I.NBEMS & Messaging

I. Appendix I. NBEMS and Digital Messaging

The radio desk at the National Weather Service in Gray accommodates NBEMS messaging on both HF and VHF, and also Winlink communications, as of 2016.

For SKYWARN reports, the recommended form is the Storm Report form that is available in flmsg:

This form is very close to our paper form and contains all the necessary information. Simply fill in the time, date, and location information, and select one of the weather events. If this is all you need to report, then save the form and send it along, but if you need to include additional information, such as storm-related damage, etc., be sure to click the “Details” tab and type in your additional information.

Once complete, this form can be saved and sent as an attachment in Winlink, or if there is someone standing by to receive the message, with fldigi, the form can be sent direct using the AutoSend feature.

If SKYWARN operators are taking part in ARES exercises or activations we will gladly handle ICS213, or ARRL Radiogram forms but during SKYWARN-only activations, we will use the Storm Report form.

For additional information about NBEMS or Winlink operations, especially as it relates to Maine ARES protocols and modes of choice, please refer to http://maine-ares.org/digital.htm

SKYWARN radio operators will try to remain consistent with the digital operating procedures as adopted by Maine ARES.

I.a. Digital Communications Proficiency

It is recommended that all SKYWARN radio operators, especially those who activate from the National Weather Service in Gray, become proficient in digital communications.

Please familiarize yourselves with the equipment available at WX1GYX, and take advantage of the helpful information that Steve Hansen KB1TCE, has compiled on: http://maineares.org/digital.htm

Once familiar, the next step is to practice on the air. A good place to start is the Maine VHF Digital NBEMS Net, which meets every Sunday evening at 1900 local time on the KQ1L linked system. Through traffic is welcomed using flmsg.