[ARRL-OK] National FRS SOS Network

[Lloyd Colston]

>
>
>The information I saw about this implied that amateurs would be breaking FCC 
>rules, specifically that amateurs would be using their radios on FRS/GMRS 
>
The information I saw implied no such action (http://www.nationalsos.com/).

I have an FRS radio in my car.  In fact, during training, our Community 
Emergency Response Team had FRS radios provided them by the local 
Citizen Corp Council.  Channel one, in most cases, is a logical choice, 
since it is the default channel when the radio is activated.

The concept is simple.  FRS has a low range.  It is a logical choice for 
communicating in a mile radius (about the size of a Neighborhood Watch 
community) in a disaster (when NOTHING works).  Aunt Susie is trapped in 
her safe room.  She has no cell service because the same storm killed 
the tower.  Because she is a part of Neighborhood Watch, has taken 
Community Emergency Response Team training, she has an FRS radio and 
extra batteries in her Go-Bag.  She calls on Channel One, because she is 
told her neighbors will also be monitoring there during a disaster.  
First Responders listening on Channel One will know where Aunt Susie is 
trapped.  Either the First Responders will reach her or her neighbors.

It's an easy way to keep from being trapped for hours, days, or weeks.

It's just one more tool the Citizen can use to help themselves "weather 
the storm".


-- 


Lloyd Colston             Mayes County Emergency Management
Pryor, OK USA           http://www.mayescem.us

"The President can make you a general, but only communications 
can make you a commander."  General Curtis LeMay