HAMNET Report - 28 February

HAMNET is a voluntary group of South African radio amateurs who make their unique communication skills available to assist and help others in distress during and after disasters.
HAMNET is represented on the sub-committee of the South African Search & Rescue Organisation, and is also affiliated to IRESC

The Johannesburg Disaster Management, communications division had a meeting on Tuesday the 23rd to discuss various issues around communication during the Soccer World Cup. 

This turned out to be quite a lively meeting and much was discussed.  We were also informed, that because the Martindale D/M centre is still in the process of being refurbished, the JCC – Joint Communications Centre, will be in the JRA Building which is in the CBD of Johannesburg on the corner of Sauer and Jeppe Streets. 

The communications section will be on the 3^rd floor and this already creates a challenge as the antenna(s) will be on the roof which is another 9 floors up!  Hamnet will pay a visit to this centre within the next week or so the have a look at facilities and how we are going to erect at least one and possibly two 2 m antennas.  One for repeater links and the other for simplex communication! 

What also materialised during this meeting is that Hamnet is being relied on extremely heavily by all the role players.  In fact one suggestion was that wherever a facility is situated, all role players like JMPD, EMS etc, should look for the “Hamnet” vehicle should communications fail. What is meant by facilities, covers not just the 2 stadiums where games will be played but also all the Fan Parks around Gauteng South! 

This in itself also creates another challenge – manpower! 
Fan Parks include Innes Free Park in Sandton and Elka Stadium in Soweto.  Public viewing – large screens – will be at the Mary Fitzgerald Square, Walter Sisulu Square and Fan Walkway. 

Hamnet have approached D/M for maps and layouts of where these venues or facilities are for planning purposes. It is obvious that Hamnet (and ORRU – Off Road Rescue Unit) are going to be extremely busy during the 5 odd weeks the Soccer World Cup is taking place. 

Looking at times of games, they all take place either at 13:30 16:00 or 20:30.  At all times we will have to be either near to or at any of the facilities where viewing will take place! Hamnet and the ORRU are in the process of planning a top level meeting to discuss various issues but mainly our cooperation during the Soccer World Cup period as the ‘to do’ list, discussed at the D/M meeting is rather extensive! 

We are aware that in other cities where games are being played like Cape Town, Port Elizabeth, Durban, Bloemfontein and the smaller venues, Fan Parks and Public viewing facilities will also be open to the public.  That means all the Hamnet operators and Hamnet volunteers through their official Hamnet coordinator in those cities should also liaise with their local D/M heads as to what they require from Hamnet by way of emergency communication! 

We suggest that this be done right now and some tests should also be done to ensure that communication is 101% available and acceptable – considering possible dead spots etc as 2 m will in all probability be the communication frequency of choice! 

With 102 day to go as of today, time is critical and we must ensure that Hamnet is ready for this occasion and that all backup facilities are in place! 

Ten years ago we had Y2K.  Now we have SWC.  This is a golden opportunity for both Hamnet and amateur radio volunteers to prove to all once and for all, that we are the only reliable alternative means of communication, when all else fails! 

Francois Botha, ZS6BUU

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The South African Radio League