HAM Radio Training

Attention Coastside Emergency Preppers!  Our communication system consists of two fiber cables, one over Hwy 92 (ATT), and the other via La Honda, Hwy 84 (Comcast/Xfinity). When Comcast/Xfinity goes down it’s affects Verizon Wireless. They use the same backhaul. When ATT Fiber goes down much more is affected including ATT Wireless and many local phone landlines. (Thanks Mike Alifano of Alifano Technologies). The fiber cables are on the ground, in trees and on poles. In an earthquake, we will likely lose one, if not both cables, in multiple places. If they go out, we will have only HAM radios, FRS and GMRS family radios, and terrestrial radio (KHMB 100.9 FM), with which to communicate.

We need a minimum of 25 HAM radio operators, one in each neighborhood, to have effective communication with the EOC (Emergency Operations Center) in Half Moon Bay. Given people might be over the hill when a quake strikes, or hurt, we should have more than 25. The first couple of hours will be critical in determining scope of damage and triage of that damage for the first responders. That’s how important HAMs are on the Coastside.

Two Cats and Two Humans Travel in Peril
Fiction. Cats: everyone loves them, and everyone must know they do not travel well.  But, knowing that didn’t deter me from taking Peaches and Buddy to Costa Rica where I lived for two years.  They had traveled before on a longer flight to Holland when I lived in The Hague. 
I did my homework: the airlines and the country required that veterinarians check-up on the cats a day before leaving. (It is imperative to research both the airline and the country rules for flying with animals. The security requirements may be different when changing airlines or going through security in another country).
The shots were up to date and all paper work in hand along with my passport and airline ticket. 
 
I was up on the airline rules as well as the customs requirements for Costa Rica, and was as ready as could be. 
What could go wrong?

Other Stories

• Rip Currents 101, video
• Odd Fellows Cemetary, photo essay
• Rocket Farms Tour, photo-essay
• Ananda Valley Farms Tour, photo-essay
• Coastal Trail, video

Do have fiction of non-fiction to share?  CONTACT us.