Amateur Radio and the Gippsland floods

Providing communications support during the flood disaster in eastern Victoria were seven radio amateurs, members of RECOM the communications arm of the Australian Red Cross.

John Patterson VK3ATQ of RECOM reports its role was centred on emergency relief centres at Paynesville, Sale, Bairnsdale and Lakes Entrance.

There the team registered 361 flood evacuees and transmitted this information back to the Red Cross Headquarters in Melbourne using data communications.

RECOM also provided other reliable communications of administrative traffic for the Red Cross.

The operators involved included VK3ATQ, VK3AUO, VK3BQS, VK3BPD, VK3EK, VK3GBJ and VK3XSW.

The floods at some locations cut power or put it at risk and RECOM was fully prepared with self-reliant auxiliary power.

John VK3ATQ found himself being interviewed numerous times by the ABC as part of its public information coverage as the flood disaster unfolded.

The RECOM guys with their communications 'go-kits' and four wheel drive vehicles were activated for five-days in the flood areas.

RECOM which began in Victoria is now nation-wide and through its excellent voluntary work has achieved credibility and increasing recognition.

Source: Wireless Institute of Australia