[Elecraft] Question on K3S and Winlink Express

[JHRichards]

a nationwide group to become proficient in handling P2P message
traffic in the case of a "grid down" emergency (no internet, no cells, no
repeaters, no power). 

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While that is a lovely gesture, it is neither realistic nor practicable. 
Your traffic handler and I have radios, but my in laws and relations do not.  
Moreover, when it gets THAT bad, I will NOT be on my radio.   Instead, I
will grab a gun and hunker down to protect my homestead and loved ones from
looters.   And, I expect your traffic handlers to do the same.   If they are
situated within the disaster area, they will be busy enough looking after
their own, and if they are located outside the area, they are not likely to
drive hundreds of miles in to hand-deliver messages of good tidings to my
wife's disconnected family 200 miles away.  Besides, FEMA and most other
official agencies are not going to be embarrassed by another communications
conundrum "when all else fails."   Even the ARRL has backed away from that
draconian position.  At a recent Dayton Hamvention, FEMA made it abundantly
clear the notion of ham operators riding high and saving the day are long
gone.  It clearly indicated ops must be FEMA trained and certified, and it
will supply the radios.   It gave an example where the only way local ham
operators were involved in an actual emergency was to identify the highest
hill in the area to put a temporary repeater.   Thank you, good night, we
will take it from here.    Just MY take.   K8JHR   



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