[SMCARA] Preparations

Tue Aug 23 16:28:20 EDT 2011

Small, small?  I thought the building I was in was going to fall down ( at least it felt that way on the fourth floor.). I was across the street from the NRO, and an Earthquake was not my first thought.  Fortunately I was with a lot of people from San Diego and they were already out the door.  Apparently, you get about 60 seconds before any major aftershocks.

Anyway, apparently  Jefferson has finally had enough of this administration, today he actually rolled over in his grave. Meanwhile Fox news claims the Washington Monument is leaning to the right, MSMBC claims it's leaning to the left.  More news at 11.Actually it was Obama's approval rating hitting rock bottom.  Of course the natural caused disaster in DC isn't as bad as the voter caused disaster in DC.

Sent from my iPad

Sent from my iPad

On Aug 23, 2011, at 16:20, "Clarke, Tom  AIR4.0P NATOPS" <frederic.clarke at navy.mil> wrote:

> A everyone has probably heard (or felt!), there was a small tremor in VA
> that was felt here in So. MD.  So far, not much in the way of damages
> reported (the Johnson Bridge to Solomons has already been inspected and
> has re-opened), so that is good.  Lots of random traffic light outages
> and I imagine some power interruptions. Internet went out on base for a
> while.  POTS was working OK, but cell phones overloaded almost
> immediately when everyone tried to call home. I did get a text through
> about an hour later.
> 
> This, pretty vividly, shows the need for an alternative communications
> network and that is where hams come in.  Most of the "timely"
> information came from monitoring K3HKI.  While we don't enjoy a full
> time sysop (or NCS), Mike N3KUN and Dan, KB3UUN stepped right up to the
> plate as informal NCS's.  Thanks guys! Monitor 146.64 and if you have  a
> scan function, monitoring 147.39 (N3NO Lex Park), 147.195 (N3PX
> Hollywood), 146.52 and 147.42 simplex should give you a feel for what is
> going on.  These are the frequencies that ARES would use if activated.
> That reminds me we need to have Ray, KB3FWW give us an update on the
> local ARES situation.
> 
> This may serve as a "whiff of grapeshot" to us and inspire us to prepare
> for the possibility of Irene coming our way.  Typically tropical storms
> give us wind damage (not to the extent that Katrina did to Biloxi) and
> quite a bit of localized flooding.  The Great Mills Gulch seems to flood
> easily and power outages are usual as the winds undo SMECO's
> infrastructure.
> 
> As Dan mentioned in an earlier post, a few minutes in preparation may
> ease the pain of dealing with the storm. Dig that portable antenna out
> that is in the back of the shed/garage or up in the attic. Charge up
> those battery packs, get some more dry cells for the flashlights and
> AM/FM portables, get some gas for your generator if you have one, make
> sure you have a couple of days worth of chow in the larder as it may be
> difficult to get to the store or the shelves may be slim. Besides we
> have a tradition to uphold, that is to strip the local grocery stores of
> milk, break and TP!
> 
> You have all seen Tom, AB3IC's antenna projects and Boz and I playing
> around with our fiberglass antenna masts I am sure.  It is a fun thing
> to do, and you never know when you might need it after the storm lays
> your antenna farm to ruin!  None of these things are too complicated or
> expensive, so give it a try.  If you ask some of our Northern Neck
> members about antennas, they will give you an earful concerning the
> "SlimJim" antenna.  It's a winner and easy to build.  Speaking of
> Virginia, what's with that?  Last weekend it was a smoke invasion and
> this week an earthquake.  Is there something we should know?
> 
> Don't forget the meeting this Thursday so we can talk about our
> adventures relating to the quake and upcoming storm preps.
> 
> 73 de Tom/W4OKW
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