Ham Radio Blog

My experiences, experiments, and adventures in amateur radio.

Well, I am not perfect. Far, far from it. I'll keep trying

K8DEG | July 16, 2026

More versions coming.. Very Sorry

Skywarn Operators Console

Why We Do Not Accept Cash Donations For the Skywarn Operators Console

WX8ILN | July 11, 2026

# Why We Don't Accept Cash Donations. Every so often, someone kindly asks how they can donate to support the Skywarn Operators Console. We're genuinely grateful for the thought — but the answer is, and always will be, that we don't accept cash donations. We'd like to explain why.

Skywarn Operators Console - No Charge Ever

Skywarn Operators Console Ver. 1.2.8 Full installer and auto-update

K8DEG | July 11, 2026

# Skywarn Operators Console v1.2.8 Released — New Installer and Automatic Updates! We're excited to announce version 1.2.8 of the Skywarn Operators Console, and this release is a big one under the hood. While you won't see dramatic changes on the screen, the way the program is installed and kept up to date has been completely modernized.

Skywarn Operators Console - An Idea

The Cost of Keeping Informed During Weather Emergencies

WX8ILN | June 15, 2026

Two of the most effective options are GMRS and Amateur (Ham) Radio. Both offer powerful advantages, but they come with different capabilities, responsibilities, and costs. The good news: you don’t need to spend a fortune to build a dependable emergency‑communication setup.

Costs

Ham Radio First!, but GMRS can save lives

WX8ILN | June 15, 2026

Using GMRS for Weather Emergencies — And Why Amateur Radio Still Leads the Way When severe weather hits, communication becomes critical. Tornado warnings, flash flooding, downed power lines, and widespread outages can leave families and neighborhoods without a reliable way to share information. While cell networks often become overloaded or fail entirely, radio communication continues to shine.

GMRS

Creating the Skywarn Operators Console App

WX8ILN | May 14, 2026

For years, we used a simple Word document to log our activities inside the NWS office. You had to click in certain areas, there were limits on what you could enter, and it never really fit the way we worked. It served as our redundant recordkeeping, but it wasn’t ideal.

Console