National SOS Network
What a GREAT idea
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National SOS Radio Network" provides instant, reliable, emergency communications for everyone. Designed to eliminate communication breakdown as occurred in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. Ready to go into operation immediately across America.
HARTFORD, CT (PRWEB) Oct 6, 2005 – In the aftermath of Hurricane
Katrina, it's become clear that a major contributing factor to the tragic loss
of life was the near total breakdown of communication systems. Once
electricity, telephone, and cell phone services failed, people were unable to
let rescuers know of their dire situations -- and died as a result.
What could be a simple, instant, and virtually zero-cost solution?
"Establish a National SOS Radio Network (www.NationalSOS.com),"
says Eric Knight, CEO of UP Aerospace, Inc. (www.upaerospace.com).
"There are millions of 'Family Radio Service' or 'FRS' radios already in
use by the public for camping, boating, and hiking, and there are 675,000
licensed ham radio operators in America -- people renown and prepared for
emergency communications. The output frequencies of FRS radios are easily
received by the radio gear ham radio operators use daily. That's the magic
link in this emergency communication strategy."
Knight went on to say, "The best part of a National SOS Radio Network is
that it wouldn't require new laws or any new legislation whatsoever. It could
go into effect, today. Once the ham radio community is made aware to listen
for the public's emergency broadcasts on an FRS frequency, the national
network will be up and running. It's as simple as that."
Knight has been a ham radio operator (KB1EHE) for over 30 years. To help
spread the word about his idea to fellow hams, he said he plans to approach
the Amateur Radio Relay League ("ARRL", www.arrl.org),
the national membership association for amateur radio operators. Knight said,
"The ARRL is a wonderful organization. They knit the ham radio community
into a network that fosters education, technology experimentation, and
emergency preparedness and assistance. With a positive word from the ARRL, the
National SOS Radio Network could spring to life immediately."
FRS radios don't require an operator license, can be used by anyone of any
age, and are available for as little as $14 at all large retailers, such as
Wal-Mart (www.walmart.com).
FRS radios can broadcast 2 to 8 miles, depending on terrain. And there are ham
radio operators in nearly every community in America. (To see how many ham
radio operators are in any city or town, visit www.qrz.com/i/names.html
and type in a zip code.)
According to Knight's proposed National SOS Radio Network plan, ham radio
operators would rapidly relay the public's emergency needs to local and state
authorities -- such as police and fire departments -- as well as to national
rescue and relief agencies. As a natural extension of the National SOS Radio
Network, all elements of government could also incorporate FRS radios into
their communications systems -- for direct, immediate links to the public's
emergency situations.
"In times of public crisis, the basic recommendation is for citizens to
set their FRS radios on Channel 1 and transmit their emergency needs, and for
ham radio operators to tune their receivers to 462.5625 MHz, the frequency
that corresponds to FRS Channel 1," said Knight. "Specific
operational details will evolve as the National SOS Radio Network gains
awareness. To get the ball rolling, we've posted some operational ideas on a
Web site we created: www.NationalSOS.com.
We look forward to the ARRL's ideas and feedback, too."
"With the simple addition of a low-cost FRS radio to an emergency
preparedness kit, a family in distress could literally reach out to the world
-- and get the help they need," said Knight. "I can't imagine a more
powerful tool that could save so many lives."
"The National SOS Radio Network blends very well with the overall mission
of UP Aerospace," Knight added. "It's all about broader public
access for a variety of services. We pride ourselves on providing low-cost
access to space -- particularly for the nation's college and university
students. Likewise, through the National SOS Radio Network, the public can
have immediate, life-saving access to emergency and rescue resources. It's
truly a public service. We're not looking to profit from it. It feels great to
play a role at the grassroots level of America’s communities."
Other Views (pro & Con) can be found on the below links:
<THE DEBATE IS ON>
http://www.qrz.com/ib-bin/ikonboard.cgi?act=ST&f=3&t=124039
http://www.prweb.com/releases/2006/5/prweb382228.htm
http://www.popularwireless.com/pra/sosmediawatch.html
For
reference, FRS Channel 1 is 462.5625 MHz and FRS Channel 3 is 462.6125 MHz.