ARES-NIMS Training

American Hospital Association requests permanent waiver of 97.113 to allow hospital employees to participate in drills

The American Hospital Association has asked the FCC for a permanent waiver of 97.113 specifically to allow hospital employees who are Licensed Amateur Radio Operators to participate in emergency communications drills over Amateur Radio. 

In response to this request the Federal Communications Commission has opened a comment period asking concerned parties to submit their comments and opinions on this subject.  All Amateur Radio Operators are encouraged to review the public notice and submit your thoughts on this subject to the FCC.

The public notice is located at http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DA-10-365A1.pdf

Chilean Earthquake and Tsunami Frequencies

IARU Region 2 and Radio Club de Chile Request Amateurs to Keep Emergency Frequencies Clear.

Last night a magnitude 8.8 earthquake struck off the coast of Chile causing massive damage in Chile and Tsunami warnings to be issued throughout the pacific including Japan, Hawaii, Rapa Nui, Alaska, California and pretty much any area with coast line facing Chile in the pacific.  This quake has been described as “one of the largest earthquakes ever recorded.”

The IARU Region 2 and the Radio Club De Chile have requested that all amateurs keep the following frequencies clear for traffic related to this emergency.
3.738             3.750
7.050            7.100
14.200        14.350
21.200        21.350
28.300        28.500 MHz.

Additional suggested monitoring frequencies are 14.300, 18.160, 21.360, 3.720, 7.045 and 7.060.

For more information visit http://www.arrl.org/

Emergency Traffic Frequencies for Haiti Earthquake

UPDATE *****

The IARU and other organizations have released all amateur frequencies which were being used to coordinate relief efforts for the Haiti Disaster to regular amateur use.

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Attention All Amateurs. In response to the earthquake which resulted in massive destruction and loss of life in Haiti, the IARU Region 2 has requested that certain frequencies be kept clear for emergency traffic. In addition to Organized nets on 7.045 and 3.720 several other frequencies may be used to coordinate health and welfare or other traffic related to the current situation in Haiti.

The list of frequencies that the ARRL recommends keeping clear are 14.265 MHz, 14.300 MHz, 7.045 MHz, 7.265 MHz, 3.977 MHz and 3.720 MHz.

As always regardless of what frequency you may be on if you hear traffic related to this or any emergency please give priority to the emergency traffic, assist if you can or try to put the individual in contact with someone who can assist.

For the ARRL write-up visit http://www.arrl.org/news/stories/2010/01/13/11288/?nc=1 or for more generalized info CNN and many other news outlets are carrying continuously updated information.