October 28,
2005 -- The Hurricane Watch Net (HWN) on
14.325 MHz has announced plans to activate in response to Tropical Storm Beta. The
storm, now threatening Central America, could become a Category 1 hurricane
later today and make landfall sometime the night of October 29 or early on
October 30. HWN Assistant Manager Bobby Graves, KB5HAV, says the net will
convene initially on Saturday, October 29, 1230 UTC, to identify potential
reporting stations in the affected region. He said the net expects to be joined
by WX4NHC at the National Hurricane
Center. Graves said the HWN will remain active until 0300 UTC or until 20
meters closes, then, if needed, resume Sunday, October 30, 1300 UTC, and remain
active as long as Beta is a threat. "Given the fact that this weekend is the CQ
WW DX phone Contest, we ask that those participating in the contest to please
be aware of our presence and to please give us some room to operate," Graves
said. As of 1500 UTC Friday, October 28, a hurricane watch was in effect for
the Colombian islands of San Andres and Providencia. Beta was located some 185 miles
east-northeast of Bluefields, Nicaragua, moving to the north at approximately 5
MPH. Maximum sustained winds are at 65 MPH with higher gusts, but strengthening
is forecast over the next 24 hours.
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