The Hurricane Watch Net
Amateur Radio Serving the National Hurricane Center and Mankind Since 1965
http://www.hwn.org

Streaming Audio
http://www.hwn.org/tools/streaming-audio.html

The Net Is Active On 14.325.00 MHz and 7.268.00 MHz (the latter frequency tends to be noisier than the former). Please Note: Streaming Audio is Available ONLY when our net is active.

Who We Are
http://www.hwn.org/about-us/who-we-are.html

The Hurricane Watch Net is a group of licensed Amateur Radio Operators, trained and organized to provide essential communications support to the National Hurricane Center during times of Hurricane emergencies. We are not housed in a single location - as some of our followers believe - but strategically disbursed across North America, throughout the Caribbean Sea, and Central America so that we can provide a continuous path of communications from storm-affected areas to the forecasters in the National Hurricane Center in Miami, and when needed, the forecasters in the Canadian Hurricane Center in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia.

The primary mission of the Hurricane Watch Net is to disseminate tropical cyclone advisory information to island communities in the Caribbean, Central America, along the Atlantic seaboard of the U.S., and throughout the Gulf of Mexico coastal areas. We also collect observed or measured weather data from amateur radio operators in the storm affected area as well as any post storm damage, and convey that information to the Hurricane Forecasters in the National Hurricane Center via the amateur radio station in the center (WX4NHC). In addition, we provide the same service for the Canadian Hurricane Centre whenever a hurricane threatens their country.

The Hurricane Watch Net generally activates whenever a hurricane is within 300 statute miles of expected land-fall. Our area of coverage includes the Caribbean, Central America, Eastern Mexico, Eastern Canada, as well as all US Coastal States. When activated, you will find us on 14.325 MHz by day and 7.268 MHz by night. Why do we state these frequencies without a plus or minus amount? Because those who are operating using marine radios have to program in the frequencies – marine radios do not have a VFO or RIT. Furthermore, these two frequencies come preprogrammed into many marine radios.

Many non-hams listen in via shortwave radio and know this is where to find us when are activated. Before any net activation, if either frequency is in use, we always ask permission to use them. Additionally, it is our practice of being on the air ahead of the amateur radio station at the National Hurricane Center - WX4NHC - for the explicit purpose to establish our net operating frequency, to issue advisory data, and to line up reporting stations. It helps us tremendously to know the operators locations, names, and weather measuring capabilities in advance of the storm’s arrival.

For those of you who may not possess an amateur radio license, we invite you to monitor net activities on 14.325.00 MHz USB, which is available on many popular general coverage receivers. Amateur Radio operators who desire to participate are encouraged to visit our membership discussion and note the requirements particular to becoming a member of our organization.

Our Purpose

Disseminate the latest advisories issued by the National Hurricane Center in Miami, FL. We do so for marine interests, Caribbean Island and Central American nations, and other interests where public media is not readily available.

Obtain real-time ground-level weather conditions and initial damage assessments from amateur radio operators in the affected area and relay that information to the National Hurricane Center by way of WX4NHC, and when required, the Canadian Hurricane Centre.

Function as a back-up communication link for the National Hurricane Center, National Weather Service Forecast Offices, the Canadian Hurricane Centre, Emergency Operation Centers, Emergency Management Agencies, Non-Governmental Organizations, and other vital interests, which can involve military relief operations, involved in the protection of life and property before, during, and after a hurricane event.