Caleb, KEØFOE at the Skywarn Table
In the midst of yet another flooding event in Southwest Missouri, last Saturday’s Severe Weather Expo at Battlefield Mall in Springfield was an awesome success. The turnout at the mall was huge – probably a product of the rain itself.
Southwest Missouri Regional Skywarn had a table this year. Our display featured brochures available to the general public describing who we are and what we do, a video loop which included sound clips of our spotters first reporting and confirming the Goodman, Missouri tornado which hit in April 2017, and a posterboard with quick facts about Skywarn. Along the left side of the table was a really cool portable backpack HF and VHF radio display assembled by Clay KBØWZI. A closer look shows a laptop Emergency and Portable Radio Setup Courtesy of Clay KB0WZI and tablet computer used for digital modes. Clay outfitted a military surplus ammunition can to hold multiple battery packs providing several hours of power. A portable and flexible solar panel can be seen as well along with a Yaesu FT-991A all-mode HF, VHF, and UHF transceiver. For HF communications, Clay brought a sectional HF whip, and a homebrew VHF Yagi was provided by Norm NØGRL. Many people, some of them already hams, stopped by our table and said hello. It was great meeting them all!
Emergency Radio Display Provided by Clay KBØWZI
Michael NØNQW with the Tornado Puncher
There was a bit of a buzz throughout the mall caused by a new display this year. Many of the younger folks in attendance thought the Batmobile was on hand. At first glance, it did kinda look like the Batmobile. However, it was actually the Tornado Puncher. This display was sponsored by Storm Damage Services. Designed to intercept a tornado and equipped with cameras and bright lights, the Tornado Puncher definitely turned a lot of heads on Saturday and may soon provide us with some amazing tornado video in the near future.
Our good friends and partners from the National Weather Service Forecast Office in Springfield, Missouri had a very interesting and informative display including their tornado simulator, a video loop, and some sample weather instruments. Next to them was the Greene County Office of Emergency Management including our good friends at Greene County ARES.
Greene County ARES
National Weather Service Springfield, MO
Broadcasters were present as well including KY3, KOLR 10, and KTTS 94.7 FM along with other businesses aiming to encourage everyone to become aware of the dangers of severe weather and how they can protect themselves and their families.
We’d like to thank Battlefield Mall Marketing Administrator Sydney Leutzinger for allowing Southwest Missouri Regional Skywarn to show the public how trained severe weather spotters help protect life and property throughout the Springfield, Missouri County Warning Area. We look forward to returning in 2019.