Subj : SKYWARN Online Training
To : Black Panther
From : Daryl Stout
Date : Wed Nov 30 2016 11:37 am
Dan,
BP@> I had taken the 'in-person' class back in the early 90's, when I first
BP@> got my ham ticket. I thought the class online was pretty good. I do
BP@> think if they would have had some videos to show the rotation would
BP@> have helped a bit.
There is an online course available. Google for ONLINE SKYWARN SPOTTER
TRAINING -- look for the link with metar.edu in it. It takes about 2 hours
to complete, you can do it from the privacy of your own residence, and it's
accepted by most National Weather Service offices, in lieu of an "in person"
class.
After the class I took, we were given a simple handout with the basic
information we needed to know, including the NWS contact number, and a
special code to enter at a designated URL, where we could download and
print our certificate.
BP@> I can't believe some of these people even took the class. I wonder if
BP@> they just found the phone number online and decided to call in.
Normally, that number is kept private...mainly for the Skywarn Spotters,
and for the Cooperative Observers (i.e. CoCoRahs). The National Weather
Service in Little Rock literally answers the phones 24 hours a day.
BP@> I'm going to check that out. I'm sure a lot of the information has
BP@> changed in the past 25 years. (Wow, that just made me sound old...)
I'm too old to cut the mustard, but can still stir the mayonnaise, and
lick the jar. So, please pass the BLT, onion ring, and Dr. Pepper...and
no one gets hurt. <G>
BP@> I can't believe you were able to upgrade that quickly. I would like to
BP@> have my ticket by spring, if there is testing in the ABQ area before
BP@> then. I might have to look into upgrading as well.
I studied 2 hours a day for 2 weeks. Having been a widower nearly 10
years now, not having any children, and having been disabled since July,
2004, I had plenty of time to study. I do NOT recommend more than 2 hours
a day in study time...you'll get burned out.
The Technician Class license is now the entry license into the hobby.
You get the former Novice HF privileges (Morse Code on portions of 80, 40,
15, and 10 meters, and single side band on a small part of 10 meters),
plus all amateur privileges about 50 Megahertz...including 6 meters and
2 meters.
The General Class license is the one that most hams operating HF, hold.
You have 86.7% of the total amateur radio spectrum, with only 500 kilohertz
of 80, 40, 20, and 15 meters off limits. A lot of the stuff on the Technician
exam is also on the General exam, but it's in more detail.
The Extra Class license is the most difficult, but it can be done. But,
there are only 4 reasons to upgrade to Amateur Extra:
1) Full amateur radio privileges...although you still have to stay 3
kilohertz away from the band edges, to avoid going "out of band".
Sometimes, there is "really juicy DX" on the Extra Class areas of
the bands.
2) The shorter 2x1 or 1x2 callsigns (i.e. N5EL, NU5X, etc.)...if you
are lucky enough to get one.
3) As an Amateur Extra Class Volunteer Examiner (VE), you can give and
grade ALL the exams. The General Class VE can only give and grade the
Technician exam...while the Advanced Class VE can give and grade the
Technician and General exam, but NOT the Amateur Extra exam.
4) Snob appeal <G>.
But, if you don't want those 4 items, you'd have more than enough
privileges to say grace over with the General Class license.
BP@> I spent months trying to learn that. The problem I had, was the cw test
BP@> consisted of 20wpm code, with 5wpm spacing between letters. It was too
BP@> fast for me to really hear it well enough. I'm sure there are computer
BP@> programs that can translate it for people now, so they don't have to
BP@> learn it.
Well, you can still learn and use CW (Morse Code), but you don't have to
prove that you know it.
BP@> I love it. I learned that lesson many year ago, while living in
BP@> Wisconsin. I had learned a fair amount of Spanish, and figured that
BP@> others wouldn't be able to understand me. I learned that lesson the
BP@> hard way.
I had 4 years of Spanish in high school, while living in south Florida,
before my late father's job transferred the family to central Arkansas
nearly 40 years ago. I can read Spanish, but I can't "speak it".
BP@> Thank you Daryl for all of the great information. I'm going to check
BP@> out you website now.
Glad to help...this is what's known as "Elmering". :)
Daryl, WX1DER
... Ham Radio QRP: When you care enough to give the least.
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