Sunday 24 March 2013

Reminder: Closure of the SAWDOS BLOG - Merger/Amalgamation of SAWDOS/HAMNET/Kobus Botha's Weather Photos of South Africa


The merger or amalgamation of SAWDOS (South African Weather and Disaster Observation Service) and HAMNET, on Facebook, are now under discussion with Johan Terblanche, ZS1I and ZS6BUU as well as Kobus Botha, ZS6KOB who runs the www.weatherphotos.co.za website.

Kobus has offered HAMNET space on his website and Johan and Francois are discussing how the merger of the two Facebook and Twitter sites can take place over a period of time.

In a separate report later in this bulletin, Hamnet will be taken over by a ‘team’ and Francois, will maintain an interest and supporting role by way of the merger of the two aforementioned sites.

This has a long term benefit. The merger will be a good platform for the man in the street to get more insight into amateur radio and at the same time, have access to a site that highlights ‘real time’ weather conditions in South Africa.

In the USA, they have an excellent system called ‘SKYWARN’. This system does not exist in South Africa. But, with the combination of SAWDOS and HAMNET, we are actually creating such a system whereby both amateur radio operators as well as followers of SAWDOS can contribute to a site that gives us more and better information into weather conditions in our country.

Johan and I approached the South African Weather Service on many occasions in an effort to get them to participate in such a venture or project. Their response was deafening!

HAMNET, once the merger is complete, will fill this gap which will have access to Radio and Media for information and reports on weather conditions in our country especially during the summer months as well as winter. Snow is occurring more often than before and sometimes with annoying if not uncomfortable situations.

We put up a ‘teaser’ on Facebook to measure response to such a venture, and the feedback was very positive.

Systems are now being developed to launch this ‘real time’ weather – and other disaster site, in South Africa and you will be informed on a regular basis of progress! The Media will also be informed of this new venture across the country once all is in place!

- HAMNET

The above insert by HAMNET relates:

The time has come for one unified organization to keep the public informed about severe weather conditions by means of real time weather observation. The above statement set out the current merger/amalgamation plans.

SAWDOS has indicated in the past that restructuring of the SAWDOS Blog is essential. The topic is available HERE. In the mean time discussions took place between HAMNET, SAWDOS and Kobus Botha (Weatherphotos). An agreement has been reached as set out by HAMNET in the above statement.

The use and updating of the SAWDOS blog as of 1 April 2013 will constitute a duplication of weather observation information. The web-site of Kobus Botha at www.weatherphotos.co.za contains all the necessary information pertaining to the weather in South Africa. Disaster information and communications will be available on the HAMNET web, Facebook and Twitter pages. The Twitter and Facebook pages of the SAWDOS also contain valuable information and images supplied by the public. As a result of the merger/amalgamation the SAWDOS Blog will be closed on the 31 March 2013. The SAWDOS and SAWDOS Facebook pages will remain active until the merge and amalgamation has been completed. SAWDOS would like to recommend that subscribers and users of the SAWDOS Blog migrate to Kobus Botha's Weather Photos of South Africa so as to get acquainted with the workings of the site. Kobus has an excellent site with great  information and data. Click HERE to visit Weather Photos of South Africa.

SAWDOS, HAMNET and Weatherphotos will keep the public informed on a regular basis as to changes that will occur in the next few months.

PLEASE NOTE THAT THE SAWDOS BLOG WILL BE CLOSED ON THE 31 MARCH 2013.

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