About WX5FWD SKYWARN® Team

The WX5FWD SKYWARN® Team is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization registered with the IRS and incorporated in the state of Texas in 2022.

Mission:

  1. To support the National Weather Service (NWS) during severe weather events through the SKYWARN® Program and by the coordinating of storm spotters, receipt, and processing of spotter reports, and to provide technical, radio, and any other assistance required during weather or emergency events.
  2. Provide service to the community at large through providing communications and other services, without compensation, for NWS and amateur radio events and in emergency situations.
    1. Provide a communications capability and a source of technical support for the benefit of members and the community, especially in times of emergency;
    2. Promote fraternalism and cooperation among members;
    3. Furthering technical expertise in the fields of radio and electronics through Team activities and training classes;
    4. Training in proper radio operating procedures and emergency preparedness through member participation in operating events and special activities.
CWA Zone Map

NWS Fort Worth Ham Radio Operators: An Invaluable Resource

The National Weather Service in Fort Worth utilizes various technologies when making warning decisions on storms. Radar, satellite, and upper air data are all critical in determining a storm’s strength and potential to become severe. However, ground-truth information, or what is actually occurring, is vital.

A small group of volunteer Ham radio operators make NWS Fort Worth their home when hazardous weather strikes the region. The team coordinated by Mike Heskett, WB5QLD, can be called 24 hours/7 days a week by NWS meteorologists to search the air waves for hail, high wind, tornado, and flooding reports.

Inside NWS Fort Worth, Ham radio operators sit directly across from radar warning operators and online using real time NWS communications channels. This allows critical ground-truth information to be passed along to warning meteorologists quickly. Storm details from spotters in the field can play an essential role in a forecaster issuing a life-saving tornado warning versus a severe thunderstorm warning, or a flash flood warning versus a flood advisory.

If you are a Ham across North Texas, give Mike and our dedicated volunteers a shout when severe storms roll through your area...you might help save a life!

Mike HeskettWB5QLDTeam Coordinator
David McAnallyWD5MDirector and President
Jory McIntoshKJ5RMDirector and Secretary/Treasurer
Greg HigginsWB5GLVDirector
Patrick O’BrienN5AFD
Chris BrewerN5GMJ
Philip RobinsonKB5ASY
Billy MasonKD5KNR
Melissa HusselKM5R
Maurice MartinKM5RF
Bobette MauckKD5VYK
David D’ArcyKF5LKG
Brian KassaN1TZ
Rick SagersW7YC
Greg StoryKB5YRK