Tornado Season and Amateur Radio

While tornadoes can occur at any time of the year, tornado season typically runs from March through July in the United States. During this time, amateur radio operators can play a crucial role in helping to keep communities safe and informed by providing real-time weather reports and emergency communications.

One of the best ways for amateur radio operators to get involved in tornado season is by setting up a local tornado alert system. The American Radio Relay League (ARRL) has a great article on their website that provides a step-by-step guide for setting up an alert system using amateur radio equipment.

The first step in setting up a tornado alert system is to identify your local tornado warning area. This can typically be done by checking with your local National Weather Service office or emergency management agency. Once you know your warning area, you can start setting up your alert system.

To set up a local tornado alert system, you'll need a VHF or UHF radio that is capable of receiving NOAA Weather Radio broadcasts, as well as a computer with internet access. You'll also need a software program that can decode the Specific Area Message Encoding (SAME) codes that are used to broadcast weather alerts.

Once you have all of the necessary equipment and software, you can set up your alert system by programming your radio to monitor the NOAA Weather Radio broadcast for your area. When a tornado warning is issued, the SAME code will be transmitted along with the warning message. Your software program will decode the code and send an alert to your computer or mobile device, letting you know that a tornado warning has been issued.

By setting up a local tornado alert system, amateur radio operators can help to provide valuable information to their communities and assist emergency responders in their efforts to keep people safe during tornado season. So get your equipment ready, stay vigilant, and be prepared to help out when the need arises.