whacker
Member
Since the storms last Friday night, I've been checking out AEP, as I've got several Systems programmed into my BCD396T for them. There's lots of activity with all the downed power lines and resultant outages.
The only location I've ever been able to monitor is New Carlisle, IN, as I'm in Buchanan, MI (about 14 miles away). All the others (Benton Harbor, Goshen, even Mishawaka) are too far for my radio-mounted antenna (either the stock ducky or my trusty center-loaded Radio Shack telescoping).
I occasionally monitor AEP, but with renewed interest since this weather event. However, I've noticed that normally the signal strength at my location is one or two bars, but all of a sudden over the last two days, I was seeing a full five bars. Now it has all but disappeared this evening. I realize there are conditions that can make even 800-900 MHz vary, such as humidity. foliage, physical barriers natural and man-made.
But I'm wondering, is it possible they have a way with their system to put an extra tower on line, perhaps in the Buchanan area, that would have given me the stronger than normal signal? It's literally like it's being switched in and out, and right now it's out. I'm only talking about the New Carlisle location (radio site), as that is the only AEP EDACS system I've ever gotten any results receiving.
Strange question, perhaps, but what do I know about how they might run their EDACS system, right? They've got a large area to cover, and nothing too apparently close.
Also, anyone know how they (AEP) typically communicate with all the contract crews from out of state when they're up here (and there's a bunch)? Spare portables, or just cell phones (easiest explanation)? I know the regular crews report exactly what, where, and when they're doing something, so circuits can be energized/de-energized, etc., for safety's sake. Mobile radio comms are crucial to their work.
If anyone has any insight on this, please chime in.
The only location I've ever been able to monitor is New Carlisle, IN, as I'm in Buchanan, MI (about 14 miles away). All the others (Benton Harbor, Goshen, even Mishawaka) are too far for my radio-mounted antenna (either the stock ducky or my trusty center-loaded Radio Shack telescoping).
I occasionally monitor AEP, but with renewed interest since this weather event. However, I've noticed that normally the signal strength at my location is one or two bars, but all of a sudden over the last two days, I was seeing a full five bars. Now it has all but disappeared this evening. I realize there are conditions that can make even 800-900 MHz vary, such as humidity. foliage, physical barriers natural and man-made.
But I'm wondering, is it possible they have a way with their system to put an extra tower on line, perhaps in the Buchanan area, that would have given me the stronger than normal signal? It's literally like it's being switched in and out, and right now it's out. I'm only talking about the New Carlisle location (radio site), as that is the only AEP EDACS system I've ever gotten any results receiving.
Strange question, perhaps, but what do I know about how they might run their EDACS system, right? They've got a large area to cover, and nothing too apparently close.
Also, anyone know how they (AEP) typically communicate with all the contract crews from out of state when they're up here (and there's a bunch)? Spare portables, or just cell phones (easiest explanation)? I know the regular crews report exactly what, where, and when they're doing something, so circuits can be energized/de-energized, etc., for safety's sake. Mobile radio comms are crucial to their work.
If anyone has any insight on this, please chime in.
