This is the DC Emergency Radio Network listserv automated monthly announcement.

Remember -- once a month, check that your FRS or GMRS radio is charged and you
have working batteries.

Be sure to tell your friends and neighbors about DCERN, http://www.dcradio.org. 
Once a month is also a good time to bring somebody new into the DC Emergency
Radio Network.

Please add your name to the DCERN database.  This information will be very
helpful in an emergency.  You can add your name to the data base here
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/DCERN/database or
http://www.dcradio.org/member.html

---------------------

When the Internet, cell phones and the telephone system aren't working, the DC
Emergency Radio Network, DCERN, can be used to communicate with family,
neighbors and others.  DCERN uses off-the-shelf FRS and GMRS radios that can be
purchased at Radio Shack, Best Buy and elsewhere.  FRS (Family Radio Service)
and GMRS (General Mobile Radio Service) radios are hand-held two-way radios that
run on batteries and don't depend on cell phone networks.

DCERN is self-activating and doesn't require any special training or equipment,
other than an inexpensive FRS or GMRS radio.  When other communication networks
go down, or if you need to communicate outside and your cell phone's not
working, just tune your FRS or GMRS radio to channel 1 and talk. DCERN works a
little like a relay, with people passing information down the line.  DCERN works
on the keep-it-simple principle.

Besides the DCERN emergency frequency, channel 1, your family should have a
pre-planned channel that you will use among yourselves in an emergency. Write
that channel/subchannel combination on your radios so that you don't have to
remember which of the dozens of channel/subchannel combinations your family
uses.

For more about the DC Emergency Radio Network visit http://www.dcradio.org.

This is the DC Emergency Radio Network listserv automated monthly announcement.

Remember -- once a month, check that your FRS or GMRS radio is charged and you
have working batteries.

Be sure to tell your friends and neighbors about DCERN, http://www.dcradio.org. 
Once a month is also a good time to bring somebody new into the DC Emergency
Radio Network.

Please add your name to the DCERN database.  This information will be very
helpful in an emergency.  You can add your name to the data base here
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/DCERN/database or
http://www.dcradio.org/member.html

---------------------

When the Internet, cell phones and the telephone system aren't working, the DC
Emergency Radio Network, DCERN, can be used to communicate with family,
neighbors and others.  DCERN uses off-the-shelf FRS and GMRS radios that can be
purchased at Radio Shack, Best Buy and elsewhere.  FRS (Family Radio Service)
and GMRS (General Mobile Radio Service) radios are hand-held two-way radios that
run on batteries and don't depend on cell phone networks.

DCERN is self-activating and doesn't require any special training or equipment,
other than an inexpensive FRS or GMRS radio.  When other communication networks
go down, or if you need to communicate outside and your cell phone's not
working, just tune your FRS or GMRS radio to channel 1 and talk. DCERN works a
little like a relay, with people passing information down the line.  DCERN works
on the keep-it-simple principle.

Besides the DCERN emergency frequency, channel 1, your family should have a
pre-planned channel that you will use among yourselves in an emergency. Write
that channel/subchannel combination on your radios so that you don't have to
remember which of the dozens of channel/subchannel combinations your family
uses.

For more about the DC Emergency Radio Network visit http://www.dcradio.org.

This is the DC Emergency Radio Network listserv automated monthly announcement.

Remember -- once a month, check that your FRS or GMRS radio is charged and you
have working batteries.

Be sure to tell your friends and neighbors about DCERN, http://www.dcradio.org. 
Once a month is also a good time to bring somebody new into the DC Emergency
Radio Network.

Please add your name to the DCERN database.  This information will be very
helpful in an emergency.  You can add your name to the data base here
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/DCERN/database or
http://www.dcradio.org/member.html

---------------------

When the Internet, cell phones and the telephone system aren't working, the DC
Emergency Radio Network, DCERN, can be used to communicate with family,
neighbors and others.  DCERN uses off-the-shelf FRS and GMRS radios that can be
purchased at Radio Shack, Best Buy and elsewhere.  FRS (Family Radio Service)
and GMRS (General Mobile Radio Service) radios are hand-held two-way radios that
run on batteries and don't depend on cell phone networks.

DCERN is self-activating and doesn't require any special training or equipment,
other than an inexpensive FRS or GMRS radio.  When other communication networks
go down, or if you need to communicate outside and your cell phone's not
working, just tune your FRS or GMRS radio to channel 1 and talk. DCERN works a
little like a relay, with people passing information down the line.  DCERN works
on the keep-it-simple principle.

Besides the DCERN emergency frequency, channel 1, your family should have a
pre-planned channel that you will use among yourselves in an emergency. Write
that channel/subchannel combination on your radios so that you don't have to
remember which of the dozens of channel/subchannel combinations your family
uses.

For more about the DC Emergency Radio Network visit http://www.dcradio.org.

This is the DC Emergency Radio Network listserv automated monthly announcement.

Remember -- once a month, check that your FRS or GMRS radio is charged and you
have working batteries.

Be sure to tell your friends and neighbors about DCERN, http://www.dcradio.org. 
Once a month is also a good time to bring somebody new into the DC Emergency
Radio Network.

Please add your name to the DCERN database.  This information will be very
helpful in an emergency.  You can add your name to the data base here
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/DCERN/database or
http://www.dcradio.org/member.html

---------------------

When the Internet, cell phones and the telephone system aren't working, the DC
Emergency Radio Network, DCERN, can be used to communicate with family,
neighbors and others.  DCERN uses off-the-shelf FRS and GMRS radios that can be
purchased at Radio Shack, Best Buy and elsewhere.  FRS (Family Radio Service)
and GMRS (General Mobile Radio Service) radios are hand-held two-way radios that
run on batteries and don't depend on cell phone networks.

DCERN is self-activating and doesn't require any special training or equipment,
other than an inexpensive FRS or GMRS radio.  When other communication networks
go down, or if you need to communicate outside and your cell phone's not
working, just tune your FRS or GMRS radio to channel 1 and talk. DCERN works a
little like a relay, with people passing information down the line.  DCERN works
on the keep-it-simple principle.

Besides the DCERN emergency frequency, channel 1, your family should have a
pre-planned channel that you will use among yourselves in an emergency. Write
that channel/subchannel combination on your radios so that you don't have to
remember which of the dozens of channel/subchannel combinations your family
uses.

For more about the DC Emergency Radio Network visit http://www.dcradio.org.

This is the DC Emergency Radio Network listserv automated monthly announcement.

Remember -- once a month, check that your FRS or GMRS radio is charged and you
have working batteries.

Be sure to tell your friends and neighbors about DCERN, http://www.dcradio.org. 
Once a month is also a good time to bring somebody new into the DC Emergency
Radio Network.

Please add your name to the DCERN database.  This information will be very
helpful in an emergency.  You can add your name to the data base here
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/DCERN/database or
http://www.dcradio.org/member.html

---------------------

When the Internet, cell phones and the telephone system aren't working, the DC
Emergency Radio Network, DCERN, can be used to communicate with family,
neighbors and others.  DCERN uses off-the-shelf FRS and GMRS radios that can be
purchased at Radio Shack, Best Buy and elsewhere.  FRS (Family Radio Service)
and GMRS (General Mobile Radio Service) radios are hand-held two-way radios that
run on batteries and don't depend on cell phone networks.

DCERN is self-activating and doesn't require any special training or equipment,
other than an inexpensive FRS or GMRS radio.  When other communication networks
go down, or if you need to communicate outside and your cell phone's not
working, just tune your FRS or GMRS radio to channel 1 and talk. DCERN works a
little like a relay, with people passing information down the line.  DCERN works
on the keep-it-simple principle.

Besides the DCERN emergency frequency, channel 1, your family should have a
pre-planned channel that you will use among yourselves in an emergency. Write
that channel/subchannel combination on your radios so that you don't have to
remember which of the dozens of channel/subchannel combinations your family
uses.

For more about the DC Emergency Radio Network visit http://www.dcradio.org.

Martha, you will find your FRS radios very useful for the purposes you
mention. Don't let them scare you either. They are quite simple to operate.
As Ben mentions, the more you use them for non-emergency purposes, the
easier you will find them to use should any problem arise.

Encourage neighbors to get/use FRS radios also so you will have more contact
options for both routine and emergency calls. Some will already have them.
You can set up a little network. If an emergency arises, remember to
broadcast repeatedly WHERE exactly you are; WHAT is wrong; WHO you are.
FRS-1 (no tone) is the agreed distress channel. You can help by monitoring
it when you are not using your 'network' channel.

You can use FRS Channels 1 through 14 with no license. Channels 8 through 14
will be quietest for your normal comms. A license will allow you to use GMRS
Channels 15 through 22. These are great radios for what you outline, and an
excellent safety tool too. Have fun with them.





From:  "Martha Wells Lewis" <mwlewis1@...>
Reply-To:  DCERN@yahoogroups.com
To:  <DCERN@yahoogroups.com>
CC:  "Robert G. Lewis" <rglagra.news@...>
Subject:  RE: [DCERN] File - DC Emergency Radio Network monthly message
Date:  Wed, 03 Jan 2007 15:09:31 -0500
              Ben, You are absolutely right.  I have imagined all kinds of
ways we could use it.  We are old and often need to talk to the other
without going out to the garden---or when we are at the farm in Wisconsin
--not going to the barn.  And as I have recently developed some heart
problems. I am not able to dash up and down the stairs as I was always wont
to do and even feel a need to be able to call for help if I should need it..
But I am helpless to figure out how to get started.   The instructions went
off into how to get a license and that scared me, I dropped the whole thing.




              So what shall I do.  Would it be possible that you might have a
free moment or two, if I should bring my radios to you, in which you could
at least demystify them for me and perhaps get me started on trying to learn
how to use them?



Martha Wells Lewis

3512 Porter Street, NW

Washington, D.C. 20016

202-363-1431

Ben, You are absolutely right.  I have imagined all kinds of
ways we could use it.  We are old and often need to talk to the other
without going out to the garden---or when we are at the farm in Wisconsin
--not going to the barn.  And as I have recently developed some heart
problems. I am not able to dash up and down the stairs as I was always wont
to do and even feel a need to be able to call for help if I should need it..
But I am helpless to figure out how to get started.   The instructions went
off into how to get a license and that scared me, I dropped the whole thing.




             So what shall I do.  Would it be possible that you might have a
free moment or two, if I should bring my radios to you, in which you could
at least demystify them for me and perhaps get me started on trying to learn
how to use them?



Martha Wells Lewis

3512 Porter Street, NW

Washington, D.C. 20016

202-363-1431



-----Original Message-----
From: DCERN@yahoogroups.com [mailto:DCERN@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of Ben
Acton
Sent: Tuesday, January 02, 2007 2:47 PM
To: DCERN@yahoogroups.com
Subject: RE: [DCERN] File - DC Emergency Radio Network monthly message



Learning to use FRS:
If you just purchased FRS handhelds for an emergency & use it just for the
once-a-week Sunday evening DCERN tests, you may not be learning to use the
capabilities & features of FRS, & its limitations, in your neighborhood &
living/working environment. Your learning can be facilitated by including
FRS in your daily activities. For example, to help achieve a level of
familiarity & comfort with FRS for my family, we routinely use the handhelds
& desktop units as intercoms. When we take short trips to the school or
grocery store, or walks around the neighborhood, we use the FRS to
communicate. The kids take a handheld with them when walking to & from a
friend's house. They keep us posted on their location. We also find out
where the "dead-spots" are & what the distance limitations are.

Our handhelds have a channel scan feature. We often just set a handheld on a
table, or on a belt clip, with scan on, just to get acquainted with some of
the radio activity in the area. The family is reminded of the "public"
nature of the media.

So, the bottom line is, try to make using the FRS part of your life. Should
an emergency arise, you won't be coping with an unfamiliar technology.
Cheers! Ben

_____

From: DCERN@yahoogroups. <mailto:DCERN%40yahoogroups.com> com
[mailto:DCERN@yahoogroups. <mailto:DCERN%40yahoogroups.com> com] On Behalf
Of
Martha Wells Lewis
Sent: Tuesday, January 02, 2007 11:39 AM
To: DCERN@yahoogroups. <mailto:DCERN%40yahoogroups.com> com
Subject: RE: [DCERN] File - DC Emergency Radio Network monthly message

I am still hoping to hear that a training course is being scheduled for us
old relics who, full of hope and dreams of usefulness, need one to use the
radio equipment we rushed out and bought in the height of emergency
awareness.

Martha Wells Lewis
3512 Porter Street, NW
Washington, D.C. 20016
202-363-1431

[Moderator's note: We don't have any specific training sessions on how to
use FRS and GMRS radios. But perhaps a DCERN listserv member will contact
Martha to show her how to use one.]

[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]





[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

Learning to use FRS:
If you just purchased FRS handhelds for an emergency & use it just for the
once-a-week Sunday evening DCERN tests, you may not be learning to use the
capabilities & features of FRS, & its limitations, in your neighborhood &
living/working environment. Your learning can be facilitated by including
FRS in your daily activities. For example, to help achieve a level of
familiarity & comfort with FRS for my family, we routinely use the handhelds
& desktop units as intercoms. When we take short trips to the school or
grocery store, or walks around the neighborhood, we use the FRS to
communicate. The kids take a handheld with them when walking to & from a
friend's house. They keep us posted on their location. We also find out
where the "dead-spots" are & what the distance limitations are.

Our handhelds have a channel scan feature. We often just set a handheld on a
table, or on a belt clip, with scan on, just to get acquainted with some of
the radio activity in the area. The family is reminded of the "public"
nature of the media.

So, the bottom line is, try to make using the FRS part of your life. Should
an emergency arise, you won't be coping with an unfamiliar technology.
Cheers! Ben



   _____

From: DCERN@yahoogroups.com [mailto:DCERN@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of
Martha Wells Lewis
Sent: Tuesday, January 02, 2007 11:39 AM
To: DCERN@yahoogroups.com
Subject: RE: [DCERN] File - DC Emergency Radio Network monthly message



I am still hoping to hear that a training course is being scheduled for us
old relics who, full of hope and dreams of usefulness, need one to use the
radio equipment we rushed out and bought in the height of emergency
awareness.

Martha Wells Lewis
3512 Porter Street, NW
Washington, D.C. 20016
202-363-1431

[Moderator's note: We don't have any specific training sessions on how to
use FRS and GMRS radios. But perhaps a DCERN listserv member will contact
Martha to show her how to use one.]





[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

I am still hoping to hear that a training course is being scheduled for us
old relics who, full of hope and dreams of usefulness, need one to use the
radio equipment we rushed out and bought in the height of emergency
awareness.



Martha Wells Lewis
3512 Porter Street, NW
Washington, D.C. 20016
202-363-1431


[Moderator's note:  We don't have any specific training sessions on how to use
FRS and GMRS radios.  But perhaps a DCERN listserv member will contact Martha to
show her how to use one.]

This is the DC Emergency Radio Network listserv automated monthly announcement.

Remember -- once a month, check that your FRS or GMRS radio is charged and you
have working batteries.

Be sure to tell your friends and neighbors about DCERN, http://www.dcradio.org. 
Once a month is also a good time to bring somebody new into the DC Emergency
Radio Network.

Please add your name to the DCERN database.  This information will be very
helpful in an emergency.  You can add your name to the data base here
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/DCERN/database or
http://www.dcradio.org/member.html

---------------------

When the Internet, cell phones and the telephone system aren't working, the DC
Emergency Radio Network, DCERN, can be used to communicate with family,
neighbors and others.  DCERN uses off-the-shelf FRS and GMRS radios that can be
purchased at Radio Shack, Best Buy and elsewhere.  FRS (Family Radio Service)
and GMRS (General Mobile Radio Service) radios are hand-held two-way radios that
run on batteries and don't depend on cell phone networks.

DCERN is self-activating and doesn't require any special training or equipment,
other than an inexpensive FRS or GMRS radio.  When other communication networks
go down, or if you need to communicate outside and your cell phone's not
working, just tune your FRS or GMRS radio to channel 1 and talk. DCERN works a
little like a relay, with people passing information down the line.  DCERN works
on the keep-it-simple principle.

Besides the DCERN emergency frequency, channel 1, your family should have a
pre-planned channel that you will use among yourselves in an emergency. Write
that channel/subchannel combination on your radios so that you don't have to
remember which of the dozens of channel/subchannel combinations your family
uses.

For more about the DC Emergency Radio Network visit http://www.dcradio.org.

This is the DC Emergency Radio Network listserv automated monthly announcement.

Remember -- once a month, check that your FRS or GMRS radio is charged and you
have working batteries.

Be sure to tell your friends and neighbors about DCERN, http://www.dcradio.org. 
Once a month is also a good time to bring somebody new into the DC Emergency
Radio Network.

Please add your name to the DCERN database.  This information will be very
helpful in an emergency.  You can add your name to the data base here
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/DCERN/database or
http://www.dcradio.org/member.html

---------------------

When the Internet, cell phones and the telephone system aren't working, the DC
Emergency Radio Network, DCERN, can be used to communicate with family,
neighbors and others.  DCERN uses off-the-shelf FRS and GMRS radios that can be
purchased at Radio Shack, Best Buy and elsewhere.  FRS (Family Radio Service)
and GMRS (General Mobile Radio Service) radios are hand-held two-way radios that
run on batteries and don't depend on cell phone networks.

DCERN is self-activating and doesn't require any special training or equipment,
other than an inexpensive FRS or GMRS radio.  When other communication networks
go down, or if you need to communicate outside and your cell phone's not
working, just tune your FRS or GMRS radio to channel 1 and talk. DCERN works a
little like a relay, with people passing information down the line.  DCERN works
on the keep-it-simple principle.

Besides the DCERN emergency frequency, channel 1, your family should have a
pre-planned channel that you will use among yourselves in an emergency. Write
that channel/subchannel combination on your radios so that you don't have to
remember which of the dozens of channel/subchannel combinations your family
uses.

For more about the DC Emergency Radio Network visit http://www.dcradio.org.

Dear DCERN Listserv Members,

While it's wonderful to have an active listserv with a subject focus, we've
long thought there was a need for a city-wide listserv, a place in
cyberspace for people to look at the big picture.  We are now pleased to
announce that we have created one: TalkingDC -- Washington, DC's all-city
listserv.

TalkingDC is the place to discuss everything having to do with the District
of Columbia: politics, development, the arts, culture, gripes, discoveries
-- if it has to do with Washington, DC, then talk about it on TalkingDC.
And of course you can discuss emergency preparedness issues on TalkingDC.

You can join TalkingDC by visiting http://www.talkingdc.com or by sending an
email to talkingdc-subscribe@yahoogroups.com

TalkingDC doesn't replace the DCERN YahooGroup, of course.  But we need a
single place in cyberspace where District residents and people who work in
Washington, DC can talk about the issues that are important to us.

Please join us on TalkingDC.

Sincerely,

Bill Adler and Peggy Robin
Founders, TalkingDC
www.talkingdc.com

This is the DC Emergency Radio Network listserv automated monthly announcement.

Remember -- once a month, check that your FRS or GMRS radio is charged and you
have working batteries.

Be sure to tell your friends and neighbors about DCERN, http://www.dcradio.org. 
Once a month is also a good time to bring somebody new into the DC Emergency
Radio Network.

Please add your name to the DCERN database.  This information will be very
helpful in an emergency.  You can add your name to the data base here
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/DCERN/database or
http://www.dcradio.org/member.html

---------------------

When the Internet, cell phones and the telephone system aren't working, the DC
Emergency Radio Network, DCERN, can be used to communicate with family,
neighbors and others.  DCERN uses off-the-shelf FRS and GMRS radios that can be
purchased at Radio Shack, Best Buy and elsewhere.  FRS (Family Radio Service)
and GMRS (General Mobile Radio Service) radios are hand-held two-way radios that
run on batteries and don't depend on cell phone networks.

DCERN is self-activating and doesn't require any special training or equipment,
other than an inexpensive FRS or GMRS radio.  When other communication networks
go down, or if you need to communicate outside and your cell phone's not
working, just tune your FRS or GMRS radio to channel 1 and talk. DCERN works a
little like a relay, with people passing information down the line.  DCERN works
on the keep-it-simple principle.

Besides the DCERN emergency frequency, channel 1, your family should have a
pre-planned channel that you will use among yourselves in an emergency. Write
that channel/subchannel combination on your radios so that you don't have to
remember which of the dozens of channel/subchannel combinations your family
uses.

For more about the DC Emergency Radio Network visit http://www.dcradio.org.

The following two news items appeared in the Providence (RI) Journal and
Newport (RI) Daily News newspapers discussing the 30 Sept 2006 FRS test
which was inspired in part by DCERN information on the FRS SOS concept.

Mike
K1NPT, WQEW867
Newport, RI

================

Headline: "A walkie-talkie could be a lifesaver in times of distress"

Volunteer ham radio operators will be at listening posts in Newport,
Portsmouth and Bristol during tomorrow's East Bay SOS drill.

Friday, September 29, 2006

BY RICHARD SALIT
Providence Journal (RI) Staff Writer

NEWPORT -- Suppose a hurricane or terrorist attack knocked out all phone
service in the region and the electricity went out too.

Imagine that you hadn't evacuated, for whatever reason.

And now you're facing an emergency, and you can't dial 911.

What do you do?
===================

FULL TEXT:
http://www.projo.com/eastbayandmass/content/projo_20060929_ntham29.3203dc7.html
(Sign In to the Pro Jo site may be required)

/////////////////////////////////////////////////////

Headlines: Radio operators prepare to stage emergency drill
Area radio operators on Saturday will send an "SOS" to test how
effective amateur radio communications could be in emergency situations.
The East Bay SOS Neighborhood Emergency Communications Test will occur
Saturday from 11 a.m.-1 p.m.

Friday, September 29, 2006
Staff Writer
Newport Daily News

Full text:
http://www.newportdailynews.com/articles/2006/09/29/news/news6.prt

This is the DC Emergency Radio Network listserv automated monthly announcement.

Remember -- once a month, check that your FRS or GMRS radio is charged and you
have working batteries.

Be sure to tell your friends and neighbors about DCERN, http://www.dcradio.org. 
Once a month is also a good time to bring somebody new into the DC Emergency
Radio Network.

Please add your name to the DCERN database.  This information will be very
helpful in an emergency.  You can add your name to the data base here
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/DCERN/database or
http://www.dcradio.org/member.html

---------------------

When the Internet, cell phones and the telephone system aren't working, the DC
Emergency Radio Network, DCERN, can be used to communicate with family,
neighbors and others.  DCERN uses off-the-shelf FRS and GMRS radios that can be
purchased at Radio Shack, Best Buy and elsewhere.  FRS (Family Radio Service)
and GMRS (General Mobile Radio Service) radios are hand-held two-way radios that
run on batteries and don't depend on cell phone networks.

DCERN is self-activating and doesn't require any special training or equipment,
other than an inexpensive FRS or GMRS radio.  When other communication networks
go down, or if you need to communicate outside and your cell phone's not
working, just tune your FRS or GMRS radio to channel 1 and talk. DCERN works a
little like a relay, with people passing information down the line.  DCERN works
on the keep-it-simple principle.

Besides the DCERN emergency frequency, channel 1, your family should have a
pre-planned channel that you will use among yourselves in an emergency. Write
that channel/subchannel combination on your radios so that you don't have to
remember which of the dozens of channel/subchannel combinations your family
uses.

For more about the DC Emergency Radio Network visit http://www.dcradio.org.

This is the DC Emergency Radio Network listserv automated monthly announcement.

Remember -- once a month, check that your FRS or GMRS radio is charged and you
have working batteries.

Be sure to tell your friends and neighbors about DCERN, http://www.dcradio.org. 
Once a month is also a good time to bring somebody new into the DC Emergency
Radio Network.

Please add your name to the DCERN database.  This information will be very
helpful in an emergency.  You can add your name to the data base here
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/DCERN/database or
http://www.dcradio.org/member.html

---------------------

When the Internet, cell phones and the telephone system aren't working, the DC
Emergency Radio Network, DCERN, can be used to communicate with family,
neighbors and others.  DCERN uses off-the-shelf FRS and GMRS radios that can be
purchased at Radio Shack, Best Buy and elsewhere.  FRS (Family Radio Service)
and GMRS (General Mobile Radio Service) radios are hand-held two-way radios that
run on batteries and don't depend on cell phone networks.

DCERN is self-activating and doesn't require any special training or equipment,
other than an inexpensive FRS or GMRS radio.  When other communication networks
go down, or if you need to communicate outside and your cell phone's not
working, just tune your FRS or GMRS radio to channel 1 and talk. DCERN works a
little like a relay, with people passing information down the line.  DCERN works
on the keep-it-simple principle.

Besides the DCERN emergency frequency, channel 1, your family should have a
pre-planned channel that you will use among yourselves in an emergency. Write
that channel/subchannel combination on your radios so that you don't have to
remember which of the dozens of channel/subchannel combinations your family
uses.

For more about the DC Emergency Radio Network visit http://www.dcradio.org.

This is the DC Emergency Radio Network listserv automated monthly announcement.

Remember -- once a month, check that your FRS or GMRS radio is charged and you
have working batteries.

Be sure to tell your friends and neighbors about DCERN, http://www.dcradio.org. 
Once a month is also a good time to bring somebody new into the DC Emergency
Radio Network.

Please add your name to the DCERN database.  This information will be very
helpful in an emergency.  You can add your name to the data base here
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/DCERN/database or
http://www.dcradio.org/member.html

---------------------

When the Internet, cell phones and the telephone system aren't working, the DC
Emergency Radio Network, DCERN, can be used to communicate with family,
neighbors and others.  DCERN uses off-the-shelf FRS and GMRS radios that can be
purchased at Radio Shack, Best Buy and elsewhere.  FRS (Family Radio Service)
and GMRS (General Mobile Radio Service) radios are hand-held two-way radios that
run on batteries and don't depend on cell phone networks.

DCERN is self-activating and doesn't require any special training or equipment,
other than an inexpensive FRS or GMRS radio.  When other communication networks
go down, or if you need to communicate outside and your cell phone's not
working, just tune your FRS or GMRS radio to channel 1 and talk. DCERN works a
little like a relay, with people passing information down the line.  DCERN works
on the keep-it-simple principle.

Besides the DCERN emergency frequency, channel 1, your family should have a
pre-planned channel that you will use among yourselves in an emergency. Write
that channel/subchannel combination on your radios so that you don't have to
remember which of the dozens of channel/subchannel combinations your family
uses.

For more about the DC Emergency Radio Network visit http://www.dcradio.org.

This is the DC Emergency Radio Network listserv automated monthly announcement.

Remember -- once a month, check that your FRS or GMRS radio is charged and you
have working batteries.

Be sure to tell your friends and neighbors about DCERN, http://www.dcradio.org. 
Once a month is also a good time to bring somebody new into the DC Emergency
Radio Network.

Please add your name to the DCERN database.  This information will be very
helpful in an emergency.  You can add your name to the data base here
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/DCERN/database or
http://www.dcradio.org/member.html

---------------------

When the Internet, cell phones and the telephone system aren't working, the DC
Emergency Radio Network, DCERN, can be used to communicate with family,
neighbors and others.  DCERN uses off-the-shelf FRS and GMRS radios that can be
purchased at Radio Shack, Best Buy and elsewhere.  FRS (Family Radio Service)
and GMRS (General Mobile Radio Service) radios are hand-held two-way radios that
run on batteries and don't depend on cell phone networks.

DCERN is self-activating and doesn't require any special training or equipment,
other than an inexpensive FRS or GMRS radio.  When other communication networks
go down, or if you need to communicate outside and your cell phone's not
working, just tune your FRS or GMRS radio to channel 1 and talk. DCERN works a
little like a relay, with people passing information down the line.  DCERN works
on the keep-it-simple principle.

Besides the DCERN emergency frequency, channel 1, your family should have a
pre-planned channel that you will use among yourselves in an emergency. Write
that channel/subchannel combination on your radios so that you don't have to
remember which of the dozens of channel/subchannel combinations your family
uses.

For more about the DC Emergency Radio Network visit http://www.dcradio.org.

The July 8th drill is postponed, probably until September.  As you might
expect, a Saturday in July is not the best day to gather a large number of
people, and keep everyone indoors on the radio.

Meanwhile, we're continuing to get the word out about the DC Emergency Radio
Network -- especially in advance of the heart of hurricane season.  To that
end, you can download a DCERN flyer if you can distribute it in your
neighborhood, apartment building or office.  The flyers are on this group's
files section at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/DCERN/files/  I can also
email you a copy.  While there are over 150 people on the DCERN listserv,
and many hundreds of others in the DC area who have FRS and GMRS radios, the
more people who have and use these radios the more effective the network
will be during a disaster.

We're also continuing our media outreach.  In the past we've gotten good
press coverage, including television.  (Clips at http://www.dcradio.org ).
If anyone has media contacts or wants to help with this, please let me know.

I would like to develop a simple guide or online course on how to buy and
use an FRS and GMRS radio.  Easy as these radios are to use, some people
still have questions about what to buy and how to make them work.  Let me
know if you're interested in writing this online guide or course.

We're also pursing liaisons between DCERN and other emergency communications
groups, such as REACT, www.reactintl.org , and Amateur Radio Disaster
Services, www.ares.org .  While it's important for DC area residents to be
able to communicate among each other during an emergency, it's also helpful
to be able to talk with people who are trained in emergency communications.
If you're involved with a emergency organization, let me know.  We're
working closely with NationalSOS, www.nationalsos.com , the umbrella
organization for FRS/GMRS-based emergency communications.

As an all-volunteer organization, we're always open to members' ideas, so if
you have any thoughts about how to let more people know about DCERN and to
make this an even better organization, shoot an email my way.

Sincerely,


Bill Adler
202-986-9275
billonline@...

Bill:

Anything I can do let me know.

Mike Seneco


Bill Adler <adlerb@...> wrote:                              
Everyone,

  DCERN and NationalSOS are doing a Washington, DC area test on Saturday, July
  8th.  I've attached a copy of the press release that NationalSOS used to
  publicize its June 17th drill:  Our test will be patterned after than.

  Several years ago we ran a regular series of Sunday practice sessions, but
  the July 8th test will be more elaborate.

  I need your help.  Specifically, I'm looking for somebody who can:

  1.  Serve as the press coordinator and make sure that the local media is
  aware of this test -- basically to get the word out to newspapers, radio and
  television.

  2.  Coordinate the actual test on July 8th.

  If you're able to help with either of these roles (or in general), let me
  know.


  --Bill Adler
  202-986-9275

  -----------------------------------

Everyone,

DCERN and NationalSOS are doing a Washington, DC area test on Saturday, July
8th.  I've attached a copy of the press release that NationalSOS used to
publicize its June 17th drill:  Our test will be patterned after than.

Several years ago we ran a regular series of Sunday practice sessions, but
the July 8th test will be more elaborate.

I need your help.  Specifically, I'm looking for somebody who can:

1.  Serve as the press coordinator and make sure that the local media is
aware of this test -- basically to get the word out to newspapers, radio and
television.

2.  Coordinate the actual test on July 8th.

If you're able to help with either of these roles (or in general), let me
know.


--Bill Adler
202-986-9275

-----------------------------------





New Public Emergency Communications Network

"National SOS" to Conduct Statewide Connecticut

Emergency Preparedness Drill on June 17th.



Drill to involve all Connecticut citizens, plus special regional test

of a National SOS regional receiving station.



HARTFORD, CT  (June 7, 2006) -- The National SOS Radio Network
www.NationalSOS.com <http://www.nationalsos.com/>  has selected Connecticut
as the site for America's first public test of a new emergency
communications system.  The drill, open to all Connecticut residents, will
occur on Saturday, June 17th, from 1:00 - 3:00 p.m. local time.



This public emergency network is comprised of the 100 million low-cost
Family Radio Service (FRS) radios already in use for camping, boating,
hiking, biking, neighborhood and family communications, etc.  Augmenting the
system is the nationwide network of 700,000 amateur (ham) radio operators,
70,000 licensed General Mobile Radio Service (GMRS) users, and hundreds of
thousands of scanner users.



The goal:  Create initial awareness of the network before the peak of the
hurricane season.



In the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, 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 neighbors, family, and rescuers know of their dire situation
-- and died as a result.



The National SOS Radio Network puts emergency communications capabilities
directly in the hands of the public.  It's based on neighborhoods and
communities using low-cost FRS radios as an emergency communications tool.
The FRS radios enable intra-neighborhood communications, especially in
situations where the public's primary communication tools fail due to a
natural or manmade disaster.  As an adjunct to the neighborhood / community
network, it is planned that ham, GMRS, and scanner operators could also
monitor the primary FRS frequencies -- and relay emergency messages to
police and fire departments, and national rescue and relief agencies.  The
Connecticut drill includes testing the feasibility of this portion of the
network (see below for details).



FRS radios and FRS / GMRS combination radios used strictly under FRS
regulations don't require an operator license, can be used by anyone of any
age, and are available for as little as $10 - $30 at many retailers and
online stores.  Because of their low cost and widespread availability, these
radios can be part of every home's emergency kit (flashlight, water, FRS
radio, batteries, etc.).



The Connecticut "National SOS" drill is comprised of two concurrent tests:



(1)  Statewide neighborhood preparedness tests.

(2)  Experimental test of a National SOS regional receiving station.



Neighborhood preparedness tests.  This element of the drill is the most
important -- and is also the easiest to participate in.  The goal is simply
for citizens across Connecticut to learn how to use their FRS radios to
communicate with other residents in their neighborhood.  During the 1:00 -
3:00 p.m. drill period, people should tune their FRS radios to Channel 1,
the primary emergency channel of the National SOS Radio Network, and see how
well they can talk to their neighbors.  Channel 1 was selected as the
primary emergency channel as it is easy to remember and has been previously
endorsed by radio manufacturers (such as Midland Radio Corporation), the DC
Emergency Communication Network, and by REACT (Radio Emergency Associated
Communications Teams) in 2000.



VERY IMPORTANT:  For all of the various brands of FRS radios to universally
communicate, the FRS radio's "privacy tone" or "privacy code" must be turned
off.  The "off" setting is the typical default, out-of-the-box, setting of
most FRS radios.  The instruction manuals of FRS radios also provide easy
instructions for turning off the privacy tone / privacy code feature.



The National SOS Radio Network would like to hear from citizens regarding
the success and / or glitches that may arise during their neighborhood
tests.  The feedback received will be woven into the procedures for the next
statewide test.  Feedback should be e-mailed to:
publicfeedback@....



Experimental test of a National SOS regional receiving station.   Concurrent
with the neighborhood tests, the National SOS Radio Network will also be
conducting an experimental test between one of its regional receiving
stations and the general public in the west-central area of Connecticut.
Residents in the following cities and towns are encouraged to participate:
Hartford, West Hartford, Bloomfield, Simsbury, Avon, Farmington, Canton, and
Southington.



To participate in this phase of the drill, residents should tune their FRS
radios to Channel 3 with "privacy tone" or "privacy code" turned off.  It is
important to note that during an actual declared emergency, residents would
tune to Channel 1 -- the primary emergency communication channel.  However,
for this phase of the drill, Channel 3 was selected so as to not interfere
with the neighborhood tests that will be occurring at the same time.



During the 1:00 - 3:00 p.m. drill period, citizens in the above-listed towns
should attempt to contact the National SOS Radio Network's regional
listening post.  A citizen should simply press the push-to-talk button on
the radio and say, for example, "This is Dorothy Smith on Main Street in
Simsbury calling the National SOS regional listening post."  If you are
heard by a National SOS representative at the regional listening post, the
representative will respond back to you.



If other people are talking on Channel 3 at the time, please be patient and
courteous.  The regional listening post will respond back as quickly as
possible in the order that the radio messages are heard.  The drill will run
continuously for two hours, so should radio congestion occur on the channel,
please attempt to contact the regional listening post a little later in the
drill.



Also note that standing outside of a home will maximize the communication
range of the radios.  The goal of this phase of the drill is to determine
the range and clarity of the FRS transmissions.  This drill element is
entirely experimental, and the data will be analyzed for testing the
feasibility of this component of the system.



Role of ham radio operators, GMRS operators, and scanner users.



Hams, GMRS operators, and scanner users are encouraged to participate in
network operations and the drill.  GMRS operators can directly communicate
with the FRS users in their communities, and are encouraged to advise and
assist the untrained public in radio-communication protocols.  Ham radio
operators, using their amateur radio gear, cannot legally perform two-way
communications with FRS users during non-emergency situations; in a true
emergency, the FCC waives this restriction.  During the drill, hams are
encouraged to use their own FRS radios and apply their radio expertise to
help the surrounding public communicate effectively.  Hams and scanner
operators can also monitor the regional FRS traffic, and test the reception
range of their equipment during the drill.  Please send reception and
transmission reports to:  radioreports@....



For reference, FRS Channel 1 is 462.5625 MHz and FRS Channel 3 is 462.6125
MHz.



[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

As part of the effort to remind people that the DC Emergency Radio Network
is always available as a way to communicate in an emergency, we now have
DCERN refrigerator magnets.  I have yet to meet somebody who doesn't visit
their fridge at least once a day -- so this is a good place to put a
reminder about DCERN.

If you would like a magnet (or a few -- up to 4 per person), send me a
stamped, self-addressed envelope and I'll pop them in the mail to you.
They're free to DCERN list members.  My address is:

Bill Adler
Adler & Robin Books, Inc.
Suite 317
3000 Connecticut Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20008

--Bill

The DC Emergency Radio Network is looking for volunteer Communications
Specialists.

DCERN Communications Specialists are volunteers with FRS or GMRS radios who
will be the backbone of our emergency communications network:
Communications Specialists are DCERN members who are certain (or nearly so)
to be on the air during an emergency.

While hundreds of people in the Washington, DC area are part of the DC
Emergency Radio Network, it's important to have a core of DCERN members who
can help ensure that there's a critical mass of people on the air during an
emergency, so that no matter where you are, there will be somebody to talk
to.

There's no training needed to become a DCERN Communications Specialist, but
I do have some guidelines that I can email you, or which you can download
from this list's files section: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/DCERN/files/.
More material will be prepared soon for DCERN Communications Specialists.

That's about it for now:  If you have a FRS or GMRS radio and can be certain
(or nearly so) to go on the air during a widespread power failure, area wide
school lockdown, hurricane, tornado outbreak, severe thunderstorm, phone
outage, terrorist attack or other emergency, please email me.  Also, let me
know if you have any special skills or affiliations, such as being an EMT,
amateur radio operator, Skywarn volunteer, or police officer.  You can also
add you name directly to the DCERN Communications Specialist database at
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/DCERN/database.  As always, there's more
information at www.dcradio.org.

Questions?  Please email or call me.

Sincerely,


Bill Adler
www.dcradio.org
billonline@...
202-986-9275

This is the DC Emergency Radio Network listserv automated monthly announcement.

Remember -- once a month, check that your FRS or GMRS radio is charged and you
have working batteries.

Be sure to tell your friends and neighbors about DCERN, http://www.dcradio.org. 
Once a month is also a good time to bring somebody new into the DC Emergency
Radio Network.

Please add your name to the DCERN database.  This information will be very
helpful in an emergency.  You can add your name to the data base here
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/DCERN/database or
http://www.dcradio.org/member.html

---------------------

When the Internet, cell phones and the telephone system aren't working, the DC
Emergency Radio Network, DCERN, can be used to communicate with family,
neighbors and others.  DCERN uses off-the-shelf FRS and GMRS radios that can be
purchased at Radio Shack, Best Buy and elsewhere.  FRS (Family Radio Service)
and GMRS (General Mobile Radio Service) radios are hand-held two-way radios that
run on batteries and don't depend on cell phone networks.

DCERN is self-activating and doesn't require any special training or equipment,
other than an inexpensive FRS or GMRS radio.  When other communication networks
go down, or if you need to communicate outside and your cell phone's not
working, just tune your FRS or GMRS radio to channel 1 and talk. DCERN works a
little like a relay, with people passing information down the line.  DCERN works
on the keep-it-simple principle.

Besides the DCERN emergency frequency, channel 1, your family should have a
pre-planned channel that you will use among yourselves in an emergency. Write
that channel/subchannel combination on your radios so that you don't have to
remember which of the dozens of channel/subchannel combinations your family
uses.

For more about the DC Emergency Radio Network visit http://www.dcradio.org.

Everyone,

NationalSOS, www.nationalsos.com, now the parent organization of DCERN, is
looking for a volunteer membership director/coordinator.  The
responsibilities of the membership coordinator aren't entirely fixed, but
they will including creating and managing NationalSOS' membership database.


NationalSOS is working on a number of media projects, so we're expecting if
not a deluge of new members, certainly enough new members to require a
membership coordinator.

If you're interested in this position, please let me know.

Bill Adler
www.dcradio.org
billonline@...
202-986-9275





[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

Hello,

This email message is a notification to let you know that
a file has been uploaded to the Files area of the DCERN
group.

   File        : /NationalSOS_School_Project.pdf
   Uploaded by : billadler <adlerb@...>
   Description : Keep in touch with your children at school during an emergency

You can access this file at the URL:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/DCERN/files/NationalSOS_School_Project.pdf

To learn more about file sharing for your group, please visit:
http://help.yahoo.com/help/us/groups/files

Regards,

billadler <adlerb@...>

You can get the radios at Walmart.
If you plan to use the high power chanels you're supposed to get a license

--- Saleemmm8@... wrote:

> Greetings,
>
>      I am a member of the DCERN email listserv.  However, I don't
> know what is what.  Do I need a special radio?  If so, how do I get
> one?  Thank you.
>
> Harris
>
>
> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
>
>

Greetings,

      I am a member of the DCERN email listserv.  However, I don't know what is
what.  Do I need a special radio?  If so, how do I get one?  Thank you.

Harris


[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

This is the DC Emergency Radio Network listserv automated monthly announcement.

Remember -- once a month, check that your FRS or GMRS radio is charged and you
have working batteries.

Be sure to tell your friends and neighbors about DCERN, http://www.dcradio.org. 
Once a month is also a good time to bring somebody new into the DC Emergency
Radio Network.

Please add your name to the DCERN database.  This information will be very
helpful in an emergency.  You can add your name to the data base here
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/DCERN/database or
http://www.dcradio.org/member.html

---------------------

When the Internet, cell phones and the telephone system aren't working, the DC
Emergency Radio Network, DCERN, can be used to communicate with family,
neighbors and others.  DCERN uses off-the-shelf FRS and GMRS radios that can be
purchased at Radio Shack, Best Buy and elsewhere.  FRS (Family Radio Service)
and GMRS (General Mobile Radio Service) radios are hand-held two-way radios that
run on batteries and don't depend on cell phone networks.

DCERN is self-activating and doesn't require any special training or equipment,
other than an inexpensive FRS or GMRS radio.  When other communication networks
go down, or if you need to communicate outside and your cell phone's not
working, just tune your FRS or GMRS radio to channel 1 and talk. DCERN works a
little like a relay, with people passing information down the line.  DCERN works
on the keep-it-simple principle.

Besides the DCERN emergency frequency, channel 1, your family should have a
pre-planned channel that you will use among yourselves in an emergency. Write
that channel/subchannel combination on your radios so that you don't have to
remember which of the dozens of channel/subchannel combinations your family
uses.

For more about the DC Emergency Radio Network visit http://www.dcradio.org.

This is the DC Emergency Radio Network listserv automated monthly announcement.

Remember -- once a month, check that your FRS or GMRS radio is charged and you
have working batteries.

Be sure to tell your friends and neighbors about DCERN, http://www.dcradio.org. 
Once a month is also a good time to bring somebody new into the DC Emergency
Radio Network.

Please add your name to the DCERN database.  This information will be very
helpful in an emergency.  You can add your name to the data base here
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/DCERN/database or
http://www.dcradio.org/member.html

---------------------

When the Internet, cell phones and the telephone system aren't working, the DC
Emergency Radio Network, DCERN, can be used to communicate with family,
neighbors and others.  DCERN uses off-the-shelf FRS and GMRS radios that can be
purchased at Radio Shack, Best Buy and elsewhere.  FRS (Family Radio Service)
and GMRS (General Mobile Radio Service) radios are hand-held two-way radios that
run on batteries and don't depend on cell phone networks.

DCERN is self-activating and doesn't require any special training or equipment,
other than an inexpensive FRS or GMRS radio.  When other communication networks
go down, or if you need to communicate outside and your cell phone's not
working, just tune your FRS or GMRS radio to channel 1 and talk. DCERN works a
little like a relay, with people passing information down the line.  DCERN works
on the keep-it-simple principle.

Besides the DCERN emergency frequency, channel 1, your family should have a
pre-planned channel that you will use among yourselves in an emergency. Write
that channel/subchannel combination on your radios so that you don't have to
remember which of the dozens of channel/subchannel combinations your family
uses.

For more about the DC Emergency Radio Network visit http://www.dcradio.org.