PIO and DTV

[RayVaughan]

Is your department ready to communicate with the public after Analog TV goes off the air? February 17, 2009 is only 48 days from now. For the first time in decades, the public won't be able to watch your message using portable devices. You can't count on satellite or cable TV to work after a wind event or power failure. Even the TV-band radios go silent.

You will need to rediscover radio. Read some of my observations and suggestions here: http://rayvaughan.com/HDTV&EM.htm

Ray Vaughan

[DeputyChiefGonzo]

Seeing how the broadcast stations presently still using analog signals have been running the commercials for the switch to digital TV at least once an hour every broadcast day for the last 6 months (at least in the Boston Market), the switch to digital has been well publicized.

While everyone may not have a battery operated radio in their home, the radio in their motor vehicles will still work.

Even if they did, there is no way to tell if the batteries are still good.

In emergencies, we have the reverse 911 system, which can alert people if they still have a landline phone that is not dependent on electrical power.

[nmfire]

I don't think anyone within 100 miles of here has a TV with an antenna on it anymore.