Thursday, April 04, 2013

Ahhhh, Spring

And time for the annual spring reminders.  When the time changed, did you change the batteries in your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors?  Did you also check your weather alert radio?

A new recommendation from the National Weather Service is to program your weather radio to alert on the counties to your west and south as well as your own county.  A great idea as it gives you a little extra warning that something wicked this way comes.  Your local NWS page will provide all the SAME codes for your area.

Have you checked your shelter to make sure it has water and maybe some food for a couple days?  You know, it's always possible that you could be stuck in your shelter for a bit.  Extra meds?  Pet supplies?  A little preparedness now prevents a lot of discomfort later.

Here's a little FAQ from the Storm Prediction Center.

If you're fascinated by weather and you would like to help your community, consider getting your Ham radio license and participating in Skywarn.  The ARRL has a page which will point you to your local Ham club.  If you happen to be in Michigan and you're a ham, give me a shout if you can.  KD8UES.  In southwest Michigan, I'm on the Pennfield repeater and when I'm at work in Grand Rapids, I'm probably listening to the link repeater system.  In Lansing, I'm on the local Lansing repeater or the link system again.  If you're already a ham, you know where to find the frequencies and PL codes, if you're not, what are you waiting for? 

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