Continuing in the public service vein, this week we talk about something that an old sage once claimed we couldn't do anything about: The weather. Well, the old sage is wrong and hams have been doing something about the weather for a long time -- reporting it.

If you are interested in this aspect of public service, check out NOAA's National Weather Service (NWS) Amateur "Ham" Radio page that features the various NWS products related to Amateur Radio. The page lists links to main on-the-air Nets, such as the Hurricane Watch Net, the Maritime Mobile Service Network and the Pacific Seafarer's Net, just to name a few.

The NWS Web page also discusses the MAROB Program, "an experimental voluntary marine observation program," SKYWARN, "a nationwide network of volunteer weather spotters" and APRSWXNET/Citizen's Weather Observer Program (CWOP).

FYI, I operate an APRS Citizen Weather station that needs some maintenance after a long bout with Old Man Winter. For more on my take on CWOP, read this old installment of Surfin'.

Until next time, keep on surfin'! 

Editor's note: Still trying to figure out which way the wind blows, you may contact Stan Horzepa, WA1LOU, by sending him e-mail or adding comments to his blog. By the way, every installment of Surfin' is indexed here, so go look it up.

Stan Horzepa, WA1LOU
Contributing Editor