In article ,
(William) writes:

How does a cellphone contest work?

Dave K8MN

David, now you're being obtuse. What's new?

Obtuse? I think he's tangential. Maybe a sign...

Careful or he'll trig another spate of personal attacks.

LHA / WMD

On Wed, 03 Mar 2004 16:16:28 -0700, JJ
wrote:

Len Over 21 wrote:



The answer is painfully obvious...except for mobile installations
and shacks in the deep woods, there is very little emergency
preparedness by radio amateurs...in everything from equipment
to individual training.

Lennyboy you are so far off base it isn't even funny.

How so, JJ? I'd say that Len was quite correct on this one.

With few exceptions, all of the hams that I know are ragchewers,
contesters or experimenters. There are only a couple who actively
participate in the local ARES group, and they are the only ones with
the rudimentary training to handle an emergency situation without
hindering or interfering with it.

In fact, this appears to be the norm in the hobby, from my perspective
anyway - only a small percentage are actively involved in this area -
the rest, like me, are just in it for the hobby. Why not?

Of course, in an emergency situation, any of us would be willing to
pitch in and do whatever we could to help - but the vast majority of
us lack the organization, equipment and training that the professional
services have. For example, if an earthquake hit your area right now,
what would you do? Who would you contact, and on what frequency? Who
are the alternates, if he / she is not reachable? Who coordinates what
with the various professional agencies? Do you have a preassigned role
and duties that you have been trained and have rehearsed for? How
about radio equipment - do you have sufficient spare batteries to keep
operating during a prolonged power outage (and are they charged and
fully tested?), or a generator to keep a base station on the air? Do
you have back-up radio equipment in the event that yours fails? If
not, how much could you be counted on to be there if needed throughout
the entire emergency?

YMM, of course, V.....

73, Leo

William wrote:

Dave Heil wrote in message ...
William wrote:

The fact remains that many emergency calls were placed and got through
using cellular telephones.

Does that upset you or do you find it some sort of validation for your
latest peculiar theory?

David, there is no theory. I merely stated a fact.

Actually, that isn't quite correct. You've made this latest statement
in response to another's statement. It appears that your goal is to
attempt demonstrating that amateur radio is not something which would be
useful in an emergency. Personally I'd want some amateur gear and a
cellular phone.

Heaven forbid an emergency happens during a contest weekend!

How does a cellphone contest work?

David, now you're being obtuse. What's new?

Not at all, William/Brian. I simply responded to what you wrote. If
you had a more complex thought, you didn't express it.

Dave K8MN

William wrote:

(Michael Black) wrote in message ...
Dave Heil ) writes:
William wrote:

The fact remains that many emergency calls were placed and got through
using cellular telephones.

Does that upset you or do you find it some sort of validation for your
latest peculiar theory?

Heaven forbid an emergency happens during a contest weekend!

How does a cellphone contest work?

Dave K8MN

This was discussed in CQ in the mid-sixties. The phone company wanted
to set up an alternative to amateur radio, including sending equipment
to rare countries for DXpeditions. But it would be all done over phone
lines.

I can't remember which year, 1965 or 1968 somehow ring a bell, but I
can definitely tell you it was in the April issue.

Michael

Michael, thank you. Now David's curiousity has an answer.

If he were even slightly interested in amateur radio contests, he
could seek out the publication "CQ," not defunct.

You wrote nothing of amateur radio contests, Brian. I subscribe to CQ
though they are not the only sponsor of amateur radio contests. Do you
know something about amateur radio contesting? Is your contest
knowledge equal to your knowledge of DXing?

Dave K8MN

Dave Heil wrote in message ...
William wrote:

(Michael Black) wrote in message ...
Dave Heil ) writes:
William wrote:

The fact remains that many emergency calls were placed and got through
using cellular telephones.

Does that upset you or do you find it some sort of validation for your
latest peculiar theory?

Heaven forbid an emergency happens during a contest weekend!

How does a cellphone contest work?

Dave K8MN

This was discussed in CQ in the mid-sixties. The phone company wanted
to set up an alternative to amateur radio, including sending equipment
to rare countries for DXpeditions. But it would be all done over phone
lines.

I can't remember which year, 1965 or 1968 somehow ring a bell, but I
can definitely tell you it was in the April issue.

Michael

Michael, thank you. Now David's curiousity has an answer.

If he were even slightly interested in amateur radio contests, he
could seek out the publication "CQ," not defunct.

You wrote nothing of amateur radio contests, Brian. I subscribe to CQ
though they are not the only sponsor of amateur radio contests. Do you
know something about amateur radio contesting? Is your contest
knowledge equal to your knowledge of DXing?

Dave K8MN

David, I know enough to not use a cellular telephone in an amateur
radio contest. Wherever did you get that idea?

Dave Heil wrote in message ...
William wrote:

Dave Heil wrote in message ...
William wrote:

The fact remains that many emergency calls were placed and got through
using cellular telephones.

Does that upset you or do you find it some sort of validation for your
latest peculiar theory?

David, there is no theory. I merely stated a fact.

Actually, that isn't quite correct. You've made this latest statement
in response to another's statement. It appears that your goal is to
attempt demonstrating that amateur radio is not something which would be
useful in an emergency.

That would be your theory, not mine.

Personally I'd want some amateur gear and a
cellular phone.

Personally, I try to avoid placing myself in a situation which becomes
an emergency. The next best thing is a cellular telephone, followed
by amateur radio.

Do you see evil in this?

Heaven forbid an emergency happens during a contest weekend!

How does a cellphone contest work?

David, now you're being obtuse. What's new?

Not at all, William/Brian. I simply responded to what you wrote. If
you had a more complex thought, you didn't express it.

Dave K8MN

Dave, it is you who lacks complex thought. I enjoyed your little
escapade of bringing a cellular telephone to an amateur radio
contest. Maybe even France will call you. You're still good for a
few laughs.

William wrote:

Dave Heil wrote in message ...
William wrote:

(Michael Black) wrote in message ...
Dave Heil ) writes:
William wrote:

The fact remains that many emergency calls were placed and got through
using cellular telephones.

Does that upset you or do you find it some sort of validation for your
latest peculiar theory?

Heaven forbid an emergency happens during a contest weekend!

How does a cellphone contest work?

Dave K8MN

This was discussed in CQ in the mid-sixties. The phone company wanted
to set up an alternative to amateur radio, including sending equipment
to rare countries for DXpeditions. But it would be all done over phone
lines.

I can't remember which year, 1965 or 1968 somehow ring a bell, but I
can definitely tell you it was in the April issue.

Michael

Michael, thank you. Now David's curiousity has an answer.

If he were even slightly interested in amateur radio contests, he
could seek out the publication "CQ," not defunct.

You wrote nothing of amateur radio contests, Brian. I subscribe to CQ
though they are not the only sponsor of amateur radio contests. Do you
know something about amateur radio contesting? Is your contest
knowledge equal to your knowledge of DXing?

Dave K8MN

David, I know enough to not use a cellular telephone in an amateur
radio contest. Wherever did you get that idea?

I never had that idea, William/Brian. You wrote nothing about an
amateur radio contest.

Dave K8MN

William wrote:

Dave Heil wrote in message ...
William wrote:

Dave Heil wrote in message ...
William wrote:

The fact remains that many emergency calls were placed and got through
using cellular telephones.

Does that upset you or do you find it some sort of validation for your
latest peculiar theory?

David, there is no theory. I merely stated a fact.

Actually, that isn't quite correct. You've made this latest statement
in response to another's statement. It appears that your goal is to
attempt demonstrating that amateur radio is not something which would be
useful in an emergency.

That would be your theory, not mine.

That is simply incorrect, William/Brian. I made no attempt to disparage
amateur radio's role in an emergency. I leave that to the tag team of
"Len or Lenda".

Personally I'd want some amateur gear and a
cellular phone.

Personally, I try to avoid placing myself in a situation which becomes
an emergency. The next best thing is a cellular telephone, followed
by amateur radio.

Do you see evil in this?

Evil? Spring can't come early enough for you, can it?

Heaven forbid an emergency happens during a contest weekend!

How does a cellphone contest work?

David, now you're being obtuse. What's new?

Not at all, William/Brian. I simply responded to what you wrote. If
you had a more complex thought, you didn't express it.


Dave, it is you who lacks complex thought. I enjoyed your little
escapade of bringing a cellular telephone to an amateur radio
contest.

Please point out the portion of your original statement which contains
anything about an amateur radio contest.

Maybe even France will call you.

I've often received calls from France, both on the amateur bands and on
the telephone.

You're still good for a
few laughs.

The laughs, as usual, appear to be on you. I'd love to hear more of
your amateur radio contesting exploits. I'd probably pick up a tip or
too.
Your insight into DXing was extremely valueable.

Dave K8MN

Dave Heil wrote in message ...
William wrote:

Dave Heil wrote in message ...
William wrote:

Dave Heil wrote in message ...
William wrote:

The fact remains that many emergency calls were placed and got through
using cellular telephones.

Does that upset you or do you find it some sort of validation for your
latest peculiar theory?

David, there is no theory. I merely stated a fact.

Actually, that isn't quite correct. You've made this latest statement
in response to another's statement. It appears that your goal is to
attempt demonstrating that amateur radio is not something which would be
useful in an emergency.

That would be your theory, not mine.

That is simply incorrect, William/Brian.

Then where did it come from? I did not state such a theory.

I made no attempt to disparage
amateur radio's role in an emergency.

Nor have I.

I leave that to the tag team of
"Len or Lenda".

Who are they?

Personally I'd want some amateur gear and a
cellular phone.

Personally, I try to avoid placing myself in a situation which becomes
an emergency. The next best thing is a cellular telephone, followed
by amateur radio.

Do you see evil in this?

Evil? Spring can't come early enough for you, can it?

Vernal Equinox?

Heaven forbid an emergency happens during a contest weekend!

How does a cellphone contest work?

David, now you're being obtuse. What's new?

Not at all, William/Brian.

Yes, you are.

I simply responded to what you wrote.

Impossible. You responded with a theory. I presented no theory.

If
you had a more complex thought, you didn't express it.

Correct. You made an assumption. Not my problem.

Dave, it is you who lacks complex thought. I enjoyed your little
escapade of bringing a cellular telephone to an amateur radio
contest.

Please point out the portion of your original statement which contains
anything about an amateur radio contest.

David, David, David. This is an amateur radio forum. Did you forget?

Maybe even France will call you.

I've often received calls from France, both on the amateur bands and on
the telephone.

David, we know this all too well. Try to keep it under control.

You're still good for a
few laughs.

The laughs, as usual, appear to be on you.

Not at all. You get your exercise jumping to conclusions. You ought
to go back to being sedentary and obtuse.

I'd love to hear more of
your amateur radio contesting exploits. I'd probably pick up a tip or
too.
Your insight into DXing was extremely valueable.

Dave K8MN

Ditto your suggestion to contest with cell phones. You Go, Dave.

Dave Heil wrote in message ...
William wrote:

Dave Heil wrote in message ...
William wrote:

(Michael Black) wrote in message ...
Dave Heil ) writes:
William wrote:

The fact remains that many emergency calls were placed and got through
using cellular telephones.

Does that upset you or do you find it some sort of validation for your
latest peculiar theory?

Heaven forbid an emergency happens during a contest weekend!

How does a cellphone contest work?

Dave K8MN

This was discussed in CQ in the mid-sixties. The phone company wanted
to set up an alternative to amateur radio, including sending equipment
to rare countries for DXpeditions. But it would be all done over phone
lines.

I can't remember which year, 1965 or 1968 somehow ring a bell, but I
can definitely tell you it was in the April issue.

Michael

Michael, thank you. Now David's curiousity has an answer.

If he were even slightly interested in amateur radio contests, he
could seek out the publication "CQ," not defunct.

You wrote nothing of amateur radio contests, Brian. I subscribe to CQ
though they are not the only sponsor of amateur radio contests. Do you
know something about amateur radio contesting? Is your contest
knowledge equal to your knowledge of DXing?

Dave K8MN

David, I know enough to not use a cellular telephone in an amateur
radio contest. Wherever did you get that idea?

I never had that idea, William/Brian. You wrote nothing about an
amateur radio contest.

Dave K8MN

You continue to be obtuse. Enjoi.

In article , Alun
writes:

Personally, I don't have a cell phone, so if I lost wired phone service I
would only have ham radio to fall back on. Oddly enough, cell phones have
not yet spread to every man, woman and child, but I don't know anyone who
doesn't have a phone number.

Alun, according to the Census Bureau's data as of 2003, there are
100 million cellular telephone subscriptions in the USA. That's about
one for every three citizens. Rather large "spread," I'd say. :-)

If every licensed amateur in the USA had one useable radio, then the
number of amateur radios would be one per about 430 citizens. Not
as big a "spread."

LHA / WMD

Alun wrote in message . ..


And your point is...?

I'm not really sure what you're getting at, but my point was that it is
reasonable to assume that everyone has a TV and a phone, for example, but
we're not yet at that point with cellphones. Close, but not there yet. Of
course, I would say that, as I don't have one.

The level of use of ham radio is not particularly relevant to the
discussion, except in that there are clearly enough of us to help out in an
emergency.

OK, Alun, lets look at it another way.

We agree that cellular phones can be useful in an emergency.

We agree that not everyone has a cellular phone, maybe only 1/3 of the
US population.

We know that there are very, very, very few amateur radio operators
per capita in the US population.

We can conclude that most people have better access to cellular phones
in an emergency than they have access to amateur radio.

Alun wrote in message . ..
(Len Over 21) wrote in
:

In article , Alun
writes:

Personally, I don't have a cell phone, so if I lost wired phone service
I would only have ham radio to fall back on. Oddly enough, cell phones
have not yet spread to every man, woman and child, but I don't know
anyone who doesn't have a phone number.

Alun, according to the Census Bureau's data as of 2003, there are
100 million cellular telephone subscriptions in the USA. That's
about one for every three citizens. Rather large "spread," I'd say.
:-)

If every licensed amateur in the USA had one useable radio, then the
number of amateur radios would be one per about 430 citizens. Not
as big a "spread."

LHA / WMD


And your point is...?

Hey...! It's LENNIE, Alun! No point is necessary!

The level of use of ham radio is not particularly relevant to the
discussion, except in that there are clearly enough of us to help out in an
emergency.

And that they do, over and over and over, yet His Putziness still
insists that such is not the case, reams of evidence to the contrary.

73

Steve, K4YZ

Dave Heil wrote in message ...

William (AKA Brain Burke, from what is surely but one of several screen names used in this forum) wrote:

You're still good for a
few laughs.

The laughs, as usual, appear to be on you. I'd love to hear more of
your amateur radio contesting exploits. I'd probably pick up a tip or
too.
Your insight into DXing was extremely valueable.

I am sure that he'd be the center of attention at a CB Jamboree,
"enlightening" those impressionable souls with his "wisdom" on such
antics...Until, of course, someone had the temerity to ask him to
provide some evidence of his exploits.

And of course he could throw in some well timed colloquialisms
like "flat side", "swing" and "dead key" and they'd be putty in his
(cold and clammy) hands.

Or maybe not...

73

Steve, K4YZ

Leo wrote in message . ..
On Wed, 03 Mar 2004 16:16:28 -0700, JJ
wrote:

Len Over 21 wrote:



The answer is painfully obvious...except for mobile installations
and shacks in the deep woods, there is very little emergency
preparedness by radio amateurs...in everything from equipment
to individual training.

Lennyboy you are so far off base it isn't even funny.

How so, JJ? I'd say that Len was quite correct on this one.

Nope. Not even close. Please read my post as validation as to
why.

Lennie makes yet again more assinine assertions that are
disproven by evidence from thir party sources.

With few exceptions, all of the hams that I know are ragchewers,
contesters or experimenters. There are only a couple who actively
participate in the local ARES group, and they are the only ones with
the rudimentary training to handle an emergency situation without
hindering or interfering with it.

In fact, this appears to be the norm in the hobby, from my perspective
anyway - only a small percentage are actively involved in this area -
the rest, like me, are just in it for the hobby. Why not?

Why not, indeed, and that's fine. Most emergency preparedness
plans DON'T need legions of persons to carry out the plan...Just a few
dedicated persons willing to apply themselves to the task at hand.
Most IC's DON'T want any more people there than what's necessary since
they become a burden on already limited resources.

Again, it has been PROVEN that ARES, REACT, RACES, etc, have
filled these niches well.

Of course, in an emergency situation, any of us would be willing to
pitch in and do whatever we could to help - but the vast majority of
us lack the organization, equipment and training that the professional
services have. For example, if an earthquake hit your area right now,
what would you do? Who would you contact, and on what frequency? Who
are the alternates, if he / she is not reachable? Who coordinates what
with the various professional agencies? Do you have a preassigned role
and duties that you have been trained and have rehearsed for? How
about radio equipment - do you have sufficient spare batteries to keep
operating during a prolonged power outage (and are they charged and
fully tested?), or a generator to keep a base station on the air? Do
you have back-up radio equipment in the event that yours fails? If
not, how much could you be counted on to be there if needed throughout
the entire emergency?

The "training" needed to effectively carry out most emergency
plans (for Amateur Radio's role, that is...) does not require military
precision nor 24/7 commitment. There's more than enough time to
ragchew, DX, "tinker", etc, in between events.

73

Steve, K4YZ

Alun wrote in message . ..
(William) wrote in
om:

Alun wrote in message
. ..


And your point is...?

I'm not really sure what you're getting at, but my point was that it
is reasonable to assume that everyone has a TV and a phone, for
example, but we're not yet at that point with cellphones. Close, but
not there yet. Of course, I would say that, as I don't have one.

The level of use of ham radio is not particularly relevant to the
discussion, except in that there are clearly enough of us to help out
in an emergency.

OK, Alun, lets look at it another way.

We agree that cellular phones can be useful in an emergency.

We agree that not everyone has a cellular phone, maybe only 1/3 of the
US population.

We know that there are very, very, very few amateur radio operators
per capita in the US population.

We can conclude that most people have better access to cellular phones
in an emergency than they have access to amateur radio.


Possibly true, so long as the cell towers are still standing.

Question: Are there more cell towers in America than there are
Amateur Radio Licensees?

Alun wrote in message . ..

In one way he does have a point. What I am alluding to is that prcisely
because it is a hobby we all have thousands of bucks worth of radios lying
around, and we can use them without wires and cell phone towers.

The "point" Lennie it trying to make us believe, Alun, is that
Amateur Radio is ONLY a hobby, with no intrinsic value to anyone
for any reason OTHER than recreation...That's not true.

His ulterior motive is to discredit Amateur Radio's countless
contributions, not only to the "history" of radio, but to the
"service" of the Nation as a resource to be called upon in any number
of disasters or emergencies.

He's unable to do that, either, but he obviously believes that if
he keeps repeating it often enough perhaps he and he alone can
re-write 90 years of history.

73

Steve, K4YZ

Alun wrote in message . ..
(William) wrote in
om:

Question: Are there more cell towers in America than there are
Amateur Radio Licensees?


Don't know, but if we fall over in an eartquake we just get back up...

Hah, funny one. I've seen amateur towers fall over. It can be months
or years if they're ever replaced at all.

"William" wrote in message
om...
Get over the glory of our history. Mike Powell asks, "What has
amateur radio done for me lately?"

How recent do you need? September 11, 2001 comes to mind. Then there was
the great blackout of 2003. No doubt there have been smaller emergencies of
which I haven't heard. There of course there are the emergencies to come
such as future hurricanes. Although these have been rather quiet the last
few years, that doesn't mean they are gone.

Then outside the disaster arena, there's all the marathons, walk-a-thons,
bike-a-thons and myriad other public events for which hams routinely provide
communications. Our club supports 4 or 5 of these per year.

Dee D. Flint, N8UZE

In article ,
(William) writes:

(Steve Robeson, K4CAP) wrote in message
.com...
Alun wrote in message
...

In one way he does have a point. What I am alluding to is that prcisely
because it is a hobby we all have thousands of bucks worth of radios lying

around, and we can use them without wires and cell phone towers.

The "point" Lennie it trying to make us believe, Alun, is that
Amateur Radio is ONLY for any reason OTHER than recreation...That's not
true.

Really? I don't see that at all.

Brian, the psychotic don't see things the same way that rational
humans such as you, Alun, and I do.

The gunnery nurse is stuck, wedged in his emotional rut of anger
and rage over long-ago perceived personal insults to his opinions
and statements. As the result all he can do is shout and holler and
egregiously denigrate his critics over the slightest hint of disapproval.

In his mental world amateur radio has substituted for "the corps"
and he must traverse all routes between the halls of Montezuma
and the shores of Tripoli, marching to the beat of olde-tyme
tradition and demanding strict and utter obeyance of the "gunny"
in a hobby activity. That is an absolute and cannot be otherwise.

That is also quite a bit sick. But, other amateurs allow his
presence, even with implications of "praise" for his exhortations
and pejorations. That implies some impurity of those others.
:-)

His ulterior motive is to discredit Amateur Radio's countless
contributions, not only to the "history" of radio, but to the
"service" of the Nation as a resource to be called upon in any number
of disasters or emergencies.

I'd suggest that you not rest on your laurels. Historically amateur
radio has provided an invaluable service to the nation. More
recently, more people have turned to cellular telephones to aid them
in an emergency. You do the math.

The gunnery nurse is still stuck in his obsessive rut and cannot
tolerate a reality at odds with his mental fantasy.

That 100 million cellular telephone subscriptions exist in the
USA as of U.S. Census Bureau data for 2003 is irrelevant to the
gunnery nurse's fantasy world. He refuses to acknowledge that
and focusses solely on himself and his relation to his activities
as the only possible "truth." Anything contrary will bring forth a
spate of the usual personal insults, spat with exaggerated anger
and resentment.

The history of all radio has already been and has been
documented in many other places besides Newington, CT.
The contributions of amateur radio are quite countable, not so
numerous as to be labeled "uncountable." The countable
contributions - in the majority - all happened well before the
gunnery nurse's life experience began.

He's unable to do that, either, but he obviously believes that if
he keeps repeating it often enough perhaps he and he alone can
re-write 90 years of history.

Recounting documented reality is not a "rewrite" of anything.

ALL radio is only 108 years old. The ARRL was organized in 1914
as a local New England radio club primarily interested in "relaying"
telegraphic messages privately instead of using commercial
telegram services. As a late-comer in U.S. national radio clubs
(the Radio Club of America was organized 5 years before the ARRL
and still exists today) it began to have dreams of greatness. But,
the ARRL membership is still less than a quarter of all licensed U.S.
radio amateurs. Their "greatness" seems to be a self-definition.

The use of "90" years is indicative of the mental tunnel vision and
absolute Belief in the ARRL as the source, the oracle of All in
radio. When the ARRL was first organized, "radio" was already 18
years old, having been demonstrated as a communications means
in both Italy and Russia in 1896.

Get over the glory of our history. Mike Powell asks, "What has
amateur radio done for me lately?"

That is really for another thread, Brian, even though both of us do
not look with favor upon Chairman Powell.

The gunnery nurse MUST wrap himself in the patriotic bunting and
mythical glory of his corps-substitute. That is evidenciary in all the
psychotic behavior shown in here over the past years. To him it
seems not a hobby but a lifestyle, a "service" lacking only a common
uniform. All must follow his personal patriotism or be villified forever
and ever.

He wastes our time.

LHA / WMD

William wrote:


Hah, funny one. I've seen amateur towers fall over. It can be months
or years if they're ever replaced at all.


Even if my tower should fall over, I can string up antennas and be back
on the air in hours of not minutes. Can you do that with your cell phone?

Alun wrote in message . ..
(William) wrote in
m:

Alun wrote in message
. ..
(William) wrote in
om:

Question: Are there more cell towers in America than there are
Amateur Radio Licensees?


Don't know, but if we fall over in an eartquake we just get back up...

Hah, funny one. I've seen amateur towers fall over. It can be months
or years if they're ever replaced at all.


I wasn't talking about our towers, though, was I? I have one I've never put
up. The point is that, for example, we can communicate in and out of a
disaster area on HF SSB, for example, without needing a tower. Doesn't
happen every day, but that's something to be thankful for.

True enough. People might be able to use cellular phones to do the same.

JJ wrote in news:
:

William wrote:


Hah, funny one. I've seen amateur towers fall over. It can be months
or years if they're ever replaced at all.


Even if my tower should fall over, I can string up antennas and be back
on the air in hours of not minutes. Can you do that with your cell phone?



Of course he can't

"William" wrote in message
om...
Alun wrote in message
. ..
(William) wrote in
m:

Alun wrote in message
. ..
(William) wrote in
om:

Question: Are there more cell towers in America than there are
Amateur Radio Licensees?


Don't know, but if we fall over in an eartquake we just get back
up...

Hah, funny one. I've seen amateur towers fall over. It can be months
or years if they're ever replaced at all.


I wasn't talking about our towers, though, was I? I have one I've never
put
up. The point is that, for example, we can communicate in and out of a
disaster area on HF SSB, for example, without needing a tower. Doesn't
happen every day, but that's something to be thankful for.

True enough. People might be able to use cellular phones to do the same.

Probably not though. The cell phone system is only set up to handle normal
levels of usage. It gets bogged down when traffic levels rise dramatically
as they do in emergencies. If any cell sites are lost in the emergency that
either cuts off that area from cell service entirely or further overloads
the system. In the case of 9/11, calls placed via landlines and/or cell
phones took 30 minutes or more to get through and some did not get through
at all.

Dee D. Flint, N8UZE