I just rented "The Trigger Effect" last night - you might remember when the guy turned on the radio after the power went out, all he got was static. Now, I know we have emergency radio in this country - but if there is no power, and if you do not have a ham radio, is there any way to access reports of what is going on? Suppose you're at home at January 2nd, with no power, and you're trying to figure out what to do - if there are riots and looting, or if martial law has been declared, how would we know this?

-- Scarlett (creolady@aol.com), May 20, 1999

Answers

I'd recomend just staying at home, until the lights come back on. If, however the worst case happens(as I think it MIGHT...) then just stay there until you are forced to leave because of threats. Your home would be the safest spot, unless you are in danger from the government or rioters. Again this is just IMHO. :)

-- Crono (Crono@timesend.com), May 20, 1999.

If a brick comes through your window followed by a looter, then there are riots.

If a brick comes through your window followed by a National Guardsman, you are under martial law.

At least that's my experience.

-- Doug (douglasjohnson@prodigy.net), May 20, 1999.

You should purchase a shortwave radio and listen to the ham bands. These guys and gals will keep us all up to date on just what's happening and where.

LM

-- LM (latemarch@usa.net), May 20, 1999.

Most big AM stations will be on the air if the power goes out. They have backup to broadcast for several days to several weeks. Call your local and ask how long they can stay on the air if the power goes out.

-- FLAME AWAY (BLehman202@aol.com), May 20, 1999.

I had similar thoughts about all the panicky talk of houses repossed when the banks make mistakes....Excuse me? No power,...those folks will barely be able to open the office doors, let alone pull together electronically-driven computer data in order to make trouble for loan holders.

Yes. Get a battery radio,...a Baygen. There will be news, even if no film at Eleven! Keep your eyes open, and your ear to the rail. Humans do have the capacity to know things, even when the talking heads stop talking.

-- Donna (moment@pacbell.net), May 20, 1999.

First, get a battery powered "weather radio", the kind that "alerts" on severe weather. I just learned last week that the old "emergency broadcast network" is no more. The government now only provides disaster alerts and national-event warnings on this device.

Get one. Soon.

BTW, my "alternative" power is installed and running. I can last weeks "off the grid". Add 400 gallons of fresh water, 6 months' food, and a Berkefeld filter, and the family is "good to go".

Dennis

-- Dennis (djolson@pressenter.com), May 20, 1999.

It will be the dead of winter in most of the U.S. When was the last time you heard a riot break out when the temperature fell below freezing? Rioters, like Miami football teams, don't play well in cold weather.

Regards,

-- Mr. Decker (kcdecker@worldnet.att.net), May 20, 1999.

You need a battery-operated police scanner and a solar-powered battery charger. Looks as if you're from NO, probably need an 800 frequency scanner. Search the web for "Scanner frequencies," see if you can find out. Or ask your local Radio Shack--they have a house version of the TrunkTrackr. But also check TT prices on web, may get a better deal, when you consider what accessories are included.

-- Old Git (anon@spamproblems.com), May 20, 1999.

But Mr. Decker, don't you know that moving around will keep you warm? :)

-- (cannot-say@this.time), May 20, 1999.

I think that the powers that be are fearful something big is gonna happen. I'm a paramedic and we've been told no leave the last two weeks of the year and till further notice. The police depts. around the state have already adapted this as policy. When I first learned of this I posted it here and the reponse was amazing. All kinds of "Lurkers" that you never dreamed of came out of the woodwork. Nurses, nurses husbands, all hands reporting the same. No time off end of year period! I even got private reply e-mails from people too scared to post here but reported the same thing. From Florida to Oregon and the more I think about it the more inclined to beleive there is a behind the scenes effort to quietly get staff ready for something-and I'm not talking aboput just wild New Years parties.

I would just say stay home.

-- Johnny (jljtm@bellsouth.net), May 20, 1999.

I've always wondered about how much radio stations depend on computers and embedded systems to be able to broadcast. If those systems go down then is there a way to get around them?

Mike ====================================================================

-- Michael Taylor (mtdesign3@aol.com), May 20, 1999.

Honestly, if it gets that bad, I'm not sure any information you will get will be reliable anyway. I don't know why a television station would continue to broadcast, even on backup power, if the power was off to all of its viewing area. Maybe they would.

Reporters aren't going to be out in the street doing shortwave radio broadcasts. In this scenario, breaking news is more likely to be anecdotal and unsubstantiated rumors.

I've purchased the windup BayGen shortwave radio, but I don't know how useful it will be during the first couple of days.

One thing I intend to do is to follow the New Year's Eve celebrations as they are televised around the world that day. If communications, power, etc. are collapsing overseas during the 17 hours prior to midnight Eastern Time, you'll know it. If England goes black, be very afraid.

-- Doug (douglasjohnson@prodigy.net), May 20, 1999.

Thank y'all for your usual excellent advice.

Mr. Decker, as Old Git said, I am in New Orleans - it's quite often 70 degrees in January, so rioting is a very big possibility. We do plan to stay home and "hunker down".

Johnny - Your post was very interesting, and scary. This is even more of a reason to have some form of communication.

Thanks again! :-)

-- Scarlett (creolady@aol.com), May 20, 1999.

Hopefully, I can pick up something on my Baygen.

-- Tim (pixmo@pixelquest.com), May 20, 1999.

Dennis,

I just learned last week that the old "emergency broadcast network" is no more. The government now only provides disaster alerts and national-event warnings on this device.

Whoever told you that was badly misinformed. The old "EBS" system has been REPLACED by a new "EAS" system -- and it is still considered the primary means of disseminating information in the event of an emergency.

In fact, even in today's de-regulated radio environment, there are a few things that the FCC will rake you over the coals for -- and improperly-operating tower lights and EAS equipment top that short list.

Haven't you heard the tests (which are still done on a regular basis)? The tones are uglier-sounding, because they're actually digital data bursts (sortof like the packet radio that Hams use).

To the original poster: most radio stations, particularly the Primary and Secondary EAS originators (typically 100,000 watt FMs in major cities, such as ours), have backup generators. If you're worried about the other equipment, don't be. The way most of us do it, when we buy a new piece of equipment, we leave the old one in the rack for backup. I have backup EVERYTHING: several ways to get our signals to the transmitters, spare transmitters, backup studios, you name it. :)

Not all stations have generators, and would go off the air. But the Primaries and Secondaries will be on and will stay on for some time even with no power from the utilities.

Of course, if the power stays out for more than a week or two, it's possible they could run out of fuel. But in that event, I would humbly submit that not being able to hear the radio would be the least of your worries. :)

-- Stephen M. Poole, CET (smpoole7@bellsouth.net), May 20, 1999.

Riots as warfare is a localized thing in today's society.

You may have a riot downtown but the burbs will be quiet. I remember during the last LA (Rodney King) riots that we had friends that were going to LA no matter what, they would just "steer clear" of the danger spots... When a friend of mine and his family went to Malasia this winter they said the same thing...Go in, get away from the airport and things were fine...

It makes me wonder if the movie "Trigger Effect" was saying something other than TEOTWAWKI... It happens for individuals first... Society unravels slowly idividual by individual... Then if it can not rebound we meet MAD MAX, but even in Mad Max the humans survive....

I think the most salient comment is if you are prepared and can stay at home for several weeks with out "the GRID, Power water, heat, gas, sewer) the only riot that you will need to worry about will come through your front window...

Keep the faith,

Helium

-- helium (heliumavid@yahoo.com), May 20, 1999.

Scarlett,

I lived in New Orleans for a long time, near the universities and also Julia Place. (My son lives in Mandeville.) New Orleans is NOT a safe place to be during the best of times, as you know, let alone if there is the slightest risk of a problem, like a hurricane or Y2K.

We have warm winters in North Carolina too, but not as warm as New Orleans! Roses still blooming at Christmas was an occasional treat and a pre-New Year's cocktail on the patio at Napoleon House was a favorite custom. New Orleans will always be my second home!

Diane has kindly agreed to accept mail from you for me if you wish to write to me:

"Diane J. Squire" sacredspaces@yahoo.com

-- Old Git (anon@spamproblems.com), May 20, 1999.

Move to where there are too few people to have a riot, and you won't have to worry about riots.

-- MinnesotaSmith (y2ksafeminnesota@hotmail.com), May 20, 1999.

You can get an inexpensive CB radio like I did for $40. It will be useful to stay in contact with neighbors and people in nearby areas, usually within 5 miles or so.

-- @ (@@@.@), May 20, 1999.

Stephen Poole: "Of course, if the power stays out for more than a week or two, it's possible they could run out of fuel. But in that event, I would humbly submit that not being able to hear the radio would be the least of your worries. :) "

That's why people are preparing, Stephen.

-- Johnny (JLJTM@BELLSOUTH.NET), May 20, 1999.

As is often stated, nobody knows; but I *predict*

All over America there will be destructive disturbances on New Year's Eve of the type that we see every time a pro team wins a championship.

Does that constitute a riot? I think the answer is yes for those whose businesses are sacked.

I am also concerned that we will see widespread arson of the sort Detroit suffered for years the night before Halloween.

-- GA Russell (garussell@russellga.com), May 20, 1999.

I have participated in various Ham Radio emergency nets for quite a while. Skywarn, Satern(Salvation Army Emergency Radio Net) and ARES, the Amateur Radio Emergency Service.

To reinforce what Old Git has posted, a scanner is a very good way to monitor your Police, FEMA, and other law enforcement agencies. It is also useful to monitor the water, gas and electric crews. During disaters, the utility workers are a super source of real time info on conditions. You can also monitor news choppers for unedited feeds to your local TV stations.

Local Ham Emergency Nets usually use repeaters that have alternate power sources and stations reorting in are also on alternate power. Some 2 meter FM nets are connected to links with long haul HF band nets for wide area coverage.

When your in a disaster situation, information is vital to avoid the stress of creating much worse scenarios in your own mind.

Bruce

-- Bruce (bwblanchard@ems.att.com), May 21, 1999.

"It will be the dead of winter in most of the U.S. When was the last time you heard a riot break out when the temperature fell below freezing? Rioters, like Miami football teams, don't play well in cold weather." - Mr. Decker.

In fact, crime does seem to decrease during cold weather, especially very cold weather. I've seen the statistics in the past. As for riots early in the crisis and on a blistery cold day, I really don't expect these kinds of riots unless the grocery stores aren't replenished and the National Guard fails miserably to transport and distribute food.

However, you will know of nearby riots by the gray-black smoke in the skies. Based on my Los Angeles experience, black smoke denotes a fire is raging and gray smoke may denote that the fire has been controlled. If the fires are in your block, the smoke will be hard to miss. You will find yourself in it. Stay cool and wet down the roof and trees.

Sincerely, Stan Faryna

-- Stan Faryna (info@giglobal.com), May 21, 1999.

If this new years evil is anything like the last couple here in the sometimes frozen north coast, it ain't gonna be that cold, either.

C

-- Chuck, a night driver (rienzoo@en.com), May 21, 1999.

If you have a coat, and have no water or food, are you going to stay where you are? Don't think so! I submit that most of the people here in the north do have coats, gloves, and hats.

-- FLAME AWAY (BLehman202@aol.com), May 21, 1999.

just look out for West Ham or Chelsea shirts...

-- Andy (2000EOD@prodigy.net), May 21, 1999.

You can look to many instances in the past about nature of rioting when the power is off. During the San Fran earthquake in 92 (93?), the power was out yet the people network worked very well. I couldn't phone into the city but my husband was able to phone me and let me know what was going on; no riots. During the more recent earthquake, we in the US seemed to know about the riots taking place.

I agree with Mr. Decker, riots don't happen in the middle of winter. I've mentioned a few times that I'm from a high crime area in Phila and I've seen riots break out on many occasions. Rioters don't need an excuse to riot, they just do when the rubberband gets stretched too tight. The power outages in New York led to many in areas that are prone to riots. Normal people do not riot just because the power is out. If your area has seen riots in the past, then they will continue to riot no matter if there's power or not, empty store shelves or not. If your area hasn't seen riots in the past, chances are you won't see them on 1/1/00.

I guess we'll see as it begins at the international date line.

-- Maria (anon@ymous.com), May 21, 1999.

The Millennium hype will be strong and the stories of whether there will be doom or not will saturate the media leading up to 1/1/2000. If the lights go out in a single major city, looting will begin in the inner city unless a storm is in progress. The rubber band will already be tight.

-- Doug (douglasjohnson@prodigy.net), May 21, 1999.

HAM radio is generally very reliable; these folks do yeoman's work in an emergency, and they don't get enough credit for it. The EAS network is also very reliable, and ditto.

But I have to be honest -- speaking as someone with quite a few years of experience -- I _don't_ recommend relying on a CB radio in an emergency. They're just too unreliable.

The FCC gave the 11-meter band to CB radio primarily because no one else wanted it. It's the noisiest, junkiest band on the air; it's subject to wildly-varying and unpredictable skip, and to top it all off, it's AM, which means noise and interference can make it unlistenable at times.

If you do go with the CB, try to get a SSB rig; that'll help. But don't be surprised if, at times, you're unable to talk more than a few city blocks -- particularly when sunspot activity is high. You'd have to use a (highly illegal) linear just to talk a mile or so.

(The natural emissions of the Sun are strongest in the 11-meter band, too, adding to the fun!)

If you're that interested, become a HAM. The equipment is better, the people are more professional, and it's FAR more reliable.

-- Stephen M. Poole, CET (smpoole7@bellsouth.net), May 21, 1999.

Two true stories: in 1968 I was living on the 5th floor of an apartment building near the main medical center in Memphis. After Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. was killed, I could see ouf of my window flames in three parts of town. A friend with a scanner called me up and let me listen to his scanner live on the phone. A scanner will be invaluable, and the post about utility crews is on target. But it will help very much if you already have the frequencies of interest programmed.

In 1989 I was just leaving work on the San Francisco peninsula when the Loma Prieta hit. The spookiest part was the total silence on both AM and FM bands. After about 5 minutes KSGO got on the air and asked folks to call in with damage reports. After I got home, I was able to make ONE phone call out before the phone system crashed from overload., It was 36 hrs before I could call out. I suspect that the phone system will crash New Year's Evil simply from overload.

My recommendation: get a really really good digital SW, with memory to hold frequencies. It MUST have single sideband, as most hams use single sideband. You need a whopping good antenna, many hams only run 100 watts. Be sure to disconnect the antenna when not listening. Consider keeping the radio in a Faraday box when not in use. If the radio uses 12 V DC, then you can run it off the car battery if need be.

On New Year's evil I plan to have a Sw listening party, with everyone in the house scanning the bands as rollover hits Australia. I agree that CB is of only very limited use.

-- Tennessean (holladayl@aol.com), May 21, 1999.

Thanks again everyone for all of this great advice! :-)

-- Scarlett (creolady@aol.com), May 21, 1999.

Mike,

I've always wondered about how much radio stations depend on computers and embedded systems to be able to broadcast.

We depend on them heavily. In fact, our industry has always been among the first to use the latest technology (after the military, of course(g)).

I was working with microprocessors back when the 4-bit 4004 processor was state of the art, and 256 bytes of memory was considered a gracious plenty for a control application. (Long-term storage was provided via tape(g).)

(Back in the late 70's, a then-little-known guy named Wang sent me a digital delay unit to evaulate for talk-show use ... it featured a whopping 3.5 second delay, and cost several thousand dollars! :)

Our audio processor is state-of-the-art; it uses all-digital processing and all that fancy stuff. It's Y2K Ready.

In fact, most of the systems that we use are NOT date-sensitive. Some machines have minor Y2K issues: after 2000, the dates may not display or print out correctly. But otherwise, they'll function normally (I've tested them, of course).

My transmitters, which are top of the line units, contain no date-sensitive circuitry at all.

The only things that might be at risk are the usual: accounting systems and digital audio stuff, which are PC-based. For these, we've done the standard fixes: vendor-supplied patches, etc. (Novell(tm) has long since addressed Y2K and mailed the patch to us a few months ago.)

But even if these systems were to fail, we could stay on the air. We have complete backup systems that regress by generations. Worst case, I'd hook a mike mixer straight up the exciter and we'd talk a lot!

(Unless you'd like to sing? We're holding auditions next week .. .(g))

-- Stephen M. Poole, CET (smpoole7@bellsouth.net), May 21, 1999.

PS - let me clarify something that I said above. I said that "most" stations have backup generators; I should have said MANY MAJOR-MARKET stations. The small-town jobbies may not have such facilities.

-- Stephen M. Poole, CET (smpoole7@bellsouth.net), May 21, 1999.

Johnny,

That's why people are preparing, Stephen.

Of course, and I'll never criticize anyone for doing that. Each person must evaluate his/her situation and make those preparations that they deem prudent and necessary.

In my case -- among other things -- it means that I can forget about taking a nice vacation over the weekend of Dec 31, 1999 ... just in case we missed something, and I need to make a quick trip to the tower shack!!! :)

-- Stephen M. Poole, CET (smpoole7@bellsouth.net), May 21, 1999.