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Events which have transpired since 8/29/05, have convinced me of the continued
viability of HF communication systems and networks, and here's why.
On the day of the storm, I was assisting with the operation of the ham station at Natl. Wx. svc, Jackson. For a time that day, my understanding is that for the entire New Orleans region, the only outside communications Louisiana State Police had was ONE ham with an HF rig. Many anxious cell phone calls from trapped suvivors were relayed through various ham channels to this operator.
In last two days, many other urgent requests begin to trickle in from the gulf coast via hf. Phone lines, cell towers, and much radio system infrastructure in these areas were destroyed. But hams begin to return to the air the day after the storm (a few that day!) via HF.
Today and yesterday, many urgent requests for food, water, and generators (usually for public water systems) were passed to our state emergency management agency from county EOC's, via hams on HF.
Even though HF nets can be a bit slow, clunky, noisy, and downright fatiguing to work on, they are exceedingly robust. Survive, string up a wire, and hook up a battery, and with 100 watts you can cover several states.
Similarly the NAWAS system, from my observations, was also fairly robust, and used a great deal, during the storm, and in the aftermath. However, I'm not sure if it was continuously operational in some of the hardest hit areas during the storm.
On a personal note, it is a most unusual feeling to have someone ask you for emergency rations for 15,000, and 120KW of generators for their water supply so they can drink.
So why the title?
It was my summary statement to a FEMA cameraman/interviewer today who asked probing and relavant questions about why I thought HAM communications were being successful during this disaster, when other far more elaborate communication systems were failing.
viability of HF communication systems and networks, and here's why.
On the day of the storm, I was assisting with the operation of the ham station at Natl. Wx. svc, Jackson. For a time that day, my understanding is that for the entire New Orleans region, the only outside communications Louisiana State Police had was ONE ham with an HF rig. Many anxious cell phone calls from trapped suvivors were relayed through various ham channels to this operator.
In last two days, many other urgent requests begin to trickle in from the gulf coast via hf. Phone lines, cell towers, and much radio system infrastructure in these areas were destroyed. But hams begin to return to the air the day after the storm (a few that day!) via HF.
Today and yesterday, many urgent requests for food, water, and generators (usually for public water systems) were passed to our state emergency management agency from county EOC's, via hams on HF.
Even though HF nets can be a bit slow, clunky, noisy, and downright fatiguing to work on, they are exceedingly robust. Survive, string up a wire, and hook up a battery, and with 100 watts you can cover several states.
Similarly the NAWAS system, from my observations, was also fairly robust, and used a great deal, during the storm, and in the aftermath. However, I'm not sure if it was continuously operational in some of the hardest hit areas during the storm.
On a personal note, it is a most unusual feeling to have someone ask you for emergency rations for 15,000, and 120KW of generators for their water supply so they can drink.
So why the title?
It was my summary statement to a FEMA cameraman/interviewer today who asked probing and relavant questions about why I thought HAM communications were being successful during this disaster, when other far more elaborate communication systems were failing.