Blackberry REACT January 2009 NewsletterQuick ClicksOfficer elections for 2009In a completely unexpected hostile takeover, our new
officers for next year are Training for emergency servicesSan Mateo County has a calendar of training in the area for emergency services: CERT, amateur radio licensing, disaster psychology, terrorism, disaster medical, and other classes. These courses are offered in several cities, and there are links to the relevant pages for registration. Preparing to help people with special needsSanta Clara County has information on aiding people who have special needs, are elderly, or are in frail health. Special concerns include not only medication, but electricity for those whose survival depends on powered devices. CERT ResourcesInformation on CERT training, including involving children and teens in training, working with volunteers who have special needs, and more. CERT Resources for childrenHow to prepare survival kits with children in mind, and how to prepare your children for the possibility of survival after a disaster. Good Samaritan Law doesn't cover nonmedical careA woman witnessed a car wreck, and she pulled a victim of the crash from the car. The victim sued, alleging that the woman injured the victim's spine. The Supreme Court ruled that the Good Samaritan law shields volunteers from liability when rendering emergency medical care. Pulling someone from a car was found not to be medical care (there were no other circumstances such as fire or leaking gasoline - just a disabled car); therefore, the woman was subject to the normal rule of exercising reasonable care. The court's opinion is here. Electric guitar played through a Tesla coilHappy New Year and here's what a Tesla coil sounds like when it's the output of an electric guitar. What more could we ask for 2009? Remember when Radio Shack sold amateur radios?No? Oh. Well, it did back in the golden olden years of radio, and here's a link to their catalogues of yore to prove it: 1939 to 2002. Using old VCR displays to power headphonesThe headphones look a little like to old bakelite cans I used to have in the 50s and 60s. This guy repurposed the VCR display (you know, that thing that's blinking on the front of your video player) to power a set of headphones. Read the comments -- there's link to another site where they use the display to power a radio. Your wife/girlfriend doesn't love you
That was lunch; this is breakfast
Film taken after the 1906 earthquakeSome of the scenes are startlingly similar to the World Trade Center site. The film is of poor quality, and it's five minutes long; but your patience is well-rewarded as you get to see the raging fires before they were put out, broken up trolley lines, army packtrains bringing in supplies on horse and mule, and more. There were three events that wrought almost total destruction on downtown San Francisco: first was the earthquake, then the fires that broke out and spread like, well, like wildfire, then there were the dynamitings that went on trying to create firebreaks because there was no water. That's right - they blew up a lot of buildings trying to stop the fire from spreading. We all know geologists are predicting a major earthquake Real Soon Now, so take a look at what an 8.3 quake, fire, and firefighting did to San Francisco. I'd suggest that we all be prepared for a Katrina-like disaster where no aid will be able to reach us in at least a week, but maybe longer. The army has no packtrains now. Steampunk giftsToo late for gift-giving this year, but still it's nice to peruse as a catalogue: membership in the steam automobile club is only $25 a year; butane soldering iron, brass sundials, reproductions of historic scientific instruments, kerosene lamps (now if only we could find kerosene), and more. Tailgate parties for hams and such
More photos of the electronics fleamarket at De Anza. Crane sinks, man swimsThe interesting thing here is how hard it is to throw a life preserver. Nobody gets one anywhere near the guy in the water for a loooooong time, and it's cold. If he hadn't had flotation in his vest, I'd expect him to be under before they got one in reach. Anyone know why it's so hard? PANDA-5 and Howard ZoltyHoward has a good overview of emergency communications and a couple of GMRS radios if you have not bought yours yet. Archival copies aren't archivalDavid Pogue is a columnist and frequent speaker, and he needed some of his materials for a presentation. His stuff is backed up on DVDs, so he pulled them out to get files from. He couldn't read the files on two of three computers. I've mentioned having archival copies of your insurance, deeds, mortgages, and other records so that if your house is knocked down in an earthquake then burned to ashes in the following fire, you still have access to the information. Keep more than one copy, keep your copies in more than one location, and use different media to hold your copies (DVDs, CDs, portable hard drives, flash memory). Made in JapanMake Magazine is aimed at modern do-it-yourselfers, and they have an exclusive deal with a Japanese company to offer their kits. There are over a dozen, but a few which may be of interest to Blackberryans are an Edison- style phonograph, a vacuum tube radio kit, and a stirling engine kit. Lots of robots, amps, and such, too. For information on the fascinating stirling engines, which are external combustion, see here. Disaster makeupThe Vancouver Film School teaches more than just cinematography. Their make up class gets to do make up for a simulated disaster. Here's the video. (It's fairly realistic, so it may not be safe for the workplace. On the good side, the patient are really into it. Volunteer as a victim if you ever get the chance.) You can build a hurricane-proof house
There are other issues, however. Incredible force of even shallow waterBe sure to click on "MORE" to read the whole description. The raging torrent in this video appears to be about ankle deep, yet it spun cars around and swept them away. The rescue boat is pinned on the bank by the force of the water. Wir Hassen TeuerOne of our friends, Scott Beale, has a German video showing the evolution of technology. Events
UpdatesAt our January meeting, we discussed our purpose and how to get new members. The minutes of the meeting will provide more detail. If you have suggestions for meeting programs, please let me know. Programs
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