Handiham World for 31 October 2012

Welcome to Handiham World.

Happy Halloween! 

Halloween falls on e-letter day, so Jasper and I just have to wish you all a happy Halloween!  We have moved our office from Camp Courage back to Courage Center.  Moving day was yesterday, October 30. 
Of course the really big news is the storm damage on the East Coast.
I've noticed the same things happen every time there is a widespread emergency like this one:

1. There are always people in the general public who are not prepared, either because they do not hear the warnings or do not heed them.
2. It still surprises people when public transportation and communications infrastructure cease to function.
3. A core of dedicated amateur radio operators remains ready to provide alternate communications. This is sometimes a surprise to the general public and even to politicians who should know better.

In recent weeks we have reminded our readers and listeners about how important it is to have the basics ready on short notice. I'm not going to rehash that here and now, but I do want to be sure that all of us treat every disaster like this one as a learning experience. As amateur radio operators, we are far more likely than the general public to be paying attention to the news and know of approaching weather, especially tropical storms and large weather systems that may spawn flooding rainfalls, blizzards, or tornados.  I hope that this storm has not caught you off guard and that all of our Handiham friends stay safe and sound, high and dry!

Photo courtesy Dr. Dave Justis, KN0S, Wicomico, VA:   "I have turned the beam off to the SW as the winds are now shifting.. Listen up at 14.325 on the Hurricane net."  The York dock near the KN0S QTH is pictured here. The photo was sent to me on Monday as Sandy was approaching Virginia, traveling north through the Atlantic. 
Email me at handiham@couragecenter.org with your questions & comments.   
Patrick Tice, WA0TDA
Handiham Manager