My Life's a Disaster #ARRL #hamradio #Skywarn

With under 30 days to vote, maybe it's time to realize even the election may be a candidate for a Presidential disaster declaration.  

When not doing emergency management work, the life revolves around amateur radio, Skywarn nets, volunteering with the American Red Cross and Humanity Road and generally learning from mistakes others make so they are not made in Oklahoma.

If that were not enough, the Military Affiliate Radio System and the Shared Resource nets provide ample opportunity to serve and keep skills sharp so they benefit local folks.

Well, the month after National Preparedness Month, the amateur radio community had many changes to practice what was learned.

How did you do?

Hams continue support for #Matthew #ARRL #hamradio

Amateur radio operators continue to support local operations and the National Hurricane Center with information regarding Hurricane Matthew, a killer storm churning off the Atlantic Coast of Florida, Georgia, and South Carolina.

The Voice Over Internet Protocol Weather Net had a peak number of checkins Friday with 82 stations connected to the Weather Talk Server on Echolink and Internet Radio Linking Project systems.

Rob Macedo, KD1CY, announced the net recorded between 50-100 reports ranging from flooding from heavy rainfall, storm surge, wind damage, wind measurement and rainfall measurement reports.

Stations in the affected area are requested to use the Weather Talk Conference 7203 on Echolink or 9219 on IRLP.  Others are requested to use Listen Only resources such as the New England Conference 9129.

Net members are also monitoring social media for reports.  Persons with reports are encouraged to tag their National Weather Service, the National Hurricane Center, and the VOIPWXnet social media accounts with the information they share.

The net is encouraging hams listening to pay attention to what they hear.  Calling loved ones in the affected area to tell them what is happening is important.  The local folks may only have a cell phone access with no way to call, but an outside call and especially a text may get connected.  

"This is one way the American Radio Relay League encouraged hams to serve during National Preparedness Month," said Lloyd Colston, KC5FM, Public Affairs Officer for the VOIPWX net.

Persons desiring more information about the VOIPWX Net should visit http://www.voipwx.net or email kd1cy at voipwx.net.

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