Satellite Radio

The alternatives are as follows :-

Infrared

One such alternative to commercial communication systems is infrared. This alternative is used if a company needs to interconnect two buildings together. Infrared provides an optical data, voice and video transmission system. Like fiber optic cable, infrared communications systems use laser light to transmit a digital signal between two transceivers. However, unlike fiber, the laser light is transmitted through the air. In order for the digital signal to be transmitted and received, there must be clear line of site between each unit. In other words, there should be no obstructions such as trees or buildings between the transceiver units. So, if your wireline or wireless communications fails you can still provide communications between two points. The only drawback is the distance and the line-of-sight requirements.

This solution provides low-cost, high-speed wireless connectivity for a variety of last-mile applications. It provides narrowband voice and broadband data connectivity and the various products provide scalable, wireless alternatives to leased lines. These infrared systems operate at data rates of 1 Megabit to Multi Gigabit speeds and they are deployable in one day, without requiring right-of-way or government permits for installation. They can provide an alternative communication link in hours instead of weeks or months. This is probably not an option for a small business, but for a medium or large business owner the cost is affordable. Cost can range from $10K to $25K per installation capable of distances of up to 1000 meters.

Microwave

Another alternative to commercial communication systems is microwave (wireless). This alternative is used if a company needs to interconnect two buildings together that are spaced farther apart than the conventional infrared can operate (i.e., in excess of 1000m). Microwave also provides a data, voice and video transmission system. Unlike infrared communications systems, which use laser light to transmit a digital signal between two transceivers, microwave uses ultra-high frequency radio frequency (wireless) transmission. In order for the digital signal to be transmitted and received, there again must be clear line of site between each unit. However, the distance that this alternative can span is up to 60 miles as long as no obstructions such as trees or buildings are located between the two locations. If wireline or wireless communications fails communications between two points can still take place. There are several drawbacks to this solution:

* Distance limited to up to 60 miles

* Requires an FCC license to operate

* Right of Way Permits may be required

* Needs highly trained technicians to install equipment

* Cost can be prohibited to small businesses.

The cost of a microwave system can be between $50K and $100K with installation and license preparation charges to be in the area of another $15K. It still provides a viable alternative for medium and large businesses.

Small businesses also have an alternative of smaller wireless systems which utilize non-licensed frequencies and which can be installed by an IT person in the business operation. Cost is about $1000 to $2000, but I must warn you that this is not as reliable a solution as the microwave wireless option and reliable speeds may be slower.

Satellite

So far I have provided solutions that have been better suited for the medium and large business operations. Satellite provides alternatives for small, medium and large enterprises and there are various speed and pricing options, which make it a very attractive alternative or mitigation strategy.

Satellite phones

There are several types of satellite alternatives. If a company is only interested in providing a short term telephone back-up alternative then satellite phone service like INMARSAT, at&t, Iridium, Satcom, Skytel, Worldcell, or Globalstar to name only a few offer basic voice, fax and basic v and e-mail services. They offer mobile phone services and are not usually capable of providing sustained data communication or internet types of services. However, this communications strategy is good for keeping your senior executives and critical operations personnel in contact during disasters. You can rent phones for about $40/week and then pay about $1.00/minute for basic service or you can buy the phones for $700 to $2000 each and negotiate rates in the area of $0.85/minute. So as you can see this is not an inexpensive option, but usable depending on the need for communications.

VSAT

VSAT is an acronym for Very Small Aperture Terminal, an earthbound station used in satellite communications of data, voice and video signals. A VSAT consists of two parts, a transceiver that is placed outdoors in direct line of sight to the satellite and a device that is placed indoors to interface the transceiver with the end user's communications device, such as a PC. It is very much like a satellite TV setup.

VSAT service can be placed into two categories: those that provide basic Internet access services and those that are enterprise grade. For the small and medium sized business the Internet access type service is often what is selected. Such offerings as: DirectWay, WildBlue, and Connexstar all offer low cost, small business types of back up solutions which use equipment much like the in-home Satellite Television services.

The data rates are in the area of 200 kbps uplink and 1.5 Mbps downlink which is very much like residential DSL service. The cost is about $300 for the equipment and around $100 or less each month. This would provide a small business the ability to utilize VoIP, VPN and connect to the Internet.

For medium and large size businesses there are more sophisticated satellite services. They require satellite antennas, which are 3 to 5 meters in diameter and much more sophisticated and expensive equipment.

Installation of these more sophisticated satellite services can cost in the range of $100K to $250K with monthly operational service charges from $1000 to $5000/month. They provide quality of service and committed information rates as part of the service. They can provide for up to 150 toll-quality phone lines, broadband Internet, and high speed data communications and also provide secure communication (encrypted) is required.

Satellite services can also be rented as part of a contract or call up service. But, rental services are on a first-come-first served basis. As we witnessed during the tropical storms of last year these portable rental satellite service providers were inundated with requests and try as they would there were only so many units to go around. Those who did not plan or contract ahead were left without service.

Communication is a major bottleneck in case of any major disaster particularly when the traditional network system already in force brake down. In order to strengthen communications, it has been decided that police network (POLNET) will also be used for disaster management. For this purpose POLNET communication facility will be extended to District Magistrates, Sub Divisional Magistrates as well as the Control Rooms.

For emergency communication, mobile satellite based units which can be transported to the site of the disaster are being procured. A group was constituted to draw a comprehensive communication plan for disaster management and the report has since been received. This provides for a dedicated communication system for disaster management with built in redundancies.

Amateur radio is a community of people that use radio transmitters and receivers to communicate with other Amateur radio operators. If you were to ask a dozen different amateurs what ham radio meant to them chances are you would get 12 different answers. Amateur radio operators are often called ham radio operators or simply "hams" and frequently the public is more familiar with this term than with the legal term Radio Amateur. The source of this nickname is for all practical purposes lost from the beginning.

Amateur (HAM) Radio is truly a hobby but often one that makes a difference especially in emergency or disaster situations. It is an activity of Self Learning, Inter-Communication & Technical Investigation carried on between Amateur Radio Operators. Amateurs talk to local friends over the radio waves using a hand-held transceiver, communicating digitally with packet radio to exchange personal messages or vital information in an emergency, talking to other hams anywhere in the world, or engaging in contests with other Radio Amateurs over the airwaves there is something for everyone.

There are over Lakh people all over the world who pursue this activity in their free time

What Hams do with amateur radio

• QRP - Communicating with "very low power" is a challenge that many hams enjoy. QRP is usually practiced on the HF bands
• HF radio - Hams can talk to other hams in literally any part of the globe using HF radios
• VHF (2 meters) or UHF (70 cm.) transceivers hams enjoy extremely reliable communications within their local community. You can extend your VHF range up to 50 miles or more by transmitting through a local repeater.
• DXing. DX means distance communication and with the right equipment worldwide communication on the HF bands (10 through 160 meters) is a regular possibility.
• Emergency and other volunteer services - Floods, landslides, earthquakes, Cyclones, Accidents (Rail / Road / Air). when ever `normal' communications go out, hams are ready to use their radios to provide emergency communication services to their communities
• Technical experimenting. Hams come from all walks of life ranging from technicians to engineers, teachers to scientists, and students to retirees. For many of them the attraction to the hobby is to build their own equipment whether it is just a simple antenna, something as complex as a transmitter, or an interface between their radio and a computer.
• Contesting. Contesting is often called the "sport" of ham radio. Almost every all the time there is some form of amateur radio contest. Hams get on the air and compete to see who can make the most contacts in a limited period of time.
• Talk to an astronaut. Yes, it is really possible. Space stations do have ham radio equipment and licensed ham astronauts take the time to make contacts with amateurs on earth. Hams also have satellites where you can bounce a signal to communicate with other hams on earth.
• Use digital communication. Connect a computer to your radio and install some software and you can be communicating digitally over the air. Some of these digital modes can be more effective in marginal transmission conditions and some even sport error free transmission.
• Internet communication. Using some of the latest technologies hams can supplement a modest station with Internet connections. Using features such as URL or IRLP on a local repeater a ham in Toronto can talk to one in Vancouver or even Australia using a simple hand-held transceiver
• Amateur television - It's just like real television because it is real television.
• Slow Scan TV - Send pictures around the world for little or no cost.
• Contests - You can put your radio operating skills up against other hams and teams of hams.
• Satellite communications - Hams operate using their own satellites for world wide communication using Walkie-Talkies.... They are easy to use too.

Ham Radio

Ham Radio is also know as Amateur radio.It is a community of people that use radio transmitters and receivers to communicate with other Amateur radio operators. If you were to ask a dozen different amateurs what ham radio meant to them chances are you would get 12 different answers. Amateur radio operators are often called ham radio operators or simply "hams" and frequently the public is more familiar with this term than with the legal term Radio Amateur. The source of this nickname is for all practical purposes lost from the beginning

Communication is a major bottleneck in case of any major disaster particularly when the traditional network system already in force brake down. In order to strengthen communications, it has been decided that police network (POLNET) will also be used for disaster management. For this purpose POLNET communication facility will be extended to District Magistrates, Sub Divisional Magistrates as well as the Control Rooms.

For emergency communication, mobile satellite based units which can be transported to the site of the disaster are being procured. A group was constituted to draw a comprehensive communication plan for disaster management and the report has since been received. This provides for a dedicated communication system for disaster management with built in redundancies.

Besides the satellite, communication and education can play a proactive role in mitigation through awareness about the types of disaster and as to how prevention measures can be taken up.

There is also a Satellite based communication system called the Cyclone Warning Dissemination Systems (CWDS) for transmission of warnings. There are 250 such cyclone-warning sets installed in the cylone prone areas of east and west coast. The general public, the coastal residents and fishermen, are also warned through the Government mechinery and broadcast of warnings through AIR and Television.

What agencies need to be involved ?

• Police
• Fire
• Ambulance
• Hospitals
• Clinics
• Doctors
• Red Cross
• Blood Banks
• Marine operations (are there bodies of water?)
• Coast guard
• Department of transportation
• Departments of environment (if there is clean-up involved)
• Airlines
• Rail companies
• Local transit companies
• Bus companies (in case of evacuation)
• Border services - if applicable

The use of satellite, computers, electronics, better communication facilities are going to make significant difference in disaster management. The data processing and computers are providing a useful tool in decision making in disaster.

When the disaster strikes, power goes out, all modes of communication (Telephone etc.) becomes inoperable, lifts stop functioning, when drinking water becomes contaminated, when normal modes of transportation suddenly becomes impossible, when casualties start coming in groups that is not the time for planning but that is the time of acting.

Communication facilities for disaster management system is most important act as it convey at the right time communication in disaster, it may handle disaster and helping to decrease it.

Two type of information needs in disaster management

• Pre disaster information: Question arise that how to get pre disaster information? It is getting from the research and analysis department of the geography in the country.
• Post disaster information: After the disaster, our first job is to find out where and where it was occurs. What is the next step to help people?

Now a days Satellite communication play a major role in disaster management communication. Communication facilities can be set up for rescue and relief operation purposes. That type of early warning system developed at the different area's by itself.

Here are the disaster communication facilities:

• DCWDS Digital Cyclone Warning Dissemination System set at Delhi and other coast area. It is for the pre disaster information.
• The WLL - VSAT system is in terms of handsets which can be easily taken inside of the affected areas and sends information by direct audio communication.
• The MSS Type C reporting terminal developed for the sending short messages directly through satellite in remote area.
• AES-SNG is a system which can send video pictures of the affected area for online review from the control center.
• Tele medicine: It is one more step for the disaster management communication. In this system, on line help can be provided from the hospital and super specialty doctors. Only connect up link to laptop or PC and get the online information about cure.

"Pocket Guide on First Aid"

The First Aid pocket guide should contain aid that needs to be given for fractures, poisoning, cuts and burns, heat and cold wave and other threats that are prevalent in that area. The content shared in the guide should be supported with adequate pictures so as to give a clear and elaborate understanding about the topic. Choose awareness campaign strategy for either senior citizens or illiterate people and prepare a brief write-up.

You need to first arrange it, first the cover page should have a red cross, then it should have an index ( it is necessary) the cover page can be of light blue colour with a red crosses box picture.You can use the red red cross pictures that we have posted in the end of this article.

It should include "DRABCD" :

• Danger
• Response
• Airway
• Breathing
• Compressions/Circulation
• Dephibrilation

Below is the list of supplies you should have in your First Aid :

• Plastic bandages
• Transpore tape
• Alcohol preps
• Adhesive bandages
• Micropore tape
• Gauze
• Extra large plastic
• bandages
• Iodine prep pads
• Fingertip bandages
• Sterile pads
• Antiseptic towelettes
• Knuckle bandages
• Antiseptic ointment
• Ammonia inhalant
• Sponge packs
• Instant ice packs
• Sterile eye wash
• Elastic bandages
• Eye pads
• Safety pins
• First aid cream
• Bandage scissors
• Tweezers
• Butterfly bandages
• Water tight utility
• box for contents
• Burn gel to treat burns
• Burn bandages
• Adhesive spots
• Extra large strips
• Surgical tape
• Sponges
• Pain reliever

What is the aim of First Aid ?

The key aims of first aid can be summarised in three key points

Preserve life is the overriding aim of all medical care, including first aid, is to save lives

Prevent further harm also sometimes called preventing the condition worsening, this covers both external factors, such as moving a patient away from a cause of harm, and applying first aid techniques to prevent worsening of the condition, such as applying pressure to stop a bleed becoming dangerous.

Promote recovery - first aid also involves trying to start the recovery process from the illness or injury, and in some cases might involve completing a treatment, such as in the case of applying a plaster to a small wound.

First aid training often also incorporates the prevention of initial injury and responder safety, as well as the treatment phases.

When First Aid is Required ?

Altitude sickness, which can begin in susceptible people at altitudes as low as 5,000 feet, can cause potentially fatal swelling of the brain or lungs.

Anaphylaxis, a life-threatening condition in which the airway can become constricted and the patient may go into shock. The reaction can be caused by a systemic allergic reaction to allergens such as insect bites or peanuts. Anaphylaxis is initially treated with injection of epinephrine.

Battlefield First aid - This protocol refers to treating shrapnel, gunshot wounds, burns, bone fractures, etc. as seen either in the 'traditional' battlefield setting or in an area subject to damage by large scale weaponry, such as a bomb blast or other terrorist activity.

Bone fracture, a break in a bone initially treated by stabilizing the fracture with a splint.

Burns, which can result in damage to tissues and loss of body fluids through the burn site.

Choking, blockage of the airway which can quickly result in death due to lack of oxygen if the patient's trachea is not cleared, for example by the Heimlich Maneuver.

Childbirth.

Cramps in muscles due to lactic acid build up caused either by inadequate oxygenation of muscle or lack of water or salt.

Joint dislocation.

Diving disorders resulting from too much pressure.

Near drowning or asphyxiation.

Gastrointestinal bleeding.

Gender-specific conditions, such as dysmenorrhea and testicular torsion.

Heart attack, or inadequate blood flow to the blood vessels supplying the heart muscle.

Heat stroke, also known as sunstroke or hyperthermia, which tends to occur during heavy

exercise in high humidity, or with inadequate water, though it may occur spontaneously in some chronically ill persons. Sunstroke, especially when the victim has been unconscious, often causes major damage to body systems such as brain, kidney, liver, gastric tract. Unconsciousness for more than two hours usually leads to permanent disability. Emergency treatment involves rapid cooling of the patient.

Heat syncope, another stage in the same process as heat stroke, occurs under similar conditions as heat stroke and is not distinguished from the latter by some authorities.

Heavy bleeding, treated by applying pressure (manually and later with a pressure bandage) to the wound site and elevating the limb if possible.

Hyperglycemia, or diabetic coma.

Hypoglycemia, or insulin shock.

Hypothermia, or Exposure, occurs when a person's core body temperature falls below 33.7°C (92.6°F). First aid for a mildly hypothermic patient includes rewarming, but rewarming a severely hypothermic person could result in a fatal arrhythmia, an irregular heart rhythm.

Insect and animal bites and stings.

Muscle strain.

Poisoning, which can occur by injection, inhalation, absorption, or ingestion.

Seizures, or a malfunction in the electrical activity in the brain. Three types of seizures include a

grand mal (which usually features convulsions as well as temporary respiratory abnormalities, change in skin complexion, etc) and petit mal (which usually features twitching, rapid blinking, and/or fidgeting as well as altered consciousness and temporary respiratory abnormalities).

Sprain, a temporary dislocation of a joint that immediately reduces automatically but may result in ligament damage.

Stroke, a temporary loss of blood supply to the brain.

Sucking chest wound, a life threatening hole in the chest which can cause the chest cavity to fill with air and prevent the lung from filling, treated by covering with an occlusive dressing to let air out but not in.

Toothache, which can result in severe pain and loss of the tooth but is rarely life threatening, unless over time the infection spreads into the bone of the jaw and starts osteomyelitis.

(a) Preventive and preparedness measures for ensuring minimum adverse effects,

(b) Follow up actions in the event of occurrence of a Disaster, to handle the "Aftermath" and make all efforts to mitigate - i.e.. to minimize to reduce eventual losses/damage to Life and Property.

Unless we have "Communication" at its best in all the required forms we will not be in a position to deal with the above phases to our entire satisfaction. In the aftermath of a disaster, time counts and efficient communication at all levels decides the success of all efforts. It is therefore essential to critically examine the role - and need - of communication. The discussion that follows will critically examine the same in the above mentioned phases.

I've picked up a few Japanese broadcasts before using a shortwave radio but the main one is NHK. I've been able to hear that in both the UK and the Rep. of Ireland.

Currently to Europe (correct as of April 2012) is 5975 kHz. The programme is only on for 30 minutes each day in English from 0500~0530 UTC.

There are no longer any NHK Japanese broadcasts to Europe any more but you might be able to pick up some of the NHK transmissions to the Middle East and Northern Africa as they relayed from Europe.

http://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/english/radio/shortwave/index.html (you can download the frequencies and schedule list)

If this link doesn't work go to the NHK Radio website and look from there.

Apart from NHK there are other radio stations but I don't really know many that broadcast in Japanese to Europe although they do broadcast elsewhere. You may be able to pick up their transmissions even though they are not aiming at Europe.