Years ago W0VFW members attended storm spotting as I have numerous times. Nothing has changed and some say a refresher is a good thing, but my opinion is after 50 years of driving and not 1 at fault accident, I don't need to go to drivers education again. My record is not stellar, yet not dismal.
Those who will attend will find that NWS no longer depends on Amateur Radio reporting but Cell phones, SMS messaging and any Tom, Dick and Harry, making reports. Last I checked NWS ICT has only 3 phone lines. Amateur radio was another line into the storm desk. I do not think they even turn on the Amateur Radio let alone man it. Prior to Randy, W0LD leaving town, it was manned at every event as BEARS was very active and I was a member of that group as well. .
The Sedgwick County Emergency Management people who are Amateur Radio Operators and run a net independent of NWS, I believe they meet Tuesday nights which conflicts with W0VFW ARC club meetings. Some of our former members have opted to serve the community by participating there instead. The net they run, they will admonish you if you check in even if you have a tornado on the ground at your location, as your are not on their active roster.
They also do not allow participation, unlike elsewhere, by Amateur Radio Operators that are under 18 years of age. I experienced this with my son who had been trained and participated 3 years in another state.
I wish everyone well, with respect to becoming Skywarn trained but I have other interests, and have participated in 8 other states for 40 or more years.
Larry Macionski