HAM helping Haiti victims...

[Trinny]

Interesting to hear that the HAM emergency network is at work. Would be interesting to listen in...but be careful not to interrupt emergency communications. Here is just one article about it, I'm sure there are several more.

http://va3qv.wordpress.com/2010/01/1...adio-update-3/

[RockRacer]

Good to post stuff like this because I think it keeps us on our toes and helps us remember that our hobby can majorly help out if we are knowledgeable enough. I want to learn more so I can start participating in Amateur Radio Emergency Service (ARES).

As it turns out, my co-worker that sits right next to me hasn't heard from his father-in-law (who lives in Haiti) since the earthquake. Nobody has heard from him and my co-worker didn't come in today.

Here is an article from KSL.

[JackChristensen]

Gents, there is very little traffic coming OUT of Haiti over ham radio circuits. Unfortunately, without any structure on the island, it's difficult if not impossible to get health and welfare traffic INTO the country. If you know people who are worried about their loved ones, have them go to http://www.satern.org and fill out a Health and Welfare Information Request. When things get under control, the Salvation Army will attempt to process each of the requests and respond back.

If you have HF radio equipment you might LISTEN on 3.977.7 MHz nights, 14.265 MHz days, and 7.265 MHz days. Listen for SE United States stations. These will be in the 4th call district. Alternatively, you might hear some Texas stations with 5 calls. Propagation has been pretty good the last couple of nights for 3.977.7 MHz. I've heard lots of Alabama, Arkansas, and Texas stations. Most were readable and good copy without too much static (QRM in hamspeak). Good for 1200 miles. So far, I've not heard any traffic coming out of Haiti. Once it starts happening, there will be lots of opportunities to accept and handle traffic.

Get your General Class license! Out.

[RockRacer]

Excellent info Jack. Thanks for posting! I will tell my buddy to do this. His father-in-law did get rescued. Unfortunately they did loose some cousins and the in-laws house is completely destroyed.

I am also going to see if I can pick up anything with my HF rig. I am really wishing I had a tunable antenna right about now!

[Trinny]

Definitely wish I had a HF rig, would be cool to listen in. Jack, do you know if you can pick up any of the relief traffic (e.g., shipping/flight traffic)?

My wife's adoption agency places children from an orphanage in Haiti. They have three buildings housing over 400 kids, all in the West Port au Prince area. We just learned today that ALL of the kids got out safely. An absolute miracle. The orphanage directors wife has a broken leg, although his uncle and mother were killed. In one of the buildings, the kids got out just before an aftershock hit and leveled the building. Now the worry is water and nutrition for already malnourished and struggling kids. Please keep them, and all affected, in your prayers. We are also accepting donations via paypal to help aid the kids if you're so inspired. Send to: donations@foreverychild.org.

We have the sister of an adoptive family in-country who survived, but is now serving as a nurse stitching up lacerations and cleaning wounds. She was supposed to return today, but now doesn't know when she will be returning home.

[JackChristensen]

Definitely wish I had a HF rig, would be cool to listen in. Jack, do you know if you can pick up any of the relief traffic (e.g., shipping/flight traffic)?

We're too far away to hear much. All I can hear tonight are static crashes and an occasional Texas station. This morning, 20 meters was a little better. Still, a big problem is there doesn't seem to be any stations in the affected area wanting to make contact with the outside world. There's plenty of state-side hams listening for any glimmer of a signal from Haiti.

I'm glad to hear your kids are all safe. I bet that is a big relief for you.

[Marc DDS]

I'm going to the Dominican Republic next mont, I'll take my HT and say "hi" . Actually the "rumor" is we will be diverted and go to Haiti instead of the DR, but i rarely see rumors come true in the military.

Glad to hear your contacts are OK James.

[Trinny]

I'm glad to hear your kids are all safe. I bet that is a big relief for you.

They are safe for now, but out of food and water. The bigger job has just started - keeping them alive. We are trying to find a plane to take supplies through the DR to them. We have water, filters, food, guns, lined up and a couple of Landcruisers waiting for them in the DR. We just need aircraft to get the supplies to the LC's in the DR.

If anyone has connections to help, please contact me asap! 801.361.1932

[JackChristensen]

See article, "Radio hams flee Haiti after convoy fired upon" at http://www.southgatearc.org/news/jan...y_fired_on.htm.

Marc, this article lists a couple of VHF repeaters linking Haiti w/DR. Check them out. When you go to DR, they might be still operational and interesting to listen to. And, be sure to wear your BP vest and helmet.

[RockRacer]

They are safe for now, but out of food and water. The bigger job has just started - keeping them alive. We are trying to find a plane to take supplies through the DR to them. We have water, filters, food, guns, lined up and a couple of Landcruisers waiting for them in the DR. We just need aircraft to get the supplies to the LC's in the DR.

If anyone has connections to help, please contact me asap! 801.361.1932

Although my buddy's Haitian father-in-law works for the US Embassy down there, I am sure that doesn't help. Wish there was more I could do other than just donate. I was interested in hearing more about your previous post though...

Is this the sort of thing you are talking about? Almost looks like Marc's BJ70.

See article, "Radio hams flee Haiti after convoy fired upon" at http://www.southgatearc.org/news/jan...y_fired_on.htm.

Marc, this article lists a couple of VHF repeaters linking Haiti w/DR. Check them out. When you go to DR, they might be still operational and interesting to listen to. And, be sure to wear your BP vest and helmet.

That is crazy. Thanks for posting.

[cruiseroutfit]

...Almost looks like Marc's BJ70....

Other than its not a 70, its not a BJ and its about 20 years newer


Good luck with your efforts Trinny, hope you guys can figure something out!

[RockRacer]

Other than its not a 70, its not a BJ and its about 20 years newer

Always bustin my chops! I figured it was newer, but since I obviously don't know what it is, what is it smart guy? It's at least a cruiser right?

[cruiseroutfit]

Always bustin my chops! I figured it was newer, but since I obviously don't know what it is, what is it smart guy? It's at least a cruiser right?

HZJ78

[RockRacer]

HZJ78

Whoa. Interesting, thanks.

[Trinny]

Other than its not a 70, its not a BJ and its about 20 years newer


Good luck with your efforts Trinny, hope you guys can figure something out!

Thanks. The charter plane laden with goods arrived in the DR about two hours ago. Waiting for the choppers and ground transportation to show up. They left Laura to "guard" the plane at the airport.

[Marc DDS]

Almost looks like Marc's BJ70.:.

same color... and it probable runs so quite a bit different.

Jack, would I be able to hear anything with my HT on my trip? Thats about all I'm going to have room for. I guess it depends on how close I am to the repeaters. I also don't know if the US Army has a problem with me packing my own radio equipment. We usually have our own commo dudes who watch movies all day long waiting for something to relay..

[Troy DeMill]

Thanks. The charter plane laden with goods arrived in the DR about two hours ago. Waiting for the choppers and ground transportation to show up. They left Laura to "guard" the plane at the airport.

I heard the breaking story right here on our forum first but:

http://www.ksl.com/?nid=148&sid=9396667

[JackChristensen]

Jack, would I be able to hear anything with my HT on my trip?

Depends on where the repeater is relative to your deployment location(s). One very important thing to consider: Licensing. If you intend to listen-only, then you'll probably be OK. However, if you would like to transmit you will need to obtain a license from the DR. See: http://www.arrl.org/FandES/field/reg...info_a.html#hi for the details. It's probably not worth the bother if you are going to be in country less than three (3) days.

Here's the link for licensing in Haiti: http://www.arrl.org/FandES/field/reg...info_e.html#hh. Although, with so much chaos there you may not be able to get a license.

Does customs go through your stuff? If they do and find your HT, the DR guys may give you a hard time if you don't have a license to operate the equipment in the DR. Just a thought.