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Eclipse logistics and em-comm nets?

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Jim - N4ST

Re: Eclipse logistics and em-comm nets?

Yes, motel rooms normally going for $51/night are over $600. A bargain at $1000 for two nights.

_____________
N4ST

-----Original Message-----
From: [hidden email] [mailto:[hidden email]] On Behalf Of ab4iqkf4cxo
Sent: Thursday, August 17, 2017 21:09
To: 'Clay Autery' <[hidden email]>; [hidden email]
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Eclipse logistics and em-comm nets?

Come to Paducah KY if you want a good glimpse of the eclipse. Bring plenty of money! Hi Hi..

Ed... AB4IQ

-----Original Message-----
From: [hidden email] [mailto:[hidden email]] On Behalf Of Clay Autery
Sent: Thursday, August 17, 2017 12:05 PM
To: [hidden email]
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Eclipse logistics and em-comm nets?

Wow... sure hope this isn't the case in North Tennessee... :)

______________________
Clay Autery, KY5G
MONTAC Enterprises
(318) 518-1389

On 8/17/2017 11:17 AM, Wayne Burdick wrote:

> Many of us are headed into the solar eclipse zone in the next few days, my family included. We’re leaving today for Ashland, Oregon. Early on Saturday (possibly *very* early), we’ll be driving to a campground in Corvallis, right in the Path of Totality.
>
> There are widespread predictions of epic gridlock for many of Oregon’s roadways. I’m guessing this will be true in other states as well. Authorities are suggesting that travelers have several days worth of food and water, as they could be stranded on freeways that become parking lots. Many gas stations in small towns like Bend are already out of fuel.
>
> The cellphone network could be affected as well. Imaging 1 million people camping, in effect, on I-5, state route 97, etc., trying to call home or reach emergency services. Under the circumstances, amateur radio may very we called upon to provide emergency communications. Fortunately many of us will be using mobile or portable stations that are immune to loss of power or cell service.
>
> If you know of any specific networks that are planning to activate for this event, please post that info here (and elsewhere).
>
> Lacking any defined plan, I’ll be monitoring 7283.5 kHz, home of the daily west-coast “Noontime Net”. 40 meters is ideal for this sort of regional coordination and emergency traffic, especially in areas not well served by VHF/UHF repeaters. I’ll have a KX2, some wire, and a couple of Li-ion internal battery packs.
>
> 73,
> Wayne
> N6KR

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Clay Autery-2

Re: Eclipse logistics and em-comm nets?

Criminal... :-(

______________________
Clay Autery, KY5G

On 8/17/2017 10:27 PM, Jim - N4ST wrote:
> Yes, motel rooms normally going for $51/night are over $600. A bargain at $1000 for two nights.
>
> _____________
> N4ST
>
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Jim Brown-10

Re: Eclipse logistics and em-comm nets?

No, just capitalism and basic economics -- the law of supply and demand
at work.

73, Jim K9YC

On 8/17/2017 9:34 PM, Clay Autery wrote:
> Criminal... :-(
>
> ______________________
> Clay Autery, KY5G
>
> On 8/17/2017 10:27 PM, Jim - N4ST wrote:
>> Yes, motel rooms normally going for $51/night are over $600. A bargain at $1000 for two nights.

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Wes Stewart-2

Re: Eclipse logistics and em-comm nets?

In reply to this post by Jim - N4ST

Hmm, $51/night, for $5,000 they'll sell you the place.

N7WS

On 8/17/2017 8:27 PM, Jim - N4ST wrote:
> Yes, motel rooms normally going for $51/night are over $600. A bargain at $1000 for two nights.
>
> _____________
> N4ST
>
>

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Tim McDonough N9PUZ

Re: Eclipse logistics and em-comm nets?

They are expecting an extra 1/2-3/4 million people along the path in
Southern Illinois. It's a very rural area and the State expects backups on
the Interstates because the roads there do not have true cloverleafs, there
is a stop sign at the top of each ramp and only room for about 16 cars on
the ramp itself before traffic backs up onto the Interstate itself.

Illinois ARES and the American Red Cross both have hams on standby Friday
and Saturday with operators on station Sunday and Monday. The State EOC is
partially activated and the RACES Team is on standby as well.

Another big concern is bad weather. Many of the cars, etc. will be parked
in mowed pastures. If there is a lot of rain they may not be able to get
out and thousands could be stranded without food, water, or rest room
facilities.

I hope all of the preparations turn out to be over reacting.

Tim N9PUZ

On Fri, Aug 18, 2017 at 12:41 AM, Wes Stewart <[hidden email]> wrote:

> Hmm, $51/night, for $5,000 they'll sell you the place.
>
> N7WS
>
> On 8/17/2017 8:27 PM, Jim - N4ST wrote:
>
>> Yes, motel rooms normally going for $51/night are over $600. A bargain
>> at $1000 for two nights.
>>
>> _____________
>> N4ST
>>
>>
>>
> ______________________________________________________________
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>

Bob McGraw - K4TAX

Re: Eclipse logistics and em-comm nets?

In reply to this post by Wes Stewart-2

I wonder if these jacked up rates includes a current infestation of bed
bugs? I understand they are very popular these days.

No thank you, I'll stay in our own travel trailer.

73

Bob, K4TAX

K3S s/n 10163

On 8/18/2017 12:41 AM, Wes Stewart wrote:

> Hmm, $51/night, for $5,000 they'll sell you the place.
>
> N7WS
>
> On 8/17/2017 8:27 PM, Jim - N4ST wrote:
>> Yes, motel rooms normally going for $51/night are over $600. A
>> bargain at $1000 for two nights.
>>
>> _____________
>> N4ST
>>
>>
>
> ______________________________________________________________
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>
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>

Barry

Re: Eclipse logistics and em-comm nets?

In reply to this post by w0mu

I'm planning to go very early Monday morning, north on I-25 into Wyoming. I'm hoping their predictions are as accurate as those were for Y2K end-of-civilization-as-we-know-it.

Barry W2UP

w0mu wrote

I-25 In Colorado is going to be a complete mess. They are expecting
over 500k people to go to Wyoming essentially doubling the population.
Wyoming will not have the resources to handle this. Anyone going are
being told to bring fuel and food, etc. We have decided to stay home.
Heavy traffic expected Tomorrow through Wed!

Edward R Cole

Re: Eclipse logistics and em-comm nets?

In reply to this post by wayne burdick

Nothing to do with emcomm, but:

I believe I experience total eclipse a couple times in my youth in
Mich. (1950's), so have experienced that before and probably several
partial eclipses. Only 45% here in Alaska but if sky is clear (not
likely in August) we might get a quick glimpse. 2024 it will still
be thousands of miles away requiring air faire, car rental, lodging
and meals to get to. At 80 years probably be satisfied to watch on TV.

Today's wx: overcast, sprinkles, 54F, calm ... pretty normal for here.

73, Ed - KL7UW
http://www.kl7uw.com
Dubus-NA Business mail:
[hidden email]

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k6dgw

Re: Eclipse logistics and em-comm nets?

In reply to this post by Clay Autery-2

Jeez Ron, it sounds like the intro to one of those B-grade disaster
movies from my childhood. No one knows if Godzilla will show up. The
eclipse likely won't extend past the normal attention span of a teenager
... then everyone needs to leave and return home. I do hope the hams
are ready if needed.

OH, forgot ... there are those who take offense at calling Godzilla a
B-movie. I am truly sorry and I apologize.

73,

Fred ["Skip"] K6DGW
Sparks NV DM09dn
Washoe County

On 8/18/2017 11:57 AM, Ron D'Eau Claire wrote:

> Other than I-5, Oregon's highways are one lane each way with few exceptions in more built up areas. As Eclipse viewers arrive, the roads fill up fast. Local news reported that one town in the eastern Willamette Valley had a 30 mile long bumper-to-bumper back up yesterday. I-5 should be moving at least.
>
> Here in Newport on the central Oregon coast (within the band of "totality"), traffic is heavy and growing worse by the day. People are being reminded that they may NOT camp on the beaches. Besides, we should have record high tides caused by the sun and moon tides converging on eclipse day. Many beaches will be under water. Lodging and camps are at full capacity. In spite of visitors being warned they will be fined, we expect to find roadsides that have any space and parking lots everywhere filled with campers and trailers. During the eclipse we expect to find vehicles just stopping in the road to watch, oblivious to the fact it stops traffic for as long as they sit there (that already happens from time to time every summer when people stop in the middle of the highway, get out of their vehicles, and take pictures (sigh...).
>
> The local telephone services are installing many hundreds of portable "towers" to augment the regular cell towers. Even so, I won't be surprised if Wayne is correct: Amateur Radio may be the most reliable communications system.
>
> Also, hundreds of additional ambulances are on scene to handle more emergencies, although whether they will be able to get where they need to go is in doubt. Many roads have NO shoulders where people can pull over. A deep drainage ditch runs down each side of most rural roads just off the edge of the pavement.
>
> A number of helicopter ambulances are arriving to help where emergency vehicles cannot reach.
>
> National Guard personnel are being dispatched to help with traffic in various locations and they have better off-road vehicles for places where the highways are jammed.
>
> One major concern locally is on the morning of the 21st when people here discover the sky is overcast (as it usually is on the coast this time of year- at least until noon) they will try to head east along US20, one lane each way through the 3,000 foot coastal mountains, to reach cloudless skies.
>
> Gas prices up over a dollar ($3.25 yesterday) and are sure to continue to rise as long as the pumps don't run dry. Gas is delivered from over the coastal mountains and it's likely that no new deliveries are being made before the crowds dissipate.
>
> Similarly, grocery store shelves are emptying out and may not be restocked before the eclipse.
>
> Our local water company is concerned about handling the load imposed by having 5 or 10 times the normal number of people using it. They recommend storing extra water now.
>
> Overall the emergency services point out that this is a great test of our readiness for the anticipated "Cascadia event" that we train for regularly including strong earthquakes, tsunami and no passable highways for several days at least.
>
> That may be, but August 22nd will be a great relief!
>
> 73, Ron AC7AC
>

Phil Kane-2

Re: Eclipse logistics and em-comm nets?

In reply to this post by Clay Autery-2

On 8/18/2017 11:57 AM, Ron D'Eau Claire wrote:

> The local telephone services are installing many hundreds of portable
> "towers" to augment the regular cell towers. Even so, I won't be
> surprised if Wayne is correct: Amateur Radio may be the most reliable
> communications system.

Those of us who know better know that no matter how many other COWS
(Cellsites-On-Wheels) are deployed, there's a finite number of circuits
that the landline switch can handle. I don't see them bringing in any
extra switches!

Two major VHF/UHF clubs with repeaters all up and down the state are
linking all their machines, and the various county ARES units are on
standby to relay overflow requests for 9-1-1 assistance, as will be
state and local HF ARES units. Net control for this gigantic net will
be at Washington County Sheriff's Office -- which is NOT co-located with
the 9-1-1 Center. My ARES deployment is supposed to be at the 9-1-1
Center (Washington County Consolidated Communications Agency) but
because of mobility limitations I will be standing by at home to do
cross-systems relays if necessary.

One activity that has not received much attention in ham-dom is that
during the eclipse the ionospheric D-layer will disappear as it does at
night, and AM Broadcast signals will propagate as DX for an hour or so.
FCC Rules prohibit AM stations with different daytime and nighttime
parameters to operate nighttime with daytime parameters but this is one
exception (another is during a mandated FCC inspection). It's going to
be interesting.

73 de K2ASP - Phil Kane

Member, Washington County, OR
Emergency Communications Team
ARES/RACES AEC for Training

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Dan Presley

Re: Eclipse logistics and em-comm nets?

Just wanted to pass on that today I drove from Ashland to Portland and made it in 4 & 1/2 hrs. The only slowdown was where it’s 2 lane over the hills around Grants Pass where the semis try to pass each other :)) Of course the closer to Monday the worse it’s likely to get, but it may not be that bad. Wayne-depending on where your campground is, you might look at jumping to 99W at Junction City (near Eugene) which runs into Corvallis as opposed to Hwy 20 off of I-5. Up here in Portland there’s so far no ARES mass callout. Some ops were headed to Grant County to assist. I hear lots of folks are bailing out of traveling to the ‘zone’ so it may not be bad. Bend has gas, and there’s actually open spots in Madras. I may bike down to Aurora from Portland with the KX2 and a loop. Also Wayne if you have a chance get peaches and pears in Ashland at a roadside stand-you’ll never regret it and the best survival food :)) See y’all on 40 and/or 20 on Monday.
Dan Presley N7CQR
[hidden email]

> On Aug 18, 2017, at 5:30 PM, Phil Kane <[hidden email]> wrote:
>
> On 8/18/2017 11:57 AM, Ron D'Eau Claire wrote:
>
>> The local telephone services are installing many hundreds of portable
>> "towers" to augment the regular cell towers. Even so, I won't be
>> surprised if Wayne is correct: Amateur Radio may be the most reliable
>> communications system.
>
> Those of us who know better know that no matter how many other COWS
> (Cellsites-On-Wheels) are deployed, there's a finite number of circuits
> that the landline switch can handle. I don't see them bringing in any
> extra switches!
>
> Two major VHF/UHF clubs with repeaters all up and down the state are
> linking all their machines, and the various county ARES units are on
> standby to relay overflow requests for 9-1-1 assistance, as will be
> state and local HF ARES units. Net control for this gigantic net will
> be at Washington County Sheriff's Office -- which is NOT co-located with
> the 9-1-1 Center. My ARES deployment is supposed to be at the 9-1-1
> Center (Washington County Consolidated Communications Agency) but
> because of mobility limitations I will be standing by at home to do
> cross-systems relays if necessary.
>
> One activity that has not received much attention in ham-dom is that
> during the eclipse the ionospheric D-layer will disappear as it does at
> night, and AM Broadcast signals will propagate as DX for an hour or so.
> FCC Rules prohibit AM stations with different daytime and nighttime
> parameters to operate nighttime with daytime parameters but this is one
> exception (another is during a mandated FCC inspection). It's going to
> be interesting.
>
> 73 de K2ASP - Phil Kane
>
> Member, Washington County, OR
> Emergency Communications Team
> ARES/RACES AEC for Training
>
> ______________________________________________________________
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Phil Kane-2

Re: Eclipse logistics and em-comm nets?

On 8/18/2017 6:52 PM, Dan Presley wrote:

> Up here in Portland there’s so far no ARES mass callout.

I can't speak for Portland or Multnomah County but here in Washington
County (next county west, home of Nike and Intel and others) assignments
have been all given out at meetings, by e-mail messages, Winlink
messages, and on nets (including those whose operators use Elecraft
equipment). We're ready.--

73 de K2ASP - Phil Kane
Elecraft K2/100 s/n 5402

Member, Washington County, OR
Emergency Communications Team
ARES/RACES AEC for Training

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Mike KS7D

Re: Eclipse logistics and em-comm nets?

Same here in Jefferson County, OR.

Mike
Sent from my iPhone
www.ks7d.com
@ks7d

> On Aug 18, 2017, at 7:36 PM, Phil Kane <[hidden email]> wrote:
>
>> On 8/18/2017 6:52 PM, Dan Presley wrote:
>>
>> Up here in Portland there’s so far no ARES mass callout.
>
> I can't speak for Portland or Multnomah County but here in Washington
> County (next county west, home of Nike and Intel and others) assignments
> have been all given out at meetings, by e-mail messages, Winlink
> messages, and on nets (including those whose operators use Elecraft
> equipment). We're ready.--
>
> 73 de K2ASP - Phil Kane
> Elecraft K2/100 s/n 5402
>
> Member, Washington County, OR
> Emergency Communications Team
> ARES/RACES AEC for Training
>
> ______________________________________________________________
> Elecraft mailing list
> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
> Post: mailto:[hidden email]
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Bob Nielsen-4

Re: Eclipse logistics and em-comm nets?

In reply to this post by k6dgw

Suppose they gave an eclipse and nobody came.

It would take an upgrade to make Godzilla a B-movie.

73, Bob N7XY

On 8/18/17 5:12 PM, Fred Jensen wrote:

> Jeez Ron, it sounds like the intro to one of those B-grade disaster
> movies from my childhood. No one knows if Godzilla will show up. The
> eclipse likely won't extend past the normal attention span of a
> teenager ... then everyone needs to leave and return home. I do hope
> the hams are ready if needed.
>
> OH, forgot ... there are those who take offense at calling Godzilla a
> B-movie. I am truly sorry and I apologize.
>
> 73,
>
> Fred ["Skip"] K6DGW
> Sparks NV DM09dn
> Washoe County
>
> On 8/18/2017 11:57 AM, Ron D'Eau Claire wrote:
>> Other than I-5, Oregon's highways are one lane each way with few
>> exceptions in more built up areas. As Eclipse viewers arrive, the
>> roads fill up fast. Local news reported that one town in the eastern
>> Willamette Valley had a 30 mile long bumper-to-bumper back up
>> yesterday. I-5 should be moving at least.
>>
>> Here in Newport on the central Oregon coast (within the band of
>> "totality"), traffic is heavy and growing worse by the day. People
>> are being reminded that they may NOT camp on the beaches. Besides, we
>> should have record high tides caused by the sun and moon tides
>> converging on eclipse day. Many beaches will be under water. Lodging
>> and camps are at full capacity. In spite of visitors being warned
>> they will be fined, we expect to find roadsides that have any space
>> and parking lots everywhere filled with campers and trailers. During
>> the eclipse we expect to find vehicles just stopping in the road to
>> watch, oblivious to the fact it stops traffic for as long as they sit
>> there (that already happens from time to time every summer when
>> people stop in the middle of the highway, get out of their vehicles,
>> and take pictures (sigh...).
>>
>> The local telephone services are installing many hundreds of portable
>> "towers" to augment the regular cell towers. Even so, I won't be
>> surprised if Wayne is correct: Amateur Radio may be the most reliable
>> communications system.
>>
>> Also, hundreds of additional ambulances are on scene to handle more
>> emergencies, although whether they will be able to get where they
>> need to go is in doubt. Many roads have NO shoulders where people can
>> pull over. A deep drainage ditch runs down each side of most rural
>> roads just off the edge of the pavement.
>>
>> A number of helicopter ambulances are arriving to help where
>> emergency vehicles cannot reach.
>>
>> National Guard personnel are being dispatched to help with traffic in
>> various locations and they have better off-road vehicles for places
>> where the highways are jammed.
>>
>> One major concern locally is on the morning of the 21st when people
>> here discover the sky is overcast (as it usually is on the coast this
>> time of year- at least until noon) they will try to head east along
>> US20, one lane each way through the 3,000 foot coastal mountains, to
>> reach cloudless skies.
>>
>> Gas prices up over a dollar ($3.25 yesterday) and are sure to
>> continue to rise as long as the pumps don't run dry. Gas is delivered
>> from over the coastal mountains and it's likely that no new
>> deliveries are being made before the crowds dissipate.
>>
>> Similarly, grocery store shelves are emptying out and may not be
>> restocked before the eclipse.
>>
>> Our local water company is concerned about handling the load imposed
>> by having 5 or 10 times the normal number of people using it. They
>> recommend storing extra water now.
>>
>> Overall the emergency services point out that this is a great test of
>> our readiness for the anticipated "Cascadia event" that we train for
>> regularly including strong earthquakes, tsunami and no passable
>> highways for several days at least.
>>
>> That may be, but August 22nd will be a great relief!
>>
>> 73, Ron AC7AC
>>
>
> ______________________________________________________________
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Graham Kimbell

Re: Eclipse logistics and em-comm nets?

In reply to this post by k6dgw

Interesting geography lesson from all the comments. I saw the eclipse
(I think it was in 1999) in France and it was great. I took a telescope
and projected the image onto some card - that was a hit with the
locals. The French police stopped all the traffic on the autoroutes,
fearing someone would try to watch it whilst driving, or be unable to
adapt to the darkness. No problems apart from some cloud.

Enjoy the day!
Graham
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