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As this is the third issue of Connected I want to take this opportunity to introduce myself to the readers of the newsletter. I also want to give some background about myself and how I became involved in the Skywarn program and amateur radio.

I became interested in weather as a young boy when I studied it in grade school science class. My parents gave me a weather science kit for a Christmas present when I was 12 years old. I put together a science project about weather for my grade school science fair, and ended up winning a prize for it.

In my teens I was interested in weather, shortwave, and amateur radio. But another interest even led me to chose the career path I would take as an adult. I was a member of the BSA Explorer Post sponsored by the Bloomfield Police Department. Needless to say my involvement in this program led me to choose a career as a police officer.

Throughout my adult life I have continued to maintain my interest in weather observation and amateur radio. I would take a handheld scanner with me in the cruiser. I would listen to the Skywarn nets on the local repeaters, and the NOAA weather radio broadcasts for updates on severe weather about to effect the City of Torrington where I worked. It was through NOAA weather radio that I first learned of the Skywarn program and a training session being held in Torrington. After completing training I would call the weather service by cell phone to report on severe weather conditions in Torrington.

On one occasion I was working when an F2 tornado struck the Torringford section of Torrington. I was the first officer on scene and reported the damage done to the weather service. The next day I accompanied two meteorologists from NWS as they made a damage survey of the area.

My interest in amateur radio led me to finally obtain my Technician license. I was appointed as Assistant EC for Skywarn in Litchfield County. Eventually I was asked me to take over as EC for Skywarn in Litchfield County. After accepting that position I was asked to take over the DEC position for Skywarn in Connecticut. I have held this position since August of 2006.

I work with a great team of Emergency Coordinators and Skywarn spotters in each of the counties around the state. We are committed to providing the NWS with timely and accurate ground truth information on severe weather events affecting the state. We have the satisfaction of knowing that our information will help to warn residents in neighboring counties and may help to save a life. Perhaps you would like to join us. You can do this by checking into the weekly weather net on the repeater used for Skywarn in your county. You can also check in when a Skywarn is active during severe weather events. You do not have to be a spotter to check in or pass weather information to the net. Attending a Skywarn spotter training session will give you a better understanding of severe weather characteristics, severe weather reporting criteria, and help you in your spotting activities.

I hope to hear you as a check in during the next weekly weather net or Skywarn net in your county.

Steve Williams, K1SJW

Connecticut ARES DEC SKYWARN