Dayton-Skywarn Archives

For over twenty-five years Nelson and I have volunteered as Dayton SKYWARN Sectional Net Operators.   Thirteen of those years we’ve served together as the Dayton SKYWARN Sectional Coordinators, overseeing the growth of the Dayton SKYWARN organization, participating in the consolidation of the Nat’l Weather Service as well as making many wonderful friendships along the way.

        Yes, there were nights when we would drive several hundred miles to get to a county spotter training class, not arriving home until well after midnight.  And the next morning we’d get up groggy to head to our real jobs wondering why we’d volunteer to do such a task.  But when there was an activation by the NWS and everything went smoothly, including the spotter reports coming in from that particular county, we would smile knowing the long drives and late hours were well worth it.

        This year on September 22 we retire and others will assume the Dayton SKYWARN Sectional Coordinator positions.  We know that Dayton SKYWARN Sectional Net Operators; Lou Long (KB8TCK) and Don Parker (KB8PSL) will do an admirable job as the new Coordinators.  Long-time Dayton SKYWARN Sectional Op; Chris Harris (N8OXC) will serve as Advisor to Lou and Don and long-time Dayton SKYWARN Sectional Op; Rick Ganter (WD8KYW) will serve on the Steering Committee with Lou, Don and Chris.  The organization is in great hands. 

        We will miss responding to the EOC for severe weather activations, but in our retirement travels we plan to remain active in SKYWARN (and amateur radio) helping other locations in the U.S. when SKYWARN is needed.   We’re also going to miss seeing the Dayton SKWYARN Sectional Preliminary & Primary Net Operators.  They are a great group of dedicated people who respond at the drop of the hat….or tone of a pager.  They’re willing to rush to the EOC only to wait until the storm arrives, which sometimes can take several hours. But when it does come in everyone pitches in immediately and the job of assisting the Wilmington NWS gets done.  That’s dedication…thanks to all of you.  We consider all of you family and we’ll miss working with each and everyone.

        As for the Liaisons and Spotters in Dayton SKYWARN’s 15+ counties; without you, the job just wouldn’t get done.  You are a very vital part of the SKYWARN Program.  Many of you have become close friends and we hope we can continue to stay in touch.

        The Wilmington NWS amateur radio operators; we’ve come a long way together.  You will always hold a special place in our hearts.   And who knows we may show up every now and then just to say “Hi”. 

        And lastly but by no means least, The Wilmington Nat’l Weather Service Staff …Ken, Mary Jo, Sam and everyone else at the Wilmington NWS you have been wonderful to work with over the years.  We have laughed together during the good times and we’ve cried together at a time of loss, but we’ve always worked well together.  I (Paula) will never forget the time I introduced Ken to Red Velvet Cake during a trip to a Fayette County Indiana training class.  He’s been hooked on Red Velvet Cake ever since.  The good news for Ken is that it’s now sold in a box mix!!!

        Amateur radio has been a part of our lives since the mid to late 1970s and it will continue that way.  We will be traveling extensively all over the US and Canada .  We plan to be on all of the amateur bands whenever our travels permit.

        But for now…thanks for helping us support SKYWARN over the many years…thanks for your friendship and we hope you’ll continue to support those who continue the work of Dayton SKYWARN.

Paula & Nelson DiGennaro

KA8HQJ & WB8VUU

Dayton SKYWARN Coordinators (Jan 1, 1994 – Sept 22, 2007)  

2006 Indiana & Ohio Statewide Tornado Drill Results

Indiana Drill(s) March 8, 2006

10:00 a.m. Drill

Wayne County, Indiana                      4 Spotter Check-ins

Fayette County, Indiana                     5 Spotter Check-ins

Union County, Indiana                       1 Spotter Check-in

                                                            10 Total Check-ins

7:00 p.m. Drill

Fayette County, Indiana                    7 Spotter Check-ins

                                                            7 Total Check-ins

17 Total Check-ins for Indiana Drill

Ohio Drill March 29, 2005

9:50 a.m. Drill

Auglaize County, Ohio                           11 Spotter Check-ins

Champaign County, Ohio                        6 Spotter Check-ins

Clark County, Ohio                                25 Spotter Check-ins

Greene County, Ohio                             25 Spotter Check-in

Montgomery County, Ohio                     29 Spotter Check-ins

Shelby County, Ohio                             13 Spotter Check-ins

Preble County, Ohio                                0 Spotter Check-ins

Darke County, Ohio                                 0 Spotter Check-ins

Miami County, Ohio                                0 Spotter Check-ins

Logan County, Ohio                                 0 Spotter Check-ins

Miami County, Ohio                                 0 Spotter Check-in

Mercer County, Ohio                               0 Spotter Check-ins

Hardin County, Ohio                                0 Spotter Check-ins

Northern Warren County, Ohio                  0 Spotter Check-ins

                                                           109 Total Check-ins

PLUS - We welcomed 4 School Classes who checked-in:

Clark County, Ohio                                  Snow Hill Elementary – Springfield

                                                              Roosevelt Middle – Springfield

                                                              United Methodist Preschool – Enon

Montgomery County, Ohio                       Driscoll Elementary - Dayton

109 Total Check-ins for Ohio Drill

Thanks to everyone who participated in these drills!

Keep your batteries charged, NOAA Wx Radio turned on “alert”. 

Be prepared to participate in your county’s SKYWARN net with short notice.

73, Dayton SKYWARN “W8OK”

2000 Dayton Skywarn Sectional

End of Season Wrap-up

During the March 2000 Sectional NWS/SKYWARN Meeting the Weather Service announced that they were going to be more pro-active this season. At season’s end the numbers show that they were just that with the total hours Dayton SKYWARN’S Sectional Net was activated and the number of weather statements issued during the actual net operations increasing by a large percentage, from that of 1999. We realize predicting the weather is not an exact science, but over all it is improving.

A big "THANK YOU" goes out to the 13 Dayton SKYWARN Sectional Net Control Operators who voluntarily are on activation by NWS and Dayton SKYWARN 24 hours a day 7 days a week during severe weather season. These men and women respond immediately, interrupting their daily lives in order to help the NWS and our communities relay information to the Weather Service. During activation these people don’t get to go home once the system has moved through a particular county. They remain at the Section’s operating location until the system has moved through ALL 15 counties. And then there are the county liaisons, the county nets and spotters. Without you we couldn’t provide the vital information to the NWS so they can make educated decisions of when and how to warn for yours and our counties. Very seldom
do any of you get the thanks you deserve. Your services are most appreciated. Thanks for your help this past season and we look forward to working with you again in 2001.

This is the "revised" season wrap up. In October we released a preliminary report knowing that there was still plenty of time for activations. And Mother Nature didn’t let us down. On November 9th operators and spotters were activated again due to a late fall storm front moving down into our counties. This report reflects all activations for the year of 2000.

Let’s hope NWS is right when they say the weather is returning back to it’s "seasonal average", that of 1996, not those we have experienced in recent years.

At the end of this wrap-up there are a few statistics released by the NWS regarding the WARNINGS issued and damage/severe weather reported to confirm those warnings for 2000 (as of October, 2000). It’s quite informative.

73,

Paula & Nelson DiGennaro, KA8HQJ & WB8VUU Dayton SKYWARN "KC8CMG" Sectional
Coordinators

2000 Dayton SKYWARN Wx Statistics

(For 2000 season of Jan1-Dec 31)

Severe WX Net Control Hours Operated (with drive time included):

KA8HQJ Paula DiGennaro

N8EKQ Marv Miller

KC8HFX Bob Kemphues

KG8X Sue Stacy

WB8VUU Nelson DiGennaro

W8OK Frank Schwab

N8OXC Chris Harris

WD8KYW Rick Ganter

WA8TIA Doug Magilvy

W8CI Mike Kalter

N8TNX Larry Bell

KB8YHU John Meece

190 hours Total Operating/Drive Time

Net Control Operators Total Severe WX Activation Hours:

190 hours in 2000

78 hours 55 minutes MORE worked in 2000 compared to 1999!

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Severe Weather Training Classes

(includes preparation, drive time and time spent between multiple classes in same county)

(Dayton SKYWARN trained in 14 of our 15 counties)

147 Total Hours for County WX Training Classes

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Additional WX Related Meetings Attended:

Paula DiGennaro & Nelson DiGennaro = 101 Total Hours

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NWS/Dayton SKYWARN HamVention Booth-Participating Operators:

Paula DiGennaro

Nelson DiGennaro

Doug Magilvy

Bob (& Mary) Kempheus

Rick Ganter

Marv Miller

Frank Schwab

Chris Harris

46 Hours 2000 Total (33 in 1999)

Compared to previous season’s-Weather Training Classes/Meetings/Activities

294 hours in 2000

-246 hours, 35 minutes 1999

47 hours, 25 minutes more in 2000

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190 hours Net Control Operations + 294 hours
WX Training/Activities = 484 hours Total 
Volunteered Time for 2000 by Dayton SKYWARN Sectional Net Control Operators

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Weather Bulletin Statistics for 2000 Season:

Severe Thunderstorm Watches = 12 (1 less than 1999) 8.6% decrease

Severe Thunderstorm WARNINGS =115 (21 more counties than 1999) 18% increase

Tornado Watches = 3 (2 more than 1999) 300% increase

Tornado WARNINGS = 7 (4 more than 1999-although there may have been more issued while Dayton SKYWARN was not activated. 57% increase Flood Watches & Warnings = 9 (8 more than 1999-although we are not usually activated for flooding) 98% increase

The NWS Amateurs or NWS personnel would have a better and more accurate account of the above items. The previously mentioned statistics were taken off the Dayton SKYWARN Site Logs and do not reflect any events (watches, warnings, or special weather statements) that occurred when we were not activated or not given to us during our net’s activation.

=================================================================

NWS Weather Statistics Jan. 1-Sept. 16, 2000 As of September 16th SKYWARN
Sectional Meeting:

SEVERE Thunderstorms & Tornadoes:

WARNINGS ISSUED: 405 with approximately over 25% of those WARNINGS issued on August 9th.
The night of August 9th: A Record breaking 100+ WARNINGS were issued, 95% of those WARNINGS being confirmed by Spotter’s visual sightings or damage reports: 28 minutes

ANNUAL AVERAGE LEAD TIME (from warning issued to actual arrival of the event): 16 Minutes

ANNUAL PERCENTAGE OF CONFIRMATIONS (after issuance of the WARNING): 85%

FLOODING & Flash Floods:

ANNUAL AVERAGE LEAD TIME (from warning issued to actual arrival of the event): 85 Minutes

ANNUAL PERCENTAGE OF CONFIRMATION (after issuance of the WARNING): 96%


Final Revision: 2-16-01

The Dayton Section of SKYWARN

2001 Statewide Tornado Drill Results

Indiana Drill - March 7, 2001:

Afternoon:

Fayette County = 0 check-ins

Union County = 0 check-ins

Wayne County = 3 check-ins

Evening:

Fayette County = 0 check-ins

Union County = 5 check-ins

Wayne County = 6 check-ins

14 Total Indiana check-ins

67% of the IN counties

---------------------------

Ohio Drill - March 28, 2001

9:50 a.m:

(146.64 southern county repeater)

Champain County = 1 check-in

Clark County = 23 check-ins

Darke County = 6 check-ins

Greene County = 1 check-in

Miami County = 10 check-ins

Montgomery County = 35 check-ins

(+ 24 Driscoll Elementary Students)

Preble County = 8 check-ins

Warren County = 1 check-in

(146.835 northern county repeater)

Allan County = 1 check-in

Auglaize County = 17 check-ins

Hardin County = 0 check-ins

Logan County = 6 check-ins

Mercer County = 3 check-ins

Shelby County = 13 check-ins

125 Total OH Check-ins

92% of the OH Counties

(+ one outside county)

Total Dayton Section IN & OH check-ins: 139

_____________________

Wilmington NWS Sectional counts for Ohio Drill:

Cincinnati Section: 36

Columbus Section: 25

Dayton Section: 125

West Union Section: 13

Clinton County: 4

A huge THANKS goes out to everyone who helped in this drill. Results have been sent to Wilmington NWS, state level response and ARRL representatives.

73, Paula (KA8HQJ) & Nelson (WB8VUU) DiGennaro

Dayton Section of NWS SKYWARN Coordinators

"KC8CMG"

Last November the National Weather Service along with amateur radio operators throughout the United State held their Second Annual Special Event Station. The operating sites were located in and near the NWS offices throughout the U.S.

The Wilmington, Ohio National Weather Service Office was also a part of the event with many of it's Sectional SKYWARN Net Control Operators taking the microphone to operate the station over the event's time period. Using the Columbus Section's call sign of N8WX and an array of equipment (thanks to Tom, KA8ZNY of Columbus) the team of operators were able to obliterate their previous count from the 1999 event. The final tally, according to Wilmington NWS SKYWARN Net Control (WB8ZZR) Paul Gehringer was: 608 contacts (416 contacts in 1999), 48 states (30 states in 1999) with 42 NWS offices contacted. Endorsements were available to each participating SE station with Wilmington completing the requirements to earn: Hurricane Hunter, Monsoon, and Tornado. Country count is unknown although Paula from the Dayton SKYWARN had a contact with at least one country during her operating time and there were probably more.

Representing the 15+ counties of the Dayton Section of SKYWARN was: Paula (KA8HQJ) DiGennaro, Nelson (WB8VUU) DiGennaro, Frank (W8OK) Schwab, Shirley (N8LX) Roberts, and Lynn (N8LXK) Roberts.

This is the second year that that the NWS has held the Special Event Station and everyone has high hopes are that there will be another for 2001. As November draws near watch for an announcement in QST, RF Carrier, Dayton SKYWARN web site or on the NWS web site. Those contracting N8WX during the event are eligible to receive a special certificate commemorating the Special Event Station. Details will also be listed on the previously mentioned sites as the event's plans are formulated.

73, Paula, KA8HQJ (Dayton SKYWARN Coordinator)

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.

______________________________________________________________________________

NOAA Weather Radio operational in Wayne County, Indiana  

PUBLIC INFORMATION STATEMENT from the NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE, WILMINGTON OH

600 PM EDT Thursday, MAY 30, 2002

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).

Regarding the SAME Codes involved…

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.

End of Public Information Statement….

 2003 Dayton SKYWARN End of the Year

Sectional Report

  Operator’s Hours of Activation

N8OXC – Chris Harris                      5 ¾ hours

N8EKQ – Marv Miller                      12 hours

KC8HFX – Bob Kemphues               -

W8CI – Mike Kalter                         2 ½ hours

WD8KYW – Rick Ganter                 8 hours

WB8TIA – Doug Magilvy                 8 ¾ hours

KC8RUW – Mike Medlock              18 ½ hours

N8TNX – Larry Bell                          25 ½ hours

KG8X – Sue Stacy                             4 hours

N8VGQ – Mary Kemphues              5 ¾ hours

N8LX – Shirley Roberts                    Multiple Preliminary Nets

N8LXK – Lyn Roberts                      Multiple Preliminary Nets

WB8VUU – Nelson DiGennaro        25 hours

KA8HQJ – Paula DiGennaro            28 ¼ hours

Total hours activated:         144 hours

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.

2003 Watch & Warning Statements Issued

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

Tornado Watch                                  5 multiple county watches issued

Tornado Warnings                             5 individual counties affected in warning

Severe Thunderstorm Watch            15 multiple county watches issued

Severe Thunderstorm Warning         90 individual counties affected in warning

Flood Watches                                   6 multiple counties covered

Flood Warning                                    32 individual counties affected in warning   

Hamvention NWS/Dayton SKYWARN Booth

Paula DiGennaro       8 hours                                    Nelson DiGennaro     6 hours

Chris Harris               2 hours                                    Rick Ganter               6 hours

Marv Miller               3 hours                                    Bob Kemphues           2 hours

Doug Magilvy            2 hours                                    Lynn Roberts             2 hours

Shirley Roberts          2 hours

                    Butler Twp. Fire Dept. Community Open House SKYWARN Booth

Sept 2003 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Chris Harris               Rick Ganter               Bob Kemphues           Marv Miller

Mike Medlock           Nelson DiGennaro     Paula DiGennaro

  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.

Paula & Nelson DiGennaro, KA8HQJ & WB8VUU

  Dayton SKYWARN “W8OK” Coordinators

Butler Twp. 2003 Community Open House

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.

Those arriving at Butler Twp. Fire Station #88 for the Community Open House were greeted by the Fire Department’s Honorary Pumpkin Mascot.

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

As the event continued Dayton SKYWARN Coordinator – Paula DiGennaro (KA8HQJ) joined Rick and Mike in the booth

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.

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).

Truly a family affair, Butler Township Fire Department’s Paula and Joe Pizzino were enjoying every minute of the event.

The family theme carried through with Butler Twp. Assistant Chief BobWeiffenbach, 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.

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.

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. .

Photo’s by: Dayton SKYWARN Sectional Operators: Marvin Miller (N8EKQ)

 and Paula DiGennaro (KA8HQJ)

Last Updated: 03/18/08