Skywarn Archives 2003

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE HAS INSTALLED A NEW NOAA WEATHER RADIO STATION IN RICHMOND INDIANA ( Wayne County ).

THE NEW STATION...KHB-52...OPERATES ON AN ASSIGNED FREQUENCY OF 162.500 MEGAHERTZ...AT 300 WATTS OF POWER. THE NOAA WEATHER RADIO WILL SERVE RESIDENTS IN EAST CENTRAL INDIANA ...AND WEST CENTRAL OHIO ...AND WILL PROVIDE REGULAR SCHEDULED BROADCASTS AND TONE ACTIVATION FOR WARNINGS AND WATCHES.

EFFECTIVE JUNE 28, 2002 , AN OFFICIAL BROADCAST SERVICE AREA WILL BE ESTABLISHED FOR THE RICHMOND INDIANA TRANSMITTER. THE FOLLOWING COUNTIES WILL BE INCLUDED...

IN INDIANA...FAYETTE...UNION AND WAYNE (all in Dayton SKYWARN'S area of responsibility).... FRANKLIN , along with RANDOLPH (both are not in Dayton SKYWARN'S area of responsibility) and IN OHIO ...DARKE AND PREBLE (Both are in Dayton SKYWARN'S area of responsibility.

IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE EMERGENCY ALERT SYSTEM PLAN...AND UNDER THE BROADCAST SERVICE AREA FOR THE MIAMISBURG OHIO TRANSMITTER AT WXJ-46...ON A FREQUENCY 162.475 MEGAHERTZ, THE 1050 HERTZ TONE ALARM...AND SAME ALERT TONE WILL CONTINUE TO BE ACTIVATED FOR THE FOLLOWING COUNTIES IN INDIANA AND OHIO...

FAYETTE... UNION ...WAYNE...DARKE...PREBLE (in Dayton SKYWARN'S area of responsibility) and BUTLER (northern portion is in Dayton SKYWARN'S area of responsibility).

ALSO IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE EMERGENCY ALERT SYSTEM PLAN...UNDER THE BROADCAST SERVICE AREA FOR THE COVINGTON KENTUCKY TRANSMITTER AT KIH-42...ON A FREQUENCY 162.550 MEGAHERTZ, THE 1050 HERTZ TONE ALARM AND SAME ALERT TONE...WILL CONTINUE TO BE ACTIVATED FOR THE FOLLOWING INDIANA AND OHIO COUNTIES...

FRANKLIN...RIPLEY...AND BUTLER (Only the northern portion of Butler is in Dayton SKYWARN'S area of responsibility)

WATCHES AND WARNINGS WILL ALSO BE BROADCAST FOR THE FOLLOWING INDIANA COUNTIES OF...DECATUR...HENRY...RUSH (not in Dayton SKYWARN'S area of Responsibility) AND IN THE OHIO COUNTIES OF...BUTLER AND MONTGOMERY (northern Butler and all of Montgomery are in Dayton SKYWARN'S area of responsibility.)

The SAME code number for Wayne County, Indiana is 018177, Union County , Indiana is 018161, Fayette County , Indiana is 018041 and Franklin County, Indiana 018047. For Preble County, Ohio is 039135 and Darke County , Ohio is 039037.

The Preliminary Net is not logged at the main site therefore we do not have record of the number of total hours the Roberts put into the actual nets.

2003 Operator Hours were up 36 hours as compared to 2002, down 19 hours compared to 2001.

The following were watches and warning affecting only the 15+ counties in the Dayton SKYWARN jurisdiction

Thanks to everyone who helped out during the Dayton SKYWARN activations and special events. A HUGE thanks to all of the Dayton SKYWARN Sectional Counties SKYWARN spotters who supported the SKYWARN NWS Program over the years. We look forward to working with you again this year.

On September 19, 2003 Dayton SKYWARN - W8OK participated in the Butler Township Fire Department's Open House. The event is held every other year as a "thank you" to the community. It is also a time for the Butler Township Fire Department to show off their facility, equipment and Firefighters. This was the second time that Dayton SKYWARN had the opportunity to support the community from where it handles severe weather operations.

This year's Open House was coupled with the township's annual "Great Pumpkin Give-a-way". According to Butler Township Assistant Fire Chief, Bob "AC Bob" Weiffenbach III and Doug Orange, BT Trustee, this was the largest turn out of residents that the event has ever experienced.

Those in attendance received a free ID fingerprinting for children by the Butler Twp. Police, tours of the Fire Department apparatus and headquarters, pony rides, balloon clown, pumpkins, refreshments and so much more.

Dayton SKYWARN operators handed out severe weather spotter brochures, as well as material about the NOAA Weather "Alert" Radio and Tornado Safety. On Display were radios; 2 meters, demonstrating the local repeater where Dayton SKYWARN works, as well as HF and how amateur radio operators talk worldwide. Information was also available on how those interested could become a part of the "Wonderful World of Amateur Radio". A continual video was presented through out the day of the new Amateur Radio Relay League; "Amateur Radio Today" and the opening sequence of TESSA'S "Stormwatch", demonstrating how amateur radio operators handle Severe Weather activation.

The Dayton SKYWARN Net Operators assisting with the event were; Chris Harris (N8OXC), Mike Medlock (KB8RUW), Rick Ganter (WD8KYW), Bob Kemphues (KC8HFX), Marv Miller (N8EKQ) "cameraman", Doug Magilvy (WB8TIA) "video preparation", plus Dayton SKYWARN Coordinators, Nelson (WB8VUU) and Paula (KA8HQJ) DiGennaro.

Dayton SKYWARN would like to thank the event's coordinator, Captain Mike Blakesley, as well as Chief Charles Wiltrout and A.C. Bob for inviting Dayton SKYWARN to again participate.


Inside the open bay area numerous booths were set up including Dayton SKYWARN, with Sectional Net Operators; Rick Ganter (WD8KYW), Coordinator-Nelson DiGennaro (WB8VUU), Chris Harris-also Dayton SKWYARN Web Master (N8OXC) and Mike Medlock (KB8RUW) assisting		Inside the building Dayton SKYWARN'S Rick Ganter was fielding questions from guests stopping by the Dayton SKYWARN booth. With Dayton SKYWARN'S operating location in a Butler Twp. Fire Station, this was the second time Dayton SKYWARN was asked to participate in this fun community event.




Not only did the booth display Dayton and NWS SKYWARN information but also ARRL material including how interested guests could become amateur radio operators. The new ARRL video, "Amateur Radio Today" was continually displayed on a monitor, during the event.		Wilmington Weather Service control center.




Butler Twp. turned out in force including Butler Twp. Police Officer Sharon Hounshell and Fire Fighter Lt. Mike Lang. (Mike is also a Detective with Englewood PD).		Better safe than sorry… Butler Twp Fire Department was present throughout the event with their “Ident-a-Kid” fingerprinting program. Butler Twp. Detective James Deschler assists in fingerprinting a young guest so she is better protected in the future.


Truly a family affair, Butler Twp. Fire Dept's Paula and Joe Pizzino were enjoying every minute of the event.	The family theme carried through with Butler Twp. Assistant Chief Bob Weiffenbach, his wife and son also taking in the event.	Outside, pony rides were available for the little ones. Butler Twp. Fire Fighter Ellie Piatt keeps this pony under control so this small cowboy could ride around the course, as his Mom looks on.




Butler Twp. Fire Fighter, John Wilt assists a young lady in pink ride her flower laden horse, as Dad assists.	The pony's came in all sizes and so did their riders. Butler Twp. Fire Fighter Matt Bober assists one of two young ladies ride around, as Mom holds down the balloons.	Those arriving at Butler Twp. Fire Station #88 for the Community Open House were greeted by the Fire Department's Honorary Pumpkin Mascot.


Miami Valley Hospitals Media Service John Meece (KB8YHU) & Doug Magilvy (WB8TIA) and a DS Sectional Operator, await the start of class while DS Sectional Coordinator, Nelson DiGennaro (WB8VUU) talks with a guest. NWS Hydrologist Julie Dian-Reed prepares to speak to those in attendance.		Nelson opened with introductions followed by the amateur radio reporting procedures portion of the class.




Julie's presentation covered severe weather spotting as well as where to seek safety.		Following the NWS spotters training and Dayton SKYWARN'S reporting procedure portion of the class guest speaker, Montgomery Co. EMA Director, Rob Gunter added even more interesting insight to the counties disaster preparedness.




After class guests had a chance to talk with Dayton SKYWARN Sectional Net Op, Bob Kemphues (KC8HFX ) about buying SKYWARN golf shirts and patches that Dayton SKYWARN offers for sale. Julie also spent time fielding additional questions while handing out free brochure materials.		Nelson along with Dayton SKYWARN Sectional Net Ops, Rick Ganter (WD8KYW) and Doug answered amateur radio related questions from guests following the class.


At 9:50 a.m. with the message received, Larry and Paula activate both sectional net frequencies and read the message to the spotters and county representatives listening.




Designated county representatives begin checking in along, with individual spotters from Montgomery County, with Paula on Dayton SKYWARN'S southern county repeater, 146.64.		Larry takes northern county check-in totals over the northern Dayton SKYWARN Sectional repeater, 146.835.




Within one hour all counties have submitted their individual county net totals that have been passed on to NWS via WB8ZZR.		Thanking everyone for their assistance the Dayton SKYWARN Sectional operators secure the site until it is needed for activation.