Hawaii Puts AM Radio to Work on Maui

[davideduardo]

"The State of Hawaii Emergency Management Agency has purchased four RadioSTAT portable emergency advisory stations from Information Station Specialists. The FCC has given the state an emergency authorization to use the stations at four locations including a checkpoint and police and fire stations."

Hawaii Puts AM Radio to Work on Maui - Radio World

Emergency officials in Hawaii will use AM broadcast equipment to help communicate with the public during wildfire recovery efforts.

www.radioworld.com

My question: why do they need low power AM stations if Maui has 46 AM, FM and translator stations?

 

[Kelly A]

To me, how is this going to help anyone who's already lost everything? As in the example of one survivor being interviewed by the NYT; several jumped into the ocean and remain today with only the clothes they escaped with and are still wearing. How on God's green earth does anyone with even half a brain expect folks impacted will have access to stupid AM radio receivers? Let alone care to hear a repeating message over and over about where to visit for assistance.
I've got an idea! Rather than spending taxpayer dollars on some 100-year-old method of communication, use that money to give the displaced residents more than a measly $700 for the basics to survive in the most expensive place to live in the U.S.
It's maddening how clueless some people can be.

 

[cc333]

I think it's a case of too little, too late.

It probably would've been a good idea to have pushed a program like this before disaster struck, encouraging people to buy and keep a hand-cranked AM/FM radio in their emergency go bags and to know how to use it and what frequencies to tune to, etc.

But now? Now, it's just a waste of time and money. The displaced survivors need help, and that time and moneyt would be much better spent on resources that can support their needs. This alert system can wait.

c

 

[TheBigA]

My question: why do they need low power AM stations if Maui has 46 AM, FM and translator stations?

It's a matter of control. If the state owns the signal, they control what you hear. Using privately owned stations means you're depending on those station owners.

It falls into the CYA category. They can say they provided the information, and the public simply didn't hear it.

 

[Kelly A]

I think it's a case of too little, too late.

It probably would've been a good idea to have pushed a program like this before disaster struck, encouraging people to buy and keep a hand-cranked AM/FM radio in their emergency go bags and to know how to use it and what frequencies to tune to, etc.

But what type of disaster? They live on an island, and are already prepared for island disasters like tsunamis, or hurricanes. Crank-up AM or FM radios would have done them zero good here. The town was completely on fire with no way to escape but jump into the Pacific during hurricane grade winds with zero visibility. Emergency services was sending no information or guidance to the radio or TV stations, so there was nothing to report. Sitting around waiting for the radio to tell you what to do would have probably killed even more people.

But now? Now, it's just a waste of time and money. The displaced survivors need help, and that time and moneyt would be much better spent on resources that can support their needs. This alert system can wait.

Exactly. It was reported yesterday that Black Rock is already trolling destroyed properties trying to catch displaced residents hoping they'll give up and sell them their land at pennies on the dollar. Another example of scumbag private equity.