What To Do If C*%mun$ca#io@ Goes Down

Runners.

We have how many thousands of years of history behind us, and we're having trouble figuring out how to cope with the loss of communication systems that are barely 100 years old?
 
The earthquake in Haiti was what pushed me to get an HF radio again. I had sold my old one a while ago because I wasn't using it.
But it does seem like it could be useful in some situations.

However, I would say that having a satellite mobile phone is probably a more practical way
to actually communicate long range in most of the realistic disaster scenarios I can think of. HF propagation is pretty random, and
depends a lot on things you have no control over.
 
Gonzo said:
Runners.
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Exactly. Every community would have to send and recieve dispatchers to surrounding communities. When the battle of Lexington went down, the news spread to all of Massachusetts and Connecticut the same day. IIRC the news finally reached the furthest community in Kentucky about 28 days later. The colonists managed to get sworn statements to Brittish newspapers in under two weeks, before General Gage managed submit his after action report.
 
Gonzo said:
Runners.

We have how many thousands of years of history behind us, and we're having trouble figuring out how to cope with the loss of communication systems that are barely 100 years old?
Click to expand...

Runners, seriously? Can't we just have one of the mods make a sticky or something? Running is hard.
 
hminsky said:
The earthquake in Haiti was what pushed me to get an HF radio again. I had sold my old one a while ago because I wasn't using it.
But it does seem like it could be useful in some situations.

However, I would say that having a satellite mobile phone is probably a more practical way
to actually communicate long range in most of the realistic disaster scenarios I can think of. HF propagation is pretty random, and
depends a lot on things you have no control over.
Click to expand...

But if there's no one on the recieving end.......
 
Im ready

469369Tin-Can-and-String-Telephone-.jpg
 
In a long term grid down scenario you would see runners/riders and the return of the stage/mail coach. Also look at old phone systems like party lines as they are fairly simple technology and the old style phones are cheap.

More realistically ham and CB radios would be the way to go. You could set up a system where a ham could talk long range and then relay info via CB or FRS.

As forthe entertainment provided by the internet. books, cards and board games.

The Battle of New Orleans was fought after the War of 1812 was over because neither side heard.
 
Ham Radio is the way...... And with Ham Radio comes packet radio (licensed hams only) Beacons transmit your emails etc. to wherever you need em to go.....
 
AKman said:
Ok. I have thought about this too long and want to know what others may be thinking on this subject. I did a search and couldn't find anything on this but let me know if there is. In the case of O man's communications czar Mark LLoyd and his own words on shutting down the internet I began to wonder. What would happen? The claim is to shut it down in the case of an emergency. What constitutes an emergency? With the POTUS I have learned not to listen to what he says but rather watch what he does. I'm watching, the people are watching, and our country is being dismantled! At some point very soon the scale will tip and people could do the unthinkable. Could this be the emergency? Two questions come to mind..If we needed to organize for any reason and the internet is shut down how do we accomplish this? That would leave phone (if they go as far as shutting down the internet I'm sure they'll shut down all Phone Co Central Offices)or snail mail. Any effort to organize would die in it's tracks. We communicate daily with millions of viewers through all types of internet forums and take it for granted we'll be doing it every day. Do we start right now and come up with a "peoples plan" if this does happen? Think about this for one second...What would you do if you woke up and there was no internet, no tv, or no phone of any kind? What would you do? None of us are prepared for this. It's time for a plan. Stop me if my tinfoil is wrapped to tight but this could be a real concern to every one of us. I also wonder about planning on a public forum. Any Google search will bring up forum discussions using the title and a couple of sentences of the text body.
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Not to be a pompous ass but do you have any idea how many dollars worth of business is executed over the internet every day? It's not just people whipping the monkey to porn, going on facebook or reading gun boards. Real and serious business happens on the internet all the time. If they shut down the internet, they might as well shut down the banking system too, as an example.
 
ham radio... as was stated. With a tech license (easy) you can get into basic VHF for ~$200 for a decent mobile and antenna that will let you talk around the region (depending on the landscape). For HF (which lets you talk across the world) you're in $500-1500 depending on age of the gear you find. Can easily grow to $10k if you're super into it.

glostamon said:
Marine VHF & SSB...................c'mon coastie[wink]
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you guys are all wet.
 
ochmude said:
If you type your zip code into http://www.qrz.com/ you'll get a list of all the licensed hams in your area, just fyi. Once you get licensed you give up a bit of privacy in that regard, unless you associate your callsign with a P.O. box instead of a street address.
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I've always been amazed at people who get Ham plates on their cars (it's common in Texas, I don't know about other states). Having your call sign on your bumper is like driving around with a sign saying, "I'm not home, but here's my address, and there is a lot of expensive electronic equipment there!"
 
PaulD said:
Not to be a pompous ass but do you have any idea how many dollars worth of business is executed over the internet every day? It's not just people whipping the monkey to porn, going on facebook or reading gun boards. Real and serious business happens on the internet all the time. If they shut down the internet, they might as well shut down the banking system too, as an example.
Click to expand...

I understand all that completely. My question in the scenario as it was asked was what would you do if you woke up one day and there was Zero form of communication. I realize the probability is near zero. I also realize the capability IS there. I for one would rather put my doubts aside and figure out what the heck I'd do.
 
KBCraig said:
I've always been amazed at people who get Ham plates on their cars (it's common in Texas, I don't know about other states). Having your call sign on your bumper is like driving around with a sign saying, "I'm not home, but here's my address, and there is a lot of expensive electronic equipment there!"
Click to expand...

Crap! Never thought of that..... I was considering getting one when my call sign comes in.....[shocked]
 
KBCraig said:
I've always been amazed at people who get Ham plates on their cars (it's common in Texas, I don't know about other states). Having your call sign on your bumper is like driving around with a sign saying, "I'm not home, but here's my address, and there is a lot of expensive electronic equipment there!"
Click to expand...

In Texas guns are common too! Come and get it :)
 
I like that QRZ site. I printed out the hams near me, my parents, sister and some other family and friends. I figure once I get my license I will try to contact some of them. THat way if TSHTF I will have people I can get in touch with in those areas.
 
The stated intend of the execuative power to authorize a shut-down of the Internet in the event of an emergency is as a defensive action should the internet become a weapon intended on distrupting National Securty.

As our world becomes increasingly connected, the capabilities of the internet to disrupt real-world functions is increasing as well. A coordinated cyber attack using the internet could disrupt Government, Media and Financial operations in this country, and terminating the functions of the internet may be the only way to half the attack.

Again, that was the stated purpose. If growing unrest were to initiate a violent uprising within the United State and the President believed stopping internet traffic would hamper the insurection and save government/military lives, I strongly believe he would do so, but I think in that event, he would do so without this bill, claiming it was a militarily necessary action to protect the US. (Ask forgiveness rather than permission)

Much more likely than the US government terminating internet service, I think would be a coordinated denial of service attack on the internet during a large scale terrorist action.

Example: Set off bombs on 50 buses across cities all across the United States, give the media 1-2 hours to begin diseminating the information, then initiate a massive DoS attack on internet, phone, cell-phone and video media services in an attempt to black-out the general public AFTER they learn of a number of attacks.
 
ShadeWPI said:
Much more likely than the US government terminating internet service, I think would be a coordinated denial of service attack on the internet during a large scale terrorist action.

Example: Set off bombs on 50 buses across cities all across the United States, give the media 1-2 hours to begin diseminating the information, then initiate a massive DoS attack on internet, phone, cell-phone and video media services in an attempt to black-out the general public AFTER they learn of a number of attacks.
Click to expand...

And then you'll tune in your ham radio and hear this "if you're listening to this, you are the resistance"

Seriously though, the scenario you paint is not far fetched.
 
ShadeWPI said:
The stated intend of the execuative power to authorize a shut-down of the Internet in the event of an emergency is as a defensive action should the internet become a weapon intended on distrupting National Securty.

As our world becomes increasingly connected, the capabilities of the internet to disrupt real-world functions is increasing as well. A coordinated cyber attack using the internet could disrupt Government, Media and Financial operations in this country, and terminating the functions of the internet may be the only way to half the attack.

Again, that was the stated purpose. If growing unrest were to initiate a violent uprising within the United State and the President believed stopping internet traffic would hamper the insurection and save government/military lives, I strongly believe he would do so, but I think in that event, he would do so without this bill, claiming it was a militarily necessary action to protect the US. (Ask forgiveness rather than permission)

Much more likely than the US government terminating internet service, I think would be a coordinated denial of service attack on the internet during a large scale terrorist action.

Example: Set off bombs on 50 buses across cities all across the United States, give the media 1-2 hours to begin diseminating the information, then initiate a massive DoS attack on internet, phone, cell-phone and video media services in an attempt to black-out the general public AFTER they learn of a number of attacks.
Click to expand...

Few governments and large companies have the capability to launch a large scale DoS attack let alone any terrorist organization. Even when Google analytics soiled itself a few months ago, the internet was still largely usable. They might succeed in a DoS attack against particular providers or public ip ranges but that's it. The internet is just too distributed to affect all of it.
 
Some good points and opinions. Question for a ham operator. Would it be unreasonable to locate and introduce yourself to nearby ham operators? Maybe even offer help if needed?

Pilgim said:
Did you watch the series Jericho? It won't be pretty if it happens...whatever the cause.

I believe the whole Jericho series is on hulu.com.
Click to expand...

Thanks. No I haven't seen it yet. I've been outside on coyote watch. I have it bookmarked and will watch it soon.
 
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AKman said:
Some good points and opinions. Question for a ham operator. Would it be unreasonable to locate and introduce yourself to nearby ham operators? Maybe even offer help if needed?
Click to expand...

I can just speak from my own opinion, but I'd say it would depend on how you introduce yourself. If you tune to a local repeater and introduce yourself to other local hams in that way, I guarantee you'd find them to be extremely welcoming and forthcoming. If you knock on their door out of the blue, that probably won't go over as well. It's just like NES. If you come on NES, introduce yourself, display a little effort and dedication by going green and participating in some member events, you'll make a lot of contacts and meet a lot of friendly people. If, however, you find someone's email address in a post and do some Google searching to get their phone number or address or something and approach them in that way, you likely won't be met with such a congenial response.
 
ochmude said:
I can just speak from my own opinion, but I'd say it would depend on how you introduce yourself. If you tune to a local repeater and introduce yourself to other local hams in that way, I guarantee you'd find them to be extremely welcoming and forthcoming. If you knock on their door out of the blue, that probably won't go over as well. It's just like NES. If you come on NES, introduce yourself, display a little effort and dedication by going green and participating in some member events, you'll make a lot of contacts and meet a lot of friendly people. If, however, you find someone's email address in a post and do some Google searching to get their phone number or address or something and approach them in that way, you likely won't be met with such a congenial response.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the tip ochmude. I guess it's evident I don't know much about ham operators. [laugh]
 

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