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I downloaded an app and was part of the Cajun Navy

houstonchronicle.com

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Re: I downloaded an app and was part of the Cajun Navy

#141

Post by Faark »

subway wrote: post #3

It's really depressing that we've largely abandoned the art of decentralized radio communication. I think Amateur radio has seen a minor resurgence in recent years, but it seems like more and more traffic that traditionally would have been passed by decentralized amateur operators now relies on centralized networks. Obviously Zello and its ilk bring significant benefits with them, but I worry about the impact they ha…

I have no experience with amateur radio. How resilient is it against bad actors? If i'd about to drown i'd probably keep yelling for help, regardless of consequences (for others). How do you handle such cases without some authority like in centralized networks? Switch to a different frequency?

Re: I downloaded an app and was part of the Cajun Navy

#142

Post by CodeCube »

gonzo wrote: post #110
forkandwait wrote: post #64

I wish there were a disaster militia, with something like quarterly weekend trainings, with some FEMA sponsorship but still independent. It would be fun to practice ham communications and boat rescue anyway, and a little bit of practice could have a huge impact when the shit is truly hitting the fan.

When I lived in Vegas, the Clark county sherif had a "Jeep Posse". We did S&R. Completely volunteer. Then LVMPD decided it was their responsibility.

So did they just tell you guys that you weren't allowed to participate?

Re: I downloaded an app and was part of the Cajun Navy

#143

Post by XR0CSWV3h3kZWg »

redog wrote: post #126
subway wrote: post #3

It's really depressing that we've largely abandoned the art of decentralized radio communication. I think Amateur radio has seen a minor resurgence in recent years, but it seems like more and more traffic that traditionally would have been passed by decentralized amateur operators now relies on centralized networks. Obviously Zello and its ilk bring significant benefits with them, but I worry about the impact they ha…

LTE is radio. and WTF is decentralized radio? I don't think you can run a transmitter on the blockchain.

decentralized != blockchain.

Re: I downloaded an app and was part of the Cajun Navy

#144

Post by thescriptkiddie »

SigmundA wrote: post #66
thescriptkiddie wrote: post #59

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Serval actually does this with WiFi mesh networking. http://www.servalproject.org/

Wifi mesh seems obvious but at 2.4ghz or 5ghz too limited in range. I was thinking 150Mhz~ MURS like Gotenna for a few miles range.

They have a "Mesh Extender" which uses 900 MHz ISM band radios for ~4 km range, and can be connected to an external HF radio if you have a HAM license. It even implements store-and-forward so you can send messages to people who are wandering in and out of range.

Re: I downloaded an app and was part of the Cajun Navy

#145

Post by lsiebert »

hectorr1 wrote: post #140
lsiebert wrote: post #106

I notice people talking about untrained ad hoc groups VS professional and paraprofessionals. There is no competition here, there is only lives saved. Untrained ad hoc groups had smaller boats, had more boats, and were able to help people who would have died otherwise. I do think it is worthwhile to talk about problems that occurred. Get a list of them, prioritize them, find solutions. Though they have to be solutions…

A decent plan executed fast beats the perfect solution next week every time when lives are on the line. That said, now we have some time to think and plan. So let's make an app. What training videos or info graphics does an ad-hoc flood rescue group need? How about urban earthquake? Terrorism response? Wildfire? How do you do effective dispatch? Triage? How do you best integrate with the professionals when they show…

There is knowledge and there are skills. An app can provide knowledge, but only training and practice can provide skills.

Skills may, to a limited extent, be substituted by something that guides decision making. Like that chatbot that helps people file small claims against Equifax. But that works best with well documented stable situations, and can be brittle in more fluid (no pun intended) ones.

As well, when it comes to definitive local resources like phone numbers, web sites, you have to keep checking them and updating them. And if information is changing rapidly or uncertain, this may be extremely difficult.

I am a generally thoughtful individual, but I really see the benefit of a domain expert in planning any app or tool for this purpose.

Re: I downloaded an app and was part of the Cajun Navy

#146

Post by TomMarius »

jpindar wrote: post #92
imglorp wrote: post #13

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Some of the cellphone network can operate with no wired power or network. Towers can have p2p microwave links and battery backups. That doesn't really answer your question about how/if/how-long it worked this week. http://ups-battery-backup.com/cell-phone-ups.php https://enterprise.spectrum.com/solutions/carrier-services/c...

Some of the ones near me even have small wind generators.

These probably were super-effective during this occasion

Re: I downloaded an app and was part of the Cajun Navy

#147

Post by therealdrag0 »

thaumaturgy wrote: post #82
forkandwait wrote: post #64

I wish there were a disaster militia, with something like quarterly weekend trainings, with some FEMA sponsorship but still independent. It would be fun to practice ham communications and boat rescue anyway, and a little bit of practice could have a huge impact when the shit is truly hitting the fan.

Aside from the resources other people mentioned, many counties across the country (and almost all of them in California and the west) have local search and rescue teams. Team member skills range from "ground pounder" to swiftwater rescue, urban search and rescue, ICS (command). Within California, there are mutual aid requests flying between counties almost all the time, along with support from CalOES, who coordinate…

Yep. Seattle has a number of specialized groups too: http://www.kingcounty.gov/depts/sheriff/about-us/enforcement...
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