08/29/2025
This Labor Day weekend, the Hurricane Watch Net (HWN)[1] celebrates its 60th
anniversary of providing critical communications support to the National
Hurricane Center (NHC)[2] and communities impacted by hurricanes.
As Hurricane Betsy was pummeling the Caribbean on Labor Day weekend 1965, a ham
radio operator started hearing calls for information from operators in the
Bahamas. Jerry Murphy, K8YUW, sprang into action. He began relaying surface
data and storm conditions to help those in the path.
That first net paved the way for what would become the Hurricane Watch Net.
HWN has been active for 156 landfalling hurricanes, including 60 major
hurricanes (Category 3 or stronger). Of those, 12 struck as Category 5
hurricanes. The net's longest continuous activation occurred during Hurricane
Matthew in 2016, when operators remained on the air for 151 hours straight.
Among the deadliest storms ever recorded by the net was Hurricane Mitch in
1998, which claimed more than 11,000 lives in Central America.
HWN operates [3]on 14.325 MHz and 7.268 MHz, often simultaneously, with net
control stations strategically positioned throughout the region to maximize
coverage.
"The Hurricane Watch Net continues to serve the public interest by helping save
lives during hurricanes. We are proud to carry forward the vision of our
founder, Jerry Murphy, who passed earlier this year at age 88," said HWN
Manager Bobby Graves, KB5HAV.
For more information about the HWN, or to get involved as a volunteer, visit
www.hwn.org[4].
[1] https://arrl.informz.net/z/cjUucD9taT0zNDIxMzc2JnA9MSZ1PTUyNTgxODI4NCZsaT0zO
TQzNzA3NA/index.html
[2] https://arrl.informz.net/z/cjUucD9taT0zNDIxMzc2JnA9MSZ1PTUyNTgxODI4NCZsaT0zO
TQzNzA3Ng/index.html
[3] https://arrl.informz.net/z/cjUucD9taT0zNDIxMzc2JnA9MSZ1PTUyNTgxODI4NCZsaT0zO
TQzNzA3OA/index.html
[4] https://arrl.informz.net/z/cjUucD9taT0zNDIxMzc2JnA9MSZ1PTUyNTgxODI4NCZsaT0zO
TQzNzA3NA/index.html
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