Hurricane Harvey: How to monitor Hurricane Watch Net observations via shortwave radio
As Hurricane Harvey makes its slow trek through toward Corpus Christi, we're watching what might become one of the most damaging storms this decade in the States.
Each hurricane season, I receive emails from readers asking about frequencies to monitor as the storm approaches.
Hurricane Watch Net (HWN)
The Hurricane Watch Net is a group of amateur radio operators who are trained and organized "to provide essential communications support to the National Hurricane Center during times of Hurricane emergencies." The HWN focuses on "ground truth" observations (much like SkyWarn nets).
The Hurricane Watch Net is activated when a hurricane is within 300 statute miles of expected land-fall. The HWN covers the Caribbean, Central America, Eastern Mexico, Eastern Canada, and all US Coastal States.
The HWN operates in both English and Spanish, and is active on 14.325 MHz (upper sideband) during the day and 7.268 MHz (lower sideband) at night. The HWN is known to operate on both frequencies if propagation allows.
Please keep HWN frequencies clearIf you're an amateur radio operator, please avoid using 14.325 MHz and 7.268 MHz anytime the HWN has been activated.
Monitoring hurricane frequencies
If you have a shortwave radio with a BFO/SSB mode-and you live within the propagation footprint-you can monitor the Hurricane Watch Net.
Note that you'll need to use upper sideband on 14.325 MHz and lower sideband on 7.268 MHz.
You can also monitor the Hurricane Watch Net via the following web stream: http://www.broadcastify.com/listen/feed/20970/web