The news from North Carolina has caused me to think and consider things a little differently.  I don’t really focus on the news. I’ve just gathered little bits and tits from various sources that combine to paint part of a picture.

Like many of us, I can’t help but contemplate how I might have handled their situation – am I prepared?  I get audio dispatches from Thomas Witherspoon, the QRPer guy, through his Patreon channel and though he consistently presents a positive perspective, I can’t help but listen and think  between the lines.

They’ve been without power since the storm.  Some estimates predict power returning next week, some say December.  I think power is being restored now, but the point is, the uncertainty of information – the uncertainty of everything.

The bridge on his road is washed out. I don’t know if this is the only way in and out for him, but what if it is?  What would I do if I lost the only way in and out of town.  Groceries?  Water?  Fuel?

Power = water.  Power = fuel. Power = food. Power = health. Power = security. Not to be overly dramatic, but Tom’s audio dispatches have offered me the opportunity refresh my perspective of “disaster” without having to live through it.

Some things rattling around in my head:

Radios work if you’re prepared.  HF rigs need “POTA power” and HTs need 110 to their wall wart or charging cradle.

People helping people, protecting people, and informing people is a network.  Having radios does not make a network.  Radios are definitely instrumental to enabling a network, but the learning curve will really challenge our ability to “gain” from any network if we wait until we’re on the X.

I can’t speak for anyone else, but more than anything, I need to start exploring the capabilities of what I already have.  Staring me in the face is….

• Test and improve VHF simplex.
• Test and improve HF NVIS capabilities.
• Test batteries and POTA solar with “household” applications.

TNX ES 73
KA5TXN
DitWit