Emergency data available on VHF radio and computers

The Emergency Managers Weather Information Network (EMWIN) is now available to everyone in the greater Tampa Bay area. With the proper equipment, you can tune into the EMWIN system and receive virtually all National Weather Service text and graphic products, such as forecasts, watches, warnings, and hourly conditions from weather offices nationwide.

EMWIN material is being made available as a public service through the courtesy of the St. Petersburg Times, the Florida National Guard, and the National Weather Service.

The EMWIN signal is received from the GOES satellite, by a satellite dish on top of the 9th story of the downtown St. Petersburg Times building. The weather material is used internally and we then rebroadcast the data on a VHF frequency of 139.210 MHz. The 200 watt signal is transmitted by an antenna that sits about 100 feet above the ground.

To utilize this signal, you will need a computer, a radio capable of receiving the FM transmission on 139.210 MHz, a demodulator, and software. There are no recurring costs involved.

This is the equipment you will need to properly utilize the EMWIN weather information:

Computer: A minimum of a Pentium 100 computer, must have at least 32 MB of RAM running Windows 95/98/NT and you must reserve 30 MB of hard disk space for the program and data files. Must have one free serial COM port and your video card must support 256 colors.

Radio Receiver: Any standard VHF public service radio scanner with either a headphone or speak output jack and a volume control, that is able to receive an FM signal at 139.210 MHz.

Software: WeatherNode version 4.0 software and a DM-201B demodulator. Cost is approximately $89.95 for both software and demodulator.

The software and demodulator are available from either:

SkyWalker Data Systems, Inc.
7303 - W. 35th Street
Tulsa, Oklahoma 74107
Phone (918) 445-1488
email: jack@skywin.com
Web: http://www.skywin.com/

or

Xenocode, Inc.
3392 B Fort Meade Road
Laurel, Md. 20724
Phone (301) 724-4009
Email: http://www.xenocode.com