On Tue, 22 Sep 1998, Carroll H Clark wrote: > Today, Tues. Sept.22, 1998 Amateur Radio Operators all over the State > will provide emergency radio communications in a simulated disaster > operation situation. > Whatever the disaster may be such as a major earthquake in which a vast > amount of communications would be wiped out or impaired to the point of > being ineffective, or inadequate, licensed "ham" radio operators have > honed themselves to provide very effective radio communications and > coordination with local, county, state, and national facilities for major > disaster reaction. > Though many people view hams or radio amateurs as hobbyists, they are > recognized truly as the Amateur Radio Communications Service, and as a > federally licensed SERVICE by the Federal Communications Commission, > they are licensed to provide a very important service to all communities > throughout the 50 states.They are capable of providing communications > using emergency power that will allow them to stay on the air at various > frequencies in order to cover the necessary distances needed during > a major disaster. <snip> I was here in Seattle for the "small" 5.6 earthquake in '64. Luckly the water lines and electric service weren't knocked out then. Swedish Hosp is also participating in the DRILL today. With electric power the radio stations and phones can continue, BUT, the phone system was overloaded for a while by people calling stations and friends for info. That means the people that wanted a fire truck or an ambulance couldn't call for that service. And that's with electric service still working. If you knock out the electric service, or if the radio & TV antennas are knocked out, then the Hams are needed to fill the gap. It has been proven before that the Hams are important. That's why they must pass a test for their licence. They are included in state disaster plans everywhere. Where is your battery powered radio for info??? Will it pick up those "ham" frequencies which will carry the "important" info? Do you know if your local radio station is part of the "emergency" system? They will be on reduced power and weak when electirc power is a problem. John You wanna discuss it? Try: INDIAN-HERITAGE discussion list *====*====*====*====*====*====*====*====*====*====*====*====*====* # John Wm Sloniker <johnwms@serv.net> Seattle, WA # # (206) 789-6663 7323 - 19th Ave NW 98117-5612 # *====*====*====*====*====*====*====*====*====*====*====*====*====*