TO: ALL WOOD COUNTY EMERGENCY COMMUNICATIONS AMATEURS
ALL NON-WOOD COUNTY EMERGENCY COMMUNICATIONS AMATEURS
FROM: KEN HARRIS WA8LLM
WOOD COUNTY EMERGENCY COMMUNICATIONS INCORPORATED
WV ARES BULLETIN NR 09.48 DATE: November 29, 2009
SUBJECT: OPERATIONS WITHOUT COMMERCIAL POWER.
Even though the weather hasn't been that bad, winter is still here, so we might as well review some tips about losing commercial power. I thought it would be appropriate to cover this subject by revising a bulletin from some time back.
Not every amateur will prepare himself or herself for an emergency by having a complete self-powered station. Questions you might ask yourself; Can I operate my station without commercial power? If I do not have an automatic backup system in place, how long does it take to set it up? Many amateurs have equipment that will operate on 12 volts (Battery power), or have access to auxiliary power like generators, but have never taken the time to see if they can operate their station from this source.
If the power were to fail this minute, and you were in the middle of a radio conversation, could you maintain that conversation on any of your equipment? Will your VHF radio be operational? How about HF? And how about Packet? Remember the DAREN system will be a major communications route in a major emergency or disaster.
These are all valid questions, which we might set a goal to answer, yes! As a test for yourself, get out the batteries, if they are charged, or get out the generator, if it runs. Break out the cables to connect the batteries, hook up the station to the alternative source of power and operate for a couple hours in that manner, this includes working in the dark if you don't have emergency lights, or flashlights.
If your station is already set up for battery backup, you can still do this drill. Just throw the switch and think about how to operate your computer or dumb terminal, or do you have a portable? This will help us remain familiar with the procedure, which will affect our response time and our ability to communicate in a disaster or emergency.
Remember to keep those necessary items ready and waiting, in case the lights go out.
Ken Harris WA8LLM
Wood County WV
WV ARES Section Emergency Coordinator
WV ARES District 3 Emergency Coordinator