CQ CQ....Calling CQ. This is Special Event Station WX6MTR.... Calling CQ.

WX6MTR,The National Weather Service office in Monterey participated in the annual SKYWARN Recognition Day event. This year marked the 12th edition of SKYWARN Recognition Day (SRD), which began at 0000 UTC on December 4, 2010 and lasted for 24 hours. SRD was established in 1999 by the National Weather Service and the American Radio Relay League. SRD was designed to foster relationships between area amateur radio operators and the National Weather Service. Many amateur radio operators are also Storm Spotters and they can be a vital communication link between mobile weather spotters, the general public and the National Weather Service during severe weather emergencies. Around the nation, many National Weather Services active SKYWARN nets during severe weather situations to monitor and receive storm reports. In most instances, storm reports received through amateur radios can provide instantaneous verification of local storm conditions, which would further aid in future warnings.

The 2010 edition of SRD had over 100 National Weather Service Offices, including two national centers and one weather conference participate in the special event. Each weather service office used a wide variety modes and frequencies depending on the stations capabilities. This year, the Monterey Office was able to utilize 40, 20, 15 and 2 meters, 440, Packet(APRS), Winlink, Echolink and IRLP modes. When the event ended on Saturday December 4th, the Monterey NWSFO had a decent year with over 150 contacts including about 10 countries and 27 National Weather Services Offices. WX6MTR would like to thank K6LY for use of their radios, John and Scott for their antennas, Larry for his antenna gun and Rocky for his cables. Also, thanks to all of the local operators that came out to make this special event happen. See you next year.

For more information regarding SRD please visit:
http://hamradio.noaa.gov
73…
Matt Mehle, KCØTER
SKYWARN Program Manager
National Weather Service – Monterey

Pictures from the event...click images to enlarge

Radios used for SKYWARN Recognition Day

(L to R) Matt(KCØTER) Rocky(W6DNE) working 2 meters and APRS