Winlink 2000 helping with southern Asia disaster communications
In the wake of the earthquake and tsunamis that hit the region December
26, Amateur Radio operators who have Winlink
2000 capability, many of them maritime, have found Winlink 2000 to
be especially helpful to stay in touch with friends and family by e-mail,
and to help handle emergency communications.
"Since it interfaces with Internet e-mail, the Worldwide Winlink
2000 ongoing digital radio messaging network does not have to ramp up
for such disaster events. It simply handles messages with a different
content," Steve Waterman, K4CJX, explained.
Waterman, of Nashville, Tennessee, is the Winlink 2000 network administrator,
a member of the Winlink 2000 Development Team and a member of the ARRL
Ad-Hoc Committee on ARES Communications. He has been monitoring the activity
on Winlink 2000 in the aftermath of the tsunamis.
"The messaging process does not change, even in an emergency. People
will e-mail their families and friends, as well as handle EmComm communications
and health and welfare directly, just like they e-mail on a daily basis,"
Waterman said.
"The advantage of the direct communications is amplified because
they are sending and receiving when propagation is optimal rather than
having to wait for any pre-scheduled time."
The Winlink 2000 team is presently assessing the status and location
of its users in and around the Indian Ocean (including South Africa) in
order to better assist those who need it. Winlink 2000 is one method that
is being used to collect data on vessels in the southeastern Asia region
on behalf of the International
Boatwatch Network.
Source: ARRL Letter - courtesy of The
American Radio Relay League
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