HAMNET - THE SOUTH AFRICAN RADIO LEAGUE EMERGENCY COMMUNICATION BULLETIN FOR MARCH 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:
CYCLONE SEASON REPORT BACK
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
CYCLONE SEASON REPORT BACK
During the past few weeks, South Africa, Madagascar and Mozambique experienced a larger than normal cyclone and tropical storm activity. One wonders what effect earth warming is having on our climate or is this just a more active seasonal phenomenon?
It all started with Cyclone 'Dando' a few weeks back. With modern technology, good internet web sites and real time information available, tracking storms has become almost a national past time - especially from a Hamnet point of view.
Two websites again need a mention because of their accuracy and observer input from people all over the country especially the first site. When it comes to the sawdis site, people are encouraged to send photographs, real time information and reports for publishing which makes following the weather far more interesting that just the odd report we get on radio or see on TV!
www.sawdis1.blogspot.com and www.weatherphotos.co.za
These two websites with a Hamnet Facebook reference, almost as a back-up, allows us to track any storm across the country and beyond our borders on a minute by minute basis.
Cyclone 'Giovanna' actually hit Madagascar causing a lot of damage to trees, structures, power lines, communication but fortunately few deaths. This was the oddest cyclone ever tracked by us - in that it actually turned on itself and headed back the way it came from. Strange condition at any time during a cyclone life!
Hot on the heels of 'Giovanna' we had cyclone 'Hilwa' which fortunately never developed into anything significant and probably met up with the 'returning 'Giovanna' to rain itself out over the Indian Ocean.
But then along came cyclone or tropical storm 'Irina' that really had us on the hop! It developed north of Madagascar and slowly made its way south along the western Madagascar coast. Following predictions, it showed a path that could cause significant amount of rainfall again like 'Dando'.
Hamnet activated a net on Saturday morning the 3rd of March and as many as 18 stations reported in from as far afield as Victoria West, Hartswater and many KZN and Mpumalanga stations.
We monitored the tropical storm for most of Saturday but by late in the afternoon, we decided to stand down as it was dissipating into nothing more than heavy rain across some of the northern parts of KZN. We had one report from Hluhluwe indicating approx 150mm plus of rain on Saturday!
We are still monitoring the situation as tropical storm '15' - still to be named was lurking out in the Indian Ocean but it does not appear to be significant at this stage.
This turned into a good exercise from a Hamnet point of view and the bulk SMS activation still works well.
Summer is not over yet but we will keep an eye on activities east of Madagascar during the next few weeks.
GENERAL COMMENTS
I have had a request to add the second in command from the various Provinces to my contact list. I am still waiting for a few numbers that will added probably by the next bulletin printout.
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.sawdis1.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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