Jim Hampton wrote:
"Mike Coslo" wrote in message
...

Jim Hampton wrote:


Hello, Mike

Yep, I *love* that suggestion about programming in 911. Now, instead of
having to hit three buttons (9-1-1), you simply hit "memory-0-1".

Wow! I *am* impressed )

hehe. Just like I have said on other subjects, you can't make things
easy enough for some people. Even if the convenience insn't any more
convenient.




I also like the idea about buying more cell phones. If the lines are

all

busy due to overloading, you have your whole family try dialing on 10

cell

phones. You increase your chances *ten* times! Reminder to self: go

buy

100 lottery tickets; instead of 1 chance in 12 million, I'd have one

chance

in 120 thousand. Golly gee. Who'd have thunk?

That is an important consideration. When there is an emergency, such as
ice storm or hurricane or the like, it is incredibly compelling. Parents
want to call their parents, big sis wants to call her best friend to see
if she is alright, and little brother want's to compare freaky disaster
notes with his bud's.

If you've ever been in one, it is almost impossible to resist. You know
that loved ones are worried sick about your predicament, and if you have
a family of 3, and 3 cell phones, I'll wager that all three will be tried.


73 from Rochester, NY
Jim AA2QA

And from your QTH, I know you've been involved in some wethear
disasters lately! 8^) We've hade them here in State College over the
last 10 years, and cell service has gone out almost immediately. More
cell phones will simply put it out of commission a few seconds quicker.

- mike KB3EIA -



One interesting thing, Mike

I keep hearing how the repeaters aren't useful and they go out when the
power goes down. I dunno, but when we had the big blackout - almost all of
the repeaters were still hummin' away

Our repeater system has diesel generators at each site that will
operate for over a week in the event of power failure. they hardly even
hiccup for loss of mains power!

There are at least two repeaters
that aren't even connected to the mains. One is solar powered; the other is
windmill powered.

Now that is cool. I've toyed around with the idea of going solar
myself. It is a great thing for a repeater tho'.


Regardless, my HT through the repeaters, gives me
excellent coverage from Syracuse to the East, to Pennsylvania to the South,
past Buffalo to the West, and through Toronto to the North. That is pretty
fair 24/7 coverage.

One exception - the 10 meter port can open up worldwide, but that doesn't
count for emergency use LOL.

BTW, I also don't buy lottery tickets. That is one reason I never win

hehe, neither do I.

- Mike KB3EIA -