If you are interested in greater participation gathering weather data for the National Weather Service you might want to look at the CoCoRaHS program for reporting precipitation totals to NWS. As the name implies CoCoRaHS seeks to record accurate daily precipitation data for the NWS. Click on this sentence to find out more information.
Category Archives: Skywarn
Weather/Skywarn information links
Bob Fenner, K3RDF, an NWS Employee provided a number of links to weather information that is of interest to Skywarn Spotters and Amateur Radio Operators in General. You can find them by clicking on “Links” in the menu above.
Thank you Bob!
Results of Skywarn Net Jan. 24, 2024 on W3GA, 146.76
As announced a Skywarn was conducted from the National Weather Service State College Office (NWS CTP) on January 24th at 19:00. NCS used the NWS CTP call sign WX3CTP. Carmine, K3CWP and Greg, K3HOT staffed the station.
Nineteen stations checked in from seven counties as listed below. The showed that the coverage for W3GA will be useful for Skywarn activations should other local repeaters fail. Thank you to the stations who checked in. They are listed below. Continue reading
Skywarn net announced for Jan. 24, 2024
On Wednesday, January 24, 2024 at 19:00 local time we will conduct a Skywarn net on the W3GA repeater. Frequency is 146.760 mHz, -600 kHz shift, 146.2 Tone. Net control will be operating from the National Weather Service Office in State College using the callsign WX3CTP.
Net control will call for stations to check in from Centre and surrounding counties. Stations checking in are asked to give their callsign, name, and a brief report of weather observations at their location.
This will give us a test of coverage into the areas west, south, and north of Centre County from the repeater’s location on Rattlesnake Mountain.
Any amateur radio operator is welcome to check in, not just Skywarn spotters.
Link added to the Skywarn Spotters Field Guide
A link has been added to the Link Library for the National Weather Service Skywarn Spotters Field Guide.
Public Service Events For 2023
Opportunities for public service yet this year. If you want to volunteer for any of the events not coordinated by Nittany Amateur Radio Club contact Carmine at k3cwp@arrl.net.
- December 2, Skywarn Recognition Day
- Coordinated by Carmine Prestia, K3CWP, carmine.prestia@gmail.com
Watch this space for more information, especially how to sign up to help.
Centre County Amateurs Participate in ARRL SET on October 1, 2022
On Saturday October 2, 2022, five Centre County Amateurs participated in the Annual ARRL Simulated Emergency Test from 13:30 UTC (09:30 Local) to 14:30 UTC (11:30 Local). This year’s drill simulated a major snow and cold weather event over the Western Pennsylvania section:
“A massive snow event and below zero temperatures have blanketed the entire Western Pennsylvania Section, downing power lines, blocking traffic and necessitating the
evacuation of large numbers of people to shelters in every county in the the Section.”
K3HOT/R Amateur Radio Repeater Information
A new Amateur Radio Service repeater is now in operation in Centre County.
The K3HOT repeater located on Rattlesnake Mountain operates on a frequency of 443.425mhz with a CTCSS of 107.2hz (pl 1B). The repeater is linked fulltime (a simulcast) with the W3ND repeater 145.11 at Harrisburg. This repeater serves as the PEMA auxiliary communications service repeater for the lower Susquehanna valley. The W3ND repeater also serves as the primary Skywarn repeater for a 10 county area. Continue reading
Centre County Skywarn Recognition Day 2021 Participation
UPDATE: 12/3/2021 @ 1632.
Click here to see a list of Skywarn Recognition Day Registration Numbers. You can still register if you wish but they don’t guarantee a number before SRD starts this evening.
Click here to see a list of participating stations. I imagine this will update as stations register, so check often.
Centre County amateur radio operators are invited to participate in Skywarn Recognition Day on December 3 & 4, 2021. We hope to have contacts on HF, VHF, and UHF. Participation details may be found in the following document
Participants may register at:
National Weather Service Skywarn Recognition Day
Volunteers needed for TWO events on October 2, 2021
Centre County (and other) amateur radio operators (ARO) have the opportunity to volunteer for two events on October 2, 2021; the Pennsylvania Environmental Council Public Lands Ride (Bicycle) and the ARRL Simulated Emergency Test. Continue reading