Subj : Amateur Radio Newsline (A
To : All
From : Daryl Stout
Date : Fri Jan 17 2020 06:23 pm
Amateur Radio Newsline Report 2203, for Friday, January 17th, 2020
Amateur Radio Newsline Report Number 2203, with a release date of
Friday, January 17th, 2020, to follow in 5-4-3-2-1.
The following is a QST. A tragic drowning halts a DXpedition.
Hams step up after a volcano in the Philippines -- and troubles
flock to a tower in Texas. All this and more, as Amateur Radio
Newsline Report Number 2203 comes your way right now.
**
BILLBOARD CART
**
TRAGIC DROWNING HALTS ROTUMA DXPEDITION
NEIL/ANCHOR: We begin this week's report with news from the Rotuma
DXpedition 3D2AG/p. All operations have gone QRT following a
personal tragedy, the drowning of the 11-year-old son of Antoine,
3D2AG, who had been on the air from Rotuma in the Republic of Fiji
since the 21st of December. The child drowned on the 9th of January,
and his body was found in deep water. The entire Newsline staff
extends heartfelt condolences to Antoine and his family.
(SOUTHGATE)
**
HAMS STEP UP AFTER PHILIPPINE VOLCANO ERUPTS
NEIL/ANCHOR: In the Philippines, hams activated quickly, following
the eruption of a volcano near Manila. John Williams, VK4JJW, has
that report.
JOHN: The eruption of the Taal volcano near the Manila metro area
in the Philippines on January 12th, spurred an activation of the
Ham Radio Emergency Operations, or HERO, network of the Philippine
Amateur Radio Association. According to a report from PARA's Thelma
Pascua, DU1IVT, and JoJo Vicencio, DU1VHY, as conditions worsened
with power blackouts, hams became active on the 2 metre calling
frequency, and were joined by PARA club DX1ACE, and others in their
respective areas. Ashfall had begun to affect metropolitan Manila,
even northern Quezon City. The southern cities were reported to be
seriously impacted. DX1ACE began a relief effort to assist evacuees
in the Batangas area evacuation centers. IARU Region 3 Disaster
Committee Chairman Dani, YB2TJV, issued a notice that 40 metres was
also being monitored. By January 13th, however, a change in wind
direction had given metro Manila a relief from the ashfall.
For Amateur Radio Newsline, I'm John Williams, VK4JJW.
(DANI YB2TJV, JOJO DU1VHY, THELMA DU1IVT)
**
AMATEURS HELP IN POST-QUAKE PUERTO RICO
NEIL/ANCHOR: Hams are on the scene in Puerto Rico, helping an island
shaken by the latest tremors. Here's Christian Cudnik, K0STH, with
the details.
CHRISTIAN: With thousands of people displaced following a 6.4 magnitude
earthquake, and a later 5.9 magnitude tremor, volunteers from the
Amateur Radio Emergency Service, or ARES, are in Puerto Rico, assisting
the American Red Cross. Although commercial telecommunications remain
largely intact, and most of the island's power was back on, hams were
handling health and welfare traffic on VHF and UHF, and at Red Cross
headquarters as of mid-week. The ARRL's Ham Aid Fund was also sending
equipment. Puerto Rico Section Manager Oscar Resto, KP4RF, told the
ARRL that radio operations were being used as a backup, in case further
quakes occur.
According to the U.S. Geological Survey, the quakes are among more than
500 to strike the Caribbean territory since late December. The recent
quakes are said to have caused $110 million worth of damage.
For Amateur Radio Newsline, I'm Christian Cudnik, K0STH.
(ARRL, CNN)
**
SILENT KEY: SULTAN QABOOS BIN SAID A41AA
NEIL/ANCHOR: From the Sultanate of Oman, comes word of the death of its
longtime leader - a notable ham radio operator. Jason Daniels, VK2LAW,
tells us more.
JASON: An amateur radio operator who was also the longest tenured monarch
in the Arab world, has become a Silent Key. Sultan Qaboos bin Said, A41AA,
was credited with transforming the sultanate into a modern developed state
since becoming its ruler in 1970. The Royal Omani Amateur Radio Society
A47RS notes on its webpage that it was created in 1972 under his patronage.
Various media outlets recalled him as a man of peace. A BBC report noted
that although no cause of death was confirmed, the sultan had been in
Belgium in December, seeking medical treatment, presumably for cancer.
Sultan Qaboos, who died Friday, January 10th, was aged 79.
For Amateur Radio Newsline, I'm Jason Daniels, VK2LAW.
NEIL/ANCHOR: The sultan's name is now added to the list of other notable
Silent Keys, including King Hussein of Jordan, JY1, India's Prime Minister
Rajiv Gandhi, VU2RG, the King of Thailand, HS1A, and United States Senator
Barry Goldwater, K7UGA.
(BBC, AL JAZEERA)
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