Subj : Amateur Radio Newsline (B)
To   : All
From : Daryl Stout
Date : Fri Mar 25 2022 00:21:16

AUSTRALIAN HAMS HELP ONE ANOTHER FOLLOWING FLOOD LOSSES

PAUL/ANCHOR: Amateur radio clubs are proud to be able to help in 
disasters - but what happens when the clubs themselves become victims? 
John Williams, VK4JJW, tells us how one club in Australia has stepped up 
to help a dozen of those whose shacks were devastated by recent floods.

JOHN: An amateur radio club on the border of New South Wales and 
Victoria in Australia has come to the rescue of a dozen or so clubs 
that, like their own, works to assist communities ravaged by such 
disasters as bush fires, earthquakes and floods. In this case, however,
the North East Victoria Amateur Radio Club has stepped in because the 
other clubs became victims themselves after recent floods destroyed 
their vital radio gear, and in many cases, washed it away. The club has 
been providing assistance by collecting funds as well as new radio gear.

Frank Scott, VK2BFC, secretary of the club, told ABC.NET news that a 
fund has been created to replace as much of the other clubs' lost gear 
as possible. He said many of the clubs belong to the Wireless Institute 
of Australia's Civil Emergency Network. According to Frank, most of the 
equipment that was lost was not covered by flood damage insurance. Frank 
said it was difficult to get that kind of insurance for such items as 
ham radio equipment, and communication towers.
 
For Amateur Radio Newsline, I'm John Williams, VK4JJW.

(ABC.NET)

**

TWO-DAY DRILL IN INDIA PREPS FOR DISASTER

PAUL/ANCHOR: Two groups of hams tested their portable communications 
capabilities recently on a remote island in India. Jason Daniels, 
VK2LAW, tells us about their drill.

JASON: An exercise in emergency preparedness brought hams in one region 
of India to a remote island on the River Ganga near Patna, the capital 
city of Bihar. It was a two-day field exercise on March 12th and 13th 
for members of the Society of Radio Amateurs, relying only on battery 
power for more than 30 hours. They were joined by operators from the 
Indian Wave of Amateur Radio, VU2IWA, based in Kolkata who, like the 
hams from Bihar, know that preparedness is essential in a region like 
theirs, which is prone to earthquakes and floods. Radio conditions that 
weekend were conducive to good contacts. According to a report on the 
Global Bihari news site, hundreds of QSOs were made between that remote 
island and radio operators as far away as Europe. The hams were pleased 
with the results since many of them provide essential communication 
during the region's natural disasters.

For Amateur Radio Newsline, I'm Jason Daniels, VK2LAW.

(GLOBAL BIHARI)

**

AMATEURS FOCUS ON SEVERE WEATHER PREPAREDNESS

PAUL/ANCHOR: Weather preparedness is a priority everywhere, and Randy 
Sly, W4XJ, tells us how those of us in the United States can get 
involved.

RANDY: As we, here in the United States, approach the season for 
thunderstorms, tornadoes and hurricanes, the National Weather Service is 
holding Severe Weather Preparedness Weeks across the country. Tornado 
drills, announcements through the media and personal preparation 
information are just a few ways the Weather Service is getting the word 
out at this time of year to be prepared.

It's a good time for amateur radio operators, involved in ARES, RACES, 
CERT, Skywarn, and other groups, to ensure that we are also prepared. 
This includes making sure that all radios, accessories along with backup 
power sources are fully functional and that all contact information is 
up to date with the agencies and organizations served.

Christopher Strong, Warning Coordination Meteorologist for the 
Baltimore/Washington DC Weather Forecast Office told Amateur Radio 
Newsline that hams can play a big part in being "weather aware," by 
knowing what threats are possible. Hams should have a plan if extreme 
weather occurs. Strong said that, during an event, operators are 
important as they actively gather impact data from their community and 
get that information back to the National Weather Service, which 
improves the accuracy of the notifications being issued.

Over the years, the motto: "When all else fails, amateur radio" has 
proven true in many situations. This is not only due to amateur 
operators' readiness to serve, but our willingness to be prepared.

For more information, go to weather.gov and click on Spring 
Preparedness.

For Amateur Radio Newsline, I'm Randy Sly, W4XJ.

**

NOMINATE YOUNG AMATEURS FOR NEWSLINE AWARD

PAUL/ANCHOR: It's time to think about the next generation of radio 
operators, and appreciate their skill and dedication. Perhaps one of them 
will be the next recipient of the Amateur Radio Newsline Bill Pasternak 
Memorial Young Ham of the Year Award. Consider nominating an amateur 
radio operator 18 years of age or younger with talent, promise and a 
commitment to the spirit of ham radio. Find application forms on our 
website arnewsline.org under the "YHOTY" tab. Nominations close May 
31st.
--- SBBSecho 3.15-Win32
 * Origin: The Thunderbolt BBS - Little Rock, Arkansas (954:895/7)

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