[FADCA] Lessons Learned - Hurricanes Charley and Frances

[bud thompson]

Deltona, FL
Wednesday Sept 15 0650E

>From time to time I've been working on a Lessons Learned document and may 
not finish it until late this week.

Meanwhile my XYL Sally drafted a short note with her experiences with e-mail 
over Ham Radio during the two storms we lived though here in East Central 
Florida.  In total, we were holed up w/o power for more than eight days and 
w/o the internet for more than 11 days.

. . .I'm wondering if there is anything I can add to her comments . .

"As bud's XYL I want to preface my comments-and say that I am not a HAM nor 
do I understand "ham things."  That said, I am completely supportive of his 
hobby and am always interested to hear what he is working on.  That is, 
until it begins to turn technical, at which point my eyes begin to glaze and 
I to woolgather.

Until...Hurricanes Charley and Francis when I was unable to reach loved ones 
scattered from Florida to Alaska.  They too were concerned for our welfare 
and frustrated that there appeared to be no good way to keep in touch.  The 
phone was out, cell phones could not be used for a while and things were 
bleak.  Then bud mentioned I could use his ham radio email, a project he has 
been beta testing for some time.  My ears pricked up and soon I was clicking 
away.  While not "technical" I am computer savvy from the standpoint of 
email and "googling"  As part of the beta testing, bud had set this up in my 
computer so that my "radio email" messages went out and responses came in 
through the radio connected to his computer.  With our generator running I 
just used Outlook Express as I normally do when we are on the Internet.

It has been such a boon-simple to use and I hope it will catch on with hams 
and their families.  If you can use a keyboard you can use this valuable 
tool.

Sally Thompson
XYL of bud Thompson N0IA"