🚀 go-pugleaf

I thought this X-posting might be relevant.
>
> On 16 Sep 98. Ed Carp wrote:
>
>>>This also assumes that the cell network was functioning properly, if at
all.
>>>Someone from the area or chasing that storm might want to chime in about
>>>that.  During the Jarrell, TX event, the cell phone network failed
miserably
>>>either due to direct hits on equipment or overloading network resources
>>>(more likely the latter).  Lon Curtis and I tried several times to
>>>communicate via cell phones with little success that afternoon/evening.  I
>>>caution those folks who choose to use cell phones in/after such events to
>>>pass along information without any other means of cummunication.  Perhaps
>>>cell phones will work the majority of such events, but don't count on it
>>>100% of the time.  A nice supplement to your cell phone might be an amateur
>>>radio license!!
>
>The cell network was operational in Williamson/Bell counties (at least the
"B" carriers) until the Jarrell TOR struck. Cellular blockage became
exacerbated after the event due to a massive failure of the Williamson
County public safety communications system. This system is a ten channel800
MHz Motorola trunked system with wide band digital microwave links between
the control point and two diversity sites. The main site is located at the
Motorola site east of I 35 on the easterly extension of FM 1431. My company
has NPCS equipment at this communications facility and I have seen the
county's equipment, as the main phone demarc is located in the same
building as the trunking racks. The diversity site, which automatically
takes over in the event of a master site failure, is located several miles
away. Both of these sites use extremely large Bogner gain antennas, which
have very pronounced wind loading characteristics. It is awesome to stand
under a tower and watch Bogners " DO THE SHIMMY " under even 20 to 30 knot
winds.
>
>At about 1530 local time, a wind gust at the diversity site introduced a
lateral thrusting moment in the RX Bogner that SNAPPED A TWO INCH COLD
ROLLED PIPE that the antenna was mounted on. The antenna blew off of the
tower (mounted at about 500' AGL) and sailed downwind about 250 meters. The
slave site controller would then shut down this site, sensing the antenna
loss, and report a failure through the microwave link to the master site.
>
>The master site faithfully continued all of the Williamson Co. public
safety communications until a lightning strike at or near the facility
silenced the master site. The site controller, I was told, got cooked and
did not FAIL SOFT to a conventional repeater mode. Public safety
communications in Williamson Co. were then limited to low power 800 MHz
simplex from ground level, a few hundred meters range, and cell phones.
This condition continued until the Motorola repair personnel could replace
the failed components. (I BET THAT WAS HOT SWAP!)
>
>This loss of PS communications no doubt contributed to the cellular
blockage on both "A" and "B" systems. When you think of all the people who
were trying to ascertain the fate of loved ones and property with AMPS,
then no doubt there was a continuing problem. I was able to chat with the
channel 26 satellite truck several times during my chase. It usually took
at least 7 or 8 tries to get a connection however.
>
>This failure mode, albeit an uncommon one, only underscores the importance
of amateur radio in emergency communications, particularly when different
agencies cannot communicate due to equipment differences. Amateurs provided
essential communications before, during, and after this disaster.
IMHO,there is nothing more important besides the proper training for
safety's sake, then having an amateur license and dual band transceiver
when chasing/spotting SVR WX.
>
>I wonder what the communications consultant/company said to the sheriff
and Williamson County commissioners when confronted about, "The situation
that would never happen!".
>

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