{"id":28189,"date":"2017-09-08T08:09:31","date_gmt":"2017-09-08T12:09:31","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/?p=28189"},"modified":"2017-09-08T08:09:31","modified_gmt":"2017-09-08T12:09:31","slug":"zello-a-ptt-push-to-talk-app-surges-in-popularity-with-hurricane-irma","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/2017\/09\/zello-a-ptt-push-to-talk-app-surges-in-popularity-with-hurricane-irma\/","title":{"rendered":"Zello: A PTT (push to talk) app surges in popularity with Hurricane Irma"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><a href=\"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/09\/Zello-samrtphone-to-walike-talkie-app.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-28191\" src=\"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/09\/Zello-samrtphone-to-walike-talkie-app.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"620\" height=\"303\" srcset=\"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/09\/Zello-samrtphone-to-walike-talkie-app.png 620w, https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/09\/Zello-samrtphone-to-walike-talkie-app-300x147.png 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 620px) 100vw, 620px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>(Source: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonpost.com\/news\/innovations\/wp\/2017\/09\/06\/hurricane-irma-just-made-a-digital-walkie-talkie-the-no-1-app-online\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">The Washington Post<\/a> via David Korchin)<\/p>\n<blockquote><p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignright wp-image-28190 size-medium\" src=\"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/09\/Zello-ScreenGrab-168x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"168\" height=\"300\" srcset=\"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/09\/Zello-ScreenGrab-168x300.jpg 168w, https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/09\/Zello-ScreenGrab.jpg 327w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 168px) 100vw, 168px\" \/>As Hurricane Harvey dropped anchor over Southeast Texas last week, Zello became the go-to app for rescuers working to save thousands of people trapped by floodwaters.<\/p>\n<p>Within days of Harvey\u2019s arrival, the app saw a 20-fold increase in usage in Houston, according to Bill Moore, the Austin based startup\u2019s the chief executive.<\/p>\n<p>As Hurricane Irma hurtles across the Caribbean toward the coast of Florida, Zello continues to boom in popularity. The free Internet \u201cwalkie-talkie\u201d app \u2014 which relies on cellphone data plans or WiFi and is designed to operate in places where signals are weak \u2014 became the top app on iTunes and Google Play Wednesday.<\/p>\n<p>The latest influx began Tuesday and, at one point, Moore said, 120 people were registering for the app every second. In recent days, the app has also trended on Facebook and Twitter, offering another example of the pivotal role social media is playing in natural disasters.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThe heat map of where the registrations are occurring looks like the hurricane\u2019s forecast path,\u201d he added. \u201cIt\u2019s very dense at the tip among the Caribbean islands and then fans out across Florida.\u201d[&#8230;]<\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonpost.com\/news\/innovations\/wp\/2017\/09\/06\/hurricane-irma-just-made-a-digital-walkie-talkie-the-no-1-app-online\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Continue reading at The Washington Post online.<\/a><\/p>\n<p>I find Zello quite interesting. If you think about it, this app mimics the concept of traditional PTT\/two-way radio which certainly has traffic management advantages during times of emergencies. Of course, Zello has many features traditional two-way radio does not (voice history, the ability to leave messages, native GPS and mapping functionality, etc.).<\/p>\n<p>Zello does rely on some sort of Internet connectivity via 4G, 3G, WiFi,\u00a0GPRS and\/or EDGE. During disasters, these services may not always be accessible. Of course, amateur radio, CB and other traditional radio services do not require Internet connectivity.<\/p>\n<p>Zello requires no license, no radio, nor any other accessories&#8211;just a smart phone&#8211;and is free. That&#8217;s a powerful combination and, as The Washington Post reports, Zello is obviously helping with Irma relief efforts. Thanks for the tip, David!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>(Source: The Washington Post via David Korchin) As Hurricane Harvey dropped anchor over Southeast Texas last week, Zello became the go-to app for rescuers working to save thousands of people trapped by floodwaters. Within days of Harvey\u2019s arrival, the app saw a 20-fold increase in usage in Houston, according to Bill Moore, the Austin based [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":15,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":false,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2}},"categories":[2509,599,3],"tags":[4124,2264,6486,4378,6488],"class_list":["post-28189","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-apps","category-emergency-preparedness","category-news","tag-apps","tag-david-korchin","tag-hurricane-irma","tag-washington-post","tag-zello"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/pn3uc-7kF","jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":28231,"url":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/2017\/09\/zello-transformed-holly-from-onlooker-into-dispatcher\/","url_meta":{"origin":28189,"position":0},"title":"Zello transformed Holly from onlooker into dispatcher","author":"Thomas","date":"September 10, 2017","format":false,"excerpt":"As a follow up to our previous post about the PTT \"radio\" app Zello, SWLing Post contributor, Aaron Kuhn shares this story from The Houston Chronicle: I downloaded an app. And suddenly, was part of the Cajun Navy. After watching nonstop coverage of the hurricane and the incredible rescues that\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Apps&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Apps","link":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/category\/apps\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/08\/Hurricane-Harvey.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/08\/Hurricane-Harvey.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/08\/Hurricane-Harvey.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/08\/Hurricane-Harvey.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":28120,"url":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/2017\/09\/wrmi-prepares-for-hurricane-irma\/","url_meta":{"origin":28189,"position":1},"title":"WRMI prepares for Hurricane Irma","author":"Thomas","date":"September 6, 2017","format":false,"excerpt":"(Source: WRMI on Facebook) Hurricane Irma: Thank you to all of our listeners who have inquired about our hurricane plans. At the moment (early Wednesday local time), it appears that the eye of Hurricane Irma will come right over or very close to Okeechobee by Sunday or Monday. We will\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Broadcasters&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Broadcasters","link":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/category\/broadcasters\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/09\/145453_5day_cone_no_line_and_wind.png?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/09\/145453_5day_cone_no_line_and_wind.png?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/09\/145453_5day_cone_no_line_and_wind.png?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/09\/145453_5day_cone_no_line_and_wind.png?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":28245,"url":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/2017\/09\/wrmi-hurricane-irma-has-done-extensive-damage\/","url_meta":{"origin":28189,"position":2},"title":"WRMI: Hurricane Irma has done &#8220;extensive damage&#8221;","author":"Thomas","date":"September 11, 2017","format":false,"excerpt":"(Source: WRMI on Facebook) 1430 UTC Monday, September 11 Hurricane Irma has done extensive damage at WRMI in Okeechobee, Florida. Two antenna towers are down and many poles holding transmission lines are also down. Power went out at around 2030 UTC Sunday, and it may not be restored for days.\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Broadcasters&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Broadcasters","link":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/category\/broadcasters\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/09\/WRMI.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/09\/WRMI.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/09\/WRMI.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/09\/WRMI.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":28224,"url":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/2017\/09\/hurricane-irma-update-from-wrmi-rhc\/","url_meta":{"origin":28189,"position":3},"title":"Hurricane Irma update from WRMI &#038; RHC","author":"Thomas","date":"September 10, 2017","format":false,"excerpt":"(Source: WRMI on Facebook) Dear WRMI Friends, Colleagues and Clients: I am writing this at 0400 UTC Sunday, September 10. Here in Okeechobee the winds are starting to pick up as Hurricane Irma heads to Florida. The exact path of the hurricane continues to change somewhat, but it appears that\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;News&quot;","block_context":{"text":"News","link":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/category\/news\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/09\/WRMI-Boarded-Uo-Hurricane-Irma.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/09\/WRMI-Boarded-Uo-Hurricane-Irma.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/09\/WRMI-Boarded-Uo-Hurricane-Irma.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/09\/WRMI-Boarded-Uo-Hurricane-Irma.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":28880,"url":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/2017\/10\/radio-world-shortwave-station-bends-but-doesnt-break\/","url_meta":{"origin":28189,"position":4},"title":"Radio World: Shortwave Station Bends But Doesn\u2019t Break","author":"Thomas","date":"October 24, 2017","format":false,"excerpt":"(Source: Radio World via Richard Langley) Among the many victims of Hurricane Irma in September was the transmitter\/antenna farm of Radio Miami International, WRMI in Okeechobee, located on a cattle ranch 40 miles inland from Port St. Lucie on Florida\u2019s Atlantic coast. On Sunday Sept. 10, Irma\u2019s roaring winds tore\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Broadcasters&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Broadcasters","link":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/category\/broadcasters\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/09\/WRMI-Irma-damage5.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/09\/WRMI-Irma-damage5.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/09\/WRMI-Irma-damage5.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/09\/WRMI-Irma-damage5.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":28407,"url":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/2017\/09\/photos-of-wrmi-antenna-field-damage\/","url_meta":{"origin":28189,"position":5},"title":"Photos of WRMI antenna field damage","author":"Thomas","date":"September 19, 2017","format":false,"excerpt":"Since we've been following WRMI in the wake of Hurricane Irma, I've posted a few photos below that WRMI shared on their Facebook page. These photos give us an idea about the magnitude of damage to their antenna farm. Amazingly, Jeff White confirmed a few days ago that\u00a0WRMI is back\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Broadcasters&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Broadcasters","link":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/category\/broadcasters\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/09\/WRMI-Irma-damage5.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/09\/WRMI-Irma-damage5.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/09\/WRMI-Irma-damage5.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/09\/WRMI-Irma-damage5.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x"},"classes":[]}],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/28189","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/15"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=28189"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/28189\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=28189"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=28189"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=28189"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}