Have you ever wanted to use amateur radio when storm spotting, but didn’t know where to start? The Des Moines Radio Amateurs’ Association (DMRAA) is offering an entry-level course where you will earn your technician amateur radio license just in time for storm season. Details:

The Des Moines Radio Amateurs’ Association is pleased to continue our partnership with the Waukee Community School District’s Community Education program, offering a Technician licensing class beginning on February 2. Classes will be held each Thursday beginning at 7 p.m., and ending on April 12 when testing will be held. You do not need to live in the Waukee school district boundaries to attend — anyone is welcome to enroll.

The class will teach the fundamentals of amateur radio and students will learn the requirements to gain the entry-level “technician” amateur radio license. Learn how you can use radio equipment for enjoyment, experimentation, and public service. Testing will be held at the end of the course.

To enroll: Visit the Waukee Community Education website, click “online registration,” and then click on “special interest.” You can register for the class by clicking the link on the right-hand side. The name of the course is “Ham Radio Basics” and the course number is W1240.

Textbook: The ARRL Ham Radio License Manual (2nd Edition). Books will be available for purchase at the first class session for $25. The DMRAA does not profit off the sale of these books.

WCSD enrollment fee: $10

Location: South Middle School, 2350 SE La Grant Parkway, Waukee.

Schedule:
Thursday evenings, 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm

• Feb. 2
• Feb. 9
• Feb. 16
• Mar. 1
• Mar. 8
• Mar. 15
• Mar. 29
• Apr. 5
• Apr. 12 (last class and testing)

Questions? E-mail the DMRAA at info@dmraa.com or Ron Hobbs N0XWI at rwhobbs@aol.com.

The National Weather Service has released their spotter talk schedule on their website for 2012. Please keep in mind that some events have not yet announced a location, and dates/locations for more spotter talks may be added in the future, so keep an eye on the schedule as we move closer. Each of the 51 counties in the NWS Des Moines warning area will host at least one spotter talk.

Also note that the February 28 spotter talk is sponsored jointly by the Mid-Iowa Skywarn Association (MISA) and the Des Moines Radio Amateurs’ Association (DMRAA). Prior to the 7 p.m. spotter talk, MISA will hold its annual business meeting at 6:30 p.m. Anyone interested in learning about the MISA organization and/or providing input on the direction of MISA is welcome to join us. The annual election of president, vice president and secretary/treasurer will take place at the meeting.

Now you don’t have to wonder. The Peachtree City, Georgia NWS office has created a warning decision simulator called HotSeat, and it’s based on actual severe weather events. One of the scenarios included is the Woodward/Stratford tornado from November 2005.

The purpose of the simulation is for users to use their best judgement in issuing severe thunderstorm and tornado warnings based off of radar reflectivity, velocity, and in some scenarios vertically integrated liquid (VIL).

Points are scored based on warning lead time, verification, and weather type. Storms that do not verify will cost points.

Click here to visit the simulator!