SKYWARN Net Activation

La Porte County ARES operates SKYWARN® nets to support the National Weather Service during severe weather events. These nets serve as a real-time channel for trained spotters to relay critical ground-level observations — such as hail, flooding, wind damage, or tornado activity — which supplement radar data and help protect life and property.

Location

All SKYWARN nets in our county are conducted on the W9LY repeater:

• Frequency: 146.970 MHz
• PL Tone: 131.8 Hz

Activation

Net activation is on an as-needed basis. There is no formal activation protocol; instead, any trained operator who observes potentially dangerous weather or receives reliable reports may open the net at their discretion. This flexible approach ensures timely coverage, especially during fast-moving or localized storms.

Operators are encouraged to monitor the repeater during severe weather watches and warnings, and to participate in nets when active. Formal check-ins may be called depending on the scale and duration of the event.

While we do not maintain a direct radio link to the National Weather Service, La Porte County ARES does have access to NWSChat, allowing us to relay reports directly to meteorologists in real time through their official communication system.

For training, information, or to get involved in La Porte County SKYWARN activities, please contact your local ARES coordinator.