SOUTH AFRICAN RADIO LEAGUE HAMNET EMERGENCY COMMUNICATION BULLETIN FOR MONDAY 6 DECEMBER 2010
This bulletin was compiled and prepared by Francois Botha – ZS6BUU
IN THE BULLETIN TODAY
NEW PROVINCIAL DIRECTOR
MARITIME MOBILE NET
SCHOOL HOLIDAY’S
GENERAL
The Hamnet Bulletin is distributed once a month to all HAMNET members and is also available in text format as well as an audio clip on the SARL web site. News updates are read on the Amateur Radio Mirror International Sunday transmissions and posted on the SARL web site. All Bulletin audio clips are also available as a Podcast. Follow the links on the SARL web site.
HAMNET is a voluntary group of amateurs 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. Training Modules are available either from your Provincial Director or from the National Director via e-mail and is also available on the SARL HAMNET Welcome CD.
HAMNET forms part of the Constitution of the South African Radio League which means that you have to be a member of the SARL to be a member of HAMNET. All information on SARL HAMNET is available on the web site of the SARL at www.sarl.org.za Just follow the links!
NEW PROVINCIAL DIRECTOR
It is with pleasure that we announce the appointment of Serge, ZS2SJE, as the new Provincial Director of Hamnet Eastern Cape.
After careful consideration and with Serge’s experience in Off Road Rescue, we decided to ask Serge to take over the role of Provincial Director for the Eastern Cape. His contact details via e-mail are serge.smetryns@durrsa.co.za and his postal address is 14 River Rd, Redhouse, 6215. He can be contacted on his cell phone at 084 5151077.
Serge comes to us with a fair amount of experience and has also been a Hamnet member for many years.
MARITIME MOBILE NET
There have been some changes within the running of the Maritime Mobile Net after Alistair, ZS5MU, had a bit of a health set-back. We obviously wish Alistair well and a speedy recovery.
In the mean time, Graham, ZS2ABK, down in Bushmansriver has taken control of the running of the daily network on both 14,300MHz and 7,120 MHz. The call in time is 08.30 local time or 06.30 UTC in the mornings and again at 13.30 local time or 11.30 UTC in the afternoon.
Graham is assisted by Sam, ZS1SAM down in Simonstown as well as Des, ZS2ABU in Port Elizabeth and Brian, ZS5AZH in Umzumbi with many coastal stations checking in with reports from as far north as Richards Bay to stations on the West Coast.
Graham will be away on leave from the 24th of November till the 7th of December when he will again resume responsibility for the net. In has absence, Sam and Des will be running the net.
A few in-land stations like Neil, ZS4NN and occasionally ZS6BUU assist where necessary to relay messages when conditions are not good.
SCHOOL HOLIDAYS
All schools close on the 10th of December and by the time this bulletin reaches you, we will be in the final week before the ‘silly season’ sets in! Matric exams are done and the long wait for results now begins.
We will monitor our 40m frequency of 7,110MHz as conditions allow and also 3,760MHz late afternoon and early evening. Monitoring the 80m band is always a bit of a challenge due to static. Around the country, 2m repeaters will always be a useful way of advising monitors of accidents and other information.
There are still many areas where cell phone coverage is sparse. This is where your mobile HF rig or 2m rig can be very useful to report traffic.
JAMLINE will again be grateful for reports of incidents like accidents, road closures and so on. Their number is listed later in the bulletin. Rob Byrne will welcome calls from people with information.
Busy periods will be from the afternoon of the 15th of December as the 16th is the first of the public holidays and for people leaving earlier than waiting for the Christmas weekend.
Friday the 24 of December will be the busy weekend as well as the 31st of December through to the 2nd of January 2011.
Inland schools reopen on 12 January and all coastal schools on 19 January
GENERAL
From Hamnet Western Cape it is reported that Ashley Ware-Lane, ZS2ASH has agreed to fill the vacant portfolio of HWC Training Officer. Ashley is active in Hamnet as well as their local Off Road Rescue Unit (ORRU), Wilderness Search and Rescue Organisation (WSAR) and brings to the group his own brand of enthusiasm. We wish Ashley well in his new task!
UNDERSTUDY
I have mentioned this before but need to mention this again. I need someone who can be appointed as my understudy and who will eventually take on the role as National Director of Hamnet. I may still be very healthy and full of enthusiasm but life often plays dirty tricks and that situation may change overnight!
I would prefer a Hamnet member who is resident in Gauteng which also makes it easy to attend meetings and Council meetings. This person will obviously also be appointed as a Councillor on the SARL in due course and we as Council are also looking for younger people to start thinking of committing themselves to the running of not only the SARL but as the body that represents amateur radio in South Africa.
A Job Description has been prepared for anyone who is interested in my commitment to HAMNET as well as to the SARL. Please let me have your name and e-mail address and I will forward the job description to you.
I would also like to take this opportunity of thanking all the monitors who did duty through the year and wish everyone a blessed Christmas and all the best for 2011.
MEMBER INFORMATION – FOR REFERENCE PURPOSES!
Hamnet emergency communication frequencies are:-
80m band – 3,760MHz, 40m band, 7,110MHz. The 20m band – 14,300MHz.
For more information on Hamnet, click on the following web address;
http://www.sarl.org.za/public/hamnet/hamnet.asp also www.zs6ro.co.za/podcast
For up to date weather and disaster information in South Africa please check the following web site. www.saweatherobserver.blogspot.com This is a unique website designed for South African weather and disaster conditions. Should you wish to update the website with local information on adverse weather conditions or other information, this is the SMS number to use. 076 251 3482 - Text Messages Only!!
Alternatively you can submit information via the following e-mail address;
Sawois05@gmail.com
Another suggestion was made that we list at the end of every Bulletin, important telephone and cell phone numbers that you should have at your fingertips should you come across or be involved in handling traffic on air.
Should there be numbers you wish to add – even for your Province (we can break the listing into Provinces), please let me know so I can add them.
AMBULANCE – 10177
ER24 – 084 124
Werner Vermaak Direct ER24 real emergencies only 082 907.4557
TRAFFIC - 112
JAMLINE - 084 5265463
CRIME LINE – 32211 alternatively 08600 10111. HAMNET actively supports the SAPS and CPF to fight crime!
Graham – Maritime Mobile Net 046 648-1071 (Maritime Emergency Only)
Alistair – Maritime Mobile Net 039 684-6421 (Maritime Emergency Only)
MRCC – 021 938-3300 (Only in dire Maritime emergencies)
Comments and suggestions to: jfbotha@iburst.co.za or zs6buu@gmail.com or at 011 679-5260 or 083 585-3847.
BULLETIN ENDS.
