[CALV-ARES] [New post] “Can you hit it” Survey

[James Tetlow]

That brings up a good point! Being an electrician by trade, I have very high respect for lightning. Thus when I am notified of an upcoming thunderstorm, my antennas are routed to ground, thus becoming somewhat a lightning rod. I also shut down my computers. 
My communication capacity is pretty limited with an HT in my house. 2 meter to the repeater is marginal, and 70cm is null, cell phone operation is also marginal in my home.

I'm sure that others may have better RX/TX situations in their homes, but most do disconnect their antennas, or not operate radios in storm situations.

 Thus getting on the air "after the apparent" danger has past is what I do, but for all the thunder storms we have had of late, no nets have been activated to check all local areas are in tact. Although thunderstorms are an inconvenience while they are passing over, only the rare occasion that a strike causes property damage, or injury does happen, gives cause for concern for the well being of the communities. 

Calling a net for all storms would be like crying "wolf" and participation would soon die out. Is there a solution out there?

Just some random thoughts from an overcautious old man, whom hasn't bee using the radio much lately anyway. Maybe we could kick around a few ideas. Maybe incorporate some of the plans from Bill's FEMA link.

Thanks to Eric's little schedule of contacting repeaters, I found out I could get into Salisbury's machines very easily with my 25ft to the top vertical dual band antenna. Never thought to try them because of the distance before, especially since I couldn't hit Alexandria!  Salisbury did open up D-Star for me. Since hf has been slack, I had a qso in Japan last week.  
(Sorry hard core Radio Amateurs, but I appreciate voip links mixed with RF). 

73,  
Sent from my iPad,
Best Regards,
Jim Tetlow

> On Sep 11, 2015, at 11:16, Bob N3PPH <bob at n3pph.com> wrote:
> 
> Spreadsheet updated for my station. I did this using omni as in most emergency situations my tower will be down, beams will not be of much use.
> 
> 73,
> Bob N3PPH
> 
> 
> 
> ------ Original Message ------
> From: "Eric Christensen" <eric at christensenplace.us>
> To: "Calvert County, MD ARES" <calv-ares at mailman.qth.net>
> Sent: 9/11/2015 10:33:42 AM
> Subject: Re: [CALV-ARES] [New post] “Can you hit it” Survey
> 
>> On Wednesday, August 26, 2015 02:37:25 AM Calvert County Auxiliary
>> Communications Services via CALV-ARES wrote:
>> 
>>> I thought this would be a good exercise everyone can do from the comfort of
>>> their own homes (or cars) over the next few days. I've started a
>>> spreadsheet ( https://ethercalc.org/CALV_ARES_Repeater_Survey ) that lists
>>> area repeaters that are designated as part of the ARES emergency plan
>>> either at the section level or the county level nearby. Please visit it
>>> and add your callsign to the top and try and hit each repeater from your
>>> regular operating station. If you can hit the repeater just add a Y. If
>>> the connection seems marginal note that as well.
>>> 
>>> Hopefully we'll have a better picture of who can hit what repeaters in the
>>> area. I'll present the data in a few days after more people have completed
>>> the exercise. Thanks!
>> 
>> Only a couple of people (Jim and I) have completed the survey. Please visit
>> the spreadsheet (https://ethercalc.org/CALV_ARES_Repeater_Survey) and add your
>> entry.
>> 
>> Thanks,
>> Eric
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