Arkansas "Hams" Include the Internet in their Emergency Communications Plan

By Joshua Carroll, N5JLC - Arkansas Section Asst Public Information Coordinator

Amateur Radio operators are used to providing weather observations over the airwaves during severe weather. But one group in Arkansas has incorporated the Internet to help spread important and possibly life-saving information.

The Central Arkansas Ultra-High Frequency Group (www.cauhf.org) is using a new tool called "Warn I.M." to share information in real-time with officials at the National Weather Service, local governments and the media. The tool allows Skywarn certified weather spotters to submit weather observations and gives them access to a map of the state showing the latest radar imagery from the National Weather Service. The application also plots each of the participants on the map, allowing officials to see where their assets in the field are located.

The "Warn I.M." had its first test when a line of storms reaching from the Gulf of Mexico to the Great Lakes swept through Arkansas on Saturday, bringing damaging winds and heavy rain to most of the state. Many individuals logged into the "Warn I.M." including several weather spotters, at least one Chief Meteorologist from a local media outlet, officials from the National Weather Service and the Arkansas Department of Health. During the weather event Ham radio operators were able to relay important information from others into the "Warn I.M.".

John Nordlund (AD5FU), Arkansas Section Emergency Coordinator, said, "As emergency communicators, Ham radio is one of our most valuable tools. But it shouldn't be our only tool."