[K4RY] Haiti amateur radio emergency operations

[wb4lnm at aol.com]

SB SPCL @ ARL $ARLX002ARLX002 IARU Region 2 Requests Frequencies Be Kept Clear AfterMassive Earthquake Strikes HaitiZCZC AX02QST de W1AW  Special Bulletin 2  ARLX002From ARRL Headquarters  Newington CT  January 13, 2010To all radio amateurs SB SPCL ARL ARLX002ARLX002 IARU Region 2 Requests Frequencies Be Kept Clear AfterMassive Earthquake Strikes HaitiOn Tuesday, January 12 at 4:53 PM Haiti time (2153 UTC), a magnitude7.0 earthquake hit 10 miles (15 kilometers) west of Port-au-Prince,the island nation's capital. Communications in and out of Haiti havebeen disrupted. No word has been received as of yet from any ofHaitian Amateur Radio operators. The ARRL encourages US amateurs tobe aware of the emergency operations on the following frequencies:7.045 and 3.720 MHz (IARU Region 2 nets), 14.265, 7.265 and 3.977MHz (SATERN nets), and 14.300 MHz (Intercontinental Assistance andTraffic Net).  The International Radio Emergency Support Coalition(IRESC) is also active on EchoLink node 278173.IARU Region 2 Area C Emergency Coordinator, Arnie Coro, CO2KK, iscoordinating a multi-national response by hams. There are organizednets on 7.045 and 3.720 MHz; amateurs are asked to monitor thefrequencies, but to also keep them clear of non-essential traffic.Amateur Radio operators should also be aware that emergency trafficpertaining to the Haitian earthquake is expected on the SATERNfrequencies of 14.265 MHz, 7.265 MHz and 3977 MHz, according toSATERN's leader, Major Pat McPherson. The Salvation Army isaccepting health and welfare traffic requests on its Web site."As late as 9:45 PM local time (0245 UTC), we have not been able tocontact any amateur or emergency services stations in Haiti," Corosaid in an e-mail. "Amateurs from Cuba, the Dominican Republic,Puerto Rico and Venezuela are monitoring the 40 meter bandfrequency. We are still keeping watch on 7.045 MHz, hoping thatsomeone in Haiti may have access to a transceiver and at least a carbattery to run it," but so far. no HH stations have checked in.Tuesday's quake was felt in the Dominican Republic, which shares theisland of Hispaniola with Haiti, and in Eastern Cuba, but no majordamage was reported in either place.The January 13 edition of The Daily DX reported that the Rev JohnHenault, HH6JH, made contact late Wednesday morning with theIntercontinental Assistance and Traffic Net (IATN) on 14.300 MHz;this is the IARU Global Center of Activity frequency for emergencycommunications. He said that he was safe, but had no power and nophone service. He was operating on battery power and hoping to get agenerator running later in the day. The edition also noted thatPierre Petry, HH2/HB9AMO -- who was in Cap Haitien (about 140 kmnorth of Port-au-Prince) is "okay"; Petry is in Haiti working forthe United Nations World Food Program. Later today, he will betraveling to the capital.The UN's 9000 peacekeepers in Haiti -- many of whom are from Brazil-- were distracted from aid efforts by their own tragedy: Many spentthe night hunting for survivors in the ruins of their headquarters."It would appear that everyone who was in the building, including myfriend Hedi Annabi, the United Nations' Secretary General's specialenvoy, and everyone with him and around him, are dead," FrenchForeign Minister Bernard Kouchner said Wednesday, speaking on Frenchradio. UN peacekeeping chief Alain Le Roy would not confirm thatAnnabi was dead, but said he was among more than 100 people missingin the rubble of its headquarters. He said only about 10 people hadbeen pulled out, many of them badly injured. Fewer than five bodieshad been pulled from the rubble, he said.The United Nations said the capital's main airport was "fullyoperational" and that relief flights would begin on Wednesday,January 13.The situation in Haiti is still chaotic. More information will beposted as soon as possible. Information is being validated andshared between many amateur groups and news sources as it unfolds.NNNN/EX




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