Author: Darrell Davis KT4WX

HURRICANE HERMINE MAKES LANDFALL AND EXITS FLORIDA

Tropical Storm Hermine, after becoming a Category 1 Hurricane yesterday afternoon, made landfall at approximately 0130 this morning near St. Marks, which is near the Wakulla and Jefferson County line, which is southeast of Tallahassee.  At 1100, Tropical Storm Hermine was centered about 55 miles west-southwest of Savannah, Georgia and headed towards the northeast at 18 MPH.  Maximum sustained winds have dropped to 50 MPH.  Hermine will continue its path along the southeast United States coast and re-emerge over the western Atlantic and begin to transition into an extra tropical low.

All Hurricane Warnings have been discontinued.  All Tropical Storm Warnings for the State of Florida have just been discontinued, except for Nassau County as of 1100.  Flood Warning remain in effect for several WCF Section Counties due to swollen rivers and creeks from recent tropical rainfall.

Due to the lowering of all Hurricane Warnings and Tropical Storm Warnings for all the State of Florida except Nassau County which is on the border with Georgia, this will be the last WCF Section Special Bulletin for Tropical Storm Hermine.

The West Central Florida Section would like to thank all the ARES, ACS, and CERT groups that activated and did communications duty for Hermine.  Everyone have a safe and happy Labor Day weekend.

END OF SPECIAL BULLETIN

TROPICAL STORM HERMINE HEADED FOR THE PANHANDLE NEAR TALLAHASSEE – WCF SECTION PREPAREDNESS.

At 1100, Tropical Storm Hermine, formerly Tropical Depression #9, was located approximately 220 west of Tampa or 170 west-southwest of Apalachicola.  Tropical Storm Hermine, is currently headed north-northeast at 14 MPH and is expect to make landfall in Wakulla County late Thursday evening or early Friday morning.  Tropical Storm Hermine is expected to become a minimal hurricane just before landfall.  If it does become a hurricane, it will be the first hurricane to make landfall in Florida since Hurricane Wilma in October 2005.

A Hurricane Warning has been issued for Wakulla County, just south of Tallahassee.  A Hurricane Watch is still in effect for the coastal region of Pasco County in the West Central Florida Section and the coastal counties north of Pasco County all the way to Bay County in the Panhandle.  A Tropical Storm Warning is still in effect for all of Pasco County in the West Central Florida Section and all of the coastal counties north of Pasco County all the way to Bay County in the Panhandle.  Also at this time there are Flood Warnings in effect for portions of the Peace River, Anclote River, and the Myakka River and other flood prone areas.   Heavy Rain in the Tampa Bay Area and northward can still be expected but some heavy rain is still possible across much of the West Central Florida Section, although the chances outside of the Tampa Bay Area may be somewhat diminished.

At this time Pinellas County ARES/ACS, Hillsborough County ARES/RACES, and Sarasota County ACS have been requested by their served agencies to partially active, due to the Flooding potential in their areas.  Other county ARES groups are on standby in case they are requested to activate.  All ARES members in the West Central Florida Section are encouraged to continue to monitor the latest National Hurricane Center advisories, check their own supplies and equipment, and check with their local ARES Emergency Coordinator to see if their group has been requested to activate by their served agencies.

Also the Hurricane Watch Net was activated at 1000 this morning in support of Tropical Storm Hermine.  The Hurricane Watch Net is operating on 14.325 MHz on 20 Meters, mainly during the day, and on 7.268 MHz on 40 Meters, during the night.  Unless you are involved in submitting real weather data from the areas affected by Hermine, please avoid these frequencies while the Hurricane Watch Net is in session.  For more information on the Hurricane Watch Net go to http://www.hwn.org.

The next special bulletin will be issued at 1200 tomorrow unless conditions warrant a special bulletin to be issued sooner.

END OF SPECIAL BULLETIN

TROPICAL DEPRESSION #9 FORMS EARLIER THIS WEEK AND HEADED FOR BIG BEND AREA – WCF SECTION PREPAREDNESS.

At 1100, Tropical Depression #9 was located about 415 WSW of Tampa.  Currently its motion is stationery but it is expected to resume its path towards the north and then turn towards the northeast later today.  The center of Tropical Depression #9 is expected to make landfall near the west end of the Big Bend area of the Panhandle of Florida.

There is a Hurricane Watch in effect for the coastal region of Pasco County in the West Central Florida Section and the coastal counties north of Pasco County all the way to Bay County in the Panhandle.  There is a Tropical Storm Warning in effect for all of Pasco County in the West Central Florida Section and all of the coastal counties north of Pasco County all the way to Bay County in the Panhandle.  Also at this time there are Flood Warning due to go into effect for portions of the Peace River, Anclote River, and the Myakka River very soon.   Heavy Rain can be expected from 3 to 6 inches across much of the West Central Florida Section and especially in the Tampa Bay area which is closer to the area most impacted.  Higher amounts can be expected along the coastal counties especially northern coastal counties.

At this time Pinellas County ARES/ACS and Hillsborough County ARES/RACES have been requested by their served agencies to partially active.  Other county ARES groups are on standby in case they are requested to activate.  All ARES members in the West Central Florida Section are encouraged to continue to monitor the latest National Hurricane Center advisories, check their own supplies and equipment, and check with their local ARES Emergency Coordinator to see if their group has been requested to activate by their served agencies.

The next special bulletin will be issued at 1200 tomorrow unless conditions warrant a special bulletin to be issued sooner.

END OF SPECIAL BULLETIN

THE WCF PRESSER ISSUE #19 AUGUST 2016 IS NOW PUBLISHED

The WCF PRESSER Issue #19 for August 2016, has been published here on the Section website, the ARRL website.  THE WCF PRESSER was disseminated Monday (8/08) on the ARRL Section Email List for those who are ARRL members and are signed up for Section/Division news.

For the PDF version of this newsletter and past issues in PDF format go to http://arrlwcf.org/home/the-wcf-section-presser-arrl-west-central-florida-section-news/

END OF PRESS RELEASE

Hey! If you’re like me and started your business full of enthusiasm, only to realize that getting noticed online is a whole different challenge, let me tell you about how Search Engine Optimization (SEO) changed the game for me. I’ll explain how SEO can benefit your business, why it’s crucial to rank higher on Google, and why hiring an SEO expert is the way to go.
The Magic of SEO: Making Your Business Stand Out

When I launched my website, I thought clients would start pouring in. But that didn’t happen. My site was practically invisible. That’s when I discovered the wonders of SEO. Here’s why it’s so powerful:

Boosting Visibility: SEO helps your site climb the search engine rankings. Imagine potential clients finding your business on the first page of Google. Increased visibility means more traffic, which translates to more clients.

Gaining Trust: People trust Google. If your site shows up on the first page, it’s like getting an endorsement from the internet’s most reliable source. This boost in trust can significantly impact your business.

Enhancing User Experience: SEO involves optimizing your website to be user-friendly. Faster load times, mobile compatibility, and easy navigation not only please Google but also keep visitors engaged. Happy visitors are more likely to become clients.

Cost-Effective Marketing: Traditional ads can be expensive and stop working once you stop paying. SEO, on the other hand, is more budget-friendly. It targets users actively searching for your services, leading to higher conversion rates.

Sustainable Results: One of the best things about SEO is its lasting impact. Unlike paid ads, which provide temporary results, SEO efforts continue to drive organic traffic long after the initial work is done.

The Importance of High Google Rankings

Now, let’s talk about Google. It’s the go-to search engine for most people. Here’s why ranking higher on Google is so important:

Capturing Traffic: Most users don’t go beyond the first page of search results. Being in the top results means you’re getting the majority of the clicks and traffic. If you’re not there, you’re missing out.

Competitive Advantage: Your competitors are probably investing in SEO. To stay competitive, you need to rank higher than them. Higher rankings give you an edge in the market.

Local SEO Benefits: For local businesses, appearing in local search results is crucial. Local SEO helps attract nearby customers looking for your services, boosting both online and offline traffic.

Voice Search Optimization: With the rise of voice search, optimizing for voice queries can help you reach a new audience. SEO prepares your site for this growing trend.

Why Hiring an SEO Expert is Essential

I tried handling SEO myself at first, but it’s a complex and ever-changing field. Hiring an SEO expert made all the difference. Here’s why:

Expertise: SEO experts are always up-to-date with the latest trends and algorithm changes. My expert knew exactly what to do to improve my rankings and get results.

Customized Strategies: No two businesses are alike. My SEO expert created a strategy tailored to my specific needs and goals. It wasn’t a generic approach; it was designed just for my business.

Time Management: Running a business is a full-time job. Outsourcing SEO allowed me to focus on my business while my expert handled all the SEO work.

Advanced Tools: SEO experts with local SEO services have access to advanced tools for keyword research, competitor analysis, and performance tracking. My expert used these tools to optimize our strategy and maximize results.

Avoiding Mistakes: SEO can be tricky, and making mistakes can lead to penalties. My expert ensured we followed best practices and stayed compliant with search engine guidelines.

Conclusion

SEO was a game-changer for my business. It took my website from being virtually invisible to highly visible, driving more traffic and attracting clients I couldn’t have reached otherwise. Ranking high on Google is crucial for visibility and credibility, and hiring an SEO expert made all the difference. If you’re serious about growing your business and attracting more clients, investing in SEO is a must. Trust me, you’ll be glad you did!

WCF SECTION FIELD DAY CARAVAN INFORMATION POSTED

The information for the 16th Annual West Central Florida Section is now posted on the Section website at http://arrlwcf.org/wcf-special-events/west-central-florida-section-field-day-caravan/. This information includes information on how to track the caravan via APRS and the tentative itinerary of the caravan.

The caravan will consist of Darrell Davis KT4WX, Section Manager, and Christine Duez KK4KJN, our Section Youth Coordinator.  The caravan will start in Polk County and go through the northern part of the Section on Saturday and the southern part of the Section on Sunday.  Darrell and Christine look forward to meeting all of you on Field Day.

END OF PRESS RELEASE

Your home is your sanctuary, a place to shield yourself from the outside world. But what about the outside world itself? The elements can wage war on your siding, the protective shell of your home. From scorching sun to icy blasts, harsh weather can wreak havoc, leaving you vulnerable and facing potential financial headaches. Here’s why understanding weather’s impact and partnering with the best Siding in Calgary contractors is crucial to saving money and keeping your home a haven.

Weather’s Wrath: A Multi-Pronged Attack

Mother Nature has a diverse arsenal when it comes to damaging your siding:

Sun’s Fury: The relentless sun can cause fading, warping, and cracking, especially on lower-quality siding materials. This not only compromises the aesthetics of your home but also weakens the siding’s ability to protect against other elements.
Rain’s Relentless Assault: Heavy rain can exploit cracks and gaps in your siding, leading to water infiltration. This can cause mold growth, rot, and structural damage – problems that can cost a significant amount to repair.
Wind’s Devious Blows: Strong winds can rip off siding panels, especially during storms. Loose siding creates openings for water intrusion and exposes your home’s underlying structure to the elements.

DIY Danger Zone: Why Shortcuts Cost More

While a DIY approach might seem tempting for minor siding issues, it can be a costly gamble. Here’s why partnering with a top-tier siding contractor is the smarter financial decision:

Expert Diagnosis and Solutions: Experienced contractors have the knowledge and expertise to identify weather-related damage accurately and recommend the most effective solutions. They can also spot potential problems before they escalate, saving you from costly surprises down the road.
Flawless Installation Matters: Proper siding installation is crucial for optimal performance. Skilled contractors ensure the siding is installed flawlessly, creating a watertight seal and preventing leaks and drafts. This level of expertise minimizes the risk of future weather-related damage, saving you money on repairs.
The Right Material for the Right Battle: Different climates require different siding materials. Top contractors can recommend siding specifically designed to withstand the weather challenges of your region. This ensures your siding is built to last and protects your home for years to come.
Warranty Protection: Reputable contractors offer warranties on their work and materials. This peace of mind translates to financial security, as you’re protected from unexpected repair costs within the warranty period.

Invest in Your Home’s Defense

Hiring the best siding contractor isn’t just about aesthetics; it’s about a proactive approach to protecting your investment. By prioritizing quality materials, expert installation, and preventative maintenance, you’re ensuring your home can withstand weather’s wrath and remain a secure and comfortable haven for years to come. Think of it as a long-term investment in your home’s defense system. The upfront cost of a professional is a small price to pay compared to the potential financial and structural damage caused by neglecting your siding.

So, don’t let the weather win the war on your home. Schedule regular inspections, address weather-related issues promptly, and consider working with the best siding contractors in your area. Your home and your wallet will thank you for it.

SECTION NETS ON NI4CE REPEATER SYSTEM THIS EVENING CANCELLED

Per the request of Ed Allen WA4ISB, trustee of the NI4CE repeater system, due to the severe weather potential with the landfall of Tropical Storm Colin and the operation of a SKYWARN Net, the WCF Section Nets on the NI4CE repeater system will be cancelled for Monday 6/06/16.  The nets to be cancelled are the Section ARES and Information Net at 1930 and the Eagle Net at 2030.  The Eagle Net will resume tomorrow evening at 2030, and the Section ARES and Information Net will resume on Monday 6/13/16.

Thank you to all for your understanding.

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