“Low-tech radios” connect some Haitians

  Here is a not well written story on CNN about “low-tech” radios (ham radio!) helping some Haitians.

“(CNN) — In the brutal aftermath of Haiti’s earthquake, Jean-Robert Gaillard turned to his low-tech radio for solace and for a lifeline.

When the earthquake hit, the 57-year-old from Petionville, Haiti, found most of his normal lines of communication — his cell phone, the Internet, even his ability to walk down the street and talk to someone — severed by the disaster.

But Gaillard used a neighbor’s generator to power up his radio and connect to a handful of amateur radio enthusiasts in the United States — many of whom were eagerly listening to radio static for calls like his.

Unlike many other people in Haiti, Gaillard was able to contact family members in the United States soon after the January 12 earthquake hit to tell them he had survived…”

  Now here is a little information that may give you a better idea of what was and is going on with ham radio and Haiti.

“The almost-incomprehensible Haitian earthquake destruction is among the worst I’ve seen in my three decades of association with ARRL and disaster management/Amateur Radio communications. I monitored the SATERN Net on 14.265 MHz, and the Maritime Mobile Service Net on 14.300 MHz, where a Flagler County amateur Bill Sturridge, KI4MMZ, was performing a fine job relaying communications with Jean-Robert Gaillard, HH2JR, and others. I heard HH2JR, who had a good signal, say he was OK and didn’t need anything at the moment, but had no power and no phone. The 14.300 MHz frequency is one of the three global "center of activity" disaster frequencies set aside by the International Amateur Radio Union (IARU). (For more on this plan, see the lead story below).

I also followed developments on the ARRL Web site, and the IARU Region 2 Web site. The IARU Region 2 Area C (which includes Haiti) Emergency Coordinator is long-time friend and emcomm veteran expert Arnie Coro, CO2KK, who requested amateurs to keep 3720 kHz and 7045 kHz frequencies clear for emergency communication until further notice. The overall IARU Region 2 Emergency Communications Coordinator (EMCOR) is Dr. Cesar Pio Santos, HR2P. I also found SITREPs on the VoIP SKYWARN/Hurricane Net Support Site.

A post to the Region 2 Web site reported this: "After arriving to Port au Prince an HI8RCD/HH team had to abort their mission due to the present insecurity. The eight member team arrived safely back to Jimani, Dominican Republic. The team installed a VHF repeater that covers both Port au Prince and Santo Domingo (DR) and is in use for the Red Cross and the Civil Defense.

"Victor Baez, HI8VB, Secretary of the Radio Club Dominicano (RCD) reported that the RCD with UDRA, the Unin Dominicana de Radio Aficionados, had prepared to go to Port au Prince last Friday to install the emergency station HI8RCD/HH and a mobile station. Victor has a blog [in Spanish], which hopefully he will update with more news from Haiti. The IARU Web site also suggested hams follow the news of the support radio amateurs are providing in Haiti on Twitter here."

The ARRL encouraged US amateurs to be aware of emergency operations on the following frequencies: 7.045 and 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.

ARRL Media and Public Relations Manager Allen Pitts, W1AGP, stated "The ARRL has been in contact with communications leaders of the American Red Cross and Salvation Army, as well as other key Amateur Radio operators throughout the region. As teams from the hundreds of responding agencies worldwide are formed for deployment, many will have Amateur Radio components. ARRL is committed to providing communications aid to our served agencies and working with the international community in this time of crisis. At this time there are no known requests from agencies for amateurs to travel to Haiti, but this can change. If it develops that there are ARES assignments for a deployment in Haiti, these will be vetted and processed through each Section’s Section Emergency Coordinators."

I wanted to be involved, but listened only, and did not transmit on any of the emergency frequencies as there was nothing I could contribute. Actually, when you think about it, not transmitting is a de facto contribution. I did make a donation to Doctors Without Borders, and that made me feel part of the relief effort.”  ARRL Newsletter – Editor Rick Palm, K1CE

     Right now I feel guilty and stupid.  I do not even own a ham radio.  I sold my last HT and the plan was I was going to get a much better and fancy one that I wanted.  Then I could not afford to get one.  I am just going to have to bite the bullet and get an HT right soon.  You never know when some event is going to take place and you need one to help people.
     My problem is that I am tech geek and I want the best one with all the new stuff build in but my pocket book can not afford my tastes.  I am just going to have to get an HT that I can afford.  What the heck good am I as a ham without a radio? 
     Icom now has a new 2 meter only HT and it only cost $99.00 and it looks nice.  It is the new IC-V80.  I would love to have a dual band but I just better get a radio before I find myself wanting to help out and not having the equipment.