The walk is a circular route from Fanore Beach car park onto a Green Road, towards Gleninagh and Black head before a descending route to the Finish at Fanore Beach car park. There are six checkpoints manned by a Radio operator and Civil Defence personnel. There are three circuits in this walk that offer a 27k, 24k and 14k loop designated the A, B, and C walks. The operation is on 80 meters as this is the only suitable means of communication across mountainous terrain. Four of the six checkpoints can be operated from vehicles and the remaining two require a good portable set up which is light enough to carry over a distance of some half an hour of a walk. Walkers were supplied with maps and directions and if all else failed they could ask the checkpoint operators to point them in the right direction.

The Galway VHF Group and Civil Defence met at 08:30 am in the Fanore Beach car-park. The registration area was in a large vehicle with slide doors on one side. In the mean time, Tom EI2GP placed direction signs along the route. A quick meeting was held to designate tasks, checkpoints and operations packs to the Civil Defence and respective Radio personnel.

Registration commenced from 09:00 onwards and the first few walkers were underway by 9:30. At this point each team made their way to checkpoints. Accountability for walkers is essential so the logging aspect was of paramount importance. At intervals a check-in to base occurred where the numbers we logged also. At times walkers would appear to go missing which was probably due to a delay whilst they had lunch. Sure enough they would appear at their next point eventually. There was no excuse to get lost, although many actually walked past signs as they ware so busy soaking up the scenery.

The portable operators used FT817 transceivers with an output power of five watts (Peak Eenvelope Power) Single Side Band into an MP1 mini-screwdriver antenna. This is a very lightweight kit easily transportable in a rucksack. Probably the heaviest part of this station would be the lead acid gel battery. For a full day of activity a 7 AH battery is recommended. The internal battery pack is slightly short of 2 AH and seldom lasts for the full day. The mobile operators used Pro-Am whips and sufficient power to enable good readability for the duration of the event. Apart from the FT817 operators, the rest could get by on 10 watts with no difficulty. One operator was using the Tarheel mobile screwdriver on his vehicle which worked well also.

Net Control would periodically update each checkpoint with the numbers of walkers that had registered until the cut off point at mid-day. One or two were sneaked in after that time on the proviso that they would not delay in the early stages. Once all walkers were accounted for at a checkpoint, 20 minutes grace was given to allow for them to turn back otherwise it was assumed they were to continue. The checkpoint could then stand down. At times a walker would decide to transfer from a shorter walk to the longer walk in which case net control would be alerted by the checkpoint in question who would then appraise the following checkpoints of the walker’s intentions.

Probably the most worrying point of the walk is the last two checkpoints where walkers occasionally manage to bypass a checkpoint and it is then not possible to account for them until they are reach next point or even the finish. This year there were only a few that managed to miss the vital point at checkpoint 5. As a precaution, another point was set up along the road to take numbers of walkers passing. Often walkers do not check in at the finish point. By having the checkpoint on the road we were able to check that they were off the hills safely. It is surprising how many people purposely make it their business to bypass checkpoints. We had told them at the start that any who did not check in would have the rescue services initiated on their behalf and that they would be liable for the bill afterwards. This year none bypassed the finish line!

At the end of the walk, the gear was stowed away and a final check of the site was made before leaving. All of those who participated were treated to a sumptuous feast and drink in Hyland’s Hotel in Ballyvaughan as a reward for the day’s work.

In conclusion our 80 meter links worked well despite the fact that number of operators in the another country decided to establish a net on the frequency we had been using since 09:30 and then whine about the Interference from Irish stations! The FT817s can only be described as a fantastic radio with their performance surpassing all expectations, although one has to bring an additional gel cell battery as the internal battery pack is not sufficient for a long day of operating. Would be SOTA enthusiasts do take note! The days operation was very smooth and uneventful, with only one walker eluding a checkpoint but was caught at the following one. The success of this operation is generally dictated by the long periods of silence that denotes all is well. The end of walk accountability worked well and there were no excessive delays as everybody was checked in at the final checkpoints and the finish.

Special thanks to the following operators: Gerry EI8DRB Checkpoint 1 and the final check along the road section, John EI7FAB Checkpoint 2, Enda EI3IS at checkpoint 3, John EI1EM on checkpoint 4, Tom Rea on Checkpoint 5, Joe EI3IX on checkpoint 6 and Steve EI5DD on registration and Net Control. Special thanks to Civil Defence who provided First Aid cover and personnel to assist at the checkpoints.

PARS emergency communications organiser Asad Marwat AP2AUM that while the linking of so many repeaters will cause a tail squelch delay, given the circumstances and lack of proper equipment it will be acceptable.

A convoy of radio amateurs is relocating a repeater already installed at Changla and relocating it to Malakand Heights, so it can be linked into the emergency communications system via Nowshera.

Asad AP2AUM said that a team of radio amateurs will be transporting via a helicopter a VHF base station with a high gain antenna, and subject to the availability of a 12v car battery all should be up and running.

As the massive flood disaster that has ravaged Pakistan for the past month shows no signs of easing, PARS continues to collaborate with Islamabad Jeep Club members and the Pakistan Academy of Family Physicians to provide support for those affected.

Some 30 radio amateurs are involved in providing emergency communications in response to the disaster estimated to have affected 20 million people and claimed 1500 lives.

Jim Linton VK3PC
Chairman,
IARU R3 Disaster Communications Committee

The magnitude 7.1 earthquake occurred at 4.36am local time Saturday 4 September, while most people were asleep in their homes.

The result was extensive building damage in New Zealand’s second largest city, Christchurch, with only two people seriously hurt and no one reported trapped or missing.

AREC Deputy Director, Geoff Chapman ZL3PX who lives in Christchurch, said that while AREC was at the Civil Defence Headquarters, there has been no requirement for it to pass any emergency traffic.

That is due to restoration of telephone and power to the majority of the affected areas. While water and sewerage systems have been affected there has been no reported major loss of roads or bridges.

However AREC is ready, as the situation could worsen with the weather bureau issuing a warning of very strong winds with gusts up to 130km/h and heavy rain posing new threats to already damaged buildings.

Adding to the danger are numerous aftershocks with authorities advising that these will continue for many days or weeks.

The ‘quake is New Zealand’s most damaging since the one which hit Napier (Hawke’s Bay) in February 1931, that saw radio amateurs extensively provide emergency communications.

That led to the formation by the IARU national radio society, the New Zealand Amateur Radio Transmitters (NZART) of what is today known as AREC.

Jim Linton VK3PC, Chairman, IARU Region 3, Disaster Communications Committee.

The HF equipment was installed in vehicles the night before the event and aerials were tuned prior to the event. At 8 am walkers were deployed from buses to the start of the walk. The operators made their way to checkpoints and were operational immediately.

Whilst the 80 metre band was noisy in the early part of the day it provided excellent communications throughout the event. Transport was organised for any walker who could not continue and Civil Defence were on hand to assist with any first aid requirements.

Information regarding walker who were unable to continue was passed onto the next checkpoint. At all times the number of walkers between checkpoints was known. The sweepers communicated with checkpoints via PMR handheld radios confirming that all walkers had passed through.

Communication between checkpoints was excellent and an updates were easily received by all operators. Once all of the walkers had passed through a checkpoint, the operator was then free to hop to the next free checkpoint and take up position.

This system worked very well and shifting band conditions had no effect on the communications throughout the day. 80 metres provided an excellent system for communication in mountainous terrain where even the most sophisticated network of VHF Repeaters would be a waste of time and effort. One frequency was used at all times and everyone was able to receive updates as required. When the event was finished two operators, driving home by different routes, remained in contact for the duration of the journey that would not have been possible by direct communication on VHF. Mobile phones were of little use due to the restrictions in coverage.

Special thanks to John, EI1EM, Tom EI2GP, Steve EI5DD, and Arthur EI7GMB who operated the checkpoints at this event.

HAMNET INVOLVEMENT REPORT

During October 2009, HAMNET was approached by the Johannesburg Disaster Management to become part of the communications team preparing for the soccer World Cup as well as the Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality that covers the East Rand area. One must remember that Gauteng South has three major Metropolitan Areas namely Johannesburg itself, Ekurhuleni that covers the East Rand From basically Bedford View to Springs in the far east rand and Mogale Metropolitan Area that covers the West Rand.

The Johannesburg communications team comprised people from all walks of life and included at least 3 communications specialists to assist with the establishment of the network to cover events during the SWC.

However, prior to that, during a Disaster Management Forum meeting held in August 2009, we had guest speakers from various organisations elaborating on their involvement, approach to and planning of various scenarios that may occur before and during the SWC.

These were representatives from S.A. Police Services, The Civil Aviation Authority, Health Departments, Emergency Medical Services, Provincial Directors, Traffic authorities and so the list goes on.  No stone leading up to the event was left unturned, inspected, discussed and replaced with a plan of action.

Hamnet’s final involvement began fairly late in the run up to the event – around March 2010, three months before the opening ceremony.  This was due to the Joint Communications Committee in their planning realising that they had to plan for the eventuality of there being a total blackout of all types and forms of communication.

1. All normal forms of communications are lost and our brief would then be to restore communications by utilizing amateur radio frequencies or any other appropriate frequency with Hamnet members seconded to the emergency services at key points.
2. A disaster occurs in an area where normal communications is nonexistent and Hamnet would have to set up a radio link between the incident and the controlling authority.

The JCC building did have its own power supply generator should general power fail – and so did all the soccer stadiums around the country!

We were invited to attend meetings within the building allocated as the Joint Communication Centre which in itself immediately presented some problems.  The building was a classic example of a Faraday Cage with result communications from the control desk on the 3rd floor on 2 metres to a repeater on the roof, another 8 floors higher, was impossible.

We then looked at running a cross band set-up by utilizing 70cm from the control room to a repeater on the roof and then out on 2 metres.  This worked well as the JCC was within simplex reach of both the stadia – Ellis Park and the main arena, Soccer City – and many of the other venues due to the height of the antenna!

Our next objective was to obtain a list of all the Fan Fest Parks, Team Locations (Hotels etc.), Training Venues, Township TV facilities, Park and Ride facilities, Bus Routes, Park and Walk facilities, and finally, the Road Closure list on days of games at the two venue’s.

Once this was done, we then drew up a list of all the volunteers in the Gauteng South Region – looking particularly at those with mobiles and 2 m facilities.  The authorities at this point also invited us for a photographic session so we could be issued with EMS (Emergency Management Service) volunteer cards with our speciality embedded in the card.  All the volunteers were briefed on their roles via meetings and on an individual basis prior to the start of the event!

The South African Police Service then required a complete list of all the volunteers including their types and makes of vehicles, registration numbers, name of driver, ID number colour of the vehicle etc.  All this was done within a deadline of completion being one month prior to the opening ceremony.  This was for accreditation purposes.

The Accreditation Routine was extremely strict – and so was security.  Should there be an incident and a volunteer was required to do duty, that person first had to obtain a security clearance or accreditation certificate, attend to his call out and then must return the certificate from the issuing point after the incident is over!

We then ran into a problem regarding the equipment required for the ops room.  Some new equipment including a suitable Flight Case had to be urgently obtained from suppliers locally and from Japan.  We were also donated a good working 2nd hand laptop as this was going to be built into the Flight case for Internet and APRS usage if required.

Although the emergency unit (kit) was ready approximately one week into the month long event, we decided in consultation with the JCC committee that we will remain on stand by and should it be necessary to install the emergency kit into the ops room, this could be accomplished in a very short period of time!  The committee were happy that Hamnet was in place and that all the volunteers were on stand by if required.  We also needed permission to possibly drill holes into the wall on the roof to mount the antenna.

This was ruled out and an alternative arrangement was prepared whereby the antenna was mounted on a footplate that was held down by concrete slabs to prevent the wind blowing down the mast.  Fortunately, to erect this was never required – but it was in place!

This arrangement remained in place for the full duration of the games – locally and in other centres – as all games were displayed on Fan Park TV screens where anything could go wrong.

This takes care of Gauteng South Province.

In all the other cities/venues like Cape Town, Bloemfontein, Port Elizabeth, Durban, Rustenburg, Polokwane, Pretoria and Nelspruit, the arrangements for the volunteers was not that elaborate as in Gauteng.  Each town or city had at lest 3 people who were on standby and in communication with their local Disaster Management and SAPS members should they be required tor duty.

We know that Bloemfontein, Cape Town and Durban also had special facilities within their Disaster Management ops rooms for communication to any volunteers in their vehicles as well as being able to communicate directly with the main Hamnet station in Johannesburg via HF, Echolink or Skype through the Internet.

In all, it turned out to be an excellent operation in preparing for something that my or may not happen.  Gauteng South benefitted by way of now having 2 emergency kits available and Cape Town will benefit from taking over one of the rigs for use in their ops room.

Gauteng disaster Management with its ops room in Midrand, were never part of the Gauteng South plan but they were on stand by for the whole period of the cup event.

In total, for our area only, the number of amateur radio operators that took part – Hamnet and non Hamnet volunteers, totalled around 65 people.

We also wish to thank the authorities for allowing us to form part of and be on stand-by during this whole operation and sincerely hope this will benefit closer cooperation between Hamnet and local authorities in the future!

Reporting for Hamnet, this is Francois Botha, ZS6BUU – National Director.

The road walks do not require radio communication as there are regular check points and refreshment stops around the route with regular “patrol” vehicles keeping an eye on the participants who walk at their own pace and also replenishing the refreshment areas.

The cross country rambles are lead by a guide and take the walkers through rough boggy terrain in the hills surrounding the Castlebar area. The AREN team assist with the communications throughout the ramble. There can be anything up to 450 ramblers on the guided walk at any one time. The guide plus a team of marshals and medical personnel are all linked to each other by PMR 446 transceivers. Two members of the AREN team are linked in to the PMR network and if an emergency should arise it is their responsibility to communicate with the back-up vehicle following the ramble at ground level. Tom, EI2GP, doubled as medical officer and AREN operator. Joe, EI3IX, an experienced Castlebar hillwalker, was the second AREN operator walking with the group. Steve, EI5DD, was driving the support vehicle and was in contact with Tom and Joe via the 145Mhz/2 metre link. If a situation should arise it would be Tom or Joe who would call the support vehicle.

The support vehicle contained equipment such as the defibrillator, medical supplies, additional splints, and medications. If called, the support vehicle could drive to a pre-arranged pick up-point and collect anyone who was unable to continue the walk or deploy equipment required to assist with treatment of a casualty.

There were six marshals situated within the walk, on PMR radios, one of which was situated at the rear of the group and responsible for sweeping and ensuring that nobody was left behind. At all times, the operation of the PMR radio link was well disciplined and seldom used unless there was cause for concern. Initial communication was established with each member of the team and from there onwards the links remained silent unless necessary information was passed

If an emergency situation was called, either Tom EI2GP or Joe EI3IX linked with Steve EI5DD to organise a pick up point or for the necessary equipment to be made available at short notice. Other duties involved the organisation of refreshment stops as the walkers descend from their hill walk. Once the walkers were on the public highway 3 vehicles were responsible for the safety of the walkers.

At times there could be a build up of traffic behind the walkers. After clearing with the lead vehicle, via the radio system, it was possible to bring the build up of cars along the outside of the file of walkers to prevent a long tail of slow moving vehicles at the rear of the walking group. This was something that could only be done safely via the communication system. The lead car would drive ahead and halt oncoming traffic to make it possible to bring cars up from the back of walking group preventing a large tailback of traffic.

The system has been well tried and tested over the years and the marshals have become accustomed to radio operation which makes the operation quite efficient. As there are no checkpoints on a guided ramble it is easy to run the communications with a smaller number of AREN operators.

In conclusion there were no emergency calls during the course of the cross country rambles over the four days. Road safety was covered by 3 vehicles when the walkers had to walk along the public highway. At all times, great effort was made to minimise the inconvenience to other road users. Perhaps APRS will be used in future events but it was easy enough to identify where the walk was at all times as a result of the communication between the operators during the walk. The marshals on the ramble have been well tutored over the years and work well with the Galway VHF Group operators. Communications were good and readable at all times during the walk.

Behind the scenes there are over 60 enthusiastic members who volunteer yearly. They man the checkpoints; lead the walkers over the route; brew the tea on the mountaintops; and make dinner back at the check-in; and still remember to turn on the hot water for the showers!

There are actually 4 different options available to walkers on the day.  The Comeragh Challenge which is approximately 40km. long with about 2000m of ascent. The average walking time is approx 10 hours, though 2 hardy men finished it in less than 6 hours yesterday. The Comerach Crossing is approx 30km. long with 1150m of ascent. There are three stages to the walk and it is possible to join at either Stage 2 or Stage 3, later in the day.

Invariably this means that communications (assuming nothing happens) is mostly about “missing” walkers, walker leaving the walk and needing transport, and making sure that no walker goes missing between manned checkpoints.

One checkpoint in the Nire Valley poses a particular challenge, and, as a back up, communications were establised with  80m NVIS mode propagation to ensure communications between this location and base in Dungarvan.

Members participating included EI8JA, EI5GOB, EI2IT, EI3ENB, EI2KA and EI7IG, with operation being wrapped up at approximately 19:00, with all walkers accounted for and en-route back to base.

The operation position

EI5GOB and EI8JA taking a break before deployment.

Tom, EI2GP, was located at the start line of the race and would advise when crews are leaving and heading down the course. At this point the operator on the slips ensures that boats do not row onto the course and also prevents the area becoming too congested at the same time. Steve, EI5DD was located at the finish line which is where the organisation and logistics of the event took place. Message handling involved

1. Passing information about crews who would not be taking part and therefore not taking to the water
2. Crews who would be participating at a later stage as a result of winning their race and therefore entering a semi-final or final (information required to determine what time the boats would be going back on the water)
3. Calling for crews to row towards the start as quickly as possible
4. Advising of any river traffic heading up the course, and
5. Logging of accidents during the event and deployment of safety crews.

From 9 am there was a constant flow of information as crews were co-ordinated to a strict schedule in order to accommodate the number of races during the day. There were stiff breezes which affected some of the less experienced crews often blowing them off course and into reeds. Rescue crews were quite busy under the circumstances. The water level of the Corrib was also lower than usual, due to the recent dry spells.  A couple of crews ran aground and had to be towed off the rocks whilst another actually capsized.  The slip area was constantly busy under the auspices of Enda, EI3IS. Enda was updated with changes to the schedule and thereby able to call crews to the water as required. Messages regarding crews encountering difficulty with equipment were passed enabling their event to be re-scheduled.

The operators at this event have become quite familiar with how it ‘runs’ this year,  new operators were present and were monitoring the activity to observe, consider the implications of incorrect information being passed as the event progresses, before taking part the following year.

Radio Amateurs in Region 1 are reminded that the following frequencies
may be in use by nets in North and Central America to track and deal
with the consequences of these severe weather events. It is possible for
Region 1 amateurs to cause unintentional QRM to these nets so please
listen carefully if operating near these frequencies.

14.300 MHz is used by the Maritime Mobile Service Net daily and as well
as handling traffic from Maritime Mobile Stations, also gathers weather
reports from maritime stations to assist forecasters.

14.325 MHz is used by the Hurricane Watch Net and the net is established
whenever it appears that a storm may affect the US mainland. The net
gathers weather information and links to the American National Hurricane
Centre.

14.265 MHz is used by the Salvation Army Team Emergency Radio  Network (
SATERN )  provides Health and Welfare traffic links for those in
affected areas as well as supporting the Salvation Army Disaster relief
response should a hurricane strike.

Frequencies used in Cuba
7.045, 7.080, 7.110 MHz
3.740 MHz

Frequencies used in Central America;
Red Centro Americana :  7.090 and 3.750MHz
Guatemala: 7.075 MHz
Nicaragua: 7.098 MHz

Mexico (FMRE)3.690 and 7.060 MHz

Cuba and Mexico co-operate with long distance relays on 40m when
propagation makes this possible.

Local emergency communications groups may also activate if a hurricane
approaches their area and those frequencies would be announced at the time.

APRS worked very well.  This year EI3ENB brought along a Micro-Trak AIO which was given to one of the walk leaders to carry.  It worked quite well and gave excellent, trouble free service over the duration of the weekend. EI8JA and EI2JP both had Yaesu VX-8Rs with them which also worked very well. Extensive use was made of the mobile Kenwood TM-D710s in vehicles to act as digipeaters for the lower powered units.

The first screen-shot is from Saturdays log (cleaned up a bit)

The second from Sunday.

The third is also from Sunday, but this time using the latest OpenStreetMap additions to Xastir

The performance of the Micro-Trak AIO was quite surprising, but allowed us to keep an eye on the A-Walks progress on both the Saturday and Sunday. Amateur Radio operators involved included EI5GOB, EI7IG, EI8JA, EI2JP, EI3FFB and EI2GN, totalling approximately 124 volunteer hours over the weekend.