Hams Help Forecasters with Real-Time Data on Northeast Blizzard

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Hams Help Forecasters with Real-Time Data on Northeast Blizzard

A historic blizzard paralysed much of the Northeast in late February, and amateur radio operators were on the air to help forecasters keep track of the storm’s impact. Southeastern New England was one of the hardest-hit areas.

A severe blizzard left its mark on Southeast New England with massive amounts of snow, vehicles and even plows getting stuck, damaging winds gusts to hurricane force causing ~350,000 customers to lose power in Massachusetts and Rhode Island, and some coastal flooding issues at high tide. The blizzard broke Rhode Island’s state record for snowfall with 37.8 inches of snow in Providence. ARES-SKYWARN Nets across southern New England were activated with the WX1BOX amateur radio team to support the National Weather Service (NWS) Boston/Norton office, as well as local and state emergency management and broadcast media, with timely updates on the storm.

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Drone Video Captures East Texas Hot Air Balloon Rescue at 1,100 Feet

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Drone Video Captures East Texas Hot Air Balloon Rescue at 1,100 Feet

Longview firefighters saved two passengers after a balloon struck a radio tower

Saturday morning brought a heroic rescue in Longview, Texas, of two hot air balloonists who struck the tower for 105.7 KYKX(FM).

Longview Fire Department members responded to the intersection of Farm to Market Road 1844 and Texas Route 300 in northern Gregg County after receiving reports of a hot air balloon striking the tower. The balloon was left suspended in place.

The department provided us with amazing drone footage.

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British Science Week: What Are Your Plans?

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British Science Week starts this Friday, 6 March, and finishes on Sunday, 15 March 2026. The annual event celebrates science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM), and is the perfect opportunity to share amateur radio with new audiences. A number of clubs are hosting events that are open to the public, ranging from a practical skills night with Chelmsford Amateur Radio Society through to the Lincolnshire Portable Radio Group, which is delivering a youth event with the International Bomber Command Centre.

Several groups and organisations are looking to arrange skeds during the week. These include Crowthorne and Wokingham Without Men’s Shed with Bracknell Amateur Radio Club, and also South Derbyshire and Ashby Woulds Amateur Radio Group. Get involved with British Science Week by attending an event, or by arranging a sked with one of these groups. Find out more by going to rsgb.org/bsw and selecting ‘Events happening near you’ from the right-hand menu.

If you haven’t planned anything yet, you can still get involved by doing the RSGB ‘Riding the wave’ activity with your friends and family. Find this worksheet, along with numerous other ideas and resources by going to the main RSGB British Science Week web page at rsgb.org/bsw