People affected by California wildfires get and send firsthand information using micro-blogging service Twitter. Usually during emergencies, all telecommunications networks get overloaded due to huge communication flow increase in all affected areas.

2004 Tsunami taught us that when telephone landlines do not work anymore, mobile network is overloaded, short-messages (SMS) were still going through, but often with up to a hour delivery delay (better than no communication).

One of the most critical problem to solve during emergencies is how to spread information on both directions (from affected people to emergency services and from helpers to victims). In addition, affected people and their relatives are in need to get in touch.

In California, the American Red Cross, among others, have open 2 Twitters threads. One is made to push information out (e.g evacuation routes) and the 2nd one is "Safe and Well" which provides a way for affected people to register as “safe and well.” using a list of standard messages.

Concerned relatives can search the list of those who have registered themselves as “safe and well.” directly on American Red Cross website.

Among many sources: Stephenson Strategies, Wired, KPBS and Occam Razr.

Tags: 2007, 24, american red cross, arc, blog, california, cellular, ces, communication, delay, emergency, how to, ia, ict, im, lan, list, live, micro-blogging, mobile, Mobile Communications, network, nomadcom.net, phone, red cross, safe, search, services, sms, sun, telecom, Telecommunications, touch, twit, Twitter, user, web, website, wildfire, wp, www

In the past, a Vsat installation on board of a vehicle could not be used when the vehicle was on the move.

The mobile system "IPStar MVV" here on the left has the following features :

• Quick deployment in less than 10 minutes
• Automatic Satellite Acquisition and Antenna Pointing System via GPS
• Proven IPSTAR 1.2-meter high efficiency antenna design
• STAR topology
• 1W or 2W options for IPSTAR Outdoor Unit sub-system
• IPSTAR Indoor Unit sub-system, configurable bit rate of up to 4Mbps Receiving and 2Mbps Transmitting.
• Environmental Control Unit (ECU) and Cooling System
• Optional IP Application sub-system
• Optional single-thread and fully redundant electronics
• Optional diesel generator with power distribution unit and emergency stop.

Now IPStar (broadband satellite for Asia & Pacific) launches what they presented in Telecom World in Hongkong last December: IPStar iMove, a 5.5'' (1.5m) flat, roof mountable, array antenna system made by RaySat  (SpeedRay 3000) with the following features:

• Highly efficient automatic deployable antenna.
• Built in Satellite acquisition and antenna pointing system.
• Mountable on a variety of land and water vehicles.
• IPSTAR iMove system can Transmit up to 2Mbps and Receive up to 4Mbps.
• Optional voice, video and data application subsystem.

 Next step, to find a real working demonstration vehicle !

Tags: 2007, antenna, asia, blog, communication, design, emergency, find, hi speed, ia, im, imove, install, internet, ipstar, King, lan, launch, list, low profile, minutes, MIT, mobile, Mobile Communications, nomadcom.net, On The Road, power, satellite, space, telecom, vehicles, video, vsat, water, world, wp, www

Sept 19
8.00 am Thaksin Shinawatra calls an urgent teleconference with all armed forces' commanders at Government House, but none attends. Gen Sonthi Boonyaratkarin, the army chief, later says the meeting is hastily called. Rumor then spread around the capital and the stock market that a coup de tat is under way.

12.00 am After finishing the webcamera teleconference with Thaksin, who is New York, several Cabinet members check with reporters if there would really be a coup.

6.30 pm The Army's special forces from Lopburi move into Bangkok. Gen Prem Tinnasulalonda, president of Privy Council, has an audience with HM the King, reportedly on a meritmaking ceremony for ML Bau Kittiyakala.

6.55 pm Thai News Agency reports that Thaksin will return to Bangkok on Thursday, instead of Friday.

8.00 pm 191 police receive M16 rifles to prepare for an antiriot assignment.

9.00 pm The Army'[s special forces from Lopburi arrive at the Army's Bangkok headquarters. Web surfers post messages on Pantip.com asking if there is a coup de tat.

9.10 pm The armyowned TV Channel 5's mobile TV broadcast unit arrives at the Army's Bangkok headquarters.

9.30 pm TV channel 5 cancels regular programming and puts on air royallyauthored songs. Reporters at Government House say situation is normal, but rumour was rife that deputy premier Pol Gen Chidchai Vanasatit and defence minister Gen Thammarak Isarangkun have been under custody. Panthongthae, Thaksin's son, reportedly has left Thailand for the UK.

9.40 pm Police commandos arrive Baan Chansongra, Thaksin's residence

10.00 pm Army tanks take position at Bangkok Makkawan Rangsan Bridge and Rajdamnern Avenue.

10.10 pm CNN reports Bangkok situation

10.20pm Thaksin declares a state of emergency via the phone from New York. He also issues two orders, transferring en Sondhi from the post of army chief to the PM's Office, and naming Gen Rungroj Mahasaranond as the officer in charge of the crisis.

11pm "The Administrative Reform Council" (ARC) issues a first statement on TV network, saying the armed forces and national police have peacefully seized control of Bangkok and surrounding areas. Soldier seize the Shinawatra Building, iTV television stationand Thaksin's residence.

11.15pm Soldiers put steel barricades at Sri Ayudha and Rajdamnoen Roads
11.50pm ARC issues the second statement explaining the reasons for the coup d'etat, citing national disunity and rampant corruption. ARC says it plans to return power quickly to the people

12.39am ARC issues third statement, nullifying the constitution, the caretaker Cabinet and the Constitutional Court.

Chronology continues on Nation Website 

 

Tags: air, api, arc, art, ATT, Bangkok, blog, bridge, camera, capital, ces, emergency, explain, HP, ia, im, ITU, King, lan, LED, mobile, nasa, network, nomadcom.net, officer, Our World, phone, police, post, power, quickly, space, sun, Thailand, uk, vision, web, webcam, website, wp, www, XP