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Author Topic: Simplest way to send a message  (Read 831 times)

WB2JNA

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Simplest way to send a message
« on: March 20, 2021, 01:59:12 PM »

I don't know much about emergency communications and I'm not finding an answer to this one. In an emergency, what's the easiest way to send a simple message to a non ham? The old school way was to communicate with a ham (on CW or phone) and have him/her call the message recipient, assuming a phone was working there. Is that still the simplest or is there a better way? Thanks. Please excuse my total lack of up to date schooling on this subject.
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K7AAT

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Re: Simplest way to send a message
« Reply #1 on: March 20, 2021, 02:16:27 PM »

My opinion:  yes,  that old fashioned way is probably the 'easiest'  or  most simple.... doesn't need any other hardware but a radio.  It's also probably the most unreliable if message accuracy or even delivery is important.

Being involved in ARES,   WinLink comes to my mind first.   Assuming electronic mail is functioning for your recipient ( Internet based or Cellular based )  then in an emergency a WinLink message can be easily sent to a non-ham...and they can then respond to you, too.... but you need a computer,  software for WinLink, and possibly interface hardware for your radio...

I also maintain in inexpensive subscription for my Inreach Satellite texting device,  which gives me a very good capability of sending emergency text messages to anyone's email...and receiving too.

If budget is not a concern,  you could also go with a full satellite telephone....   probably the easiest but most expensive by far.

I'm probably overlooking other possibilities ... others can fill in if I did ...


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K1VSK

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Re: Simplest way to send a message
« Reply #2 on: March 20, 2021, 02:24:25 PM »

Sounds like you already figured out the "simplest way" - "have him/her call the message recipient". If phones work, you can eliminate ham radio from the process.
If you are looking for the most convoluted and undependable way, then yes, going via ham radio would be the winner.
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WB2JNA

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Re: Simplest way to send a message
« Reply #3 on: March 20, 2021, 02:34:07 PM »

Just to clarify, the phones wouldn't be working where the message originates so ham radio would be needed. Got my answer though. Thanks!
« Last Edit: March 20, 2021, 02:44:00 PM by WB2JNA »
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KG7LEA

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Re: Simplest way to send a message
« Reply #4 on: March 20, 2021, 04:25:23 PM »

Perhaps we can have more context. How far away is the non-ham? Do they have a ham radio? Anyone can listen to any radio frequency with no license requirement. The communication would be one way to remain in compliance. There is an element of society that proposes to use amateur bands in an emergency without any licensing and, in an emergency, this will be hard to control.

For your non ham, start at the top, cell phone, text, copper line, email, sneakernet. With planning you can establish a two way connection using FRS or GMRS (but not very far). The secret is planning.
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W1VT

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Re: Simplest way to send a message
« Reply #5 on: March 20, 2021, 05:25:17 PM »

At the moment, the best modem options for Winlink seem to be VARA, a $69 software program that uses a soundcard, or an expensive Pactor Modem.
VARA has a free trial option that reduces the data rate to 10%

The free option Winmor HF was deprecated last year. 
https://winlink.org/tags/winmor#:~:text=WINMOR%20is%20Deprecated,mode%20in%20the%20Winlink%20system.&text=It%20was%20the%20first%20popular,modems%20for%20bulk%20digital%20transport.

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K5LXP

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Re: Simplest way to send a message
« Reply #6 on: March 23, 2021, 05:56:22 PM »

Your answer is that there really isn't any answer.  It's a wing and a prayer you get any traffic through, much less from a given sender to a specific recipient.  Under "controlled" conditions like a winlink network, digital mode, a formal net- ham to ham traffic has a better chance.  But ham radio isn't telco or the internet where you drop a message into one end and it finds it's way.  Even the NTS of yore relied on the telephone or US mail for final delivery, even if hams are the recipient.  "When all else has failed" getting a message to anyone in particular might not be completely impossible, but improbable enough to be considered impossible. 

Mark K5LXP
Albuquerque, NM
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AA4PB

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Re: Simplest way to send a message
« Reply #7 on: March 23, 2021, 06:56:34 PM »

It all depends on what the situation is. Lets say you are in FL right after a hurricane and want to inform your family in MI that you are okay. Check into a net on 20M, tell them your situation and ask for a contact with a MI station. Give him the phone number and in a few minutes you get a confirmation that your message was delivered to your family. No MI station available? Take an OH or IL station and ask them to call collect. Now if your family wants to contact you and ham radio is the only communications you have, that's a lot more difficult. If all you have in FL is a 2M HT then you've a lot more difficult problem.
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Bob  AA4PB
Garrisonville, VA

W9IQ

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Re: Simplest way to send a message
« Reply #8 on: March 23, 2021, 07:03:15 PM »

I think the difference today is that there is no longer a "collect call". Cellular plans have pretty much put that in the history books.

- Glenn W9IQ
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- Glenn W9IQ

God runs electromagnetics on Monday, Wednesday and Friday by the wave theory and the devil runs it on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday by the Quantum theory.

RADIOPHONE

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Re: Simplest way to send a message
« Reply #9 on: March 24, 2021, 01:51:38 PM »

" Lets say you are in FL right after a hurricane and want to inform your family in MI that you are okay."

You could always just write them a letter or send them a post card  ;D
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LA9XNA

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Re: Simplest way to send a message
« Reply #10 on: March 24, 2021, 11:20:21 PM »

I think Winlink can be the simplest solution but as mention there are limitations.
- HF conditions.
- Avalable HF gear (radio + digimode interface)
- Require PC
- Require power source (110/230V/12V)
- Software

But the benefit if you are able to fulfill this is that the interface form you to the reciever dont limit the recipiant to send and recieve in any way except the maximum sice of the mail in the winlink system.
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KF5LJW

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Re: Simplest way to send a message
« Reply #11 on: March 25, 2021, 09:11:50 AM »

In an emergency, what's the easiest way to send a simple message to a non ham?

Psst.. text via cell phone.
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W9FIB

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Re: Simplest way to send a message
« Reply #12 on: March 25, 2021, 01:09:58 PM »

Only if cell towers are working and not overloaded if they are.
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73, Stan
Travelling the world one signal at a time.

K0UA

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Re: Simplest way to send a message
« Reply #13 on: March 27, 2021, 03:04:42 PM »

Only if cell towers are working and not overloaded if they are.

The cell companies bring in mobile portable towers and equipment all set up to go, usually within hours of a natural disaster.
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73  James K0UA

W9FIB

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Re: Simplest way to send a message
« Reply #14 on: March 28, 2021, 04:09:55 AM »

Only if cell towers are working and not overloaded if they are.

The cell companies bring in mobile portable towers and equipment all set up to go, usually within hours of a natural disaster.

But until they are up and running...

And hopefully not everyone is calling at the same time...
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73, Stan
Travelling the world one signal at a time.
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