Kudos to Broadnet GMRS group #GMRS #hamradio

The General Mobile Radio System requires a license, just like ham radio.  Just like ham radio, you can get in trouble for using the system without a license.

Realizing the severity of the storm, BroadNet announced to their users that, for the Hurricane Ian landfall, their linked system would unlock Zello, connected to that repeater system, to all users.  Users heard updates from the National Weather Service and those in the affected area could call for help.

While it's not ham radio, a number of GMRS users are also ham radio operators.  For example, the Slidell radio club lists a GMRS repeater on their web site, along with instructions on how to get a license. 

Kudos to both.  Public service IS public service when the public is served.  No, I'm not encouraging ham radio systems to open up their networks to non-licensed individuals BUT surely we must be listening for the Mayday call.  For example, a 17-year-old used an officer's radio to call for help, after he had been shot and after she had applied first aid.

Digital Voice, #hamradio, and hurricanes

During Hurricane Ian, the Voip Skywarn Net took reports for the National Hurricane Center.

During that event, the net relayed a number of reports.  Along with those reports, the net received about a dozen calls for rescue.  Those were also relayed to rescuers.

Some came from radio.  Most came from social media, i.e. Twitter and Facebook.

Just like Katrina, the net received calls for rescue that were truly heart breaking.  For example, during Katrina, a quadriplegic was abandoned by her caregiver.  In Ian, one individual and family was unable to find care for the loved one on hospice.  

While you might be inclined to blame the Citizen, those two issues are clearly local government, and specifically public health, items to address.  While the planning clearly is the individual to consider, the local government, when they call for a mandatory evacuation, must have plans in place to address special needs populations.

It's not even close to right to have amateur radio operators deal with failures, regardless of cause, when the issues could easily be addressed by local government.

As for the net, BUSY was the right word.  The Sunflower system in addition to the dozen calls for rescue, reported 157 items matching Skywarn criteria to WX4NHC at the National Hurricane Center.  

About 20 of the stations were on Allstar, with an additional six on Hamshack Hotline, four on Dstar, P25, and Fusion each.  There were even one or two on M17.  Of course, those numbers don't include the Echolink and IRLP connections on Weather Talk.

Just remember, your disaster communications plan should include amateur radio.  It may be the only way you can call for help.  

The Decision to evacuate #hamradio #ARRL

 When the hurricane, hazmat spill, tornado, ice storm etc. comes, you have two choices.

Evacuate!

Shelter in Place!  

There are NO others.

Mandatory evacuations are so ill timed.  They are inconvenient for you.  They come, sometimes, when you don't get the notice.  They are unnecessary as well.

Why are they unnecessary? 

You have a brain.  You can watch the news.  You can watch the weather.  You can listen of official government sources.

If they are talking "It's gonna be BAD", do you really need someone zipping up and down your street telling you to get out of Dodge?

Did you learn how bad it was in New Orleans during Katrina?  Folks there were told how bad it was AND there was an official evacuation notice.  How well did that go?

You have two choices.  Pick one.  I can't help you if you make the wrong one.  Just be sure you have your ham radio turned on and checking into a net so you can call for help.