a cheap and reliable method for emergency digital ......•minimum basic equipment –amazon fire 8...
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A CHEAP AND RELIABLE METHOD FOR EMERGENCY DIGITAL
COMMUNICATIONSGLEN JOHNSON
GRAND TRAVERSE EC/RO
TRAVERSE BAY AMATEUR RADIO GROUP (TBARG)
MUNSON EMERGENCY COMMUNICATIONS
SATERN – TRAVERSE CITY
ICE STORM OF THE CENTURY
• Ice storm to hit in three days with one inch of ice followed by 40 MPH winds.
• Widespread power outages (50 percent in cities; near 100 percent in rural
areas).
• Trees block roads and take down power and cable internet services.
• 70 percent of cell towers go down in one to three days after the storm.
• Working cell towers are overloaded.
NIMS: COMMUNICATIONS REPORTS TO LOGISTICS
PROBLEMS TO OVERCOME:
• Staffing – 10 sites need 24/7 Comms Staff for at least one week
• Voice only messages won’t work. Need to send complex text: names of people in
shelters, needed medications, food supplies, beds available, staff schedules, etc.
• Documentation: You must keep digital/printed copies of all messages sent. Must be
on ICS Forms. Typed preferred and easily stored on a computer or drive.
• Power and Equipment – Got 10 laptops, with sound cards and connectors? Hand-held
radios are not designed for long transmissions. Recharge stations not always handy.
HAM RADIO: FLDIGI ON AN AMAZON TABLET
• Lightweight and Mobile.
• Software – FREE! Setup takes less than 5 minutes to install.
• Android Smartphone Users – Google “Android FLDIGI” – AndFlmsg_1.3.7.apk
• No Cables – works with just about any analog VHF/UHF/HF radio. No sound
cards to calibrate. Works in noisy environments
• Document Storage – 128 SD card is $20. Easy to add reference materials.
• Multi-use Device – email, movies, music, ham radio apps like Echolink.
VIDEO OF SENDINGA MESSAGE
33 medications sent in 60 seconds.
Message is automatically saved.
Easily printed or emailed.
SOLVING MANPOWER AND SECURITY ISSUES
• Users want Email – give it to them. Train users in 15-30 minutes. Users type
their own messages.
• According to the FCC, a licensed control operator can supervise a non-
licensed operator to send messages. TBARG 20 members; Munson Volunteer
Services 600 members.
• Security Issues - Would you bring your personal computer to a shelter where it
could be lost or stolen? Not a good idea. You can remote delete a lost
tablet.
WHAT DO I NEED AND WHAT ARE THE COSTS?
• Minimum Basic Equipment – Amazon Fire 8 is $79.99 (sale is $49) .
• Power Bank - $30 for 20000 or more mAh battery – car charger $10.
Nice Extras:
• Amazon Fire HD 10 is $150 (sale is $99).
• Micro SD Card – 128 GB is $20.
• Amazon Fire Case - $12.
• Bluetooth Keyboard - $14 to $37 (iClever on Amazon).
SOLVING POWER ISSUES
• Tablets are cheaper and last longer per charge.
• Can be recharged with car chargers and low cost power banks.
• Power Source – car batteries.
• Don’t assume you will have access to generators.
PRINTER – AN ESSENTIAL TOOL
• Use a printer with Direct WiFi options.
• This will work without Internet access.
• Most secure facilities will not allow outside printers/computers/tablets to
access their printers
• HP LaserJet Pro M15w – Amazon $109; Best Buy Sale $80
• Brother DCPL2550DW – Scan, Print, Fax Amazon $130
SOFTWARE NEEDS
• Free – Google Search “Android FLDigi Apk” – SourceForge – AndFLmgs-1.3.7
apk.
• $5 – PrinterShare Apk. Will scan any wifi network and will print to almost
any printer.
• Free – File Commander. Copy/paste files and rename them.
LIMITATIONS ON THIS METHOD
• Can not send detailed photos, movies, or software.
• Repeaters timeout at 3 minutes which is enough for 3 pages of text.
• Users need to practice this approach before teaching others.
FIRSTNET: PRIOIRTY ACCESS TO PHONE AND DATA
• iPhone XR Cost $1 Monthly Unlimited Voice/Data with Tethering 5 Devices and
Insurance - $58 Month
• Band 14 Capable
• Tether up to five other devices.
• Allows WiFi Calling – 5 non-FirstNet phones can make prior calls
• Video conferencing
• Live video of an event can be sent to the EOC
• Can be used with free push-to-talk software
ZELLO: FREE PUSH-TO-TALK COMMUNICATIONS
• Can only be used with Internet access
• 130 Million Users
• Important to create groups for “trusted” members – limit access to the group.
• Records all conversations for later playback.
• Can be used to send photos and GPS locations.
FIRSTNET NETGEAR NIGHTHAWK LTE
• A means to send HIPAA information (encryption
and large files)
• Share your data connection with up to 20 Wi-Fi
devices.
• In the Traverse City area; 20 to 200 megs
download. 5G capable.
• Cost $1, Around $40 a month.
• Can act as a router; EOC internet
backup.
DAMAGE ASSESSMENT: PHOTOS AND DATA
DAMAGE ASSESSMENT: SOLOCATOR FOR IOS
DAMAGE ASSESSMENT: HOW DO YOU SHARE PHOTOS ACROSS IOS, ANDROID, WINDOWS?
• Aspstar USB 3.0 Flash Drive
• 32 GB - $20
• 128 GB - $50
MOBILE FILE SERVER: WIFI ACCESS TO FILES WITH NO INTERNET
• RAVPOWER FILEHUB AC750 $56
• Self powered WiFi access to data
• Travel Router, Access Point, Phone
charger
• Add SD memory or USB hard drive
• Can connect to a network
GOT SATELLITE UP/DOWN LINK?
• Garmin Inreach Mini – Cost $350, $12
to $60 Month
• Send/Receive text anywhere on the
planet with view of the sky.
• Tracks your GPS, use smartphone to
type messages.
• GEOS Search & Rescue Benefit
Program which provides up to
$100,000 in search and rescue
resources - $30 year.
GIVE ME ONE OF EVERYTHING
• Total Cost - $326 or $676 with the Garmin Inreach Satellite Messenger
• Monthly Expenses
• iPhone $58
• Netgear Nighthawk LTE $40
• Garmin Inreach $12 to $60
• Communications when all else fails – priceless.
THANK YOU:
• Grand Traverse Emergency Management
• Munson Healthcare and Munson Medical Center
• Traverse Bay Amateur Radio Group (TBARG)
• Benzie Community Emergency Response Team (CERT)
• Cherryland Amateur Radio Club
• Salvation Army SATERN