2001 Butler Twp. Fire Department Open House

On September 23, 2001, Butler Township held their annual Fire Department Open House with the Dayton Section of SKYWARN gladly participating in the event.

It is with the assistance of Butler Township Fire Department and Trustees that we have an Operations Site. This is one way we can Thank them for their solid support of the National Weather Service SKYWARN program and amateur radio.

	During the opening ceremony Chief Wiltrout addressed the Butler Township Fire Department members and attendees by taking time to pay tribute to those "Brothers and civilians" who lost their lives 12 days earlier in the terrorist attacks.  Chief  Wiltrout (Left) A.C. Bob (Right)
	The American Flag was unfurled to the National Anthem by Butler Township Fire Fighters a top the aerial ladder truck.
	After his talk the flag was raised by aerial ladder truck as everyone saluted, including (to left) Larry and Bob of Dayton SKYWARN.
	Bob answers questions form "A. C. Bob" Wieffenbach's family about the SKYWARN program and how Dayton SKYWARN'S Sectional Net is responsible for 15+ counties.
	Finishing the final set up of the Dayton SKYWARN display was Dayton SKYWARN Sectional Operators (l-r) Larry Bell (N8TNX), Coordinator Paula DiGennaro (KA8HQJ) and Operator Bob Kemphues (KC8HFX).
	Not all of the activities were inside with many outside activities going around the parameter of B. T. Fire Station #88. One involved the littlest of fire fighters as they ran through a timed maze to finally put out a burning house fire. They were outfitter complete with fire hat and coat.
	Larry, Chris and Bob were all set and ready to answer questions as well as demonstrate our great hobby. Displayed was a 2 meter mobile transceiver, a 2 meter and handheld transceiver, the NOAA Weather Radio (issuing the weather information) and a HF radio (tuned to the NY City Disaster frequency). Also available to guests were numerous weather and spotter related brochures.

2002 Montgomery County Spotter Training Class

Hosted by Dayton SKYWARN (KC8CMG)

 Around 8 a.m. the early risers began coming in the Miami Valley Hospital 's Beiser Auditorium for the NWS/Dayton SKYWARN Severe Weather Spotters Class.

Dayton SKYWARN Sectional Net Operators, Mike Medlock (KB8RUW) and Bob Kemphues (KC8HFX) along with Dayton SKYWARN Sectional Coordinator, Paula DiGennaro (KA8HQJ) begin sitting up the Dayton SKYWARN "retail shirt and patch" sales corner.

 As volunteers arrived, District EC/SKYWARN Spotter, Ron Moorefield (W8ILC) talked with Dayton SKYWARN Sectional Net Operator/MVH audio visual technician, Doug Magilvy (WB8TIA). Mary Jo Parker, Warning Coordination Meteorologist for the National Weather Service, and Paula discuss items to be covered in the class.

 Bob along with Dayton SKYWARN'S newest Sectional Net Operator, Mary Kemphues (N8VGQ) make final preparations as Nelson DiGennaro (WB8VUU) Dayton SKYWARN Sectional Coordinator looks on.  

Lynn Roberts (N  ) and Dayton SKYWARN Preliminary Sectional Operator, Shirley Roberts (N8LX) get comfortable in their seats in preparation for the class

 Following a 10-minute video demonstrating how SKYWARN amateur radio operators work hand in hand with the NWS, Paula discussed various updates and changes since the last Montgomery County spotter training class in 2001.

Nelson offers an audio sampling of the preferred reporting procedures used in the Dayton Section's 15+ counties of responsibility.      

Following Nelson, Mary Jo. Parker presents the NWS Power Point SKYWARN spotter presentation.

Guest speaker, Miami Valley Emergency Management Authority Executive Director, Rob Gunter arrived from WPAFB in his uniform of the day…camouflage  

Rob came to our area in 2001 from the state level of the EMA.  He has extensive experience with SKYWARN volunteers and recognizes the value of having an active SKYWARN organization in his counties to help provide visual severe weather reports to the NWS.  

 Rob's message to the volunteers covered the many responbilities of his job and also included his appreciation to the Dayton SKYWARN Net Operators and spotters for their tireless dedication to the SKYWARN program.

Following his talk Rob took time to discuss a few items with Paula and offer his support to Dayton SKYWARN and the spotters before rushing back to Wright Patterson AFB.

Following the class many of the guests came down to the main level and shared weather stories with the Dayton SKYWARN Net Operators; Larry Bell (N8TNX), Bob and Mary, at the SKYWARN table.    

Hamvention Weekend with Dayton SKYWARN & the NWS

 As in previous years Dayton SKYWARN Sectional Net Operators assisted in manning the inside NWS/SKYWARN Hamvention Booth.  The days were long but the company was fun and extremely interesting…

We at Dayton SKYWARN wish to thank Wilmington NWS for allowing us to help as well as sell the Dayton SKYWARN shirts, patches, stickers and ponchos (yes, ponchos).  Also a huge thanks to the Dayton Hamvention staff for their assistance in arrangements so we could get in and out of Hamvention as quickly as possible, should SKYWARN severe weather activation have been necessary.   The weather was wet on Friday and even though we were on standby for activation it never reached a severe level.  Saturday and Sunday's weather was perfect!

(Photos provided by: Doug Magilvy (WB8TIA) and Bob Kemphues (KC8HFX).     

Last Up Dated 02/20/04