Hello to all….

The VoIP Hurricane Net will be doing the following for net activation plans based on the 5 PM EDT/2100 UTC Sunday track of Major Hurricane Gustav:

1.) Call-Up Net of all Northern US Gulf Coast Stations that are available to assist the net at 8 PM ET/7 PM CT.

2.) Informal net monitoring from the time the call-up is over until 4 AM ET Monday.

3.) Net Activation to start formally at 4 AM ET Monday. The net activation will last until some point on Tuesday depending on the track and intensity of Gustav.

For the latest advisory information including watches and warnings, you can go to the VoIPWXNet web site and click Atlantic Tropical Products and click on the advisory information for Fay under the Atlantic Tropical Products section. You can also gather the advisory information from the National Hurricane Center web site at the following link:

http://www.nhc.noaa.gov

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

Listen Only IRLP/EchoLink capability include the following systems (Please note due to rapid activation status some listen-only nodes may not be up right at noon time):

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

EchoLink:
*KC4QLP-C* Node: 290251
*VKEMCOMM* Node: 270177
*N5API* Node: 77433
*IRESC* Node: 278173
*N1TAI* Node: 269929

A streaming audio feed has been setup thanks to the assistance of David McAnally-WD5M. This is the first time he has setup a streaming audio server so please bear with any technical difficulties. The links are listed below:

Streaming Audio Feed in MP-3 Format
Streaming Audio Feed in OGG Format

Streaming Audio Feed Direct Link without Port listing

Bob Carter-KC4QLP has also setup an online stream for up to 32 listeners at the following link:

Streaming Audio Feed from KC4QLP

An EQSO listen-only feed is also available via KC4QLP-R.

Links to the WD5M streaming audio feeds have also been provided in the Main Menu of the VoIPWXNet web site.

WX4NHC, the Amateur Radio Station at the National Hurricane Center in Miami Florida, will be active beginning Monday Morning. Below is the typical information WX4NHC issues prior to activation of the WX4NHC Ham Station as provided by WX4NHC Coordinators, Julio Ripoll-WD4R and John McHugh-K4AG:

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

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

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

Your safety is the first priority.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

WX4NHC is very proud to have maintained an active Amateur Radio Station at the National Hurricane Center for the past 28 years.

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

OUR MISSION: TO HELP SAVE LIVES.

—

John Mc Hugh, K4AG
Coordinator for Amateur Radio
National Hurricane Center, WX4NHC
Home page:- http://www.wx4nhc.org

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

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

The VoIP Hurricane Net has deactivated at this time as Hurricane Gustav is now over the open waters of the Gulf of Mexico. The VoIP Hurricane Net will do a call up of Northern Gulf US stations at 8 PM ET/7 PM CT this evening with full activation to commence Monday Morning potentially lasting well into Tuesday. A complete activation announcement will be posted later Sunday Evening.

For the first time in VoIP Hurricane Net history, several reports were gathered from Cuba thanks to the tremendous efforts of Fernando-XE1RCF and Brett-PJ2BR. Fernando’s relayed report from a 40 Meter Net was utilized in the 8 PM ET Saturday Evening advisory. This was of tremendous help to the National Hurricane Center forecasters. Those reports can be seen on the VoIPWXNet web site by clicking the report viewer off the Main Menu.

Once again, a complete activation announcement for Monday and Tuesday will be posted late this afternoon/evening but a VoIP Hurricane Net Call-Up will be done at 8 PM ET/7 PM CT Sunday Evening for Northern Gulf Coast stations. Thanks to all for their continued support of the VoIP Hurricane Net!

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

The following is a situation report on the VoIP Hurricane Net activation for Hurricane Gustav. The net has been active since 6 PM Friday Evening focusing on reports from the Cayman Islands overnight through early this morning. A number of reports from the Cayman Islands were relayed from online weather stations and from IRESC member and long-time VoIP Hurricane Net contributor, Julien Dedier-9Z4FZ. Reports from the overnight period can be viewed on the VoIP Hurricane Net web site (http://www.voipwx.net) by clicking on the report viewer link off of the Main Menu. Please note that the Georgetown Cayman Island rainfall reports appear to be too high due to a technical issue with that stations rain gauge.

We are now looking for relayed reports from the western part of Cuba. This is an area that does not have any direct EchoLink or IRLP links but any relays from stations that have HF access to the area, contacts with that area or can monitor Cuban media outlets and translate Spanish from that area will be helpful. In addition, the Florida Keys have been getting tropical storm force wind gusts due to the outer bands of Gustav. Any reports from the Florida Keys from these outer bands will be helpful as well.

The latest 11 AM Advisory stated that a Hurricane Watch could be posted for portions of the Northern Gulf Coast later on Saturday. At 8 PM ET Saturday, we would like to have a call up of all Northern Gulf Coast Stations particularly from Eastern Texas, Louisiana and Southern Mississippi as this appears the area of potential impact with the greatest threat for Louisiana and possibly Eastern Texas based on the current model guidance. The regular weekly net for this week will be modified to be a call up for stations in the affected area of Hurricane Gustav.

Tropical Advisories on Hurricane Gustav can be seen on the voipwx.net web site by clicking Atlantic Tropical Products off of the Main Menu and then clicking the advisory information. This information can also be gathered from the National Hurricane Center web site via the following link:

http://www.nhc.noaa.gov

Another Situation Report will be issued later this evening as time allows. The VoIP Hurricane Net will remain active throughout the day for Western Cuba but reports will likely be quite sparse due to the lack of EchoLink and IRLP nodes in Western Cuba. Any and all relays to Cuba would be extremely helpful. Any and all stations from the Northern Gulf Coast that can check-in with us this evening would be extremely helpful as well.

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

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

The VoIP Hurricane Net will drop to informal monitoring mode until 6 PM ET Friday as Gustav remains a tropical storm and no reports have been received in the past 2-3 hours and Gustav will slowly pull away from Jamaica. The net will likely formalize once again for Gustav’s track toward the Cayman Islands around 6 PM ET Friday where he will likely become a hurricane.

A number of reports were forwarded from Jamaica today and can be seen in the report viewer link off the main menu of the voipwx.net web site.

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 will activate at 12 PM ET Thursday for Tropical Storm Gustav as Gustav is expected to intensify into a hurricane and affect Southern Jamaica with the potential for hurricane force conditions. Gustav could then affect the Cayman Islands and Western Cuba before entering the Gulf of Mexico this weekend.

There are a few Echolink and IRLP nodes in the affected area of Jamaica and we hope that Amateur Radio Operators with these capabilities in neighboring Caribbean Islands and the International Radio Emergency Support Coalition (IRESC), can support us with contacts in the affected area via HF and other means as well as direct contacft via EchoLink and IRLP. All information will be helpful for WX4NHC, the Amateur Radio Station at the National Hurricane Center.

For the latest advisory information including watches and warnings, you can go to the VoIPWXNet web site and click Atlantic Tropical Products and click on the advisory information for Fay under the Atlantic Tropical Products section. You can also gather the advisory information from the National Hurricane Center web site at the following link:

http://www.nhc.noaa.gov

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

Listen Only IRLP/EchoLink capability include the following systems (Please note due to rapid activation status some listen-only nodes may not be up right at noon time):

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

EchoLink:
*KC4QLP-C* Node: 290251
*VKEMCOMM* Node: 270177
*N5API* Node: 77433
*IRESC* Node: 278173

A streaming audio feed has been setup thanks to the assistance of David McAnally-WD5M. This is the first time he has setup a streaming audio server so please bear with any technical difficulties. The links are listed below:

Streaming Audio Feed in MP-3 Format
Streaming Audio Feed in OGG Format

Streaming Audio Feed Direct Link without Port listing

Bob Carter-KC4QLP has also setup an online stream for up to 32 listeners at the following link:

Streaming Audio Feed from KC4QLP

An EQSO listen-only feed is also available via KC4QLP-R.

Links to the WD5M streaming audio feeds have also been provided in the Main Menu of the VoIPWXNet web site.

WX4NHC ANNOUNCEMENT – HURRICANE GUSTAV OPERATIONS
Released August 28, 2008

PLEASE RELAY TO STATIONS IN THE AFFECTED AREAS.

The 8 AM EDT (1200z) Advisory from the National Hurricane Center forecasts further strengthening of TS Gustav on approach to the island of Jamaica later today

MAXIMUM SUSTAINED WINDS HAVE INCREASED TO NEAR 70 MPH…110 KM/HR…WITH HIGHER GUSTS. GUSTAV IS EXPECTED TO BECOME A HURRICANE LATER TODAY.

In anticipation of Gustav reaching Hurricane strength today, WX4NHC, the Amateur Radio station at the National Hurricane Center in Miami, will be activating today at 12 PM EDT (1600z).

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

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

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

Your safety is the first priority.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

WX4NHC is very proud to have maintained an active Amateur Radio Station at the National Hurricane Center for the past 28 years.

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

OUR MISSION: TO HELP SAVE LIVES.

—

John Mc Hugh, K4AG
Coordinator for Amateur Radio
National Hurricane Center, WX4NHC
Home page:- http://www.wx4nhc.org

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Hello to all…

Gustav has stalled over Southeast Haiti and has weakened to a Tropical Storm. Gustav will begin a slow westward movement on Wednesday and begin to intensify once it moves away from land regaining hurricane strength later today or Thursday. Given that Gustav is a tropical storm, the net has secured.

As mentioned in the activation notice, there are few, if any, Echolink and IRLP stations in the affected area of Haiti and Cuba. This led to an extremely quiet net, however, the International Radio Emergency Support Coalition (IRESC) provided some information from Haiti, Cuba and Jamaica that was forwarded to WX4NHC via email. Long time VoIP Hurricane Net contributor and IRESC member Julien Dedier-9Z4FZ assisted with some of the reporting along with Doug Pattison-VE7XAT and Steve Richards-G4HPE.

The current forecast track brings Gustav between Cuba and Jamaica with the hurricane force winds remaining largely offshore between these two areas. The VoIP Hurricane Net will closely monitor the track of Gustav but the current forecast track does not have direct impact from Gustav as a huricane over land until it reaches Western Cuba late Friday into Saturday which could prompt an activation at that time. We will work with IRESC as we did on Tuesday over the next few days on reports from Gustav as required and if the track of Gustav changes and allows hurricane force winds to have a greater impact over land the activation status of the net will change accordingly.

Again, the VoIP Hurricane Net Management Team will closely monitor the progress of Gustav. 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….

**UPDATED WITH WX4NHC OPERATIONS ACTIVATION INFORMATION, IRESC LISTEN ONLY AND SUPPORT INFO AND ADDITIONAL DIRECT LINK TO LISTEN ONLY STREAMING. REMAINDER BELOW IS UNCHANGED.***

The VoIP Hurricane Net will activate at 10 AM ET for Hurricane Gustav and his approach to Southwest Haiti. Hurricane Gustav has formed in the Carribean and is already a Category 1 hurricane after being classified as a Tropical Depression on 11 AM Monday. Gustav will come very close, if not over the coast of Haiti before a track that could take it towards either Cuba or Jamaica. Hurricane Watches and Warnings are posted for many of these areas.

There are few, if any, Echolink and IRLP nodes in the affected area. Therefore, we are hoping that Amateur Radio Operators with these capabilities in neighboring Caribbean islands and the International Radio Emergency Support Coalition (IRESC), can support us with contacts in the affected area via HF and other means. All information will be helpful for WX4NHC, the Amateur Radio Station at the National Hurricane Center.

For the latest advisory information including watches and warnings, you can go to the VoIPWXNet web site and click Atlantic Tropical Products and click on the advisory information for Fay under the Atlantic Tropical Products section. You can also gather the advisory information from the National Hurricane Center web site at the following link:

http://www.nhc.noaa.gov

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

Listen Only IRLP/EchoLink capability include the following systems:

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

EchoLink:
*KC4QLP-C* Node: 290251
*VKEMCOMM* Node: 270177
*N5API* Node: 77433
*IRESC* Node: 278173

A streaming audio feed has been setup thanks to the assistance of David McAnally-WD5M. This is the first time he has setup a streaming audio server so please bear with any technical difficulties. The links are listed below:

Streaming Audio Feed in MP-3 Format
Streaming Audio Feed in OGG Format

Streaming Audio Feed Direct Link without Port listing

Bob Carter-KC4QLP has also setup an online stream for up to 32 listeners at the following link:

Streaming Audio Feed from KC4QLP

An EQSO listen-only feed is also available via KC4QLP-R.

Links to the WD5M streaming audio feeds have also been provided in the Main Menu of the VoIPWXNet web site.

WX4NHC ANNOUNCEMENT – HURRICANE GUSTAV OPERATIONS
Released August 26th, 2008

PLEASE RELAY TO STATIONS IN THE AFFECTED AREAS.

The 8 AM EDT (1200z) Advisory from the National Hurricane Center forecasts further strengthening of Hurricane Gustav on approach to the Southern coast of Haiti today.

…GUSTAV A LITTLE STRONGER…NEARING THE SOUTH COAST OF HAITI… AT 800 AM EDT…1200Z…THE CENTER OF HURRICANE GUSTAV WAS LOCATED
NEAR LATITUDE 17.5 NORTH…LONGITUDE 72.0 WEST OR ABOUT 75 MILES…125 KM…SOUTH-SOUTHEAST OF PORT AU PRINCE HAITI AND ABOUT 265 MILES…425 KM…SOUTHEAST OF GUANTANAMO CUBA.

GUSTAV IS MOVING TOWARD THE NORTHWEST NEAR 9 MPH…15 KM/HR…AND THIS MOTION IS EXPECTED TO CONTINUE TODAY WITH A TURN TOWARD THE
WEST-NORTHWEST AND A DECREASE IN FORWARD SPEED FORECAST ON WEDNESDAY. ON THIS TRACK THIS HURRICANE SHOULD MOVE OVER SOUTHWESTERN HAITI LATER TODAY AND NEAR OR JUST SOUTH OF
EASTERN CUBA ON WEDNESDAY.

MAXIMUM SUSTAINED WINDS HAVE INCREASED TO NEAR 90 MPH…150 KM/HR…WITH HIGHER GUSTS. GUSTAV IS A CATEGORY ONE HURRICANE ON THE SAFFIR-SIMPSON SCALE. THE HURRICANE COULD BECOME A CATEGORY
TWO HURRICANE BEFORE LANDFALL IN HAITI LATER TODAY.

WX4NHC, the Amateur Radio station at the National Hurricane Center in Miami, will be activating it’s HF and EchoLink/IRLP station ontoday, August 26th , 2008 at 10 AM EDT (1400z).

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

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

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

Your safety is the first priority.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

WX4NHC is very proud to have maintained an active Amateur Radio Station at the National Hurricane Center for the past 28 years.

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

OUR MISSION: TO HELP SAVE LIVES.

—
John Mc Hugh, K4AG
Coordinator for Amateur Radio
National Hurricane Center, WX4NHC
Home page:- http://www.wx4nhc.org

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 Fay continues to baffle the computer models and forecasters. Fay unexpectedly intensified inland over Florida during the day Tuesday before weakening Tuesday Night into Wednesday Morning. Fay now has maximum sustained winds of 45 MPH with the strongest winds and activity to the east of the center. Fay is currently centered over Cape Canaveral Florida. Fay is expected to move out over the water and potentially pick up strength before making a second landfall in Northeast Florida. The track is uncertain due to Fay’s slow movement as is the intensity forecast. The current intensity forecast keeps Fay just below hurricane strength.

The *WX-TALK* Echolink conference Node: 7203/IRLP 9219 system is available for Florida Hams in the affected area to coordinate and pass on reports as required. We will attempt to have net controls informally monitor the system particularly toward Wednesday Afternoon and Wednesday Night as Fay’s center moves over the water and attempts to restrengthen and then turns back towards the coast. Possible formal activation of the net could occur late tonight or Thursday Morning if Fay reaches hurricane strength or reports from stations in the affected area increase. This is in agreement with coordination with the WX4NHC Coordinators, Julio Ripoll-WD4R and John McHugh-K4AG.

The VoIP Hurricane Net Management Team will continue to closely monitor the progress of Fay. 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 Fay made landfall at 5 AM ET this morning over Camp Romano Florida. Fay is expected to remain over Florida as a tropical storm dumping heavy rainfall along with strong winds and possible tornadoes as Fay moves slowly northward.

Given that Fay is not expected to reach hurricane strength and is now over land, the VoIP Hurricane Net will be securing formal operations at 8 AM ET. While Fay is only a tropical storm and is expected to weaken, we will maintain a presenece on the system for a few more hours due to the fact that Fay’s appearance on radar now shows an eye like feature. The *WX-TALK* Echolink Node: 7203/IRLP 9219 system will be available for all Florida stations to utilize for local Tropical Storm Fay operations as required and a couple of our net controls, Fransisco-NP3OD and Sparky-N1YLQ will be monitoring the system for any needs of those in the affected area through the morning and early afternoon hours and Todd KG4VVO will be monitoring from 10 AM through Noon Tuesday.

Thanks to all Florida stations who supported the VoIP Hurricane Net during this operation as well as the net controls who reacted quickly to activate on short notice based on coordination with the WX4NHC coordinators. Thanks to all other folks outside of the affected area 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 track of Fay is further east than model runs were expecting Sunday Evening. This has accelerated activation plans for WX4NHC and the VoIP Hurricane Net. Therefore, the VoIP Hurricane Net will activate in coordination with WX4NHC at 3 PM EDT Monday August 18th to support the relay of reports from the Florida Keys and Southern Florida. The activation will extend through Tuesday Evening.

The VoIP Hurricane Net would like any Floirda Hams and those SKYWARN Coordinators who have been with us over the weekend to be prepared to relay reports of SKYWARN criteria on damage and measured weather data to the VoIP Hurricane Net. We will be looking for any and all stations from Florida to assist with reports from the affected area from Fay.

For the latest advisory information including watches and warnings, you can go to the VoIPWXNet web site and click Atlantic Tropical Products and click on the advisory information for Fay under the Atlantic Tropical Products section. You can also gaather the advisory information from the National Hurricane Center web site at the following link:

http://www.nhc.noaa.gov

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

Listen Only IRLP/EchoLink capability include the following systems:

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

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

A streaming audio feed has been setup thanks to the assistance of David McAnally-WD5M. This is the first time he has setup a streaming audio server so please bear with any technical difficulties. The links are listed below:

Streaming Audio Feed in MP-3 Format
Streaming Audio Feed in OGG Format

Bob Carter-KC4QLP has also setup an online stream for up to 32 listeners at the following link:

Streaming Audio Feed from KC4QLP

Links to the WD5M streaming audio feeds have also been provided in the Main Menu of the VoIPWXNet web site.

Below is the WX4NHC Activation Announcement as provided by John McHugh-K4AG, WX4NHC Coordinator and Julio Ripoll-WD4R, Assistant WX4NHC Coordinator:

WX4NHC ANNOUNCEMENT – HURRICANE FAY OPERATIONS
Released August 18th, 2008

PLEASE RELAY TO STATIONS IN THE AFFECTED AREAS.

In anticipation of Fay reaching Hurricane strength, WX4NHC, the Amateur Radio station at the National Hurricane Center in Miami, will be activating it’s HF and EchoLink/IRLP station on Monday, August 18th , 2008 at 3 PM EDT (1900z).

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

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

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

Your safety is the first priority.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

WX4NHC is very proud to have maintained an active Amateur Radio Station at the National Hurricane Center for the past 28 years.

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

OUR MISSION: TO HELP SAVE LIVES.

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

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

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

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