The Holy Church of Emcomm

[KC2UGV]

From this ad:
http://buffalo.craigslist.org/ele/3965200082.html

I email the person, offering some advice:

I saw your ad on CL for free equipment. I have to ask: Why would a church need radios? Ops affiliated with the church can just bring their own there, should the need arise? Don't get me wrong, it's admirable what you are attempting to do (Prep for future disasters), but a station installed in a church would be somewhat useless, since there are already EOC's for the WNY area. Perhaps, you should look into the local ARES/RACES groups, so you can get a perspective on disaster comm needs. I'm only saying this, because resources are finite, and many are already working to flesh out already established disaster response groups. More fingers in the soup, a better broth do not make; so to speak.

Hope this helped, and didn't come across condescendingly.

The reply:

I fully understand and agree to a point, but my church has several Ham operators in Western NY and one on the best emergency preparedness programs in the nation giving aid to disasters world wide. We work with local administrators and authority very well. What we're looking for is a way to get more people involved and a way to better connect our church headquarters with local church emergency aid efforts and local community communication efforts. The necessary equipment for the effort is two prong if you will, one to have a at ready portable station and to equip new licensed Hams so the are ready when need arises. Unfortunately good intentioned comments like your suggestions do keep people from joining the hobby, and while I know that's not your intention most people take cell communication for granted and don't really believe communication can be a problem. Thank-you for your thoughts.

Wow, his church has one of the best prep programs in the nation? So, why the need for radios? I didn't bother replying after this, because it's a lost cause, really. Next, s/he'll post an ad looking for free motorcycles, so they can airdrop in with the motorcycles and radios in the disaster zone...

I can tell from the knowledge I have of Emcomm ops in my area, they don't need another location set up permanently. They need to finish fleshing out the current perm stations, and have a few mobile setups to go out on location (Sometimes).

[W2NAP]

i wonder if he also wants donated orange vests and amber flashy lights.

[KC2UGV]

And, we must not forget: Me suggesting interested groups work with already established disaster response groups makes people not get into the hobby...

[KB3LAZ]

From this ad:
http://buffalo.craigslist.org/ele/3965200082.html

I email the person, offering some advice:


The reply:


Wow, his church has one of the best prep programs in the nation? So, why the need for radios? I didn't bother replying after this, because it's a lost cause, really. Next, s/he'll post an ad looking for free motorcycles, so they can airdrop in with the motorcycles and radios in the disaster zone...

I can tell from the knowledge I have of Emcomm ops in my area, they don't need another location set up permanently. They need to finish fleshing out the current perm stations, and have a few mobile setups to go out on location (Sometimes).

I don't know about all that but if you are giving out free motorcycles I am sure many of us here would take you up on the offer. :P

[W2NAP]

I don't know about all that but if you are giving out free motorcycles I am sure many of us here would take you up on the offer. :P

oh ya. id take a free Harley.

[K7SGJ]

It sounds like another uncoordinated attempt to be important. Although the desire to help is there, I fear that in an emergency all these

new licensed hams

with donated radios will only add to the confusion and more than likely disrupt coordinated efforts. Then again, I could be full of shit as a Christmas Goose.

[N8YX]

Eddie nails it squarely...St. Whacker and the acolytes will be along shortly with howls of indignation.

[KC2UGV]

It sounds like another uncoordinated attempt to be important. Although the desire to help is there, I fear that in an emergency all these with donated radios will only add to the confusion and more than likely disrupt coordinated efforts. Then again, I could be full of shit as a Christmas Goose.

Eddie nails it squarely...St. Whacker and the acolytes will be along shortly with howls of indignation.

Ayep.

I think many hams miss the most important thing about emcomm: Decentralization. You want to support emergency communications? Build a repeater. Build a packet node. Right at home!

You get the benefit of learning how these integral systems work, and you put your sweat equity into keeping them online.

Multiple, uncoordinated, centralized resources just mean that more of these centralized resources get taken out, and the ones left standing become saturated.

[N8YX]

At one time I had a pretty substantial packet node up and running - 3 HF and 3 VHF/UHF ports. It was designed and implemented exactly for that purpose. Now, an area D-STAR or WIRES node might be the way to go.

Back to that church: Reckon they're sniffing around some DHS/FEMA money? And as for their claim of being "...the largest in the U.S!" is concerned I'll borrow one of your lines:

Dox or GTFO. Methinks someone has a severe case of bloviation, coupled with a chronic case of self aggrandization...

[W9WLS]

Back in the day's when we had a "C Band" sat dish working here!
I used to get a kick out of watching "Dr. Gene Scott" out in Calif. .
ON one of his shows he went on a rant that he needed 500 telephones "that day" , never did find out if he got them but it was quite a rant nun the less.
I now have to wonder if he has relocated to the East Coast ?