Haiti Earthquake Amateur Radio Update 14

This posting comes to us from the ARRL Website

Posted Jan 23 at 1655UTC by VA3QV

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Haitian Official Announces Contact Information for Amateurs going to Haiti to Provide Disaster Relief (Jan 23, 2010) –

CONATEL (the Haitian Telecomm regulator) has set up temporary offices and released a public notice. Amateurs wishing to operate in Haiti to assist with disaster relief need to contact CONATEL to get formal reciprocal operating clearance. The text of the CONATEL public notice is as follows: CONATEL NOTICE The National Council of Telecommunications (CONATEL) hereby notifies the general public, and those particularly impacted, that following the widespread damage caused by the violent earthquake of January 12, 2010, a satellite office of CONATEL was installed at Number 97 of the Avenue Panaméricaine in Pétion-Ville with the goal of assuring the continuity of its work. This arrangement will allow, among other things, better coordination for establishing a temporary emergency telecommunications network in Haiti. Consequently, all concerned are asked to contact CONATEL at the above mentioned address between 9 AM and 1 PM and throughout the day at the following telephone numbers: (509) 3454-0541, (509) 2516-0000 or (509) 3702-1414, or at these e-mail addresses : techommunication@yahoo.fr or info@conatel.gouv.ht, before any use of telecommunications equipment or the spectrum resources. We hope to avoid interference problems and possible conflicts between the incumbent operators established in Haiti and those who are newly operating in this unusual circumstance. The National Council of Telecommunications (CONATEL), while thanking the telecommunications service providers for all their efforts to keep their networks operational despite the widespread damage that has been noted, takes this opportunity to offer its sympathies to the families of the victims of the earthquake. Port-au-Prince, January 20, 2010 Montaigne Marcelin
Director Général

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Once again thanks to the ARRL for the Update

News Update from the IARU

This mornings check of TWITTER found the following tweet and after following the link to the IARU Website finds the following:

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Published January 23rd, 2010

Hola

Hoy han estado activos los dos operadores en Haití: YV5JF y YV5VE, firmando  como YV5AJ-HH. También estuvieron en Echolink y Messenger aprovechando una celda WIFI  abierta 73 Reinaldo, YV5AMH

Hi

Today, were active, the two operators in Haiti: YV5JF and YV5VE, with the Call Sign YV5AJ-HH. Also they were working in Echolink and Messenger,   using an open WIFI cell. 73s. Reinaldo, YV5AMH

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I find their headline just a bit misleading.  Perhaps one of :

” Internet returned to Haiti”  Amateurs agument their communications plan to include ECHOLINK and MSN“

Now the fact that someone is doing something is good news…

Although for those who have been faithfully monitoring the HF Frequencies just in case they could hear someone needing assistance from the affected area…  To suddenly hear that “When all else fails….WIFI” probally won’t do anything for the morale of the operators…

Now before you start the hate mail:

I realize there might be an issue with the translation as the news item does say “…also working in Echolink and MSN…“ so perhaps the fact that they also made HF contacts was just lost in the translation…

I am very pleased that assistance is being offered to and received by the people of Haiti…  I am also pleased that we are doing something to assist.

I use echolink on a regular basis and have no problems using a VOIP System in conjunction with my other Amateur Radio modes and tools…

I was just hoping for a little more RF in the story to make things a bit more PRO Amateur Radio.  The release is coming from the International Amateur Radio Union so I would of expected the people there to give it bit more of an Amateur Radio Spin…

Anyway as mentioned yesterday the ARRL is sending Radios. Equipment and a repeater into the affected area.  Canada (RAC) has bilingual radio operators ready to depart as soon as security-safety issues are resolved.

Today CNN on air reports confirm yesterdays CBC report that the rescue mission is starting to wind down and soon will become a recovery mission.  The looting and security issues are still there which makes the security of volunteers still a serious problem…

Things are happening, assistance is being offered and for the most part accepted…

Later we must talk about the attitude of leave it to the pros and keep the “want a bees out”…  I guess the first thing would be to define a wantabee compared to a volunteer…

This discussion will start early in the week when I give you what I concider to be the definations…  After that we can discuss the positions that a volunteer can do without getting in the way….  or the benefits of having a trained volunteer ready to come in and help out…

And as this is an Amateur Radio Blog…  it will be from an Amateur Radio Perspective…

73bob

In advance of the Operators arriving

The following comes from the ARRL website…

ARRL sends Ham Aid Equipment to Haiti

Now heres something I did not know about but it does make sense…  It seems the ARRL has a program called “Ham Aid” which seems to send out Amateur Equipment out to disasters that are in need of communications assistance.  The logic as I see it in this is that repeaters that would of been on buildings are now in rubble.  Buildings that were housing EMCOMM equipment in case they were needed are now piles of rubble.  Anything stored in those buildings are now landfill…

Please click on the above logo to go to the ARRL website for the article on Ham Aid.

73bob

Amateur Radio relief efforts ongoing

This is a bit of an update or gathering of information that I can find from several sources that relate to what the Amateur Radio Community is doing in the Haiti Earthquake Aftermath…

Last night on the ECHOLINK I listened in on the IRESC Conference there were 40 stations logged into the Conference ready to assist if needed and this morning I find that 52 stations logged in.  These stations will be needed once the traffic finally starts to flow out of the effected areas of Haiti.

The Salvation Army SATERN Nets are still going in what appears to be a 24 hour mode.  I am able to hear them during the day on 20m and in the late evenings on 80m.  I am hearing some activity on their 40m frequency but I am unable to determine if it is traffic or just a ragchew due to the poor signals I am receiving here in Ottawa.

Last heard from the Radio Amateurs of Canada (RAC) in response to a request from the IARU had 20 bilingual radio opertors (English-French) with portable radio stations ready to deploy when the safety/security issues have been cleared up.  After checking the RAC website and the RAC Blog I can find no new information so I am guessing everything is still on hold pending the security/safety issues getting cleared up.

In addition to the above mentioned items there also appears to be some traffic being passed out of Haiti on the Maritime Mobile Service Net on 14.300.  If you check back to an earlier posting in my blog you will find a YOUTUBE Video that shows a phone patch from Haiti to the United States although for this one I would recommend just listening to it and not watching the video itself as the images are raw, and to be honest very graphic.  As they say  “Viewer descretion is advised…”

If you are on twitter try following the IARU who tweet out on a fairly regular basis and if you follow my account (VA3QV) if there is any really big breaking story I do blog about  it here as best as I can and then Tweet it out to let you know the blog has been updated with something I concider to be important.

So although due to the lack of real media coverage… People are not really knowing the level of our participation so far…  The international Amateur Radio Community is doing their best to assist…

If you would like to help out the best way you can right now is to check into your local Traffic Nets.  Sooner or later the flow of amateur traffic from Haiti will be opening up and there will be lots of messages going out from the affected area letting loved ones know how things are.

With very large Haitian Communites in Toronto, Montreal and Ottawa it is hoped that Ontario and Quebec Amateurs will check in to the Ontario Phone Net (3.742 at 1600 EST) to see if there is anything heading into their communities.

The NTS needs participation for the system to work….

Any and all help would be appreciated…

73bob

Haiti Earthquake Amateur Radio Update 13

Received from RAC

Posted Jan 17 2010 at 2210UTC by VA3QV

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From:

“rac-bulletins@eton.ca” <rac-bulletins@eton.ca>

To:

“Bob Sharp” <va3rcs@rogers.com>

RAC News Bulletin – January 17th, 2010

Haiti, the Amateur perspective.

We have all seen the tragic human toll and devastation of the
Haitian hearthquake as reported by the media. We have been asked what the Amateur community is doing about it.

To our knowledge, since the hearthquake, less than half a dozen
Hams have been reporting from Haiti and have done so very
sporadically. Most have severe constraints for electricity, fuel
or other required facilities.

Apart from a couple of Hams embedded with the UN or the Red
Cross, none other have succeeded to enter the country and stay
to operate.

Yesterday, a convoy of Dominicans made up of representatives from that government and including 8 Amateurs, entered Haiti by road on its way to their Embassy in Port-au-Prince. Almost at
destination they were attacked by gunfire resulting in one dead
and several wounded. All 8 Amateurs are safe. The convoy turned
around and is now safely back in the Dominican Republic.

Outside of Haiti,there are scores of Hams listening on the
published HF frequencies for emrgency communications and ready for any QSPs.

Here in Canada, our Vice President Field Services, Doug
Mercer, VO1DTM, is watching the situation very closely, ready to
give any help that might be needed.

We also have French speaking operators like Gerry, VE2AW and
Richard, VE2DX, that are ready on the frequencies to speak to
anyone in need in Haiti.

We are also getting ready for the future. At the Request of
the Salvation Army SATERN I have recruited about 20 Hams, fluent in French, that are now poised to leave for Haiti when required.

This is the situation as of now and we will update you when we
have something significant to report.

73,

Daniel A. Lamoureux, VE2KA
Vice President International Affairs, Radio Amatuers of Canada

Haiti Earthquake Amateur Radio Update 12

Once again this update come to us via the ARES Alert yahoo Group courtesy RAC VPFS Doug Mercer

Posted on Jan 17 2010 at 1456UTC by VA3QV

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From:

“vo1dtm” <vo1dtm@yahoo.ca>

To:

ARES-Alert@yahoogroups.com

Good morning

Many thanks to all of you who have been standing by on the International Nets ready to assist if called upon. There are two VHF repeaters now set up in Port-au-Prince to serve the Red Cross and other civil agencies. The situation there is very dangerous as folks attempt to survive this disaster.

Yesterday, a team of 8 Hams from the Dominican Republic entered Haiti embedded in a Red Cross convoy. They arrived at the Dominican Embassy with the intention of setting up an HF station, but were forced to return to the Dominican boarder unescorted for safety reasons.

Please continue to monitor and lend assistance when able. HH2JR, Jean, a Ham who is mobile in Haiti was heard on 14.300 MHz at 10:53 Newfoundland time today reporting no change overnight but he is anxiously awaiting arrival of SAR at his location.

73

Doug Mercer VO1DTM CEC
Vice President Field Services

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The IARU Twitter feed confirms parts of the above:

HI8RCD/HH aborted due to severe insecurity. All 8 radio amateurs are safe back in Jimani, Dominican Republic. (TNX HI8VRS) #Haiti #hamr about 11 hours ago from web

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My Comments are as follows

It does not fill me with confidence when the Radio Operators who are going to try and assist the General Public have to pull out due to security concerns as they feel their safety is threatened by the General Public.

73bob

Follow up to Update 8

You might remember that I posted a request for Bilingual (english-french) portable set up radio operators on behalf of RAC VP VE2KA.

Just to refresh your memory as there has been lots going across your screen in the last few days….

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“Jan 14 at 2035hrs UTC I posted a request for Portable HF Radio Operators with their own portable self sufficient station, who had the ability to travel (had a passport) and could converse in English in French.”

This morning when I got close to my computer Jan 15 1300hrs UTC I find the following email waiting for me…

Daniel Lamoureux, VE2KA Says:
January 15, 2010 at 12:58 pm

I was wondering why I was getting emails from all over Canada and abroad following my posting a request for Hams going to Haiti. Bob, VA3QV, your blog is well read. I even received an inquiry from Iceland.

My posting was in French only as it was not intended to get out of QC. Now, I will be able to poke fun at my good friend Bob Cooke, VE3BDB for his translation abilities. Hi.

My request was first posted at 9h45 am Jan 14th and as of midnight last night, I had double the number of serious applicants I was asked for.

Thank you to all that spread the word.

73,

Daniel, VE2KA
Vice President International Affairs
Radio Amateurs of Canada.

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Well today via a Twitter Post from the IARU with the following:

Radio Amateurs of Canada has 20 amateurs, fluent in French and English, who are ready to go to #Haiti at a moments notice. (TNX VE2KA)

There was also at the same time the following Tweet:

RAC monitoring emergency frequencies for french speaking stations. If help is needed email ve2aw@videotron.ca or ve2ka@videotron.ca (VE2KA)

Good to see that RAC is assisting where needed…

Now if we could get those 20 operators over there and keep them safe while they are there a lot of people could get information on their loved ones…

Key word there is keeping them safe…

73bob

Haiti Earthquake Amateur Radio Update 11

This update comes from the Radio Amateurs of Canada (RAC) Bulletin Service and was in my inbox when I woke up this morning

Posted on Saturday Jan 16th at 1400UTC by VA3QV

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[RAC-Bulletin] RAC Bulletin 2010-001E Haiti Earthquake -

Saturday, January 16, 2010 12:34 AM

From:

“rac-bulletins@eton.ca” <rac-bulletins@eton.ca>

To:

“Bob Sharp” <va3rcs@rogers.com>

Important information for all RAC Members

On Tuesday, January 12 at 4:53 PM, Haiti time (2153) UTC a magnitude 7.0 earthquake hit 15 kilometers west of Port-au-Prince, the nation’s capital. Communications in and out of Haiti have been disrupted.

The RAC requests that all Canadian Hams  be aware  of the emergency operations on the following frequencies: 7.045 3.720 MHz (IARU Region 2 Nets), 14.265, 7.265 and 3.977 MHz (SATERN Nets), and 14.300 MHz (Intercontinental Assistance and Traffic Net).

The International Radio Emergency Support Coalition (IRESC) is also active on EchoLink node 278173.

Doug Mercer  VO1DTM
Vice President Field Services
Radio Amateurs of Canada
P.O. Box 1042   Goulds
Newfoundland Labrador
A1S 1H2
Tel: (709) 364-4741
Cell: (709) 697-3319
–
* * * *

Vernon Erle Ikeda – VE2MBS/VE2QQ
Dollard des Ormeaux, Quebec
RAC E-News/Web News Bulletin Editor
<racnews@rac.ca>

Haiti Earthquake Amateur Radio Update 10

The following message come in from the ARES Alert system:

Posted Jan 16 2010 at 0155UTC by VA3QV

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From:
“vo1dtm” <vo1dtm@yahoo.ca>
Add sender to Contacts
To:
ARES-Alert@yahoogroups.com

I received urgent messages from Greg Mossop IARU EMCOR region 1 and Cesar Pinto Santos IARU EMCOR region 2 earlier tonight stating that a Ham in Haiti was trying to communicate with the SATERN net in french and that were unable to understand.

If you are bilingual and are able to assist, please monitor the following frequencies and listen for Haitian traffic.
7.045 and 3.720 IARU nets
14.265, 7.265 and 3.977 SATERN nets
14.300 Intercontinental Assistance and Traffic nets
EchoLink node 278173 International Radio Emergency Support Coalition

Many thanks!

73

Doug Mercer VO1DTM
VPFS

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From:
“vo1dtm” <vo1dtm@yahoo.ca>

To:
ARES-Alert@yahoogroups.com

During the next few days as Haiti begins to recover, there may be traffic flowing into the ARRL NTS System destined for Canadians. This traffic will be moved north towards the regions closest to destination by American NTS stations in hopes of it being picked up by a Canadian operator. The more times you are able to check into nets in your area, the better the chances are that traffic being held for delivery will get through.

73

Doug Mercer VO1DTM
VPFS

Haiti Earthquake- Recap

Now this information I am giving you is a recap of what happening and it has an Amateur Radio Slant to things as this is an Amateur Radio Blog…

I am hearing activity on 14.265 which is the Primary Daytime Frequency for the Salvation Army’s SATERN Group.  I have also heard very weak signals on their nightime posted frequency of 7.265 but it was very hard to copy.  I have not heard any traffic or signals on 3.977.7 which has been listed as their 80m frequency.

I am not hearing any traffic on the IARU Posted frequencies of 7.045 and 3.720 but that could have a lot to do with where I am located.

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Bob sez…

PLEASE KEEP THESE FREQUENCIES CLEAR FOR EMERGENCY TRAFFIC.  YOU MIGHT NOT HEAR THE POOR OPERATOR IN THE FIELD WITH HIS POWER CUT BACK TO SAVE HIS ONLY BATTERY AND A SIMPLE DIPOLE SET UP ON THE RUBBLE.  THE FACT YOU CAN’T HEAR HIM DOES NOT MEAN HE IS NOT THERE.  BUT SOMEONE COULD BE LISTENING TO HIM…

LISTEN…LISTEN….AND LISTEN SOME MORE

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If you have internet access then the IRESC Group has a net set up on the ECHOLINK.  They have the resources in place to pass traffic should the need arise.  A “Google” of IRESC should give you all the background information needed.

It seems that the biggest problem for radio communications coming out of the affected area would be the lack of Amateur Radio Operators with Portable Stations in Haiti.  As mentioned in a blog post yesterday and then followed up with a post earlier today the Radio Amateurs of Canada (RAC) Vice President is starting to organise a group of Bilingual (English/French) Radio Operators who have self sufficient Portable HF Station and are able to travel.

This makes sense as there is no point of all of us waiting here to pass messages when there are very few over there who can send the messages.

If you have a passport, HF operating Privelidges, a self sufficient “Portable” HF Amateur Radio Station and the ability to operate it… you should contact Daniel (ve2ka@iaru.org) and see if they still are in need of operators.  As he mentioned earlier the response has been greater than he had imagined.

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Bob on his soapbox….

Lets not try and re invent the wheel here.

There are already RADIO Groups out there who are doing an excellent job.  The system is already in place.

If you have the ability to help, and the time to help then please by all means contact one of the existing groups and like so many others offer your skills.

Rogue operators just give us a bad name…

Follow and support the existing system…

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This will take a long time and our role as communicatiors has not really even started yet.  Be Patient… Be Professional…

73bob