As you know, Charley Harpole, K4VUD has been posting daily VU4 updates right here on the DXR for feed to all the other DX bulletins. Charley was in the area severely hit by the Tsunami that hit the Andaman Islands.
We've heard nothing as to the impact on the islands, but do know that the ops there are helping with emergency traffic and communications. I know all of you will join with me in hoping that we hear from Charley and and for the safety of all those on VU4, as well as the rest of the effected areas Steve, KF2TI Subject: [The Daily DX] VU4 - update >Date: Mon, 27 Dec 2004 05:25:39 -0000 >From: Bernie McClenny <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> >Reply-To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] >Organization: The Daily DX >To: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>, "'The Weekly DX mailing List'" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > > >By now most of you have probably heard about the 9.0 Earthquake which took >place just off shore of Sumatra in North West Indonesia around 0058Z on >Sunday December 26. The Andaman Islands were one of the closest land areas >to the epicenter of the earthquake. This earthquake apparently set off >multiple aftershocks and several tidal waves (tsunami) which killed over >thirteen thousand people in the area (VU, VU4, 9M, 4S, 8Q, YB, HS). Reports >indicate that since the initial earthquake four more earthquakes have taken >place centered on the Andaman Islands, ranging from 6.0 to 6.3, and two more >in the Nicobar Islands measuring 7.3 followed by 6.5. > >Multiple sources reported Bharathi on the air several hours after the quake >and tsunami. VK6APK, Alex, heard her around 1000Z and she was reporting >"there is no electricity or telephone communication. All of the "team >members" are OK, but no direct word on Charley, K4VUD. As you all know >Charley has been assisting the all Indian team at VU4RBI/VU4NRO and sending >us daily reports. The VU4 ops are now apparently operating with battery >power running 20 watts and are on "standby to provide emergency >communications to assist the local authorities", per Alex. VU3SLJ, M.S. >Kamath, spoke to the VU4 team who again confirmed "everything's OK" with >them. They also reported that Ham Radio is the only communications link to >the islands at this time. YC4VD, Sabri, spoke to VU4NRO on 7092 around >1730Z. > >News sources are now reporting that Indian Airforce AN-32 aircraft have >flown into Port Blair and Karnic airfield in Andaman Islands delivering " >emergency and medical supplies". More than 100 are feared to be dead in the >Andamans. > >Late Sunday 9V1YC, James, reported he too spoke to the VU4 team on 20 >meters. The team was passing emergency traffic back and forth between the >Andaman Islands and the Indian mainland. They are using one or two small >gas generators, batteries and running 20 watts with the antennas now pointed >at the homeland. > >Early Monday James again spoke to Bharathi on 7075. Here is an update. > >1. They are running on batteries and small generators using very low power >and one vertical. Trying to put up some more antennas today. Commercial >power is promised by 4pm today, but no guarantees from the authorities. > >2. The main building they were using was damaged, and the authorities are >restricting entry at the moment. Most of their equipment is still inside, >but they are confident they will be allowed to retrieve it soon. > >3. There were heavy aftershocks all night long and they were sleeping >outside in temporary shelters. A temporary station was set up outside on >the grass and they continue to be on the air to pass traffic to India, and >hand out the QSO's. > >4. They know there are reports that the DXpedition is over and they are >leaving, but insist that this is not true, and are staying on the air as >much as they can until the 31st - as scheduled. Bharathi and team depart >the island on the 1st. > >5. K4VUD has an air ticket home for today, but they have no idea if he can >leave since emergency passengers will likely take priority. The airport is >open, so I am sure he will have much more detailed and accurate information >for you if and when he gets back tomorrow. > >6. Though they reported yesterday that main power and phones are out, they >seem to have some telephones working, and Bharathi was talking to her >husband back in Delhi this morning. > >7. They (and the authorities) seem quite hungry for information on >casualties in the region since they have only a trickle of news from the >outside. It seems that Amateur Radio is showing its value during a severe >crisis. > >8. The emergency frequencies seem to be 7050 for emergency traffic within >India, and 7055 for Indonesia (which is their usual net frequency). 14190 >and 14150 are also being used for traffic to VU2. The usual net of expats >on 7075 in Thailand seemed to be a gathering place today, with many >reporting in from 4S7, VU2 and 9M2. > > >Credit 9V1YC, AD5W, K1ER, K3ZO, N5FG, VE7AVV, VK6APK, VU3DJQ, W6KH, W7YES, > >Bernie McClenny, W3UR ---------------------------------------------------------- Archives http://www.mail-archive.com/dx-news@njdxa.org THE DXR is sponsored by the North Jersey DX Association. Please visit our website: http://www.njdxa.org/index.php scroll to bottom for subscribe/unsubscribe options ----------------------------------------------------------
