Meeting of February 21, 2017

Minutes of Meeting

February 21, 2017

The meeting was attended by 12 members and approximately 32 guests:

KA5PVB Chuck   Alpine
W5NPR  Bill    Alpine
N5NYM  Allen   Alpine
KE5WCP Stephen Fort Davis
KB5R   Rusty   Alpine
K5AHI  Bob     Alpine
KF5KMB Polly   Alpine
KE5OG  Bill    Alpine
KD5KBU Jim     Fort Davis
N5HYD  Doug    Fort Davis
KX5SP  Steve   Alpine
KE5KNQ Rob     Alpine

Interested in Ham Radio but not licensed:
Alex Lopez  Van Horn
Walt Frerck  Alpine

Others attending the session included law enforcement police officers, students of Sul Ross State University and area residents.

The meeting was the annual SKYWARN session presented by Mark Strobin of the Midland office of the National Weather Service. He presented weather statistics, weather events in the recent past, cloud formations and types, storms, thunderstorms, tornadoes, down bursts, lightning and the dangers present for each category of hazardous weather. He discussed the recommended location of storm chasers, stressing that 3-5 miles southeast of tornado producing cloud formations is generally the best location, but that escape routes must also be considered. The SPOTTER HOTLINE was announced as 1-800-597-3320 and encouraged the use of the line to inform the NWS of weather events, stating complete and accurate information as to location, time, date and type of event.

The SKYWARN session, which was held at the Sul Ross-Turner Range Animal Science Building, began at 7:00 PM and ended shortly before 9:00 PM. Area sessions were also scheduled for Monday, April 17 in Marfa and Wednesday, April 26 in Fort Davis.
Bill Roberts W5NPR, Secretary