ICARC:  Iowa City Amateur Radio Club

Appendix 1 - Script for Johnson County Weather Watch Net

Standard Operating Procedures

Used to activate the Johnson County Weather Watch Net ("Standby" Mode) in response to a Severe Weather Watch (e.g. Severe Thunderstorm, Tornado, Winter Storm) for Johnson County.

1. Initial announcement

QST, QST, QST. To all stations monitoring this frequency, this is (state your callsign) activating the Johnson County Weather Watch Net to Standby Mode in response to a (state the severe WX Watch event). This is not a directed net at this time. However, should a Storm Warning be issued, this Net will shift to Active Mode and become a directed net. All stations are asked to check-in with (state your callsign) serving as net control. Once you have checked in, please standby for additional information and directions.

2. First call for stations to check-in

I will now take check-ins from monitoring stations. Giving your callsign and QTH, please call (state your callsign).

Action: Log each station, noting their QTHs for future reference during this WX event (e.g. special assignments or liaison duties with other nets should the Net later switch to Active Mode operation).

3. Repeat the announcement that the net is in Standby Mode

This Johnson County Weather Watch Net is in Standby Mode following the issuance of a (state the WX watch event) by the NWS. This means that stations may contact other stations without prior authorization by net control. However, it is requested that transmissions be kept short so that priority traffic may be passed to Net Control if necessary.

4. Call for additional check-ins to the Johnson County Weather Watch Net

Are there additional stations wishing to check in to the Johnson County Weather Watch Net at this time? Giving your callsign and QTH, please call (state your callsign),

Action: Log any additional check-ins, noting their QTHs.

5. Repeat steps 3 & 4 at approximately 5-10 minute intervals

6. Reconfirm that all stations that have checked in are still available

Action: Once every half- hour, run the roster of stations to confirm that all stations that have checked in with Net Control are still available.

7. Conclusion of net

Action: Maintain the Weather Watch Net in operation following steps 3-5 until either:

1. the Severe Weather Watch has expired or been cancelled (see Section 8 below)
2. Net Control duties are passed to another station
3. the Severe Weather Watch has been upgraded to a Severe Weather Warning. In this case, shift the net status from Standby to Active (see The Johnson County Severe Weather Net Script (Appendix 2).

8. Securing the net

Since the NWS has now cancelled the Severe Weather Watch for Johnson County (or ... Since the Severe Weather Watch for Johnson County has now expired,....), this is Net Control Station (state your callsign) securing the Johnson County Weather Watch Net. Thanks to all participating stations for their assistance. The repeater is now available for normal amateur operations.

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