WEATHER NET PROCEDURES
SOUTHERN MIDDLE TENNESSEE AREA
Net Control Stations
One of the following stations will assume the duties of Net Control whenever a weather
alert is broadcast by NOAA for the Beech Grove transmitter coverage area.
NQ4U Jimmy Floyd 393-0095
W4OWX Jack Hennon 455-0625
WB4NCW Larry Marshall 968-0650
AF4JJ Tom Baskin 967-0482
KC4FV Bob Payne 455-0289
Their duties will be to put on the appropriate severe weather alert signal for the
W4UOT 146.70(-) repeater and assume net control. A suggested NCS format follows.
"This is [your call] net control for the Southern Middle Tennessee amateur weather net.
This net operates on W4UOT when possible. If W4UOT goes off the air, change to the
KC4FV 147.195+ repeater. If KC4FV is off the air, come up on 146.70 MHz simplex until
one of the listed repeaters comes back on the air. It will be necessary to relay
messages between stations since direct contact between all stations will not be
possible. As you check in, give your call sign, name, location, and current weather.
All stations on frequency please refrain from idle chatter during this weather event.
Advise net control before leaving the net frequency. Please check in now."
Net control will take check-ins and log station with their location and weather reports.
Weather Alerts
The LITZ (Long Interval Touch-tone Zero) signal will be used to alert those on
frequency that there is a weather event in progress. Net control should activate this
signal at approximately 15 minute intervals to alert stations just coming on frequency.
In addition, the weather alert for the W4UOT repeater will be turned on. This alert is
voice "weather" and Morse Code "WX" transmitted when the repeater senses a carrier-drop.
It will be changed to voice "warning" and a triple-beep during severe weather warnings.
Activating Alert Signals
To activate the LITZ alert function, transmit a DTMF "0" for 5 seconds. This
is to inform those on frequency that an emergency or potential emergency is occurring.
Those radios equipped with LITZ decode will sound a warning. For those having radios
without LITZ alert capability, this 5 second DTMF tone will alert their ears/brain to
the possible emergency.
To set the weather watch alert (voice "weather" CW "WX"), transmit DTMF 14.
Note: 14 deactivates Touch-tone muting so the LITZ alert will work.
To set the weather voice "warning" and triple-beep, transmit DTMF 13.
DTMF 11 returns repeater to normal operation and activate Touch-tone muting.
Note: 12 sets the double activity beep used for other activities.
Weather Reporting Information
The following information should be sent by stations checking into the Weather
Net.
1. Name, station location relative to a well known landmark and
spotter ID number.
2. Current weather conditions, i.e.:
a. barometric pressure in inches of mercury and change (+/-)
b. wind speed in mph and direction coming from
c. precipitation (rainfall in inches/hr, hail size, etc.)
NOTE: Hail size is important to the Weather Bureau.
d. distance to lightning(3) (cloud to cloud, cloud to ground)
e. cloud cover in tenths and other significant data such as
"towering cumulus south west" or "roll cloud south".
f. flooding
3. Significant data such as "commercial power out" or "telephone out".
4. Assistance needed.
Useful Information
1. Telephone numbers and AWOS-3 frequencies for automated weather information:
Fayetteville airport weather 433-5916 135.275
McMinnville airport weather 668-7056 135.525
Shelbyville airport weather 685-4723 119.275
Tullahoma airport weather 454-2052 128.325
Winchester airport weather 967-8445 121.675
2. Skywarn Nashville National Weather Service: 1-800-267-8144
National Weather Service home page:
http://www.nws.noaa.gov/
Nashville Weather Office home page:
http://www.srh.noaa.gov/bna/
3. Distance in miles from your location to lightning stroke = (time in seconds
between flash seen and thunder heard) divided by 4.8