Check in ...East Coast BLACKOUT

On Sat, 16 Aug 2003 18:46:20 GMT, Robert Perkins
wrote:

On Fri, 15 Aug 2003 19:11:16 GMT, "Dave Stadt"
wrote:

One government nit wit gave out a WEB address on a news program for those
without power to log onto to get status of the problem. Announcer made a
comment about the guy being out of touch with reality and dumped the phone
line.
Uh... modern laptops connected to a land telephone line would have had
at least 4 hours of battery life for a careful user to shepherd all
the way through the crisis, to get updates.

But an AM or shortwave radio would have lasted much much longer.

Although the telephone companies use DC and *HUGE* battery banks there
were several that did go down.

I wonder how they backup the cell towers and how long the will stay up
without the power lines.

Of the modern countries the US is ranked as the lowest when it comes
to cell phones as the primary phone.

Roger Halstead (K8RI EN73 & ARRL Life Member)
www.rogerhalstead.com
N833R World's oldest Debonair? (S# CD-2)

Rob

"Robert Perkins" wrote in message
...
On Fri, 15 Aug 2003 19:11:16 GMT, "Dave Stadt"
wrote:

One government nit wit gave out a WEB address on a news program for those
without power to log onto to get status of the problem. Announcer made a
comment about the guy being out of touch with reality and dumped the
phone
line.
Uh... modern laptops connected to a land telephone line would have had
at least 4 hours of battery life for a careful user to shepherd all
the way through the crisis, to get updates.

Uh.....as they watched their solar powered TVs to get the WEB address.

But an AM or shortwave radio would have lasted much much longer.

Only if powered by batteries and fresh ones at that.

Rob

On Sat, 16 Aug 2003 23:38:39 GMT, "Dave Stadt"
wrote:

Uh... modern laptops connected to a land telephone line would have had
at least 4 hours of battery life for a careful user to shepherd all
the way through the crisis, to get updates.

Uh.....as they watched their solar powered TVs to get the WEB address.

Doh! Hadn't thought of that one. Proves how ubiquitous all this stuff
is...

OK, I give. The gummint rep wasn't thinking clearly, unless he was
making a nationwide announcement so we voyeurs out west could watch
the train wreck without calling into an agency's office?

Nah.

Rob

Roger Halstead wrote:

Of the modern countries the US is ranked as the lowest when it comes
to cell phones as the primary phone.

That's because we have the most advanced landline system.

George Patterson
Brute force has an elegance all its own.

"G.R. Patterson III" wrote in message
...


Wizard of Draws wrote:

I'm only getting half of my normal allotment of SPAM. Sliver lining and
all that.

I've been told that much of the telemarketing business is located in
Toronto,
which was affected by the blackout. Wonder if it's a big center for spam
generators?

Indeed, it's guesses that 90% of SPAM now originates offshore, with Canada,
China and Brazil being the worst players.

"Tom S." wrote:

When I was stationed in Germany in the early 70's, a phone was about $100 a
month and long distance was pretty much out of the question. LD calls had to
go through the operator. When I got back, the phone was $11 a month. Wonder
what it costs now.

They privatized the phone system in the 90's. It may or may not be cheaper,
but it's easier for German people to get a phone now than it used to be. The
Indian phone system is still a nightmare, however. Cell or satellite is the
only real option there.

George Patterson
Brute force has an elegance all its own.

"G.R. Patterson III" wrote in message
...


Roger Halstead wrote:

Of the modern countries the US is ranked as the lowest when it comes
to cell phones as the primary phone.

That's because we have the most advanced landline system.

George Patterson

I was in Ecquador a couple of years ago, and they have payphones sprinkled
around the country that have cell antennas right on the booth. Even more of
a surprise was the company sponsoring them. None other than "southern bell"
right down to the very emblem I get on my phone bill!
--
Jim in NC--

Montblack wrote:
Check in when you get back up and running.

I'm checking in now, Saturday night, having just got back up and running.

Actually, my power was only out for 20 hours or so, but my Internet
connection was gone for another 30 after that.

- awh

"Roger Halstead" wrote in message
I wonder how they backup the cell towers and how long the will stay up
without the power lines.

You ever notice those little "dog houses" that sit beside the tower? It
houses a generator. Usually powered by natural gas so it's fuel supply is
virtually limitless.

--
Jim Fisher

On Sat, 16 Aug 2003 16:09:20 -0500, Jim Herring
wrote:

Electric companies
outside the state have tried to get the Feds to force connection because
the grid is so big it they believe it should be under control of the
Feds. Hasn't happened, yet.

Hey, as long as the lines don't cross the state border, I say don't
mess with Texas.

California should try it. Then their foolish crises wouldn't affect
the entire Western United States. Seen my power bill just about double
since Enron played its idiot games with us all.

Rob