Unknown Explosions at Boston Marathon

[capmaj]

All at MAWG are safe. MAWG worked the starting line this a.m., but all souls had returned home earlier.

[Eclipse]

With the cell phones "turned off" would GETS still work?  Or are the towers simply shut down completely?

GETS only provides priority access on the system if it works.   If they shut the cells down, there's nothing to have priority on.

[JeffDG]

Shutting down the towers entirely is a defensive measure, in case there are additional devices that are remotely triggered by cell phones...kill the network, no way to remote detonate...unless the bomber programmed a fail-safe to detonate on LoS

[MSG Mac]

Just heard that there was also an explosion at the Kennedy Library in Dorchester, about 5 miles from Copley Sq.

[JeffDG]

Press release from them says it was a mechanical issue and unrelated.

The fog-of-war is thick right now!

[a2capt]

Seems they've shut down the cell phone network in the area, too.

.. to keep them from being used to as possible detonation triggers.

http://bigstory.ap.org/article/official-cellphone-service-shut-down-boston

[LCG8928]

If anybody wants to listen to the police radio here's the link:
http://www.broadcastify.com/listen/feed/6254/web

[Devil Doc]

Hope everyone is OK, i'm glad that the MAWG had not been there when It happened.

[NIN]

Pylon was in the AO.

[abdsp51]

Pylon was in the AO.

Has anyone heard from him? 

[Woodsy]

With the cell phones "turned off" would GETS still work?  Or are the towers simply shut down completely?

GETS only provides priority access on the system if it works.   If they shut the cells down, there's nothing to have priority on.

That's what I figured.  Thanks for the confirmation. 

[Pylon]

Pylon was in the AO.

Has anyone heard from him?

I'm safe, thanks.  My apartment is a little under 4 miles from the site of the attack.  I was on the marathon route (which goes through my neighborhood) a bit after mile marker 22 cheering on friends who were running and military who were ruck marching the marathon.  Luckily, everyone I know appears to be safe.  Please keep those who were less fortunate in your prayers.

[Devil Doc]

says your in a NY Squadron but you live in MA? lol

[Pylon]

says your in a NY Squadron but you live in MA? lol

I live in Boston.  I do work for NER-NY-408 assisting with public affairs projects because I have a long history with that unit, because that's what my limited free time allows me to contribute, and because I can execute those duties remotely without much issue.

[Devil Doc]

Ahh, that's cool. Do you go to meetings? Im glad your safe Pylon

[NIN]

Ahh, that's cool. Do you go to meetings? Im glad your safe Pylon

He does go to meetings. Just last week he went to one.

[Black Knight]

I was watching the news and it says three people are now dead and at least 113 are injured. One of the people killed was an 8 year old boy. Whoever did that is crazy. Our thoughts and prayers go out to the victims and their families of this tragic event.

[That Anonymous Guy]

I was watching the news and it says three people are now dead and at least 113 are injured. One of the people killed was an 8 year old boy. Whoever did that is crazy. Our thoughts and prayers go out to the victims and their families of this tragic event.

CNN says 144 wounded. One of the heros emerging today is a peace activist who's Marine son was killed in Iraq in 2004. He helped with first aid and is in the gruesome picture of the man in the wheelchair missing his legs.

[MSG Mac]

The bombs (IED) contained ball bearings. These were trained terrorists.

[♠SARKID♠]

The bombs (IED) contained ball bearings. These were trained terrorists.

Not really, by that info alone.