From: de Rick Sohl KK5RIC <kk5ric@zianet.com>
To: <warnings@ntia.doc.gov>, <host@disastercenter.com>
Date: Mon, Jul 10, 2000 10:14 AM
Subject: Disaster Communications All Hazard Warnings Roundtable:


>> 1. Is it technologically feasible today to deliver hazard warnings: to
>> wireless devices, such as cell phones and pagers; over the Internet to
>users who are online; to standard telephones in the form of a call warning;
>to
>> broadcast television; to satellite services; to cable television; and to
>> emerging and developing technologies?

Great idea. It will take some new technologies to accomplish such a task,
but the results would improve everyone safety. Both wide dissemination
(internet, broadcast, satellite, cable) and single modes (telephone,
cellular, pagers) should be utilized. Note careful design of cellular and
pager technology could allow them to become wide area use.

>> 2. What are the tradeoffs among technology options?

See above, you need to utilize all options to reach all people.

>> 3. What are the economic impediments, if any, to the use of any of the
>> technologies that might be used to disseminate hazard warnings?

Some new technologies will need to be developed in all areas, except our
existing national network of NOAA transmitters.

>> 4. What are the legal impediments, if any, to the use of any of the
>> technologies that might be used to disseminate hazard warnings?

Some people might think that uncle Sam was mixing into their business too
much, but it is the same as a seat belt law.

>> 5. What legal measures, if any, should be taken to foster the delivery of
>> hazard warnings?

I see no need for specific legislation in that areas.


>> 6. What economic and technological policy measures, if any, should be
>taken to foster the dissemination of hazard warnings?

Education of everyone so that they will understand that such will only be
used to save them from an event, either local or wide area, that would
effect them directly.

On other area that should be considered, is a smart radio in each vehicle
that has a second receiver and possibly a transmitter (short range) that
would allow the users to use the unit for normal radio, tape, CD use, but
would receive any emergency messages for that area. Sort of like a Guard
Band Receiver that can not be shut off. As such the unit would need GPS
coordinates so it would know if the motorist is in or headed into the alert
area.

Such a unit would use frequencies designated by the GPS coordinates and
direction of travel to insure that they would not interfere with other
users, but they could when needed communicate with nearby motorist when
needed and receive local and wide area alerts.

James R. Sohl


As a ham radio, Civil Air Patrol member, SHARES operator / station, ARES
and RACES member, pilot, and driver. I am very aware of our need to improve
our ability to reach everyone in times of emergency / disaster. Our
existing system requires a unit for that purpose alone. We need inter
graded units with items we use each day, that is the only way to insure it
will be working when needed.