Afternoon All,
Just a few points of interest ,and please elaborate with your own
ideas.
This year we had reports given to us by the same hams that helped out
last year in the Hatteras area. Bob ( I missed the call )I can't
Thank you enough. Bob was using a computer on the Echolink system,
Comes in Handy . If it were not for Bob this year with Alex and last
year with Isabel. We would have missed alot if important information
in the effected areas.
Computers are valuable in said events.
The local Hatteras Repeater ( K4OBX )was down again for Alex.
Again I must stress the point, Having Repeaters setup out of the
affected areas that can project back into the effected areas is a
great way to not lose your voip connections.
I use a yagi setup at sixty Feet with Echolinked interfaced . If
Charleston S.C. has a Hurricane I turn my yagi toward Charleston and
I can receive Reports from the 147.300 KE4HHR Repeater ,which has
back up battery power . ( Or use a generator ). Actually Rockey
KE4HHR has used my Echolink system from Charleston S.C. for this very
same experiment. The point is I live in Little River S.C. thats
roughly 140 to 150 miles from my Home. You can bet the power will go
out in Charleston before it gos in Myrtle Beach.
I also have a Repeater back up plan. If I lose power I just pickup
my repeater and go to where the power is. You see I have two
Repeaters on the same Frequency. The standard Repeater would be a
problem to move but my backup Repeater is portable.
Two Kenwood radios and a software called EchoStation will make any
Repeater work on any frequency you choose, for a backup or as a main
Repeater. How well dos this work? You Guys have heard me on this
system during Alex, and for several months now. My main Repeater is
under repairs again. You tell me , How well did it sound ?? I can
move it ,and have it setup in a matter of minutes. The same as with
the Echolink - Links.
Another idea is to try and keep computers sounds off during an event,
MSN and Echolink have features that will let you turn off
notification beeps etc. I know its going to happen from time to time
as we will get curious hams that just want to hear whats going on. I
think all hams are curious :) . I can ignore anything to get a report
in an event though.
We should have hams in the affected areas that will support our VOIP
nets, Our people .
Then we will receive more reports. I have several hams in this area I
know would offer reports if there was a need to .
If local EC's in your area refuse to see or accept VOIP as a means to
provide information ,then start your own support group .Move on as I
have . It will come in time believe me
If I should say so, Some fear it might take a litte shine from their
positions , perhaps a bit of ego also.
There's no room for that when lives can be saved with combined efforts
of voip.
If anything have preparation Nets ! What to Report and what to expect
form each area involved with VOIP Nets
Well thats about it from the Beach. I know it sounds a bit
( know it all ) , Buy I did stay at the Holiday Inn Express last
night.
73 KF4VGX
