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November 27, 2000 — Hundreds of volunteer amateur radio operators, "Hams," will hit the airwaves for the second National Weather Service Special Event, December 1-2. During this special 24-hour event, hams will team up with NOAA's National Weather Service offices across the United States to commemorate the contributions amateur radio operators make during times of threatening weather. (Click image for larger view.)

The first Amateur Radio Special Event, in November 1999, was such a success that the National Weather Service and the Amateur Radio Relay League decided to co-sponsor another event this year. As many as 70 National Weather Service offices are expected to participate in the exercise, an increase of 56 from 1999. The special event will let NWS personnel reinforce the important relationships developed with the amateur radio community and give agency meteorologists an opportunity to gain on-air experience.

The National Weather Service office in New Braunfels will be one of many stations on the air. Amateur radio operators under Ray Taylor, the SKYWARN coordinator, will man the station during this event, employing a wide range of amateur radio bands and communication modes during the event.

The history of NWS-Amateur Radio operations is long and distinguished in South Central Texas, beginning at Weather Service Forecast Office San Antonio and Weather Service Office Austin around 1970. In fact, these two NWS offices were among the first in the nation to employ "Ham" spotters. Through their thirty years of service, "Hams" spent countless hours during hundreds of days and nights, providing critical information to the Weather Service as well as members of the media and area emergency managers involved in life-saving issues. It was during the devastating floods in 1978 associated with tropical storm Amelia that Hams kept the NWS, as well as the state of Texas, informed as record U.S. rainfalls of 48 inches were recorded in just over two days. And during the threats of flooding and tornadoes in the first two weeks of this month, critical reports to the National Weather Service continued to arrive from "Ham" spotters across South Central Texas.

For more information on the 2000 National Weather Service special event, contact Larry Eblen at the NWS office in New Braunfels at (830) 606-3617, extension 223.

Click here for additional details on the event.

Relevant Web Sites
SKYWARN

NOAA's Weather Page

NOAA's National Weather Service USA Forecast Offices

Media Contact:
Ron Trumbla, NOAA's National Weather Service Southern Region, (817) 978-4613 ext. 140