I hope that all of our spotters and team members have had a happy and enjoyable holiday season. As we kick off 2025, I want to express my gratitude to the SKYWARN spotters, Net Control Stations, and Administration who make our organization successful. Every activation in 2024 was met with dedicated volunteers ready to provide high-quality reports for the National Weather Service (NWS), helping protect life and property. Many of these reports directly contributed to the NWS extending or adjusting warning coverage, thanks to the ground truth information we were able to provide. This invaluable service, offered freely by our volunteers, showcases the dedication of those who give their time and equipment during severe weather events.
Although the 2024 severe weather season has ended, preparation for the 2025 season is already important. In March 2024,, we saw our first Tornado Warning as part of the March 14th outbreak, which impacted communities across Ohio—reminding us how early these events can occur. I encourage all spotters to refresh their training with the Basic or Advanced SKYWARN courses from the NWS Cleveland website, and consider attending the in-person Basic training typically offered in mid to late spring in Hancock County. For those not yet trained, please feel welcome to listen in on SKYWARN nets, but avoid submitting reports that don't meet Net Control's criteria. Our aim is to maintain clear and effective communication during activations to ensure safety and timely reporting. Additionally, I highly recommend using APRS during severe weather events. Many spotters operate mobile, and APRS helps Net Control track locations and post real-time updates on the map. We are also testing a supplemental iGate to improve RF communication and include local weather station data. If you have APRS, please activate it during events, let Net Control know, and set your Mic-E status to "Special" if possible. Smartphone apps are also available for those without dedicated APRS equipment, offering valuable location tracking and messaging features.
In conclusion, I encourage new Amateur Radio operators or those who haven’t yet participated to listen in, take the training, and become part of the Hancock County SKYWARN Team. More volunteers mean better coverage and more timely reports to the NWS. If you have any questions, please reach out to a Hancock County SKYWARN representative—we’re happy to help you get involved.
Respectfully submitted,
Scott Sheets, N1OF,
Director of Training and Assistant to the Coordinator
Hancock County SKYWARN.