News and Announcements
2021 Virtual Skywarn Training and Resources
Please take a the time to keep your Skywarn training up to date this year! Thanks to Megan, KF9AS, for these links and information. Sessions being offered: Dallas County Virtual Class (with Ellis and Rockwall Counties) Date: Tuesday, March 2nd Time: 6:00 pm 2020 Spotter Training from Ft. Worth on YouTube SKYWARN Resources: Titles: SKYWARN Spotter Convective Basics COMET Module https://www.meted.ucar.edu/spotter_training/convective/ SKYWARN Weather Spotter's Field Guide (large pdf file which may take a while to download) https://www.weather.gov/media/owlie/SGJune6-11(1).pdfSpotter Training COMET Course https://www.meted.ucar.edu/training_course.php?id=23 Spotter Field Guide (reference only, does NOT replace training) |
2019 Cloud Cowboy Reference Manual Released
The Dallas Area RACES Council announces the release of the 2019 Cloud Cowboy Reference Manual. This is the 29th year in production for the primary reference manual used by storm spotters in Dallas County. This year's thought Learn Something New. Do Something New. As always, a hearty thanks to the SKYWARN storm spotters for your continued efforts in training and service to our communities! |
2018 Cloud Cowboy Reference Manual Released
The Dallas County RACES Council announces the release of the 2018 Cloud Cowboy Reference Manual. This is the 28th year in production for the primary reference manual used by storm spotters in Dallas County. This year's thought is PTT -- Pause. Think. Transmit. The emphasis will be on Net procedure to ensure excellent radio circuit discipline. As always, a hearty thanks to the SKYWARN storm spotters for your continued efforts in training and service to our communities! |
2016 RACES Conclave
A symposium for RACES members, served agencies, emergency incident coordinators and neighboring communities. Introduction to resources, capabilities, agencies’ needs, and tools. Saturday September 10, 2016 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM No Charge to Attend Sponsored by the City of Richardson Location: Richardson Civic Center Richardson, TX 14S QB 12052 49087 RACES Grid 1045 Talk In K5RWK/R (147.120+ no tone) For further information and to register early please visit the 2016 RACES Conclave Information and Registration site. Registration is not required but encouraged. |
2016 Cloud Cowboy Released
The Dallas County RACES Council announces the release of the 2016 Cloud Cowboy Reference Manual. This is the 26th year in production for the primary reference manual used by storm spotters in Dallas County. The significant change this year is the complete deprecation of the use of Mapsco for location reporting. Mapsco should no longer be used for any reporting purposes and all reports should be via US National Grid and/or major thoroughfare intersections that are readily identifiable to residents of Dallas County without referring to a mapping resource. As always, a hearty thanks to the SKYWARN storm spotters for your continued efforts in training and service to our communities! |
Net Control Stations and The Bad Thing™
A few reminders of how we operate on the City of Dallas RACES and county wide Net on 146.880/442.075. These guidelines are meant to harmonize our operations. They are not intended to remove your personality or style as an NCS operator. A large number of people depend upon our professionalism to ensure radio circuit discipline. The better we become, the better and more professionally we perform our duties as Net Control Stations; the better the participants in our Nets will become. We are the calm, cool, and collected voice of reason. We are the professionals that set the tone and rhythm of the Net. Your voice, your personality, your quiet confidence and professionalism will be what Net participants, served agencies and other consumers will come to rely upon when Bad Things™ occur.
There are several characteristics that comprise a good Net Control Station. Often, we don’t think about these things at a conscious level. It is amazing when we hear and experience them. Allow these characteristics to rise to the level of consciousness in your operations.
We are the metaphorical calm, lone voice in the literal storm. Our thoughtfulness, preparation, dedication, and training will be what ensures we continue to operate at a professional level when the Bad Thing™ occurs. It is imperative we maintain an even tone and level head while others in our community may be suffering greatly. |
US National Grid Training
As of 2014 Dallas County RACES is switching to use of the US National Grid as our location reporting grid. USNG and Mapsco will be accepted during the 2014 season. USNG will become primary in 2015 with Mapsco use discouraged. Please click USNG Training Deck for the US National Grid training browser-based slide deck for the training occurring on February 15th, 2014. |
2014 Cloud Cowboy Released
The 2014 Cloud Cowboy Reference Manual is now available. The significant change this year is a change to use the US National Grid for location reports. This years' CCRM contains the USNG 5K map necessary to determine a spotter's location and a description of how to understand and employ the USNG. Updates are also included for the Mapsco overview and the North Texas SKYWARN repeater maps. The repeater map now also includes offset and tone information as well. |
US National Grid and Mapsco Maps Available
Dallas County RACES will begin using the US National Grid to report locations beginning in the 2014 season. A five kilometer grid overlaid on the county is available US National Grid 5K. Mapsco reports will be accepted in 2014 and discouraged in 2015. The current Mapsco overview map is Mapsco Overview Map. |
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