Welcome to the Truman Boerkoel, K8JUG, memorial website, home to XWARN.

This site is designed to allow our members & neighbors to discover Amateur (Ham) Radio & what great things it & XWARN bring to our community.

Promoting Amateur Radio in...

· Public Service

· Emergency Communications

· Education

· A Fun Hobby

“W8XRN”

What are Weather Nets?

XWARN Provides the Greene County arm of the National Weather Service’s Spotter network—SKYWARN. The Greene County net reports severe weather information via the areas spotters over amateur radio to the Dayton Sectional Net; who in turn relay all information directly to the National Weather Service in Wilmington, Ohio.

Skywarn Weather Spotters are trained by the National Weather Service and you can find out more about the Skywarn program at www.dayton-skywarn.org

WHAT IS SKYWARN?

SKYWARN is the National Weather Service network of volunteer citizens, public service and emergency management people working to provide the National Weather Service (NWS) with first-hand weather spotting observations during severe weather events. Amateur Radio Operators comprise the backbone of many spotter networks through out the United States. In this area of the United States the primary severe weather threat comes from Severe Thunder Storms, Tornados and flooding from heavy rains. Amateur Radio Operators, or “Hams”, participate not only as spotters but also provide the communications infrastructure to rapidly, reliably and accurately report severe weather.

Weather Links!

Weather Net Stages!

Level One - Watch is Issued
If the National Weather Service issues a Severe Thunderstorm or Tornado "WATCH" that involves Greene County, the. Net Control operators will occasionally announce the details through out the watch period Tune to the NWS radio channel at 162.475 to get the details. There is no net operating at this time. The repeater is available for normal use.

Level Two - Storm is Imminent
As severe weather approaches, a Net Control Station may begin a relaxed net. The courtesy tone is changed from the normal bubble tone to the emergency net tones.. At this time, the net control may ask for check-ins from radio operators in Greene County to determine who is available and in what parts of the county. The repeater may be available for normal usage, but check with the Net Control Station, first.

Level Three - Warning
Severe Weather has, or is about to enter Greene County. A WARNING has likely been issued by the NWS. The repeater is now placed under a directed net. The emergency net tone will be activated". The Net Control Station will read the warning information.

Net Controls will follow written scripts to help guide the net, if you are interested in becoming a Net Control contact XWARN at info@xwarn.net or www.xwarn.net

What to Report!

· Tornadoes

· Funnel Clouds

· Wall Clouds

· Persistent rotation in the clouds

· Hail that is pee size or larger - and if covering ground

· Tree's uprooted or downed

· Large limbs down - is it healthy - what size?

· Building's damaged

Wind Speeds

· Small limbs break off trees - 39-54 MPH

· Shallow rooted trees downed - 55-72 MPH

· Minor structural damage - 73-113 MPH

· Trailers overturned - 73-113 MPH

· Major structural damage - 113+ MPH

· Trailers destroyed - 113+ MPH

When reporting severe weather or damage, give the Net Control good directions. Give him the town you are in or nearest to as well as an intersection of 2 major roads that you are near. If you are not near a town, give the quadrant of the county you are in, such as South East, South West, North East, or North West quadrant

Downloads:

Net Scripts Training File County Map

1974 Xenia Tornado Memorial

PO BOX 562 Xenia, Ohio 45385