This is FYI: WFO OUN is going to get serious about re-establishing the OUN Spotter network. This is new stuff and details have not yet been worked, BUT! that the Alpha Sigma Delta Radio Society is part and parcel of this effort needs to be made clear in the ARDC proposal. Forrest Mitchell is the lead on this; we're sidekicks. 

More to come as I learn it.

73,

Kim Elmore N5OP
ASDRS Faculty Advisor



-------- Forwarded Message --------
Subject: Re: Ham Radio Storm Spotter Net
Date: Thu, 10 Jun 2021 06:44:27 -0500
From: Forrest Mitchell - NOAA Federal <[log in to unmask]>
To: Richard Smith - NOAA Federal <[log in to unmask]>
CC: Kim Elmore - NOAA Affiliate <[log in to unmask]>


I believe Kim's proposal is the best way, given current WFO staffing, to reestablish an amateur radio presence and increase the number of storm reports.
We would still monitor the primary frequencies with our radio equipment in the WFO. I do think that we should use WX5OUN during support activities, 
and dedicate WX5NWC to non-WFO functions. 

I offer to be the primary liaison between the WFO and the amateurs who would help us from the "radio penthouse". I will coordinate with you, as you are
the trustee of the WX5OUN callsign. This will also open the door for participation in Skywarn Recognition Day in December.

Let's make this happen...
 
Forrest Mitchell / KB5FOL
Observations Program Leader

NOAA/National Weather Service
Oklahoma City / Norman Weather Forecast Office
120 David L Boren Blvd, Suite 2400
Norman, OK 73072
405-325-3816


On Wed, Jun 9, 2021 at 10:48 AM Richard Smith - NOAA Federal <[log in to unmask]> wrote:
Hi Kim,

I'd love to hear Forrest's thoughts, but I think this could work!

Forrest - any thoughts?

Rick





Rick Smith - Warning Coordination Meteorologist
National Weather Service - Norman Forecast Office
120 David L. Boren Blvd., Suite 2400
Norman, OK 73072 


On Sat, May 29, 2021 at 1:25 PM Kim Elmore - NOAA Affiliate <[log in to unmask]> wrote:
Hi Rick,

Now that the NWC is opening back up, would the WFO have any future interest in using ham radio storm spotting capability? No one can enter the WFO, of course, but it could conceivably be operated through the NWC’s ham radio facilities at the top of the NWC. All communication with the WFO would be through NWSchat, so reports we received from any of the ham radio sources would be forwarded through NWSchat to your office. Via the chat we could, of course, solicit reports on perceived threats as directed by the WFO. 

I expect a cadre of trained people would act as the “net control” for this, so it wouldn’t be just any hammy hambone handling the traffic. Those trained people could help filter out clearly useless chatter and reports. 

My understanding is that historically the Norman WFO had a top-notch ham radio spotting network that became persona non grata due to arrogant behavior by the net control operator that volunteered at the WFO. Would it be useful to reconstitute such a spotter net under a different scenario?

Tailwinds,

Kim (N5OP)


--

Kim Elmore, Ph.D. (Adj. Assoc. Prof., OU School of Meteorology, CCM, PP SEL/MEL/Glider, UAS, N5OP, 2nd Class Radiotelegraph, GROL)

“The weather is never wrong.” – Pam Wilson


--
Kim Elmore, Ph

Kim Elmore, Ph.D. (Adj. Assoc. Prof., OU School of Meteorology, CCM, PP SEL/MEL/Glider, UAS, N5OP, 2nd Class Radiotelegraph, GROL)

“Listen, it's too big a world to be in competition with everybody else. The only guy I have to get better than is who I am right now.” – Col. Sherman T. Potter, 4077 M.A.S.H.