arrlnotes

ARRL notes

SB SPCL @ ARL $ARLX005
ARLX005 National Hurricane Center's WX4NHC Sets On-The-Air Station Test

ZCZC AX05
QST de W1AW
Special Bulletin 5 ARLX005
From ARRL Headquarters
Newington CT May 29, 2008
To all radio amateurs

SB SPCL ARL ARLX005
ARLX005 National Hurricane Center's WX4NHC Sets On-The-Air Station Test

The annual WX4NHC On-the-Air Station Test from the National
Hurricane Center (NHC) in Miami takes place Saturday, May 31, from
1300-2100 UTC. "The purpose of this annual Station Test is to test
all of our radio equipment, computers and antennas using as many
modes and frequencies as possible. This is not a contest or
simulated hurricane exercise. New equipment and software will be
tested, and some operator training will also be conducted," says
WX4NHC Assistant Amateur Radio Volunteer Coordinator Julio Ripoll,
WD4R. He adds that WX4NHC also will be testing new computers and
software as well conducting operator training.

WX4NHC will be on the air on HF, VHF and UHF, plus 2 and 30 meter
APRS. Suggested SSB frequencies are 3.950, 7.268, 14.325, 21.325 and
28.525 MHz, +/-QRM; WX4NHC reports that they will mostly be on
14.325 MHz and will make announcements when they change frequencies.
WX4NHC also will be on the VoIP Hurricane Net 1700-1900 UTC (IRLP
node 9219/EchoLink WX-TALK Conference) and on South Florida area
VHF/UHF repeaters and simplex.

Stations working WX4NHC exchange call sign, signal report, location
and name plus a brief weather report, such as "sunny," "rain" or
"cloudy." Non-hams may submit their actual weather using the On-Line
Hurricane Report Form. QSL to WD4R and include a self-addressed,
stamped envelope. Do not send cards to the NHC. Due to security
measures, no visitors will be allowed at NHC during the test.
NNNN
/EX