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Why You Need a Backup Generator
You might remember the Great Texas Freeze of February 2021. I remember it well, even though the Hobby Radio Craze HQ was affected far less than others around the state or even in Wichita Falls. We were without power for a total of 15 hours. Some were without power for a week. We had a generator to keep us warm. Most did not. Don't be among the "most did not" group. Start saving for a generator now. The peace of mind is priceless.
When we lost power in February 2021, my primary concern was keeping warm. This concern was not an issue with our Briggs & Stratton Q6500 generator, which was standing by. It was easy to plug the furnace into a multi-outlet at the end of an extension cord leading to the generator outside. There was plenty of generator capacity for the refrigerator, furnace, and lights. In February, you can store food outside or in a garage. Having a generator is better.
We didn't have any medical equipment that needed power, but I couldn't help but wonder about those who did. What equipment was it? Breathing machines, oxygen devices, power scooters and wheelchairs, home dialysis machines, and other devices. Batteries don't last forever. There's also medication that requires refrigeration. How did users of these devices make out during that February? Imagine the peace of mind that comes with knowing a generator is standing by.
It's not just winter power outages to worry about. Summer storms can also cause problems. Years ago, high winds caused a neighbor's tree limbs to come down and take out nearby power lines. We were on the same transformer. Our Briggs & Stratton Q6500 isn't quite large enough to power our central air conditioning unit, but it will power several window A/C units that we keep on standby. Those who rely on powered medical devices need a generator in summer and winter. There's also that refrigerator problem. You can't store food outside in the summer.
What about people who work from home, either for themselves or a third party? While an extended power outage might not necessarily constitute a human disaster, it can have disastrous effects on business operations.
And let's not forget about those communications devices, such as cell phones and two-way radios. A communications blackout can be just as stressful as concerns with refrigeration, heating, and air conditioning. Some cell phone towers may have backup power, but that means nothing if your cell phone is out of battery power. Without a generator, a nearby vehicle can keep many devices charged.
What about those Amateur (ham) radios, CB radios, and GMRS radios? Without power, they're nothing more than paperweights. Again, power from a nearby vehicle can keep those radios going. Not having to rely on a car is better.
If you have a friendly neighbor, consider splitting the cost of a generator with them. You can use it for one to two hours at a time. Work out the details!
Hobby Radio Pundit