[CALV-ARES] Calvert Cliff Nuclear Power Plant lax security exposed

[N3QHC]

My intent sending the original email was not to be the security guard such
as actor John Candy played at Wally World.  My intent is to get ARES members
be more cognizant of what's around you.  What would we do as ARES members if
suddenly we were off the commercial electrical grid?  As an Amateur Radio
operator can you operate 72-hours without the power grid provided by BGE or
SMECO?  Operating 72-Hours is the target for EmComm groups.

 

The real value of Amateur Radio for Emergency Communications is to provide
the methods to pass the message from one location to a designed location
when no one else can.   We need to think 'outside the box'  by not being
depended upon structured communication! There are many situations that can
occur in this County or nearby jurisdictions where we may be called upon to
get that message from one location to another.

 

Another example that Eric/W4OTN pointed out at our last meeting is what
would happen if the trailer at MHCC tower is severely damaged.  Not only
would the 'Repeater' be left useless but so would much of the County's
comms.  Think about it for a moment; all of our eggs are in one basket
inside that one trailer.  Of course, there are pros & cons having our
equipment in the same room as the County.  However, how do we 'think outside
the box' to provide EmComms if our structure communication is not working.
If we have an emergency event that occurs here, do we have enough
frequencies, skills and personal equipment available to provide needed
logistics?   

 

When the United States was attacked on 9/11, emergency communications were
needed for weeks at the Pentagon.  Calvert RACES sent a team of five to the
Pentagon along with other RACES groups from Virginia & Maryland during this
time period.  Only RACES members were allowed to operate there.  Are you a
RACES member.  If not, why?

 

We participate in Public Service (PS) events to practice our communication
skills & methods for EmComms in addition to providing a service to our
customer.  It has just been in the last decade or less some jurisdictions
want to use the easy way for PS communications, hence, utilizing repeaters.
CALV-ARES members have help provided comms for years using Simplex such as
during Cycle-Across-Maryland event where all comms we did were via simplex
mode for this event covering hundreds of miles of routes throughout the
State.  Yes, relaying messages is part of simplex operations and YES it is a
slower method.  However, the messages always got to the designated location
timely.

 

ARES members need to think 'outside the box'.  How are you going to provide
communications when structured methods are not there?  One needs to plan how
they can operate and survive for at least 72-hour period.    

 

Don't think it cannot happen here.  Instead, think WHEN will it happen and I
am prepared? Training is key for EmComms.  

 

Start participating in EmComms by coming to CALV-ARES meetings held on the
THIRD TUESDAY, 1930-Hours, every month.  We provide the logistics, training
and have many open discussions on all the various aspects of EmComms.  It is
all about US and how WE can work as a GROUP to get the MESSAGE from one
location to the designated LOCATION.  We have missed seeing you at our
meetings.  We really would like to have more active and worthwhile inputs
for successful EmComms training.

 

I talked recently with Jim Montgomery/WB3KAS, MDC-SEC.  He told me he
attended a EmComm event in Nevada last month where he heard what we all
know.much of the EmComms provided by ARES/RACES groups in this country occur
along the Gulf States for weather happenings or out west for wildfires.
EmComms are rare, if ever, occur for the mid-Atlantic States.  As a result,
we get into our cozy>lazy>safe> secure state of idleness putting EmComms to
the back burner.  As an ARES group, we need to be active so we can be
prepared for when practicing is not practice one day.  

 

BTW, the movie with actor John Candy at Wally World is National Lampoon's
Vacation.

 

73, Dennis/N3QHC

 

When  all Else Fails.Amateur Radio

 

From: CALV-ARES [mailto:calv-ares-bounces at mailman.qth.net] On Behalf Of
N3QHC
Sent: Tuesday, September 09, 2014 12:12 PM
To: CALV ARES Stations
Subject: [CALV-ARES] Calvert Cliff Nuclear Power Plant lax security exposed

 

Re:
http://video.foxnews.com/v/3775151975001/soft-target-nuclear-plants-lax-secu
rity-exposed/#sp=show-clips 

 

The above video clip was posted on Foxnews.com <http://www.foxnews.com/>
today showing lax security at CCNPP.  This is shocking.  More reason to keep
prepared and take part in ARES and RACES training.  

 

73, Dennis - N3QHC

EC CALV 

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