RE: [CRIME FW: Wireless Communications during disaster?]

From: Rocky Gregory (rocky@private)
Date: Fri Jun 06 2003 - 14:47:57 PDT

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    One possibility, though limited in coverage and bandwidth is GPRS.  AT&T
    Wireless (my former employer) dedicates 2 channels to packet data.  Even
    when the voice channels are overwhelmed you can still send and receive
    data on the network.  I was actually using the legacy AT&T Wireless data
    network (CDPD) to MSN chat with a coworker in Seattle during the
    earthquake a few years ago when no one could make a cell phone calls.
    Again, coverage and bandwidth considerations would need to be analyzed.
    
    -----Original Message-----
    From: owner-crime@private [mailto:owner-crime@private] On Behalf
    Of Brian Varine
    Sent: Friday, June 06, 2003 12:26 PM
    To: crime@private
    Subject: Re: [CRIME FW: Wireless Communications during disaster?]
    
    
    First you need to figure out what type of communications you need to
    begin with and what the mission is.
    
    Cell phones are great if they work but in a disaster the network has a
    habit of becoming overwhelmed. I'm not aware of an entire cellular/PCS
    network going down over a large area so they seem to be robust enough to
    stay online. If you get the digital systems they are secure enough for
    tactical information.
    
    FRS work for short range tactical comms. The Coast Guard should have
    some type of VHF radios correct?
    
    Don't forget you also have considerable comm's assets within the Air and
    Army National Guard. The beauty of Guard units is they can be tasked by
    the Governor and deployed rather quickly.
    
    FEMA has an incredible about of Comm's gear that you might be able to
    tap. They have everything from satellite uplink trucks to portable
    trunked radio systems. 
    
    As others have mentioned, HAM radio is a great asset for comms. During
    the floods of 96/97 HAM's did a considerable amount of patching
    messages. 
    
    I believe the Civil Air Patrol even has the ability to provide
    communciations in emergencie. 
    



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