Updated: March 12, 2026

“Forecasts are predictions. Observations confirm reality.”

Amateur radio will once again play an important role at the 2026 National Hurricane Conference, held March 30 – April 2, 2026 at the Rosen Centre Hotel in Orlando, Florida.

The Amateur Radio Forum will take place Tuesday, March 31, from 1:30 PM – 5:00 PM EDT in Salon 5/6 (2nd Floor). This forum brings together leaders from the hurricane forecasting, emergency management, and amateur radio communities to discuss how radio communications support hurricane operations.

Why Amateur Radio Matters
Modern hurricane forecasting relies on advanced observing systems including satellites, Doppler radar, reconnaissance aircraft, ocean buoys, and automated weather stations. However, hurricanes can disable instruments — particularly where the storm is strongest — causing buoys to fail, weather stations to lose power, and communications systems to go offline.

This often occurs precisely when forecasters most need reliable surface observations.

Amateur radio operators provide ground-truth reports from people experiencing the storm, helping forecasters confirm conditions and improve the accuracy of warnings issued to the public.

Every report matters.

A reminder to operators in affected areas:
Never assume someone else will report conditions from your location.

When everyone assumes another station will make the report, critical observations may never reach forecasters. If it is safe to do so, your report may be the only confirmation from your area.

Event Information
Amateur Radio Forum – National Hurricane Conference
Date/Time: Tuesday, March 31, 2026 | 1:30 PM – 5:00 PM EDT
Location: Rosen Centre Hotel – Salon 5/6 (2nd Floor) – Orlando, Florida

Attendance at the Amateur Radio Forum is free and open to the public. Conference information is available at:
www.hurricanemeeting.com

Attend in Person, Watch Live, or View Later
Attend forum in person, watch the livestream, or view the recording afterwards.

LiveStream: https://www.youtube.com/live/k9aHwsliekU
YouTube: Posted a few days later – https://www.youtube.com/HurricaneWatchNet

Featured Presentations (Subject to Change)
      • Bob Robichaud, VE1MBR – Canadian Hurricane Centre
      • National Hurricane Center – Amateur Radio Collaboration Overview
      • Julio Ripoll, WD4R – WX4NHC Operations
      • Bobby Graves, KB5HAV – Hurricane Watch Net Overview
      • Rob Macedo, KD1CY – VoIP Hurricane Net & Tropical SKYWARN Best Practices
      • Bill Feist, WB8BZH & Joe Bassett, W1WCN – Salvation Army SATERN
      • Josh Johnston, KE5MHV – ARRL Emergency Management Update

Presentations will also review how amateur radio supported operations during the 2025 Atlantic Hurricane Season.

Door Prizes
Attendees present at the forum will have the opportunity to win several door prizes, including:
      • Items from the HWN merchandise store
      • Hand-crank AM/FM/NOAA emergency radio
      • Grand Prize: Tempestº Personal Weather Station by WeatherFlow

(You must be present to win.)

We hope to see you in Orlando, watching live online, or viewing the recording afterward as we prepare for the 2026 hurricane season.