ARLA/CLUSTER: Nos EUA consideram-se os radioamadores com tendo um papel vital no aviso de tempestades

[João Costa > CT1FBF]

Ham radio's vital role in storm warning

The Wichita Eagle reports on the amateur radio club at the Veterans of
Foreign Wars Post 3115

The post in west Wichita has been known as a place where veterans can
relax and socialize but now it offers something else a fully
operational amateur radio station.

The W0VFW Amateur Radio club was founded in 2007 when club trustee
Dennis Godbey KF0TG teamed up with other VFW members to bring amateur
radio to the post, the club now has over 20 members.

Reliability is a key factor, especially when it comes to severe
weather and emergencies. Many members of the VFW amateur radio club
contribute to SkyWarn, a network of storm watchers who provide
information to the National Weather Service. SkyWarn relies on ham
operators for trustworthy information in crucial situations.

Chance Hayes KC0QBY, a meteorologist for the National Weather Service
office in Wichita, said amateur radio operators are a vital part of
the storm warning process.

“Amateur radio is an integral part of the SkyWarn program,” Hayes said,

“Basically what they do is they have a network of operators, not only
across the city, but also the county, state, or country, and each one
of those folks has the ability to utilize the airways to report
inclement weather.”

During times of severe weather, cell and landlines can go down, making
communication difficult. But because ham radio doesn’t rely on cell
towers, operators are still able to communicate and deliver crucial
information to meteorologists.

“When all else fails, amateur radio is there,” Hayes said.

Read the full story at
http://www.kansas.com/news/local/article55293225.html

VFW Amateur Radio Club
http://3115.vfwpost.us/vfwarc/