Serving St. Tammany and The Northshore Since 1964

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1 Serving St. Tammany and The Northshore Since Record setting rains, flooding, Spotter activations; W5SLA gets in on the action in the following ARRL article and stands ready for more.!hello APRIL! -SK- 1 Do not be angry with the rain; it simply does not know how to fall upwards. Vladimir Nabokov

ARES, SKYWARN Volunteers Respond to Heavy Rain, Flooding in Louisiana 03/15/2016 Amateur Radio Emergency Service (ARES) and SKYWARN volunteers in Louisiana assisted the National Weather Service

Region 7 District Emergency Coordinator John Mark Robertson, K5JMR, in the Shreveport-Bossier City area, said Amateur Radio involvement began on March 8, when the NWS-Shreveport Office requested a

Their coverage included parts of Texas and Arkansas.

2 ARES, SKYWARN Volunteers Respond to Heavy Rain, Flooding in Louisiana 03/15/2016 Amateur Radio Emergency Service (ARES) and SKYWARN volunteers in Louisiana assisted the National Weather Service (NWS), as record-setting rainfall led to severe and widespread flooding. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has approved a disaster declaration for the state. Region 7 District Emergency Coordinator John Mark Robertson, K5JMR, in the Shreveport-Bossier City area, said Amateur Radio involvement began on March 8, when the NWS-Shreveport Office requested a SKYWARN activation during a tornado watch. For the next 17 hours, Robertson reported, a group of volunteers handled weather-spotting duties over linked repeaters, filing some 70 reports. Their coverage included parts of Texas and Arkansas. The severe weather included hail as well as major flooding that closed Interstate 20 in three Louisiana parishes and inundated entire neighborhoods. On March 10, the ARES team in Tangipahoa Parish in southeastern Louisiana was active for nearly 2 days in response to heavy rain and flooding. Local hams operating from their fixed stations in homes, on portable HTs, and mobile provided updates on local conditions and were able to offer road reports to travelers on the state highways and Interstate 12, which crosses all of the major rivers in our area, ARES Region 9 DEC Bob Priez WB5FBS, told ARRL. He said the Tangipahoa, Tickfaw, Tchefuncte, and Bogue Falaya rivers, as well as numerous streams and waterways, were well above flood stage by the afternoon of March 11. We were able to receive and send weather bulletins and flood conditions to and from the NWS in Slidell, Louisiana, using our repeater and the Slidell repeater. The repeater also provided communication with the EOC at Southeastern Louisiana University and Tangipahoa Parish EOC in Amite, Louisiana, he said. Fixed stations used packet radio on VHF as well as conventional to relay NWS weather bulletins and to forward local reports to NWS. Priez said the March activation was the third for his ARES crew since two events in February, when the area was hit with heavy rain and wind. He said that event gave the group the opportunity to test recently revised plans to interface directly with the NWS Office in Slidell via repeaters in Tangipahoa and St Tammany parishes and via packet. This plan proved really effective in the February 23 event, which, in addition to rains and winds, also spawned numerous tornadoes across the southeast region, Priez said. Our widespread ham radio observers were able to send real-time reports of tornado activity in Livingston, Montpelier, and Convent, and from Washington and St John parishes in Louisiana, and also from southwestern Mississippi. The group also kept in contact with the Southeastern Louisiana University EOC and the Tangipahoa Parish EOC via the local VHF repeater. On March 13, the Robertson said three SKYWARN volunteers activated in the Shreveport-Bossier City area in response to severe weather, posting 25 messages dealing with tornado watches and warnings, reports of hail, and continued major flooding. According to the National Weather Service, the highest reported rainfall total was southeast of Monroe a whopping inches! The NWS has posted rainfall totals for the March 8-12 period. The flooding has led to road closings over a wide area, including part of Interstate 10 in Texas, and law enforcement personnel have been using boats to reach and rescue stranded residents. 2

2 Meters Repeaters 147.27 MHz (+) CTCSS 114.

290 MHz (-) D-STAR or CTCSS 67 70 Centimeters

the W5SLA 2 meter repeater 2 Meters Club Net

10 Meters Club Net Every Friday at 8:00 pm on

3 2 Meters Repeaters MHz (+) CTCSS MHz (-) D-STAR or CTCSS Centimeters Repeater MHz (+) CTCSS Meters Packet MHz W5SLA-4 Digi-peater only (SIL) W5SLA-3 Mailbox W5SLA-5 NWS-TNC St. Tammany ARES Net Every Tuesday at 8:00 pm on the W5SLA 2 meter repeater 2 Meters Club Net Every Friday at 7:30 pm on the 2 meter repeater 10 Meters Club Net Every Friday at 8:00 pm on Or about MHz USB 75 Meter Club Net Every Friday 8:30 pm On or about MHz USB WELCOME New HAMS Murray KG5MSI Houte KG5MSJ Some of your OARC Facilities 3

On Thursday night, March, 17, approximately 20 OARC members gathered at the

But this time, it wasn't because of the weather.

Those present received a crash course in learning how forecasters identify

how to report severe weather conditions to the weather service.

together to create the many watches and warnings that help keep the citizens of

4 On Thursday night, March, 17, approximately 20 OARC members gathered at the National Weather Service in Slidell. Skywarn had been activated. But this time, it wasn't because of the weather. They were there for a presentation on severe weather spotting and reporting. Those present received a crash course in learning how forecasters identify favorable conditions for severe weather, how to spot developing tornadoes, and how to report severe weather conditions to the weather service. Meteorologist Tim Destri, KF5OPC, conducted a PowerPoint presentation and also answered many questions from the group. He also recounted some of his own first hand experiences of handling severe weather outbreaks. At the conclusion of the discussion, the group was invited to tour the main floor of the center. Members were able to see behind the scenes and learn how everything comes together to create the many watches and warnings that help keep the citizens of southeast Louisiana and coastal Mississippi safe during times of extreme weather. Some of the latest and greatest technology was pointed out along with the ham radio station in use. Special thanks to Ron, WB5CXJ, for organizing the visit and also to Tim for hosting the group at the NWS. Scott - KD5PCK Mandeville W5SLA Correspondent 4

03/30/2016 Hurricane Watch Net Seeks Net Control Operators The Hurricane Watch Net (HWN) is looking for additional net control operators.

Hurricanes can form at any time of the year, however, as witnessed by Hurricane Alex in January.

It has been a long time since the US has seen a major hurricane make landfall. He believes the US may be overdue for one.

5 03/30/2016 Hurricane Watch Net Seeks Net Control Operators The Hurricane Watch Net (HWN) is looking for additional net control operators. Hurricane Season in the Atlantic begins on June 1 and ends on November 30; in the Eastern Pacific, it begins on May 15 and ends on November 30. Hurricanes can form at any time of the year, however, as witnessed by Hurricane Alex in January. With the 2016 hurricane season rapidly approaching, the Hurricane Watch Net is preparing for what looks be an active season, HWN Manager Bobby Graves, KB5HAV, said. It has been a long time since the US has seen a major hurricane make landfall. He believes the US may be overdue for one. Graves said the HWN is seeking new members who can serve as net control stations. Post-El Niño years can be busy and very dangerous, he said. Following the last major El Niño in , we had Hurricane Mitch make landfall in Honduras in October. Mitch was the second deadliest hurricane in Atlantic Basin history over 11,000 people died in Honduras alone, primarily due to severe flooding and mudslides. The storm also caused many deaths elsewhere in Central America. Graves said the HWN is always on the lookout for well-qualified, experienced net control operators who can effectively communicate with hurricane-prone areas from eastern Canada, the US East Coast, the Gulf of Mexico, Central America, and the Caribbean. He said bilingual (English and Spanish) operators are a valuable asset in dealing with storms affecting areas where Spanish is the predominant language. The HWN generally activates whenever a hurricane is within 300 miles of landfall, or, at the request of the National Hurricane Center in Miami, or the Canadian Hurricane Centre in Halifax, Nova Scotia. During an activation the HWN operates on MHz during daylight hours and shifts to MHz when 20 meters folds or as otherwise required. Graves said Hurricane Watch Net volunteers typically are radio amateurs with above-average stations who are willing to commit their time to support the HWN mission during Net activations, which, he added, can sometimes be long and stressful. HWN membership is required to serve as a net control station, but radio amateurs do not need to be HWN members to participate as reporting stations, providing observed or measured weather data or relaying assistance as required by the net control. Visit the HWN Membership Information Page, if you re interested in becoming a member of the Hurricane Watch Net. 5

6 Upcoming 2016 Hamfests/Conventions within 250 miles of Slidell, LA. Hamfest/Convention 04/09/ Mobile Hamfest Location: Mobile, AL Type: ARRL Hamfest Sponsor: Mobile Amateur Radio Club Website: 04/16/2016 Northeast Louisiana Hamfest Location: Monroe, LA Type: ARRL Hamfest Sponsor: Twin City Ham Club Website: tml 04/23/2016 Piney Hills Amateur Radio Hot Dog Social Location: Ruston, LA Type: ARRL Hamfest Sponsor: Piney Hills Amateur Radio Association Website: 05/07/2016 New Orleans Ham Radio & Computer Flea Market Location: New Orleans, LA Type: ARRL Hamfest Sponsor: Crescent City Amateur Radio Group Website: CARG/management/settings 07/08/2016 Northern Florida Section Convention (21st Milton ARC Hamfest) Location: Milton, FL Type: ARRL Convention Sponsor: Milton Amateur Radio Club Website: 6

7 A brief look into the current weather conditions for the record courtesy DW0550 A brief look into the current weather conditions for the record courtesy DW0550 7

8 A brief look at a 24 hour look into local APRS traffic in the area for the record heard on MHz via packet radio around aprs.fi 8

9 Louisiana s 9

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11 W5SLA Maidenhead Grid Square 11

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13 Welcome to Moore s LAW HAM RADIO! 13

14 Please support our sister Net Thank you for the topic suggestion, we ll put it in. -SK- 14

Tropical Update. 11 AM EDT Wednesday, October 10, 2018 Hurricane Michael, Hurricane Leslie & Tropical Storm Nadine, Caribbean Low (40%)

Tropical Update. 11 AM EDT Wednesday, October 10, 2018 Hurricane Michael, Hurricane Leslie & Tropical Storm Nadine, Caribbean Low (40%) Tropical Update 11 AM EDT Wednesday, October 10, 2018 Hurricane Michael, Hurricane Leslie & Tropical Storm Nadine, Caribbean Low (40%) This update is intended for government and emergency response officials,