NWS Chanhassen Virtual Skywarn Recognition Day Through Saturday Afternoon

The Chanhassen National Weather Service (NWS) Office will be one of many NWS offices hosting Skywarn Recognition Day through Saturday afternoon. This year will look a little different with the event being held virtually. You are welcome to participate, whether or not you are an amateur radio operator. NWS offices will be active on social media and amateur radio. It starts Friday, December 4, at 6:00 p.m. CST and continues through Saturday, December 5th, at 6:00 p.m. CST. These are the same times as 00Z-24Z UTC December 5.

This annual event is set aside to recognize and celebrate the support that amateur radio operators and all Skywarn spotters provide to the National Weather Service (NWS). Skywarn spotters are a key component of the warning process in every community - helping with storm spotting, communication, and sometimes post-event assistance. We utilize the assistance of Skywarn spotters in nearly every major severe weather event.

For amateur radio operators, we are making contacts and exchanging weather information around the USA (and sometimes the world!), and showing our appreciation. Please see the detailed information below to join us in this event.

Skywarn spotters who are not amateur radio operators are welcome to make a report via social media. Detailed information is listed below.

How may I participate in Skywarn Recognition Day (SRD)?

SRD Website: Visit the NWS Skywarn Recognition Day web page at: https://www.weather.gov/crh/skywarnrecognition. The NWS in Chanhassen, MN is one of many offices nationwide participating in this event along with individual radio operators and Skywarn groups across the country.

Facebook: You can watch a variety of live stream and pre-recorded videos at https://www.facebook.com/groups/skywarnrecognitionday. You will need to join the group to watch and participate in Skywarn discussion and reports. You may also make a report (describe your current weather conditions) on the Chanhassen Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/NWSTwinCities by replying to one of our posts about Skywarn Recognition Day.

Twitter: You can use and monitor hashtag #Skywarn20. To make a report, just reply to a @NWSTwinCities tweet about Skywarn Recognition Day and describe your current weather conditions.

Metro Skywarn will host a virtual spotter social at 1:00 p.m. CST, including presentations about the 2020 severe weather season. They will also host a board meeting at 10:00 a.m. CST. You are welcome to join both meetings. More information is at www.metroskywarn.org.

ARRL Website: http://www.arrl.org/skywarn-recognition-day

What HAM Radio frequencies and modes will be used during SRD?

The NWS Chanhassen office (call sign K0MPX) will be using the following bands:

80 Meters (voice from 9pm-11pm CST, 7am-8am CST)
40 Meters (voice from 6pm-7pm CST, Midnight-2am CST, 8am-10am CST, 4pm-6pm CST)
20 Meters (voice from 6pm-8pm CST, 8am-10am CST, Noon-4pm CST)
15 Meters
10 Meters
6 Meters
2 Meters (voice 6pm-9pm CST, 4am-5am CST)
70 Centimeters

The modes we plan to operate include:

SSB
CW
FM
Echolink from 02Z-03Z (8pm-9pm CST Friday) and19Z-20Z (1pm-2pm CST Saturday). More information on NWS Echolink usage is at http://voipwx.net/

More Information about SRD

SRD was developed in 1999 by the NWS and the American Radio Relay League (ARRL). It celebrates the contributions that volunteer SKYWARN radio operators make to the NWS. During SRD, SKYWARN amateur radio operators visit NWS offices to operate the HAM radios and contact other radio operators across the United States and the world. Photos and statistics from previous years are at https://www.weather.gov/crh/skywarnrecognition.