How does Ham Radio work with Storm Spotting?

You can mix the two as a storm spotter. Amateur Radio Emergency Services (ARES) is a group of amateur (ham) radio operators who volunteer their time and respond to a call from government to assist with various situations where manpower and effective communications are needed.

In the case of severe weather, hams are called to sit at specific points throughout the area. From these spotter points, they watch the weather and report anything unusual or hazardous. These reports are sent to local emergency management and weather service offices.

Some people confuse storm spotting with storm chasing. These are not the same thing but BOTH are dangerous in varying degrees and for various reasons. In the case of chasing, people actually travel to intercept a storm cell, often traveling into unfamiliar areas or roads. This is VERY hazardous.

Storm spotters remain at fixed, predetermined locations where their radio information can easily be compared to a map. These locations are easily accessed by paved roads and in some cases, well maintained gravel roads, where in an emergency, there are multiple ways to leave the area.

Training is offered annually by the National Weather Service office in Valley Nebraska. This year, it was held at the (CPSWS 2008) Central Plains Severe Weather Symposium at Hardin Hall at the University of Nebraska east campus.

If you are not yet a ham but desire to become one, you can view the club calendar of events for upcoming classes and testing sessions, or email Reynolds Davis, at K0GND@arrl.net for more information about amateur classes and exams or spotter training.

The Lincoln Amateur Radio Club, along with Lincoln/Lancaster County Emergency Management, have teamed together to create and maintain one of the most extensive and organized spotter networks in the Midwest.

What do I need to be a spotter?

First off, you need an appreciation of weather in general. Severe weather usually holds interest for many of us because of the threats to life or property.

You will need formal training as a storm spotter. This is important to have because of the protocols in place. Training will keep you up to date with proper terminology and with the specific reports which are requested and you will understand the safety measures in place to keep your whereabouts and condition known at all times. Safety of spotters is the paramount consideration for the entire network. If you are not a trained spotter, you can ride with someone who is as a navigator.

As a trained spotter, there are certain things you must have be able to be given an assignment. You will be given a map of the entire county with directions. This is to be used to refer to when monitoring reports from others. You can easily find your point and compare it to another report and look in that direction to see if you can see what they are reporting. You should be familiar with cloud formations and the proper terminology to convey this information back to net control. There is a great link for maps and terminology reference card. Click HERE to see the information.

You should have a mobile radio capable of transmitting on 2 meters. Though there are multiple frequencies which can be used to communicate between nearby points, it is expected that you have one radio on the net frequency at all times.

IMPORTANT! Please DO NOT go to a spotter points during a severe weather event unless you are a trained weather spotter who has been officially assigned to that point by Emergency Management and net control. Additional vehicles and people may create even a simple distraction making storm spotting difficult and putting lives in jeopardy.