Communications heads up

Tommytrauma · March 30, 2002, 05:40 PM

I read today that the National Communications System has proposed a plan that would result in virtually all cell phone service being cut off for civilians in the event of a national emergency such as 9/11. Thought I'd share this, as I know many of us depend on our cell phones for emergency commo. Wife and I are developing alternate plans.
Personally, I htink this sucks the big one. As well as personal / family safety, I depend on my personal cell as a tool when I'm working as a paramedic.

ProStreetChevelle · March 31, 2002, 01:00 AM

Hey Tommy, do you have a link for the article you read?

bubbaturbo · March 31, 2002, 10:52 AM

I just recently read this too but I can' remember where. I went to www.ncs.gov and clicked on wireless priority services under programs and projects. It seems to say that in the event of a national emergency, cellular services would be allocated based on a predetermined priority. Of course that might have prevented communications with the passengers on flight 93 so they might have crashed unknowingly into another building which was the concern of the author of the article I read. Wish I could remember where. Maybe the National Review site but I still can't find it.

Edward429451 · March 31, 2002, 12:33 PM

Very grim situation with no communications. So in a shtf senario what is the best way to go for communications?

1. Shortwave (Are these only available as base units? Handhelds? Vox?)

2. FM (Advantages? Disadvantages? vox?)

3. Sideband (Ditto)

4. HAM (Ditto)

What should a family get to ensure communications no matter what? Any pros cons and pricing and personal views or experiance would be appreciated.

Thanks, Edward.

Tommytrauma · March 31, 2002, 01:04 PM

Erik, in regards to your question; I'd be glad to address medical issues within my scope, and have access to some great MDs for further input.

Wife and I are looking at 5 watt VHF handhelds to augment communications, since I can match those with some of my "work" frequencies as well. The practical problems appear to be keeping them charged without overcharging the batteries and having them available, as well as price. Don't know if they're going to be feasible. We've also decided on a primary meeting point (home), secondary (family’s about 5 miles away) and tertiary (distant family, about 50 miles away) meeting points in case we get separated. I know that sounds paranoid, but we had a small town here in WI that had to be completely evacuated a couple of years ago due to a haz mat train derailment. Thus the distant point. Anyone have more to offer?

Oh, I read the mention of this in Ayoob's 'Ayoob files' in the current American Handgunner. It was just a 1 paragraph mention.

pdmoderator · April 1, 2002, 05:57 PM

Around here (30 miles from Ground Zero), both the cell and landline networks folded within about one hour of SHTF. They stayed folded for most of the day. So the NCS system wouldn't have made a bit of difference.

For some odd reason, though, email stayed up enough to let me communicate with my SO.

- pdmoderator

March 30, 2002, 05:40 PM	#1
Tommytrauma Member Join Date: February 1, 2002 Posts: 72	Communications heads up I read today that the National Communications System has proposed a plan that would result in virtually all cell phone service being cut off for civilians in the event of a national emergency such as 9/11. Thought I'd share this, as I know many of us depend on our cell phones for emergency commo. Wife and I are developing alternate plans. Personally, I htink this sucks the big one. As well as personal / family safety, I depend on my personal cell as a tool when I'm working as a paramedic. __________________ But I don't WANT to be a pie!

March 31, 2002, 01:00 AM	#2
ProStreetChevelle Junior Member Join Date: March 30, 2002 Location: Central Kalifornia Posts: 14	link? Hey Tommy, do you have a link for the article you read?

March 31, 2002, 01:04 PM	#5
Tommytrauma Member Join Date: February 1, 2002 Posts: 72	Erik, in regards to your question; I'd be glad to address medical issues within my scope, and have access to some great MDs for further input. Wife and I are looking at 5 watt VHF handhelds to augment communications, since I can match those with some of my "work" frequencies as well. The practical problems appear to be keeping them charged without overcharging the batteries and having them available, as well as price. Don't know if they're going to be feasible. We've also decided on a primary meeting point (home), secondary (family’s about 5 miles away) and tertiary (distant family, about 50 miles away) meeting points in case we get separated. I know that sounds paranoid, but we had a small town here in WI that had to be completely evacuated a couple of years ago due to a haz mat train derailment. Thus the distant point. Anyone have more to offer? Oh, I read the mention of this in Ayoob's 'Ayoob files' in the current American Handgunner. It was just a 1 paragraph mention. __________________ But I don't WANT to be a pie!

April 1, 2002, 05:57 PM	#6
pdmoderator Registration in progress Join Date: November 6, 2001 Location: New Jersey Posts: 1,202	Around here (30 miles from Ground Zero), both the cell and landline networks folded within about one hour of SHTF. They stayed folded for most of the day. So the NCS system wouldn't have made a bit of difference. For some odd reason, though, email stayed up enough to let me communicate with my SO. - pdmoderator __________________ Give up no state. Give up no ground.

March 31, 2002, 10:52 AM	#3
bubbaturbo Senior Member Join Date: November 14, 1999 Posts: 314	I just recently read this too but I can' remember where. I went to www.ncs.gov and clicked on wireless priority services under programs and projects. It seems to say that in the event of a national emergency, cellular services would be allocated based on a predetermined priority. Of course that might have prevented communications with the passengers on flight 93 so they might have crashed unknowingly into another building which was the concern of the author of the article I read. Wish I could remember where. Maybe the National Review site but I still can't find it.

March 31, 2002, 12:33 PM	#4
Edward429451 Junior member Join Date: November 12, 2000 Location: Colorado Springs, Colorado Posts: 9,494	Very grim situation with no communications. So in a shtf senario what is the best way to go for communications? 1. Shortwave (Are these only available as base units? Handhelds? Vox?) 2. FM (Advantages? Disadvantages? vox?) 3. Sideband (Ditto) 4. HAM (Ditto) What should a family get to ensure communications no matter what? Any pros cons and pricing and personal views or experiance would be appreciated. Thanks, Edward.