[Looking at history and our area’s unique political and religious attitudes.]

When is Spring? That is the severe weather season in our part of the world. We live where the Pacific northwest cool air moves to the middle of the continent to clash with warm moist air travelling up from the Gulf. Nature’s light show typically moves along the I44 corridor, exiting the area by early morning. (Would we still have severe weather without I44 for it to move along?)

Like many, we are somewhat weather junkies, following the atmospheric energy events as they progress across the state from west to east. We are avid fans of Travis and his superb meteorological team, from the Dean of weather to the charming ladies to the pre-dawn masters and the roving reporters. They are arguably the best in the business.

We are both pilots, where weather can determine if you live or die. With my increasing number of winters, we sold the plane and bought a bulldozer and pick-up truck. I kid you not.

We are both amateur (ham) radio operators with higher licenses. In this neck of the woods, ham and weather go together. One of the regional clubs, TARC, has radio repeaters from Kansas to Texas and Arkansas to Edmund. Their network is how the storm spotters and chasers communicate with the National Weather Service (NWS), television stations, and each other. It is like a huge party line so everyone can know what is happening.

This week we completed the Weather Service Skywarn class again, given by NWS meteorologist Ed Calianese, W5SVR. We have participated in the Spring class many, many times. Recognizing cloud formations continues to improve as does the capabilities and limitations of the NWS. Because of how radio waves work in a relatively straight line, radar does not see across the horizon. As the location gets further from the radar, low level weather is not observable, which is precisely what causes damage.

Now it is back to people. Storm spotters observe weather events and report them. Storm chasers pursue the weather, usually with a camera and a lot of equipment. We restrict our activity to spotting and seldom get in the truck following weather anymore.

What is ham radio? From the very first rules and regulations about radios, international agreements have reserved space across the bands for non-commercial (amateur) operators to experiment, research, and try things without business constraints. Much of the information about how radio works, where it does, and what form is better has come from these non-commercial stations. NOAA, NASA, and university researchers turn to the thousands of stations in the amateur community to gather data.

Amateur radio is called a hobby because hams pay their own way, to do their thing, without a coordinated plan, except for special projects. It is this diversity of people and equipment which makes the system so effective in emergencies. Ham radio works when nothing else does. Why? There is no infrastructure to fail.

How do you become a ham? You pass an FCC test about rules of the air, just like a driver’s license.

A couple of years ago, the pastor of Evergreen Church in Bixby asked a couple of us if we would develop a ham program, so people could communicate in emergencies, including weather. People from the community flocked in. We have a training module, which if you follow, you will earn your license in 30 days. Promise.

Last weekend the group needed to work on a repeater antenna. We had a teenager working with bridge builder, electrician working with planner, accountant working with engineer, sheriff deputy working with airplane inspector, and nurse working with business owner. What an awesome mix. What do they have in common?

Amateur radio built around a common association with Evergreen is the key! What other organization has that active a life group who spends hours together sharing skills, because they want to?

Clearly from the list, amateur radio is for anyone, not restricted to the technical elite. Similarly, it is for lasses, not just a guy thing.

Twenty ladies in the group have earned a ham license with about one-third advancing to a higher level. That number allows special interest activities. First, they operate a lady’s radio net, where they talk about gardening, to travelling, and desserts. You rock.

They also do a lady-only radio get-together, where you are free to ask anything, get help with equipment, or just see what’s happening. With a complete ham station set up, one can see, hear, touch, talk, and take pictures for their own location. What a grand plan.

If a problem is too difficult, high, or heavy, a local ‘Ham Rescue’ group volunteers to come to your place and aid you.

Classes and activities are open to the community.

Think about it. Our weather is phenomenal, but we can do nothing about that. You can communicate with friends of common interest by amateur radio, when nothing else works, or just because you want to.

Continue to send us your stories, so we can share them.