FHARC Weather Net
The Butler County Emergency Operations Center (EOC) uses FHARC as one method of communicating with spotter groups and emergency management organizations throughout Butler county. Amateur radio operators have provided invaluable service in support of storm spotting by using their unique communications capabilities to share critical weather information between the Butler County local emergency management officials and storm spotters.
The net is designed as a “liaison net” during severe weather operations, serving as a collection point where local area spotters operating on the 2m band, can call into the net and relay severe weather observations and information to the EOC in Augusta, Kansas. This keeps not only the net advised but anyone listening to the frequency during severe stormy weather.
The weather net is conducted
Weekly on Tuesday evenings and during severe weather events affecting Butler County
7:00 PM on 147.150
However, the second Tuesday of every month FHARC conducts a club meeting.
Weather Net What to Report
- Tornado, funnel, wall cloud
- Hail ¾” or larger (dime, nickel, quarter size, etc)
- Winds greater than 55 MPH
- Rain greater than 1”/Hour
- Flash Flooding
- Report location from nearest city, using major landmarks State or County Highways. Also, report direction storm is moving.
Wind Speeds
- 25-33 MPH Large branches in motion
- 32-40 MPH Whole trees in motion
- 39-56 MPH Twigs break off trees
- 55-74 MPH Damage to chimney and TV antennas, shallow rooted trees uprooted.
- 73-112 MPH Peeled surfaces off roads, windows broken, light trailer houses overturned
- 113-159 MPH Roofs torn off
- 159 + MPH Severe damage, cars lifted
FHARC members are encouraged to act as net control for this weekly net. This is a great community service and the round robin communication provides good input on the goings on in the Ham Radio Community! Please join us and tell us if you need any help on your projects, antennas, etc.
Big Thank you’s to all our net controllers! Steve (KDØIJP) and John (KØJDL) try to chair the Net Controller job during Severe Emergency events but any Ham can use the radio to handle a severe emergency event. We recommend you volunteer to handle the mic at least once to gain experience and learn procedures should the need arise! Contact Barb (KDØWAU) if you want to net control and we can train you and make it happen.
John Lucas (KØJDL) has put together a great set of weather resources to help you be better informed of current and forecast weather conditions.
