AUXCOMM USA and Radio Relay International are proud to announce the implementation of a Memorandum of Agreement outlining cooperation between the two organizations.

AUXCOMM USA is a voluntary, nonprofit organization dedicated to providing emergency communications support for communities during emergencies and disasters. In addition to coordinating emergency response in support of various government and relief organizations, AUXCOMM USA provides standardized training to better prepare volunteers to support emergency operations using multiple platforms including, but not necessarily limited to, Amateur Radio,
Internet, Cellular Data Networks, and various other emerging technologies.

Radio Relay International (RRI) was founded in 2016 as a voluntary nonprofit NGO dedicated to the development of survivable communications infrastructure capable of providing resilient communications in time of emergency. RRI operates an International modified hybrid mesh network capable of providing survivable messaging services using both the High Frequency and VHF radio spectrum. RRI also operates common-denominator radiotelephone and radiotelegraph networks, all of which are interoperable with a variety of wireless network operations. 

 

Like AUXCOMM USA, RRI places a strong emphasis on professionalism, training and exercising of personnel and assets.

“This memorandum of agreement serves as an excellent example of a collegial, symbiotic relationship in which the mission of two organizations are aligned, despite a somewhat different focus,” said James Wades, Emergency Management Director for Radio Relay International. 

 

“AUXCOMM USA focuses on direct, boots-on-the-ground emergency communications response, whereas RRI focuses on providing multi-layer, survivable infrastructure and connectivity for agencies and NGOs active in disaster response. The systematic coordination of these two missions
serves as an excellent force multiplier,” he added.

RRI also sponsors the “Neighborhood Hamwatch” program through which local emergency communications units provide training to various disaster response organizations, while assisting them with the development of survivable radio networks built around FRS and GMRS assets. 

 

Organizations such as AUXCOMM USA can provide interoperable messaging between such organizations and emergency services agencies in an affected area, and RRI can likewise provide the necessary training and medium/long-haul communications infrastructure to support multiple organizations active in disaster response.

For more information, please visit the AUXCOMM USA website at: https://www.AUXCOMMmusa.org

The Radio Relay International website may be found at: www.radiorelay.org

 

 

 

#Skywarn operations on network radios #hamradio

How does this assist with storm spotting and relaying severe weather reports to the NWS? What is the value-add for this medium?

Good question.

How does VOICE over Internet Protocol  help in Skywarn?

Here are some examples.

One evening, the author was monitoring WX5JAN from the Emergency Operations Center in Oklahoma.  There was a tornado warning.  

Their NCS announced, during an active warning, he had lost his warning source.  I keyed up Echolink and said "I have your warning.  Want me to read it?"  He said yes.  I read the warning.  The net continued as if nothing had happened.  

 

The VOIPWX.NET has for decades used only Echolink and Internet Radio Linking Project to receive Skywarn reports from the affected areas and sent them on to WX4NHC at the National Hurricane Center in Miami.  For years, that net has been at the mercy of getting reports from mostly untrained operators who may not know a wall cloud from drizzle  We have to vet them the best we can.  The Hurricane Center sends  thanks during every hurricane operation for the quality and quantity of reports.

VOIPWX has only within the last few years begun using networked digital voice beyond Echolink and IRLP.  It started on Allstar and has grown from there.

BTW, surely there will be a Skywarn report from a ship at sea in the near future.  Over the last two years, the author visited with a ham buddy on a cruise ship in the Caribbean on Hamshack Hotline.  The next operator was an English ham serving as Third Engineer using Echolink on a ship in the Indian Ocean.  Both were using the ship's WiFi for that free call. 

Speaking of the "Hurricane Net", their Skywarn operations chief also has close ties to NWS Boston.  They have an entire Echolink conference server dedicated to Skywarn operations in Massachusetts.  It's quite interesting to give a listen.

The Colorado SkyHub group has a daily net on a system similar to Sunflower.  Their system covers much of the State of Colorado.  Their net lasts about an hour as the NCS goes with reports from the NWS offices that serve the State.  Each office gets their HWO mentioned. 

During severe weather, they "Island", i.e. segregate the parts of the State that are not impacted.  Warnings are read.  Reports are received.    One evening, last season, there were warnings for storms that would cross the State line into Kansas.  SunflowerNet was connected to their system so users in Kansas could hear what was heading their way. 

Finally, our neighbors at N0NWS have a weekly training net on Echolink and Allstar.  They are connected to SunflowerNet.  They run their operation on a networked repeater system that covers a few counties in Kansas.  They even accept reports over Echolink and Allstar for the Springfield office.

Skywarn has always been more than getting reports from the field and relaying those reports to NWS.  Informing the public has always come as part of the privilege of getting information FROM NWS.  If nothing else, scanner listeners still listen to their scanners, including Broadcastify.  I'm not suggesting we go into the broadcasting industry with Weather On the Eights.  I am suggesting that we mention the weather into the future, ex.  Storm Prediction Center one- two- and three-day outlooks, etc.

Hope that helps understand how Skywarn can use connected radios to fulfill the mission.