WSEM281

I have started a Facebook group for those interested in joining. The group name is Stafford County GMRS Radio. I hope you will consider joining me as we build a more connected community through GMRS. Best regards, - WSEM281

216, you could conduct an assessment. Determine the likelihood of a communications failure in your community and if anyone benefits from having an alternative method of communication to contact neighbors and family members nearby; the winter storm of 2022 is a great place to start as it paralyzed much of our infrastructure, including cellular and landline phones. As the result of that storm my elderly parents who live 4 doors down, now have the ability to communicate with me during communications outages with a simple bubblepack GMRS radio and a simplified plan to check in, in the event of an emergency. I'm attempting to advocate for others to do the same. Learning to prepare for any emergency situation is absolutely crucial to our community's resilience during a disaster. Through the previous experiences with summer and winter storms that impacted communications, we have developed a method to mitigate these issues, based on what we have learned. I think what 649 is doing will greatly improve the footprint of communication as well. I look forward to building a partnership with others so we can overcome community emergencies, should we become a community united during a disaster. - WSEM281

Greetings, I hope you will find this topic valuable. I, like few others want to know if help is out there should communication be non-existent via cellular or landline phone during a natural disaster resulting in an extended grid failure. The scenario and my situation: I am unable to access the Vista Woods repeater due to various obstacles and obstructions from my home location near Ramoth Church but wish to attempt contact with others nearby should the situation arise that I cannot use my phone. I am requesting that we establish Vista Woods Tac on simplex using the same receive frequency and tone; users could monitor this for distress calls. I hope others will benefit from a mesh network of simplex users within the undetermined coverage area perhaps from American Legion Road, Mountain View, Ramoth, Roseville, Garrisonville, Shelton Shop, and other nearby locations or within a set boundary. A relay from radio to radio could even prove essential for those without access to a phone network. Opinions and input kindly appreciated! - WSEM281

Discuss non-emergency protocol to assist neighbors via simplex radio operation during extended grid failure or natural disaster

Negative from my location 216, I'm about 3 miles E/SE of the repeater and keep my scanner parked on GMRS, no longer hearing traffic on the repeater from my location. We can try a check-in around 6:00pm occasionally on simplex 17/.600 with a tone of 156.7. Distance and obstructions may hinder our ability to get out but it's worth a shot to determine if we can talk without the repeater, assuming we are within range of each other

Finally able to hit the repeater from my yard this afternoon. Spotty on my end but other traffic was heard clear, however I'm not getting through to the other user (static and white noise heard by other user). Between system improvements and foliage thinning, it has made a difference, at least from my location. -WSEM281

Tried to hit the repeater with the new configuration moments ago and no return from Ramoth/Stafford Airport. Probably too many obstructions between my location and the repeater. I will try to remember to take the radio with me when I need to run errands and give feedback. -WSEM281

I tried again this morning and I'm only getting 6-8% on the RSSI meter on my 5W HT from ground level. Foliage and obstructions are the likely culprit. I did however get through to the repeater and was able to hear the rebroadcast. After looking at your map, I'm slightly E/SE of Post 290 on Ramoth. Was considering putting a magnetic antenna on the roof with a mobile as a base unit but I will likely be moving in the spring so the time, money, and effort could defeat the purpose.

Looking forward to the upgrades and curious if I'll be able to reach out after you complete the new install! I've been trying for a few weeks to hit your repeater with a 5W HT from Ramoth/Stafford Airport...not much luck unless I hold the ht above my head and key up from various locations around my yard. Best regards. WSEM281