Amateur Radio Collective of Western Carolina (ARCWC)

ARCWC APRS Bulletins

On-air APRS traffic

Recent ARCWC Bulletins

Group ARCWC
BLN0ARCWCHazard statement
Special Weather Statement Polk / Rutherford Alert

SPS Polk/Rutherford:50mph wind, .25in hail 1814L

APRS RFSPS Polk/Rutherford:50mph wind, .25in hail 1814L
N2NVY
BLN1ARCWCHazard statement
Special Weather Statement Polk / Rutherford Alert

SPS Polk/Rutherford:40mph wind, .25in hail 1837L

APRS RFSPS Polk/Rutherford:40mph wind, .25in hail 1837L
N2NVY
BLN2ARCWCWarning
Severe Thunderstorm Warning Polk / Rutherford Cancel

SVS Polk/Rutherford:SVR canceled 1904L

APRS RFSVS Polk/Rutherford:SVR canceled 1904L
N2NVY
BLN3ARCWCHazard statement
Special Weather Statement Polk / Rutherford Alert

SPS Polk/Rutherford:40mph wind, .25in hail 1745L

APRS RFSPS Polk/Rutherford:40mph wind, .25in hail 1745L
N2NVY
Updated 11:42 PM GMT+0000. Mirrored by ARCWC automation. Website presence records delivery to this board; verify over-the-air/APRS-IS reception on aprs.fi.

ARCWC APRS Bulletin Quick Reference

Source: N2NVYPath: WIDE2-1Group: ARCWCMaximum body: 67 characters

How to read an address: BLNAARCWC means bulletin slot A for group ARCWC. Numbered slots are automated hazards, letters A-F are manual subjects, and T is reserved for tests.

Automated Hazard Bulletins

BLN0ARCWC through BLN9ARCWC are assigned automatically and should not be used for manual traffic.

CodeMeaning
TORTornado Warning
SVRSevere Thunderstorm Warning
FFWFlash Flood Warning
SVSWarning update, continuation, or cancellation
TOATornado Watch
SVASevere Thunderstorm Watch
SPSSpecial Weather Statement containing a meaningful hazard

Format: CODE County/County:Hazard information TIME

BLN0ARCWC:SPS Rutherford:40mph wind, .25in hail 1703L
BLN1ARCWC:SVR Polk/Rutherford:60mph wind, 1in hail x1815L
BLN2ARCWC:SVS Polk:SVR canceled 1742L
BLN3ARCWC:TOR Buncombe:Radar indicated tornado x1845L

1703L means issued at 5:03 PM local time. x1815L means expires at 6:15 PM local time.

Manual Bulletins

BLNAARCWC through BLNFARCWC are assigned dynamically. A new type-and-area subject receives the next available letter; updates, resolutions, and cancellations reuse that letter. Closed letters are released after 15 minutes, active subjects age out after 24 hours, and BLNTARCWC is always used for tests.

TypeMeaning
ADMINAdministrative notice
NETNet or meeting information
SYSTEMRepeater or system status
EVENTEvent or training information
ROADRoad or travel information
FACILITYShelter or facility information
SAFETYPublic safety information
TESTClearly identified test traffic

Manual County Abbreviations

Manual RF payloads use short county labels to preserve space for the notice. Telegram and website metadata retain the full county name.

RF labelAreaRF labelArea
BUNBuncombe CountyHAYHaywood County
HENHenderson CountyMCDMcDowell County
POLPolk CountyRUTRutherford County
TRATransylvania CountyArea-wideAll seven counties

Bulletin Actions

ActionMeaning
NEWStarts a new type-and-area subject and assigns a letter.
UPDATEUpdates the active subject on its existing letter.
RESOLVEDCloses a resolved subject on its existing letter.
CANCELEDCloses a canceled subject on its existing letter.
TESTSends clearly marked test traffic on slot T.

Operating Rules

  • Use UPDATE, RESOLVED, or CANCELED for an existing type-and-area subject; its letter is reused.
  • Do not add APRS acknowledgment or message-number fields.
  • Avoid | and ~ characters.
  • Leave numbered slots exclusively for automated hazard traffic.
  • Use TEST only for tests on slot T.
  • Website presence confirms the mirror received the record. Use aprs.fi or an APRS receiver to verify RF/APRS-IS reception.

Manual payload: TYPE AREA:STATUS message. A new bulletin omits the status prefix.

BLNAARCWC:EVENT HEN:BRARC meeting tonight at 1900L
BLNAARCWC:EVENT HEN:UPDATE Meeting moved to 1930L
BLNAARCWC:EVENT HEN:RESOLVED Meeting concluded

Full packet example:

N2NVY>APRS,WIDE2-1::BLNAARCWC:EVENT HEN:BRARC meeting tonight at 1900L