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SKYWARN General Information
The SKYWARN amateur radio storm spotting program in West
Texas is supported by the use of the West
Texas Connection repeater network. The Connection is a system of linked
repeaters covering most of West Texas and Southeastern New Mexico.
W5MAF, our SKYWARN station
identification was issued to us December 5 1996 by the FCC.
Anyone with a scanner that receives 144-148 MHz or 440-449 MHz can monitor
storm spotters in action.
Click HERE to see a listing of SKYWARN
frequencies around this region.
Amateur radio has remained an important part of the National
Weather Service mission for many years. Without amateur radio operators
spotting storms in the field, the Weather Service is often faced with
using information obtained solely by instrumentation. Thus the spotter
becomes the "eyes and ears" for the Weather Service. Our radar operators
rely on spotter reports to validate what we are seeing. Even with the
latest technology, the National Weather Service continues to need trained
spotters in the field!
An amateur radio license is not hard to obtain. You can
now get licensed by studying and passing a 50 question test. A Technician
licence will allow you to operate above 30MHz. Knowing Morse Code is not
a requirement for this licence class. However, passing a code exam is
needed to upgrade your licence to operate on the High Frequency bands
(below 30MHz). For further information contact:
Clint Lannom (N5MXE)
Pat
Vesper
We would like to see more licensed amateurs in some of the
outlying areas where there is radio coverage...but no amateur radio operators.
If you're interested in weather spotting and think you can help make a
difference, please contact us today!
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weather.gov 
