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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