SAR Coordinates - October 2006
 

SAR COORDINATES 

General Public Welcome
2nd Thursday @ 7:00 - 9:00 PM
Payson Public Library Meeting Room
328 N. McLane Road - Payson, Arizona

Requested Training Sessions

If you would like to volunteer to run a training session, or if you have a training session request contact
Any Board Member or Don Johnson.

Italics = Sign-up required to attend this training

* See following notes:

To reserve use of squad ATV, contact Don Johnson at 928-474-5335
Jacket, gloves, boots, helmet, and eye protection required to operate Squad ATV

Related SAR info

An Historical Tidbit

Computer Tips, Techniques, Rants, Raves, and Netiquette
Submitted by Jack Quinn and Les Hulse


Now that the monsoons are winding down, we want to talk about thunderstorms (gee, do we have our timing backward). Les was called to 3 different computer users over the last 2 months where the computer got “fried” due to lightning. All 3 users are now buying (or have already bought) a new computer.

What's the best way to keep your computer safe during a thunderstorm? In my opinion, just crawl under your desk and unplug it.

Although a good surge protector may keep your computer safe during a thunderstorm, I still unplug mine. After all, if the thing isn't plugged into the wall, it's kind of hard for a spike or surge to get through. Also, try to keep all of your computer's external components (monitors, scanners, printers, etc) plugged into the same surge protector as the computer. That way, when you pull the plug, all your equipment is protected and you don't risk a spike / surge coming through an external component and damaging your computer.

In addition to unplugging your computer, modem users should also unplug their phone line. Phone lines are probably the # 1 way to for surges to get to, and sizzle, your computer. Note that if you're using a surge protector with a phone line pass through and you unplug it, you need to unplug the phone line as well (most surge protectors don't protect if they are unplugged).

Another cable to unplug would be any high speed internet connection cable. After all, if you're using a cable modem (or DSL) and a surge comes through that line, it may get to your computer. As with the phone line pass through, if your surge protector features an ethernet pass through, you'll want to pull the cable going to your computer (seeing as your surge protector probably doesn't protect when it's unplugged).

Now, do you have to do all this each time you hear thunder in the distance? Personally, I usually do - especially if the storm is of the mean and nasty variety. I have a good surge protector and all, but the information on my computer is very valuable to me and I don't like taking chances. A close lightning strike will blow through just about any surge protector on the planet.

Note that simply turning off the power switch to your surge protector is not a good idea. When you turn these type suppressors off, you are also eliminating the power supply to the surge protection circuit, thereby rendering it useless. So, if a surge comes across the power line with the switch in the off position, you have NO protection; however, if the surge protector is left on at ALL times, the circuit is energized, and you will have whatever surge protection your particular circuit is rated for.

Also, keep in mind that cheaper surge protectors can wear out over time. The power strip type surge protectors can protect you against one good surge (although a direct lighting hit happily rips right through them) or lots of smaller ones, but they can wear out. The problem is, most of them have no way of telling you when they've become useless. When you're looking for a surge protector, be sure it features some kind of indicator light that tells you when the surge protection circuit has croaked.

Finally, this may all be a bit paranoid on my part. So, the decision is yours. Just tellin' you what I do.

Question: Do any of you find this section useful?

We can rant and rave about many topics, but do not know if it is appreciated. Also, we will most likely choose topics that “tick us off” and ignore the ones that you may be interested in. We can give you our opinion on just about anything (opinions are cheap).

So let us know if this section is useful, and if you would like us to tear into some topic, just tell us.

Send any comments and/or suggestions to the editor; Mike – address at bottom of newsletter.

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Tonto Rim SAR Members can now have your very own email address through our site. Just contact our Webmaster at Mail for the TRSAR Webmaster  to arrange for it, no cost to you or us.

We are promoted and you’ll also find our newsletter on the Rim Country Volunteer site;
http://www.inpayson.com/TRSAR-Payson-Rim-Country-Area.htm

Did You Know?

~ If you see a star before the serial number on US paper money, it means that bill replaces a mutilated one.
~ A whip cracks because the tip moves faster than the speed of sound - it breaks the sound barrier.
~ A sneeze can travel up to 100 miles per hour.
~ On a clear moonless night, the human eye can see a match struck from fifty miles away.
~ A wild animal is more likely to attack if you're afraid of it.