SKYWARN BULLETIN

               KD4ISC RESIGNS AS RALEIGH SKYWARN EC

        SKYWARN MEETING CALLED FOR TUESDAY, JUNE 25

Dick Orander KD4ISC has decided to resign as the Raleigh Skywarn EC.
Dick's resignation will be effective in a few weeks, to allow time for a
transition to a new EC.  ARRL NC Section Emergency Coordinator Billy
Mitchell WB4SGA has called a meeting of all Skywarn net controls, past and
current, and anyone else interested in the Amateur Radio aspect of the
Skywarn program, for Tuesday, June 25th, from 7 to 9:30 pm, at the NC State
EOC in Raleigh.*

The Amateur Radio Skywarn program has been criticized recently, in a letter
to the NWS from a local ham, on a WTVD news broadcast, and in comments made
on the air on local repeaters.  Dick says the criticizm did not directly
lead to his resignation, but that the administrative burden of dealing with
so many people interested in Skywarn was much greater than he anticipated.
He said he will continue being an active part of Skywarn as a net control
station, and strongly supports the program.

The Tuesday meeting is being called to discuss and address complaints about
Skywarn.  

David Faircloth KD4WSC, currently  the Raleigh Skywarn assistant EC in
charge of managing on-air operations, says he is interested in the EC
appointment.  Billy Mitchell and Section Manager Reed Whitten AB4W are
considering other individuals.

Reed has assured the National Weather Service and the Amateur community
that the Skywarn program will continue to provide its usual high level of
service and information when needed.

*The State EOC is located in the basement of the NC State Administration
building, on Jones St. at the north end of downtown Raleigh.  Talk in will
be available on 146.88.

Gary Pearce KN4AQ
ARRL NC Section Public Info Coordinator
Skywarn Net Control Operator

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This is a letter forwarded to me from David KD4WSC from someone on the net. 
It is interesting to see things from the perspective of a non-ham that 
is interested in Skywarn. One never knows who Skywarn may touch...

6/20/96
To David Faircloth:

I am writing regarding Skywarn based on information I heard last night,
6/19/96.

I got your name from a webpage at URL 
http://www.cs.unc.edu/~nick/hamfaq.txt. I am not a ham, but I do have a 
scanner and listen in occasionally on various frequencies.  I usually 
start at 146.880.

Apparently, Skywarn has become the target of some criticism, at least 
in the Raleigh area.  I got the impression from the discussion that the 
quality of the reports submitted to Skywarn were substandard and their 
value questionable.  

Well, I certainly hope that the volunteers are well-trained to provide
accurate, useful information, but I also understand that they *are* 
volunteers, and that many people contribute information when the net 
is active.  I hope that those who are so critical understand what that 
service means to me, because where I live in remote Johnston County, 
severe weather has frequently developed suddenly, and power outages are 
common.  There have been many occasions where I would not have known 
what in the world was happening (weatherwise) were it not for the hams 
in my area who have kept me informed.  That information could be just 
the edge I may need some day to protect my family. Having come to 
depend on it, I would sorely miss it.

I am certain that the area hams who are involved with Skywarn will 
deal with the issues they face, but please remember it's not just the 
NWS who needs that information.

Feel free to use this letter as you see fit.  My only intention for 
this letter is to demonstrate support for the folks who volunteer to 
help those whom they don't even know.

JD Shannon



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June 18, 1996
Hello All!
Severe weather season is winding down and the summertime "pulse severe"
thunderstorm season is starting up.  Please share this information within
your local organizations and on local Nets...

Skywarn activates at the request of the National Weather Service (NWS).
During the summertime months, "pulse severe" thunderstorms occasionally pop
up throughout our coverage area.  In most cases, the NWS does *not*
activate Skywarn for these storms because they are very isolated and do not
last long as severe storms.

Even though not activated by NWS, Triad Skywarn Net Control Stations (NCS)
may simply be monitoring on frequency during these types of events.  We may
be able to provide spotters with only limited information about the storms
because we have not been contacted by the NWS.  NCS operators may contact
the NWS to report severe weather but should *not* contact NWS for status
reports only.  Spotters may call "Triad Skywarn" for informational requests
and to report severe weather conditions, but spotters should also remember
that, because Skywarn has not been officially activated, there may not be
an NCS on frequency.

If an NCS is not available, spotters should contact the NWS directly with
reports of severe weather.  Skywarn spotters who have completed the NWS
training program should have the toll free severe weather telephone number.
Spotters should report only *severe weather conditions* directly to the
NWS on the toll free number.  Please review the severe weather criteria:

        Rotating wall clouds, funnel cloud, tornadoes
        Winds that cause significant damage (58 mph or greater)
        Large hail (3/4" diameter or greater)

If the thunderstorm does not meet one or more of the above criteria, it is
not considered severe by NWS standards.  Please do *not* report any
conditions to the NWS unless they meet one or more of the above criteria.

Triad Skywarn has one of the best programs in the nation thanks to the
dedication and support of our spotters!  Please keep up the good work.

Any questions or comments can be addressed to me at smarks@nr.infi.net and
I can be reached by digital/alphanumeric pager - voice mail system at (910)
507-0994.  Once again, thanks for your support of the Skywarn program!

Sincerely,

Steve Marks, KE4FCW
Triad Skywarn Coordinator


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May 11, 1996

Hello Gang;
 I just talked to the weather service and they exspect activity in the 
Triad area at about 14:00. They are looking for things to pop up in 
advance of the front as it comes over the mountains. We will have a lot 
of straight line winds coming and some hail. But as WE know anthing can 
happen as we heat up today.
 Steve your watches should be set to start somewhere around 14:00 as you 
get it first.(Lucky You)
 Fayetteville's watch should come on line around 15:00.
 Raleigh weather we are not sure of yet just a wait and see. I would 
like to train someone with Dick Or Noble if we man it.
                                              73'rds
                                           KD4WSC


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May 10, 1996

Hello All;
 I will handle the Swarn Activity on 05-11-96 and give Dick and Noble a
break. They have done such a good job since I have been dealing with 
Brandi they deserve a vacation (you go you pay). I will call AE4FZ and 
give him a heads up.
                                             73's
                                      KD4Wild Storm Coming