ANDALUSIA AL – The South Alabama Radio Club is now officially the Rural Radio Preparedness Association – Andalusia Range. Amateur radio volunteers across Covington County have formally teamed with the Rural Radio Preparedness Association (RRPA) to enhance emergency radio and severe weather warning coverage and to share resources across a broad geographical area.
“This is an incredible opportunity for us,” said new RRPA Range Warden Allen Schofield (KG4CNA). “RRPA is focused on emergency preparedness and better aligns with our mission of emergency communications and will help us expand our coverage in the outer reaches of our rural communities.”
RRPA President Larry Fussell (N4CBS) said this is a win-win for the public because both groups have maintained a positive working relationship with the National Weather Service (NWS) and local emergency management officials. “By combining our resources and efforts, Andalusia operators have harnessed the incredible power of amateur radio operators who volunteer their skills to assist the NWS during severe weather outbreaks and hurricanes,” said Fussell. “The RRPA also brings expertise to help local organizations that may not have the resources to accomplish projects on their own,” he added. RRPA has also established an amateur radio club in a local high school and more are planned.
South Alabama Radio Club will now become the “RRPA Andalusia Range” while the headquarters will provide organizational, training, logistical and financial support. Other Ranges have been established in Pace and Jay, Florida and the NWS has partnered with the RRPA to operate the SKYWARN Division. SKYWARN is a program developed by the NWS where volunteers serve as storm spotters keeping their eye on the sky serving as the eyes and ears for the community. They provide ground truth verification for radar returns and help improve early warning.
The Rural Radio Preparedness Association is an association of volunteer radio operators seeking to enhance family preparedness and radio communications for rural communities. For more information, visit their website at www.rrpahq.org or checkout their Facebook page.