Received from Greg Mossop, G0DUB IARU Region 1 Emergency Communications Co-Ordinator:
The use of HF frequencies by RNRE in Italy for the flooding in the North West of their country and TRAC for the Earthquake in Van province of Turkey has finished. There is no further need to take care when operating around 3.643, 3.760MHz, 7.045-7.060 and 7.092-7.095 MHz.
Thanks to all amateurs who kept the frequencies clear for emergency traffic.
Received from Greg Mossop, G0DUB IARU Region 1 Emergency Communications Co-Ordinator:
Radio Amateurs in Turkey remain active in the response to the earthquake in Van province on 23rd October.
Assistance has been given by TRAC in setting up VHF/UHF networks to relief agencies and some traffic is also being carried on the 144MHz band. Red Crescent, the Ministry of Health, local law enforcement agencies and the local command centre have been served so far.
The need for HF operations is reducing, however there is still a government station which may operate on 7.092MHz USB. Amateurs are still requested to be careful when operating between 7.092 and 7.095MHz to avoid interference to the ongoing relief operations.
Received from Greg Mossop, G0DUB IARU Region 1 Emergency Communications Co-Ordinator:
On 23rd October at 10.41UTC a magnitude 7.2 earthquake struck the Van region of Eastern Turkey causing great loss of life and hundreds of casualties. Radio Amateurs from the Turkish national society TRAC are responding to assist with communications in the area.There are some frequencies in use on HF, currently used to link with Government resources and this is meaning that some frequencies outside the amateur bandplan and normal usage are being used until more equipment gets to the region. When this happens, more traffic should move to the normal Emergency Communications Centre of Activity frequencies.Please avoid causing QRM to emergency traffic on 7.092 MHz USB. USB is being used to allow communications with a government station.More information will be posted on this website when it is available from TRAC.
Received from Greg Mossop, G0DUB IARU Region 1 Emergency Communications Co-Ordinator:
Two earthquakes of magnitudes M4.4 and M5.2 struck the Region of Murcia (southeastern Spain) in the evening of 11th April, causing at least 8 dead and 167 wounded in the town of Lorca, due mainly to debris falling from some buildings.
The Spanish Government has activated the National Plan for Earthquake Risks, sending to the area the following resources: Military Unit for Emergencies (225 people equipped for Search and Rescue tasks), National Police and Civil Guard (400 people plus SAR dogs and gear to work underground, two trucks for special tasks and three helicopters) and the Spanish Geological Survey (mobile SATCOM unit).
The Spanish Red Cross has sent to the area 24 ambulances, 3 field hospitals and 6 teams to provide shelter facilities for 3.750 people. The Murcia Regional Authority is co-ordinating the operations through its 112 Operations Center and a Mobile Command Post, providing also more than 100 ambulances and a field hospital. Local police and firefighter teams are also working in the area.
It is estimated that around 20.000 people spent the night out of their homes due to aftershocks ranging from M0.7 to M4.0. The local hospital in Lorca has been evacuated due to some structural damages.
The REMER (Red Radio de Emergencia, Emergency Radio Network), an official emergency unit of the Spanish National Directorate of Civil Protection and Emergencies (DGPCE) made up of amateur radio operators, was deployed to the affected areas as one of the emergency communications assets enlisted in the National Plan for Earthquake Risks. REMER units used VHF simplex and repeater links to provide additional communication channels with the authorities.
A national network in HF was also activated to send real-time information to the DGPCE HQ in Madrid. As a government unit, REMER usually uses frequencies outside the amateur bands to pass emergency traffic.
The telecommunications companies operating in Spain deployed also 6 mobile base stations to the area in order to accommodate the expected increase in GSM traffic.
Received from Greg Mossop, G0DUB IARU Region 1 Emergency Communications Co-Ordinator:
The amateur radio activity is continuing to help those mainly within the disaster recovery area struck by the worst earthquake in Japan in 140 years. IARU Region 3 Secretary, Ken Yamamoto JA1CJP said "several stations are handling medium distance information exchange on 7.030/7.043 MHz. The operation in VHF and UHF bands becomes more active than in earlier days. About 250 transceivers with JARL licenses are used for communications between various refugee rest places and local government offices. Two sets of 430 MHz repeaters have also been delivered to the disaster area and they are operational now to enhance the existing repeaters coverage and provide easier communications between hand-held transceivers." The big earthquake, now graded at nine on the Ritcher scale, and followed by a tsunami hit north-eastern Japan on 11 March, and crippled a nuclear power facility. More than 13,500 have been killed. The headquarters station of the Japan Amateur League (JARL) in Tokyo, JA1RL became a disaster communication centre in the days immediately after the disaster. Ken JA1CJP said, "It should be noted that some towns are so heavily disrupted that the local government offices are also in the refugee centres and the residents are staying in multiple places. In such cases, amateur radio can contribute a lot to maintain the ties between the local government and residents." In the long haul the emergency communications to be provided through amateur radio, as the disruption to normal life will continue for some considerable time to come. A presentation on the Japanese earthquake triple disaster will be made at the GAREC 2011 in Sun City, South Africa, in August this year. - Jim Linton VK3PC, Chairman, IARU Disaster Communications Committee.
Received from Greg Mossop, G0DUB IARU Region 1 Emergency Communications Co-Ordinator:
As misery continues since the earthquake, tsunami and nuclear accident hit north-eastern Japan on 11 March, the police death toll has reached 11,603 dead and 17,258 missing.
The headquarters station of the Japan Amateur Radio League (JARL) in Tokyo, JA1RL became a disaster communication centre in the days immediately after the disaster.
International Amateur Radio Union (IARU) Region 3 Secretary, Ken Yamamoto JA1CJP reports that they transmitted rescue requests including the needs of refugee centre facilities down to the basics of electricity, water and gas supplies.
Ken JA1CJP said that hand-held VHF and UHF transceivers are now being delivered to the local disaster relief centres.
“The equipment is being used to establish VHF/UHF networks for refugee centres and local disaster relief,” he said.
HF communications for disaster relief are still being operated occasionally by some volunteer radio amateurs, but JARL HQ stations were off the air by Friday, 25 March.
“JARL expresses its appreciation to all radio amateurs for their cooperation to keep 7.030MHz clear for disaster relief communications,” said Ken JA1CJP.
While relief efforts continue, concerns are still being expressed about the crippled Fukushima plant that is the worst nuclear accident in Japan’s history. The crisis has still not been overcome. It’s a worrying time for the plant damaged by the earthquake and tsunami – measuring 8.9 on the Richter scale and the worst for that nation in 140-years.
- Jim Linton VK3PC, Chairman, IARU Region 3, Disaster Communications Committee
Received from Greg Mossop, G0DUB IARU Region 1 Emergency Communications Co-Ordinator:
Well, our HQ station JA1RL is in stand-by state since March 22, but the JARL ARES center staff are busy to handle preparation and shipment of radios for disaster area.
Instead of JARL stations, some volunteer stations are still operating on 7.030 to provide support for disaster area. I listened to this frequency on March 22 and the number of messages exchanged were not so many comparing with the first week after eqrthquake.
It is low profile but disaster communications are still maintained on 7.030 at lest during day time in Japan.
I will let you people know when JARL ARES center announces the termination of disaster communications on 7.030.
73 de JARL International
Ken Yamamoto/JA1CJP ”Since there is still disaster communications on 7030 and they are not such well known callsigns as the JARL ones I will not post a notice about 7030 back to normal use until Ken provides more information.
Received from Greg Mossop, G0DUB IARU Region 1 Emergency Communications Co-Ordinator:
JARL HQ station JA1RL and other amateur stations are maintaining the effort to support disaster relief operation which is being captured by audio and vision.
IARU Region 3 Secretary, Ken Yamamoto JA1CJP said in less damaged areas, the power supply is being restored gradually and local amateur radio club members have started to establish stations at shelters either on HF, VHF or UHF bands.
Ken Yamamoto said, “The radio amateurs in the affected areas are also making use of UHF repeaters for communications between shelters and local disaster relief centres.
“According to reports from the shelters, they are generally shortages of food, drinking water, fuel and medical goods. This is mainly due to difficulty of transportation because of road situation and staff shortage.”
He said JA1RL continues to operate under instruction to be an emergency traffic centre. Using the 7 MHz, 144 MHz and 430 MHz bands it is receiving help from JARL members in the affected areas.
Field stations are using various frequencies, including some battery powered and others using small generators. Each is exchanging rescue and disaster relief operation information with JA1RL and others.
While 3525, 7030, 7043 and 7075 have been mentioned as in use, it’s wise to keep those, and all of the Centre of Emergency frequencies clear of normal and non-urgent traffic. There is no call for additional foreign radio amateurs.
Ken JA1CJP notes that JARL has received many e-mail messages from radio amateur radio societies and individual hams of many nations and territories in all six continents.
“These messages convey their condolences, sympathies and prayers for the people in Japan. JARL appreciates them very much and is encouraged by them,” he said.
“I have also picked up some update information from news sources. The situation is getting worse. On March 17, police announced 5,178 people have been killed and 8,913 are missing. The numbers are sharply rising as most affected areas become accessible by search and rescue teams,” he said.
The teams are from Australia, China, Korea, Singapore, New Zealand, USA, Germany, Switzerland and Russia.
The status of Fukushima nuclear plant is still serious and local residents within 20km radius have been evacuated.
It has been a week since the 8.9 on the Richter scale quake, the worst in 140 years, hit off Sendai triggering a ten-metre tsunami.
Statements issued by Vertex Standard Yaesu said its centre at Fukushima was currently out of action, while Icom and Kenwood are located elsewhere and not suffered the same outage. No reports have been received from other manufacturers at this time.
- Jim Linton, VK3PC, Chairman IARU Region 3 Disaster Communications Committee.
Received from Greg Mossop, G0DUB IARU Region 1 Emergency Communications Co-Ordinator:
Earthquake disaster facts emerge
Japan remains under its worst threat to an ever rising toll, widespread destruction, power, fuel and water shortages follow the massive earthquake, tsunami and failed 40-year old nuclear power station.
IARU Region 3 Secretary, Ken Yamamoto JA1CJP said the Japan Amateur Radio League (JARL) HQ station JA1RL and other amateur stations are maintaining their effort to support the disaster relief operation.
Ken JA1CJP said, “In less damaged areas, the electric power supply is being restored gradually and local amateur radio club members have started to establish stations at shelters.”
The information is being coordinated as part of an organised rescue and relief effort. It seems likely to continue for some weeks and months to come. The 8.9 on the Richter scale quake hit off north-eastern Sendai and triggered a ten-metre tsunami on Friday.
Ken JA1CJP quoting local news sources said, “The situation is getting worse. On March 15, police announced that 2,414 people have been killed (up from 1,627 24 hours earlier) and 3,118 are reported missing (about double in the same period). “Some 55,380 houses/buildings were damaged by the earthquake and 3,000 houses washed away by the tsunami.”
Rescue teams have arrived and started their activities in the affected areas. They came from many nations including Korea, Singapore, New Zealand, China, USA, Germany, Switzerland, Australia and Russia.
In all the Japanese government has received help from 91 nations and territories and nine international organisations.
Ken JA1CJP said another worry is leakage of radio-active gasses at the Fukushima nuclear plant which was damaged by the earthquake and tsunami.
A shortage of fuel, disruption to rail and road transport have been reported from many affected areas still recovering from the worst earthquake in 140 years followed by a widespread tsunami that swept away so much.
JA1RL continues to operate under instruction to be an emergency traffic centre and increasingly receiving help from JARL members in the affected area. It is using the 7 MHz SSB, 144 MHz SSB/FM and 430 MHz SSB/FM.
Many other stations are active and are using various frequencies including some battery powered and others using small generators to exchange rescue and disaster relief operation information with JA1RL and others.
While 3525, 7030, 7043 and 7075 have been mentioned as in use, it’s wise to keep those and all of the Centre of Emergency (CoA) clear of normal and non-urgent traffic. There is no call for additional foreign radio amateurs.
- Jim Linton, VK3PC, Chairman IARU Region 3 Disaster Communications Committee.
Received from Greg Mossop, G0DUB IARU Region 1 Emergency Communications Co-Ordinator:
Situation worsens after triple disasters hit Japan.
Damage following the worst earthquake in 140 years and a tsumani that wiped away part of north-east Japan, comes news of power outages caused by major trouble at a nuclear power station.
Ken Yamamoto JA1CJP reports that according to police information as of 10am local time on March 14, the death toll is 1,627 and the reported missing person count is 1,720.
“It is only the official count and the number is still expected to increase. Thousands of bodies are reported to have been found on the coast of the tsunami suffered area,” he said.
A Miyagi prefecture source says that the death toll will be in the order of ten thousands in that prefecture alone.
The 8.9 on the Richter scale quake hit off north-eastern Sendai durning the late afternoon on Friday March 11, and triggered a ten-metre tsunami.
At the request of Central Emergency Communication Committee, Ken JA1CJP, the IARU Regional 3 Secretary, said the JARL is operating its HQ station JA1RL in Tokyo, and regional HQ stations.
Earlier it was reported that JA1RL was using 7 MHz SSB, 144 MHz SSB/FM and 430 MHz SSB/FM.
He said, “Many other radio amateurs are thanked for providing information and exchanging support to the rescue and disaster relief operations. Those who can operate in the affected areas are providing a lifeline for rescue teams and those at local shelters. Some stations are operating with car batteries and others with engine generators.”
Ken JA1CJP said, “Another problem is the nuclear power plant where the water supply system failure caused overheating of the nuclear fuel bar. That causessome radioactive gas release from the plant and people have been evacuated from the surrounding area.”
The earthquake also damaged electric power generation plants fuelled by oil or natural gas, resulting in a shortage of electricity.
Tokyo Electric Power Company plans to stop supplying power to certain parts of its service area on rotation basis to cut power consumption. This shortage of power may also stop or restrict the operation of the train systems around Tokyo.
- Jim Linton, VK3PC, Chairman IARU Region 3 Disaster Communications Committee.
