I agree with Shirley Bartholomew that KRKO does greatly enhance Snohomish County (“The greater community will benefit from enhanced KRKO radio signal,” March 2). KRKO radio has been previously mentioned part of the civil defense system. My question: Does Snohomish really realize how important that is?
I encourage opponents of the KRKO power increase and tower upgrades to consider some issues. Consider what would happen if we had a major earthquake or terrorist attack that damaged the power grid for Snohomish County. This would mean TVs, computers and communications networks may be inoperative. Where would the residents of Snohomish County get their news and vital information, such as road closures and damaged or closed hospitals? The Seattle stations are going to take care of the homefront first, namely King County.
KRKO presently has the means to continue to be on the air with an emergency power source. This would make it possible for Snohomish County residents to get news and information with a battery-powered radio.
Between KRKO and local amateur radio operators there would be emergency communications to pass the needed information and emergency messages to the residents of Snohomish County. Cell phones and standard telephone service becomes overloaded as result of too many people trying to use the system all at the same time. This was true during the earthquake we had last year. The folks with cell phones were not able to talk to anyone while the amateur radio operators where communicating as they always do. Not to mention the local radio stations which were able to report the important news as it happened.
I really think that there is a lack of understanding how important a local radio station is to the emergency plan for Snohomish County. If we lose it, then what? I would urge folks who are against the improvements to consider how important KRKO would be in an emergency!
Mukilteo
Talk to us
> Give us your news tips.
> Send us a letter to the editor.
> More Herald contact information.
