PREAMBLE

As part of the obligations and responsibilities inherent with the granting of privileges to use assigned portions of the radio spectrum when the FCC grants an Amateur Radio License, the operator is expected to provide “public service”. One way to provide “public service”, is to serve as a SkyWarn volunteer.

PURPOSE

SkyWarn is amateur radio operators working as a group to provide the National Weather Service with reports of severe weather as it passes though the Kansas City area. Of the 3ØØØ amateur radio operators in the Kansas City metro area, many monitor the Metropolitan Emergency Radio System (154.13Ø Mhz), the National Weather Radio (KID-77 - 162.55ØMhz), local emergency management frequencies, local and commercial radio and television and amateur television stations. In the event of threatening weather, many amateur operators volunteer their time and training to SkyWarn. SkyWarn is a volunteer activity with no monetary compensation.
National SKYWARN History

Special thanks to David Johnson, NØKBD and the Metro Area SKYWARN Homepage for the following history.

SKYWARN is the National Weather Service program of trained volunteer severe weather spotters. SKYWARN volunteers support their local community and government by providing the National Weather Service with timely and accurate severe weather reports. These reports, when integrated with modern National Weather Service technology, are used to inform communities of the proper actions to take as severe weather threatens. SKYWARN, formed in the early 197Ø's, has historically provided critical severe weather information to the National Weather Service in time to get the appropriate warnings issued. Thus the key focus of the SKYWARN program is to save lives and property through the use of the observations and reports of trained volunteers. (Gropper, 1993)

Despite the elaborate radar and forecasting equipment at the National Weather Service, they are only able to determine the potential for severe weather. They rely on reports from the public and law enforcement personnel and actual severe weather spotters.
Accurate and reliable information from the general public is difficult to obtain. Severe weather is complicated and confusing. The National Weather Service has found that only regular training of weather spotters improves the quality of information. The National Weather Service (National Weather Service) collaborates with Amateur Radio organizations and others to put together training programs. The National Weather Service brings its weather knowledge, the Amateur Radio Service brings its expertise in emergency communications, and together they work with local government and the Red Cross.

The Amateur Radio's operators participation in the SKYWARN program is formally acknowledged and encouraged in a Memorandum of Understanding between the Amateur Radio Relay League and the National Weather Service. This agreement indicates that ARRL will encourage its local volunteer groups operating as the Amateur Radio Emergency Services to provide the National Weather Service with spotters and communicators as requested by the National Weather Service during times of severe weather. (Gropper, 1993)

Many civil disasters are the direct result of severe weather and/or are exacerbated by severe weather. Accordingly, the National Weather Service may utilize the SKYWARN Amateur Radio operators not only to obtain and disseminate severe weather observations and warnings, but may also use them to maintain close coordination with the Red Cross and Emergency Managers from local government entities under Radio Amateur Emergency Service or Radio Amateur Civil Emergency Service (Gropper, 1993).
Radio Amateur Civil Emergency Service is an organization of volunteer Amateur Radio operators trained in emergency communications and severe weather spotting. Authorized and regulated by the Federal Emergency Management Agency, Radio Amateur Civil Emergency Service provides essential communications and warning links for state and local governments during emergencies. The importance of this additional role for SKYWARN was demonstrated during the aftermath of Hurricane Andrew in August of 1992.

Trained SKYWARN observers provide the Weather Service with accurate, and timely reports from radio equipped cars and homes. The National Weather Service is most interested in severe weather reports. Severe weather includes flash flooding, hail, damaging winds, a wall cloud (which is the area of a thunderstorm where a tornado could form) and a tornado funnel. If the National Weather Service confirms severe weather with radar and other available information, it then notifies local authorities who then can activate Civil Defense sirens. The news media receives notification so they can make reports on local broadcast stations.

SKYWARN volunteers donate thousands of hours and the use of their own personal radio equipment and vehicles to give their communities advanced warning of life threatening weather.

Since the National Weather Service instituted the SKYWARN Program, there has been a significant decrease in the death rate due to tornadoes and other severe weather.

Reference:
Gropper, Daniel R. SKYWARN Net Control Operations Manual, Washington, DC, 1993
Kansas City SkyWarn

In the greater Kansas City area, “SkyWarn” is an all county network made up of area amateur radio operators who have been trained in severe weather spotting by the National Weather Service, and who have volunteered to provide severe weather reports directly to a Local Weather Net or the SkyWarn Net Control Station. Some amateur radio stations are mobile and can go to specific places to provide reports some are fixed stations who report conditions from their homes or places of business.

The amateur operators are individuals who lend their equipment, time, and training to give the National Weather Service immediate information as to how a Storm is behaving. These amateur operators are trained by the National Weather Service in storm spotting and usually belong to local area emergency nets. Each of these “Local Nets” establishes one station as a “Net Control Station”. This Local Net Control Station is responsible for operating the net in a controlled manner. The Local Net Control Station assigns operators to specific locations. Operators may be located at highway intersections, on hill tops, atop high buildings, or other places that allow for full sky observation. These spotter locations are in areas that provide the individual spotter with safety and a means to leave the area if a storm should become dangerous. The Local Net Control Station also appoints one station as a “Liaison” station to the SkyWarn Net. Local Nets thus screen and verify reports before they are forwarded in the SkyWarn Net and the National Weather Service.

In addition to the Local Nets, SkyWarn will accept reports from any licensed amateur operator. It is recommended that these operators receive the training provided by the National Weather Service.

SkyWarn is a program of the National Weather Service, and as such, is under full control of the National Weather Service. Locally, SkyWarn is managed by a committee of volunteers. The SkyWarn Committee at this time is Andy Bailey (KCØZKN) National Weather Service, John Seals (WRØR) SkyWarn chairman, Dick Carter (NØTO) Technical Adviser, Bryon Jeffers (KØBSJ) Technical Adviser, Eric Cook (N0MIJ) Net Control Manager, and William Thorsen (NXØV) Chief Operator Pleasant Hill/Responder Manager. This committee:

a. Oversees and supervise the SkyWarn operations.

b. Maintain and purchase equipment used in SkyWarn operations

c. Coordinate and recommend approval of standard operating procedures

d. Recruit and train potential operators

OPERATORS QUALIFICATIONS

Hold a valid FCC Amateur Radio License.

Emotional stability in high stress environments.

Ability to operate a directed net using standard operating procedures

Ability to complete any necessary training.

Ability and willingness to respond quickly if called.

Work with National Weather Service personnel.

Complete net procedure training and demonstrate operating skills.

Attend regular spotter training classes at least every two years.

Participate in regular SkyWarn training activities.

Operate the amateur station in a courteous and professional manner.

Net Control Group

The primary Control point for SkyWarn will be provided by the Net Operators Group. Operation of the SkyWarn Net can be from any place within the Kansas City area. This allows for at home operation of the SkyWarn Net in a controllable environment This group will be responsible for;

Activating the SkyWarn Net

Taking information for the National Weather Service

Compiling the Operators log

Filter information to the National Weather Service

Maintaining a orderly Net operation

Closing the SkyWarn operation.

Net Control Operator Training

The SkyWarn net operations, by definition, are emergency nets. While not all traffic passed on the net will be of an emergency nature, your job as a Net Control Operator is to maintain control of the frequency, conduct a directed net, take check ins and reports of weather conditions, and assist the National Weather Service in its mission of providing timely warnings to the public. In order to achieve this, there are certain protocols and procedures to follow.

Schedules will be posted in advance for primary and back up Net Control Operators. If you have a conflict, please contact Eric Cook, N0MIJ, as soon as possible. We would like to have the schedule run a month in advance so everyone can plan their other activities.

Being a Net Control Operator is a very important job in the big picture of providing weather related support to the National Weather Service and to the citizens of the affected areas. While we want everyone to enjoy the role they are in, we also want everyone to understand the importance and serious nature involved with this responsibility. Have fun, but keep it on a professional level.

Basic Operations

When operating as Skywarn Net Control Operator the call sign used will be

KCØSKY

When the National Weather Service determines that weather conditions will require SkyWarn to be activated, National Weather Service will contact the Callout Person by telephone. This person will be responsible for informing the Net Control Operator and the Responding Team Operator that the National Weather Service wishes to have SkyWarn activated. The Callout person will advise the Net Control Operator and Responding Team Operator if the net should come up in standby mode or operating mode (depending on how fast the weather is developing), and what the current weather situation and anticipated weather situation will be.

You will be provided with net call up procedures, along with net standby identification procedures and net closing procedures. Please follow these procedures as closely as possible.

If advised to open the net in standby, use the Standby Net Opening Preamble. Answer any questions that you can from Amateurs checking in or asking for direction (what to report, nets for the county they are in, etc).

Every ten minutes issue the Standby Net Identification, to keep the people on the repeater aware that the net is in standby mode, and to keep your station legal by identifying your station.

In the event that National Weather Service determines that the weather is not going to pose a problem for the area, Pleasant Hill will advise you that you can close the net. Use the Standby Net Closing Procedure to close the net.

If advised to open the net in operations mode, use the Net Opening Preamble. At this point you are running an emergency traffic net for the purpose of taking reports of weather information for National Weather Service. Log all checkins on the form provided, keeping track of station locations and names. This is important for analyzing area coverage after the net is closed.

Use the Net Identification Procedure every ten minutes during operations mode. Ask Pleasant Hill for current weather conditions and updates.

Keep a contact log of all stations checking into the SkyWarn Net. This log should include time of contact, station call, operator name, county operator is operating from, and a brief description of the report given to the SkyWarn Net.

Use the Net Closing Procedure to close the net after operations mode.

After closing the SkyWarn Net send the contact log to John Seals (WRØR).
Responding Group

When SkyWarn is activated the Responding Group will send two operators to the National Weather Service office in Pleasant Hill if possible.

Operation from the National Weather Service will comprise one or two operators.

One of these operators will act as a liaison to the National Weather Service. This operator will be responsible for the collection of weather bulletins and weather updates from the National Weather Service Manager. This operator will also be responsible for getting updates to previous bulletins to transmit to the SkyWarn Net.

The second operator will be responsible to operate the amateur equipment and be the contact to the SkyWarn Net. The operator will use their call or the tactical call sign “Pleasant Hill” or “National Weather” to identify operations from the Pleasant Hill site.

The operator should also be available to act as back up for the SkyWarn Net Control Operator if the Control Operator needs to leave the radio for a short time. The operator would use the call KCØSKY till the Net Control Operator returns at which time the Responding Team Operator would use their call.

The Responding Operator will also operate the National Weather Service paging service to notify local Emergency Managers and others involved in the severe weather operation.

The Responding Operator will also collect weather information from the APRS station located at the amateur radio station located at the National Weather Office.
SkyWarn Equipment

No equipment is to be removed from the National Weather Service without notifying the SkyWarn Committee, or Andy Bailey of the National Weather Service.

The SkyWarn Committee is responsible for maintaining, and upgrading the equipment at the National Weather Service in Pleasant Hill

All service requests will be submitted the SkyWarn Committee, or Andy Bailey of the National Weather Service.
Activation Authority

The SkyWarn Net is activated only under the authority of the National Weather Service Manager, who may delegate that authority to any of the other personnel of the Weather Service.

The SkyWarn Net will be automatically activated on STANDBY whenever any kind of severe weather WATCH (severe thunderstorms, winter storm watch, winter weather advisory, etc) is issued for the Greater Kansas City Area, at which time all SkyWarn stations will begin to monitor their assigned radio frequencies. The SkyWarn Net may be activated for all or any portion of the Greater Kansas City Area.

During periods of a weather watch, if conditions appear to be sufficiently threatening, or automatically when any Severe Weather Warning is issued, in the Greater Kansas City Area, then the SkyWarn Net may be activated by:

The National Weather Service Storm Coordinator or designated person.

Any authorized SkyWarn Net Control Operator.

In the event of failure of all of the above, during an obvious

emergency condition, any responsible SkyWarn Member.

All SkyWarn operators are encouraged to monitor;

The SkyWarn Net on 146.82Ø Mhz (alternate 146.7ØØ Mhz (107.2))

The Metropolitan Emergency Radio System (MERS 154.13Ø Mhz).

The National Weather Radio KID-77 162.55Ø Mhz.

The Emergency Alert System though your local broadcast channel

The local emergency management and public service channels.

TRAINING

Operations rules and procedures

Pleasant Hill will give weather updates every ten minutes during the operations mode.

Any station other than Liaison stations asking for updates should be told that Pleasant Hill will update every ten minutes, please stand by. Liaison stations should be directed to call Pleasant Hill direct for an update.

When stations give weather information, ask Pleasant Hill if they copied. Pleasant Hill will acknowledge or ask for a repeat. If they acknowledge your job with that station and that report is finished, move on to the next report. If they ask for a repeat, ask the reporting station to repeat the information.

Always allow Pleasant Hill to ask for information or reports from ‘hot spots’ that they are indicating severe weather. Put on hold stations not in that area until Pleasant Hill gets the information they need.

Use common sense and your good judgment to handle whatever situations occur. There is no way to address everything that could occur in a training manual, and each situation will be different. The reason you were asked to do this job is because you have a reputation for being able to handle yourself in a positive and professional manner. Anybody wanting to complain or cause problems should be directed to John Seals, WRØR, The SkyWarn Chairman.

Relax, have a good time, and know that you are providing a valuable service to the people located in the Pleasant Hill National Weather Service area.
Responder Training

The SkyWarn Net will be operated in strict compliance with all FCC rules and regulations.

Full call signs will be used for identification by the Control Operator every 1Ø minutes as long as the SkyWarn Net is in operation. In the interim, the tactical call sign “PLEASANT HILL” or “NATIONAL WEATHER” may be used. At the end of each 1Ø minute interval end your transmission with “KCØSKY Pleasant Hill”.

The SkyWarn Net will be operated as a directed net. All stations must obtain permission from the Net Control Station to make any calls

During periods of low activity the net may be declared “informal” and on “standby status” by the Net Control Station,

Stations coming on frequency for unrelated QSO’s should be courteously asked to leave the frequency. The repeater will be returned to normal use as soon as possible by the Net Control Station after consultation with the National Weather Service personnel, in accordance with advance agreements with the repeater owners.

The Responding Team Operator should announce information obtained from the National Weather Service personnel, and should not attempt to interpret raw observations not covered in special National Weather Service training . Periodic up dates should be announced as often as is prudent and at least each 1Ø minutes. The Responding Team Operator should be alert to directions, watches, and warnings being formed or issued by the National Weather Staff, but be very careful to do so in such a way as not to interfere with the staff’s primary functions.
Reports should be written on the message form provided by the SkyWarn Committee and the Coordinator notified as soon as possible. Reports not meeting severe criteria, unless requested by the National Weather Service Storm Coordinator, can be kept at the SkyWarn desk and need not be relayed to the National Weather Service personnel.

Citizen reports, or reports from non-trained spotter stations should be considered as “unconfirmed”, and reported as such. Reports forwarded from non-trained fire, police, medical, and other official emergency agencies should also be marked as “unconfirmed”. Special attention should be given to recording the exact original source of such reports, in order to prevent an apparent confirmation of a single report coming in from two or more separate channels (telephone, MERS, media, NAWAS, Highway Patrol, etc).

Unconfirmed reports of a significant nature should be immediately questioned to confirm or deny by obtaining another report on the same situation from another source or from a different direction.

In all cases, safety is primary, net controllers, whenever appropriate, should emphasize to all stations that in no case should making an observation or report place anyone in any personal danger. During a severe storm any fixed and mobile stations should take cover first, stay out of dangerous situations and move cautiously. As volunteers, all participants have the personal option at all times to consider safety first.

As situations develop, the Responding Team Operator should endeavor to keep abreast of current weather conditions, and issue periodic summaries to alert area nets and local amateurs of the reports most needed. The Responding Team Operator may offer suggestions or consultations or make requests for specific reports needed to amateur stations. However, the decision as to when and where any affiliate net may dispatch observers or spotters remains with the Net Control Station of that area net.

Stations should remain on the SkyWarn net until relieved, or until permission is granted by the National Weather Service to leave the net.

The SkyWarn Net Control Station may issue a request for, and accept, reports from any listening licensed amateur radio station in the area. Caution should be given to consider such reports as unconfirmed if reported by an operator who is not a member of SkyWarn or is not trained, and should be considered as unconfirmed citizen reports.

The National Weather Service may suggest that certain nets may close, or go to a standby status (listen mode). The decision to close any affiliated net or The SkyWarn Net remains with the National Weather Service and the Local Net Operator.

When conditions have progressed to the point that continued services may no longer be needed, the Net Control Station, in consultation with the National Weather Service Staff, may request the SkyWarn Net to operate in a standby mode. In standby mode the repeater is returned to normal operation and announcements giving weather updates as they become available. Net Control Operators are encouraged to follow the Standby Net guideline found later in this document.

STANDBY NET OPENING

ATTENTION ALL STATIONS, ATTENTION ALL STATIONS. THIS IS KCØSKY NET CONTROL FOR SKYWARN. THE SKYWARN NET IS NOW IN STANDBY. AT THIS TIME THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE HAS ADVISED THE POSSIBILITY OF SEVERE WEATHER. NORMAL OPERATION OF THIS REPEATER WILL CONTINUE UNTIL THE THREAT OF SEVERE WEATHER INCREASES, AT WHICH TIME THE SKYWARN NET WILL BE ACTIVATED.

THE SITUATION AT THIS TIME IS ……………………………

ANY STATION WITH WEATHER RELATED INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT KCØSKY. THE SKYWARN NET IS OPERATING IN STANDBY AT THIS TIME, THE FREQUENCY IS CLEAR . THIS IS KCØSKY.

STANDBY NET IDENTIFICATION

THIS IS KCØSKY NET CONTROL FOR SKYWARN. AT THIS TIME THE SKYWARN NET IS OPERATING IN STANDBY. THE FREQUENCY IS BEING MONITORED FOR ANY WEATHER ACTIVITY. REPORTS SHOULD BE ADDRESSED TO KCØSKY OR NATIONAL WEATHER.

THE CURRENT SITUATION IS ……………………..

AT THIS TIME REPORTS ARE NEEDED FOR …..

ALL STATIONS SHOULD MONITOR THIS FREQUENCY FOR CURRENT WEATHER INFORMATION. THE SKYWARN NET IS NOT ACTIVE AT THIS TIME. THE FREQUENCY IS CLEAR. THIS IS KCØSKY NET CONTROL.

STANDBY NET CLOSING

THIS IS KCØSKY NET CONTROL STATION FOR SKYWARN. AT THIS TIME THE SERVICES OF SKYWARN ARE NO LONGER NEEDED, AND THE MONITORING OF THIS FREQUENCY WILL END. BEFORE CLOSING, WE THANK THE TRUSTEES AND MEMBERS OF THE KANSAS CITY AMATEUR RADIO CLUB FOR PERMISSION TO USE THIS REPEATER FOR THIS SKYWARN ACTIVITY, AND WISH TO THANK EACH STATION PARTICIPATING IN THIS ACTIVATION.

IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS ABOUT SKYWARN PLEASE CONTACT THE SKYWARN CHAIRMAN, JOHN SEALS WRØR . THANK YOU FOR YOUR REPORTS AND USE OF THIS FREQUENCY. THIS IS KCØSKY CLEAR.

John Seals WRØR

P.O. Box 7329

NORTH KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI 64116

816-838-1610

jseals001@kc.rr.com
NET OPENING

ATTENTION ALL STATIONS, ATTENTION ALL STATIONS. THIS IS KCØSKY NET CONTROL FOR SKYWARN. THE SKYWARN NET IS NOW OPEN. SKYWARN IS BEING ACTIVATED AT THIS TIME AT THE REQUEST OF THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE, THIS IS A DIRECTED NET. LIAISON STATIONS FROM AFFILIATE SKYWARN NETS AND ANY LICENSED AMATEUR STATION WITH WEATHER RELATED REPORTS ARE REQUESTED TO CHECK IN. ALL OTHER STATIONS ARE REQUESTED TO CHECK IN TO THEIR LOCAL NETS OR LISTEN HERE FOR CURRENT WEATHER CONDITIONS. PLEASE SPACE YOUR CALLS TO ALLOW NET CONTROL TO ACKNOWLEDGE. AGAIN THIS IS A DIRECTED NET.

PLEASANT HILL WHAT IS THE CURRENT SITUTATION AT THIS TIME?

(WAIT)

AT THIS TIME IS THERE ANY EMERGENCY TRAFFIC?

(WAIT)

DESIGNATED SKYWARN LIAISON STATIONS ARE REQUESTED TO CHECK IN AT THIS TIME. THIS IS KCØSKY SKYWARN.

(WAIT)

STATIONS WITH WEATHER TRAFFIC PLEASE CALL NET CONTROL WITH STATION CALL, COUNTY LOCATION, AND WEATHER REPORT THEN MONITOR THE SKYWARN NET UNTIL EXCUSED BY NET CONTROL. THIS IS KCØSKY SKYWARN

(WAIT)
NATIONAL WEATHER REQUEST PAGE

PLEASANT HILL AT THIS TIME IS REQUESTING INFORMATION …..

IN THE FOLLOWING COUNTIES

KANSAS MISSOURI

Johnson Buchanan Independence

Leavenworth Carroll Jackson

Linn Cass Johnson

Miami Clay Lafayette

Wyandotte Henry Platte

Ray

TORNATIC ACTIVITY …………….

FLOODING ………….

WIND OVER …………..

HAIL OVER …………….

RAIN OVER …………….

_________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________
NET IDENTIFICATION

ATTENTION ALL STATIONS, ATTENTION ALL STATIONS. THIS IS KCØSKY NET CONTROL STATION FOR SKYWARN. THIS SKYWARN NET HAS BEEN ACTIVATED AS REQUESTED BY THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN PLEASANT HILL, ON THIS REPEATER BY ADVANCED AGREEMENTS WITH THE TRUSTEES AND MEMBERS OF THE KANSAS CITY AMATEUR RADIO CLUB, THIS IS A DIRECTED NET. LIAISON STATIONS FROM AFFILIATE SKYWARN NETS AND ANY LICENSED AMATEUR STATION WITH WEATHER RELATED REPORTS ARE REQUESTED TO CHECK IN. ALL OTHER STATIONS ARE REQUESTED TO CHECK IN TO THEIR OWN LOCAL NETS OR LISTEN HERE FOR CURRENT WEATHER CONDITIONS.

(PLEASANT HILL WHAT IS THE CURRENT SITUTATION AT THIS TIME?

WAIT)

STATIONS WITH TRAFFIC ARE ASKED TO CHECK IN WITH STATION CALL, COUNTY LOCATION, AND WEATHER REPORT THEN MONITOR THE SKYWARN NET UNTIL EXCUSED BY NET CONTROL. STATIONS WITH WEATHER TRAFFIC PLEASE CALL NET CONTROL. THIS IS KCØSKY SKYWARN

(WAIT)

NET CLOSING

THIS IS KCØSKY NET CONTROL FOR SKYWARN. AT THIS TIME THE SERVICES OF SKYWARN ARE NO LONGER NEEDED, AND THE SKYWARN NET WILL BE CLOSED.

BEFORE CLOSING, WE THANK THE TRUSTEES AND MEMBERS OF THE KANSAS CITY AMATEUR RADIO CLUB FOR PERMISSION TO USE THIS REPEATER FOR THIS SKYWARN ACTIVITY, AND WISH TO THANK EACH STATION PARTICIPATING IN THIS ACTIFICATION.

STATIONS CHECKING INTO THE NET WILL NOW BE CALLED AND RELEASED FROM THE SKYWARN OPERATION, EACH STATION PLEASE ACKNOWLEDGE IN THE ORDER CALLED

----LIST OF CHECKINS---

IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS ABOUT SKYWARN PLEASE CONTACT THE SKYWARN CHAIRMAN, JOHN SEALS WRØR.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR REPORTS. THIS SKYWARN NET IS NOW CLOSED, RETURNING THE REPEATER TO NORMAL USE. THIS IS

KCØSKY CLEAR.

John Seals WRØR

P.O. Box 7329

NORTH KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI 64116

816-838-1610

jseals001@kc.rr.com

WIND SPEED ESTIMATE

WIND SPEED ESTIMATE	DESCRIPTION
25-31 mph	Large branches in motion; whistling heard in telephone wires
32-38 mph	Whole trees in motion; inconvenience felt walking against the wind
39-54 mph	Twigs break off trees; wind generally impedes progress
55-72 mph	Damage to chimneys and TV antennas; pushes over shallow rooted trees
73-112 mph	Peels surfaces off roofs; windows broken; light mobile homes pushed or overturned; moving cars pushed off road
113-157 mph	Roofs torn off houses; cars lifted off ground

Any comments or suggestions, please write to:

National Weather Service
18Ø3 N. 7 Highway
Pleasant Hill MO 64Ø8Ø

HAIL DIAMETER SIZE

HAIL DIAMETER SIZE	DESCRIPTION
1/4"	Pea Size
1/2"	Marble Size
3/4" (Severe Criteria)	Dime Size
7/8"	Nickel Size
1"	Quarter Size
1 1/4"	Half Dollar Size
1 1/2"	Walnut or Ping Pong Ball Size
1 3/4"	Golf Ball Size
2"	Hen Egg Size
2 1/2"	Tennis Ball Size
2 3/4"	Baseball Size
3"	Teacup Size
4"	Grapefruit Size
4 1/2"	Softball Size

SKYWARN REPORTING SHEET

At ________________ AM / PM _________________ Reported from

KANSAS MISSOURI

Johnson Buchanan Independence

Leavenworth Carroll Jackson

Linn Cass Johnson

Miami Clay Lafayette

Wyandotte Henry Platte

Ray

TORNADO at _____________________________

FUNNEL at _____________________________

WALL CLOUD at _____________________________

HAIL PEA DIME NICKLE QUARTER

GOLFBALL BASEBALL

WIND GUST of ______ MPH at ________________

WIND DAMAGE at ______________________________

HEAVY RAIN measuring ________” in __________

FLOODING at ______________________________

________________________________________________

_________________________________________________
Radio frequency memory list

Insert Page here “Frequency List Memory.doc”

Net List Operator Form

Insert Page here “Spotter net list.doc”

PHONETICS

A Alpha

B Bravo

C Charlie

D Delta

E Echo

F Foxtrot

G Golf

H Hotel

I India

J Juliet

K Kilo

L Lima

M Mike

N November

O Oscar

P Papa

Q Quebec

R Romeo

S Sierra

T Tango

U Uniform

V Victor

W Whiskey

X X-Ray

Y Yankee

Z Zulu

Greater Kansas City

SkyWarn

STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURES

TABLE OF CONTENTS

PREAMBLE

PURPOSE

OPERATORS QUALIFICATIONS

Net Control Group

Net Control Operator Training

TRAINING

Operations rules and procedures

STANDBY NET OPENING

STANDBY NET IDENTIFICATION

STANDBY NET CLOSING

NET CLOSING

WIND SPEED ESTIMATE

HAIL DIAMETER SIZE

SKYWARN REPORTING SHEET

Net List Operator Form

PHONETICS