Subj : Amateur Radio Ready for Above Average Hurricane Season
To   : QST
From : ARRL de WD1CKS
Date : Fri May 30 2025 08:09 pm

05/30/2025

Hurricane season begins on Sunday, June 1. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration (NOAA) predicts this season to be above-normal[1] in activity,
citing above-average Atlantic Ocean temperatures. The scientists say the season
will likely produce between 13 and 19 named storms, including 3 - 5 major
hurricanes.

Amateur radio provides a robust toolset, a trained volunteer corps, and durable
infrastructure for emergency preparedness. There are several ham radio nets
that the National Hurricane Center (NHC) relies on to inform forecasts through
surface observations made by the volunteer operators.

ARRL The National Association for Amateur Radio� encourages all amateurs to
participate in the Hurricane Watch Net[2], the VOIP Weather Net[3] and others
that provide support and information via WX4NHC, the amateur radio station at
the NHC[4]. ARRL Director of Emergency Management Josh Johnston, KE5MHV, says
each ham's individual observations can make all the difference in a critical
situation. "We know of stories from hurricanes in the past where a report from
a ham radio station changed the forecast for landfall and impact by the NHC.
We are also aware of information being shared of people being trapped and were
able to get assistance to those victims after the storm." Amateur radio
operators provide an important tool before, during and after a storm. The
Hurricane Watch Net is hosting a special operating event to mark its 60th
anniversary[5] on June 7 - 8.

ARRL Public Relations and Outreach Manager Sierra Harrop, W5DX, says recent
storms underscore the value of amateur radio When All Else Fails�. "During
Hurricane Helene[6], it was the volunteer hams who jumped into action to relay
health and welfare information[7]. As mountainsides washed away, the repeaters
on top were still working. Licensed amateur radio operators took to the air[8]
using their own equipment to provide a link of important information that no
other means could. During Hurricane Ian, a ham saved lives on Sanibel Island[9]
by providing emergency crews the information they needed to rescue a family
from rising flood waters."

ARES at NVOAD ahead of Hurricane Season





ARRL's Amateur Radio Emergency Service� (ARES�)[10] program provides a
framework for volunteer groups to integrate with served agencies in their local
communities to use the value of the Amateur Radio Service before and during
times of crisis. Last week, ARES was represented by Johnston at the National
Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster (NVOAD)[11] conference in
Louisville, Kentucky. Johnston met with leaders of dozens of organizations to
raise awareness and build relationships. "Blue skies are the time to build
bridges and make plans. Many groups have used ham radio for years, but it's
always encouraging to share information with people who may not understand the
capabilities and value ham radio provides," he said. Johnston was also a
speaker last month at the amateur radio workshop at the National Hurricane
Conference.

�


[1] https://www.noaa.gov/news-release/noaa-predicts-above-normal-2025-atlantic-hurricane-season
[2] http://www.hwn.org/
[3] https://voipwx.net/
[4] https://w4ehw.fiu.edu/
[5] https://www.arrl.org/news/hurricane-watch-net-remembers-and-celebrates-60-years
[6] https://www.arrl.org/news/ham-radio-serving-southeast-us-recovery-efforts
[7] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yk2FLaetmY8
[8] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3jXb9zwnO70
[9] https://arrl-nfl.org/2022/10/11/2402/
[10] https://www.arrl.org/ares
[11] https://www.nvoad.org/

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