“Hamland” Security: Amateur Radio’s Place in Securing the Homeland

During times of disaster, homeland security resources at all levels of government are often stretched to capacity. The whole-of-government approach involving local, county, state and federal agencies is sometimes not enough, especially in the realm of communications. That is where a dedicated group of private hobbyists, known as amateur radio operators, or “hams” as they call themselves, come into play. This community of tinkerers, experimentalists and lovers of all things radio, operate their own licensed radio stations on which they communicate with other enthusiasts around the globe.

Having family members in the ham community, I can attest firsthand to the allure this hobby has over people. As a young boy, I saw my Dad feverishly tapping out Morse code to amateurs around the world. I watched in amazement as he communicated from his basement “shop” with my brother stationed in the Philippines during the Viet Nam war.

“Hams” use a variety of methods to communicate including, voice, computer and Morse code. They are adept at bouncing their signals off the upper levels of the atmosphere, satellites or even the moon for long distance communications. Their “rigs” include simple handheld radios up to a room full of gear.

Read the Remainder at Medium

 

What it Would Really Take to Knock Out the Power Grid

As our electrical system lifts itself out of the stone age, the defense built around it will require added vigilance.

My favorite joke when I was 5 years old was, “Where will you be when the lights go out?” The answer, of course, is “in the dark,” though I used to make my very patient sister guess a bunch of other places first, which I used to think was absolutely hilarious.

We are fortunate that in this country having the lights unexpectedly go out is actually a pretty big deal, and quite rare. You don’t have to wonder whether the light will come on when you throw the switch, or if your computer will have enough power to boot up. The sodas in the fridge are always cold and our showers are always warm. It always just happens, so we more or less take it for granted.

That comfortable reliance on modern, powered conveniences is one of the things terrorists really hate about us. So, it was no surprise CNN reported this week that ISIL is trying to attack the utilities grid. The interesting thing is, the spin that federal officials were putting on the story is that the attacks have been largely unsuccessful, and that the terrorists have little capability to enact a major attack against a utility. But that is kind of a misconception based on the two different types of networks found at most utilities.

Read the Remainder at Defense One

“Thankfully There’s a Nice Tree Here….”

Rocket Scientist of the Year Award Right Here Folks:

I came across this video which tells the story of a fellow Texan near Austin (Onion Creek to be exact) getting swept away in flood water in his car this past Friday and then climbing out onto a tree through his car window and doing a LIVE phone interview with the local news station while in the tree.

I admire his quick thinking to survive, but seriously, why the phone interview? Why not just call 911?

Plus, my fellow Texans, have we not learned our lesson about driving through standing water, REGARDLESS of how much is on the road? Have not enough people died to prove this point?

Let’s Be Smart Folks. This guy will get a second chance, but a lot of people did not.

Stay Alert, Stay Off the Roads in Bad Weather and Stay Dangerous!

It’s Flooding Down in Texas….

Wanted to show all you folks what is happening to my Home State of Texas. Please say a prayer for all those suffering from this storm.

 

This is from a report by Vice News.

Heavy rains associated with the tropical depression formerly known as Hurricane Patricia swamped Texas Friday and Saturday, forcing the evacuation of some residents in at least one county, closing interstates, and causing cancellations of dozens of flights at Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport.

Flooding also carried away cars and mobile homes, while first responders have performed several water rescues after rain overtook people in their vehicles. A homeless man was reported missing in San Antonio.

Houston Chronicle reporter Dylan Baddour shared numerous videos showing roads in Austin, TX being entirely taken over by flooding.

Chopper footage from Navarro County, TX also shows that in some areas, floodwaters reached several feet in height.

Some areas, including Corsicana, Texas, saw nearly 20 inches of rain by midday Saturday. Most of the state is expected to receive at least eight inches (20 cm) of rain over the weekend, said a statement from the Texas Division of Emergency Management. Authorities in Navarro County requested sandbags for some homes that were being evacuated due to flooding, the statement said. It was not immediately clear how many homes were evacuated.

Interstate 45 in Navarro County was shut down in some spots due to rising waters, stranding some drivers, the department said.

Storms caused floods that lifted mobile homes off their foundations in Rankin, about 300 miles northwest of Austin, and caused numerous road accidents in Abilene and Odessa. Footage emerging on Wednesday showed a trailer house and an recreational vehicle drifting away in the floodwaters.

The flood waters also derailed a Union Pacific freight train in southeast Texas early Saturday morning. Flood waters covered the tracks about 55 miles south of Dallas, putting a locomotive and rail cars on their side, and the two crew members operating the train swam to safety after the derailment, Jeff DeGraff, a Union Pacific Railroad spokesman, told CNN.

The storm hit land near the area of Cuixmala, home to one of Mexico’s most exclusive resort areas, at 6:15 pm on Friday, the US National Hurricane Center said. While the storm will not directly hit the U.S., its moisture is being absorbed into a gathering storm system over Texas.

The flood watch stretches from the border with Mexico through San Antonio and into the Dallas and Houston area, a region where heavy rains and flooding in May killed more than 20 people and caused massive damage.

Stay Safe out there my Fellow Texans.

 

 

 

Natural Disaster Readiness: Are you Prepared for a Flood?

I am all about learning from disasters to better prepare for them in the future and the recent landfall of Hurricane Joaquin has provided some definite lessons. Of course most of this info is old hat for people who live in flood zones, but regardless, it is a good refresher for all of us.

• Do your Homework!

If you live in a low-lying area near a major river or coastal area, or even if you are not sure about the area you live in, I recently published an article from my friend Sam Culper at GuerrillAmerica regarding accessing Flood Plain Data.  Do your research now…Don’t neglect things like this!

• Like all Emergencies, HAVE A PLAN and PRACTICE and/or REVIEW This PLAN regularly with your family.
• It is not a bad ideal if you live in a low lying area to go ahead and  pre-select a high point of ground that you can “fallback” too in the event of a flood. Of course, depending on how bad the flooding is, no high point of ground may be high enough, but regardless, have a place like this in mind.
• Understand when you CAN and CANNOT drive a vehicle in rising waters; Some of the worst predicaments, and some fatalities, have occurred from people DRIVING in a flood. Know the vehicles limitations and don’t be stupid!
• Alternative: Purchase a Flat bottom boat with motor and know how to operate it. Make sure it can transport you and all members of your family safely.  If you are solo, or just can’t afford a boat, you can buy a canoe or kayak…do’t forget the oars (things you paddle with).
• Purchase Life Jackets for everyone and a Life Ring with at least 20 foot of rope attached. Its not a bad ideal either to go ahead and purchase a strobe beacon like one of THESE for each life jacket either. In bad weather or low visibility they could literally save your life if you fall overboard or get swept away in the current.
• Keep ALL essential and important papers in a waterproof sleeve or container.
• At first sign that you will have to evacuate, have a pre-conceived ideal what you want to save and have waterproof boxes to store them in. Understand, you wont be able to save everything and Insurance can replace most material things, so pictures and family heirlooms should be first.
• Buy and install sump pumps with back-up power.
• Have a licensed electrician raise electric components (switches, sockets, circuit breakers and wiring) at least 12″ above your home’s projected flood elevation.
• For drains, toilets, and other sewer connections, install backflow valves or plugs to prevent floodwaters from entering.
• Anchor fuel tanks which can contaminate your basement if torn free. An unanchored tank outside can be swept downstream and damage other houses.
• Store Drinkable Water Now! One of the biggest concerns for these flood victims is having no drinkable water; the flood waters collapsed the water supply and tainted it. So right now, start storing up Gallon Jugs of water. There is a plethora of information out there on this subject, but Here are a few guidelines.
• Like all Disasters, Have your BOB (Bug-Out-Bag) ready to go and stocked.

Stay Alert, Stay Armed and Stay Dangerous!