TO: ALL WEST VIRGINIA ARES MEMBERS (OFFICIAL)
ALL ARES AND NON-ARES AMATEURS ANYWHERE (INFORMATION)
FROM: KEN HARRIS WA8LLM WV SECTION EMERGENCY COORDINATOR
WOOD COUNTY EMERGENCY COMMUNICATIONS INCORPORATED
WV ARES® BULLETIN NR 10.40 DATE: October 3, 2010
SUBJECT: OLD BUT USEABLE EQUIPMENT.
What do some businesses do with their old "out-of-date" equipment? Most of them just place it in their dumpsters to be taken to a local landfill. Is this equipment really worn out, or can it still be used? The answer is: it's still probably good, if it's electronic equipment such as radios, computers, dumb terminals, or printers.
You've all heard stories about companies taking their old computers out back of their business and beating them to death with a sledge hammer. Why do they do this you ask? The companies want to make sure the information in the computers cannot be retrieved and used to compete against them.
Is it really necessary to completely destroy a piece of electronic equipment that can be used in Amateur Radio and Public Safety? Everyone has friends that work at such places as Manufacturing Plants and Hospitals. Ask them to keep their eyes and ears open, and when they hear about equipment that's going to be taken out of service, or replaced, to let you know.
Or better still, contact such places of business and explain to them what can be done with any "old" electronic equipment such as computers and dumb terminals. Let them know that you belong to a communications group that is a part of a local Amateur Radio group, Fire, or Rescue organization. Explain to them how the equipment can be used.
Most of the time a telephone call would be a start, but you need to go talk to them in person. Show and explain to them how the old equipment can and will be used. They must get your assurance the equipment WILL NEVER EVER be used for business use again.
Ken Harris WA8LLM
Wood County WV
WV ARES® Section Emergency Coordinator
WV ARES® District 3 Emergency Coordinator