far better to have a direct link via UHF or VHF or something similar to link 
repeaters for emergency usage.  Allot of times, an emergency includes power 
failure, and other infrastructure failure which can mean internet isn't 
reliable, or is so jammed up with a bunch of users using lines and links 
that don't normally handle that much traffic, that any VOIP program would 
bog down right away and make communication less reliable than texting.
Also, in an emergency situation, an HF link would likely be set up along 
with packet and phone to pass messages if 2M or 70CM won't get through.
If they just didn't bother to set up HF, then it probably wasn't much of an 
emergency.

73
Colin, V A6BKX
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Kevin Minor" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Saturday, August 06, 2011 5:36 PM
Subject: Re: The value of VOIP communication: was RE: back on the list again


> Hi.
>
> The reason I thought EchoLink would be handy in an emergency is that our
> state center can't always reach the local repeater.  I thought EchoLink
> would be a way to link our site to them.  I can understand the thoughts of
> those against it.
>
> Kevin Minor, Lexington, KY
> [log in to unmask]