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Author Topic: D.H.S. and F.E.M.A.  (Read 12327 times)

W8LV

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RE: D.H.S. and F.E.M.A.
« Reply #135 on: June 08, 2019, 06:34:06 PM »

You miss the point. It doesn't matter that it was the third largest hurricane to hit.
Hurricanes typically cause damage to the communications infrastructure. Some are lower in intensity than others, yes! So? I didn't even know that fact until you pointed it out.
So what?

I was in Florida and directly experienced  hurricane Charley. It was a strange experience, especially when we were within the "eye".  As you must know, that year (2004 I think) also included Frances, Ivan, and Jeanne. Upon returning to Florida both one and two years later, I observed that there was STILL reminant damage. Successive smaller hurricanes take their toll in a cumulative way.

And just a few weeks ago, we had approximately fourty tornadoes of various strengths here in the Midwest.

Do you want to be prepared for the LARGEST hurricane ever in recorded history?
How about the sixth largest?

Or how about the smallest one, if it hits YOUR neighbourhood?

NOAA says that we can expect stronger and more frequent hurricanes in the future.
Beefing up infrastructure and alternative backups is going to be a necessity in future years.

Here in Central Ohio, utilities are switching out wooden poles for galvanized ones, and really working hard to keep that very necessary power on.

You can't bury everything. Heat is a problem. Transformers get hot! Moisture always travels downward. Conduits can actually become unintended traps for water, if just one aging seam on either end is no longer watertight.

Every commercial sign in the area where we hunkered down was blown out. This made navigation even on foot confusing so someone unfamiliar with the area. The mains were out. Gas lines. Water lines. All out.
We prepared, as per the instructions all over TV and the radio. Curiously we observed a lot of locals not doing so. And wondered why. Only being used to tornadoes, we were amazed at the widespread damage we witnessed when we could finally go exploring after it was over. One thing we especially noticed was how the Spanish tile roofs had a tendency to uproot themselves and slide down roofs until they would "dam" at the eavestroughs, dangerously teetering and sometimes falling. My Son was nearly hit by one of these. So I'm not so sure that Spanish tile, while it is pretty, is a super good idea to put on a roof. Maybe it has some other benefits that I don't know of. Also, having little palm trees placed on either side of entrance doors. These we frequently found toppled right in front of the doorways. It was like they were top heavy and just fell over.

We're off topic now. But I don't see how many towers could have withstood those winds.
But wires? Maybe. And if not? They could be easily thrown up in the air, so to speak, after the storm.
I would say to every Ham: You have a radio. You can run low power. But do you have sufficient backup/alternative power?

And the antenna? That's your lynchpin. So please just do this: make up a couple of dipoles. Put one in the trunk, and one in the house. You might really really need them someday. Plus, they cost next to nothing to make.

So Florida is not for me, though my wife (already Retired) wants to move there. But wives always get 1.1 votes on these things.

I would miss the snow. That's why I prefer "8" Land, and "VE3" Land. But with the kind of money you have, I suppose that you could have some shipped in if you really wanted to...

73 DE W8LV BILL


 
« Last Edit: June 08, 2019, 06:52:12 PM by W8LV »
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WA7PRC

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RE: D.H.S. and F.E.M.A.
« Reply #136 on: June 08, 2019, 07:53:36 PM »

[Fun fact:
The concept of hams providing much/any public service pretty-much went away with Cellular telephone service in the 1980s and later, with flat-rate long distance service. RIP Nat'l Traffic System.
Thast's not what a representative of the National Weather Service told us Tuesday night, nor what one of the guys that went to Puerto Rico told us at club meetings.
And yet, if there was any actual & significant public need for more hams to be on the air (at home), ya'd think ARRL's ARES would be crying for help. Telling is an interview on WGMD of then- ARRL ARES Harris County Texas Public Information Officer Mike Urich, KA5CVH (link). At about 7:00, he states that there is DECREASING need for hams in ARES. Further, after flooding in Lousiana, EmCom agencies lamented that they could've used more hams AT/NEAR disaster locations. No mention of any increased need of at-home hams. But then, you've been informed of this MANY times on more than one forum. I know I'm not the sharpest pencil in the drawer but, I find it easy to understand.  ::)
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W8LV

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RE: D.H.S. and F.E.M.A.
« Reply #137 on: June 08, 2019, 08:55:42 PM »

Sorry PRC, but you just burned the toast...

Ignoring "Thast's not what a representative of the National Weather Service told us Tuesday night, nor what one of the guys that went to Puerto Rico told us at club meetings" completely. Completely!

He ignores Common Sense, that for the Hams THEMSELVES,
sheltering in place while still being able to maintain communications is the BEST choice.
A sturdy structure, where everything is at hand!

He further ignores hams who are NOT in the immediate area of a disaster and their ability to RELAY communications. Nor the whims of propagation!

Thus, a Midwest landlubber Ham might be the one to receive a maritime net call.
And/or RELAY it! Have you ever heard of the American Radio RELAY League?
That's kind of how it all started, you know! Then, who knows? That SAME Midwest Landlubber might be the one in need the NEXT time, like a lot of us were just two weeks or so ago when we got hit by the tornadoes.

Katrina Health and Welfare messages were indeed handled by hams across the ENTIRE COUNTRY.
Do you think that everybody suddenly went out and pitched tents in order to handle them or something?

Did PRC miss the link to THIS WEEKS ARRL LETTER?
It's just a couple of posts above this one...

More hams are better than less hams.
Why do you think that we have part 97?

To DISCOURAGE having more hams?

Has anyone suggested placing limits on the number of ham licencees?


73 DE W8LV BILL








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W8LV

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RE: D.H.S. and F.E.M.A.
« Reply #138 on: June 08, 2019, 09:15:32 PM »

KK4GGL, I devised a "test" some months ago about the Amateur Radio Parity Act. It's a little dated now, since Nelson got the boot and all. But I think it's still to the point. Read and enjoy!


The Amateur Radio Parity Test (t.m.)
V1.3:


1) Would it be:

A) Better

Or

B) Worse

To have more hams listening at home, who would then be aware of and able to help immediately to establish communications in a Mass Disaster?

2) At any given time of day or night, are the MAJORITY of hams in the World:

A) At home, if they are not working.

B) Camping.

C) On their Honeymoon, during Field Day Weekend.

D) Sleeping in their car, since the Honeymoon has been long over,
with a mobile rig turned on to monitor the local Skywarn Net.

3) During a Tornado or Hurricane, do most Hams:

A) Shelter in place in their homes.

B) Go Camping.

C) Stay in the Subway with their Baofeng HT until the Crisis is over.

D) Get in their cars and operate mobile until the event is well past their location, and then go inside.

E) Skip the whole wedding and Honeymoon thing, and just Elope during the crisis.

4) Referring back to Question #1 Now (Yes, it's Okay to look.) When propagation is poor,
is it better to have:

A) More Hams able to immediately get on the air.

Or

B) Less Hams with the ability to get on the air, merely because the Busybody Clowns Next Door don't like the look of antennas.

5) During the recent hurricanes in Puerto Rico and Florida did the people there want:

A) Emergency and Health and Welfare messages handled by as quickly as possible.

B) Have hams demonstrate a “need” to have antennas before The Commission.

6) Which ONE of these words appear
in the ARRL Petition FCC to incorporate Parity Act Provisions Into the Part 97 Rules:


Preemption

Preemption

Preemption

7) Should neighbors have special rights to deny amateur radio operators and anyone else that they don't like, freedom of expression on their own property?

A) Sure... Why do we need that Pesky Constitution or Bill of Rights anyway, because antennas are Ugly to me,
So There!

B) No. I've actually READ The Federalist Papers, The Constitution,  AND The Bill of Rights, and understand that protecting the Minority FROM the Majority is ESSENTIAL to a Republic.

The 80 Metre Santa Net is:

A) A cover operation for a Numbers Station Net that is actually run by Dr. Evil.

B) Much more convenient to monitor from your RESIDENCE as opposed to Mobile.

9) You are a teenager interested In ham radio and would like to take the first step by becoming an SWL while you study for your ticket, but are  living in an HOA Tyranny through no fault of your own, because that's where
your parents live. You look across the street, and notice that your neighbor has left his garage door up.

Do you:

A) Report the neighbour to the HOA Jackboots,
and just listen to shortwave by the wholly inadequate whip antenna.

Or

B) Not inform on the neighbour,
 and run some Magnet Wire
to a pine tree in your backyard.

10) You are on the way to school, and are met by The School Bully, who explains that it will be a lot easier on you to just skip lunch today, and finance HIS lunch today. And everyday.

Do you:

A) Give him your lunch money

Or

B) Whump him on the side of his formerly Thick Skull in True David and Goliath Style with an old Hardcover Edition of the ARRL Antenna Book that you thoughtfully soaked in linseed oil
a couple of "Missed Lunches" ago?

C) Explain to him that you really have a need to eat lunch everyday.

D) B and C

SUPER BONUS QUESTION:

11) If the ARRL proposal becomes part of Part 97, soon to be Former Senator Nelson will:

A) Get his ticket, become active from his residence during Florida weather emergencies and participate in the  Santa Net.

B) Wish that he hadn't screwed hams over in hindsight, because even 1% of the 1% can squeeze you through a tight election when your HOA Masters can't.

C) B but not A

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KK4GGL

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RE: D.H.S. and F.E.M.A.
« Reply #139 on: June 09, 2019, 02:15:53 PM »

[Fun fact:
The concept of hams providing much/any public service pretty-much went away with Cellular telephone service in the 1980s and later, with flat-rate long distance service. RIP Nat'l Traffic System.
Thast's not what a representative of the National Weather Service told us Tuesday night, nor what one of the guys that went to Puerto Rico told us at club meetings.
And yet, if there was any actual & significant public need for more hams to be on the air (at home), ya'd think ARRL's ARES would be crying for help.
What makes you think they aren't? ARES is basically local. How do you know what they are doing?
Telling is an interview on WGMD of then- ARRL ARES Harris County Texas Public Information Officer Mike Urich, KA5CVH (link). At about 7:00, he states that there is DECREASING need for hams in ARES.
That may be true. DECREASING. How much? Where?
Further, after flooding in Lousiana, EmCom agencies lamented that they could've used more hams AT/NEAR disaster locations. No mention of any increased need of at-home hams.
They probably could have used more at/near the disaster locations. In that type of response, they probably didn't need stations far removed from the local sites.
But then, you've been informed of this MANY times on more than one forum. I know I'm not the sharpest pencil in the drawer but, I find it easy to understand.  ::) 
The personal insult is noted by me if not by the moderators.
BTW, I didn't say anything about at-home hams in the above post.
And, again, let me know when you have a career in Emergency Services, including disaster response.
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73,
Rick KK4GGL

KK4GGL

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RE: D.H.S. and F.E.M.A.
« Reply #140 on: June 09, 2019, 02:20:28 PM »

KK4GGL, I devised a "test" some months ago about the Amateur Radio Parity Act. It's a little dated now, since Nelson got the boot and all. But I think it's still to the point. Read and enjoy! ...
... clipped for brevity...
Liked it .... a lot :-)
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73,
Rick KK4GGL

W8LV

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RE: D.H.S. and F.E.M.A.
« Reply #141 on: June 09, 2019, 08:11:44 PM »

VSK Said:  "It's a hobby of little value beyond entertainment. Read, re-read and repeat. Understanding comes with patience, effort and a desire to learn."

NO.... Amateur Radio is a Valuable National and International Asset.

And we're NOT going to put up with any HOA Shenanigans.

So instead:  YOU "Read, re-read and repeat."

73 DE W8LV BILL
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W8LV

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RE: D.H.S. and F.E.M.A.
« Reply #142 on: June 09, 2019, 11:45:47 PM »

Rick KG4GGL:

After devising "The Amateur Radio Parity Test", the one question that I had trouble with is if the Numbers Station(s) ARE actually run by Dr. Evil or not...

Can't Say... Don't know! ??? ???

73 DE W8LV BILL




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W1BR

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RE: D.H.S. and F.E.M.A.
« Reply #143 on: June 10, 2019, 10:01:28 AM »

Bill, did you ever notice the few hams who have contributed the LEAST to the advancement of our hobby are the first ones to cast dispersion and attempts to degenerate hams into their own image? 
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W8LV

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RE: D.H.S. and F.E.M.A.
« Reply #144 on: June 10, 2019, 11:36:07 AM »

Yes. And are the first to undermine it:.
Somehow, they don't make particularly good guests for Ham Nation...

I think of the Good Guys like  Bob Heil and Tom Medlin.
Gordo. David Casler. The Randalls. Timtron.

People who make a difference... Can't forget the folks that make the Scouting Jamboree happen!

The folks who donate to the Spectrum Defense Fund, and all of the other good works and efforts of the ARRL.

The nonpaid Volunteers in all of the Divisions and Sections.

And Elmers of limited means, who nonetheless contribute their valuable time to that next Generation.

The Elmers that helped me personally, and the VECs who tested me.



And then there are The Clowns...

Found as they are in EVERY walk of life.

73 DE W8LV BILL
« Last Edit: June 10, 2019, 11:39:55 AM by W8LV »
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