HAMNET THE SOUTH AFRICAN RADIO LEAGUE
EMERGENCY COMMUNICATION BULLETIN FOR JANUARY 2012
This bulletin was prepared and produced by Francois Botha – ZS6BUU
HAMNET (IARU Region 1) dedicated emergency communication frequencies are:-
80m band – 3,760 MHz, 40m band, 7,110 MHz. 20m band – 14,300 MHz.
IN THE BULLETIN TODAY
SCOOL HOLIDAYS
ARES GETS A STDARDISED LOOK
The Hamnet Bulletin is distributed once a month to all HAMNET members and is also available in text format as well as an audio clip on the SARL web site. News updates are read on the Amateur Radio Today Sunday transmissions and posted on the SARL web site as well as our Facebook site. All Bulletin audio clips are also available as a Podcast. Follow the links on the SARL web site.
HAMNET is a voluntary group of amateurs who make their unique communication skills available to assist and help others in distress during and after disasters. HAMNET is represented on the sub-committee of the South African Search & Rescue Organisation. Training Modules are available either from your Provincial Director or from the National Director via e-mail and is also available on the SARL HAMNET Welcome CD.
HAMNET forms part of the Constitution of the South African Radio League which means that you have to be a member of the SARL to be a member of HAMNET. All information on SARL HAMNET is available on the web site of the SARL at www.sarl.org.za - follow the links!
You can also follow us on Facebook and Twitter
SCHOOL HOLIDAYS
All schools for the coastal regions will reopen on the 11th of January.
All inland schools reopen on the 18th of January. Teachers in both instances will probably be back at work on Monday the 9th of January and Monday the 16th of January.
Most holiday makers – especially those that took off between Christmas and New Year are heading home on Monday the 2nd of January. The balance will probably return during the week prior to coastal schools and inland schools reopen.
Listening on 7,070 MHz during the holiday period and especially on the so called busy days, the frequency was very quiet except for the odd Hamnet monitor and those who were looking for a chat and wanting to test out rigs and antennas.
My thanks to all those who did monitoring during this period – even when on leave in some instances – your efforts are appreciated.
Looking ahead, there is only one holiday in March on the 21st being Human rights day and then the end of the first term being the 23rd of March (coastal) and 30 March (inland). The Easter weekend comes up from 6 – 9 April and ALL schools reopening on Tuesday the 10th of April.
That probably takes care of the first quarter of the New Year and needless to say many will again take advantage of the holiday on the 27th of April and Workers Day on 1st of May!
ARES GETS A STANDADISED LOOK
During December, I looked at a number of Amateur Radio Emergency networks and through ‘Linkedin’, joined a few to get some information and feedback from them as well as join in some discussions on issues.
In February 2010 Amateur Radio Emergency Services (ARES) launched a document wherein the objective was to standardise various issues in order to create a better ‘branded’ name across the country. One must also understand that in the United States, ARES is but one of many amateur and civil emergency groups that render assistance after disasters. Hence, the initiative to conform to certain standards to brand the acronym ARES!
Their feeling was that many of the other groups had been standardised especially when it came to badges, insignia and uniforms. This is a point I wish to dwell on for discussion as when I took over the running of Hamnet in 2000, we decided to make use of a standard reflective jacket which was embossed with the name HAMNET on the back or reverse side and a standard recognisable badge designed by the KZN team in the front of the jacket or bib.
This was distributed widely but then, because we do not get called out on a national basis, some teams diversified and designed some ‘gear’ recognisable in their specific Regions but not country-wide!
My point is, we do not get called out on a national basis like ARES and many of the other groups in the USA. Although the ‘standard’ Hamnet Bib is still available from the National Coordinator, are you – the various Provinces – happy with continuing with the gear you have adopted?
I wish to add, that if anyone would like the – for lack of a better expression – ‘national bib jacket’ for Hamnet if and when we do get called out on a national scale, we are recognisable by the authorities simply because we are wearing the ‘national bib’.
Should a situation arise where we do get called out – our Bib will be circulated to the authorities in order for them to recognise who we are.
Just a thought as currently in the Western Cape I am aware of an offer by a member who is looking at gear for discussion!
Your ideas and suggestions on this issue will be appreciated in due course!
I am not going to diverse too deeply into the rest of the ARES document but may use it at a later stage to highlight where we conform (Hamnet vs ARES) and have adopted the same strategy!
Much has also been discussed around the earth quakes that hit New Zealand and continues as we put this bulletin together. I am going to try and get some feedback from the amateur radio fraternity in NZ and how they coped and are coping with the current situation. NZ had a representative at GAREC Tokyo and I will try and reach Doug Ingham, ZL2TAR for input!
GENERAL COMMENTS
INFORMATION FOR REFERENCE PURPOSES!
The following frequencies are purely calling frequencies-
‘Eightynet’ 3.695 MHz ‘Fortynet’ 7.095 MHz ‘Thirynet’ 10.135 MHz
‘Twentynet’ 14.295 MHz Subject to correction/confirmation!
PROVINCIAL DIRECTOR LIST.
PROVINCE
DIRECTOR
CELL NUMBER
WESTERN CAPE PROVINCE
Paul van Spronsen ZS1PVS
083 302-3366
NORTHWEST CAPE PROV.
Daniel Swart ZS3DS
082 884-1200
EASTERN CAPE PROVINCE
Serge Smetryns ZS2SJE
084 515-1077
KWAZULU-NATAL PROV.
Keith Lowes ZS5WFD
082 685-6666
FREE STATE PROVINCE
Vacant
NORTH WEST PROVINCE
Chris Viljoen ZS6BYQ
082 857-8641
GAUTENG SOUTH
Chris Gryffenberg ZS6COG
083 543-5668
GAUTENG NORTH
Johan de Bruyn ZS6JHB
082 492-3689
MPUMALANGA PROVINCE
Gert Botha ZS6GC
082 771-0663
LIMPOPO PROVINCE
Vacant
NATIONAL DIRECTOR
Francois Botha ZS6BUU
083 585-3847
For weather information –
www.saweatherobserver.blogspot.com
To send weather information - 076 251 3482 - Text Messages Only!!
Alternatively - sawois05@gmail.com
www.weatherphotos.co.za – Highly recommended for up to date information!
The following numbers are useful in emergencies:-
1. AMBULANCE – 10177
2. ER24 – 084 124
3. Werner Vermaak Direct ER24 real emergencies only (Gauteng) 082 907.4557
4. TRAFFIC – 112
5. WESTERN CAPE ALL EMERGENCIES 021 937-0300
6. JAMLINE - 084 5265463
7. CRIME LINE – 32211 alternatively 08600 10111. HAMNET actively supports the SAPS and CPF to fight crime!
8. N3 Toll Concession Help Line – 0800 N3 HELP or 080063 4357
9. Graham – Maritime Mobile Net 046 648-1071 (Maritime Emergency Only)
10. Sam Maree – Maritime Mobile Net 021 782-2840 (Maritime Emergency Only)
11. MRCC – 021 938-3300 (Only in dire Maritime emergencies)
Comments and suggestions to: jfbotha@iburst.co.za or zs6buu@gmail.com or at 011 679-5260 or 083 585-3847. Fax 086-580.6110.
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