[FLARES] ARRL BOD Report on ARES

Tue, 12 Aug 2003 23:35:32 -0400

Hello Paul,

Your question is an interesting one, and I can't really answer it.  The only
major disaster I have been involved in was Hurricane Andrew in 1992.  I can
tell you from personal experience that the NTS was the only way we could
help volunteer groups, hams, medical, food service or whatever in
coordinating their activities.  This was an integral part of the total
relief effort for about two weeks and went from as far west as Kansas City,
Mo. up to Baltimore, MD.

Now in 2003 with the internet and email this may not be the case except in
the disaster area itself.  The problem is that now we do not know what the
threat will be.  Since the attack on America on 9/11/01 everything has
changed.  What if power plants in several east coast cities were targeted
and the east coast was without power for an extended time?  Many amateurs
have emergency generators and batteries and could communicate under these
circumstances.

I think there is every reason to maintain the NTS, train new operators, and
use it in all our ARES training.

Again, thanks for your comments and 73,

Jim KD4GR
SEC SFL

----- Original Message -----
From: "Paul Womble" <[email protected]>
To: <[email protected]>
Sent: Tuesday, August 12, 2003 07:11 PM
Subject: RE: [FLARES] ARRL BOD Report on ARES

> When was the last time the NTS was actually used to send cross country
> or even regional messages during a disaster?
>
> Paul K4FB
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]]
> On Behalf Of Jim Goldsberry
> Sent: Monday, August 11, 2003 10:51 PM
> To: Harvey, Robert
> Cc: [email protected]
> Subject: Re: [FLARES] ARRL BOD Report on ARES
>
>
> Hello Bob,
>
> I am well aware of the advantages and disadvantages of digital
> communications for traffic handling.   At the present time we have at
> least
> three experienced traffic handlers here in FL passing NTS traffic on a
> regular basis, WX4H, KA4FZI and NR2F.
>
> Using all the modes available is not the issue.  The issue is the ARRL
> removing its support of the NTS and letting it just float along by
> itself. Please read the report.  If you, or anyone, would like to have a
> copy I will be happy to send it to you.
>
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> FLARES mailing list
> [email protected]
> http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/flares