lonestardiver
TGT Addict
The Columbia Shuttle Recovery
As you know this primarily occurred over a rural Texas county or two, or at least the main portion. Ham radio operators were called in to help with the communication aspect. The county radio system for Sheriff, Fire, and EMS was sized for a known quantity of users. There were many agencies pulled in such as NASA, FBI, Fire EMS, ATF, NHTSA, etc. Not everyone uses the same radio band or set of frequencies. Many radios couldn’t be programmed in the field even if they were on the proper band.
We brought in a portable repeater and had a radio operator assigned to the liaison for each group and each team in the field. We practice a coordinated net to keep radio traffic in an orderly fashion otherwise it is an uncoordinated mess.
This allowed the proper liaison to be looped in as needed and resources sent to particular locations as it was required.
Without the hams, it would have been chaos especially since cell phone signals were hit and miss.
This is the same procedures we use during RACES activations for storms. We practice by doing public service events like the Cowtown Marathon where there are thousands of participants scattered throughout the course. Each liaison and water stop is manned by a radio operator. I have a dual band radio on my ATV for use during the Marathon and Ultra Marathon portions.
It gives us visibility and practical use of our skills for use during disasters. Quite a few of us get posted to big venues to have a direct line to the National Weather Service if there is a threat of bad weather so advice can be given to the event staff. Mayfest is a good example after the hailstorm event a number of years past.
If anyone wants to know more, PM me and I’ll be glad to answer questions.
As you know this primarily occurred over a rural Texas county or two, or at least the main portion. Ham radio operators were called in to help with the communication aspect. The county radio system for Sheriff, Fire, and EMS was sized for a known quantity of users. There were many agencies pulled in such as NASA, FBI, Fire EMS, ATF, NHTSA, etc. Not everyone uses the same radio band or set of frequencies. Many radios couldn’t be programmed in the field even if they were on the proper band.
We brought in a portable repeater and had a radio operator assigned to the liaison for each group and each team in the field. We practice a coordinated net to keep radio traffic in an orderly fashion otherwise it is an uncoordinated mess.
This allowed the proper liaison to be looped in as needed and resources sent to particular locations as it was required.
Without the hams, it would have been chaos especially since cell phone signals were hit and miss.
This is the same procedures we use during RACES activations for storms. We practice by doing public service events like the Cowtown Marathon where there are thousands of participants scattered throughout the course. Each liaison and water stop is manned by a radio operator. I have a dual band radio on my ATV for use during the Marathon and Ultra Marathon portions.
It gives us visibility and practical use of our skills for use during disasters. Quite a few of us get posted to big venues to have a direct line to the National Weather Service if there is a threat of bad weather so advice can be given to the event staff. Mayfest is a good example after the hailstorm event a number of years past.
If anyone wants to know more, PM me and I’ll be glad to answer questions.