WHAT IS SKYWARN?  

            SKYWARN is the National Weather Service network of volunteer citizens, public service and emergency management people working to provide the National Weather Service (NWS) with first-hand weather spotting observations during severe weather events.  Amateur Radio Operators comprise the backbone of many spotter networks through out the United States. In this area of the United States the primary severe weather threat comes from Severe Thunder Storms, Tornados and flooding from heavy rains.  Amateur Radio Operators, or “Hams”, participate not only as spotters but also provide the communications infrastructure to rapidly, reliably and accurately get severe weather reports into the hands of the NWS in order to expedite warnings being issued to the general public.

 

HOW DID SKYWARN START IN THIS AREA?

            Shortly after the devastating 1974 Xenia, Ohio, tornado it was decided that a faster, more accurate, visual form of severe weather reporting was needed.  Working with the National Weather Service several amateur radio operators from the Dayton area put SKYWARN into motion.  From its inception in until 1995 SKYWARN operators worked beside meteorologists at the Dayton Weather Service Office (WSO) in Vandalia, Ohio.

            The Amateur Radio callsign, W8OK, belonged to Francis “Frank” Schwab, a Silent Key, who was instrumental to the founding of SKYWARN in the Dayton & West Central Ohio area.  In memoriam to Frank’s nearly three decades of dedication to the SKYWARN program the Schwab Family has graciously agreed to allow Dayton SKYWARN to carry the callsign W8OK.

 

 

THE BIRTH OF THE “DAYTON SECTION OF SKYWARN”

            In 1995 the Dayton WSO closed and the NWS weather staff began moving to Wilmington, Ohio’s new regional Weather Service Forecast Office (WSFO).  All 54 counties of Wilmington’s WSFO responsibility were divided into five sections: Dayton, Cincinnati, Columbus, West Union, and Clinton County.  Dayton Section of SKYWARN was born.  A difficult situation faced Dayton SKYWARN, the need for a new operating location.  With the closure set for the Dayton WSO, Dayton SKYWARN had the job of finding a new home for base operations.  Thanks to an interested, visionary Fire Chief Charles Wiltrout and Butler Township Trustees Dayton SKYWARN found a new permanent home located in Montgomery County, not far from their original location at the original Dayton Weather Service Office.

 

 

DAYTON SKYWARN’S PURPOSE

            Dayton SKYWARN’S sole purpose is to organize, train and operate a portion of the Amateur Radio's part of  the  NWS SKYWARN program on behalf of the Wilmington WSFO.  Amateur Radio Nets furnish the National Weather Service with visual spotter information when activated by NWS, during times of severe weather. Traditionally Dayton SKYWARN Net Control Operators are on call round the clock, by pager or cell, from late February to mid November.  These volunteers not only give of their time but also they pay their own fees to maintain their pager or cell in order to be activated..  Dayton SKYWARN would not have been able to provide vital severe weather information to the NWS for the last 30+ years had it not been for the dedication of the hundreds of trained amateur radio spotters through out the many counties.  They are the “eyes of the National Weather Service” and are always ready to assist at the moment of activation. 

 

 

HOW DOES NWS RECEIVE THE INFORMATION?

            When severe weather threatens, individual trained spotters (public safety officials, hams or individual citizens) make observations and provide the initial reports to the NWS via an “800” phone line.  However, with this 800 line serving all 54 counties in the Wilmington WSFO County Warning Area reports can become congested when severe weather is in more than one county.  This is where Amateur Radio provides an essential public service.

            Upon NWS activation of Dayton SKYWARN, liaison representatives of amateur radio nets from the respective counties (such as: Shelby County Amateur Radio Emergency Services) check into the Dayton SKYWARN Sectional Net.  County Nets receive training to activate using the NOAA Weather Radio’s issuance of Watches or Warnings affecting their county.  When the county amateur radio nets receive reports from their local spotters, the information is relayed by the liaisons to Dayton SKYWARN.  Dayton SKYWARN then relays the information on to amateur radio operators on location at Wilmington’s WSFO. 

            It sounds like this process would take a long period of time but through the diligence, skill and speed of the volunteers a report can be in the hands of the National Weather Service within less than a minute.  Upon receipt the NWS meteorologists analyze the information, comparing it to their instrumentation (such as Nexrad Radar) and a decision is made on whether they should issue a “Warning” to the public.  During severe weather events Dayton SKYWARN and the area spotters also report heavy rainfall and damage to property, when it meets the NWS severe weather criteria

 

 

WHAT’S THE AREA OF RESPONSIBILITY FOR DAYTON SKYWARN?

Counties reporting to Dayton SKYWARN are: Shelby, Auglaize, Mercer, Logan, Hardin, Clark, Champaign, Darke, Preble, Greene, Miami, Montgomery and the northern portion of Warren and Butler in Ohio.  In addition Wayne, Union, and Fayette counties in Indiana also report through Dayton SKYWARN.

 

 

HOW IS DAYTON SKYWARN FINANCIALLY SUPPORTED?

            With no income and designated as a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization Dayton SKYWARN relies on donations. Comprised entirely of volunteer amateur radio operators, all equipment and training materials must be donated.  Even the roof over Dayton SKYWARN’S operating site has been donated in the form of a public service building located in Butler Township-Montgomery County, thanks to the Butler Township Trustees and Township Fire Department.  Dayton SKYWARN is always in need of equipment and monetary donations.  Donors receive a letter of acknowledgement, which might be usable for tax deductibility, depending on your tax situation.  Always consult your accountant.  Any inquiries regarding donations may be sent to: Dayton SKYWARN-W8OK, 4201 Woodbine Ave ~ Dayton, Ohio 45420, or e-mail; LouisPLong2@aol.com

 

 

Thanks & 73

 

Lou Long (KB8TCK) & Don Parker (KB8PSL)

Dayton SKYWARN “W8OK” Coordinators

 

 

Dayton SKYWARN Sectional Net Operators

Who Are these People?

 

Without the assistance of this very dedicated group of amateur radio operators Dayton SKYWARN would not exist.  It is because of their desire to help protect the 15+ county area, including their own communities, that Dayton SKYWARN is able to assist the National Weather Service during severe weather events.  On call with the NWS 24/7 these ladies and gentlemen will leave the safety of their homes, during severe weather events, driving to the Dayton SKYWARN site, so they can relay severe weather reports from any or all of the 15+ counties, to the National Weather Service via amateur radio.

If you are interested in placing a name, or a call sign, with a face you might want to go click on the “What’s New” page on this site and match up the name with one of the pictures. 

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Louis “Lou” Long (KB8TCK) Co-Coordinator / Sectional Net Operator - Licensed since 1993 (formerly known as N3ORP), Lou holds a Technician Class amateur radio license.  Originally from West Virginia Lou is in the health field as a therapist.   He is married and has a daughter he enjoys being with.  He is track coach for her team.  Lou officially became Dayton SKYWARN’s Co-Coordinator September 22, 2007.

 

Don Parker (KB8PSL) Co-Coordinator / Sectional Net Operator - Licensed since 1993, holds a Technician Class amateur radio license.  He joined Dayton SKYWARN in 2005.  Don’s background is in law enforcement and emergency services.  He is officially retired from law enforcement but remains active with the Kettering FD as a Fire Command Officer. Married, Don enjoys his family including two daughters & FOUR Chinese Crested dogs he calls “the kids”.  Don officially became Dayton SKYWARN’s Co-Coordinator September 22, 2007.

 

Mike Boyd (N8YHE) Web Master - Licensed since 1991, Mike carries a Technician Class amateur radio license.  Immediately after being licensed Mike became involved in SKYWARN through X-Warn in Greene County.  He continues to remain active with that organization. Mike joined Dayton SKYWARN as Web Master in early 2004 & is in employed in the print media as a production designer.

 

Rick Ganter (WD8KYW) Sectional Net Operator – Licensed since 1994, holding a Technician Class amateur radio license.  When not working at his job with Vandalia Fire Department, Rick continues to be involved with Dayton SKYWARN for over 15 years.

 

Chris Harris (N8OXC) Sectional Net Operator & Advisor - Licensed since 1991, with a Technician Class amateur radio license, He has been a vital part of Dayton SKYWARN for over 17 years. Chris is employed in the technology field & as a Realtor.  He loves playing bass in his band & going to NASCAR events.

 

James (Jim) Buchanan (KD8AYQ) Sectional Net Operator - Licensed since 2005, Jim holds a Technician Class amateur radio license.  Although his job requires travel finds time to be active with his family including two grown children.   

 

 

Doug Magilvy (WB8TIA) Sectional Net Operator - Licensed since 1972 holds an Advanced Class amateur radio license.  Doug has been a Dayton SKYWARN Sectional Operator for over 11 years, but has been active in SKYWARN since the late 1970s.  Employed by Premier Health Partners Doug helps with the Media side of the Dayton SKYWARN annual Spotters Training Class held at MVH.  He also involved in the Greater Dayton Area Hospital Association’s Domestic Preparedness task force and enjoys camping with his family.

 

Dave Ohlemacher (KC8PYT) Sectional Net Operator - Licensed since 2000, Dave holds a General Class amateur radio license. Having joined Dayton SKYWARN in early 2005, Dave works as a Technology Applications Manager in the Printing Industry.

 

Bob Morrison (KB8BOB) Sectional Net Operator - Licensed since 1977, Bob carries an Extra Class amateur radio license.  He joined Dayton SKYWARN in early 2004.  Retired from the U.S. Air Force, Bob’s second career is as a Realtor.  Bob enjoys teaching Real Estate classes and spending time at home, when he can.

 

Ben Schwan (KD8CED) Sectional Net Operator - Licensed since 2005 holds a Technician Class license. Ben is a Dayton SKYWARN Sectional Net Operator in training, but has been involved in Skywarn since 2005. Ben is currently employed as a Mechanic/EMT and is on the Ludlow Falls Volunteer Fire Department.

 

Ken Todd (KD8KET) Sectional Net Operator - Licensed in 2007, Ken holds a Technician Class amateur radio license. He has served as a Harrison Township & City of Trotwood Firefighter/EMT for 25 years service prior to going on disability.

 

Jack Cotterman (W8NRO) Sectional Preliminary Net Operator - Licensed since 2007, Jack holds a General Class amateur radio License.  Jack is retired; previously owning a communications company and also served as a fireman.  A US Navy veteran Jack is a member of DARA and WCOARA.

 

Lynn Roberts (N8LXK) Sectional Preliminary Net Operator - Licensed since 1990, has an Extra Class amateur radio license.  Lynn joined SKYWARN in 2000 but was a spotter for much longer.  Besides being involved w/amateur radio, he is also a Founder of the Dayton Area American Council of the Blind.

 

Shirley Roberts (N8LX) Preliminary Sectional Net Operator - Licensed since 1986, Shirley has an Extra Class amateur radio license, having joined Dayton SKYWARN in 2000.  You will hear Shirley on 146.64 as she holds the Preliminary Net leading up to the Dayton SKYWARN “formal” Net Operations.  Her voice is recognizable to many in the area, having been active for many years with ARES. Shirley also serves as the ARES SKYWARN AEC.   Like Lynn, Shirley is also one of the founders of the Dayton Area Visually Impaired Persons, a local chapter of the American Council of the Blind.

 

Past Cordinators

 Frank Schwab (W8OK - SK) Dayton Weather’s Founder/Past Coordinator (1974-2003) - Licensed in 1946 as W8YCP Frank was quick to upgrade to the ranks of Extra   Class as W8OK. Along with other amateurs, Frank founded Dayton Weather (now Dayton SKYWARN) based at the Dayton Weather Service Office at Dayton Int’l Airport, General Aviation in late 1974.  (In 1952 as the President of the Dayton Amateur Radio Association, Frank was among the organizers of the first Hamvention.)  He retired as Coordinator of Dayton Weather in 1994 with Paula & Nelson DiGennaro taking the reigns, but he remained an active Sectional Net Operator until his death on May 30, 2003.  His family has graciously permitted Dayton SKYWARN to carry Frank’s call (W8OK) in his memory.

 

Paula DiGennaro (KA8HQJ) Past Co-Coordinator / Sectional Net Operator (1980-2007) - Licensed since 1979, holding a General Class amateur radio license. In 1980, Paula became involved with Dayton’s SKYWARN as a Net Operator.  She was selected as a Dayton SKYWARN Co-Coordinator in 1994.  A Realtor since 1974 in her spare time Paula enjoys all forms of auto racing, poodles “Cinnamon, Raven & lovebird Flagger” and is Founder/ Coordinator of: The SICSA Red Dog Racers Charity Auction, held in mid-October each year for animal welfare. In 1994 Paula w./husband, Nelson, worked to find Dayton SKYWARN their new home at Butler Twp Fire Dept but also organized Dayton Weather into what is now known as Dayton SKYWARN “W8OK”.  Paula retired after 13 years as Co-Coordinator and 27 years as a Dayton SKYWARN Sectional Net Operator.

 

Nelson DiGennaro (WB8VUU) Past-Coordinator / Sectional Net Operator / License Trustee (1981-2007) – Licensed since 1976 - holding an Extra Class amateur radio license, Nelson joined Dayton SKYWARN in 1981. He was selected as a Dayton SKYWARN Co-Coordinator in 1994.  Nelson has worked as a Civilian for the U.S. Air Force since 1977.  He also served as Radio Officer for the Montgomery County (Ohio) RACES for several years.  For relaxation he enjoys RVing, poodles (Cinnamon & Raven), lovebird (Flagger), auto racing and assisting with SICSA’s Red Dog Racer’s Charity Auction fund raiser.  In 1994 Nelson w./wife, Paula, worked to find Dayton SKYWARN their new home at Butler Twp Fire Dept and also organized Dayton Weather into what is known today; Dayton SKYWARN “W8oK”.  Nelson retired after 13 years as Co-Coordinator and 26 years as a Dayton SKYWARN Sectional Net Operator