Subj : Newsline Part 2 To : All From : Daryl Stout Date : Fri Dec 16 2016 11:51 am THE SUN SHINES ON SKYWARN OPERATORS PAUL/ANCHOR: Emergency readiness also counts when the weather turns challenging. That's why once a year, hams recognize SKYWARN operators, who keep everyone on their toes - and hopefully safe - during so-called "weather events." Here's Amateur Radio Newsline's Bobby Best, WX4ALA, reporting on this year's event held December 3rd. BOBBY: Amateur radio operators across the nation celebrated SKYWARN Recognition Day. SKYWARN itself was formed on June the 18th, 1971, and the Recognition Day was officially developed in 1999 in a combined effort between the National Weather Service and the ARRL, and has been an annual event ever since. A SKYWARN storm spotter like Rex Free, KN4CI, with the North Alabama & Southern Middle Tennessee SKYWARN Group, is just one example of how trained SKYWARN hams can provide crucial "ground truth" reports to The National Weather Service. REX: "We've got Keith in that area, with eyes on it, we've got Todd headed into the West with eyes on it, and we've got Dom headed into the South with the eyes on it, we need to get some damage assessments, or get some additional help if we have to." BOBBY: North Alabama & Southern Middle Tennessee SKYWARN is not the only SKYWARN group that's taken to the air, though. To assist the National Weather Service with "ground truth," these Arkansas hams activated their SKYWARN NET just days ago in preparation for this event. AUDIO FROM NET CONTROL: "In an area between Mullmill and Mayflower, we're starting to see something that looks a little fishy on radar. I want to see if anybody's seeing anything. If you've got anything to report, please keep an eye on that storm and let us know! This is WX0X NET Control." BOBBY: Without a doubt, hams who participate with active SKYWARN events not only become the National Weather Service's "eyes on the ground", but through their training, they're able to safely relay information that saves lives. For Amateur Radio Newsline, I'm Bobby Best, WX4ALA, in Jasper, Alabama. ** NEW PSK31 PARTY HAS NO COMPETITION PAUL/ANCHOR: How about some PSK31 operation? The European Radio Amateurs' Organization wants you to do more, than just think about digital contacts. They want you to get involved, as we hear from Amateur Radio Newsline's John Williams, VK4JJW. JOHN'S REPORT: The European Radio Amateurs' Organization is hosting a party this month, and you don't have to bring anything - no champagne, no formal attire, no party gifts. All you need is your willingness to perhaps try something new -- in this case, that would be PSK31. The party is on the 17th and 18th of December from 00:00 to 24:00 UTC. The organizers describe it more as a "radio meeting". That means there are no points, no multipliers, and there is no competition. This is a QSO event, and participants can talk in any language in the digital mode for as long as they wish. It's so informal, that even QSL cards are optional. According to the European organizers, the purpose is to get more hams to use the digital mode, and to connect hams around the world via PSK. Be listening on 1.838 MHz, 3.580 MHz, 7.070 MHz, 10.142MHZ, 14.070 MHz, 18.100 MHz, 21.080 MHz, 24.920 MHz, and 28.120 MHz. Listen for the call "CQ EURAO Party." For statistics only, organizers ask participants to send their logs in ADIF format after the event to party@eurao.org, using your callsign as the file name. A certificate of participation will be issued for hams who send their logs with at least 10 percent of the QSOs confirmed. The bureau will be available for members, as well as nonmembers for those wishing to exchange QSL cards. For Amateur Radio Newsline, I'm John Williams, VK4JJW. (EURAO) ** BREAK HERE: Time for you to identify your station. We are the Amateur Radio Newsline, heard on bulletin stations around the world, including the N9EOC repeater of the Central Indiana Amateur Radio Association in Hamilton County, Indiana on Sundays. Posted by VPost v1.7.081019 .