Asian Tsunami disaster -
amateur radio emergency comms
requested in the Andaman Island
A special report from the Wireless Institue of Australia
The DXpedition has been suspended, the team has asked authorities for
an extension of the DXpedition and are awaiting notification.
The December 26th earthquake and tsunami waves have caused largish problems
on the Andamanns.
On the air reports and Internet sources indicate that the VU4 team is
fine.
Reports also state VU4RBI is now on low power and providing emergency
communications.
Sunil U K had on air comms with VU4NRO operated by VU2MYH OM Mohan, early
27-dec-04 who reports the Dxpedition Team is keeping Fine, But that tremors
are still being reported here and there.
VU3CYL, YL Sindhu in Cherthala 9' 44 N 76'23 E as VU4 RBI is active on
20 meter band waiting for permission to initiate emergency communications
at Carnicobar.
Sandeep Baruah VU2MUE says there are two emergency frequencies.
VU4NRO is QRV on 14.190 MHz and
VU2NRO at Hyderabad is on 14.160 to receive QSPs for Portblair.
Two more hams (VU2DVO and VU2JOS) have already arrived Portblair.. Some
landlines are working in Andaman. But no electricity.. no water at VU4NRO's
operating location which is the Hotel Sinclair, Portblair.
The VU4RBI/VU4NOR team was allowed back into the damaged hotel building
and Bharathi Prasad, VU2RBI, "is bravely operating on the fifth
floor using a Yagi" despite continued aftershocks.
Car Nicobar is totally cut off - which is the worst affected area. Thousands
are missing. Ham radio operators may proceed to that area after clearance
from the local authority.
As per National Disaster Management Wing information, 5 nos. of AN-32
aircrafts with a medical team and 8 Satellite Telephones arrived Portblair.
Ham stations from India are in constant communication with VU4RBI to
handle QSPs. VU2HFR is relaying to VU4 from Kolkata. Sandeep VH2MUE says
his club VU2NCT is also on-air.
In a later msg just received, 12:00 hrs UTC 27th December: The local
administration has formally asked for ham's assistance in Andaman.
VU4RBI is still operating from Hotel Sinclair. The other DXpedition station
VU4NRO would be operating from the Deputy Commissioner's office from tomorrow.
Material sourced from Alokesh Gupta, Sunil U K, and Sandeep Baruah
Source: Wireless
Institute of Australia
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