• DO NOT use radio codes. Only use plain language.

• Keep it short and to the point!

• Use tactical call signs when possible and FCC assigned callsigns as required (Your spotter number is considered a tactical callsign).

• You don't need to use your FCC callsign each and every time you push the PTT button. This takes up air time! FCC Rules say every 10 minutes and at the end of the transmission or series of transmissions.

• DO NOT FORECAST! DO NOT GUESS! Only give information of observations that you personally observe!

• DO NOT give observations that don't help. In other words, don't say things like: "SDG105, it's not raining here now and I don't think it's gona rain" or "SDG105, the wind is so strong that the Pink Flamingos on my lawn blew over" This only adds to air time clutter.

• REMEMBER, We are a guest on the new system and we are secondary to San Diego County RACES operations.

NWS has instituted new training requirements for potential SW CA SKYWARN members. This change is for new and prospective members. The NWS feels that in order to better serve it's needs, better SKYWARN Spotter training is in order. So here are the details:

NWS has adjusted a new online training system. Those who take the skywarn training will not be able to simply indicate Skywarn in order to be a member. They must take the Skywarn training first.

It will come in the form of a CD that will be mailed to the candidate. They will view the slideshow then take an online test. Then, and only then, will the NWS get the notification of their Skywarn status once they pass the test and sign up again for Skywarn.

It will take a little more time for all this to happen. As of Mar. 1, the new system is running. Here are the links:

Weather Spotter training

SKYWARN Spotter Training Request

I will be finding out if it is possible for current SKYWARN Spotter to obtain the training CD and it will be posted it on the website.

 

OC RACES and Orange Operational Area sign MOU in Orange County.

Signing Orange County SKYWARN/OCRACES MOU at January 8th OCRACES meeting are (left to right) Orange County SKYWARN Coordinator Mike McLaughlin, KJ6EQ, NWS San Diego Meteorologist in Charge Jim Purpura, KB5YHT, OCSD Emergency Communications Coordinator Marten Miller, KF6ZLQ, and OCRACES Chief Radio Officer Ken Bourne, W6HK

Orange County SKYWARN, County of Orange RACES, National Weather Service/San Diego, and Orange County Sheriff's Department/Communications officials signed a Memorandum of Understanding at the January 8, 2007, OCRACES meeting. The MOU allows Orange County SKYWARN and OCRACES to communicate with each other during RACES activations, drills, and nets. The MOU enables OCRACES and SKYWARN to share resources during weather events and other emergencies. Several OCRACES members have joined Orange County SKYWARN as trained spotters and have equipped themselves with weather stations for giving detailed reports during SKYWARN nets. Orange County SKYWARN is also encouraging its members to consider membership in County or City RACES units.

Text and Photo courtesy of OC RACES (http://www.ocraces.org/)

 

Operations vs Administration

There is only one SKYWARN program in the NWS San Diego Area of Responsibility. However, there are four (4) distinct response Areas within the program. These areas are semi-autonomous divisions that are managed by an Area Coordinator (A.C.) who is part of the Command Staff in an operational role.

The A.C. is responsible for the operations within the Area. The A.C. appoints the Asst. A.C.'s needed to assist in operations and the A.C. recruits spotters. Within SW Calif. SKYWARN guidelines and NWS rules, the A.C. can setup and run the local Area as the A.C. sees fit.

The Communications Coordinator is responsible for the NWS Radio Station, the Asst. Comm. Coor. and Communications Operators who staff it.

The Region Coor., Asst. Region Coor. and Public Info. Officer are part of the Command Staff in primarily an administrative role. These staff members are responsible for relaying the need for activations to the Area Coords. and helping the A.C.'s with their roles in the program.

All of the above staff members are responsible for determining the overall program guidelines.

Area Name Changes

Central: San Diego County (Entire county)

Inland: Western Riverside County (area covered by NWS San Diego)

North: SW San Bernardino County (area covered by NWS San Diego)

Orange: No Change

These name changes were made to more easily reference the 4 Areas.

Program Volunteers NEEDED!

We are looking for volunteers to fill the following positions:

Asst. Area Coordinators (Appointed by Area Coordinator)

Asst. Communications Coordinator (Appointed by Comm. Coor.)

Communications Operators (NWS station) (Appointed by Communications Coordinator

Contact either Jim Courter, KF6RWF or myself, Steve Smith, WB6TWL for further information or to apply for the position.

Operations Manual

The Command Staff is working on an Operations Manual for our program and it should be ready very soon. The initial version will be a very basic version but it will continue to improve as we work on it. When the Operations Manual is available, it will be posted on this website.

Please stay tuned for more info regarding these and other changes!

 

Steve Smith, WB6TWL

Region Coordinator

SW California SKYWARN