... homebrew equipment. Some can even be better than commercial!
I would not live in a community where my public service departments were depending upon homebrew comms equipment for critical emergency communications.
This is not demeaning to the amateur radio community at all. Amateur radio should DEMAND such respect and recognition in the emergency plans of their communities.
Clint Bradford, K6LCS 909-241-7666
---------------------------------- Clint Bradford, K6LCS http://www.clintbradford.com
Do you also demand commercial quality radios? Here, it's standard amateur transceivers, antennas and power supplies.
On 06-May-10 20:12, Clint Bradford wrote:
... homebrew equipment. Some can even be better than commercial!
I would not live in a community where my public service departments were depending upon homebrew comms equipment for critical emergency communications.
This is not demeaning to the amateur radio community at all. Amateur radio should DEMAND such respect and recognition in the emergency plans of their communities.
Clint Bradford, K6LCS 909-241-7666
Clint Bradford, K6LCS http://www.clintbradford.com
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I don't think we're talking public service frequencies. I think we're talking ARES/RACES/WARN backup on amateur bands.
On 06-May-10 20:29, Clint Bradford wrote:
It is against FCC regulations in the United States to use amateur gear on frequencies allocated for public service.
... Do you also demand commercial quality radios?
For public safety? Absolutely.
Clint Bradford, K6LCS
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The original poster used "fire department" and "EOC" comms in his original post. That, to me, demands a "step up" in integrity of the radio system. Those phrases, to me, mean that the safety of the public may be involved. And that, to me, means no "homebrewed" ham antennas should be on the front line.
Clint, K6LCS
I lived in NYC close to the World Trade Center during September of 2001.
For me, the matter was settled during the 9/11 attack. I was on the communications team supporting the Red Cross in response to the aftermath where I witnessed firsthand, the necessity for hams to be a part of the communications system.
When the Twin Towers collapsed, the local cell phone infrastructure went with them. Mobile phones were useless for quite a while and landlines were overloaded--making calls in or out of the area nearly impossible. ALL of our public services (PD, Fire, EMS, etc.) were completely overwhelmed and focused on ground zero where firemen, cops, civilians., etc. where dying by the scores; jumping out windows to escape the inferno inside the building and crushed under fallen debris....chaos on the public service freqencies and those outside the city couldn't communicate with family members and friends scrambling from what had already happened...and what might happen next.
Ham radio was critical in the coordination of rescue and relief efforts. Operators halled car batteries on luggage carts, antennas stuck to anything metal (tables, chairs, bookcases, file cabinets) stationed at high school gyms, makeshift shelters, on ambulances, at ground zero, etc. We kept our cool, remained organized and efficiently assisted in any way we could--it worked flawlessly.
Something like that fatefull day on a warm, clear day in September will probably happen again. I'm ready and willing--even if I have just a wet noodle, my trusty Clegg HT with one crystal and a bag full of D cell batteries.
participants (3)
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Clint Bradford -
Elan Portnoy -
Nigel Gunn G8IFF/W8IFF