Senin, 03 Februari 2014

Emergency Communication Equipment Is Important

By Serena Price


During a natural or man-made disaster, you will want to be able to communicate with government agencies and family members . Suggestions for Emergency Communication Equipment for your kit are a ham radio, satellite phone, walkie- talkies, cell phone, or a hand crank radio . Having fresh batteries or choosing equipment that use solar power will ensure you are not left uninformed.

The one option used for over 100 years during every disaster in the United States of America is the Ham Radio. They operate on a wide variety of frequencies ranging from above the AM broadcast band to the microwave region. These are short wave bands and bounce off the ionosphere from the transmitter to the antenna of the receiver's unit. In order to transmit longer distances, they use a repeater which receives the signal then rebroadcast it over and over again. Also some operators use Morse code which can often get through when voice transmission cannot. The Short Wave Radio has an internal battery or generator so outside power is not required.

The second option is a Satellite Phone. Their advantage is that their transmission bounces off satellites orbiting the earth. They provide voice, text, and internet service in addition to Global Position System, GPS. They are more dependable than Cell phones because they do not use the cell networks which can become overloaded and jammed.

A Walkie-Talkie does not use cell networks or phone lines either. It is a portable and hand held two-way radio that uses radio waves to transmit voice. They are battery operated and do not need an external power source. These are best used for distance of 1 mile to almost 35 as long as there are no obstacles in the 'line of sight', such as a mountain, buildings, or trees.

Though the previous recommendations are for items that do not use the same network as a cell phone, that does not mean cell phones cannot still be useful during a disaster. Text messages and the internet use different bandwidth than voice calls do so if the network should be overloaded, you can still get a text message through. You should also be able to access the internet through your data plan to communicate with others. Do not forget that social media has proven to be useful in the past during times of crisis.

A Hand-crank radio will not allow you to send voice messages but it is a most useful tool. First it provides access to information being transmitted on AM/FM and weather stations. Modern units also have a built-in port for charging cell phones, they can be used as a flashlight, reading light, have emergency flashing light, and many other important extra's. In addition, the energy it needs to operate is fulfilled provided by turning a crank by hand or from the solar panel that most have now.

Which ever equipment you choose, store plenty of batteries. Check them according to manufactures instructions to ensure they are fresh when needed. Also, invest in a solar converter to ensure you will be able to operate your equipment.

While making preparations for possible emergencies or disasters include emergency communication equipment. Store batteries properly and invest in a solar converter. By doing this, you will be able to stay informed on the situation and communicate with loved ones and emergency crews.




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