SKYWARN PACKET WB8CQR-4, the packet station LEARA maintains at NWS at Cleveland Hopkins airport, is operating essentially as it will during the oncoming SKYWARN season. Some minor software changes are still being made, and the 220 MHz port is still to be installed, but otherwise it is complete. The station uses an IBM PC to monitor the NWS weather wire and capture messages of interest to Northeast Ohio Skywarn stations. These include severe weather Watches and Warnings anywhere in Ohio, Travel Advisories, and other selected traffic. These mes- sages are immediately forwarded to CLEWX and the NEOLAN BBS operated by W8GRG. A Kantronics KPC-4 permits simultaneous forwarding and multiple connections by other packet stations. A connecting station can read the latest bulletin from the weather wire, which will usual- ly be the latest forecast if it has not been overwritten by one of the messages mentioned above. The connecting station can also send a message to NWS which wil be automatically printed out if the station is unattended. The purpose of this operation is to support NWS in two ways: providing widespread real-time distribution of Skywarn ALERT messages, and collecting real-time on-the-spot reports of threat- ening weather conditions. To do this we need to identify packet stations that can connect to one of the CLE nodes on VHF or UHF, and that can be expected to be manned and on the air when threatening weather conditions occur. CLE220 on 223.7 will be the key NETROM node, and any station able to connect to it through the backbone VHF/UHF net- work will be able to connect to WB8CQR-4. If you are interested, try connecting to CLE220 through the node nearest you, and have it connect you to WB8CQR-4 or W8GRG. Leave us a message advising of your interest and the node where you connect to the network so we can call you. Tell us if you have a source of information on weather conditions in your vicinity, such as a local skywarn net, and the area it covers. In return, we will put you on the WXNET roster for automatic forwarding of Skywarn ALERT messages, and also regular weather forecasts if you want them. Local stations can connect direct to WB8CQR-4 on 145.05; those to the east that have problems connecting direct can use the CLV5 digipeater or CLEX gateway. If you think another 2-meter frequen- cy such as 145.07 would be better for NWS/WB8CQR-4, please let us know.