[Scan-DC] DC FRS 462.5625

[Alan Henney]

DC Emergency Radio Network
Bill Adler, billonline@adlerbooks.com

The DC Emergency Radio Network (DCERN) uses inexpensive, license-free 
FRS (family radio service) radios to enable neighbors to communicate 
with each other in an emergency. This emergency radio network steps in 
when normal communications, such as telephones, the Internet, or cell 
phones, won't work. The DCERN communicates on FRS channel 1. If normal 
modes of communication go down -- be it because of a terrorist attack, 
power outage, storm, or other problem -- the DC Emergency Radio Network 
will offer a pre-planned, alternative means to transmit neighborhood 
news and information. This radio network may also be called into service 
for other emergencies, such as searching for a lost child or if 
neighbors need to evacuate their homes. Many people in the area already 
have FRS radios. FRS radios are those small walkie-talkie radios that 
family and friends use to keep in touch at parks, on ski slopes and in 
malls. They're sold at Circuit City, Office Depot, Staples, Radio Shack, 
and elsewhere, and cost between $25 and $75 a pair. FRS radios have a 
range of 1/4 to 1 mile.

The DC Emergency Radio Network already encompasses a number of 
neighborhoods, including Cleveland Park, Mt. Pleasant, Brookland, 
Columbia Heights, Shepherd Park, Adams Morgan, Tenleytown, and Chevy 
Chase. It is open to anyone in the DC Metro area. If the Internet fails, 
or if there's some other emergency, tune your FRS radio to the DC 
Emergency Radio Network on channel 1. The DC Emergency Radio Network 
will work a little like a relay, with a message being transmitted person 
by person down the line. FRS radios capture the strongest signal, so 
you'll only hear the person who's talking at that moment and who has the 
most powerful signal. The DCERN is a decentralized, grassroots network. 
It's based on the notion that in a true emergency, we may only have 
ourselves to rely on -- at least at the outset.

You can visit DCERN's website, http://www.dcradio.org, for more 
information. I would be happy to answer any questions that you have, as 
well: Feel free to E-mail me at billonline@adlerbooks.com or call me at 
986-9275. We plan to schedule a test of the DC Emergency Radio Network 
on Sunday, March 16, from 8 p.m.-8:15 p.m. During the test, turn our FRS 
radio on, and see whom you can talk to. The purpose of this test is to 
practice and become comfortable with your FRS radio. There's more 
information about the test at http://www.dcradio.org. The important 
thing is: If the Internet fails, or if there's some other emergency, 
tune your FRS radio to the DC Emergency Radio Network on Channel 1. The 
DCERN may be our pipeline to emergency information.