Lots of good info there. Thanks!

Intertie network? whats that never heard of it?. We have linked repeaters in the state and repeaters that are for ARES use when desasters strike.

Lee

Lee:

Sorry about not giving you a link. Here is the website.
http://www.ussc.com/~uvhfs/snowlink.html
I see it is also called the "snowbird net!" Hope this helps.

Take care,

Stargazer

ASAP = Always Suspicious, Always Prepared

I like to think hams do make a difference. Following Charley hitting the SW coast of Florida Friday night, the West Palm Beach Amateur Radio Club and ARES members had organized a convoy of people and equipment to go to Charlotte County Saturday morning.

They set up emergency repeaters and aid stations to assist in emergency communications and getting what we call "health and welfare messages" to relatives who were worried about their loved ones. This effort continues as it may be some time before Charlotte County gets any simblance of a communications network back.

In a distaster, such as Charley, there will be no electricity, no landline phone service, and what some don't expect, NO CELLPHONE SERVICE. I have seen pictures sent back from the hams on site of various cell towers and they all sustained damage -- moderate to severe.

If anyone is intested, it seems that of the major carriers, NEXTEL held up the best having coverage via their direct connect feature over the better part of the area.

An amateur radio for the most part does not depend on outside resources. Volunteers will be on the way shortly and will be monitoring the frequencies for calls for help. An amateur radio may be the only means of commuication available to you for several hours, or even days after the storm.

Here are some photographs taken by amateur radio operators on scene in Punta Gorda.

Hurricane Charley Pictures .

Anyone interested in in getting involved in amateur radio should contact their local radio club or repeater group or visit the American Radio Relay League .

Best wishes.

Craig.

Yes, I've noticed a lack of coverage of amateur radio, and coverage in general. It's almost like "oh, this was a really bad storm". The whole no electricity is a big thing in central florida. Funny people complaining like its their right to have electricity "Oh my, its so hot". Yeah, this is Florida. I really don't know how bad it is, because here in Brevard (think Cape canaveral) only the northern part of our county got hit, and I haven't gone sightseeing. One thing that would make me happy with the news if they would latch onto the real ability to get people prepared for next time. Perhaps they can start telling people to be prepared the next time. (I'm going to go send out a few emails on this.). There is plenty someone can do ahead of time, and doesn't take that much money.

On the note of ARES, Brevard County's BEARS (Brevard Emergency Amateur Radio Services) has sent their COMM 3 vehicle over, and this weekend I will be going along on our COMM2 vehicle for an expected 3 day deployment. We are scheduled to go to Charlotte County, the hardest hit. This area is still a "disaster" area, but things are getting somewhat back to normal.

I'll let everyone here know my experience, and things I did do, or would do differently next time. I don't have much experience on going camping, and that is what this is going to be. I have to take my own water, toiletries, and food, just in case. 4 days worth. I'll see how this works out. Of course, you'll all have to wait to hear my story after I get back. If you want to send a message to me there, maybe you can try the NTS and _maybe_ I'll get it (Our BEARS unit operates under the K4EOC callsign). I have no idea how this is all going to work out.

Well, it wasn't as bad as I thought. We were lucky enough to have air conditioning and showers. So, the only things I would do differently next time is have flip-flops for the showers. <img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> Other than that, I can't think of much.

In the days immediately following amateur radio, the law enforcement officers I spoke too said we really did provide a valuable service. The trunked radio system was out because of damage to the equipment (from what I understand the towers didn't fall). Their EOC was heavily damaged, and was evacuated for a short time. 911 service is intermittent. Otherwise, it seems like a very well orchestrated response by amateurs.