Hello to all..

The 2016 WX4NHC Communications Test was very successful. Many stations checked in with WX4NHC, the Amateur Radio Station at the National Hurricane Center allowing for critical testing of equipment. In addition, KK4INZ-Craig Fugate, FEMA Administrator, checked into the test and contacted both WX4NHC, the Amateur Radio Station at the National Hurricane Center, and VE1MBR-Bob Robichaud, who was located at the Canadian Hurricane Centre in the Halifax Nova Scotia Canada area and monitored the last approximately 45 minutes of the Communications test. The moment was captured and recorded via the Echolink audio recording feature. The approximately 5 minute and 30 second period where KK4INZ-Craig Fugate made contact with WX4NHC and the Canadian Hurricane Centre can be heard via the following link:

http://www.voipwx.net/files/KK4INZ_Craig_Fugate_on_voipwxnet_wx4nhc_comms_test.wav
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Hello to all..

Tropical Depression (TD) Two formed yesterday in the Atlantic Ocean north of the Bahamas. Slow strengthening is forecast and the depression is expected to become a tropical storm later today. If that occurs, TD Two will be named Bonnie. A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect from Savannah River to Little River Inlet South Carolina. Advisories on TD Two can be seen off the Main Menu of the voipwx.net web site, via our Facebook and Twitter feeds and via the National Hurricane Center web site via the following link:

http://www.nhc.noaa.gov

Bonnie is not expected to become a hurricane so activation of the VoIP Hurricane Net is unlikely. That said, a tropical storm can bring heavy rainfall, flooding and possibly severe weather along its path. This may prompt local/regional SKYWARN Activations in the areas affected. The VoIP Hurricane Net Management Team will continue to monitor the progress of TD Two over the next few days. 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 the potential of tropical or subtropical cyclone development with an area of disturbed weather between Bermuda and the Bahamas. The system is gradually becoming better organized and has a medium chance, 60% for development in 48 hours and a high chance, 70% for development in 5 days. Given the Memorial Day Weekend, interests along the Southeast US Coast from Georgia through North Carolina should monitor the progress of this system and an air force recon plane is scheduled to investigate this low Friday Afternoon. The National Hurricane Center has been sending out updates several times a day on this system. These updates can be seen via the Tropical Weather Outlook link 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

The VoIP Hurricane Net Management Team continues to 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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WX4NHC will be On-The-Air for the Annual Station Test
Saturday, May 28th , 2016 from 9AM- 5 PM EDT ( 1300z- 2100z)
This will be our 36th 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 can not 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 EST (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;
Please, 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.

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