VoIP Hurricane Net Seeking Experienced Net Controls

The VoIP Hurricane Net is recruiting Net Control Operators (NCOs). We serve as a vital backup and alternative communication path for WX4NHC, the amateur radio station at the National Hurricane Center, forwarding severe weather and damage reports to NHC whenever a hurricane strikes. It is an additional net and path for reporting to WX4NHC including when HF propagation fails or for Amateur Radio operators without HF.

📅Net Control Needs

  • June – November (Hurricane Season): Weekly preparation nets Saturday Evenings at 8 PM ET and active hurricane deployments.
  • December – May (Off-Season): Monthly nets on the first Saturday Evening of each month at 8 PM ET
  • Activations: Up to 24 hours a day during landfalling hurricanes.

🌐 Special Net Control Resource Needs

  • International NCOs: Operators in the Pacific, Asia, and Australia/New Zealand are highly needed to cover the North American overnight hours during their local daytime.
  • Bilingual NCOs: Fluent Spanish speakers to support operations in Puerto Rico, Mexico, and Central/South America.

🛠️ Where the VoIP Hurricane Net Meets

Our net meets on IRLP Reflector 9219 and the EchoLink *WX_TALK* conference (Node 7203). Other modes (All-Star, DMR, D-STAR, Fusion, Ham over IP) are utilized on an as-needed basis and will be integrated into our system in the future.

📋 Skillsets We Look for in New Net Control Operators

You do not need to check every box, but we highly value:

  • A sincere desire to serve and flexibility under activation pressure.
  • Prior net control experience (traffic, emergency, public service, or club nets).
  • Training in SKYWARN, Incident Command (ICS), or local ARES/RACES groups.
  • Professional communications dispatching experience.
  • Assist with internet-based report gathering (Social Media, APRS, Weather Underground, Davis Weatherlink, Tempest Weatherflow, Public Safety streams).

Note: The VoIP Net Management team will provide NCO training as time/resources allow.

✉️ How to Volunteer

If you want to join the team, please contact Rob Macedo, KD1CY (Director of VoIP Hurricane Net Operations) at rmacedo@rcn.com.