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07 — Comms: radio, Emergency Alerts, Starlink

Scope: GOV.UK Emergency Alerts; Prepare radio-in-power-cut advice; BBC Radio Cumbria; Starlink Mini as optional resilient internet (needs own power).
Last researched: 27 Sep 2026 (Europe/London).

ESSENTIAL

Emergency Alerts (GOV.UK)

System: gov.uk/alerts — life-threatening emergencies (e.g. severe flooding, extreme storms, wildfires).
Compatible mobiles may siren (~10s) even on silent, vibrate, display message with link/number.
Based on current location, not home address; location services not required.
Never sent as email asking for personal details — treat such emails as phishing.
Does not replace radio, TV, local news, or social media.
Driving: do not read while driving; stop safely or listen to live radio if alone and cannot stop.

Power-cut communications (Prepare)

Write 105 and radio frequencies on paper.
Battery / wind-up radio; try FM and digital; car radio only if safe.
Mobile may work briefly or via neighbouring mast; 999/112 emergency calls roam available networks.
Landline/telecare: ask provider if it works in a cut; backup battery options may exist.
Broadband usually down without power at premises/exchange/mast.

Local radio (write on paper plan)

Service	Frequency (archived BBC reception page)
BBC Radio Cumbria – North, East, West	95.6 FM
South Cumbria	96.1 FM
Whitehaven / Keswick	104.1 FM
Kendal	95.2 FM
Windermere	104.2 FM
North AM	756 AM

Source: BBC Radio Cumbria frequencies (archived) — verify current list on BBC reception pages periodically.

Starlink Mini (household equipment — operational resilience, not a GOV mandate)

Official Starlink support (cited via Anker SOLIX summary of Starlink specs): Mini averages ~20–40 W, idle ~15 W (varies with temp, sky view, traffic).
Needs clear sky view and independent power (Anker SOLIX — Ch. 13). Without UPS/power station, Mini dies when mains dies.
Useful when terrestrial broadband/mobile congested or down and you can power the dish + router/phone charging.
Not a substitute for Emergency Alerts or FM radio during national/local life-safety warnings.

USEFUL

Keep phones partially charged + power banks; torch separate from phone light (Prepare).
Neighbour street chat group for local mutual aid (Prepare).
ENWL / UU SMS updates if registered.
Test Starlink Mini on battery before winter (runtime table Ch. 13).
National power-outage CMO advice emphasises radio and public health messaging — see GOV.UK CMO power outage publications when relevant.

Cumbria notes

Rural CA6: single mobile mast failures more plausible — radio + Starlink (powered) diversify paths.
Flooding may knock local cabinets/masts; Evacuate alerts may arrive via Emergency Alerts + Floodline + radio.

Source URLs

Source	URL
GOV.UK Emergency Alerts	https://www.gov.uk/alerts
Prepare – Power cuts	https://prepare.campaign.gov.uk/be-informed-about-hazards/power-cuts/
BBC Radio Cumbria frequencies	https://www.bbc.co.uk/england/radiocumbria/reception/frequencies.shtml
Starlink Mini power (Anker citing Starlink)	https://www.ankersolix.com/blogs/smart-home/starlink-mini-power-consumption
CMO national power outage advice (GOV.UK)	https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/public-health-advice-from-uk-cmos-during-a-national-power-outage

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