Given the serious and important nature of our task, we insist that proper radio procedures and discipline are followed during our Skywarn Nets. If everyone follows proper operating procedure, it allows us to quickly and efficiently get urgent information to the NWS in a timely fashion.

How It Works

The Skywarn Net is activated by the County Coordinator whenever there is Severe Weather observed, or at the direction of the NWS Office. When the Net is activated, a Call Out process is started to alert all Skywarn Spotters in the area. This can include phone calls, emails, and an announcement over area repeaters.

Informal Nets

Informal Nets may be called when a Severe Weather Watch is issued by National Weather Service, or when the National Weather Service requests it. An Informal Net alerts Skywarn Spotters to the possibility of a Severe Weather event. This allows all Skywarn stations to get on the frequency, and begin sharing observation reports on current conditions to track the incoming storm. Check-Ins may be held at this time to get a record of all participating stations. Again, this type of Net is usually informal and may not always proceed a Directed Net. This type of Net also allows open use of the repeater by stations not directly participating in the Net.

Informal Nets may be called at anytime, and may end without receiving any reports of severe weather. The important thing is to be ready if hazardous or severe weather occurs. For safety and preparedness tips, refer to the Safety and Preparedness Page under TRAINING

Directed Nets

Once a Severe Weather event has been observed, a Warning has been issued, or the NWS has requested Net Activation, a Directed Net will be called, and the Net Control Station will control all traffic on the frequency. All non-participating stations will be asked to move to an alternate frequency with non-emergency traffic.

During severe weather or emergency communications, check-ins to the net may not be requested. If you have something to report, simply follow the reporting procedure below. If we need information from a specific location, we will broadcast this on the air. Many times spotters can sit through an entire net lasting hours, and never give a report, and that's OK. Sometimes the best report you can give is no report at all. We know you're out there, and we appreciate your commitment and support!

Directed Nets may not always be proceeded by an Informal Net. They may be called at a moments notice and without warning.

Tip: If you see severe weather approaching or are aware of a Weather Watch/Warning in a neighboring County, you should begin monitoring the Skywarn repeater frequency for your area.

A 2-Meter amateur radio is located in the operations area of the Pendleton NWS Office. This radio is referred to as the Skywarn Amateur Radio. When a Skywarn Net is activated, a volunteer ham radio operator can be called into the Pendleton NWS office to operate the Skywarn Amateur Radio to relay weather reports to NWS. In this instance the ham at the NWS office serves as the Skywarn Net Relay Station (NRS) and serves as Liaison between the Skywarn Net and the NWS Lead Forecaster. Another possibility is for a ham operating at a different location in the immediate Pendleton area to serve as the Skywarn NRS. This ham can then relay weather reports to the NWS Lead Forecaster via a local land line call, until such time as a ham can be dispatched to the Pendleton NWS office to operate the Skywarn Amateur Radio. Thus, arrangements can be in place to activate a Skywarn NRS for the Skywarn Net, either at the Pendleton NWS office or in the immediate Pendleton area.

The Skywarn NCS needs to designate a Skywarn Net Relay Station (NRS), which is responsible for logging severe weather reports and relaying them to the Lead Forecaster at the Pendleton NWS office, either via land line or via a Skywarn NRS in the Pendleton area. The NRS would use the Skywarn Weather Spotter Hotline, an unlisted toll-free 800 number, for this purpose.

Get The Word Out!

The Skywarn Net only works when radio operators participate. If you are aware of activation of the Net, get the word out to other hams either by phone or by announcement on another repeater. The more eyes we have out there, the better!

Reporting Procedures

All reports need to meet the criteria specified under "Reporting Criteria". More specific reporting criteria may be specified during the Net if requested by NWS. The Criteria announced during the Net supercedes any and all other Reporting Criteria guidelines. This is the only time you should deviate from the listed Criteria.

Stations with information to report must request recognition from the Net Control Operator, by stating your call sign and location. (Example: KA7BPR, Benton City) Calling stations will usually be recognized in order. Avoid transmitting at the same time as another station. Remember, what they are reporting may be as important or even more so than your report. The net frequency can be quite hectic during a severe weather episode.

Brevity and Clarity

Please try to make reports as brief and concise as possible. We all like to rag chew at times, but during a Skywarn net, airtime is gold! A proper report sequence should go like this:

Spotter: KD7QZU, Richland

NCS: KD7QZU go ahead

Spotter: KD7QZU Spotter Benton-11H reporting 50 mile per hour sustained winds measured in Richland.

NCS: KD7QZU we copy your report. Thanks.

Elapsed time - about 12 seconds. If we need more detail, we'll ask. Be prepared to give your exact location. For example, "2 Miles West of West Richland" or "Traveling Eastbound on I-82 at milepost 30." Use major landmarks when possible if you are mobile. Talk with a clear, not loud, voice when reporting to NCS. It is not necessary to yell into the radio - it only over modulates your transmission and makes you harder to understand. If you are outdoors in windy conditions causing wind noise on your mic, get indoors or inside a vehicle… you shouldn't be outdoors during a severe storm anyway!

Have a Heart! The Net Control Operator's position can get very hectic at times, especially during Severe Weather events. We may not always be listening just to the Skywarn frequency. We may be listening to at least two radios, a broadcast radio and possibly a scanner. We may also be monitoring the APRS or Packet terminal. Add someone talking to us in person or on the phone. If we ask you to repeat your traffic, understand that we want to make sure we get it right. Also, give us a few seconds to answer when you call. Lastly, when giving your call sign please try to use phonetics to make it easier to understand your call sign the first time around.

Training Nets. Training nets are much less formal than activations. Check-ins are taken first. Then any announcements are read. After that a short training topic is covered. Just before the net closes there is an opportunity for questions and answers and discussion. Dates for Training Nets will be announced by the County Coordinator.