News & Announcements

The history of amateur radio (or "ham radio") is deeply interwoven with emergency communications and civil defense, a public service role that dates back over a century. Early in the 20th century, before the development of robust commercial communication networks, amateur radio operators demonstrated their critical value by relaying vital messages during natural disasters, such as floods and storms, when conventional systems failed. The US government formally recognized this

Humidity, a fundamental component of the atmosphere, refers to the concentration of water vapor—the gaseous state of water—present in the air. This moisture plays a critical role in shaping our weather and significantly influencing how we perceive temperature. The most common measure is Relative Humidity (RH), which is expressed as a percentage indicating the amount of water vapor currently in the air compared to the maximum amount the air can hold at that specific temperatur

ARRL Director of Emergency Management Josh Johnston, KE5MHV, joins the podcast in support of the September/October 2025 article “The EOC: Serving at the Hub,” by Rick Palm, K1CE, which talks about what an Emergency Operations Center, or EOC, is, and offers tips for hams who are serving at an EOC for the first time. Josh takes us through more Emergency Operations Center functions, as well as what hams need to know before they walk into one.

Flash floods are among the deadliest weather phenomena in the United States, characterized by their rapid onset and extreme water flow. Defined as floods that occur within six hours, and often within minutes, of excessive rainfall, a dam or levee failure, or a sudden release from an ice or debris jam, they leave little time for warning or preparedness. These powerful torrents can roll boulders, tear out trees, destroy infrastructure like buildings and bridges, and are respons

During a severe weather event, such as a tornado warning, the proper use of an emergency group is paramount for safety and coordination. Transmissions on this vital communication channel should be reserved exclusively for immediate, critical information concerning the storm and its impact. This includes prompt announcements when warnings are issued or officially canceled by the proper authority. Crucial reports also encompass observable, significant changes in the storm syste

In preparation for upcoming system and network expansion, effective November 1st, the ALL-CALL radio group will be used solely for onboarding incoming new members. Current members are encouraged to use their assigned groups for routine communications while keeping groups such as SKYWARN and ARES clear for emergency use only. If you encounter issues, have questions, or need assistance with Group assignments, please reach out to me through this online discussion group, by chat,

We're moving into the next phase of program development by creating Radio / Discussion Groups on the website. These groups are online discussion spaces for existing MRS radio operator groups. Additionally, the Member Directory and Events pages have been removed to allow each Group's members to manage their postings without creating unnecessary communication threads for those who aren't interested. If you have questions, comments, or suggestions, please add them to this post.

A mesocyclone is a large, rotating column of air inside a thunderstorm, typically associated with supercell thunderstorms. It is a storm-scale feature that can be 2-6 miles wide and is the source of rotation for a tornado. Detected by Doppler radar, a mesocyclone indicates the potential for severe weather, including large hail, strong winds, and tornadoes. How a Mesocyclone Forms Horizontal Rotation : Wind at different altitudes changes speed and direction, creating a horizon

Q-signals are a system of radio shorthand as old as wireless and developed from even older telegraphy codes. Q-signals are a set of abbreviations for common information that save time and allow communication between operators who don’t speak a common language. Modern ham radio uses them extensively. The attached document and image below list the most common Q-signals used by amateur radio operators. While Q-signals were developed for use by Morse operators, their use is commo

When it comes to road safety during a tornado, the National Weather Service (NWS) emphasizes that a motor vehicle is the least desirable place to be, as cars, buses, and trucks are easily lifted and tossed by tornado winds. The NWS strongly advises people to never attempt to outrun a tornado in a vehicle. If a tornado is spotted or a warning is issued while driving, the recommended course of action is to drive immediately to the closest sturdy building or designated shelter.

When a severe thunderstorm tears through a community, the immediate question is often, "Was it a tornado?" While tornadoes command attention for their rotational fury and extreme wind speeds, the truth is that much of the widespread destruction attributed to severe weather—including downed trees and flattened structures—is actually caused by a less publicized, non-rotating phenomenon: straight-line winds . Meteorologists with the National Weather Service (NWS) spend significa

DID YOU KNOW?  By pressing the PRIVATE TALK  button while within a selected Group, you can not only initiate a private, one-to-one QSO, but you can also see the status of the radio/operator. A = Radio is ON / Operator is PRESENT (in the current Group) B = Radio is ON / Operator is ABSENT (in another Group) C = Radio is OFF / Operator is ABSENT To initiate a private call, scroll to the desired radio/operator and press the MENU / SELECT  button, followed by pressing the PUSH TO

If you haven't already found them, go to LINKS  in the homepage menu to see a comprehensive list of external resources and tools—covering everything from education and training to weather monitoring tools. Check it out when you get a chance, and if you know of any other valuable resources, let us know so we can add them to the library.

A derecho is a powerful, widespread, and long-lived storm characterized by destructive, straight-line winds, often exceeding hurricane-force speeds . The term "derecho" comes from the Spanish word for "straight ahead," describing the straight-line nature of the wind damage, contrasting with the rotating winds of a tornado. To be classified as a derecho, a storm must produce a wind damage swath extending at least 240 miles (400 km) long, with wind gusts of 58 mph (93 km/h) or

I attended the Integrated Warning Team (IWT) meeting in Bossier City, Louisiana, on Tuesday, Sept. 16, representing Managed Radio Services (MRS). The event, hosted by the National Weather Service, Shreveport Field Office, brought together about 70 representatives from private, public, and government sectors across Louisiana, Texas, and Arkansas. We were there to learn more about weather phenomena, disaster preparedness, response, and communication technology.

While radio technology serves a wide range of purposes, the fundamental principles of clear and effective communication have been well-established over time. On the MRS  network, we follow a code of conduct that ensures all on-air communication is respectful, efficient, and reliable. Adhering to these simple rules helps us all uphold a standard of operational excellence. The most fundamental rule is also the simplest: listen first, transmit second . Before you key your microp

If you are an Amateur Radio Operator  and have an active MRS subscription, you now have a custom MRS .NET  email address that forwards to your personal email address on file. This not only secures your privacy but also allows others to easily send an email to you. Your MRS email address will be in the following format and is now active for use. Please let me know if you encounter problems with this service. <callsign>  @ managedradioservices. net

With the average lead time for a tornado warning at just 13 minutes, the real-time observations of Managed Radio Emergency Services (MRES) trained volunteers, acting as National Weather Service (NWS) SKYWARN spotters, are essential for providing the public with life-saving information.

A cumulus cloud is a detached, dense, puffy cloud with a flat base and rounded, cauliflower-like top, formed by upward-moving air currents . The name "cumulus" comes from the Latin word for "heap," describing the accumulated appearance of these clouds. They can indicate fair weather or develop into larger "towering cumulus" (cumulus congestus) or even rain-producing cumulonimbus clouds.   Key Characteristics Appearance:  Puffy, cotton-like, or resembling a cauliflower.  Shape