This was originally on the ARRL NTS officials email list.
* Forwarded (from: netmail) by Richard Webb using timEd 1.10.y2k+.
* Originally from James Michener (1:3634/1000) to richard webb (1:116/901).
* Original dated: Sun Jan 22, 12:09

This story is very close to home.  Last night at about 4PM, my internet went
out.   I tried to call customer no-service and found that I was unable to dial
anyone outside of my exchange.  I tried to use the cell phone and Nada.   I
got on 2 meters and found that a fiber was broken,  the guy at Cal Fire was
monitoring the local repeaters.   Today I find the rest of the story.

A telephone pole failed and fell over.  The police report that there was no
known cause for the failure,  there was no wind, no accident,  just a rotten
telephone pole.   Lines were across Hwy 49, the major route into and out of
Nevada County.  Traffic was blocked so the police cut the cable.   It appears
that everyone contracts with AT&T for service and by cutting this line caused
all communications to Nevada and Sierra County to the outside world to fail. 
911 Service gone... cell phones gone... the ability to dial outside of the
area, gone.  Oops...

Amateur radio response... none.  Cal Fire radio established a link between
Nevada Co ERC and Sacramento and was able to handle the calls... however there
were few calls.... perhaps because cell phones didn't work.... and the public
had no idea what to do.   People dialing 911 with a serious problem wound up
calling the Police... a local call that still worked (via land line)  and they
passed the traffic to Cal Fire.... and fortunately it was a quiet night.

So.  For those who think that our communications in a redundant web,  think
again.  One rotten phone pole falling down caused two counties to be
disconnected for twelve hours.  The failed pole is 2 miles west of me.

Jim Michener K9JM





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 * Origin:  (1:116/901)