• After witnessing the continued decrease of involvement in the SpotterNetwork staff in serving SN members with troubleshooting issues recently, I have unilaterally decided to terminate the relationship between SpotterNetwork's support and Stormtrack. I have witnessed multiple users unable to receive support weeks after initiating help threads on the forum. I find this lack of response from SpotterNetwork officials disappointing and a failure to hold up their end of the agreement that was made years ago, before I took over management of this site. In my opinion, having Stormtrack users sit and wait for so long to receive help on SpotterNetwork issues on the Stormtrack forums reflects poorly not only on SpotterNetwork, but on Stormtrack and (by association) me as well. Since the issue has not been satisfactorily addressed, I no longer wish for the Stormtrack forum to be associated with SpotterNetwork.

    I apologize to those who continue to have issues with the service and continue to see their issues left unaddressed. Please understand that the connection between ST and SN was put in place long before I had any say over it. But now that I am the "captain of this ship," it is within my right (nay, duty) to make adjustments as I see necessary. Ending this relationship is such an adjustment.

    For those who continue to need help, I recommend navigating a web browswer to SpotterNetwork's About page, and seeking the individuals listed on that page for all further inquiries about SpotterNetwork.

    From this moment forward, the SpotterNetwork sub-forum has been hidden/deleted and there will be no assurance that any SpotterNetwork issues brought up in any of Stormtrack's other sub-forums will be addressed. Do not rely on Stormtrack for help with SpotterNetwork issues.

    Sincerely, Jeff D.

WXSpots

  • Thread starter Thread starter Joey Ketcham
  • Start date Start date

Joey Ketcham

I came across a piece of software while visiting ICT's Skywarn Page called WXSpots, I installed it and it's a pretty cool little program and looks like quite a few people - including some NWS offices - are using it.

The site to download it is http://www.wxspots.com

Here is the details from their site:

WXSpots, a new tool in the tool chest for SkyWarn operations and weather enthusiasts is now available! WXSpots is a free, Internet based system designed to quickly disseminate observed reports of severe weather.

WXSpots is not intended to replace Amateur Radio. By its very nature of dependence on the Internet, WXSpots can't provide data from a severely affected area. On the other hand, WXSpots can quickly communicate data from those observers just outside it. It also provides the means to help monitor local severe weather as it unfolds with many more observers able to communicate what they are seeing.

WXSpots features include
  • The ability to disseminate observations quickly and efficiently anywhere.
  • The ability to add the eyes of SkyWarn enthusiasts who aren't Amateur Radio Operators.
  • An automated, historical record of recent observations.
  • The ability to keep tabs on current observations without necessarily being near a radio.
I don't know if or how many NWS offices will use this, I would assume that ICT does since it was acknowledged on their Skywarn page... I installed it on my laptop and will definitely give it a shot next year while chasing.
 
I know the NWS BMX does use it as our ALERT group has it installed on the computer there. It's a pretty nice program, but I still prefer spotter network over anything. Good for spotters that don't have a real way of communication out in the boonies.
 
SpotterNetwork is the best... it's still a nice thing to have on hand as a backup
 
FYI...WXSpots and SpotterNetwork have agreed to work together on getting reports out of WXSpots and into SpotterNetwork and then directly into the NWS. Just have to figure out the details :)
 
That's awesome to hear Tyler!

Will look forward to the details on that.
 
Wow....that's sweet!!! I'm working on trying to get other southern region NWS offices interested in the spotter network so hopefully most offices will use one or the other before too much longer. :)
 
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