Internet outage - Comm alternatives Emergency updates, FR contingency ham email & shortwave news

10/21/2016

[MarchonDC09122009]

In light of today's widespread Internet outages, we should discuss contingency plans for FR availability, news updates and emergency communications.

Please share what ham amateur radio shortwave frequencies to monitor for emergencies and news updates, as well as practical ham email on the HF and VHF bands.

[MinuteGal]

Some years ago, there was an alternative FR-connected "chat room" kind of website where Freepers could go if the forum went down. Here we could find out if something was wrong with our own computers or if it was that FR was really down, or we could post a question if anyone knew when it would be up again, etc. etc. and so forth. I had this site bookmarked.

Then, after a couple years, something went goofy with this website, can't remember what, it became impossible to figure out how to post any more...well, whatever...and the site went down my memory mousehole.

In short, is there currently any such alternative to turn to in case of "no FR". A number of days ago, I and others couldn't raise FR....there was no place to go to....and I had to call a Freeper relative in another state to see if she was raising our forum.

If anyone can help out here, let me know.

Thanks, Leni/MinuteGal

[MarchonDC09122009]

You’re welcome -

RE: “Thanks for the info.”

[Charles Martel]

There's still the FreeRepublic2 Yahoo Group which sees some activity when the site has server problems. We used to have an open invitation at FreeDominion as well, before that Canadian site shut down.

[MarchonDC09122009]

Leni, you are a pistol with the right rounds:
“My motto is “Do unto liberals as they do unto us, POW!”

Thank you for bringing this up and past related FR contingency efforts.
All - This is a Big deal.
Please, can anyone help brainstorm a way to achieve two essential Emergency communication objectives for our FR community when the Internet is down?

1. Where can we best stay tuned to reliable information news / situation report updates when the Internet is down?
Trunews.com shortwave 9395 kHz radio, and other alt-media independent shortwave stations?

2. How can we safely and discretely share our contact info and communicate with one another when the Internet is down? And when internet Email addresses won’t work, shortwave HF packet radio Winlink email might be the only way?

[farming pharmer]

bookmarked

[LucyT]

*

**

Alternative Free Republic site when FR is down:

http://altfreerepublic.freeforums.org/

is owned by freeper JellyBean.

In 2008. I registered on JellyBean’s site.

Check out # 71 above. ... I missed the DDOS attack.

Thanks, Tilted Irish Kilt. Yikes.

[Tilted Irish Kilt]

MarchonDC09122009 :" This is just the beginning now that hackers have NSA malware tools:
Hacked IoT CVTV Cameras, DVRs Powered Today’s Massive Internet Outage — Krebs on Security "

Still like the idea of your Tv watching you , or your internet connected DVR being used for cyber warfare, or ..
how about that convenient refrigerator that will show you that you are low on Milk or eggs ? Think about it !
Anything appliance/tool/ machine that is online most of the time, with no security program can be used as a tool against you, or the nation, or mankind.
Or the fridge that tells the neighborhood kid that you aren't home, and are off on vacation.
See how careless we can get for convenience sake, and then transform that to giving up personal freedoms for safety sake, and then it isn't all that convenient.

[Godzilla]

Remember the channel 3 project

Channel 3 on CB, GMRS/FRS and MURS are prepper frequencies.

[Charles Martel]

Thanks, Lucy - I knew I was forgetting one. Bookmarked anew!

[hoosiermama]

Thank you

[DocRock]

The state of Florida has those cute little blue emergency call boxes all over the interstates and toll roads. These are hardened microwave linked radio networks that the state has allowed Amateurs to link repeaters into creating a statewide vhf/uhf network. Checkout the website and download and print th3 PDF of the towers, frequencies and pl tones. This system works great and was used during hurricane Matthew a couple weeks ago for a formal net with the county EOCs. www.sarnetfl.com 73

[DocRock]

Forgot my logo...

[Apogee]

Mesh networking via wi-fi. I believe this saw use during Hurricane Sandy.
What I want to know is whether one can mesh network with the data radio in our phones.
We all have several radios on hand that send and receive packets over a much longer distance than any of the “long range” radios I have seen at the box stores - 32 miles? you have got to be kidding even the FRS radios I have picked up rarely go a mile in my territory - why not cut out the tower altogether.
Can a peer to peer network be established amongst millions of smart phone owners? I realize that different providers transmit on different frequencies and there would need to be some bridge between CDMA and GSM users that might be a point of vulnerabililty, but IF it could be done, I would think it would be difficult to shut down.

[Apogee]

Don’t know if I have explained well what I am trying to ask.
Is it feasible to create a wireless phone to phone network which could bypass down nodes?
I suppose it would not be desirable when the world is running well and doing so would interfere with the carriers, but in a post apocalyptic scenario would it be something to look into?

[Chickensoup]

How does one notify prior, no link.

Can it be copied and saved for later use by those who work?

[knarf]

What I need is a list;

Get a Fribble 1,2,3 at _____________ for 50 bucks,

Get a DooDong at ____________ for 20 bucks,

Connect the Fribble to the DooDong with jumper cables,

Using the poles at the back of the DOODONG, connect to a car battery,Plug in a keyboard to the USB on the back of the Fribble ... type away.

Most of us reading this thread have pretty much no idea what's going on, but we can connect wires and do the manual stuff

With the demise of Radio Shack ... where can we get stuff ?

[mad_as_he$$]

“However, You MUST BE A LICENSED OPERATOR TO TRANSMIT ON AMATEUR RADIO band frequencies.”

Not true. You can broadcast without a license just be prepared for the possible consequences.

[mad_as_he$$]

OK Probably a good idea and most Elmers would love the company and enjoy teaching someone the ropes. Around here a stranger will not be welcome.

[mad_as_he$$]

Complicate question with no simple answer. If you just want to get started the entry level radios are great. Amazon is your friend in this case.

To find a net in your area go here:

http://www.arrl.org/arrl-net-directory-search

[mad_as_he$$]

Stuff to start:

https://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_ss_c_3_7?url=search-alias%3Delectronics&field-keywords=amateur+radio&sprefix=amateur%2Caps%2C214

Learning ham:

http://www.arrl.org/licensing-education-training