NWS offices around the country utilize various spotter networks for severe and other inclement weather verification and reporting. The various spotter networks are comprised of emergency management officials, law enforcement, fire fighters, EMS personnel, and road crews. We also utilize the general public with training taking place during the late winter and early spring as NWS personnel travel to various counties to provide training. A final group of spotters utilized by our NWS office are amateur radio operators. Amateur Radio Operators (HAMS) are a vital link in the spotter and communication network used by the NWS during severe or otherwise inclement weather. Not only do they report what they see with their own eyes, but they can report what others see, and also provide communications to other NWS offices should normal communication modes fail. The following graphics depict single repeaters, linked repeater systems, or a combination thereof which we utilize often. New repeaters continue to be installed by dedicated and hard-working hams to expand their networks. We also continue to learn of and put into use these new systems as soon as possible.For now, we will not list 2 meter and 70 cm repeaters outside of our 51 county warning area (depicted by the purple outline), unless they also serve some of our counties. If you notice errors or omissions, know of new repeaters that need to be added, need to change your spotter address or phone number, or just have a SKYWARN/spotting question, drop us a line at dmx.spotteradmin@noaa.gov and we take care of your request ASAP. Note: This email address is not for sending severe weather reports, but instead is for administrative tasks. For severe weather reporting via the internet, please click here. Keep in mind the maps depict approximate signal coverage with radio propagation characteristics, geography, equipment reliability, etc. all affecting coverage of a given repeater. Since many of these repeaters are linked please give them a second or two to connect. Here's a three page pdf file of the same information in a format that will print nicely on three pages. Location | Output RX | Input TX | Tx Tone | Grimes | 146.610 MHz | 146.010 MHz | 114.8 Hz | Williams | 444.500 MHz | 449.500 MHz | 151.4 Hz | Mason City | 146.760 MHz | 146.160 MHz | 103.5 Hz | Scranton | 444.300 MHz | 449.300 MHz | 151.4 Hz |
|  |  | Location | Output RX | Input TX | Tx Tone | Sheldahl | 147.075 MHz | 147.675 MHz | 114.8 Hz | Storm Lake | 146.775 MHz | 146.175 MHz | 110.9 Hz | Humboldt | 442.400 MHz | 447.400 MHz | 110.9 Hz |
Notes: The Storm Lake repeater is linked to the She Dahl repeater via the ICN while Humboldt is linked to Storm Lake via RF. | Location | Output RX | Input TX | Tx Tone | Menlo | 147.045 MHz | 147.645 MHz | 114.8 Hz | Creston | 146.790 MHz | 146.190 MHz | 136.5 Hz | Elk Horn | 444.900 MHz | 449.900 MHz | 151.4 Hz | Prescott | 145.510 MHz | MHz | 127.3 Hz | Avoca | 147.255 MHz | 147.855 MHz | 151.4 Hz | Greenfield | 444.700 MHz | 449.700 MHz | 173.8 Hz | Atlantic | 147.150 MHz | 147.750 MHz | 151.4 Hz | Clarinda | 444.750 MHz | 449.750 MHz | 127.3 Hz | Bedford | 443.700 MHz | 448.700 MHz | 136.5 Hz |
|  |  | Location | Output RX | Input TX | Tx Tone | Grimes | 443.400 MHz | 448.400 MHz | 151.4 Hz | Gilman | 444.150 MHz | 449.150 MHz | 151.4 Hz | Baxter | 444.225 MHz | 449.225 MHz | 151.4 Hz | Newton | 442.300 MHz | 447.300 MHz | 151.4 Hz | Afton | 442.400 MHz | 447.400 MHz | 151.4 Hz | Marshalltown | 443.325 MHz | 448.325 MHz | 110.9 Hz | Chelsea | 442.125 MHz | 447.125 MHz | 151.4 Hz |
| Location | Output RX | Input TX | Tx Tone | Bedford | 147.135 MHz | 147.735 MHz | 203.5 Hz | Des Moines | 146.820 MHz | 146.220 MHz | 203.5 Hz | Pella | 145.170 MHz | 144.570 MHz | 203.5 Hz | Waterloo | 444.900 MHz | 449.900 MHz | 203.5 Hz | Davenport | 146.940 MHz | 146.340 MHz | 203.5 Hz | Mason City | 147.315 MHz | 147.915 MHz | 203.5 Hz | Note #1: For local use only (no ICN access) on the Waterloo repeater, use a PL tone of 136.5. Note #2: For local use only of the Des Moines Hub, use a PL tone of 114.8. Note #3: For local use only of the Bedford repeater, use a PL tone of 127.3. Note #4: For local use only of the Davenport repeater, there is no PL tone. Note #5: For local use only of the Mason City repeater, use a PL tone of 103.5. These repeaters are linked to the main Des Moines Hub via the Iowa Communications Network fiber optic system. You must have the PL tone turned on to access the ICN Hub and the remote repeaters. |  |
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