Amateur Radio Group 470

Hurricane Safety Tips and Resources

Hurricane Preparedness Week Info

 

Important NOAA Weather Radio All Hazards and Emergency Alert System Changes

 

Hurricanes are among nature's most powerful and destructive phenomena. On average, 12 tropical storms, 6 of which become hurricanes form over the Atlantic Ocean, Caribbean Sea, or Gulf of Mexico during the hurricane season which runs from June 1 to November 30 each year. In the Central Pacific Ocean, an average of 3 tropical storms, 2 of which become hurricanes form or move over the area during the hurricane season, which runs from June 1 to November 30 each year. Over a typical 2-year period, the U.S. coastline is struck by an average of 3 hurricanes, 1 of which is classified as a major hurricane (winds of 111 mph or greater). By knowing what actions to take before the hurricane season begins, when a hurricane approaches, and when the storm is in your area, as well aswhat to do after a hurricane leaves your area, you can increase your chance of survival. If you, or someone you know, have been a victim of a hurricane, please share your story, including the town and state you were in and the year the event took place.. Please note that NWS will then have permission to use your story for educational campaigns. Sharing this information may help save someone’s life in the future.

Hurricane Hazards

 

While hurricanes pose the greatest threat to life and property, tropical storms and depression also can be devastating. The primary hazards from tropical cyclones (which include tropical depressions, tropical storms, and hurricanes) are storm surge flooding, inland flooding from heavy rains, destructive winds, tornadoes, and high surf and rip currents.

 

Storm surge is the abnormal rise of water generated by a storm's winds. This hazard is historically the leading cause of hurricane related deaths in the United States. Storm surge and large battering waves can result in large loss of life and cause massive destruction along the coast.

Storm surge can travel several miles inland, especially along bays, rivers, and estuaries.

Flooding from heavy rains is the second leading cause of fatalities from landfalling tropical cyclones. Widespread torrential rains associated with these storms often cause flooding hundreds of miles inland. This flooding can persist for several days after a storm has dissipated.

Winds from a hurricane can destroy buildings and manufactured homes. Signs, roofing material, and other items left outside can become flying missiles during hurricanes.

Tornadoes can accompany landfalling tropical cyclones. These tornadoes typically occur in rain bands well away from the center of the storm.

Dangerous waves produced by a tropical cyclone's strong winds can pose a significant hazard to coastal residents and mariners. These waves can cause deadly rip currents, significant beach erosion, and damage to structures along the coastline, even when the storm is more than a 1,000 miles offshore.

http://www.nws.noaa.gov/om/hurricane/index.shtml

 

Specific questions or information may be directed by e-mail.to [email protected] , or call 865-446-4535 leave a message if no answer, this goes to my G Mail ~~~~~

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Welcome to the 470 Amateur Radio Group of East TN.,this net is to promote fellowship, to promote Amateur Radio, you can check in both on air and off air here on this Facebook Page ,we have a invocation at the begining of the net, express check ins for thoses who can't stay for the net , then regular check ins, When checking in if you have Ham Radio gear to sell, trade or want please do when you check in, there is no set time as that would violate FCC rules, 97.113, 9pm Trivia,10pm amateur radio discussion,NO POLITICS is allowed on this net, we invite all amateur radio operators to come and participate in the Facebook Page and in the Thursday evening net that starts at 7:30 pm every Thursday evening on the 145.470 repeater, the net goes from 7:30 pm to 11:00 pm and sometimes longer, if a tone is required it would be 118.8..the net has been in operation for several 9 years now and hope that it will continue for may more .. This group is for talking with all that participate both on the air and here on FB, we welcome all ham related information, old and young alike are welcome, we appreciate SWL / Scanner Listener's, those interested in the amateur radio hobby, and again all posts about amateur radio are very welcome,, we hope that the FB page will promote more education to our new hams,, and for new hams to ask questions , openly and without fear of negative remarks..this page and net is G Rated please check the AUP on the WB4GBI page, If you don't ask , then you won't know, and many here are willing to help you in anyway they can.. Also Check Out our Ham's Helping Ham's Workshop Page here on Facebook, your moderators!

Tim Berry, WB4GBI Owner

Rick Sawaya, N4JTQ Mgr

Cathy Sawaya, KI4YPO Mgr

Bert Rollen K4AR Mgr

Charlie Spickard KI4CDA Mgr

Danny Coin KI4YCJ Mgr

Bryan Lamb Mgr

Have a wonderful day ! and thank you for checking us out here on the 470 ARG

 

This repeater is a high profile repeater which covers several states,,KY-VA-WV-GA-NC stations have checked in to the net....

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- We frequently receive requests to join the group from FB users which may seem to be not entirely legit (Fake IDs, spam accounts, etc.). If you are a ham operator or other hobbyist who is applying for permission to post here (and not immediately approved...), please send us your call-sign, or otherwise note on your FB page some indicator that you have a genuine interest in ham radio. By your making a post in your feed that you are interested in learning about ham radio - this will help us greatly in serving our FB group, Thanks, Bert - K4AR

This year   will be our 10th year of the net, we have 600 who follow us on Facebook, and many who e mail about the net , our total net check in's  since Jan  2017  have been  between 65 and 90,  we always like hearing from you so send a  e mail or just post on  FB or join us on the net !!! 

https://www.facebook.com/groups/212139715483282/

Open Group Feel Free To Post Anything On Ham Radio !

Ok everyone , if I can I am sure that you will also !!!

This is an ONLINE EVENT to Help Our Happy Place animal sanctuary raise money and be able to continue helping the animals that are in need. Our Happy Place is a NO KILL dog sanctuary that takes in dog that would other wise be without hope. To be able to keep helping our beloved four legged friends Our Happy Place needs our help.

What does it cost ?

$1.00

You might be asking, what good is $1.00 going to do ?

$1.00 = food for one dog, for one day!

It's Easy !

Just send $1.00 through PayPal to

[email protected]

Don't have PayPal ?

Mail it to:

Sandi Ann at Our Happy Place

1055 Home Place Way

Sevierville TN, 37876

WB4GBI

SAD NEWS

Posted: 09 Sep 2012 06:09 PM PDT

SAD NEWS ....   To all of the WB4GBI repeater family,    It is with a heavy heart that I share this news with you. Matt Kirby, WB4IOB,  who was one of the founders of the 146.73 repeater, passed away this past Friday. For those of you who didn't know Matt, you missed an opportunity to be around one of the smartest, classiest people I have known.  Matt and his brother Sam (WB4HAP), founded the 146.73 repeater in the early seventies. I remember when Matt and Sam placed .73 on the air, they told us in the RACK newsletter "not to buy crystals yet; they were still testing." How many of you remember crystal-controlled two-meter radios?   Matt was very active on two meters, 440 Mhz, and the HF bands,  as well. He had the FCC First Class Commercial license, which was the "Extra Class" of the commercial radio world. He also enjoyed his houseboat on Norris Lake and taught many to ski. Several hams are on the air today due to Matt being their "Elmer."  What may surprise you is that Matt did all of this while suffering with Cerebral Palsy all of his life.  He spent his entire life in a wheelchair. Matt lived his life to the fullest and never let his disability interfere with any of the accomplishments that exemplified his life. Please remember his family in your prayers. Here is a link to the online obituary:  http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/knoxnews/obituary.aspx?n=matthew-owen-kirby&pid=159729461#fbLoggedOut I took over the 146.73 repeater in 2007 when Sam, WB4HAP, became a silent key. I always hoped that Matt was pleased with what I was doing to get .73 back on English Mountain and return it to its once great service to the Amateur Community. Matt got a scanner at a RACK club meeting after Sam passed, and the first thing he asked me to program in it was 146.73. Matt was a great amateur radio operator, but more importantly a great person.     73 de Tim WB4GBI

Forecasters Calling for Near-Average Hurricane Season TAGS: atlantic hurricane season, hurricane, hurricane net, hurricane season, hurricane strength, Hurricane Watch Net, late-season major hurricane, major hf hurricane, major hurricanes, national hurricane center, percent probability, Salvation Army Team Emergency Radio Network, sea surface temperatures, storms, tropical event, tropical storm strength, tropical storms 06/02/2012 Forecasters with the National Hurricane Center (NHC) are calling for a “near-normal” Atlantic hurricane season for 2012. In its initial outlook for the 2012 Atlantic hurricane season -- which began Friday, June 1 and runs through November 30 -- the National Weather Service’s Climate Prediction Center (CPC) is calling for a 50 percent probability of a near-normal season, a 25 percent probability of an above-normal season and a 25 percent probability of a below-normal season. The 2012 hurricane season began early when Tropical Storm Alberto and Tropical Storm Beryl both developed several days before the official start of the season, the first time since 1908 that two tropical storms developed early; the only other year with two storms so early in the year was 1887.

According to the CPC, ongoing conditions that have been associated with increased Atlantic hurricane activity since 1995 favor a near-normal hurricane season, as do expected near-average sea surface temperatures across much of the tropical Atlantic Ocean and Caribbean Sea (called the Main Development Region, or MDR). In addition, the possible development of El Niño during the season could make conditions less conducive for hurricane formation and intensification during the peak months of August-October, shifting the activity toward the lower end of the predicted range

CPC forecasters say that there is a 70 percent chance of having 9-15 named storms, of which four to eight could become hurricanes, including one to three major hurricanes (Category 3, 4 or 5). These ranges do not represent the total possible ranges of activity seen in past similar years. Tropical systems acquire a name upon reaching tropical storm strength with sustained winds of at least 39 miles per hour. Tropical storms become hurricanes when winds reach 74 miles per hour and become major hurricanes when winds increase to 111 miles per hour. An average season has 12 named storms, including six hurricanes with three becoming major hurricanes.

Though this season isn’t expected to be as busy as last year’s above-average season, federal officials warned coastal residents to start stocking up on hurricane supplies and forming evacuation plans. “That’s still a lot of activity, so just because we’re predicting a near-normal season doesn’t mean anybody’s off the hook at all,” said Gerry Bell, the lead seasonal forecaster at the CPC. “Our range (of expected storms) is a bit wider this year because of this inherent uncertainty right now based on the best guidance we have as to whether El Nino will form or not.”

This year’s hurricane season got an early start when Tropical Storm Alberto formed May 19 off the coast of South Carolina, dissipating just three days later over the Atlantic. Alberto was the first named storm to form during May in the Atlantic basin since Arthur in 2008, and the earliest tropical storm since Ana in April 2003 According to NHC Director Bill Read, KB5FYA, Alberto was unusual, in that it was a small storm that formed in a small area that was favorable for storm development. On May 23, Tropical Storm Beryl formed in the Caribbean, moving into Southern Florida and making landfall with near Jacksonville Beach. Read said that tropical storms can develop when seasons transition from one to another, in this case, spring into summer. Chris is slated to be the name of the named next storm of 2012.

The atmospheric and marine conditions that began with the 1995 hurricane season still continue. The 1995 season was extremely active, largely due to favorable conditions including a La Niña and warm sea surface temperatures. Nineteen named storms formed during the season, making it the third most active on record behind the 2005 and 1933 seasons, and tied with the 1887 and 2010 seasons. There were 11 storms that reached hurricane strength that year, placing 1995 behind the 1969, 2005 and 2010 seasons as the year with the most hurricanes to form in one season.

There were a number of destructive hurricanes during the 1995 season, totaling more than $13 billion in damages and more than 100 deaths. Hurricane Erin caused substantial damage in Florida, while Felix caused heavy beach erosion in the northeast United States, producing strong waves that drowned eight. Hurricanes Luis and Marilyn caused billions of dollars in damages in the Leeward Islands and Bermuda. Hurricane Opal, the strongest storm of the season, caused very heavy damage along the US Gulf Coast. Hurricane Roxanne -- a late-season major hurricane -- caused heavy damage when it made landfall in Quintana Roo on the Yucatán Peninsula.

Amateur Radio and Hurricanes

Rick Palm, K1CE, editor of the ARRL’s ARES E-Letter, warns that now is the time for ARES® members to assess their portfolio of communications equipment and disaster response knowledge. Palm gives several tips for amateurs involved with hurricane operations:

Monitor major HF hurricane networks during events this season. The Hurricane Watch Net (HWN) on 14.325 MHz is one of several key players. It serves either the Atlantic or Pacific during a watch or warning period and coordinates with the National Hurricane Center (NHC) in Miami. Frequent, detailed information is issued on nets when storms pose a threat to the US mainland. In addition to hurricane spotting, local communicators may announce that residents have evacuated from low-lying flood areas. Other amateurs across the country can help by relaying information, keeping the net frequency clear and by listening. See the HWN’s website for more information. The net works closely with WX4NHC, the Amateur Radio station at the NHC.The SATERN Net (Salvation Army Team Emergency Radio Network) provides emergency communication support to the Salvation Army and populations at large. They also handle health-and-welfare traffic. SATERN holds high profile nets on 20 meters (14.265 MHz) during major hurricanes and has a long history of excellence, discipline and service. Refer to the SATERN website for more information.The Maritime Mobile Service Net (MMSN) meets on 14.300 MHz and is composed of hams who serve and assist those in need of communications on the high seas. According to its website, the primary purpose of the net is for handling traffic from maritime mobile stations. The network is recognized by the United States Coast Guard and has an excellent working relationship with that agency. The MMSN has handled hundreds of incidents involving vessels in distress and medical emergencies in remote locations, as well as passing health and welfare traffic in and out of affected areas. They also work closely with the NWS and NHC by relaying weather reports from maritime stations.The VoIP SKYWARN and Hurricane Net operates by combining both the EchoLink and IRLP linked repeater networks, while handling critical wide area communications during major severe weather and tropical events. These operations have gained national stature in recent years and are a critical partner with WX4NHC. Whenever tropical weather is imposing a threat to the US mainland and certain other areas of interest, the VoIP WX net will be fully operational. See the VoIP SKYWARN and Hurricane Net website for more information.Palm said that during hurricane events, there are usually two or three regional nets (usually on 40 or 20 meters) that spring to prominence as major key assets to the disaster response on an ad hoc basis. “Watch for these nets, as well as the nationally recognized networks described above, this season,” he advised. “Don’t transmit on their frequencies unless you are absolutely sure you have something substantive to add, and then only under the direction of the net control station.”

ARRL Emergency Preparedness Manager Mike Corey, KI1U, added that when ARES® activates in response to any tropical event, it is crucial that information flows up through the Section and is reported to Headquarters. “These reports allow us to develop the situational awareness and disaster intelligence that is required for us as an organization to support the Sections that are impacted.” he explained. “In this way, we are able to respond to relevant requests from the media and finally to coordinate with the governmental and non-governmental organizations. This information also allows us to make the decision at Headquarters on whether to stand up the ARRL HQ Emergency Response Team to support and coordinate the operations.”