[QCWA] National SOS Emergency Network / Midland Radio
Press Release
Norm Gertz
k1aa at cfl.rr.com
Tue May 16 20:11:21 EDT 2006
Amen.....without circuit discipline this would be an uncontrollable mess.
Certainly some training is indicated but how do you keep the untrained off
the frequency?
73 Norm K1AA
----- Original Message -----
From: "B Roske" <broske at hutchtel.net>
To: "Discussion of QCWA" <qcwa at mailman.qth.net>
Sent: Tuesday, May 16, 2006 6:51 PM
Subject: Re: [QCWA] National SOS Emergency Network / Midland Radio Press
Release
> An interesting thread but this is the same "Look at all these
> Communications Devices" rhetoric we heard at the dawn of CB and again with
> cell phones.
> We all know what didn't happened with them.
>
> 73,
> Bob N0UF
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: <newsline at ix.netcom.com>
> To: "Howard Cunningham" <howardc at macrollc.com>; "Discussion of QCWA"
> <qcwa at mailman.qth.net>
> Sent: Tuesday, May 16, 2006 9:38 AM
> Subject: [QCWA] National SOS Emergency Network / Midland Radio Press
> Release
>
>
>>
>> Hi All,
>>
>> Here is the entire text of the joint SOS/Midland DCC Press Release. It
>> gives a more complete picture than previous discussions based only on the
>> statement(s) of those who are in opposition.
>>
>> Putting aside all the claiims and counter-claims, it appars to this
>> writer that SSOS words this way:
>>
>> 1: Put 100 mw FRS radios into the hands of as many members of the
>> general public as possible.
>>
>> 2: Hope that the public figures out how to use them.
>>
>> 3: Hope that local hams within the range of the FRS radios will be
>> listweninng during a real emergency.
>>
>> 4: Hope that the ham llistening is one traioned in Emergency
>> Communications.
>>
>> 5: Also hope that the ham who hears the FRS message is in some way able
>> to on-pass it up the chain of cpommand to whomever it needs to reach.
>>
>> 6: Hope that the system can also work from the top-down.
>>
>> My take: As currently envisioned, far to much emphasis is being placed
>> on "hoping" this or that will work and not enough emphasis on making
>> certain that the entire chain opf command -- bottom to top and topp to
>> bottpom -- is fully trained in Emergency Communications. I think Mr.
>> Knight and those supporting his idea need to re-think it to include some
>> form of "mandatory training" before permitting a person to be a part of
>> SOS. Otherwise, you will have the situation of 100's of thousands of
>> unskilled operators, not reallly knowing what they are trying to do or
>> say, all attempting to generate informationaal messages that will go no
>> place.
>>
>> Bottom line: Knioghts basic idea is a good one, but it needs to be
>> expanded to incorporate mandatory training of any operator who wants to
>> be a pafrt of the network. Otherwise, in a real-life situation SOS wikll
>> provide very little in the way of assistance.
>>
>> de
>> Bill Pasternak, WA6ITF (/2 in NYC the next ferw days)
>>
>> Free Public Emergency Network - to be ready by Hurricane Season
>>
>> Supported by Midland Radio, REACT, DC Emergency Radio Network, and
>> NationalSOS.com
>>
>> The Midland Radio Corporation, REACT International, the DC Emergency
>> Radio Network, and NationalSOS.com have jointly announced their support
>> for the National SOS Radio Network - www.NationalSOS.com - a free
>> communications network based on the estimated 100 million FRS-compatible
>> radios already in the hands of the public... and growing by up to 12
>> million radios per year.
>>
>> In the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, it has become clear that a major
>> contributing factor to the tragic loss of life was the near total
>> breakdown of communication systems. Once electricity, telephone, and cell
>> phone services failed, people were unable to let rescuers know of their
>> dire situation - and died as a result.
>>
>> A simple, instant, and virtually zero-cost solution:
>> A "National SOS" public emergency network - www.NationalSOS.com. This
>> free public network connects the estimated 100 million Family Radio
>> Service (FRS) and FRS / GMRS (General Mobile Radio Service) combination
>> radios already in use by the public with 700,000 amateur "ham" radio
>> operators -- people renowned and prepared for emergency
>> communications -- plus over 70,000 licensed GMRS radio users who are also
>> proficient emergency communicators.
>>
>> The National SOS Radio Network doesn't require new laws or any new
>> legislation. It could be effective immediately. Once the ham and GMRS
>> radio communities are made aware to listen for the public's emergency FRS
>> broadcasts, the national network will be up and running. The goal is to
>> create initial awareness before the upcoming hurricane season.
>>
>> FRS radios and FRS / GMRS combination radios used strictly under FRS
>> regulations don't require an operator license, can be used by anyone of
>> any age, and are available for as little as $10 - $30 at many retailers
>> and online stores.
>>
>> The National SOS initiative recommends that public use FRS Channel 1 as
>> its primary emergency-communications channel. Channel 1 is easy to
>> remember and has previously been endorsed by radio manufacturers and by
>> REACT in 2000. For universal communication amongst radio users, it's
>> important that the FRS radio's "privacy tone" or "privacy code" be turned
>> off. During a crisis, ham radio, GMRS, and scanner operators can easily
>> monitor FRS Channel 1 by tuning to 462.5625 MHz. Other FRS channels are
>> being considered to create a "channel plan" for overall emergency
>> coordination. See www.NationalSOS.com for an endorsed "channel plan" and
>> related emergency-communication protocols.
>>
>> Eric Knight, a ham-radio veteran and developer of www.NationalSOS.com
>> said, "We are honored to be teaming up with three fantastic organizations
>> in the field of communications." Knight continued, "Midland Radio is a
>> long-time pioneer in innovative radio technology. REACT International,
>> Inc. has been at the forefront of an all-citizen emergency communications
>> network for nearly 50 years and introduced FRS radio as an important
>> public communications tool in 2000. And the DC Emergency Radio Network,
>> DCERN, is a brilliant example of using FRS radios to connect people and
>> neighborhoods in an emergency."
>>
>> Chris Oehlert, Marketing Communications Manager for Midland Radio, said
>> in regards to the National SOS Radio Network, "Midland is pleased to
>> support such an important effort. The importance of communication cannot
>> be over emphasized, particularly in times of crisis." Oehlert continued,
>> "Midland 2-way radios provide a reliable, inexpensive means of
>> communication -- even in situations where other technologies are
>> disabled."
>>
>> Since 1962, REACT -- Radio Emergency Associated Communications Teams --
>> has led major efforts in emergency communications and
>> disaster-preparedness programs. Ed Greany, Executive Vice-president of
>> REACT International, Inc., said, "REACT is pleased to lend support and
>> encourage radio users of the Family Radio Service (FRS) and the General
>> Mobile Radio Service (GMRS) to this important project." Greany added,
>> "Both FRS and GMRS radios have already proven their importance and
>> effective use in disaster communications in recent California wildfires."
>>
>> Bill Adler, the founder of the DC Emergency Radio Network, DCERN, said,
>> "It's my vision to see that every household in American has an FRS or
>> GMRS radio. As we've learned from 9/11, Hurricane Katrina, and other
>> disasters, without communications nothing else operates effectively."
>> Adler continued, "I envision a national network of ordinary Americans
>> with FRS and GMRS radios who can relay information in an emergency.
>>
>> When a natural or manmade disaster strikes, the only good communications
>> system is one that will actually work. The idea behind this new emergency
>> network is to have a simple, reliable communications system that doesn't
>> depend on electricity or standing cell phone towers - and that anyone of
>> any age can use."
>>
>> For more details regarding the National SOS Radio Network, please visit:
>> www.NationalSOS.com.
>>
>> Contacts:
>>
>> Chris Oehlert
>> Marketing Communications Manager
>> Midland Radio Corporation
>> 816-241-8500, Ext. 245
>>
>> Ed Greany
>> Executive Vice-President
>> REACT International, Inc
>> 301-316-2900
>>
>> Bill Adler
>> Founder
>> DCERN
>> 202-986-9275
>>
>> Eric Knight
>> Founder
>> NationalSOS.com
>> 860-673-2502
>>
>>
>> Daily Amateur Radio RSS News Service:
>> http://www.southgatearc.org/
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