[Hallicrafters] My response to the BPL article

[Roger Halstead (K8RI)]

Although the public and much of the media do not believe so, we serve as the
backup for many services.  Normal methods of communication such as cell
phones can become useless in short order with Tornados, floods, and other
activities.

Although we too use both cell phones and the internet, neither can be
depended on as the sole means of communications in disasters.

Out County (Midland) EOC uses Amateur Radio as a back up and we have
stations both at the 911 call center and in the EOC emergency communications
van.  These stations were put in by the county at their expense.

Hams also provide a trained pool of weather spotters.
When they are telling most to take cover, or things look threatening we are
the ones going out to verify the conditions and to *spot* threatening
conditions.  The new RADAR is not magic and weather spotters are a very
important part of the team.  We are also the ones who are expected to verify
reports from untrained individuals.

> In deciding what our argument should be against BPL and looking at it from
> the perspective of the general public, why do they need ham radio for
emergency

The problem is the general public is clueless about what is needed during
disasters, such as floods, tornados, terrorism, and wide spread power
outtages.  The think they can always use the cell phone, even if the regular
phone lines go out.  They expect services to work because they normally do.

I've worked communications at shelters during a large scale chemical spill.
The CSX train Derailment in Freeland Michigan some years back.  Hams were
and still are one of the first lines of emergency and welfare traffic and
one of the first backups to regular communications.


Roger Halstead (K8RI, EN73 & ARRL Life Member)
N833R, World's Oldest Debonair (S# CD-2)
www.rogerhalstead.com

> communications anymore with so many cell phones out there now? Would our
> ability to help out in an emergency be a strong enough argument?
>
> - Greg
>
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