HAMNET audio report

HAMNET is a voluntary group of South African amateur radio operators 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.

The situation around the globe this morning appears to be fairly stable regarding natural and man made disasters but as we get into the South African summer season, we need to be aware of rain and possible flooding.

In one Disaster Management scenario this week, the wreck of a car was lowered into a fast flowing stream and the ‘team’ had an opportunity to test equipment and get some exercise in the removal of trapped victims.

The December school holidays are a few weeks away and we will be discussing monitoring duties in the December Hamnet bulletin. 

Our 40m band frequency has moved to its region 1 slot of 7,110 MHz and so far we have had no interference from AM stations. 

However looking around the world, Iran had a reminder that earth quakes do happen in their country occasionally as on Friday a quake measuring 5.6 on the Richter scale hit the mountainous region of southern Iran but local officials indicated that there were no casualties or damage in the area. 

Another shock measuring 3.9 hit a nearby area but again there were no reports of damage and casualties, but one is reminded that in 2003 an earthquake hit the city of Bam killing around 31,000 people and in 2008 in the Bandar Abbas region was also hit by a quake killing 7 people and injuring around 40. 

Korea was in the news but for another reason when jittery fingers probably caused the bombardment of a South Korean Island killing 2 people, injuring a few more and destroying some buildings.  Despite the ending of the Korean War in 1953, no official peace treaty has ever been signed with the result the 38th parallel is probably the most sensitive de-militarised zone on earth! 

Haiti was in the news again this week and it appears that not much has been done to rebuild the damaged buildings in Port-Au-Price since the January quake that killed many hundreds of residents. Cholera is taking a further toll of people and elections are in the offing causing tensions among opposing groups to the extent that armed Haitian Police are on patrol ensuring that things do not get out of hand. 

Very little emergency communication took place this week but let’s stay alert for any possible activation!

Reporting for Hamnet this is Francois Botha – ZS6BUU.

Hamnet website
The South African Radio League

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