Hunter AAF
124.975 - Tower
279.575 - Tower
285.425 - Tower
121.800 - Ground
291.675 - Ground
126.200 - Base Ops
309.000 - PMSV
406.1625 - Tower/Base Ops
406.7625 - POL
415.1625 - Trans Alert
32.350 - 3-3 AVN Ops
48.025 - 3-3 AVN
87.725 - 3-3 AVN
139.900 - 3-3 AVN
140.100 - 3-3 AVN
238.250 - 3-3 AVN
238.375 - 3-3 AVN
77.725 - 224 MI Bn Ops
38.150 - B-169 AVN "HURRICANE OPS"
242.400 - B-169 AVN
345.000 - USCG Air Station Savannah Ops
157.175 - Marine Ch. 83, AirSta Maintenance Control
ARMY 45464 (AH-64D, 3-3 AVN)
ARMY 45479 (AH-64D, 3-3 AVN)
ARMY 57007 (AH-64D, 3-3 AVN)
ARMY 57008 (AH-64D, 3-3 AVN)
ARMY 57009 (AH-64D, 3-3 AVN)
ARMY 57011 (AH-64D, 3-3 AVN)
ARMY 57012 (AH-64D, 3-3 AVN)
ARMY 57013 (AH-64D, 3-3 AVN
ARMY 75502 (AH-64D, 3-3 AVN)
ARMY 75503 (AH-64D, 3-3 AVN
ARMY 75504 (AH-64D, 3-3 AVN)
ARMY 75507 (AH-64D, 3-3 AVN)
ARMY 03746 (MH-47G, 3-160 SOAR)
ARMY 03749 (MH-47G, 3-160 SOAR)
ARMY 03753 (MH-47G, 3-160 SOAR)
ARMY 03756 (MH-47G, 3-160 SOAR)
ARMY 03757 (MH-47G, 3-160 SOAR)
ARMY 26367 (MH-60L, 3-160 SOAR)
ARMY 26412 (MH-60L, 3-160 SOAR)
SUNNY ## (RC-12N, 224 MI Bn)
TESTHAWK ## (H-60, OLR)
GUARD 249 (CH-47D, B-169 AVN)
GUARD 295 (CH-47D, B-169 AVN)
GUARD 296 (CH-47D, B-169 AVN)
COAST GUARD 6533 (HH-65C, Savannah)
COAST GUARD 6561 (HH-65C, Savannah)
COAST GUARD 6575 (HH-65C, Savannah)
ARMY 00182 (CH-47D)
ARMY 26300 (UH-60)
ARMY 26482 (UH-60)
BOLT 21 (KC-135, 6 AMW)
COAST GUARD 2002 (HC-130J)
COAST GUARD Auxiliary 42705
GREYHAWK 75 (C-2, , VAW-120)
GUARD 20512 (AH-64, 1-151 AVN SC ARNG)
GUARD 26658 (UH-60L)
JOSA 391
KING 16 (HC-130, 71 RQS)
LOCKHEED 99 (C-5M)
MAD FOX 09 (P-3C, VP-5)
MOON 08 (T-1, 14 FTW)
NAVY 7N 927
NAVY JV 829 (C-40, VR-58)
RAIL (RC-12)
RHINO 01 (A-10, 23rd Wing)
TEAL 25 (WC-130J, 53 WRS)
Savannah IAP/CRTC
119.100 - Tower
257.800 - Tower
121.900 - Ground
348.600 - Ground
120.400 - Approach/Departure
380.025 - Approach/Departure
125.300 - Approach/Departure
387.100 - Approach/Departure
118.400 - Approach/Departure
307.225 - Approach/Departure
225.750 - 165 AW CP
225.050 - 165 AW
123.200 - WCM9, Gulfstream Aerospace
123.575 - Gulfstream Test Ops
DAWG 0# (C-130H, 165 AW)
GULF TEST ## (Gulfstream Test)
COAST GUARD 2002 (HC-130J)
COAST GUARD Auxiliary N735RP
SAM 1809
Fort Stewart/Wright AAF
127.350 - Marne Radio
279.626 - Marne Radio
51.050 - Helicopter Common
MCAS Beaufort
251.700 - Approach/Departure
301.200 - Approach/Departure
281.800 - Base Ops
253.100 - VMFA-122 Base
283.400 - VMFA-122 Tac 1
354.325 - VMFA-122 Tac 2
305.800 - VMFA(AW)-224 Base
258.900 - VMFA(AW)-224 Tac 2
313.800 - VMFA-251 Base
290.000 - VMFA-251 Tac 1
327.475 - VMFA-251 Tac 2
228.200 - VMFA-312 Base
301.950 - VMFA-312 Tac 1
354.400 - VFA-86 Base
308.925 - VFA-86 Tac 1
363.825 - VFA-86 Tac 2
NIKEL 3# (F/A-18C, VMFA-122)
BENGAL 4# (F/A-18D, VMFA-224)
TBOLT 5# (F/A-18C, VMFA-251)
CHECK 6# (F/A-18A+, VMFA-312)
WINDER ## (F/A-18C, VFA-86)
GITMO 640
Charelston AFB
349.400 - Command Post "PALMETTO OPS"
134.100 - Command Post "PALMETTO OPS"
372.200 - PTD
344.600 - PMSV
BASCO (C-17, 437/315 AW)
IMPAC (C-17, 437/315 AW)
CANFORCE 2601
CODER 16 (KC-135, 126 ARW)
CODY 01 (C-130, 302 AW)
JOSA 793
OTIS 23 (KC-130, VMGR-252)
McIntire JNGB
298.300 - 169 FW "SWAMP FOX OPS"
141.825 - 169 FW V14
143.625 - 169 FW V15
143.250 - 169 FW V16
141.925 - 169 FW V17
MACE (F-16CJ, 169 FW)
VIPER (F-16CJ, 169 FW)
DEMON (F-16CJ, 169 FW)
HEAT (F-16CJ, 169 FW)
Shaw AFB
311.200 - 55th FS Ops "SHOOTER OPS"
141.900 - 55th FS V8
138.300 - 55th FS V9
139.750 - 55th FS V10
273.700 - 77th FS Ops "GAMBLER OPS"
143.800 - 77th FS V8
141.750 - 77th FS V9
138.950 - 77th FS V10
141.675 - 77th FS V11
138.475 - 77th FS air-to-air
CUSTER (F-16CJ, 55 FS)
HAMMER (F-16CJ, 55 FS)
MOJO (F-16CJ, 55 FS)
STING (F-16CJ, 55 FS)
TURBAN (F-16CJ, 55 FS
BOOKIE (F-16CJ, 77 FS)
DECK (F-16CJ, 77 FS)
DIAMOND (F-16CJ, 77 FS)
FLUSH (F-16CJ, 77 FS)
GAMBLER (F-16CJ, 77 FS)
JACKPOT (F-16CJ, 77 FS)
LOAD (F-16CJ, 77 FS)
NAIL (F-16CJ, 77 FS)
PELT (F-16CJ 77 FS)
POKER (F-16CJ, 77 FS)
RENO (F-16CJ, 77 FS)
VEGAS (F-16CJ, 77 FS)
Jacksonville IAP/125th FW
322.400 - Jackonville App/Dep
251.250 - 125th FW Maintenance/Ops
234.800 - 125th FW Aux 6
253.700 - 125th FW Aux 7
314.200 - 125th FW Aux 8
343.000 - 125th FW Aux 9
FANG (F-15, 125 FW)
SNAKE (F-15, 125 FW)
RATTLER (F-15, 125 FW)
Robins AFB
349.850 - Robins PMSV
293.525 - 116th ACW "PEACHTREE OPS"
225.725 - JSTARS Discrete
228.050 - JSTARS Discrete
235.325 - JSTARS Discrete
276.075 - JSTARS Discrete
324.650 - JSTARS Discrete
328.025 - JSTRRS Discrete
372.150 - JSTARS Discrete
376.125 - JSTARS Discrete
381.00 - JSTARS Discrete
388.225 - JSTARS Discrete
395.150 - JSTARS Discrete
RHET 41 (KC-135, 19 ARG)
PEACH 88 (E-8C, 128 ACCS)
ALLEYCAT (Backend, E-8C, 128 ACCS)
NIGHTSTAR (E-8C, 128 ACCS)
STARGATE (Backend, E-8C, 330 CTS)
Ranges/Military Operating Areas
228.400 - Townsend Range
252.900 - Townsend Range
343.750 - Bulldog MOA
254.350 - Gamecock C MOA
269.000 - Gamecock D MOA
354.300 - BEEFEATER ECM Range
SEALORD (USN FACSFAC Jax)
120.950 - North Primary
284.500 - North Primary
267.500 - South Primary
349.800 - W-157 Discrete
376.900 - W-157 Discrete
385.300 - W-157 Discrete
339.700 - Sealord Discrete
341.100 - Sealord Discrete
DOUBLESHOT (W-161/177)
127.725 - Primary
279.725 - Primary
258.400 - Discrete
381.350 - Discrete
Miscellaneous
AMBUSH 1# (F/A-18, VFC-12)
BEAR 60# (E-2C, VAW-124)
BOLT 42 (KC-135, 6 AMW)
CHALICE (E-3 backend, 963 ACCS)
DRAGNET (E-3, 966 ACCS)
GUNMAN (A-10, 23rd Wing)
KING 15 (HC-130, 71 RQS)
KING 21 (HC-130, 71 RQS))
NAVY LF 161 (P-3C, VP-16)
NAVY LL 69 (P-3C, VP-30)
NAVY LN 451 (P-3C, VP-45)
POSSUM (A-10, 23rd Wing)
RED TALON 713 (P-3C, VP-16)
RIPSAW (A-10, 23rd Wing)
ROMAN ## (F/A-18, VFA-106)
RUSTIC 25 (unknown)
SCOUT 17 (E-3 frontend)
SENTRY 61 (E-3 frontend, 966 ACCS)
SKEETER 0# (A-10, 23rd Wing)
SPAD 0# (A-10, 23rd Wing)
THUD (A-10, 23rd Wing)
THUMPER (E-3 backend)
TROUBLESHOOTER 611 (SH-60, HS-3)
136.725 - USAF SAM Mission
285.000 - USN TSC Jacksonville "FIDDLE"
228.225 - ANGEL OPS, 23rd Wing, Moody AFB
138.150 - 23rd Wing air-to-air
143.750 - 23rd Wing air-to-air
364.200 - NORAD AICC
313.300 - AWACS Discrete
320.600 - AWACS Discrete
324.600 - AR-207
ARTCC
256.900 - Jax Center
269.550 - Jax Center Columbia Low
277.400 - Jax Center Brunswick Low
282.200 - Jax Center Jekyll Low
282.300 - Jax Center Alma High
285.650 - Jax Center Statesboro High
290.400 - Jax Center Waycross Low
319.200 - Jax Center Aiken High
322.500 - Jax Center Savannah Low
346.250 - Jax Center St. Augustine
351.700 - Jax Center Summerville High
363.200 - Jax Center Allendale Low
379.100 - Jax Center Charleston Low
323.000 - Atlanta Center Macon
335.650 - Atlanta Center
255.400 - Flight Service
Mac McCormick, KF4LMT
kf4lmt@comcast.net
17 April 2008
15 April 2008
Raising the Jetstream JTB4
Over the weekend, I worked towards putting up a new antenna to go with with Yaesu FT-897D. The Jetstream JTB4 I ordered had been in several days, but the weekend was the first opportunity that came along to put it up. Like most things that I try to accomplish, this project turned into a comedy of errors.
A word on the antenna here; the JTB4 is a tri-band vertical covering the 6-meter, 2-meter, and 70cm bands. It is a fiberglass vertical about 9 ft. tall with two short radials and one long loaded radial (see the photo below). The antenna is mounted on a push-up pole that has been moved closer to the radios, eliminating most of the feedline run that was present with the 2-meter hamstick I was using. The push up pole slides down into a piece of 2 inch PVC pipe that was dropped into a post hole with the post hole filled with concrete around the pipe.
On Saturday afternoon, we attempted to dig the post hole and put in the pipe and concrete to support and anchor it. After digging half of the post hole, one of the post hole digger handles broke off; the result was a quick trip to Home Depot to get a new post hole digger. After fighting some thick, strong roots, the hole was finally finished. Some stone was dropped into the bottom followed by the PVC pipe. Quickrete was poured around the pipe and the pipe was plumbed to ensure the mast was straight. The whole thing was left overnight to set up.
On Sunday afternoon, it was time to take down the old hamstick and put up the new antenna. Taking down the hamstick was easy, as was relocating the coax. The comedy of errors really began when it was time to mount the JTB4 onto the push up pole. The diameter of the top section of the pole was too small for the antenna mount. The only choice at that point was to remove the top section of the pole and mount it on the next section (albeit with the loss of elevation). Things continued to go wrong when the PL-259 connector wouldn't fit onto the existing run of RG-213 after the excess cable was cut off. No amount of rigging could get it to fit on. The RG-213, with regret, replaced with RG-8 in hopes that the shorter length of coax would balance out using the RG-8 as far as loss goes.
Eventually everything got put together properly and the antenna was tested. I received a good signal check on the 146.745 Springfield repeater and the 146.715 Whitehall repeater. The Springfield repeater is now received at S8 as opposed to S3 with the hamstick. Interestingly, there is no change in S-meter reading with the Whitehall repeater; it read S1 with the hamstick and still reads S1 with the JTB4. Taking a look at the SWR readings using the 897's SWR meter, it appears that the JTB4 is tuned for the lower end of each band. The high end of 2-meters and 70cm doesn't have an SWR problem, but the SWR seems to be fairly high at the top of 6-meters. The antenna has instructions for tuning it to center at 52 MHz; at some point I imagine that I will make the tuning change.
All in all, things seem to be going pretty well with the JTB4. I'll comment more on the antenna's performance after I use it more.
Mac McCormick, KF4LMT
A word on the antenna here; the JTB4 is a tri-band vertical covering the 6-meter, 2-meter, and 70cm bands. It is a fiberglass vertical about 9 ft. tall with two short radials and one long loaded radial (see the photo below). The antenna is mounted on a push-up pole that has been moved closer to the radios, eliminating most of the feedline run that was present with the 2-meter hamstick I was using. The push up pole slides down into a piece of 2 inch PVC pipe that was dropped into a post hole with the post hole filled with concrete around the pipe.
On Saturday afternoon, we attempted to dig the post hole and put in the pipe and concrete to support and anchor it. After digging half of the post hole, one of the post hole digger handles broke off; the result was a quick trip to Home Depot to get a new post hole digger. After fighting some thick, strong roots, the hole was finally finished. Some stone was dropped into the bottom followed by the PVC pipe. Quickrete was poured around the pipe and the pipe was plumbed to ensure the mast was straight. The whole thing was left overnight to set up.
On Sunday afternoon, it was time to take down the old hamstick and put up the new antenna. Taking down the hamstick was easy, as was relocating the coax. The comedy of errors really began when it was time to mount the JTB4 onto the push up pole. The diameter of the top section of the pole was too small for the antenna mount. The only choice at that point was to remove the top section of the pole and mount it on the next section (albeit with the loss of elevation). Things continued to go wrong when the PL-259 connector wouldn't fit onto the existing run of RG-213 after the excess cable was cut off. No amount of rigging could get it to fit on. The RG-213, with regret, replaced with RG-8 in hopes that the shorter length of coax would balance out using the RG-8 as far as loss goes.
Eventually everything got put together properly and the antenna was tested. I received a good signal check on the 146.745 Springfield repeater and the 146.715 Whitehall repeater. The Springfield repeater is now received at S8 as opposed to S3 with the hamstick. Interestingly, there is no change in S-meter reading with the Whitehall repeater; it read S1 with the hamstick and still reads S1 with the JTB4. Taking a look at the SWR readings using the 897's SWR meter, it appears that the JTB4 is tuned for the lower end of each band. The high end of 2-meters and 70cm doesn't have an SWR problem, but the SWR seems to be fairly high at the top of 6-meters. The antenna has instructions for tuning it to center at 52 MHz; at some point I imagine that I will make the tuning change.
All in all, things seem to be going pretty well with the JTB4. I'll comment more on the antenna's performance after I use it more.
Mac McCormick, KF4LMT
09 April 2008
$20 Million in Public Safety Grants Awarded to Georgia
Chatham County Emergency Management Agency Press Release
Savannah, GA – April 9, 2008
Governor Sonny Perdue announced today that $20 million will be released for Public Safety Interoperable Communications (PSIC) grants for local first responders so to improve emergency communications and coordination during natural and man-made disasters.
The PSIC grant program will assist first responders in acquiring and deploying communication systems that are interoperable among all local response agencies. The grants will also provide training for local first responders in the usage of this improved communication system.
“These awards will assist our state’s first responders during critical moments when communications are essential to protecting the citizens of Georgia,” said Governor Sonny Perdue. “The PSIC grant will increase our ability to communicate effectively and save lives across the state.”
Georgia Emergency Management Agency requested the PSIC grant in December of 2007 and grants have been designated to Chatham County Information and Communications Services for distribution to Bryan, Camden, Chatham, Effingham, Glynn and Liberty counties and the city of Savannah to enhance the Southeast Georgia Regional Radio Network (SEGARRN); to the Bulloch County Sheriff’s Office and Coastal Network jurisdictions to expand SEGARNN; to Troup County for Troup and Harris counties and Columbus Consolidated Government to improve the West-Central Georgia Regional Radio System (WCGRRS); to Carroll County for upgrades to the Western Area Regional Radio System (WARRS); and to the Catoosa County Sheriff’s Office for Catoosa, Walker and Dade counties to improve the Northwest Georgia Interoperable Communications Network (NWGIC).
“It is critical for first responders from different jurisdictions and agencies to have the proper tools and equipment available when they respond to an incident,” said Georgia Emergency Management Agency – Homeland Security Director Charley English. “The PSIC grant approval enhances our state’s communications capabilities.”
Savannah, GA – April 9, 2008
Governor Sonny Perdue announced today that $20 million will be released for Public Safety Interoperable Communications (PSIC) grants for local first responders so to improve emergency communications and coordination during natural and man-made disasters.
The PSIC grant program will assist first responders in acquiring and deploying communication systems that are interoperable among all local response agencies. The grants will also provide training for local first responders in the usage of this improved communication system.
“These awards will assist our state’s first responders during critical moments when communications are essential to protecting the citizens of Georgia,” said Governor Sonny Perdue. “The PSIC grant will increase our ability to communicate effectively and save lives across the state.”
Georgia Emergency Management Agency requested the PSIC grant in December of 2007 and grants have been designated to Chatham County Information and Communications Services for distribution to Bryan, Camden, Chatham, Effingham, Glynn and Liberty counties and the city of Savannah to enhance the Southeast Georgia Regional Radio Network (SEGARRN); to the Bulloch County Sheriff’s Office and Coastal Network jurisdictions to expand SEGARNN; to Troup County for Troup and Harris counties and Columbus Consolidated Government to improve the West-Central Georgia Regional Radio System (WCGRRS); to Carroll County for upgrades to the Western Area Regional Radio System (WARRS); and to the Catoosa County Sheriff’s Office for Catoosa, Walker and Dade counties to improve the Northwest Georgia Interoperable Communications Network (NWGIC).
“It is critical for first responders from different jurisdictions and agencies to have the proper tools and equipment available when they respond to an incident,” said Georgia Emergency Management Agency – Homeland Security Director Charley English. “The PSIC grant approval enhances our state’s communications capabilities.”
05 April 2008
Hazardous Weather Outlook - 05 April 2008
HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE CHARLESTON SC
428 AM EDT SAT APR 5 2008
GAZ087-088-099>101-114>116-118-137-138-140-SCZ040-042>045-047-060900-
JENKINS-SCREVEN-CANDLER-BULLOCH-EFFINGHAM-TATTNALL-EVANS-INLAND BRYAN-INLAND CHATHAM-LONG-INLAND LIBERTY-INLAND MCINTOSH-ALLENDALE-HAMPTON-INLAND COLLETON-DORCHESTER-BERKELEY-INLAND JASPER-
428 AM EDT SAT APR 5 2008
THIS HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK IS FOR SOUTHEAST GEORGIA AND SOUTHEAST SOUTH CAROLINA.
...THERE IS THE POTENTIAL FOR A SIGNIFICANT SEVERE WEATHER OUTBREAK THIS AFTERNOON AND EVENING...
.DAY ONE...TODAY AND TONIGHT.
SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS...A STRONG UPPER LEVEL DISTURBANCE WILL INTERACT WITH AN UNSEASONABLY WARM...MOIST...AND UNSTABLE AIR MASS TODAY. AS A RESULT...THERE IS A SLIGHT RISK FOR SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS ACROSS THE ENTIRE AREA THIS AFTERNOON AND EVENING.
THE EXPECTED TIMING OF THE POTENTIAL SEVERE WEATHER WILL BE BETWEEN 2 PM AND MIDNIGHT...WITH 4 PM TO 10 PM...CURRENTLY THE MOST LIKELY WINDOW FOR SEVERE WEATHER.
DAMAGING WINDS...LARGE HAIL...AND ISOLATED TORNADOES ARE ALL POSSIBLE THIS AFTERNOON AND EVENING.
THIS IS A POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS SITUATION. STAY TUNED TO NOAA WEATHER RADIO ALL HAZARDS...TV OR YOUR LOCAL NEWS SOURCE FOR THE LATEST STATEMENTS FROM THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE.
.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...SUNDAY THROUGH FRIDAY.
NO HAZARDOUS WEATHER IS EXPECTED AT THIS TIME.
.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...
SPOTTER GROUPS AND EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT OFFICIALS SHOULD BE PREPARED FOR ACTIVATION THIS AFTERNOON.
$$
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE CHARLESTON SC
428 AM EDT SAT APR 5 2008
GAZ087-088-099>101-114>116-118-137-138-140-SCZ040-042>045-047-060900-
JENKINS-SCREVEN-CANDLER-BULLOCH-EFFINGHAM-TATTNALL-EVANS-INLAND BRYAN-INLAND CHATHAM-LONG-INLAND LIBERTY-INLAND MCINTOSH-ALLENDALE-HAMPTON-INLAND COLLETON-DORCHESTER-BERKELEY-INLAND JASPER-
428 AM EDT SAT APR 5 2008
THIS HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK IS FOR SOUTHEAST GEORGIA AND SOUTHEAST SOUTH CAROLINA.
...THERE IS THE POTENTIAL FOR A SIGNIFICANT SEVERE WEATHER OUTBREAK THIS AFTERNOON AND EVENING...
.DAY ONE...TODAY AND TONIGHT.
SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS...A STRONG UPPER LEVEL DISTURBANCE WILL INTERACT WITH AN UNSEASONABLY WARM...MOIST...AND UNSTABLE AIR MASS TODAY. AS A RESULT...THERE IS A SLIGHT RISK FOR SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS ACROSS THE ENTIRE AREA THIS AFTERNOON AND EVENING.
THE EXPECTED TIMING OF THE POTENTIAL SEVERE WEATHER WILL BE BETWEEN 2 PM AND MIDNIGHT...WITH 4 PM TO 10 PM...CURRENTLY THE MOST LIKELY WINDOW FOR SEVERE WEATHER.
DAMAGING WINDS...LARGE HAIL...AND ISOLATED TORNADOES ARE ALL POSSIBLE THIS AFTERNOON AND EVENING.
THIS IS A POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS SITUATION. STAY TUNED TO NOAA WEATHER RADIO ALL HAZARDS...TV OR YOUR LOCAL NEWS SOURCE FOR THE LATEST STATEMENTS FROM THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE.
.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...SUNDAY THROUGH FRIDAY.
NO HAZARDOUS WEATHER IS EXPECTED AT THIS TIME.
.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...
SPOTTER GROUPS AND EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT OFFICIALS SHOULD BE PREPARED FOR ACTIVATION THIS AFTERNOON.
$$
03 April 2008
Georgia Army Guard Chinook at Aviation Career Day
"POOLER ,GA (WTOC) - A special visitor dropped in on the Mighty Eighth Air force Museum today.
Dozens of people packed in to get an up close look at a CH-47 Chinook landing. The Chinook landed around 1pm as part of aviation career day."
For the full story:
http://www.wtoc.com/Global/story.asp?S=8108753&nav=menu89_2
The CH-47 that flew over to the 8th Air Force Museum yesterday was GUARD 252, a CH-47D from B-169 AVN at Hunter AAF. In addition to 124.875 and 119.100 with Hunter AAF and Savannah towers respectively, GUARD 252 was also active on 38.150 and 242.200 with B-169 AVN Operations.
Mac McCormick, KF4LMT
kf4lmt@comcast.net
Dozens of people packed in to get an up close look at a CH-47 Chinook landing. The Chinook landed around 1pm as part of aviation career day."
For the full story:
http://www.wtoc.com/Global/story.asp?S=8108753&nav=menu89_2
The CH-47 that flew over to the 8th Air Force Museum yesterday was GUARD 252, a CH-47D from B-169 AVN at Hunter AAF. In addition to 124.875 and 119.100 with Hunter AAF and Savannah towers respectively, GUARD 252 was also active on 38.150 and 242.200 with B-169 AVN Operations.
Mac McCormick, KF4LMT
kf4lmt@comcast.net
NWS Charelston Hazardous Weather Outlook
HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE CHARLESTON SC
420 AM EDT THU APR 3 2008
GAZ087-088-099>101-114>116-118-137-138-140-SCZ040-042>045-047-040900-
JENKINS-SCREVEN-CANDLER-BULLOCH-EFFINGHAM-TATTNALL-EVANS- INLAND BRYAN-INLAND CHATHAM-LONG-INLAND LIBERTY-INLAND MCINTOSH-ALLENDALE-HAMPTON-INLAND COLLETON-DORCHESTER-BERKELEY-INLAND JASPER-
420 AM EDT THU APR 3 2008
THIS HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK IS FOR SOUTHEAST GEORGIA AND SOUTHEAST SOUTH CAROLINA.
.DAY ONE...TODAY AND TONIGHT.
HEAVY RAINFALL...SCATTERED TO NUMEROUS SHOWERS AND A FEW THUNDERSTORMS WILL PRODUCE POCKETS OF VERY HEAVY RAIN TODAY. LOCALIZED AMOUNTS BETWEEN 1 AND 3 INCHES COULD RESULT IN MINOR TEMPORARY FLOODING OF LOW LYING AREAS AND ROADWAYS.
.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...FRIDAY THROUGH WEDNESDAY.
SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS...THERE IS A SLIGHT RISK FOR SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS ACROSS THE REGION SATURDAY.
.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...
WEATHER SPOTTERS ARE ENCOURAGED TO REPORT SIGNIFICANT WEATHER CONDITIONS ACCORDING TO STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURES.
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE CHARLESTON SC
420 AM EDT THU APR 3 2008
GAZ087-088-099>101-114>116-118-137-138-140-SCZ040-042>045-047-040900-
JENKINS-SCREVEN-CANDLER-BULLOCH-EFFINGHAM-TATTNALL-EVANS- INLAND BRYAN-INLAND CHATHAM-LONG-INLAND LIBERTY-INLAND MCINTOSH-ALLENDALE-HAMPTON-INLAND COLLETON-DORCHESTER-BERKELEY-INLAND JASPER-
420 AM EDT THU APR 3 2008
THIS HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK IS FOR SOUTHEAST GEORGIA AND SOUTHEAST SOUTH CAROLINA.
.DAY ONE...TODAY AND TONIGHT.
HEAVY RAINFALL...SCATTERED TO NUMEROUS SHOWERS AND A FEW THUNDERSTORMS WILL PRODUCE POCKETS OF VERY HEAVY RAIN TODAY. LOCALIZED AMOUNTS BETWEEN 1 AND 3 INCHES COULD RESULT IN MINOR TEMPORARY FLOODING OF LOW LYING AREAS AND ROADWAYS.
.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...FRIDAY THROUGH WEDNESDAY.
SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS...THERE IS A SLIGHT RISK FOR SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS ACROSS THE REGION SATURDAY.
.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...
WEATHER SPOTTERS ARE ENCOURAGED TO REPORT SIGNIFICANT WEATHER CONDITIONS ACCORDING TO STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURES.
Amateur Radio Operators Respond to the Effingham County Tornados and Severe Weather
The Springfield and Rincon areas of Effingham County suffered the effects of two EF2 tornados on March 15, 2008. At 9:34 PM, the first tornado touched down northeast of Springfield and traveled southeast for approximately 7 miles, injuring five people, destroying three mobile homes, damaging between two dozen to three dozen homes, knocking down fifteen high voltage transmission towers, destroying or damaging approximately twenty vehicles, and destroying numerous outbuildings. This tornado was ¼ mile wide at its widest point and was rated an EF2 with wind speeds between 110 to 120 mph. The second tornado touched down northeast of Rincon near Georgia Power’s Plant McIntosh, traveled through the plant and lifted just southeast of the plant at 9:44 PM. It destroyed one of the plant’s water cooling towers, damaged another water cooling tower, knocked down two high voltage transmission towers, uprooted several dozen trees, and damaged other plant equipment. Initial estimates indicate that Plant McIntosh suffered $2-3 million in damage. The tornado was approximately 100 yards wide and was rated an EF2 with wind speeds between 120-130 mph.
Certainly those who were injured and those whose property was damaged may not agree, but providence shined upon the Savannah area on the night of March 15, 2008. Many thousands were out in the open in downtown Savannah while attending the St. Patrick’s Day Festival. If the tornados were to have continued toward Savannah, there could have been a great disaster. As it was, the widespread power outage caused by the tornados caused enough confusion by throwing downtown Savannah into darkness and rendering traffic lights inoperative.
During the night of March 15 and the morning of March 16, Skywarn Nets were activated on the Effingham County 146.745- (CTCSS 97.4) repeater and the Amateur Radio Club of Savannah 146.970- repeater. These nets were used to collect information for the National Weather Service in Charleston, SC and to ascertain information for Memorial Health University Hospital in Savannah. These reports were beneficial because power was knocked out in a five county area and some areas also lost phone service. Approximately fifteen amateur radio stations checked into the nets, making reports on weather conditions, electrical power status, and other pertinent information. Additionally, the net passed weather bulletins being issued by the National Weather Service; the net was able to compare the actual reported weather situation with NWS bulletins. The net also was able to pass information on conditions and damage gleaned from monitoring public safety communications and commercial media, keeping those whose power was out informed as to what was happening around them.
Greg Tillman, N4VAD, acted as net control station and reports that all stations did an excellent job of maintaining frequency clearance and net discipline, allowing information to flow both to and from their stations and net control. Stations were responders as opposed to reactors; instead of screaming “the sky is falling,” they maintained their calm, listened, provided the pertinent information, and handled the situation at hand. It is important to remember that the stations were not storm chasers. They took cover when necessary and returned to the net when it was safe to do so, reporting on damage and letting the net control station know that the operators and their families were safe and sound.
Greg also passes on some important lessons learned from the tornado related radio operations:
1. It is important to train and drill on a regular basis so that you can be ready to operate during emergencies rather than learning what to do on the fly. Training will make you a much more effective and capable operator.
2. Check your equipment regularly to make sure it is in proper working order. An emergency is not the time to find out that your equipment is inoperable or functioning improperly.
3. ALWAYS have if not one, two deep cycle marine batteries charged and ready for operation. You never know when commercial power may be lost or how widespread it might be.
4. Keep extra antennas, accessories, and supplies prepared so that you can deploy from your residence or replace storm-damaged antennas.
5. Maintain receivers for monitoring public safety, portable TVs and radios, flashlights, a generator if possible, and other supplies to keep you informed and sustained during an emergency.
6. Never take any county or area out of your emergency plans; you never know when you will need to get information into or out of that area or when that area will be doing the same for you.
Sources:
The ARRL Letter, Vol. 27, No. 11 (March 20, 2008)
Greg Tillman, N4VAD
National Weather Service Charleston, SC Public Information Statement (March 22, 2008)
Mac McCormick, KF4LMT
kf4lmt@comcast.net
Certainly those who were injured and those whose property was damaged may not agree, but providence shined upon the Savannah area on the night of March 15, 2008. Many thousands were out in the open in downtown Savannah while attending the St. Patrick’s Day Festival. If the tornados were to have continued toward Savannah, there could have been a great disaster. As it was, the widespread power outage caused by the tornados caused enough confusion by throwing downtown Savannah into darkness and rendering traffic lights inoperative.
During the night of March 15 and the morning of March 16, Skywarn Nets were activated on the Effingham County 146.745- (CTCSS 97.4) repeater and the Amateur Radio Club of Savannah 146.970- repeater. These nets were used to collect information for the National Weather Service in Charleston, SC and to ascertain information for Memorial Health University Hospital in Savannah. These reports were beneficial because power was knocked out in a five county area and some areas also lost phone service. Approximately fifteen amateur radio stations checked into the nets, making reports on weather conditions, electrical power status, and other pertinent information. Additionally, the net passed weather bulletins being issued by the National Weather Service; the net was able to compare the actual reported weather situation with NWS bulletins. The net also was able to pass information on conditions and damage gleaned from monitoring public safety communications and commercial media, keeping those whose power was out informed as to what was happening around them.
Greg Tillman, N4VAD, acted as net control station and reports that all stations did an excellent job of maintaining frequency clearance and net discipline, allowing information to flow both to and from their stations and net control. Stations were responders as opposed to reactors; instead of screaming “the sky is falling,” they maintained their calm, listened, provided the pertinent information, and handled the situation at hand. It is important to remember that the stations were not storm chasers. They took cover when necessary and returned to the net when it was safe to do so, reporting on damage and letting the net control station know that the operators and their families were safe and sound.
Greg also passes on some important lessons learned from the tornado related radio operations:
1. It is important to train and drill on a regular basis so that you can be ready to operate during emergencies rather than learning what to do on the fly. Training will make you a much more effective and capable operator.
2. Check your equipment regularly to make sure it is in proper working order. An emergency is not the time to find out that your equipment is inoperable or functioning improperly.
3. ALWAYS have if not one, two deep cycle marine batteries charged and ready for operation. You never know when commercial power may be lost or how widespread it might be.
4. Keep extra antennas, accessories, and supplies prepared so that you can deploy from your residence or replace storm-damaged antennas.
5. Maintain receivers for monitoring public safety, portable TVs and radios, flashlights, a generator if possible, and other supplies to keep you informed and sustained during an emergency.
6. Never take any county or area out of your emergency plans; you never know when you will need to get information into or out of that area or when that area will be doing the same for you.
Sources:
The ARRL Letter, Vol. 27, No. 11 (March 20, 2008)
Greg Tillman, N4VAD
National Weather Service Charleston, SC Public Information Statement (March 22, 2008)
Mac McCormick, KF4LMT
kf4lmt@comcast.net
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