Below is the text of a message sent to the Manager of the State College NWS office and other NWS amateur radio operators from Matt Steinbugl, KB3RJW, the NWS employee who coordinated the event with me.

Subject: SKYWARN Recognition Day – Saturday December 5, 2009

Bruce/Dave/Bob:

Just wanted to let you know that we had a very successful SKYWARN Recognition Day yesterday. As far as I know, this was a ground breaking event for our office, which was 1 of 107 NWS offices participating in the event. It was the 11th annual SKYWARN Recognition Day, celebrating the contributions that amateur radio operators make to the NWS during significant hazardous weather. SKYWARN Recognition Day is co-sponsored by the NWS and the American Radio Relay League (ARRL).

Carmine Prestia, ARRL Emergency Coordinator and prominent member of the Nittany Amateur Radio Club volunteered his time to come into the office to activate a Net “roll-call” on both 2-meter local repeaters; W3YA
146.85 MHz located 5mi SE of State College and W3GA 146.76 MHz located 10mi NW of State College. Carmine was able to make about 10-15 contacts and exchange current weather information during a brief 30-45 minute period in the morning. The contacts were logged and will be sent to the national SKYWARN Day coordinator for acknowledgment of participation and certificates.

I view this event as a big success for our office and something to build on in the future, especially as the NWS moves toward providing enhanced decision support services. Cultivating trusted relationships with groups involved in public service and emergency communications will, in my opinion, be a vital link in carrying out the NWS mission of protecting lives and property.

I want to thank all of you for your support and would like to personally thank Carmine and the local NARC, as none of this would be possible without you.

Matt
KB3RJW