[Elecraft] Re: OT: Affected areas/ net frequencies

[Paul T. Rubin]

Leigh:

Red Cross operations are being managed out of the National office in
Virginia, and the Southwest Service Area office in Houston, Texas. The Red
Cross relies on conventional phone and cell phone communication when
available. Additionally, they deploy portable high-bandwidth satellite
systems, both from trucks (9 are located strategically around the country,
and were already heading to staging areas last Thursday), which can
communicate from DC to light, and air-shipped self-contained units. These
units provide e-mail, and VOIP phone communication for Red Cross operations.

You are correct that the Red Cross does not have Amateur Radio operators at
its shelters at this time. We are in the Life and Safety phase of this
operation. Right now people are in danger. We do not have the time,
manpower, or resources to handle anything other than emergency traffic at
this time. After they are safe, we will begin the task of Health and Welfare
Traffic. The Greater Houston Chapter Communications Room has been staffed
24/7 since Monday. We are monitoring all the emergency and H/W nets on 20/40
M. There is no information coming out of the affected areas at this time
(undoubtedly because there are no operating stations in these areas.)

We would like to be doing H/W, but we are simply overwhelmed in the field.

Paul Rubin N8NOV
Asst. Director,
Volunteer Communications Committee
Greater Houston Chapter
American Red Cross
Houston, TX