News :: Hurrican Rita

Hi everyone,

I live in Crosby, about 38 miles northeast of Houston.

It is about 0930 local. I just rode my bicycle through our neighborhood. It looks pretty secure. We are on the high side of Harris County. If it continues on its forecast track, we will probably loose power and my DSL line. Cell phones and the land line system have been saturated with many network busy signals for two days. No gas is available and no cash from the ATMs. The banks are closed. Even WalMart closed!

I have a couple of amateur radios on standby, though no HF antennas (Deed restricted neighborhood!)

73, de Jeff WD4ET

I'm out on the west side of Lake Conroe (NW Houston). Plotted the storm track relative to here and we're smack dab in the middle of the 55-74mph sustained wind band. Shouldn't be too bad, just alot of wind and rain. I'm from south Louisiana, so this is about my 10th hurricane.

Sounds like we have quite a few DSL'ers in the area, we should all get together some time....after we dry out....

So far, it looks like we will miss the dirty side of the storm here in Brenham.

I was in Dayton all day yesterday helping with hurricane preparations.
It took me less than 2 hrs to get there, but over 6 hours to get home,
due to the traffic from the mass evacuation from the coastal areas.

Good thing, since it looks like the center of the storm will pass quite close to there..

I have my wife, kids, and grandkids here.. We are all well stocked, and safe.

The ham radio has been quiet so far, but I expect that to change as the
reports of rescues come in , and the weather reports are relayed thru
the amateur radio networks..

I can be found on 145. 390 MHz. locally.
I may fire up the HF and monitor the 40/80 meter bands.

There used to be a very good 2M repeater in Dayton several years ago.
Would be handy to have now.. I suppose the NW repeater is in range.

73
ke4nt

A get together with coffee would be great after Rita passes.

1645 CDT - Light rain, overcast, ~ 25 mph swirling winds - Crosby, TX 38 miles NE of Houston.

I'll be listening on the ARES net 443.825.

73, Jeff WD4ET
K2 SN # 155

It is now about 1920 CDT - The ground is now getting wet rain isn't heavy, wind is now blowing at 35+ mph, no particular direction. Power and lights still on, obviously.

Jeff

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