[EAS] In The Dark

[bdcst]

In the good old days many CO's had generators as did all of AT&T's 
microwave relay sites.
Unless the telephone lines are buried you can assume some will fail due 
to fire.  So...best
bet would be hardened wireless repeaters, with 2-way radios at broadcast 
facilities to keep stations
and the public in the loop.  Also include NWR originators.  For tactical 
communications use a combination
2-way radio repeaters and satellite phones.  If you do have a secure 
statewide radio communications system
I'd advise keeping one channel unscrambled and maybe even analog so 
members of the public with battery portable scanners can monitor it.

WISP's are at the mercy of fiber networks.  So while their local 
wireless network might be partially functional, assuming they have shore 
or emergency power sources, their connection to the rest of the world 
including the next county over may likely fail.

Ham radio only works if there is a fully functioning RACES program 
supported by local and state government.  This would include funds for 
training, drills, repeater maintenance and locations in secure locations 
with proven survivability.  Trouble is, in most states, the word amateur 
in the name amateur radio garners disrespect from government 
bureaucrats.  Thus these volunteers and potential programs are not well 
supported.  In the rare instances that they are, for example state CERT 
programs, agency turf wars and politics soon kill these volunteer 
programs.

--Ira

On 2019-10-29 00:24, Bill Ruck wrote:
> Since most of Sonoma County has been evacuated sending something to a
> home POTS land line will not get answered.  Likely the answering
> machine won't work since there is no power.
> 
> VoIP works until the battery dies.  A couple of hours if you are lucky
> and Marin hasn't had power since Sunday morning.