *HI-GATE* node: 357564, IRLP 9251 and the *WORLD* Echolink Conference node: 479886, IRLP 9257/*DCF-ARC* Echolink Conference node: 336037 and IRLP 9258/EchoLink Conference *NV-GATE* Node: 152566 open for NWS offices. Please contact Kent-W7AOR for additional information on the Western Reflector.

A few technical reminders for folks interested in making contacts with the NWS Forecast Offices on the *WX-TALK* Node: 7203/IRLP 9219 and New England Reflector Gateway IRLP 9123/*NEW-ENG3* Echolink Node: 9123 systems:

-The system allows both EchoLink and IRLP connections. For EchoLink users, you connect to the *WX-TALK* Node: 7203 conference system. For IRLP users, you would connect to IRLP reflector 9219.

-If you are using EchoLink, the RF node or PC that you’re using must have EchoLink conferencing disabled. If it is not disabled, the system will automatically kick the node or PC off of the system. The reason this occurs is to prevent unintentional interference from a conferencing station that may not know the node is connected somewhere else. This will keep traffic moving on the net and reduce interference considerably.

For more information on VoIP Technical Configuration Tips, please go to our web site at http://www.voipwx.net where we have a link to that information on the main menu of the web site. This announcement will also be on the web site.

We are looking forward to another fun SKYWARN Recognition Day on the *WX-TALK* Node: 7203/IRLP reflector 9219 system, New England Reflector Gateway system and Western Reflector system. Thanks to all for their support!

73,Rob-KD1CY.
Director of Operations for the VoIP Hurricane Net
ARES SKYWARN Coordinator for NWS Taunton Massachusetts
Eastern Massachusetts ARES Assistant Section Emergency Coordinator

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Hello to all…

The VoIP Hurricane Net Activation for Hurricane Nate secured on Sunday 10/8/17 at 200 AM EDT/100 AM CDT after Nate made landfall near Biloxi Mississippi. Nate spared the New Orleans LA area any significant wind damage and storm surge flooding but pockets of tree and wire damage and wind gusts to hurricane force were recorded in parts of Mississippi and offshore oil platforms in the Louisiana coastal waters. Storm surge values of 3-7 feet were recorded in portions of Southern Alabama, Southern Mississippi and extreme Southeast Louisiana. Some pockets of structural damage were recorded in parts of Mississippi/Alabama from higher wind gusts in severe thunderstorms or possibly tornadic activity. One tornado was spotted in Orange Beach, Alabama by both The Weather Channel media and an Amateur Radio Operator that was in the area. Reports from Nate can be seen at the VoIP Hurricane Net viewer via the following link:

http://report.voipwx.net/qilan/nhcwx/list_VOIP_records?auth=OK

While Nate was not as formidable as past hurricanes we worked this year, reports of SKYWARN reporting criteria were supplied to both local National Weather Service Forecast Offices and WX4NHC, the Amateur Radio station at the National Hurricane Center which is our net’s main mission to help save lives. 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 Activation for Hurricane Nate secured on Sunday 10/8/17 at 200 AM EDT/100 AM CDT after Nate made landfall near Biloxi Mississippi. Nate spared the New Orleans LA area any significant wind damage and storm surge flooding but pockets of tree and wire damage and wind gusts to hurricane force were recorded in parts of Mississippi and offshore oil platforms in the Louisiana coastal waters. Storm surge values of 3-7 feet were recorded in portions of Southern Alabama, Southern Mississippi and extreme Southeast Louisiana. Some pockets of structural damage were recorded in parts of Mississippi/Alabama from higher wind gusts in severe thunderstorms or possibly tornadic activity. One tornado was spotted in Orange Beach, Alabama by both The Weather Channel media and an Amateur Radio Operator that was in the area. Reports from Nate can be seen at the VoIP Hurricane Net viewer via the following link:

http://report.voipwx.net/qilan/nhcwx/list_VOIP_records?auth=OK

While Nate was not as formidable as past hurricanes we worked this year, reports of SKYWARN reporting criteria were supplied to both local National Weather Service Forecast Offices and WX4NHC, the Amateur Radio station at the National Hurricane Center which is our net’s main mission to help save lives. 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 and WX4NHC, the Amateur Radio station at the National Hurricane Center, will activate starting at 5 PM EDT Saturday Afternoon 10/7/17 through possibly Sunday Afternoon for Hurricane Nate and his impacts to to the Northern US Gulf Coast region.**

Here are the VoIP Hurricane Net Activation Plans for Nate as of Saturday Afternoon 10/7/17 at 400 PM EDT/2000 UTC:

The VoIP Hurricane Net and WX4NHC, the Amateur Radio Station at the National Hurricane Center, will activate starting at 500 PM EDT Saturday Afternoon 10/7/17 through Sunday Afternoon 10/8/17 for Nate and his impacts on the Northern Gulf Coast region. Nate is currently a tropical storm and is expected to intensify into a hurricane and there is a possibility of it becoming a stronger hurricane than currently highlighted pending how quickly it can develop an inner core to allow for more rapid intensification.

Any Amateur Radio Operators in the affected area of Nate or with relays into the affected area of Nate are asked to provide surface and damage reports into the VoIP Hurricane Net for relay into WX4NHC, the Amateur Radio station at the National Hurricane Center. We appreciate any and all support from Amateur Operators in the affected area or Amateur Operators with relays into the affected area. We are looking for reports based on the National Weather Service SKYWARN Reporting criteria. This can be seen on the VoIP Hurricane Net web site at the following link:
http://www.voipwx.net/node/236

Any pictures or videos of wind damage, river/stream/urban/storm surge flooding etc. can be sent to the following email address: pics@nsradio.org and credit will be given to the Amateur Radio Operator, weather spotter or individual that took the photos and media and be shared with the Amateur Radio team at the National Hurricane Center and other agencies and outlets.

Advisories on Nate can be seen off of the Main Menu of the voipwxnet web site, via our Facebook and Twitter feeds, and off the National Hurricane Center web site via the following link:
http://www.nhc.noaa.gov

Reports as obtained via the VoIP Hurricane Net from Amateur Radio Operators in the affected area, relays from the affected area or from APRS/CWOP Weather Station feeds and other social media outlets can be found at the following link:
http://report.voipwx.net/qilan/nhcwx/list_VOIP_records?auth=OK

Stations outside the affected area who would like to listen into the VoIP Hurricane Net can use any of the following systems for listen-only purposes and can connect on either Echolink or IRLP:
*Sky_Gate* Echolink conference node: 868981/IRLP 9252
*NEW-ENG3* Echolink conference node: 9123/IRLP 9123

Stations outside the affected area who would like to listen into the VoIP Hurricane Net can use any of the following systems for listen-only purposes on Echolink:
*KA1AAA* Echolink conference node: 269929
*WASH_DC* Echolink conference node: 6154

Stations outside the affected area who would like to listen into the VoIP Hurricane Net can use any of the following systems for listen-only purposes on All-Star by dialing *33009123.

An audio livestream has been setup on Youtube through the efforts of W5YAG-Chad Yaggie. That link is listed below:
http://voipwx.org (Can also be obtained via https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OZVq4KbPwXU)

Finally, a reminder that due to the VoIP Hurricane Net activation for the various hurricanes, the weekly VoIP Hurricane Prep Net for this Saturday Evening has been cancelled. Barring another hurricane net activation near or during the weekend, the weekly net will resume Saturday October 14th, 2017.

The VoIP Hurricane Net Management team continues to closely watch Nate. 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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The VoIP Hurricane Prep Net for Saturday 10/7/17 is cancelled due to the likelihood of VoIP Hurricane Net activation for Tropical Storm Nate which is expected to intensify and become a hurricane later tonight or Saturday and then make landfall along the northern Gulf Coast of the United States. Details on activation plans for Nate will be posted later this afternoon. 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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**VoIP Hurricane Net and WX4NHC, the Amateur Radio station at the National Hurricane Center, will activate starting at 8 PM EDT Tuesday Evening 9/19/17 through late Wednesday Night for Hurricane Maria and impact to Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands and surrounding areas over this time period. Hurricane Jose impacts as a tropical storm to be handled by the regional SKYWARN team in Southern New England.**

Here are the VoIP Hurricane Net Activation Plans for Hurricane Maria as of 9/19/17 at 715 PM EDT/2315 UTC and commentary on Hurricane Jose and impacts on the Northeast US Coast:

The VoIP Hurricane Net was active Monday from late morning until late evening and gathered numerous reports of severe and catastrophic damage from the island of Dominica. A recording of a summary of reports received and a complete list of reports received from all mediums available to the net can be seen at the following links:

VoIP Hurricane Net Recording of Reports:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OSdd4jo-MQk&feature=youtu.be

VoIP Hurricane Net Report Viewer:
http://report.voipwx.net/qilan/nhcwx/list_VOIP_records?auth=OK

The VoIP Hurricane Net and WX4NHC, the Amateur Radio Station at the National Hurricane Center, will activate starting at 800 PM EDT Tuesday Evening 9/19/17 through late Wednesday Night for Hurricane Maria and impact to Puerto Rico and the United States Virgin Islands. Hurricane Maria is a catastrophic category-V hurricane and expected to cause significant damage to this region as it approaches and crosses this area.

Regarding Hurricane Jose, he is expected to bring tropical storm conditions to portions of Cape Cod and the Islands. This will be handled by the local/regional SKYWARN group in Southern New England and will forward reports of tropical storm conditions to WX4NHC if needed.

Any Amateur Radio Operators in the affected area of Maria or with relays into the affected area of Maria are asked to provide surface and damage reports into the VoIP Hurricane Net for relay into WX4NHC, the Amateur Radio station at the National Hurricane Center. Again regarding Jose, any reports received from local/regional SKYWARN groups on the VoIP Hurricane Net will be sent via the VoIP Hurricane Net webform and when necessary to the local NWS office. We appreciate any and all support from Amateur Operators in the affected area or Amateur Operators with relays into the affected area. We are looking for reports based on the National Weather Service SKYWARN Reporting criteria. This can be seen on the VoIP Hurricane Net web site at the following link:
http://www.voipwx.net/node/236

Any pictures or videos of wind damage, river/stream/urban/storm surge flooding etc. can be sent to the following email address: pics@nsradio.org and credit will be given to the Amateur Radio Operator, weather spotter or individual that took the photos and media and be shared with the Amateur Radio team at the National Hurricane Center and other agencies and outlets.

Advisories on Maria and Jose can be seen off of the Main Menu of the voipwxnet web site, via our Facebook and Twitter feeds, and off the National Hurricane Center web site via the following link:
http://www.nhc.noaa.gov

Reports as obtained via the VoIP Hurricane Net from Amateur Radio Operators in the affected area, relays from the affected area or from APRS/CWOP Weather Station feeds and other social media outlets can be found at the following link:
http://report.voipwx.net/qilan/nhcwx/list_VOIP_records?auth=OK

Stations outside the affected area who would like to listen into the VoIP Hurricane Net can use any of the following systems for listen-only purposes and can connect on either Echolink or IRLP:
*Sky_Gate* Echolink conference node: 868981/IRLP 9252

Stations outside the affected area who would like to listen into the VoIP Hurricane Net can use any of the following systems for listen-only purposes on Echolink:
*KA1AAA* Echolink conference node: 269929
*WASH_DC* Echolink conference node: 6154

Stations outside the affected area who would like to listen into the VoIP Hurricane Net can use any of the following systems for listen-only purposes on All-Star by dialing *033270177 or *033009123.

An audio livestream has been setup on Youtube through the efforts of W5YAG-Chad Yaggie. That link is listed below:
http://voipwx.org (Can also be obtained via https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QIwX7gBC_r0)

The VoIP Hurricane Net Management team continues to closely watch Hurricane Maria and Hurricane Jose. 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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**VoIP Hurricane Net will activate starting at 11 AM EDT/1500 UTC Monday Morning 9/18/17 until further notice for Hurricane Maria and impact to the Leeward Islands over the course of the afternoon and evening Monday.**
**WX4NHC, the Amateur Radio Station at the National Hurricane Center, will be active starting at 500 PM EDT/2100 UTC Monday Evening 9/18/17 for Hurricane Maria impacts to the Leeward Islands.**

Here are the VoIP Hurricane Net Activation Plans for Hurricane Maria as of 9/17/17 at 1100 PM EDT/0300 UTC and commentary on Hurricane Jose and impacts on the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast US Coast:

The VoIP Hurricane Net will activate starting at 11 AM EDT/1500 UTC Monday Morning 9/18/17 until further notice for Hurricane Maria and impact to the Leeward Islands over the course of the afternoon and evening Monday. WX4NHC, the Amateur Radio Station at the National Hurricane Center, will be active starting at 500 PM EDT/2100 UTC Monday Evening 9/18/17 for Hurricane Maria impacts to the Leeward Islands. Hurricane Maria will impact the Leeward Islands during the afternoon and evening on Monday. Maria will then make a track toward the US Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico later Tuesday and Wednesday with possible tropical storm impacts to some of the northern Leeward Islands during the day on Tuesday.

Regarding Hurricane Jose, he is expected to bring tropical storm conditions to portions of the Northeast US as well as potentially the mid-atlantic states as we get into Tuesday into Wednesday. Jose is expected to slowly weaken to a tropical storm over the next couple days but have a large tropical storm force wind field affecting these areas. At this time, the VoIP Hurricane Net will focus on Hurricane Maria and her impacts on the Caribbean islands since direct hurricane impacts are expected and local/regional SKYWARN groups will handle Jose’s impacts in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic states but any SKYWARN criteria reports received from Jose by the VoIP Hurricane Net will be given to the NHC via the VoIP Hurricane Net webform.

Any Amateur Radio Operators in the affected area of Maria or with relays into the affected area of Maria are asked to provide surface and damage reports into the VoIP Hurricane Net for relay into WX4NHC, the Amateur Radio station at the National Hurricane Center. Again regarding Jose, any reports received from local/regional SKYWARN groups on the VoIP Hurricane Net will be sent via the VoIP Hurricane Net webform and when necessary to the local NWS office. We appreciate any and all support from Amateur Operators in the affected area or Amateur Operators with relays into the affected area. We are looking for reports based on the National Weather Service SKYWARN Reporting criteria. This can be seen on the VoIP Hurricane Net web site at the following link:
http://www.voipwx.net/node/236

Any pictures or videos of wind damage, river/stream/urban/storm surge flooding etc. can be sent to the following email address: pics@nsradio.org and credit will be given to the Amateur Radio Operator, weather spotter or individual that took the photos and media and be shared with the Amateur Radio team at the National Hurricane Center and other agencies and outlets.

Advisories on Maria and Jose can be seen off of the Main Menu of the voipwxnet web site, via our Facebook and Twitter feeds, and off the National Hurricane Center web site via the following link:
http://www.nhc.noaa.gov

Reports as obtained via the VoIP Hurricane Net from Amateur Radio Operators in the affected area, relays from the affected area or from APRS/CWOP Weather Station feeds and other social media outlets can be found at the following link:
http://report.voipwx.net/qilan/nhcwx/list_VOIP_records?auth=OK

Stations outside the affected area who would like to listen into the VoIP Hurricane Net can use any of the following systems for listen-only purposes and can connect on either Echolink or IRLP:
*Sky_Gate* Echolink conference node: 868981/IRLP 9252

Stations outside the affected area who would like to listen into the VoIP Hurricane Net can use any of the following systems for listen-only purposes on Echolink:
*KA1AAA* Echolink conference node: 269929
*WASH_DC* Echolink conference node: 6154

Stations outside the affected area who would like to listen into the VoIP Hurricane Net can use any of the following systems for listen-only purposes on All-Star by dialing *033270177 or *033009123.

An audio livestream has been setup on Youtube through the efforts of W5YAG-Chad Yaggie. That link is listed below:
http://voipwx.org (Can also be obtained via https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QIwX7gBC_r0)

The VoIP Hurricane Net Management team continues to closely watch Hurricane Maria and Hurricane Jose. 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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The formal VoIP Hurricane Net activation for Hurricane Irma was secured at 800 AM EDT Monday 9/11/17 and the listening watch for Irma as a tropical storm has been secured as of 615 PM EDT Monday 9/11/17 as the tropical storm impacts are handled by local and regional SKYWARN nets and their local NWS Forecast Offices and efforts in Florida transition from response phase to the recovery phase. Over the course of the Hurricane Irma activation, both Hurricanes Katia, which made landfall in Mexico and Hurricane Jose, which skirted the Northern Leeward Islands, were also monitored for any reports and impacts while reports and monitoring continued for Hurricane Irma. It marked an unprecedented time for the net where 3 different hurricanes were monitored for potential land impacts Friday Night 9/8/17 into Saturday 9/9/17.

A listing of reports received from Amateur Radio Operators on the VoIP Hurricane Net, weather stations monitored across the region and relayed reports from social media can be found on the VoIP Hurricane Net viewer at the following link:

http://report.voipwx.net/qilan/nhcwx/list_VOIP_records?auth=OK (Click on the link under Edit_link to view the report)

Several Amateur Radio Operators have sent us photos of the damage in their area. This is appreciated and encouraged. On our VoIP Hurricane Net Facebook Page, we created a photo album of damage photos. The album can be viewed at the following link:

https://www.facebook.com/pg/voipwxnet/photos/?tab=album&album_id=1424444624343220

If you are in the affected area and have damage photos, they can be sent to the email address pics@nsradio.org and we will add them to the album with credit given to the individual who took the photo. Even if its a few days or a week or two after Irma’s passage, the photos can help with the historical record and will likely be used on a video our team will create on the 2017 Atlantic Hurricane Season which has been the busiest in several years for use at the 2018 National Hurricane Conference.

We appreciate everyone’s help and support in WX4NHC’s mission to help save lives and the support for our VoIP Hurricane Net! Thanks to all!

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

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The following is a Hurricane Irma and Atlantic Tropical Weather Update as of Sunday 9/3/17 at 500 PM EDT. Regarding Hurricane Irma, a Hurricane Watch is now in effect for Antigua, Barbuda, Anguilla, Montserrat, St Kitts, Nevis, Saba, Saint Eustatius, Saint Maarten, Saint Martin and Saint Barthelemy. Hurricane Irma remains a Category-3 Hurricane and is now growing in side with hurricane force winds out to 35 miles from the center and tropical storm force winds out to 140 MPH. Gradual strengthening as well as gradual growth in the size of the hurricane is expected over the next few days and a NOAA Hurricane Hunter Aircraft is enroute to the system. The VoIP Hurricane Net will potentially activate for Irma as early as Tuesday Night lasting through Wednesday Night or possibly Thursday Morning depending on the size and track of Irma. 

Advisories on Irma can be seen off the Main Menu of the voipwxnet web site, via the voipwxnet Facebook/Twitter feeds and from the NHC web site at the following link:

http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/

Key Messages on Hurricane Irma as written by the National Hurricane Center can be seen at the following link:
http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/news/AL112017_key_messages.png?018

Elsewhere in the tropics, a tropical wave several hundred miles southwest of Cabo Verde Island is producing disorganized showers and thunderstorms displaced well to the west of the center of the wave. Conditions remain favorable for gradual development during the next few days with a medium chance, 60% of development in the 2-5 day period.

We also have a trough of low pressure in the Southwestern Gulf of Mexico to the Yucatan Peninsula producing disorganized showers and thunderstorms. This area is unfavorable for development with just a low chance 10% for development over the next 5 days.

The VoIP Hurricane Net Management Team is preparing for likely activation for Hurricane Irma Tuesday Night through Wednesday Night/Thursday Morning as she passes near or over the Northern Leeward Islands and looking at potential activatons into the weekend and early next week for Irma. Our team also is monitoring other developments in the Atlantic 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…

We are entering the peak of the 2017 Atlantic Hurricane Season and there are several items of interest in the Atlantic Tropics as we get close to the peak of the season. We will go through those items now.

Hurricane Irma
Hurricane Irma is a powerful hurricane that is currently of Cat-2 intensity with 110 MPH winds and has been fluctuating between Cat-2 and Cat-3 status. Irma is expected to track west and then west-southwest for the next few days before bending back west and west-northwest. Per the 500 AM EDT/0900 UTC Saturday 9/2/17 National Hurricane Center (NHC) advisory, interests in the northern Leeward Islands should monitor the progress of this system. We will discuss the projected path of Irma on tonight’s VoIP Hurricane Prep Net at 800 PM EDT tonight. Advisories on Irma can be seen off the Main Menu of the voipwxnet web site, via the voipwxnet Facebook/Twitter feeds and from the NHC web site at the following link:

http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/

Key Messages on Hurricane Irma as written by the National Hurricane Center can be seen at the following link:
http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/news/AL112017_key_messages.png?012

Atlantic Tropical Update – Another Area of disturbed weather as of Saturday 9/2/17 – 800 AM EDT

There is yet another area of disturbed weather producing disorganized showers and thunderstorms located a few hundred miles southwest of Cabo Verde Islands and associated with a tropical wave. This system has potential in the 2-5 day period as it moves westward. It has near 0 percent chance of development within 48 hours but a medium chance, 60%, for development within 5 days. The VoIP Hurricane Net Management Team will closely monitor the progress of this system. You can find the Tropical Weather Outlook off the main menu of the voipwxnet web site, via the voipwxnet Facebook/Twitter feeds and at the NHC web site at http://www.nhc.noaa.gov as well.

Hurricane Harvey Recovery Update

Hurricane Harvey made landfall approximately one week ago in Rockport Texas and went on to produce catastrophic and record-breaking flooding in Southeast Texas and parts of Western Louisiana. The VoIP Hurricane Net took the unusual step of maintaining a listening watch for much of last week for any needs from the affected area. While things were very quiet on the system for most of the week, many monitored and there were at least a handful of check-ins from the affected area each day with updates on conditions from their parts of Texas. Two reports of families needing rescue were handled by the net and relayed to the United States Coast Guard through contacts in the Humanity Road non-profit organization. The Harvey recovery will likely go on for many months to come. Those interested in reading up on Amateur Radio efforts in the affected area can check out the following link for further information:

http://www.arrl.org/hurricane-harvey-response

Also those looking to donate to either local or national organization for the Harvey Recovery Update can check the following links for further information:

https://www.nvoad.org/voad-members/national-members/
https://www.nytimes.com/2017/08/28/us/donate-harvey-charities-scams.html

The Weather Prediction Center is issuing advisories on now Post-Tropical Cyclone Harvey has he continues to produce heavy rainfall and severe weather into parts of the Ohio Valley and Southeast US. You can find these advisories off the main menu of the voipwxnet web site, via the voipwxnet Facebook/Twitter feeds and at the NHC web site at http://www.nhc.noaa.gov as well.

The VoIP Hurricane Net Management team’s thoughts and prayers are with the many folks in Southeast Texas affected by Hurricane Harvey both from the direct landfall of Harvey and the catastrophic heavy rainfall that followed. The VoIP Hurricane Net Management Team will continue to closely monitor Hurricane Irma and any other development 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…

The VoIP Hurricane Net secured on Saturday 8/26/17 at 230 PM EDT/1830 UTC as Hurricane Harvey was downgraded to Tropical Storm Harvey. Harvey is currently stationary and while he is a tropical storm now, he will continue to bring very heavy rainfall and significant to potentially catastrophic flooding and strong to damaging winds with a threat of isolated tornadoes. Local and regional SKYWARN groups across Texas and possibly into Southwest Louisiana should remain active providing reports via the SKYWARN reporting criteria to support providing situational awareness and disaster intelligence to local and state emergency management, non-governmental organizations and other groups.

A complete listing of reports generated from stations in the affected area of Harvey and from stations that had relays into the affected area of Harvey can be seen via the following link: http://report.voipwx.net/qilan/nhcwx/list_VOIP_records?auth=OK

At this time, Harvey is expected to remain over land and continue to weaken but maintain tropical storm strength for a prolonged period. Harvey is not expected to move much which is the reason for the significant concerns regarding heavy rainfall and catastrophic flooding. The slow movement of Harvey means that weather models will struggle to resolve his exact track. If Harvey were to reemerge over the water, that may allow it to maintain tropical storm strength longer. At this time, Harvey is not expected to reemerge fast enough or be close enough to the water to reintensify into a hurricane but given the slow movement and model uncertainty, this will bear close monitoring.

The VoIP Hurricane Net management team will closely monitor the progress of Harvey and will maintain an informal listening watch on the *WX_TALK* Echolink conference node: 7203/IRLP 9219 reflector system over the course of the weekend and remains open for use by any local or regional SKYWARN groups in the affected area of Harvey. The VoIP Hurricane Net Management team also wishes to thank all involved with the net activation from the stations in the affected area who gave the net reports, the net controls who ran the net and researched other resources for information and data from the affected area for relay to WX4NHC, the Amateur Radio Station at the National Hurricane Center, to the owners of the listen only Echolink conferences and IRLP reflectors and Youtube livestream for all their help and support during this VoIP Hurricane Net activation for Harvey.

A few sample audio clips from the net activation will be provided later today or Sunday Morning. An after action report will likely follow in a week or two.

Finally, a reminder that due to the VoIP Hurricane Net activation for Harvey, the weekly VoIP Hurricane Prep Net for this Saturday Evening has been cancelled. Barring another hurricane net activation near or during the weekend, the weekly net will resume Saturday September 2nd, 2017.

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

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Hello to all..

**VoIP Hurricane Net to activate no later than 2 PM EDT/1800 UTC Friday Afternoon 8/25/17 for Hurricane Harvey Impacts to the Gulf Coast of Texas.**
**WX4NHC, the Amateur Radio Station at the National Hurricane Center, will activate at 500 PM EDT/2100 UTC Friday Afternoon 8/25/17 for Hurricane Harvey Impacts to the Gulf Coast of Texas.**

**Updated listen-only capability. Remainder is unchanged.**

Here are the VoIP Hurricane Net Activation Plans for Hurricane Harvey as of 8/25/17 at 850 AM EDT/1250 UTC:

The VoIP Hurricane Net will activate for Hurricane Harvey no later than 2 PM EDT/1800 UTC Friday Afternoon 8/25/17 and WX4NHC, the Amateur Radio Station at the National Hurricane Center, will activate at 500 PM EDT/2100 UTC Friday Afternoon 8/25/17. Hurricane Harvey is expected to intensify to major hurricane status on Friday. The VoIP Hurricane Net for Harvey could be a very prolonged activation because once Harvey makes landfall, he may parallel the coast and maintain much of his circulation over the ocean creating the potential for a long duration activation with significant impact to life and property particularly for the Gulf coast of Texas but possibly Louisiana as we look into next week.

Any Amateur Radio Operators in the affected area of Harvey or with relays into the affected area of Harvey are asked to provide surface and damage reports into the VoIP Hurricane Net for relay into WX4NHC, the Amateur Radio station at the National Hurricane Center. Any SKYWARN Nets active in the local area that can pass reports to the VoIP Hurricane Net for relay into WX4NHC are welcome to send a net liaison or connect directly at their discretion to the *WX_TALK* Echolink conference node: 7203/IRLP 9219. Stations on All-Star can connect to the Echolink side of the system by dialing *033007203. We appreciate any and all support from Amateur Operators in the affected area or Amateur Operators with relays into the affected area. We are looking for reports based on the typical SKYWARN Reporting criteria. This can be seen on the VoIP Hurricane Net web site at the following link:

http://www.voipwx.net/node/236

Advisories on Harvey can be seen off of the Main Menu of the voipwxnet web site, via our Facebook and Twitter feeds, and off the National Hurricane Center web site via the following link:
http://www.nhc.noaa.gov

Stations outside the affected area who would like to listen into the VoIP Hurricane Net can use any of the following systems for listen-only purposes and can connect on either Echolink or IRLP:
*NEW-ENG3* Echolink conference node: 9123/IRLP 9123
*Starlink* Echolink conference node: 357087/IRLP 9255

Stations outside the affected area who would like to listen into the VoIP Hurricane Net can use any of the following systems for listen-only purposes on Echolink:
*KA1AAA* Echolink conference node: 269929

*WASH_DC* Echolink conference node: 6154

Stations outside the affected area who would like to listen into the VoIP Hurricane Net can use any of the following systems for listen-only purposes on All-Star by dialing *033270177 or *033009123.

An audio livestream has been setup on Youtube through the efforts of W5YAG-Chad Yaggie. That link is listed below:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XlZWa-hmp0g

Also, a reminder that the VoIP Hurricane Prep Net, held weekly during the hurricane season months of June through November on Saturday Evenings will be cancelled on Saturday August 26th, 2017 due to the Hurricane Harvey Hurricane Net activation.

The VoIP Hurricane Net Management team continues to closely watch Hurricane Harvey. 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 Prep Net for Saturday Evening 8/26/17 at 800 PM EDT is cancelled. Hurricane Harvey will prompt a net activation Friday Afternoon into at least Saturday Afternoon if not into Saturday Evening and possibly even into Sunday. Given the resources required to support the net activation and the potential use of the system, the VoIP Hurricane Prep Net for Saturday 8/26/17 is cancelled.

Hurricane Harvey net activation details will be posted a bit later this evening. 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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Harvey regenerated over the Bay of Campeche Thursday Morning and has been intensifying steadily overnight with maximum sustained winds of 60 MPH as of the 800 AM EDT Thursday 8/24/17 National Hurricane Center (NHC) advisory.

A Hurricane Warning is in effect from Port Mansfield to Matagorda Texas. A Storm Surge Warning is in effect for Port Mansfield to San Luis Pass Texas. A Hurricane Watch and Tropical Storm Warning is in effect from south of Port Mansfield Texas to the mouth of the Rio Grande. A Storm Surge Watch is in effect from south of Port Mansfield Texas to the mouth of the Rio Grande and north of San Luis Pass to High Island Texas. A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect from north of Matagorda to High Island Texas. A Tropical Storm Watch is in effect from south of the mouth of the Rio Grande to Boca de Catan Mexico.

Advisories on Harvey can be seen off the main menu of the voipwx.net web site, via the voipwxnet Facebook and Twitter feeds and off the National Hurricane Center web site via the following link:

http://www.nhc.noaa.gov

The NHC has been posting key messages on Harvey’s potential. That infographic can be seen at the following link:
http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/news/AL092017_key_messages.png

The VoIP Hurricane Net will likely activate for Harvey in the late afternoon Friday lasting through early Saturday Afternoon. Any Amateur Radio Operators in the affected area of Harvey or with relays into the affected area of Harvey are asked to provide surface and damage reports into the VoIP Hurricane Net. Any SKYWARN Nets active in the local area that can pass reports to the VoIP Hurricane Net for relay into WX4NHC, the Amateur Radio Station at the National Hurricane Center are welcome to send a net liaison or connect directly at their discretion. We appreciate any and all support from Amateur Operators in the affected area or Amateur Operators with relays into the affected area.

The VoIP Hurricane Net Management Team will closely monitor the progress of Harvey. 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 Storm Gert has intensified into Hurricane Gert, the second hurricane of the 2017 Atlantic Hurricane Season, to the east of the US East Coast. Gert is still expected to track slowly northward and then accelerate Northeast between the US East Coast and Bermuda and is currently expected to be a threat only to shipping interests except for high surf and rip currents along the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast US Coast. Advisories on Gert can be seen off the main menu of the voipwx.net web site, via the voipwxnet Facebook and Twitter feeds and via the National Hurricane Center web site via the following link:

http://www.nhc.noaa.gov

Given the offshore track, VoIP Hurricane Net activation for this system is not expected. Nonetheless, the VoIP Hurricane Net management team will closely monitor the progress of this system and other systems in the tropics as 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

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Hello to all…

Tropical Depression (TD) 8 has become Tropical Storm Gert in the Atlantic northeast of the Bahamas. Gert is still expected to track Northwest then North and then Northeast between the US East Coast and Bermuda and is currently expected to be a threat only to shipping interests. Advisories on Gert can be seen off the main menu of the voipwx.net web site, via the voipwxnet Facebook and Twitter feeds and via the National Hurricane Center web site via the following link:

http://www.nhc.noaa.gov

Given the offshore track, VoIP Hurricane Net activation for this system is not expected. Nonetheless, the VoIP Hurricane Net management team will closely monitor the progress of this system and other systems in the tropics as 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

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Hello to all…

Tropical Depression (TD) 8 has formed in the Atlantic northeast of the Bahamas. TD 8 is expected to gradually intensify into a tropical storm and if it does as expected, it will be named Gert. TD 8 is expected to track Northwest then North and then Northeast between the US East Coast and Bermuda and is currently expected to be a threat only to shipping interests. Advisories on TD 8 can be seen off the main menu of the voipwx.net web site, via the voipwxnet Facebook and Twitter feeds and via the National Hurricane Center web site via the following link:

http://www.nhc.noaa.gov

Given the offshore track, VoIP Hurricane Net activation for this system is not expected. Nonetheless, the VoIP Hurricane Net management team will closely monitor the progress of this system and other systems in the tropics as 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

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Hello to all…

Hurricane Franklin made landfall as a category-1 hurricane near Lechuguillas Mexico at approximately 200 AM EDT/100 AM CDT/0600 UTC. The VoIP Hurricane Net was informally active from roughly 800 AM EDT Wednesday through 200 AM EDT Thursday Morning.

Reports from Davis Weather stations before being knocked offline of note included a 75 MPH/121 KPH wind gust at 107 AM EDT/1207 AM CDT with 2.80″ of rain in La Vigueta Mexico and a minimum central pressure of 990 MB and 3.40″ of rain near Martinez De La Torre Mexico. XE2WCG-Carlos also relayed weather data from the Port of Veracruz Naval Air Station during the evening hours. Franklin is now weakening rapidly over the mountains of Mexico. A complete list of reports gathered from various sources during Hurricane Franklin can be seen at the following link:

http://report.voipwx.net/qilan/nhcwx/list_VOIP_records?auth=OK

We wish to thank Carlos-XE2WCG for his help and support during this hurricane. We would also like to acknowledge that Hurricane Watch Net Manager Bobby Graves-KB5HAV was also monitoring the *WX_TALK* Echolink conference node: 7203/IRLP 9219 network and got a chance to talk with XE2WCG-Carlos as they had worked together in the past in the early 2000s on hurricanes. I’d also like to thank W9LW-Jay Farlow who came up on the network to monitor and to K3WRY-Joe Palsa for his offer to assist on short notice for NCO duties.

We are entering the more active portion of the Atlantic Hurricane Season. The VoIP Hurricane Net Management team will be monitoring the progress of any potential systems throughout the season. 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…

Franklin became a hurricane as the 5 PM EDT Wednesday 8/9/17 advisory and Hurricane Franklin is expected to make landfall as a hurricane on the Gulf Coast of Mexico around or north of Veracruz Mexico. A Hurricane Warning is in effect for the coast of Mexico from Puerto de Veracruz to Cabo Rojo. A Hurricane Watch is in effect for the coast of Mexico north of Cabo Rojo to Rio Panuco. A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for the coast of Mexico south of Puerto de Veracruz to Puerto Dos Bocas and the coast of Mexico north of Cabo Rojo to Barra del Tordo. Advisories on Franklin can be seen on the main menu of the voipwx.net web site, via our Facebook and Twitter feeds and via the National Hurricane Center web site at the following link:

http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/

The VoIP Hurricane Net will be informally active through landfall of Franklin in Mexico into the overnight hours. Any stations in the affected area of Franklin or with relays into the affected area of Hurricane Franklin are asked to come up on the network on the *WX_TALK* Echolink conference node: 7203/IRLP 9219 reflector 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…

Potential Tropical Cyclone 7 has become Tropical Storm Franklin. A Tropical Storm Warning remains in effect for the coast of Mexico from Chetumal to Campeche Mexico. A Tropical Storm Watch remains in effect from Belize City Belize to the border of Mexico. A Tropical Storm Watch is now in effect for the Gulf Coast of Mexico from south of Campeche to Sabanucy. Advisories on Franklin can be seen off the main menu of the voipwx.net web site, via the voipwxnet Facebook and Twitter feeds and on the National Hurricane Center web site via the following link:

http://www.nhc.noaa.gov

While the current NHC forecast guidance keeps Franklin at tropical storm strength at this time, it is possible as it emerges over the Bay of Campeche and tracks into the Gulf Coast of Mexico that it could obtain hurricane strength as the official forecast is only 4 MPH below hurricane strength. If Franklin intensifies into a hurricane as it approaches the mainland gulf coast of Mexico, it could prompt activation of the VoIP Hurricane Net and WX4NHC, the Amateur Radio station at the National Hurricane Center. The VoIP Hurricane Net Management team will closely monitor the progress of Franklin. 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 National Hurricane Center (NHC) has begun issuing advisories on Potential Tropical Cyclone 7 which will be approaching the Yucatan Peninsula Monday Night into Tuesday. The National Hurricane Center can now issue advisories on tropical systems before they become classified as a Tropical Cyclone meaning as a Tropical Depression or a Tropical Storm. A Tropical Storm Warning is now in effect for the coast of Mexico from Chetumal to Campeche Mexico. A Tropical Storm Watch is in effect from Belize City Belize to the border of Mexico. Interests around the Bay of Campeche should monitor the progress of this system. This potential tropical cyclone is expected to intensify into a tropical storm. If that occurs as expected, it would be named Franklin. Advisories on Potential Tropical Cyclone 7 can be seen off the main menu of the voipwx.net web site, via the voipwxnet Facebook and Twitter feeds and on the National Hurricane Center web site via the following link:

http://www.nhc.noaa.gov

While the current NHC forecast guidance keeps the system at tropical storm strength at this time, it is possible as it emerges over the Bay of Campeche and tracks into the East Coast of Mexico that it could obtain hurricane strength as the official forecast is only 4 MPH below hurricane strength. If the system intensifies into a hurricane as it approaches the mainland east coast of Mexico, it could prompt activation of the VoIP Hurricane Net and WX4NHC, the Amateur Radio station at the National Hurricane Center. 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…

Tropical Storm Emily has formed west of Tampa Bay Florida this morning. Emily has maximum sustained winds of 45 MPH and is moving towards the east at 8 MPH. A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect from Anclote River to Bonita Beach Florida. The main threat from Emily is heavy rainfall and flooding but some strong winds and severe weather is also possible from Emily. Emily is not expected to reach hurricane strength.

Advisories on Tropical Storm Emily can be found off the main menu of the voipwx.net web site, via the voipwxnet Facebook and Twitter feeds and on the National Hurricane Center web site at the following link:

http://www.nhc.noaa.gov

Since Emily is not expected to reach hurricane strength, no VoIP Hurricane Net activation is anticipated but local/regional SKYWARN groups in the path of Emily in Central Florida may activate for impacts from Emily. The VoIP Hurricane Net will closely monitor the progress of Emily. 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 Storm Don formed Monday Evening and will move through the Windward Islands tonight with maximum sustained winds of 50 MPH. A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for Grenada and St Vincent and the Grenadines. A Tropical Storm Watch is in effect for Barbados, St Lucia and Bonaire. Advisories on Tropical Storm Don can be seen off the main menu of the voipwx.net web site, via the voipwxnet Facebook and Twitter feeds and from the National Hurricane Center web site at the following link:

http://www.nhc.noaa.gov

Don is not expected to reach hurricane strength and Don is expected to weaken as it moves into the Southeast Caribbean Sea on Wednesday so activation of the VoIP Hurricane Net is currently not anticipated. Nonetheless, the VoIP Hurricane Net Management Team will closely monitor the progress of Tropical Storm Don. 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 reminder that the ARRL will be hosting a Hurricane Webinar on Monday July 17th, 2017 from 800-930 PM EDT. Details on registration can be seen via the following link:
http://www.arrl.org/news/arrl-to-sponsor-2017-atlantic-hurricane-season-webinar

The webinar will go through an overview of the 2017 Atlantic Hurricane Season and key Amateur Radio group’s preparedness for the season and how Amateur Radio Operators and SKYWARN Spotters can become involved. These Amateur Radio Groups include, WX4NHC, the Amateur Radio Station at the National Hurricane Center, which is now in its 37th year of service, the Hurricane Watch Net, the VoIP Hurricane Net, SATERN (the Salvation Army Team Emergency Response Network) and the American Radio Relay League (ARRL). Also, an Amateur Radio Operator who is the Warning Preparedness Meteorologist at the Canadian Hurricane Centre will be giving the meteorological overview of the season.

We hope many folks can join the 2017 ARRL Hurricane Webinar! 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) 4 has formed in the Atlantic about 1545 miles east of the lesser Antilles with maximum sustained winds of 30 MPH. TD 4 is expected to remain a depression for the next several days and is currently not expected to become a tropical storm due to dry air approaching the depression. If it were to become a tropical storm, it would be named Don. TD 4 is not expected to threaten land over the next several days.

Advisories on TD 4 can be found off of the main menu of the voipwx.net web site, via the voipwxnet Facebook and Twitter feeds and via the National Hurricane Center web site at the following link:

http://www.nhc.noaa.gov

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

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

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Hello to all…

The National Hurricane Center has begun issuing advisories on Potential Tropical Cyclone 2 which will be approaching the Southern Windward Islands Monday Night into Tuesday. The National Hurricane Center can now issue advisories on tropical systems before they become classified as a Tropical Cyclone meaning as a Tropical Depression or a Tropical Storm. A Tropical Storm Warning is now in effect for Barbados, St Vincent and the Grenadines, Trinidad, Tobago and Grenada. At this time, potential Tropical Cyclone 2 is expected to intensify into a tropical storm. It will be named at that time. Its name may depend on when and if the system over the Northwest Caribbean Sea is classified and named. At this time, this tropical system is not expected to reach hurricane status so formal VoIP Hurricane Net activation is not expected at this time but the VoIP Hurricane Net management team will closely monitor the progress of this system and forward any reports of damage and any significant meteorological data to the National Hurricane Center as needed. Advisories on Potential Tropical Cyclone 2 including more data on how the hurricane center can now issue advisories before systems are classified as a tropical depression or a tropical storm can be seen off the main menu of the voipwx.net web site under Atlantic Tropical Products, via the voipwxnet Facebook and Twitter feeds or via the National Hurricane Center web site at the following link:

http://www.nhc.noaa.gov

The system over the Yucatan Peninsula and Northwest Caribbean Sea continues to show signs of organization as it moves slowly north-northwestward but still does not have a closed circulation. A reconnaissance aircraft may investigate this system on Monday if necessary. The system has a high chance of 80-90 percent for development over the next 48 hours to 5 day period. Regardless of development, heavy rains and some gale force winds are expected to continue over Central America, the Yucatan Peninsula, Jamaica, the Cayman Islands and Western Cuba over the next few days. Updates on this system can also be seen off the main menu of the voipwx.net web site under Atlantic Tropical Products, via the voipwxnet Facebook and Twitter feeds or via the National Hurricane Center web site.

The VoIP Hurricane Net Management team will closely monitor the progress of these two 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 VoIP Hurricane Net Management team is monitoring two areas of disturbed weather for potential tropical cyclone formation. The first system is a tropical wave 1500 miles east-southeast of the Southern Windward Islands where conditions could allow for some development over the next few days before conditions become less favorable development as it continues to move west or west-northwestward at 15-20 MPH. This system will remain over the Tropical Atlantic away from land for the next several days. This system has a medium chance, 40% of tropical cyclone formation in the next 48 hours and a high chance, 70% for tropical cyclone formation over the next 5 days.

The second system is a broad area of low pressure in the Northwestern Caribbean that is producing a large area of clouds, showers and thunderstorms across this area including adjacent land areas. Gradual development of this system is expected as it moves slowly northwestward into the Southern Gulf of Mexico  over the next couple of days and regardless of development this system could produce heavy rainfall over the Yucatan Peninsula, Central America, Western Cuba, Jamaica, and the Cayman Islands. This system has a low chance 20% chance of tropical cyclone formation in the next 48 hours and a high chance 70% of tropical cyclone formation over the next 5 days.

Updates on these two systems can be seen in the Tropical Weather Outlook under Atlantic Tropical Products, via the voipwxnet Facebook and Twitter feeds and via the National Hurricane Center web site via the following link:

http://www.nhc.noaa.gov

The VoIP Hurricane Net Management team will continue to monitor the progress of these two systems and provide updates as needed. 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…

Today, June 1st, marks the start of the 2017 Atlantic Hurricane Season. NWS Taunton has sent out a Public Information Statement regarding the start of the season including storm names, some Southern New England Hurricane History and tropical system safety tips. The National Hurricane Center has now started issuing their Atlantic Tropical Weather Outlooks and have provided info on storm names and their various products. Details at the following links:

National Hurricane Center – Start of the 2017 Atlantic Hurricane Season – Tropical Weather Outlook and Overview of Products:
http://www.voipwx.net/files/two_atl_nhc_hurricane_season_start_2017.txt

It never hurts to have preparations in place and review safety rules prior to any impending tropical system affecting your region. This info can help you stay informed and understand products issued by the National Hurricane Center and your local National Weather Service or National Metorological service and prepare properly if your area is affected by a tropical system. Remember that the impacts of tropical systems can reach inland locations as well. For safety tips, seasonal forecasts and other information, please see the National Hurricane Center web site at the following link:

http://www.nhc.noaa.gov

The National Hurricane Center also has a social media presence. That information is also available via their web site.

Remember also that we will post National Hurricane Center advisory information as links along the main menu of the voipwx.net web site as the systems are classified. This information is also posted on our voipwxnet Facebook and Twitter feeds.

We hope for a season where coastal areas are not impacted by significant tropical systems. That said, the VoIP Hurricane Net Management team stands ready to activate the VoIP Hurricane Net as required for the 2017 Atlantic Hurricane Season. 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…

From Julio Ripoll-WD4R, Assistant WX4NHC Coordinator, a story on an award presented to now former Director of the National Hurricane Center, Dr Rick Knabb, by the Amateur Radio team at WX4NHC the Amateur Radio station at the National Hurricane Center. Dr Knabb is now at The Weather Channel. Photos provided by Julio-WD4R are on the VoIP Hurricane Net Facebook page.

Report on Our WX4NHC Appreciation Award to NHC Director Dr. Rick Knabb

The Amateur Radio Group at the National Hurricane Center WX4NHC presented NHC Director Dr. Rick Knabb with an award of appreciation during the Hurricane Hunters Tour. Dr. Knabb had announced his departure from NHC to join The Weather Channel.

Dr. Knabb will be greatly missed at NHC, especially by the volunteer Amateur Radio Operators at WX4NHC, who enjoyed many years of his welcome and support. Rick’s smile and enthusiasm was always contagious.

His positive communications with the public; exemplary. The “Hurricane Hams” at WX4NHC wish Dr. Knabb all the best of success.

Thanks to all for the 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 Amateur Radio Station at the National Hurricane Center, WX4NHC, Annual station test report has been received from Julio Ripoll-WD4R, Assistant WX4NHC Coordinator. His report is posted below. Pictures from the station event are posted on the VoIP Hurricane Net Facebook page. We appreciate everyone who checked into the Annual station test whether it be on our system via Echolink/IRLP or HF, VHF and the many other modes used in the station test. Below is the WX4NHC Annual Station Test Event Report from Assistant WX4NHC Coordinator, WD4R-Julio Ripoll:

WX4NHC Annual Station Test Event Report – Saturday May 27th, 2017

We had a very successful WX4NHC Radio Station Test yesterday (Saturday May 27th, 2017). All of our radio and computer equipment and new main HF Dipole antenna worked well. We feel that our equipment will perform well if needed during this hurricane season.

We logged a total of 196 communications contacts throughout the US, Canada, Caribbean and Europe. Total time on-the-air was about 8 hours and we used all of the communications modes available at our station; HF, VHF, UHF, several digital radio modes (EchoLink, IRLP, DMR, D-Star, D-RATS) and digital HF messaging (Winlink).

We tested the Florida Statewide SARNet network which connects more than 26 VHF/UHF Repeaters and EOC Offices. Our UHF Repeater at FIU campus is part of the SARNet system, that is sponsored by the State of Florida DOT. We contacted Several stations throughout all parts of Florida from Miami, Tampa to Tallahassee State EOC.

Some of our interesting contacts:

Canadian Hurricane Center VE1MBR (Bob Robichaud), Halifax, Nova Scotia, where it was 50F; it was 93F in Miami at that time. Bob sends many thanks for the great cooperation between the Hurricane Centers and WX4NHC during Hurricane Season. Lafayette, LA EOC, Slidell NWS, San Juan PR EOC, and as far as Germany and Tel Aviv Israel.

Rob KD1CY operated Net Control for the VoIP Hurricane Net from WA1EMA at  Acushnet, Mass Emergency Management Agency. The Asst. Director of Acushnet EMA (Ed KA1RSY) also took time to make a contact and send his cool regards (it was 64F up there and we were still hot in Miami).

Many of our contacts were with individual Amateur Radio Operators that volunteer as Skywarn Spotters for their local NWS offices and also participate in the Hurricane Watch Net on HF during hurricanes. One of them “Debbie” WX9VOR from Aurora, IL was very active relaying surface reports during Hurricane Mathew last year.

Thanks again to everyone that participated in our annual WX4NHC Pre-Hurricane Season station test.

We hope our services are not needed during this hurricane season. But if needed, we are ready to provide NHC backup communications and ready to receive those important Surface Reports from stations inside the hurricane.

Your Surface Report or your Relay can make a big difference.

73, Julio – WD4R

-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-
Julio Ripoll Architect WD4R
WX4NHC Amateur Radio Asst. Coordinator
www.wx4nhc.org
Celebrating 37 years at the
National Hurricane Center
www.nhc.noaa.gov
-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-

Thanks to all for their continued support of WX4NHC and the VoIP Hurricane Net!

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

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Hello to all…

Please see the announcement on the WX4NHC On-Air Communications Test for this Saturday May 27th, 2017. WX4NHC will be on the *WX_TALK* Echolink conference node: 7203/IRLP 9219 system between 4-5 PM EDT/2000-2100 UTC Saturday and on other frequencies and modes throughout the day.

Announcement from WX4NHC
Amateur Radio Station at the National Hurricane Center, Miami Florida

WX4NHC will be On-The-Air for the Annual Station Test
Saturday, May 27th , 2017 from 9AM- 5 PM EDT (1300z- 2100z)
This will be our 37th year of public service at NHC.

The purpose of this event is to test Amateur Radio Station equipment,
antennas and computers prior to this year’s Hurricane Season, which starts
June 1st and runs through November 30th.

This event is good practice for Ham Radio Operators world-wide as well as
NWS Staff to become familiar with Amateur Radio communications available
during times of severe weather.

We will be making brief contacts on many frequencies and modes, exchanging
signal reports and basic weather data exchange (“Sunny”, or “Rain”, etc.)
with any station in any location.

WX4NHC will be On-The-Air on HF, VHF, UHF , 2 & 30 meter APRS and WinLink
wx4nhc@winlink.org subject must contain “//WL2K”.
We will try to stay on the Hurricane Watch Net frequency 14.325 MHz most of
the time.

Due to space and equipment limitations, we will have 2 operators per shift,
we cannot be everywhere and every mode at the same time.
You may be able to find us on HF by using one of the DX Spotting Networks,
Such as the DX Summit Web Site: http://www.dxsummit.fi/Search.aspx

We will also be on VoIP Hurricane Net 4pm-5pm EDT (2000-2100z)
(IRLP node 9219 / EchoLink WX-TALK Conference node 7203). http://www.voipwx.net/

Florida VHF & UHF Repeaters will be contacted.

QSL Cards are available via WD4R.
Please send your card with a S.A.S.E.
Please do NOT send QSLs directly to the Hurricane Center address, as it will
get delayed.

Due to security measures;
NO VISITORS will be allowed entry to NHC without prior clearance from NHC
PIO and Security.
Only WX4NHC Operators on the pre-approved operating schedule will be allowed
entry.

For more information about WX4NHC, please visit our website
www.wx4nhc.org

Thank you for your participation in the WX4NHC Annual Station Test event.

-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-
Julio Ripoll Architect WD4R
WX4NHC Amateur Radio Asst. Coordinator
www.wx4nhc.org
Celebrating 37 years at the
National Hurricane Center
www.nhc.noaa.gov

-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-

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 National Hurricane Conference Amateur Radio Workshop sessions (this year being held in New Orleans Louisiana) will be livestreamed on Wednesday April 19th, 2017. The livestream links will be as follows:

http://www.nsradio.org/stream
http://www.voipwx.net/files/stream.htm

Wednesday, April 19 — 08:30-10:00 CDT*
8:30     Opening Remarks (5 Minutes – Presented by Rob Macedo – KD1CY)
8:35     Canadian Hurricane Centre and Hurricane Meteorological Topics (30 Minutes – Presented by Bob Robichaud-VE1MBR, Canadian Hurricane Centre)
9:05     WX4NHC, the Amateur Radio Station at the NHC (30 Minutes – Presented by Julio Ripoll – WD4R)
9:35     The Hurricane Watch Net, Personal Weather Stations, Backup Power, & Antenna Overview (30 Minutes – Presented by Bobby Graves – KB5HAV)
10:05    ARRL Update (15 Minutes – Presented by Matt Anderson – KD5KNZ / LA ARRL Asst. SM)

—> NOTE:  Speakers will be on a break from 10:20-10:30 CDT

Wednesday, April 19 — 10:30-12:00  CDT*
10:30     Importance of Amateur Radio / Spotter Surface Reports (25 Minutes – Presented by NHC Director Dr. Rick Knabb)
11:00     The VoIP Hurricane Net and Best Practices in SKYWARN for Tropical Systems (30 Minutes – Presented by Rob Macedo – KD1CY)
11:30     SATERN Presentation (30 Minutes – Presented by Bill Feist – WD8BZH)
11:50     Q&A Panel with Door Prizes (20 Minutes – Presented by all members of the panel)

—> NOTE:  Sessions end at 12:15 CDT

We hope folks can join the livestream Wednesday 4/19/17. If people cannot make the livestream, the presentations will be archived and information will be sent out once that occurs. 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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