I am wondering how the mobile networks are holding in Spain (or not) and the emergency communication systems for police, firedepartements etcetera. lessons can probably be learned.
#spain #portugal #electricity #mobilenetworks #emergencycommunications
📡 Just found this great video on making a DIY adjustable J-Pole antenna by Mr. MuDs Ham Radio Time! It's affordable, easy to assemble, and perfect for classroom projects or emergency communications! 🎉
👉 Watch here: https://youtu.be/QBXRZAnvhaM) or Invidious: https://invidious.reallyaweso.me/watch?v=QBXRZAnvhaM
#HamRadio #DIY #POTA #SOTA #RadioAmateur #OutdoorAdventures #DIYProjects #PortableAntenna #EmergencyCommunications #AmateurRadio
Communications Systems Adaptations
As natural disasters intensify, our communication systems require fundamental transformation. There is an urgent need for resilient communication networks that can withstand environmental pressures. #ClimateAdaptation #CommunityResilience
Adapting Communication Systems for an Uncertain Future
The accelerating deterioration of Earth’s biosphere presents unprecedented challenges for maintaining reliable communication networks. These networks are vital not only for coordinating adaptation efforts but for sustaining the social fabric that binds communities together. As extreme weather events intensify and resource constraints grow, our communication infrastructure must evolve while ensuring essential connectivity persists (Rogers 2024).
The Vulnerability of Traditional Infrastructure
Traditional communication infrastructure faces mounting threats from climate-driven disasters. Physical damage to telephone and internet cable networks from flooding, high winds, and temperature extremes is becoming more common (Bartos and Chester 2015). This vulnerability demands innovative approaches to infrastructure design and management.
Innovative Solutions
One promising direction involves the development of mesh networks – decentralized systems that maintain connectivity even when individual nodes fail. The Commotion Wireless project demonstrates how communities can build resilient local networks with limited resources (Rey-Moreno et al. 2017). These distributed architectures prove especially valuable when centralized infrastructure succumbs to environmental stresses.
Underground infrastructure is gaining importance as above-ground systems face increasing challenges. However, even buried infrastructure must contend with soil instability, groundwater fluctuations, and temperature extremes. Recent innovations in materials science, including self-healing cables and resilient components, offer potential solutions (Zhang et al. 2019).
Emergency Communication and Low-Tech Backups
As environmental disruptions become more frequent, robust emergency communication capabilities become critical. Software-defined radio systems provide flexible emergency communications with minimal infrastructure requirements. The Amateur Radio Emergency Service exemplifies the effectiveness of volunteer-based networks during emergencies (ARRL 2022). These systems have repeatedly proven their worth during natural disasters when conventional networks fail.
Most importantly, low-tech backup systems gain value as complex infrastructure faces disruption. Shortwave and packet radio networks offer crucial redundancy when other systems fail. Communities that establish low-tech alternatives demonstrate greater resilience during infrastructure breakdowns (Thompson et al. 2020). This redundancy principle extends to power systems, where distributed renewable energy sources and advanced storage systems support critical communication nodes (Brown et al. 2020).
The Importance of Governance
The challenge extends beyond physical infrastructure to the governance frameworks that guide system development and operation. The International Telecommunication Union has developed comprehensive guidelines for climate-resilient infrastructure (ITU 2023). However, implementing these guidelines faces significant obstacles due to resource constraints and competing priorities.
Real-World Example
The community of Cordova, Alaska, has implemented a microgrid powered by renewable energy sources, coupled with a satellite-based communication system. This has allowed them to maintain communication and power during severe storms that have crippled other coastal communities. This demonstrates the effectiveness of combining innovative technologies with local resources to build resilience.
The Role of Individuals
Beyond government and organizational efforts, individual citizens can play a crucial role. Learning basic first aid, participating in community emergency response teams, and even having a hand-crank radio can contribute to overall community resilience.
Next
Successful adaptation requires a multi-layered approach combining robust physical infrastructure, distributed networks, and strong governance frameworks. We must embrace both technological innovation and proven low-tech solutions while fostering community-based resilience. The stakes couldn’t be higher – our ability to maintain communication systems will determine how effectively we can coordinate responses to mounting environmental challenges.
Conclusion
As we navigate this critical transition, every community must assess its communication vulnerabilities and develop appropriate adaptation strategies. The future may be uncertain, but our response doesn’t have to be. Through thoughtful planning and implementation of resilient communication systems, we can maintain the connections vital for human survival and adaptation in an increasingly unstable world.
References:
ARRL. 2022. Amateur Radio Emergency Service manual. American Radio Relay League, Newington.
Bartos M, Chester M. 2015. Impacts of climate change on electric power supply in the Western United States. Nature Climate Change 5: 748-752.
Brown T, et al. 2020. Response to ‘Burden of proof: A comprehensive review of the feasibility of 100% renewable-electricity systems’. Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews 128: 109917.
ITU. 2023. Guidelines on climate-resilient network infrastructure. International Telecommunication Union, Geneva.
Rey-Moreno C, et al. 2017. A telemedicine WiFi network optimized for long distances in the Amazonian jungle of Peru. International Conference on Wireless Technologies for Humanitarian Relief.
Rogers G. 2024. Silent Earth: Adaptations for Life in a Devastated Biosphere. Coldwater Press, Prescott. 333 p.
Thompson A, et al. 2020. Emergency communications during natural disasters: The role of amateur radio in disaster response. Journal of Emergency Management 18: 523-532.
Zhang S, et al. 2019. Nanomaterial-enabled self-healing cables for extreme environments. Advanced Materials 31: 1903875.
Latest Posts
#climate #ClimateChange #ClimateAdaptation #CommunityResilience #DisasterPreparedness #EmergencyCommunications #environment #InfrastructureAdaptation #news #ResilientNetworks #sustainability
Great story. It makes me concerned about the future of #emergencycommunications given the lack of #diversity of the #volunteers in #ARES and #RACES, as #climatechange and #climateemergency continues. 😟
ITU Publication: International Radio Frequencies for Disaster Relief
https://swling.com/blog/2025/01/itu-publication-international-radio-frequencies-for-disaster-relief/
Hackaday: No Ham License? Listen Anyway In Your Browser. “There’s a long history of people listening to ham radio conversations with shortwave radios, SDRs, and scanners. But with so much activity now carried on the Internet, you can listen in using nothing more than your web browser or a phone app. I’ll show you how. If you get interested enough, it is easy enough to get your license.”
https://rbfirehose.com/2025/01/17/hackaday-no-ham-license-listen-anyway-in-your-browser/
Notre Dame News: Simple changes to social media messaging can help persuade people to heed wildfire evacuation orders . “Effective communication during disasters is critical to saving lives, but getting people to heed warnings and follow evacuation orders can sometimes prove difficult. Relief organizations’ updates can inadvertently heighten fear and reduce public compliance with safety […]
When disaster strikes, amateur radio operators are the unsung heroes connecting communities and saving lives. 🌍🚨 Learn how ham radio plays a critical role in emergency communications. #AmateurRadio #DisasterResponse #EmergencyCommunications
Ham Radio Workbench Podcast Episode 221: Hurricane Helene and Emergency Prep
From the Archives: When the fertilizer hits the fan radio kit
https://swling.com/blog/2024/10/from-the-archives-when-the-fertilizer-hits-the-fan-radio-kit/
#EmergencyCommunications #EmergencyPreparedness #EmergencyRadios #JockElliottKB2GOM #RobW4ZNG
As the U.S. prepares for the 2nd MAJOR Hurricane to hit the Gulf Coast in less than a month, in my latest "Ham on a Bike" blog post, I explore the topic, "It's My Frequency" #AmateurRadio #hamRadio #EmergencyCommunications
https://hamonabike.blogspot.com/2024/10/its-my-frequency-but.html
@ai6yr Snapped a photo of the kits at work that we can ship for #EmergencyCommunications during #disasters #hamradio
#Emergency #radio #frequencies in use in #Poland and #Czechia due to #flooding, please keep them free #amateur_radio #hamradio #CB #PMR446 #EmergencyAid #EmergencyCommunications #Europe
#earthquake #volcano #naturaldisasters #hamradio #emergencycommunications
Public Service Message from the Lost Cabin Press for the New Year. If there is no phone, no internet and no help, Ham Radio will always work. No expensive massive equipment or towering antennas needed, a simple transceiver, battery, some wire, a few watts and the world will hear you. A license (in the USA) is easy and cheap to obtain. There are thousands of radio operators on 24/7 around the world that communicate daily
Coordinating Australia’s emergency response
Australia’s frameworks for emergency response have tended to focus on intra-governmental planning and response, but the new National Coordination Mechanism also embraces the capabilities of the public, private and not-for-profit sectors. #EmergencyCommunications
https://www.openforum.com.au/forums/coordinating-australias-emergency-response/
From WTOP.com: “Rate limit exceeded: Local officials find ways to inform public following Twitter usage cap”
Looks like #hamradio #amateurradio #arrlfd2023 participants will get a real chance to test out their #emergencycommunications #emcomm skills this weekend with #tropicalstorm #bret
https://twitter.com/N4JAW/status/1670912017283141633?t=-Hp-Zk-dRuw2lqQCJA6T3Q&s=09
@Byte absolutely. It's part of the "DNA" (law) that creates the ham radio service. I could find a few articles but recommend searching #emcomm #emergencycommunications with #hamradio and see what you can find. Or you can type in any weather disaster and #amateurradio and see for yourself.
#Twitter #SocialMedia #emergencies #NaturalDisasters #PublicSafety #FirstResponders #EmergencyCommunications
Associated Press: Public safety accounts urge caution on Twitter after changes
https://apnews.com/article/technology-business-c3190e0920677e905fe0952dffb96185
