Sandusky/Ottawa County Skywarnä

Operations Manual

Created June 13th, 2008 Updated June 18^th 2008

* The Operations in this manual can be altered at ANY time during Skywarnä events by the Skywarnä Coordinator, Assistant Skywarnä Coordinator, and the Emergency Coordinator of Sandusky County. *

Purpose:

Skywarnä is a program created by the National Weather Service whose purpose is, above all, to save lives and property. The idea behind this program is to have NWS-trained weather spotters look for the visible signs of severe weather in their area and report these sightings directly to the local NWS Field Office or go through an Amateur Radio Net.

Sandusky/Ottawa County Skywarn™ is an organization composed of interested individuals whose major purpose is to provide volunteer county wide severe weather spotting services.

The purpose of this Manual is to provide set guidelines for the Operation of Sandusky/Ottawa County Skywarn™.

Limitations:

The information contained in this Manual is to be used as a guide. It is not the intent of this Manual to limit the actions of any operators who are on site and best able to assess the prevailing conditions in their area. However, members of the Sandusky/Ottawa County Skywarn™ spotter program are encouraged to adhere to these guidelines.

Sandusky/Ottawa County Skywarn™ is organized to provide severe weather spotting services only. Personnel on Skywarn™ duty are neither expected nor required to serve in any other function. The authenticity of all reports is the sole responsibility of the originating authority. Either shall determine the validity of such messages:

A) The Net Control Station – if reports are taken by radio by a Net Control Operator

B) The Sandusky/Ottawa County Skywarn™ Coordinators - if reports are sent to the Sandusky/Ottawa Skywarn™ Center

Note: Reports of severe weather will be given greater consideration and a higher sense of urgency if reported through the above official channels by officially trained Skywarn™ personnel. The highest credibility will always be given to those who have had NWS Skywarn training.

Any radio operator may report the weather conditions, but trained spotters may verify the reports.

Legal:

Sandusky/Ottawa County Skywarn hereby relinquishes all responsibility for any and all damages incurred to life and property of storm spotters, chasers or any other terms used to identify persons reporting to our net control.

All Sandusky/Ottawa County Skywarn members and any net control are prohibited from directing any spotter or chaser to any specific area. The NWS may ask for reports from a specific area and net control can relay this request to members, but may not ask specific mobile stations to respond to specific areas.

We are not here to “chase, follow, tag along with” or “look for” storms! There is a difference between looking for a storm and keeping an eye on an approaching storm.

Spotting storms carries a certain inherent element of danger of its own.

Chasing storms is not sanctioned by Sandusky/Ottawa County Skywarn. You do so at your own risk.

All spotters will be required to sign a Release Form to acknowledge their acceptance of this Legal position.

This Manual is subject to alterations and/or revisions as required by the Skywarnä Coordinator, Assistant Skywarnä Coordinator, and the Emergency Coordinator of Sandusky County.

Organizational Structure:

The following are leadership positions and responsibilities in the Sandusky/Ottawa County Skywarn™:

A) SKYWARN™ Coordinator shall:

1) Coordinate operations within Skywarn™

2) Coordinate Skywarn™ activities with other surrounding counties, where appropriate, and offer assistance when requested.

B) Assistant SKYWARN™ Coordinator shall:

1) Assist the Coordinator in the performances of his duties

2) Keep an up to date roster of Skywarn Members.

3) Act on other requests by Coordinator

C) Net operator(s) shall:

1) Be appointed before severe weather arrives

2) Serve as an operator to start a net if needed.

3) Perform functions as needed by the Coordinators.

4) Perform Safety Officer operations if no one else is available to do so.

Membership

Membership in Skywarn™ is open to any individual who has taken the National Weather Service Spotter Training Class. Training every 2 years is required to keep your status current.

The National Weather Service upon completion of their spotter Training Class will issue spotter Identification Cards.

All members should report their operating equipment and capabilities to the Skywarn Coordinator or Asst. Coordinator and advise of any changes.

All members are encouraged to take part in further training sessions that may be provided.

Training:

The Sandusky/Ottawa County Skywarn™ will operate under the authority of the Amateur Radio Emergency Service of Sandusky County. Training nets are held every Sunday at 7:15 P.M. local time on the W8NCK repeater, 145.250 and the NF8E Clyde Amateur Radio Society repeater, 145.350 and the WB8JLT Oak Harbor repeater, 443.850.

The Coordinator or the Asst. Coordinator when deemed necessary will hold preparedness classes. Training classes are the most effective means of training Skywarn™ members.

Training functions may include Skywarn™ participation in local events and other functions, such as weather-related talks and presentations to improve knowledge, communication, organization, discipline, and judgment skills.

There shall be a minimum of two Simulated Emergency Tests per year, preferably at six-month intervals.

Sandusky/Ottawa County Skywarn™ members are encouraged to continue development of a strong background in spotting procedures and net operations on their own through outside education. Pertinent literature is available from various sources including Internet sites and the Sandusky County Emergency Management Office.

EOC Access and Procedures

Criteria for entering the EOC and radio room:

1. During normal business hours, Monday thru Friday, 8 am to 4:30 pm, notify EMA director upon entry.

2. After business hours key holders call the jail at 419-334-6542 before entry or 6542 from the radio room phone immediately upon entry. Key holders do not use their keys during business hours.

3. After business hours non-key holders call the jail at 419-334-6542 BEFORE coming to the jail. Tell the jailer when you will be arriving and your reason is Skywarn activation. This is the ONLY reason to enter the EOC after business hours. When you arrive at the jail use the door buzzer and let them know who you are and why you are there.

ARES ID IS REQUIRED AT ALL TIMES TO ENTER THE BUILDING AND WHILE IN THE BUILDING.

All trained net operators know entry to the radio room.

Procedures for activation in EOC for Skywarnä:

1) Sign in on clip board just left of entrance inside of radio room, and execute call list above sign-in clipboard

2) Get all necessary supplies that you will need. (Paper, Pens, Ect.)

3) You may turn on T.V. in radio room on table next to phone and change channels to your preference.

4) Turn on VHF Kenwood radio (bottom) by south wall. Check into the Toledo Skywarn Net (Call: “Toledo Skywarn Net Control, this is N8SCA Sandusky County” to get Toledo call sign)

5) Turn on 2 Meter radio by computer on north wall in corner. If you are the first station to start a net, all Skywarn papers are above the radio on the shelf. The computer should be on, just by moving the mouse the monitors will turn on. Storm Lab and the Internet are available on both computers.

6) If a Skywarn net has already been activated, inform them that you are at the EOC and will take over the net as soon as you are ready.

7) When the watch or warning for Sandusky and/or Ottawa Counties has expired and the Toledo District 1 net is still active, inform them that you are ending the weather net for our counties. On most occasions our net will end when the Toledo District 1 net ends.

8) Leave both computers ON and turn the radios OFF.

9) Leave all paperwork underneath the computer keyboard for Coordinators.

10) Turn lights off, sign out, lock door and return key.

District 1 Procedures

How to call District 1

“District 1 Net Control, this is N8SCA, Sandusky County Skywarn”

Weather Traffic Types and what to report for each type.

Routine

• Hail less than ½”, including “pea-sized hail”.

• Winds between 40 and 50 mph.

• Measured rainfall over a measured amount of time.

• Old reports of storm damage.

Priority

• Hail, ½’ or larger not associated with any tornadic activity.

• Winds in excess of 50 mph.

• Flooding in progress

• Storm related damage (recent)

EMERGENCY

• Tornadoes (including waterspouts and cold-air funnels that are on the ground).

• Funnel Clouds.

• Wall Clouds.

• Hail, ½” in diameter or larger during a Tornado Watch, Warning or when there have been reports of

rotation in the area.

After making initial contact, you must give the report in this manner:

County name, City name (or miles and direction from a known town), the report and time of occurrence.

A typical exchange with W8MTU District 1 Skywarn Net Control might sound like this:

N8SCA calls District 1 - “W8MTU, N8SCA Sandusky County Skywarn with priority traffic.”

District 1 responds – “Sandusky County, District 1, go with your report.

N8SCA responds – “2 miles south of Fremont, 64 mph measured winds, two 12” live trees down, time of occurrence 6:15pm, N8SCA

District 1 responds – “Thanks for that report. We will pass it along to Cleveland. W8MTU

Activation:

Sandusky/Ottawa County Skywarn™ shall activate a spotter net:

A) When the NWS indirectly requests spotter net activation by a tagline appended to the bottom of a severe weather alert/statement.

B) At the direct request of the National Weather Service Staff either by telephone, cell phone, text message or amateur radio to the Skywarn™ Coordinator, Assistant Skywarn Coordinator or Emergency Coordinator.

C) Upon issuance by the National Weather Service of any severe weather related Watch or Warning.

D) At the request of the Sandusky County Emergency Management Agency Director or assistant.

E) When the Skywarnä Coordinator, Asst. Skywarnä Coordinator or Emergency Coordinator deems it necessary to activate a weather net based on weather conditions.

When requesting the establishment of a Skywarn™ net by bulletin, the National Weather Service will, in most cases, add a line to the bottom of a local severe weather bulletin or special weather statement, such as:

SPOTTERS SHOULD REMAIN ALERT FOR POSSIBLE ACTIVATION LATER

-- Or --

SPOTTER ACTIVATION IS LIKELY

...Or similar statements.

Regardless of whether, the National Weather Service has issued an official request for spotter activation or not, the Skywarnä Coordinator, Asst. Skywarnä Coordinator or Emergency Coordinator may at any time determine a weather condition exists that requires the activation of Skywarn™ spotters, and act to establish a spotter net.

If spotter activation is warranted the Skywarnä Coordinator, Asst. Skywarnä Coordinator or Emergency Coordinator shall:

1) Notify Skywarn™ members via the W8NCK / N8SCA Fremont repeater 145.250 PL 186.2, or the WB8JLT Oak Harbor repeater 443.850 PL 186.2, and via Telephone or Text Messaging.

2) Send Net Control Operators(s) to the Emergency Operations Center to:

A) Monitor weather-related RADAR and satellite imagery and reports any pertinent information to the Toledo District 1 Skywarn™ net or the National Weather Service in Cleveland if Toledo is not operating.

B) Notify all operators of weather-related warnings and bulletins that come into the EOC.

All Sandusky/Ottawa County Skywarn™ members should monitor the 145.250 MHz repeater for call-up advisories and operations whenever a severe weather condition appears to be developing or is already apparent.

On rare occasions, the National Weather Service may specify the information and time they want to receive reports. For example, they might request that observed wind speed, wind direction, temperature, and precipitation type be reported every hour or half-hour.

The Cleveland National Weather Service may also indicate particular areas in which they are interested.

They will break into an active Skywarn™ net to request any information.

Mobilization:

SKYWARN™ members should monitor the primary net frequency if they suspect that a severe weather condition may exist such as the presence of a severe storm.

Mobilization is initiated by the opening of a Skywarn™ Net on the primary net frequency by a Net Control Station.

SKYWARN™ members will check into the net from their home or mobile stations.

The Sandusky County Sheriff’s Dispatch will be notified by the Skywarn™ Coordinator, Assistant Skywarn™ Coordinator, Emergency Coordinator or Net Control Operator that Skywarn™ spotters are active in the county. This will eliminate confusion with law enforcement.

NOTE:

If you are approached by law enforcement or public safety units, show them your ARES ID or SKYWARN ID, tell them who you are and why you are in your current location. If they order you to leave, YOU MUST LEAVE IMMEDIATELY. ALWAYS OBEY AN OFFICER’S COMMANDS. As soon as you are in compliance, call net control to report your move but do NOT announce anything about the officer’s commands or behavior over the radio. Remember everyone is listening and this is the time for us to be professional.

If you are asked to do ANY operations by public safety units during Skywarnä, (Traffic control, block road, CPR, ETC) Please remove any identification on your person that refers you to Skywarnä, ARES or EMA

Sandusky/Ottawa County Skywarn™ will activate using the following sequence:

1) A station that has been designated or available for net control will contact an authorized station to

link up repeaters (Oak Harbor in weather mode to Fremont and Clyde to Oak Harbor). If an authorized linking station is not found within ten minutes, start the net on the 145.250 repeater. The net control station can search for an authorized station later during the net as long as the net is in condition GREEN.

2) The net control station will use the following script for opening Skywarnä:

This is (Your Call) net control activating the Sandusky/Ottawa County Skywarn net.

This is a controlled emergency weather net that will remain in effect until further notice.

This net is linked to the Clyde 2 Meter, and Oak Harbor 440 repeaters.

My name is ______ and I am located in Sandusky County in the town of (Your Town) My ID is (Your Call)

NOTE:

THE ONLY STATION TO CALL TOLEDO OR CLEVELAND WITH REPORTS THAT

COME TO THE SANDUSKY/OTTAWA COUNTY SKYWARNä NET IS THE ACTIVE

NET CONTROLLER OF SANDUSKY/OTTAWA COUNTY SKYWARNä NET.

After activating the Skywarnä Net for Sandusky and Ottawa Counties, tune to 147.375 NO PL for

the District 1 Skywarnä Net (separate radio if available). Tell net control your call, location, and

that you are Sandusky/Ottawa Counties Skywarnä Net control.

If you are a temporary net control station (until someone arrives at EOC), once you transfer net control to N8SCA at the EOC, they will call District 1 Skywarnä Net and tell them the change of call sign, location, and there name for Sandusky/Ottawa Counties Skywarnä.

ONLY if Net is in condition GREEN will N8SCA and the previous net control station exchange check-in’s and weather reports. (You may use e-mail; call the EOC at 419-334-6426, or the CHAT feature in WXSPOTS to transfer information).

If you are able, please monitor 147.375 NO PL on a separate radio for traffic your way. IF the Toledo Net is

not up, still monitor the frequency until it is activated.

ONLY if any of the below happens and the Toledo net is NOT up, call the direct number to the National Weather Service in Cleveland 1-800-262-9683. Give them your name and tell them you are running the Sandusky/Ottawa County Skywarnä net. Give them your report and location of report.

ONLY REPORT THE FOLLOWING TO TOLEDO AND NWS:

Gust front arrivals with there wind speed and locations

Funnel Clouds

Tornado on ground

Hail with size

Property damage from winds more than 40MPH.

Skywarnä Scripts:

Once the Skywarn™ Net is activated, the following scripts will be used by Net control:

GREEN:

Tornado WATCH

Severe Thunderstorm WATCH

ECHOLINK MAY STAY ON UNLESS IT INTERFEARS WITH TRAFFIC EXCHANGE OR BY NET CONTROL DISCRESSION

Net Condition GREEN

This is (Your Call) Sandusky Ottawa County Skywarn Net Control.

The net is in condition GREEN, low priority.

The National Weather Service has issued a:

q Severe Thunderstorm WATCH for ____ until ____.

q Tornado WATCH for ____ until ____.

q High Wind WARNING for ____ until ____.

q Special Marine WARNING for Lake Erie until ____.

If you are a mobile station, please contact net control and advise the area or location you will be spotting at. There will be check-ups with you during the net.

Report tornados, funnel clouds, wall clouds, flash flooding, hail, wind speed greater than 40 mph, rainfall 1 inch or more per hour, gust front arrivals, power outages, and any weather related damage to property.

Reports must include your call sign, event time, location, wind and rain measured or estimated, hail size and duration, size of live or dead downed tree branches, if flood water is common in flooded area and if water is over curbs.

The net is in condition GREEN, low priority, normal radio use may continue. Leave longer pauses between transmissions for break-ins. Please check in now, (Your Call).

Þ (Repeat every 10 minutes)

Always ask:

· Call sign Limb diameter, live or dead

· Time of event Hail size and duration

· Location Common flooding area

· Estimated or measured wind and rain Water over curbs

YELLOW:

Severe Thunderstorm WARNING

Special Marine WARNING

Net Condition YELLOW

*DISABLE ECHOLINK DTMF Command on 145.250*

This is (Your Call) Sandusky Ottawa County Skywarn Net Control.

The net is in condition YELLOW, high priority.

The National Weather Service has issued a

o Severe Thunderstorm WARNING for ____ until ____.

o Special Marine WARNING for Lake Erie until ____.

If you are a mobile station, please contact net control and advise the area or location you will be spotting at. There will be check-ups with you during the net.

No check-ins, only report tornados, funnel clouds, wall clouds, flash flooding, hail, wind speed greater than 40 mph, rainfall 1 inch or more per hour, gust front arrivals, power outages, and any weather related damage to property.

The net is in condition YELLOW, high priority, please limit your radio traffic to severe weather only. No check-ins. (Your Call).

Þ (Repeat every 10 minutes)

Always ask:

o Call sign Limb diameter, live or dead

o Time of event Hail size and duration

o Location Common flooding area

0 Estimated or measured wind and rain Water over curbs

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

RED:

Tornado WARNING

Net Condition RED

*DISABLE ECHOLINK*

This is (Your Call) Sandusky Ottawa County Skywarn Net Control.

The net is in condition RED, urgent priority.

The National Weather Service has issued a Tornado Warning

for _____ until ____.

If you are a mobile station, please contact net control and advise the area or location you will be spotting at. There will be check-ups with you during the net.

No check-ins, only report severe weather including tornados, funnel clouds, wall clouds, wind speed greater than 50 mph, hail, power outages, and any weather related damage to property.

All stations maintain radio silence unless you have a severe weather report.

The net is in condition RED, urgent priority. No check-ins. (Your Call)

Þ (Repeat every 5 minutes)

Always ask:

q Call sign Estimated or measured, wind and rain

q Time of event Limb diameter, live or dead

q Location Hail size and duration

q Common flooding area Water over curbs

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Sandusky/Ottawa County Skywarn™ will De-Activate using the following

sequence:

1) Use the following script:

This is (Your Call) net control. Are there any additional storm reports before we close the net? Please call now.

This is (Your Call) net control de-activating the Sandusky Ottawa County Skywarnä net.

The National Weather Service has either cancelled or let expire the weather watch or warning for our area. (Other comments)

Thanks to all who have checked in, with or without reports. The National Weather Service uses your reports to confirm what they see on radar. You are also providing a valuable service to your community.

Please wait until the links are dropped.

(Contact station that brought up link, or see attached station list)

I will now turn the repeater back to normal amateur radio use.

*ENABLE ECHOLINK IF IT WAS TURNED OFF*

Winter Weather Operations:

The Winter Weather Operation will be activated for snow, sleet, freezing rain and blizzard conditions. This Operation does not require ECHOLINK to be disabled, however, if it is harming traffic from being passed that is priority to this session it will be turned off. This operation should not have to last more than four hours and will only be allowed to operate from 09:00 to 22:00.

Prior to the incoming winter weather, the Skywarnä Coordinator, Assistant Skywarnä Coordinator or Emergency Coordinator will send e-mails and/or cell phone text messaging including the type of weather to expect and ask for stations to be available for reports. Primary and Secondary stations will be issued after stations have contacted the Coordinator. All stations will be notified of who will be available.

Every two to three hours the Primary or Secondary station will contact the National Weather Service in Cleveland via phone (1-800-262-9683) and give them updates on snowfall, ice, and freezing rain amounts.

The following script will be used:

THIS WINTER WEATHER SESSION WILL ONLY BE ACTIVEATED FOR WINTER STORM WARNINGS WITH CURRENT PRECIPITATION FALLING AND LEVEL 3 SNOW EMERGENCIES.

Objective: To be alert for hazardous conditions from winter weather including Winter Weather Warning level 3.

Overview: To have at least 1 primary station (available) and one secondary station (if available) at radio/phone during day/winter emergency. Taking reports of winter weather conditions, maydays, emergency traffic, damage to property from winter weather, visibilities, current snowfalls, road conditions, power outages, limbs/trees down, ETC.

Plan: The night prior to winter weather the Skywarnä Coordinator (SC), Emergency Coordinator (EC), or Assistant Emergency Coordinators (AEC’s) will advise ALL ARES members that can be reached of upcoming conditions noted by TV, NOAA, etc.

SC, EC or AEC will ask any stations that are available to standby at a radio/phone during the day to take reports (at least 1 primary station needed).

Stations that have been contacted that are not available for dedicated standby are encouraged (when available) to send reports to the primary station.

Once a primary station and secondary station are established, SC, EC or AEC will alert ALL stations of their call signs via radio, phone, text, etc.

The reports given to the primary station should be relayed to SC, EC or AEC via e-mail, or phone after winter weather advisories or hazardous conditions expire.

If at any time the primary station needs to leave, they need to contact the secondary station to take over.

(If there is no secondary station available, then an ALL CALL should be used to find a new primary station. If a station is still not available then close the primary station and return repeaters to normal mode (see Link List)). Transfer of reports to SC, EC or AEC can be done later.

Frequencies/Linking: The primary station or other authorized station (see Link List) will link the Oak Harbor repeater 443.850 (in WX mode) to the Fremont repeater 145.250. Echolink will stay active and repeaters will be open to normal Amateur radio traffic. Echolink will be brought down ONLY if it causes problems in getting reports/information to stations

Announcement: The primary station will use the following scripts:

OPEN

(Repeat every 1-hour)

This is (your call sign) opening a Winter Weather Session. I am located in (your town). I will be standing by for any reports from any stations of hazardous road conditions, damage reports from winter weather, visibilities, current snowfalls, and emergency traffic. I will be transmitting on 145.250 with a PL of 186.2 and on 443.850 with a PL of 186.2. Alternate repeater will be 146.910 with no PL. Normal operations of repeaters are accepted but please use longer breaks between transmissions for break-ins.

If you are a mobile station, please contact net control and advise the area or location you will be spotting at. There will be check-ups with you during the net. (Your call sign) (Report status of Weather Warnings for Sandusky and Ottawa counties. Add any road conditions, road closures and accidents that you may get.)

This is (your call sign), closing this Winter Weather Session. The Warnings and or level 3 have been canceled for Sandusky and Ottawa counties. Road conditions may still be dangerous so please use caution. Repeaters will be brought out of link modes momentarily. Thank you for your participation. 73 (Your call sign).

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The primary and secondary stations DO NOT need to standby the radio at all times. Stations are just encouraged to listen here and there (don’t tire yourselves). This Weather Session will NOT go active all day. If there is prolonged silence of reports from stations, the session will be brought down and every hour or so (discretion of primary and secondary stations) the primary station will announce current emergency level, and NWS updates on current warnings. Once levels dissipate from Warnings/Level 3 the primary and or secondary station can cancel all duties.

If there is prolonged normal amateur radio use on 145.250 or there are repeater problems, primary station will announce (when able to) that the Session will be moving to the 146.910. Primary and secondary station (if available) please monitor 145.250 and 440. Once you are moved to the 146.910, Session will stay there and every 1 ½ to 2 hours announce on the 145.250 that the session is on 146.910.

Spotter Guidelines:

Once you have checked into a net, be sure to monitor the operation as continuously as possible. Often, vital information is given during the early stages of an operation. Pay attention to what is going on. In addition, when the Net Control Station (NCS) is ready to give assignments or needs any information, or reassign you, be ready to respond. If, at any time during the operation, you must leave the net for any reason,

inform Net Control of how long you expect to be out of the net and notify the NCS when you are back on frequency. This allows the NCS to conduct the operation with greater efficiency.

After you have received your assignment, proceed to that location as quickly -- and safely -- as possible. Maintain contact with the NCS while en route.

Identification

1. Once operations have commenced, the NCS is required to satisfy the FCC station identification requirements. He/she shall do so by identifying the station at least once every 10 minutes in accordance with FCC regulations.

2. When calling to be recognized by Net Control, it is not necessary to give the Net Control Station call sign; (e.g., `N8SCA this is KD8ERV'). Just give your call sign. In a Directed Net, all stations will communicate with Net Control unless directed to do otherwise. Therefore, transmitting your call sign and nothing else means that you are requesting to be recognized by the NCS. If you have pertinent information for Net Control or for another station on the net, your call sign plus the word `info' is sufficient to make your needs known. Net Control will acknowledge as soon as possible. If you are not recognized within a reasonable time, repeat your call. If you have reason to believe that you are not being heard by the NCS, then a longer call may be appropriate or you may request a relay.

3. If your information carries a high priority or is of some extreme importance, such as when a funnel cloud, tornado, large hail, damaging winds, or similar have been spotted, then your call sign followed by the words `Priority' should be used.

4. Further identifying by stations on the net is not necessary unless Net Control needs to know who is

transmitting.

5. The use of `tactical' call signs may be helpful in some situations. Acronyms of duty/purpose may also be used (such as RSAT, WBO, SSO, EC, or NWS, etc.). Tactical call signs are only to be used if assigned by the NCS and will thereafter be used for the duration of the operation. The use of tactical call signs can greatly increase net efficiency, but does not obviate the need to meet FCC identification requirements.

Care should be taken to listen carefully before transmitting. All stations may not be able to hear all other stations on the net, especially during simplex operations. Try to determine that the frequency is clear before transmitting. The NCS may in order to facilitate a particularly noisy spotter's report, request the noisy spotter transmit into a repeater nearer to his/her location and listen on the main repeater, if the spotter has the capability to do so. For example, if a station in Green Springs is on an HT and cannot easily make the 145.250 repeater in Fremont, but he/she can reach the 145.350 repeater in Clyde, then the spotter could be instructed to transmit into the 145.35 repeater and to listen for responses from the NCS on the 145.250 repeater.

Pay as close attention as possible to the net operations. Often, information passed to the NCS from another station will be of importance to you. If you copy this information direct, it can save the time necessary to repeat it.

When Net Control recognizes you, state your business as quickly and clearly as possible. Avoid unnecessary verbiage.

1. If you have traffic, state the nature and destination of your traffic, but do not launch into your message until you are advised that the NCS is ready to receive it. You may be given instructions to move to another frequency or to transmit your traffic direct to another station, if necessary. So, wait for instructions.

2. If you have a question or information for the NCS, use good judgment and follow the patterns that have been established for the particular operation in progress. If you have a lengthy communication, you should so advise the NCS and wait for instruction.

Questions may arise for many reasons. If you do not understand something clearly, ask the appropriate questions to be sure that you can fulfill what is needed of you. However, questioning the procedures set by Net Control is generally not appropriate. Remember, the NCS usually has a better view of the overall picture and has set up the net to meet the needs of the operation as seen from a centralized vantage point. On the other hand, from your vantage point in the field, you may be able to directly observe a changing situation that could affect the entire operation. If you feel a suggestion is in order, by all means offer it, but as a suggestion only. Under no circumstances argue with or criticize Net Control during an operation. There will be plenty of time for that after the operation is over; if you still feel that constructive criticism is warranted.

The use of alternate or additional frequencies may be necessary during a complex operation. It is up to the NCS to assign all frequencies. Stations may use the ARES simplex frequency if they are spotting together very closely. They should still be monitoring the 145.250 or other linked repeaters for traffic. Net control DOES need to be aware of the frequency being used for talk around.

In our role as spotters, we must strive for efficiency. However, being efficient does not necessarily mean being fast. Transmissions should be made at a speed that allows the receiving station to copy easily and to write down important information, if necessary.

`Prowords' or procedural words help speed communications and often are able to express complex ideas in a single word. They are only effective, however, if everyone understands them and uses them correctly.

1. `Over' is used to indicate the end of a transmission and is an invitation for the receiving station to reply.

2. `Out' indicates the end of a transmission and the end of the `conversation' or series of transmissions. No reply is expected.

3. `Roger' means that a message has been received and understood. It does not mean `yes,' or signify agreement.

4. `Affirmative' and `Negative.' Someone once quipped that these were short for `Yes' and `No.' In any case, they are appropriate because they are distinctive sounding words and their meaning is clear. This can be helpful, especially under marginal conditions.

5. `Direct' as in, `Are you direct?' means `Did you copy directly?' and refers to one station's copy of another’s transmission.

The Spotter Safety Officer (SSO) (Second Station at EOC or Net Control)

The Net Control shall assign a Spotter Safety Officer (SSO), whose duty shall be to at all times keep constant tabs on spotter positions relative to storms and, when appropriate, to immediately recommend to the Net Control the removal of a spotter to an alternate position if it becomes at any time apparent that any spotter may be in the path of danger, or placed in a situation which could endanger him. The SSO should have a good general knowledge of storm structures and storm characteristics so as to be able to understand what is happening -- or might be happening -- within a storm, and where the areas of highest danger are at all times, so that he is able to properly direct spotters away from them. The Spotter Safety officer is either the second person or Net Control station that is in the EOC.

The duties of the Spotter Safety Officer shall be to:

1. Keep an eye on the RADAR and visible satellite imagery.

2. Pay close attention to reports from spotters on bearings and distances to rain areas (downdraft areas), areas of falling hail, and/or any funnel clouds or tornadoes in the vicinity of each spotter, so that the SSO can --

3. Plot these events on a map of the county, including:

A) The locations of each spotter,

B) The locations of rain areas, hail areas, and/or tornadic areas relative to each spotter,

C) The directions of storms.

D) Asst. the net controller as needed.

...And then, when it looks like it is necessary...

Immediately advise Net Control of any possible spotter danger situations, and can recommend the quickest and most direct route away for each spotter.

The SSO shall only relay his recommendations to the Net Control, and the Net Control shall handle the actual removal of the spotters that the SSO has recommended be removed.

Radio Operations and Frequencies

All radios in the EOC have picture informational sheets to them. Pay close attention to the radio's HAMS cannot touch. The ICOM 2 Meter radio is preprogrammed with frequencies ARES uses. The KENWOOD commercial radios (over by the HF radio) cannot be self-programmed unlike the ICOM 2 Meter. Top is 460 MHZ. Programmed with LAW and Fire frequencies. Bottom is VHF/2 Meter Programmed with HAM, LAW, and EMA frequencies. The only channels and KENWOOD radio you will be using for Skywarnä is the bottom with channel labels:

KC8EPF- 146.910- NO PL, located at St. Rt. 20 and 590. ARES BACKUP REPEATER

SKYWARN- 147.375+ NO PL, located in Toledo TOLEDO DISTRICT 1 SKYWARN REPEATER

Frequencies that are programmed in the ICOM 2 Meter Radio:

Channel Frequency Listing/Location

1 145.250- PL 186.2 ARES/SVARC, Fremont

2 145.250 PL 186.2 SIMPLEX ARES/SVARC, Fremont

3 146.910- ARES Backup, St. Rt. 590 & 20

4 146.910 SIMPLEX ARES Backup, St. Rt. 590& 20

5 147.430 SIMPLEX ARES SIMPLEX, Fremont/SAT

6 146.805- PL 110.9 Skywarn, Berlin Heights

7 146.790- PL 103.5 ARES, Bowling Green

8 145.450- PL 107.2 Skywarn/ARES, Tiffin

9 147.375+ Skywarn Dist. 1 Primary, Toledo

10 147.345+ Skywarn Dist. 1 ALT2, Toledo

11 146.610- Skywarn Dist. 2 ALT1, Toledo

12 145.350- PL 110.9 NSAD/ARES, Clyde

13 147.265+ PL 103.5 T.A.R.C. Backup, Toledo

14 147.075+ PL 100.0 Oak Harbor

15 146.625- PL 110.9 Skywarn, N.C. Ohio

16 147.045+ PL 100.0 A.R.T.S., Findlay

17 147.150+ PL 88.5 F.R.C., Findlay

18 146.520 SIMPLEX National Simplex, SAT

19 146.720- R.R.R.A., Monroe MI

20 147.345+ PL 103.5 Toledo, Ohio

21_____ 146.940- PL 71.9 Skywarn, Mansfield

22 147.315+ DIAL A.R.C. Henry Co .

23 146.715- A.R.C, Putnam Co.

24 146.685- Bascom

25 147.195+ Skywarn, Fulton

26 146.825- Williams Co.

27 145.370- A.A.R.C. Lenawee Co.

28 144.900 PL 186.2 SIMPLEX For Cross Banding, SAT

Frequencies/channel detail, and functions to the Kenwood HT's in EOC:

0. Fremont 2 Meter (EOC) 145.250 PL 186.2

1. Fremont 2 Meter Simplex 145.250 PL 186.2

2. Sandusky Co. ARES Simplex 147.430

3. Fremont ARES Backup 2 Meter (St. Rt. 590 & 20) 146.910

4. Fremont ARES Backup 2 Meter Simplex 146.910

5. Fremont 70 Meter (St. Rt. 590 & 20) 443.450

6. Fremont 70 Meter Simplex 443.450

7. Clyde 2 Meter (Clyde) 145.350 PL 110.9

8. Bellevue 70 Meter (Downtown Bellevue) 442.625 PL 110.9

9. Seneca 2 Meter (Tiffin) 145.450 PL 107.2

10. Bascom 2 Meter (West Bascom) 146.685

11. Wood County 2 Meter (Bowling Green) 146.790 PL 103.5

12. Oak Harbor 70 Meter (West Oak Harbor, RAYS) 443.850 PL 186.2

13. Oak Harbor 70 Meter (West Oak Harbor, RAYS) 443.850 PL DEC 179.9 ENC 186.2

14. Oak Harbor 70 Meter (East Oak Harbor) 442.250

15. Oak Harbor 2 Meter (East Oak Harbor) 147.075

16. Gibsonburg 70 Meter (Gibsonburg Water Tower) 443.1875 PL 107.2

17. Fremont 70 Meter (Central Fremont) 443.000 PL 107.2

18. NW Ohio Skywarn Link Mode 2 Meter (Toledo) 147.375

19. NW Ohio Skywarn 2 Meter (Oregon) 146.940 PL 103.5

20. Oregon 70 Meter Toledo ARES (Maumee Bay) 442.950 PL 103.5

21. Toledo 2 Meter (Central Toledo) 147.265 PL 88.5

22. Davis Bessie 70 Meter Skywarn Backbone (Davis Bessie) 442.425 PL 100.0

23. National Simplex 2 Meter 146.520

24. National Simplex 70 Meter 446.000

25. Toledo ARES TMRA 2 Meter (Toledo) 147.270 PL 103.7

26. Toledo ARES GTMRA 2 Meter (Toledo) 146.610 PL 103.7

27. Sandusky Co. Fire & EMS Page East (Fremont Water Tower)

28. Sandusky Co. Fire & EMS Page West (Oak Harbor)

29. Sandusky Co. EMS Talk (Fremont Water Tower)

30. Sandusky Co. 911 Sheriff Tactical (Fremont Water Tower)

31. Sandusky Co. Sheriff LAW Dispatch (Fremont Water Tower)

32. Fremont Fire Tactical (Fremont Fire Building.)

33. Fremont Police Dispatch (Fremont Police Building.)

34. Clyde Fire Dispatch & Tactical (Clyde Water Tower)

35. Seneca Co. Page & Dispatch

36. North Central EMS Page & Dispatch (St. Rt. 101)

37. GMRS Channel 1

38. Ottawa Co. Fire & Page

39. Sandusky Co. Fire Dept’s 3 Tactical (St. Rt 19 Futronics)

40 Sandusky Co. Fire Dept’s 4 Tactical (St Rt. 19 Futronics)

41. Ottawa Co. Page

42. Wood Co. Page

43. Statewide LAW

44. Cross Band 2 Meter

45. Cross Band 70 Meter

46. Weather Band Castalia

47. Weather Band Toledo

FUNCTIONS:

VOLUME- Turn Bottom Knob on Top of Radio

CHANGE CHANNEL- Turn Top Knob

SCAN- Press And Hold (MR)

SEE FREQUENCY- Press (F) Then (5) <REPEAT TO SEE NAME

SQUELCH- Press (F) Then (1), Use Channel Knob To Change, Press PTT When Done

NOAA Information:

Channels:

162.400 Mhz.

162.425 Mhz.

162.450 Mhz.

162.475 Mhz.

162.500 Mhz.

162.525 Mhz.

162.550 Mhz.

S.A.M.E. Codes:

Sandusky County - 039143

Ottawa County- 039123

Skywarnä Frequency Directory (NWS List) Updated March 3rd, 2008

NWS Nets Primary PL Backup PL

Cleveland, Closed 52.680/R 107.2

Northern Indiana 146.820/R

Pittsburgh 147.090/R 88.5

Group Nets Primary PL Backup PL

Cleveland District 1 147.375/R 146.610/R

Cleveland District 2 145.230/R 110.9

Cleveland District 3 146.940/R 71.9

Cleveland District 4, clo 147.345/R 110.9 147.180/R 110.9

Cleveland District 5, clo 443.450/R 103.5 146.715/R 141.3

Cleveland District 6 145.130/R 186.2

IWX IMO Skywarn 147.150/R 146.820/R

ILN Central Ohio 146.760/R 147.240/R

ILN Miami Valley N. 147.000/R

ILN Miami Valley S 146.640/R

INL WARN 146.880/R 147.090/R

Cleveland NWS Nets Primary PL Backup PL

Ashland 147.105/R 71.9 145.130/R 110.9

Ashtabula 145.330/R 103.5 146.760/R 186.2

Crawford, OH 146.850/R 71.9

Crawford, PA 145.130/R 186.2 147.030/R 186.2

Cuyahoga 146.760/R 110.9 146.880/R 110.9

Erie, OH 146.805/R 110.9 146.655/R 110.9

Erie, PA 146.610/R 186.2 146.700/R 186.2

Geauga 147.015/R 110.9 147.210/R 110.9

Hancock 147.150/R 88.5

Holmes 146.670/R 71.9 147.210/R 88.5

Huron 146.865/R 110.9 147.48

Knox 146.790/R 71.9

Lake 443.700/R 131.8 147.210/R

Lorain 147.150/R 110.9 146.700/R

Lucas 147.270/R 103.5 146.835/R 103.5

Mahoning 146.745/R 110.9 146.835/R 110.9

Marion 147.300/R 71.9

Medina 147.030/R 141.3 146.895/R 71.9

Morrow 147.300/R 71.9

Portage 145.390/R 110.9 145.68 CSQ

Richland 146.940/R 71.9 147.360/R 71.9

Seneca 145.450/R 107.2 146.685/R CSQ

Stark 147.120/R 110.9 146.790/R 110.9

Summit 147.135/R 110.9 147.270/R 110.9

Trumbull 146.970/R 147.045/R 141.3

Wayne 147.210/R 88.5 147.390/R 110.9

Wayne 147.390/R 114.8 147.210/R 114.3

Wood 146.790/R 103.5 147.180/R 67.0

Wyandot 147.210/R 107.2

Sandusky/Ottawa County Skywarnä Application Form

Participant Information:

Name: _________________________________________ Callsign: _______________

Date of Birth: ____/____/____

Address: ____________________________________________________

City: ________________ State: _____ Zip: _________

Home Phone: _______________________

Cell Phone: ________________________ Cell Phone Carrier: __________

Would you like weather alert text messages? _________

Email Address: _______________________________________

Would you like to receive weather alert emails? __________

Spotter Vehicle Information:

Vehicle Make: ________________ Vehicle Model: _______________ Vehicle Year: ___________

Vehicle Color: _____________ Vehicle License Plate #: __________________

Radio Equipment:

______________________________________________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Other Information:

Do you have any Weather Instruments that you use? _______

If so, what? ___________________________________________________________________

Do you have Emergency Power for Equipment? ____________

Have you taken a Skywarnä Training Class in the last two years? _____________

If yes, What Year and Where? _____________________________________

Do you have a Spotter Number? ________

If yes, what is your Spotter Number? ____________

I agree that I have provided the information above to the best of my knowledge. I understand that my information will not be given out to anyone unless I have authorized to do so. I also agree that if I am mobile spotting that at no time I can hold the Sandusky/Ottawa County Skywarnä group that is part of Sandusky County A.R.E.S. responsible for anything such as injury, damage, or otherwise that may occur while I am mobile spotting.

X ____________________________________________________ _________________

Participant Signature Date

This page last updated 1-26-08.