HAMNET THE SOUTH AFRICAN RADIO LEAGUE
EMERGENCY COMMUNICATION BULLETIN FOR FEBRUARY 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
AMATEUR RADIO – LAST RESORT
CURRENT WEATHER
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
AMATEUR RADIO – LAST RESORT
We found a very interesting article posted on the Internet and would like to reproduce it as a reminder that when all else fails, amateur radio is still around to ensure the message gets through – with acknowledgement to the author Ty Steele, KVAL News.
EUGENE, Ore. -- In the digital age, it’s easy to forget about how emergency messages were relayed in the past.
“Highways were down, fibre was down in between,” said amateur ham radio operator Thomas Germaine on Sunday, “so there was no communication; but there were amateur radio operators.”
And Germaine said if cell towers, land lines and the Internet went down during a disaster, all that we’d have left to get the word out would be ham radios.
“No wires in between,” said Germaine as he held the receiver to the ham radio, “and you can do it without infrastructure: The technology for ham radios has been around since the late 19th century, but its use became widespread during the beginning of the 20th century.
“You’ve got the antenna there,” said Germaine as he pointed to the top of his red pickup truck, “and then the radio itself. And then the battery for this radio,” he added as he pulled it from the back of the device.
Germaine said the technology came into play during January’s major flooding in Oregon.
“They just wanted eyes so they could really see,” he said, “you know, to see something receding or if something is going up.”
Lane County emergency manager Linda Cook said amateur radio operators were a vital part of the emergency communication network during the recent floods. She said they allowed emergency personnel to monitor the rising flood waters in remote areas.
In the areas worst hit by the floods in Lane County, Germaine said portable ham radio posts were up in Veneta, Mapelton and the Mohawk Valley.
And at the sheriff’s office in Eugene, the county has a permanent radio room for ham operators during disasters.
Cook said ham radio operators are invaluable.
“Communications are always an issue in any type of emergency or disaster,” said Cook, “And knowing that these guys are fully equipped and capable to get communications back online for use is huge for us.”
And she said they are always ready to step up.
“There are those unforeseen situations when all communications could go down,” said Cook, “and the only thing available to us might be amateur radio. So, we’re aware of that, and we want to stay in touch with them.”
Cook said the volunteer ham radio operators are the last line of defence for the county’s communication network. She said they’re the ones who would be there if everything else crashes.
Never has a truer word been spoken and amateur radio will always be the last resort to rely on when all is down.
CURRENT WEATHER
There has been a warning that this summer, the possibility of a heavy late rainfall pattern may occur.
We reported earlier that although there has been very little rain in some areas and flooding in others, what has become apparent is that downpours are far heavier than normal. We have seen this in some parts of Gauteng as well as along the coast.
The Limpopo floods, due to a tropical mass moving inland and causing severe flooding, was the exception but also reminds us that a Cyclone Demoina type situation can very easily develop again.
The weather web sites that are available like www.sawdis1.blogspot.com and www.weatherphotos.co.za should be accessed on a regular basis to ascertain weather situations across the country.
Hamnet will send out SMS messages where necessary to warn members in affected areas to be aware of possible flooding due to adverse weather conditions.
We will keep an eye on what the weather does during the next few weeks and months!
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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