[KYHAM] Quotes Regarding Reliability of Cell Phones in a Crisis

[Ron Dodson]

As many of you know, all Section Emergency Coordinators across
the 71 ARRL sections have a listserv of our own to handle the
coordination of ARES matters across the board.  Here is an
excerpt that you may find really interesting submitted by one of
the other SEC's regarding cell phones and their reliability in
yesterday''s blackout in the northeast.

You might show this to the next person who says ham radio is
outdated and is no longer needed in emergencies as cell phones
are everywhere and will handle the load!

73, 
Ron, KA4MAP
SEC Ky

---------------------------------

A couple of quotes regarding reliability of cellular telephones
in a crisis:
 
>From The New York Times, 15 Aug 03
 
"Telephone service was disrupted, especially calls to and from
cellular
phones. Most of the problems, telephone company officials said,
had to do
with heavy use. Officials said the trouble was compounded by
power failures
at some cellular transmitters. "
 
WCBS NewsRadio 88 in NYC also reported at at about 5:30 PM
Thursday that
people in New York were lined up at the few remaining pay phones
in NYC and
looking at their cell phones in disgust.   Their reporter also
said some
folks had thrown them on the ground in anger.
 
Also, just remember, the people who were responsible for making
sure this
doesn't happen are the same folks who want to bring you Broadband
over Power
Lines (BPL)  ;-(
 
73
 
Gary Wilson, K2GW
SNJ SEC
DVRA PIO