About Western Oklahoma SKYWARN®
Amateur Radio is almost synonymous with the SKYWARN® program, the "eyes and ears" of the National Weather Service (NWS) during severe weather emergencies. Hams comprise the majority of SKYWARN® volunteers, who report "ground truth" weather to local NWS offices, supplementing their sophisticated weather monitoring equipment.
The Oklahoma Department of Emergency Management and Homeland Security, along with local volunteer amateur radio operators, provide funding, repeater system hardware and other support for the Western Oklahoma SKYWARN® linked repeater system. This system provides spotters with communication links to Emargency Management and the NWS Weather Forecast Office in Norman. Volunteers include trained SKYWARN® storm spotters and emergency management, providing severe weather "ground truth" observations directly to the National Weather Service in Norman Oklahoma via linked radio repeater systems in western Oklahoma.
If you have questions, send us an email using the Contact page on this web site.
Bryan DeHart, K5GSM, became a silent key January 17, 2024. Bryan was the developer, trustee and fulltime support for this repeater system. He was a friend, and is missed by all of us. Bryan's obituary is published here. The text is copied below.
Bryan Noel DeHart Obituary
Bryan Noel DeHart, 64, passed away January 17, 2024 in Oklahoma City, OK. He was born December 27, 1959 to Dwight and Lila (Powell) DeHart in Oklahoma City, OK. He graduated from Putnam City High School in 1978, and went on to marry the love of his life, Kimberly McDonald on June 2, 1978.
Bryan worked as a commercial radio technician with T-Mobile. He was an amateur ham radio operator, and loved the adventure of being a weather chaser. He enjoyed boating, camping and spending time at the lake.
Bryan was preceded in death by his father. He is survived by his wife, Kim; sons, Brian (Natalie) DeHart and Brandon (Amy) DeHart; mother, Louise DeHart; sister, Michelle (Dennis) Raath; and 9 grandchildren, Cameron and Caroline, Laken and Beth, Cetcher, Integra, Balyn, Evelyn, Ivy, Olivia and Wyatt.
No services are scheduled at this time.Bill Spunaugle, W5BLS, became a silent key May 18, 2022. Bill and Bryan were best friends, and they kept the repeater system running and active for all of us. His presence is missed by everyone. Bill's obituary is published here
William Lee Spunaugle
July 9, 1964 — May 18, 2022
William (Bill) Lee Spunaugle was born July 9, 1964 to Joan Ratliff in Great Bend, Kansas and passed away on May 18, 2022 in Oklahoma City.
Bill grew up in Mountain View, Weatherford, Thomas and Carnegie, Oklahoma. He made Fort Cobb his home and worked at the Fort Cobb State Park for 22 years, later working as a security guard in Anadarko and Lawton. He was a police officer for several local departments over the years.
Bill married the love of his life, Suzanne Wright, February 14, 2011. They enjoyed taking drives around Fort Cobb lake and attending OU sporting events.
He was a miniature train enthusiast and loved adding to his display. Bill also was a part of the Caddo County Emergency Management team and took pride in helping to keep people informed.
Bill is survived by his wife of the home, Suzanne Spunaugle; mother, Joan Ratliff of Mountain View; sisters: Becky Mandrell and husband Eddie; Catherine Parrish and husband John all of Mountain View; one brother, Bryan Phillips and wife Billie of Bamberg, South Caroline; step-children, Michelle Henry and husband Daniel of Whiteman, AFB MO, Justin French and wife Kim of Lawton, Stefanie Reeser and husband Matthew of Apache; Nine step-grandchildren: Ryan, Logan & Ashlynn Henry; KaeLynn, Levi and Karson French; Kolton, Kinsley & Kennadee Reeser.
The family will hold a memorial service at a later date.
Last modified:Sunday, 27-Jul-2025 at 18:02:43