It will be interesting to see this inter-linked EAS system perform under the extremes of solar flare activity and over-loaded power grids from the radiations.
But thats why they make bullhorns eh? Oh wait...that exceeds the 200 foot limit! 😛
RFB
You beat me to it, RFBurns, I was just coming here to peck the keyboard about last night's Coast-To-Coast when a scientist declared a high liklihood in the near term of a super flare, which would obliterate electrics for months or years here on earth.
That set me to inventorizing many possible disasters of the kind that take their turn around the world, i.e., earthquakes, floods, ice storms, power outages.
I think many of us broadcasters have assumed we would be left standing so as to possibly send vital messages, but it would be wiser to have a plan for survival.
Please put human life ahead of your part 15 transmitter in case of trouble.
On the other hand, as we saw in New Orleans, whole sections can be cut off entirely, in which case maybe we should open the X cabinet, where the 50-watt AM transmitter stands by.
The FCC rules permit operation without a license during a serious emergency. Perhaps one of you knows where to find that section.
The FCC rules permit operation without a license during a serious emergency. Perhaps one of you knows where to find that section.
Yes sir. 47 CFR 73.3542(a)
"Authority may be granted, on a temporary basis, in extraordinary circumstances
requiring emergency operation to serve the public interest. such situations include: emergencies involving danger to life and property; a national emergency proclaimed by the President or the Congress of the U.S.A and; the continuance of any war in which the United States is engaged, and where such action is necessary for the national defense or security or otherwise in furtherance of the war effort."
This does not mean an open door ticket to just slap up a 500 watt linear to that tiny 100mW exciter at any time. First there has to be a request made to the FCC during an actual emergency, and then if all other already licensed facilities are out of commission, the FCC will grant such operation.
Indeed, I do have that emergency AMP for both my AM and FM transmitters. I have a 1.2Kw for the AM and a 1.5Kw for the FM, both solid state, home made.
RFB
Well this type of emergency preparedness seems worth thinking about, and good for you, RFBurns, to be ready to go.
It seems to me that, in a cut-off from the world situation, contacting the FCC might have to wait. Communications might be a long way off.
Obviously there's no one plan when you don't know what you're planning for.
But this seems like it could matter.
It seems to me that, in a cut-off from the world situation, contacting the FCC might have to wait. Communications might be a long way off.
Very true. I have always wondered about that very thing and how effectively communications would be in a real disaster mess. Fortunately there are FCC field offices scattered all over the country and they are already set up with their own emergency communications systems to have contact with various forms of contact such as with HAM's, CB, as well as local emergency communications systems.
A plan is always good to have in place. But that is no absolute guarantee. Who knows if things would end up being limited to tapping long distance running wires on utility poles and sending out DC voltage Morse code over them or something similar to the old wired field phone systems used in the past in WW I and II.
There are still a plethora of scattered old runs of telephone wire and poles in the country. Or you could just pound a rod into the ground and connect that to an old style crank telephone and send out pulses through ground conductivity.
Its hard to say for sure if things really get so bad, what kind of forms of communication will be possible. The first thing most think of is Ham's to the rescue. Well that may be true to a certain extent. But even that is limited except for those few Ham's that have modified gear standing by that can send out signals on frequencies they normally do not operate on. Then there are the power issues..."where's the juice" kinda thing. A tube based Ham rig/s are not going to operate for long off a bank of batteries or gas/diesel/coal fired generator if fuel sources are also out of commission. And they certainly cannot run very effectively off a solar array unless it can provide a kilowatt or two of continuous energy enough to fire them filaments and plates.
It will be interesting indeed, but I try to not think of things getting that far out of hand. But your right, it IS a good idea to have some kind of plan in place...even if its a way to keep that 100mW unit going and attaching a long wire.
You would be amazed at how far that 100mW transmitter would send a signal when its attached to a 200 foot length of wire.
RFB
Come on folks, that's "Bull Horn". I know what you were thinking though.
Hey Carl, can you hear me now? Maybe you should be airing Hank Locklin's, "Please help Me, I'm Fallin'...", or maybe "Hello Walls". Or maybe you could air the old-time favorite, "Drop Kick Me Jesus".
;>D LOL
Come on folks, that's "Bull Horn". I know what you were thinking though.
Care to add the linear with that...the noise and static overwhelm it at that power level.
RFB
(humming Kumbaya while we all hold hands jumping off the cliff saying "Yes We Can")
In the words of a great philosopher, "You can't speak on a bull horn if you don't know what to say."
Besides, Jesus doesn't like football, and word has it he's not a sports fan.
But I would say that having a bullhorn can be a start, sort of like having canned food minus a can opener.
This disaster isn't going well.
sort of like having canned food minus a can opener.
Is that anything like having a can opener for a ration of RTE's? 😉
RFB
First, we will have to remember all the words to "Kumbaya" (African for "come by here"), and then go through Lemming training. No independent thought required. In fact, no thought required at all; just follow the Lemming ahead of you. You know, sort of like sled dog racing. Only one dog has to hear the commands of the driver. Only the lead Lemming knows the way to the edge of the cliff into the sea (-just another urban legend).
I guess that follows the old adage, "If the scenery doesn't change, you ain't the lead dog/Lemming."
The EAS system, the modern equivalent to the kid's game, "Mother-May-I". Or the carnival barker, "- around and around it goes, where it stops, nobody knows." :}o
Only the lead Lemming knows the way to the edge of the cliff into the sea
The real question would be.... is the lead Lemming worth following to begin with.
Some might say it depends on who the lead Lemming is...some would say it does not matter...show me the way anyway no matter which way I go.
The blind leading the deaf and the mute giving verbal instructions.
RFB
Mark,
Leaders who lead in the wrong direction usually fall into two camps. There are the leaders (read managers) who, when they discover their mistake, simply either blame someone else and ignore the outcome...or, leaders (read tribal chiefs) who, when confronted with their mistaken direction, swallow their pride and learn from the lesson, usually instructing those around them not to go down that same path and to follow cautiously. Managers usually use a monologue, Tribal Chiefs use a dialogue.
Tribal leaders produce their outcomes from input from as many sources as possible, not just their own. Two-way communication that creates better decision making and tribal loyalty. Leading from anecdotal experience, without updating our leadership perceptions with new data, can lead to faulty decision making. I recommend reading Seth Godin's, "Tribes". Great read. We all could use a little more wisdom.
Just being the lead Lemming, or lead dog, doesn't mean you have any followers. It just means when everyone else has discovered the error of the leaders path, they leave and go their own way. That's when the leader ceases to be a leader. Today, loyalty to leadership is earned, not conferred. Once again, just because you sit in the garage and make motor sounds doesn't make you a car. Just because you think you are a leader, doesn't mean you have any followers. So, lead on...(remember to listen for the approaching army...).
Hey, where is your leader?
Oh, he's over there somewhere. His name is Marshall.
Are we on the radio?
No. We're in a forum about radio.
What have you been talking about?
Really serious things.
I recommend reading Seth Godin's, "Tribes". Great read.
Yes..excellent book. I have that in my library. Good reference to point out.
Its just a shame there are not many in current leadership (in my opinion) who have had the experience of reading that. If they have...seems it had very little influence due to their own agendas.....ironic isn't it..that somehow they keep on being selected...question is...by whom.
Today, loyalty to leadership is earned, not conferred.
Hmm....I wonder about that. Perhaps on another planet or in another dimension that could be the case. In this world, I see no current leadership who has earned the loyalty bestowed upon them...then again...who's bestowing that loyalty....the tribe or the inner circles.
Well euphemisms can be quite effective...most often with one-way communication..a technique practiced so well by those apparently leading the way when the direction they take is totally the opposite of where they are telling everyone else to go by simply pointing. The sales pitch, dressed so well, apparently has a deep impact on the majority...thus they continue to lead the entire tribe by false promise and false sense of sovereignty...thus giving them the ability to play the game and convince the tribe that its best to take that giant leap forward off the edge of the cliff...while at the same time convincing them it wont hurt.
A good leader does not have to hide behind euphemisms and glimmering smiles while standing at a podium reading teleprompters scrolling a pre-written script. A good leader, as you pointed out, leads by listening to everyone....not just the preferred few.
Anyway...what happened to the EAS discussion??!
RFB
As was once said by a person way above my pay grade, "It is finished." I hope you all find this post "serious" enough. I have no interest in being your leader, here or anywhere else. Plain enough? Or would you prefer a euphemism? I'm done, put a fork in me.
I will be missing in action for the next two weeks to work on a radio project. Until then, carry on.