A backup plan should never be made of overly complicated solutions based on a multitude of weak links. It’s just common sense.
The Importance of Practicality in Emergency Communication
In the world of communication, amateur radio operators (hams) often overthink their strategies, crafting complex plans riddled with failure points. Unfortunately, when these plans need to be put into action, they frequently fall apart.
I’ve encountered proposals based on intricate networks that require extensive setup—ideas that, when seconds count, become impractical. If your primary communication solution fails, relying on an even more complex system filled with additional failure points—managed by people with other priorities in an emergency—is simply not a wise approach. In critical situations, your backup plan/network may not be as indispensable as you assume.
The Risks of Over-Reliance on Repeaters
Your communication solution relies on a repeater system. This setup is practical—repeaters are generally reliable, cover large areas (especially when linked), and allow multiple users to communicate efficiently.
However, over time, repeaters often become the sole communication method, creating a single point of failure. If they go down, chaos ensues. To mitigate this risk, repeater failures should be included in regular drills, and backup plans must be readily available.
A well-rounded communication strategy should incorporate simpler VHF or UHF systems for localized coverage while switching to HF communications for broader reach when necessary.
Understanding Failure Points in Emergency Planning
Failure points refer to any critical components of a plan that lack backup power, are essential to its success, or require human intervention to function.
Imagine a tornado strikes, taking your primary repeater offline. Power is lost, and you are facing an extended outage. If you believe this scenario is improbable, history suggests otherwise—severe storms often cause prolonged disruptions. Recent events in North Carolina provide ample evidence.
Some skeptics insist such disasters couldn’t happen where they live, but are they willing to bet their lives on it? While climate change is a politically charged topic, the undeniable fact remains: Earth’s climate has continuously evolved for billions of years and will continue to do so. The debate centers on how human activity accelerates these changes and how political interests shape the narrative.
I mention this as we move forward in an ever-changing world; storms and disasters grow both in frequency and intensity; keeping an open mind to extreme event furthers one’s imagination in crafting solid solutions. Never assume that particular weather events or disasters will never affect your area. It’s not if, but when.
Resource Limitations and Shifting Priorities
In this scenario, yur main repeater is down, commercial power is unavailable, and fuel supplies are limited due to the outage. Generators will only operate for a finite period unless powered by natural gas—assuming it’s still flowing.
Additionally, those who originally committed to the emergency plan may now face shifting priorities, rendering secondary communication nodes or repeaters unavailable. This underscores the importance of a flexible backup plan—one that is open to external assistance and relies on simple, accessible solutions rather than complex technology.
The Power of Simplicity in Disaster Response
A backup plan should never consist of overly complicated solutions with multiple weak links. Simplicity is always best. It’s far easier to hand a volunteer an FM radio to cover an area than to expect them to operate an advanced gadget requiring special configurations.
Planning for success is ideal, but preparing for failure is essential. Murphy wasn’t joking when he coined Murphy’s Law: “Anything that can go wrong, will go wrong.”
When designing emergency strategies, anticipating every possible failure point ensures that systems remain functional when disaster strikes. This approach isn’t pessimism—it’s realistic, proactive preparedness.
Written by
Brian Stockman:
Brian is an amateur author, pod cast host and has been a technical advisor to several agencies and private companies over a 30 plus year span in communications and networks.
Brian is currently the technical advisor to Spring Valley Emergency Management along with an advisor to other groups in the EM capacity.