I really can’t write this well and we won’t go into my spelling faults…again. I copied portions of recent emails for ARRL and the NWS, and added a few thoughts for us.

Forecasters with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) are calling for an “active or extremely active” 2013 Atlantic hurricane season. In its initial outlook for the season — which begins Saturday, June 1 and runs through November 30 – NOAA’s Climate Prediction Center is forecasting a 70 percent likelihood of 13-20 named storms (winds of 39 miles per hour or higher), of which 7-11 could become hurricanes (winds of 74 miles per hour or higher) and 3-6 of those becoming major hurricanes (Category 3, 4 or 5 with winds of 111 miles per hour or higher). These ranges are well above the seasonal average of 12 named storms, 6 hurricanes and 3 major hurricanes.

Rick Palm, K1CE, editor of the ARRL’s ARES E-Letter, warns that now is the time for ARES members to assess their portfolio of communications equipment and disaster response knowledge. Palm gives several tips for radio amateurs who are involved with hurricane operations:

• Monitor major HF hurricane networks during events this season. The Hurricane Watch Net (HWN) on 14.325 MHz is one of several key players. It serves either the Atlantic or Pacific during a watch or warning period and coordinates with the National Hurricane Center (NHC) in Miami.
• The SATERN Net (Salvation Army Team Emergency Radio Network) provides emergency communication support to the Salvation Army and populations at large. They also handle health and welfare traffic. SATERN holds high-profile nets on 20 meters (14.265 MHz) during major hurricanes and has a long history of excellence, discipline and service.
• The Maritime Mobile Service Net (MMSN) meets on 14.300 MHz and is composed of hams who serve and assist those in need of communications on the high seas. According to its website, the primary purpose of the net is for handling traffic from maritime mobile stations. The network is recognized by the United States Coast Guard and has an excellent working relationship with that agency.

ARRL Emergency Preparedness Manager Mike Corey, KI1U, says that when ARES activates in response to any tropical event, it is crucial that information flows up through the ARRL organization, from the County EC to the Section and ultimately reported to ARRL Headquarters. “These reports allow us to develop the situational awareness and disaster intelligence that is required for us as an organization to support the Sections that are impacted,” he explained. “In this way, we are able to respond to relevant requests from the media and finally to coordinate with the governmental and non-governmental organizations.”

Locally, in the not-too-distant past this ARES organization has manned shelters, operated nets for health and welfare, and shared communications for area agencies during times hurricanes have affected our portion of the US. For some thoughts on how to prepare and more information visit these sites:

• http://www.weather.gov/os/hurricane/resources/TropicalCyclones11.pdf
• http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/prepare/

Thanks for all you do to keep our citizens safe and assist our served agencies.

73
Rick K5ECX