CANWARN (CANadian Weather
Amateur Radio Network) is a joint
project of Environment Canada (the Weather Office) and
local Amateur Radio Groups, by which Hams, who are trained
in their recognition of Severe Weather Elements, pass
reports of sightings of such phenomena directly to their
local Weather Offices, via VHF and UHF Ham Radio.
This allows Environment Canada to detect and disseminate
warnings to the General Public about Severe Weather Events
which might normally go unnoticed by normal forecasting and
detection techniques. CANWARN is somewhat similar to the
Skywarn project which is in wide use within the United
States.
Windsor Amateur Radio Club began a program in MARCH 1987 under Pat Robertson VE3HFQ to supplement Environment Canada Severe Weather Watch Program with amateur operators trained in severe weather observation.
CANWARN in southern Manitoba went operational 01July98. It is starting in spring 1999 in Alberta and Saskatchewan. Previously called Altawatch around Edmonton.
Severe Weather Forecaster at the Prairie Storm Prediction Centre will initiate the call-out for CANWARN participants in a particular area to provide reports on a suitable repeater system back to Winnipeg. Winnipeg ARES in conjunction with Environment Canada has established VE4WWO as a VHF/HF station at the Environment Canada Offices located at 123 Main Street in Winnipeg.
According to the CANWARN Manual of Standards, during a CANWARN Net no other traffic is allowed on the repeaters in use except during a CONDITION GREEN.
Amateur groups or clubs that can communicate via 2 metres to the Winnipeg Weather Office can participate in the Manitoba program. Amateur operators MUST attend a CANWARN Spotter Training session. Spotter training sessions have been carried out for Winnipeg, Selkirk, East Selkirk, Beausejour,Pinawa, South Central, Interlake, and Dauphin ARES; as well as the 1st Sun Valley Venturers.
CANWARN participants in the affected area with an observation to report are to telephone the Severe Weather Watcher Line if a loss of communications occurs during a CANWARN Net.
Non CANWARN MEMBERS are also invited to call 1-800-239-0484 to report severe weather such as: heavy rain, winds 90Km/h or greater, hail or any tornadic events or funnel clouds.
Each Manitoba unit has a primary and secondary VHF repeater identified. The HF backup frequencies for Manitoba CANWARN units are 80m - 3.760 MHz LSB and 40m -7.070 MHz LSB.
Net Controllers for theManitoba program will normally be ARES members who have taken Spotter Training and attended CANWARN Net Controller Seminars.
