The development of the Southern Baptist Emergency Amateur Radio Service (SouthBEARS) is a result of a cooperative effort of Southern Baptist Amateur radio operators.
The mission of SouthBEARS is to provide a network of support communication services to Southern Baptist volunteer groups and affiliated agencies during commercial communication disruptions; and to handle health and welfare messages in and out of disaster areas whenever time and priorities allow. This is accomplished using the resources and talents of Christian amateur radio operators. Since disaster relief is a fluid situation, we also strive to stay fluid, and attempt to meet the needs of every disaster victim through the medium of communication. We do these things for the glory of Christ's Kingdom.
Regardless of the situation or circumstance, we strive to exhibit an attitude that is as Christ-like as humanly possible to every contact, be it peer or disaster victim. We will consistently strive to labor for Jesus under the Bible verse, "..whatsoever you did for the least of these brothers of mine, you did it for me." Matthew 25:40 NIV
In times past, the Salvation Army Team Emergency Radio Network (SATERN) have encouraged SouthBEARS to check into their nets whenever possible and when doing so, to identify ourselves as SouthBEARS members. This provides us with yet another resource, with which to accomplish our mission and goals, by utilizing existing nets managed by fellow believers.
If you are interested in becoming part of SouthBEARS, please contact the Webmaster for more information
The development of the Southern Baptist Emergency Amateur Radio Service (SouthBEARS) is a result of a cooperative effort of Southern Baptist Amateur radio operators.
The mission of SouthBEARS is to provide a network of support communication services to Southern Baptist volunteer groups and affiliated agencies during commercial communication disruptions; and to handle health and welfare messages in and out of disaster areas whenever time and priorities allow. This is accomplished using the resources and talents of Christian amateur radio operators. Since disaster relief is a fluid situation, we also strive to stay fluid, and attempt to meet the needs of every disaster victim through the medium of communication. We do these things for the glory of Christ's Kingdom.
Regardless of the situation or circumstance, we strive to exhibit an attitude that is as Christ-like as humanly possible to every contact, be it peer or disaster victim. We will consistently strive to labor for Jesus under the Bible verse, "..whatsoever you did for the least of these brothers of mine, you did it for me." Matthew 25:40 NIV
In times past, the Salvation Army Team Emergency Radio Network (SATERN) have encouraged SouthBEARS to check into their nets whenever possible and when doing so, to identify ourselves as SouthBEARS members. This provides us with yet another resource, with which to accomplish our mission and goals, by utilizing existing nets managed by fellow believers.
If you are interested in becoming part of SouthBEARS, please contact the Webmaster for more information
The development of the Southern Baptist Emergency Amateur Radio Service (SouthBEARS) is a result of a cooperative effort of Southern Baptist Amateur radio operators.
The mission of SouthBEARS is to provide a network of support communication services to Southern Baptist volunteer groups and affiliated agencies during commercial communication disruptions; and to handle health and welfare messages in and out of disaster areas whenever time and priorities allow. This is accomplished using the resources and talents of Christian amateur radio operators. Since disaster relief is a fluid situation, we also strive to stay fluid, and attempt to meet the needs of every disaster victim through the medium of communication. We do these things for the glory of Christ's Kingdom.
Regardless of the situation or circumstance, we strive to exhibit an attitude that is as Christ-like as humanly possible to every contact, be it peer or disaster victim. We will consistently strive to labor for Jesus under the Bible verse, "..whatsoever you did for the least of these brothers of mine, you did it for me." Matthew 25:40 NIV
In times past, the Salvation Army Team Emergency Radio Network (SATERN) have encouraged SouthBEARS to check into their nets whenever possible and when doing so, to identify ourselves as SouthBEARS members. This provides us with yet another resource, with which to accomplish our mission and goals, by utilizing existing nets managed by fellow believers.
If you are interested in becoming part of SouthBEARS, please contact the Webmaster for more information
[Editor’s note: This
article is included for discussion and information only. It was part of the old site. Frequency plans are in flux and are being
updated. At this time, SBDR radio
frequencies are being determined on a state-by-state (or event-to-event)
basis. Check with your state’s
Communications Coordinator or DR Director for the frequencies you should use.]
"National SOS Radio Network" ready to start, based
on millions of FRS "Family Radio Service" radios already in use plus
675,000 ham radio operators across America.
National SOS Radio Network" provides instant, reliable,
emergency communications for everyone. Designed to eliminate communication
breakdown as occurred in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. Ready to go into
operation immediately across America.
HARTFORD, CT (PRWEB) Oct 6, 2005
In the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, it's become clear
that a major contributing factor to the tragic loss of life was the near total
breakdown of communication systems. Once electricity, telephone, and cell phone
services failed, people were unable to let rescuers know of their dire
situations -- and died as a result.
What could be a simple, instant, and virtually zero-cost
solution?
"Establish a National SOS Radio Network
(www.NationalSOS.com)," says Eric Knight, CEO of UP Aerospace, Inc.
(www.upaerospace.com). "There are millions of 'Family Radio Service' or
'FRS' radios already in use by the public for camping, boating, and hiking, and
there are 675,000 licensed ham radio operators in America -- people renown and
prepared for emergency communications. The output frequencies of FRS radios are
easily received by the radio gear ham radio operators use daily. That's the
magic link in this emergency communication strategy."
Knight went on to say, "The best part of a National SOS
Radio Network is that it wouldn't require new laws or any new legislation
whatsoever. It could go into effect, today. Once the ham radio community is
made aware to listen for the public's emergency broadcasts on an FRS frequency,
the national network will be up and running. It's as simple as that."
Knight has been a ham radio operator (KB1EHE) for over 30
years. To help spread the word about his idea to fellow hams, he said he plans
to approach the Amateur Radio Relay League ("ARRL", www.arrl.org),
the national membership association for amateur radio operators. Knight said,
"The ARRL is a wonderful organization. They knit the ham radio community
into a network that fosters education, technology experimentation, and
emergency preparedness and assistance. With a positive word from the ARRL, the
National SOS Radio Network could spring to life immediately."
FRS radios don't require an operator license, can be used by
anyone of any age, and are available for as little as $14 at all large
retailers, such as Wal-Mart. FRS radios can broadcast 2 to 8 miles, depending
on terrain. And there are ham radio operators in nearly every community in
America. (To see how many ham radio operators are in any city or town, visit
www.qrz.com/i/names.html and type in a zip code.)
According to Knight's proposed National SOS Radio Network
plan, ham radio operators would rapidly relay the public's emergency needs to
local and state authorities -- such as police and fire departments -- as well
as to national rescue and relief agencies. As a natural extension of the
National SOS Radio Network, all elements of government could also incorporate
FRS radios into their communications systems -- for direct, immediate links to
the public's emergency situations.
"In times of
public crisis, the basic recommendation is for citizens to set their FRS radios
on Channel 1 and transmit their emergency needs, and for ham radio operators to
tune their receivers to 462.5625 MHz, the frequency that corresponds to FRS
Channel 1," said Knight. "Specific operational details will evolve as
the National SOS Radio Network gains awareness. To get the ball rolling, we've
posted some operational ideas on a Web site we created: www.NationalSOS.com. We
look forward to the ARRL's ideas and feedback, too."
"With the simple addition of a low-cost FRS radio to an
emergency preparedness kit, a family in distress could literally reach out to
the world -- and get the help they need," said Knight. "I can't
imagine a more powerful tool that could save so many lives."
"The National SOS Radio Network blends very well with
the overall mission of UP Aerospace," Knight added. "It's all about
broader public access for a variety of services. We pride ourselves on
providing low-cost access to space -- particularly for the nation's college and
university students. Likewise, through the National SOS Radio Network, the
public can have immediate, life-saving access to emergency and rescue
resources. It's truly a public service. We're not looking to profit from it. It
feels great to play a role at the grassroots level of America’s
communities."
SOS NETWORK
Love it or hate it..... The debate is on..
Other views, both pro and con, can be found at:
www.NationalSOS.com
http://www.prweb.com/releases/2006/5/prweb382228.htm
http://www.popularwireless.com/pra/sosmediawatch.html
[Ed. note: Links disabled for safety and security. Feel free to copy and paste.]
For reference, FRS Channel 1 is 462.5625 MHz and FRS Channel
3 is 462.6125 MHz.
