Purpose of Radio Network 2 Frequencies cover statewide Illinois, Missouri and Indiana, 1 covers only Illinois 1)  Search and Rescue Operations / Mutual Aid assistance / Disaster Coordination      A.  On-Scene SAR/Cave Rescue ops in Tri-State area (MO, IL, IN)            Multiple SAR teams will be able to legally communicate on one of our 3 frequencies.      B.  Bases to relay info from radios on scene (Dispatch: Make Telephone calls, etc.) 2)  Local Events & Communications (Non-Emergency)       Security/Ops/Comms for local events, ie: Parades, County Fairs, Carnivals, School Ops, Bike rides, Runs, Charity 3)   Severe Weather -- Watchers / Broadcasting      A. "Point-to-Point" communications      B.  Mobile to Point/Repeater communications (field ops to dispatch) (Not for "storm chasing')      C.  Localized weather watching operations (for Fire, EMA, SKYWARN, other organizations)      D.  Allow the public to monitor local weather situations/alerts Click to join Dingotel I-WARN News & Updates 5/14/08 Soon applying for UHF Frequencies to use for interop, cross-band repeaters and mobile extenders. As soon as funds become available, we will also be also be applying for statewide FBT/MO on   155.16, 155.28 and possibly another narrowband VHF frequency. 5/05/08 Carlinville I-WARN base is no longer located at Chris Weatherford's home QTH.  He has moved to Hannibal, MO and we may add a new base on there in the future. Hopefully in the near future, Carlinville Fire Department will want to take on the tower for the Carlinville location. 3/12/08 I-WARN member Mike Dickerson, located in Flora (Clay) now has a GMRS License, WPZT859 1/8/08 We would like to welcome our newest associate team, Bureau County ESDA (IL) 11/7/06 Updated Website --- AGAIN, currently only looking for SAR teams that would like to use our frequencies. 4/30/06 Unless you are in the area of a current base station, we are requesting only those that are interesting in a base station OR have a team that would like to use frequencies for mobile only, please apply.  At this time, we are not looking for random individuals in random places.  4/10/06  N9MAE is now WX9SAR (Weather 9 Search and Rescue) 3/11/06 Updated Links with all area regional Radars from the National Weather Service. 2/28/06 We would like to welcome our newest associate team, Twin Rivers Search & Rescue of East Alton 1/1/06 I-WARN member Terry Weatherford now has a GMRS License, WQEC874 9/4/05 We would like to welcome our newest associate team, Northwest Emergency Services of Indianapolis 8/31/05 Jersey County base at 40 feet at this time, will be 50 feet when completed. 8/13/05 Webiste and FAQ's updated. 7/02/05 Macoupin County base is on the air/constructed (Carlinville) (See pics on communications page) 6/29/05 Jersey County base is on the air/constructed (Elsah) At this time, I-WARN is only operating in certain local areas for weather and in various locations (as needed) for Search & Rescue Teams. We are currently working on the By-Laws and updating the website. We alI have been very busy with work and trying to pull resources together. We appreciate your patience as we pull this system together. Thanks Terry Weatherford, President

I-WARN Board of Directors

President / Treasurer Terry Weatherford, Jr. iwarn @ sbcglobal.net Yahoo!IM: tmweatherford Vice President Paul Ragsdale E-Mail Yahoo!IM Secretary / P.I.O. Chris Hartshorn E-Mail Yahoo!IM Trustee Mike Dickerson E-Mail Yahoo!IM Trustee Andy Stubblefield E-Mail Yahoo!IM Trustee Chris Weatherford E-Mail Yahoo!IM: cweatherford7 DONATIONS Of course, we gladly accept donations of Radio equipment and money.  Click on the MAKE A DONATION button on the left menu.

FAQ's  Frequently Asked Questions

Aren't you duplicating systems already in place by Ham & Goverment agencies? ** We understand that Amateur (Ham) Radio Repeaters and Government agencies are already out there providing many of the services & communications that this network will provide.  ** This is a chance for non-hams and non-Public Safety personnel to get involved.  But, Hams & Public Safety personnel are encouraged to get involved. ** This network is also for statewide (IL, IN, MO) Search and Rescue (SAR) operations.  Most SAR teams in Illinois DO NOT have a frequency available only for their needs.

Can't we just use I-REACH or 155.16 (the National SAR frequency)? No, I-REACH is for interagency discipline coordination.  It is used to contact other agencies, but should not be used as a dispatch or tactical channel. No, 155.16 is not licensed by ANYONE in the state of Illinois to be used statewide for SAR ops.  It is also used by many EMS agencies & School Bus Operations.  It is even used as MERCI-3 in Madison and St. Clair County.

What Fees are involved if I want to join I-WARN? At this time, the only fees involved in I-WARN are frequency coordintion fees for base stations or repeaters. Of course, you are responsible for providing and funding your own radios, programming them, your own antennas, towers, feedline and electricity needed to operate your station.

Why do you require teams to become members and not just automatically allow them use? Since we are legally responsible for the operations on the frequencies that we are authorized to use, we must know who is using them, for what purpose, etc. We also want to attempt to make sure that ops on a certain frequency or certain tone will not interfere with other users in their area.

Who Can Join?

Sorry, currently we are only taking applications for MOBILE use by Search & Rescue Teams or Weather Related Agencies. If you are requesting a base station, please email for information on how to obtain a license on your own. Sorry, At this time, we are not looking for random individuals in random places.  OUR FUTURE GOAL for Weather Operations: -We are looking for people/parties, who would need to have or obtain a VHF (Hi-Band) radio, either mobile or base. -We are looking for at least one base station (hopefully centrally located) in each county. -An antenna tower of 20 feet or higher with a high gain antenna would be encouraged.

Search & Rescue units: We encourage ALL agencies in the tri-state area to get involved to have these frequencies legally available to them. WEATHER units: A permanent base is the most important at this point, not "weather chasers" or mobile units.

How Do I Join?

Use our online FORM, fill it out, copy it and E-mail it to Terry Weatherford.  I'll try to get back to you as soon as possible.

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