Although most 2m and 70cm FM amateur radio repeaters in North America and Europe have a tiny utilization rate (per 24/7), I understand one justification for their existence is for emergency preparedness, e.g. to be used by the amateur radio emergency organisation in the relevant country.
I’ve read some repeaters are equipped with uninterruptible power supplies (UPS), including battery backups and solar-powered systems for emergency communication whilst many others are connected to the main power grid with very limited or no extended operating times after the power cut.
For national or regional emergencies, where power outages might last for days or weeks, I’m assuming only the most rugged UPS-based repeaters will remain operating over that longer time. Does anyone know if studies have been made in N/A or EU to show what the national coverage would be for the amateur network of repeaters? Would it be very patchy after a day or two?
In general then, what support realistically can amateur radio organisations like RAYNET-UK add to professional emergency services like the UK ones using the Airwave network (based on TETRA)?
Do amateur organisations like RAYNET-UK actually not rely on repeaters but use independent radios using battery and generator power, ensuring communication continuity when power grids fail?
I can’t speak for RAYNET-UK, but the independent group which I am a member of (Taunton and Somerset RAYNET Group) has the following:
1- GB3TA - located at a critical infrastructure site, backed up by a generator. Our main repeater, which isn’t used for rag chewing. This has been tested to ensure it provides the necessary coverage in our local area, whilst also allowing us to connect them to our principal user service HQ.
2- Various deployable repeaters (I’ve lost count) which can be powered in more than one way (vehicle, standalone batteries or typical ham power supplies). These can be used for additional coverage. Analogue & digital.
3- Various masts & antennas, some of which are quite substantial to ensure they can be used in adverse weather.
4- Various pre-programmed HTs.
5- Whatever kit my fellow volunteers have (i.e. HTs, mobile rigs in their cars, etc etc).
6- Most importantly, an MOU agreed with the LA - a County of Somerset Callout Procedure so that if such a situation were to occur, we can get things up and running quickly.
We sponsor other repeaters (which get used day-to-day) however I don’t know whether they have backup power. If they did, I expect people would want to contact each other during an extended power cut which would reduce their running time.
User service communication masts will probably have backup power that lasts longer than typical mobile phone masts - but I expect they won’t last longer than 7-10 days. There has been an acute awareness of this as of late - I would assume that a ‘Plan B’ is being explored if it hasn’t already.
I hope so! They don’t seem to last much longer than a couple of hours, although that is based on my experience about 20 years ago so perhaps they have better batteries now.
We had a storm in EI last year which knocked out the TETRA system for emergency response.
Not 100% certain exactly what the workaround was but I think there was some assistance from Raynet NI and amateurs in EI for that one. There might be more information somewhere I am struggling to dig it up though, someone else may know for certain.
Repeaters in EI can get active during storms and other weather events. Nice to listen to the chatter and/or make a contact, particularly if the power is cut in residential areas, or perhaps someone might be alone and having a tough time and would perhaps appreciate a bit of company during that time.
I find repeaters super useful for testing antennas, checking for a signal report and so on. Great to know repeaters are out there and thank you to all those that give their time to look after them and maintain them the world over for everyone to use.
I’m not sure how or why but our fibre stays on even after a several day long outage. So no electricity but (providing the router has power) broadband. The cell mast goes after about 36 hours…
That’s because it’s PON ‘passive optical network’. The remote end equipment is powered and as long as you power your ONT+stuff you will have connectivity.
… and I suppose that when the telephone exchange was built they included generators with a good and secure fuel supply…. (Unlike the cell masts where apparently the fuel can be stolen and being on the top of a hill they tend to be hard to access….)
