What is MTEARS?
MTEARS is a statewide system of linked UHF-only repeaters used during severe weather and other emergency situations. When the net is active, MTEARS Net Control (K4OHX) directs operations and shares watch/warning and situational updates from the National Weather Service and other official sources.
Stations with storm or damage reports should report them to their local county severe weather net. County liaisons then relay reports meeting NWS criteria to MTEARS Net Control. K4OHX then forwards those reports to the appropriate NWS office and shares updates back out to the counties. Mobile operators, or stations in counties without an active local net, may pass reports directly to Net Control. All stations are encouraged to monitor; to keep the system effective, limit transmissions to essential storm-related or emergency traffic.
There are no formal requirements to participate in the MTEARS system. The net meets each Monday at 9:00 PM ET (8:00 PM CT). The net is open to all amateurs and serves as a test of the system and of amateurs’ own equipment. All stations are encouraged to have a reliable link to the system and, if possible, the ability to access it through more than one link.
The system and the net are maintained by volunteers. As MTEARS is a statewide linked system, protracted “ragchew” conversations are discouraged. Once contact is made with a station, move extended conversations to a local repeater or to simplex.