HAMNET THE SOUTH AFRICAN RADIO LEAGUE EMERGENCY COMMUNICATION BULLETIN FOR SEPTEMBER 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
NEW HAMNET LOGO
FCC AND EMERGENCY COMMUNICATION
HAMNET conforms to and abides by the IARU discipline of engaging in emergency communication locally and worldwide during and after disasters as internationally Amateur Radio is regarded as a National Resource!
HAMNET, as a group of volunteers, supports Disaster Risk Management in South Africa and serves on the sub committee of the South African Search & Rescue Organisation – SASAR!
It is recommended that when becoming a member of HAMNET, you also become an SARL member to abide by and conform to the IARU International and HAMNET rules regarding emergency communication!
All HAMNET information is available on www.sarl.org.za just follow the link! Weekly updates are supplied to Amateur Radio Today on Sunday’s and a monthly bulletin is supplied to members and available on the SARL website and as a podcast!
You can also follow us on Facebook and Twitter
NEW HAMNET LOGO
A new set of Logos has come into effect. We had them produced in very high definition so that they can be used for labels, badges and any article that needs a high resolution image.
The alternative logo looks exactly the same as the one at the top of our newsletter except that it is just black on a yellow background and the emblem in the centre does not have a blue background.
This logo is mainly for letterheads, newsletters and memos.
The old well established logo will still be in use for a long time but all new productions of letters, badges, decals etc must please bear the new logo as this conforms to the new SARL logo which has also been redesigned.
Should any Provincial director wish to obtain a copy of the new high definition logo’s please let me know and they will be sent to you via Gmail due to their size.
FCC AND EMERGENCY COMMUNICATION
In a report dated 29 August, 2012, issued by the Federal Communications Commission or FCC they again underline and supports the use of amateur radio in any emergency situation both locally (within the United States of America) and in association with similar relief organisation around the world.
Media releases regularly mention the use of amateur radio volunteers supplementing and supporting various authorities in passing emergency messages and in general sustains communication when normal means fail!
Their attitude stems from the fact that amateurs are self trained, have extensive experience in relaying weather information which is critical in the USA, especially when supporting the SKYWARN system with the National Weather Service.
It further states that amateur radio complements communications systems in areas without telephony coverage and because they use frequencies specifically allocated to them, they can pass messages without interference from other sources – which make them very reliable!
Furthermore, after disaster situations, amateur radio can supplement and support overstressed normal communications systems thereby allowing and enhancing normal communications to continue almost unhindered and accurately!
Various case studies were presented supporting and enhancing the value administration places on amateur radio during and after emergencies. Two cases that got particular attention was the post Cyclone Katrina event as well as the Discovery disaster on re-entry.
Various sub organisations were mentioned like MARS – Military Auxiliary Radio Service, SATERN – Salvation Army Team Emergency Network, MMSN – Maritime Mobile Service Network, ARES – Amateur Radio Emergency Service and many more.
One can ascertain from this report that Amateur Radio in an emergency has become a reliable and intricate part of any post disaster situation and that their efforts are well established and supported!
GENERAL
With Cyclone “Isaac” now heading toward Louisiana, all Emergency Communications systems were on full alert but it seems this time around it is not as bad as ‘Katrina’ but they are taking no chances.
We did inquire as to the type of Digital communication they were using but it seems that PSK31, FLDIGI and FLMSG were the order of the day!
It also appears that with systems so well in place, they were not going to be caught out again like last time! I found the comment from one emergency operator quite blasé – ‘been there done that’! But then – I suppose – that’s a comment one can expect form an American who is used to all that!
INFORMATION FOR REFERENCE PURPOSES!
The following frequencies are purely calling frequencies-
‘Eightynet’ 3.695 MHz ‘Fortynet’ 7.095 MHz ‘Thirtynet’ 10.135 MHz
‘Twentynet’ 14.295 MHz
PROVINCIAL DIRECTOR AND 2ND IN COMMAND CONTACT LIST.
PROVINCE
DIRECTOR/2nd COMMAND
CELL NUMBER
WESTERN CAPE
Paul van Spronsen ZS1V
083 302-3366
WESTERN CAPE
Dave Reece ZS1DFR
083 270-6843
NORTH WESTERN CAPE
Daniel Swart ZS3DS
082 884-1200
NORTH WESTERN CAPE
Carel Oberholzer ZS3OBE
082 805-0181
EASTERN CAPE
Serge Smetryns ZS2SJE
084 515-1077
EASTERN CAPE
KWAZULU-NATAL
Keith Lowes ZS5WFD
082 685-6666
KWAZULU-NATAL
Glenham Duffy ZS5GD
082 962-6681
FREE STATE
Vacant
FREE STATE
Martin Schwella ZS4MS
082 968-3765
NORTH WEST
Chris Viljoen ZS6BYQ
082 857-8641
NORTH WEST
Johan Bamberger ZS6LVG
018 297-1900
GAUTENG SOUTH
Chris Gryffenberg ZS6COG
083 543-5668
GAUTENG SOUTH
Andre van Tonder ZS6HE
082 554-7469
GAUTENG NORTH
Johan de Bruyn ZS6JHB
082 492-3689
GAUTENG NORTH
MPUMALANGA
Gert Botha ZS6GC
082 771-0663
MPUMALANGA
Strauss Roux ZS6JFS
076 430-5082
MPUMALANGA
Piet Badenhorst ZS6G
082 574-4829
LIMPOPO
Vacant
LIMPOPO
Vacant
NATIONAL DIRECTOR
Francois Botha ZS6BUU
083 585-3847
NATIONAL DIRECTOR
Jan Schubart ZS6ARV
082 458-1484
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!
USEFUL NUMBERS 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 suggestions and contributions please contact or send to: jfbotha@iburst.co.za or zs6buu@gmail.com or at 011 679-5260 or 083 585-3847. Fax 086-580.6110.
Bulletin ends.
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