Fort Wayne ham radio operators assist members of the general public at a NOAA Weather Radio programming event, May 17, 2014. KU8T photo.

Several local hams configured dozens of NOAA weather radios for members of the general public at two Fort Wayne events in May. The first was Monday afternoon and evening, May 12, at the Walgreen’s store on Coldwater Road at Dupont Road. The second was Saturday afternoon, May 17 at the Kroger Marketplace on West Jefferson Boulevard.

The following people did an excellent job assisting the public and representing amateur radio: Tom Baker, N9TB; Al Burke, WB9SSE; Jim Boyer, KB9IH; Steve Haxby, N9MEL; Jim Moehring, KB9WWM; Howard Pletcher, N9ADS; Tom Rupp, KU8T; and Charles Ward, KC9MUT. Representatives of the Allen County Office of Homeland Security and WANE TV also participated. Photos of both events are available on the Fort Wayne Radio Club website.

When correctly programmed, these radios remain silent until the National Weather Service issues a watch or warning for the user’s specific county. This eliminates the annoyance of being alerted to far-away storms and therefore reduces the temptation to shut off the radio, rendering it useless when a storm actually threatens the user.

If you don’t have such a radio, I strongly recommend obtaining one. Post a comment below if you have any questions about NOAA Weather Radios, etc.