HAMS deliver 53 tons of emergency aid.

[vk2bvs]

NEWS FLASH- Radio hams help evacuate 5 Police under gun fire. This was our latest report at 0430UTC 6th Dec and relayed by hams to the National Disaster Council and to the Solomon Islands Royal Police. The story starts when relief supplies have been distributed and the ship is returning after a job well done. The story begins like this-

# # # # #For the second time in 2 weeks graduates from the Amateur Radio Training School of the Solomon Islands have deployed as volunteers of the National Disaster Council on a second ship, the MV Eastern Trader. This time going to the area of South Guadalcanal Island. Here people have fled their homes and food gardens from both flooding and fighting.

# # # #The hams are part of the plans in Solomon Islands to get relief supplies to villagers.

# # # #The Solomon Islands Disaster Emergency Management Office says it has grave concerns about the 5-thousand people in risk areas of the Weathercoast in South Guadalcanal who are in need of food and medical supplies.

# # # #This situation is the result of both flooding of peoples food gardens creating the food shortage and increased population caused by the arrival of people from the area of fighting.

# # # #All this is happening in an area isolated from any government services.

# # # #The volunteers heard of possible danger prior to departing the Capital, Honiara.

# # # #The hams set up a radio and antenna on the ship and reported their safe arrival on the South coast and the distribution of the supplies.

# # # #Radio operators in Australia are assisting as relay stations between the National Disaster Council HQ in Honiara on the North Guadalcanal coast and the ship 100km away on the South Guadalcanal coast.

# # # #Solomon Islands hams can not talk directly because the relief ship is in the skip zone.

# # # #Australian operators last relayed message was to say they have been greeted by people very happy to see them and there was no danger to volunteers.

# # # #In fact the news flash above indicates that 5 lives may have been saved as Rockson and Moffet reported that 1 death and 2 casualties had been suffered by the Police yesterday.

# # # #The team of 5 volunteers are Chief project communications officer 15 year old Moffet H44MD, Rockson H44EE also 15, Ms Viola H44VP and Ms Nesta H44NO both 18, and 20 year old Alfred H44SAT .

# # # #Moffet reports by radio that Viola and Nesta decided in the last minute not to join this trip. They will be glad to have missed this unexpected experience.
# # # # # # #
# # # #Together with a National Disaster Council official and 2 Red Cross volunteers the ship delivered 53 tons of rice, shelter and agricultural tools.

# # # # After delivering relief supplies the Police requested that the ship go to Biti village to pick up the body of a Police officer killed the day previously. On arrival at that village heavy gun fire saw the evacuation of 5 Police and the body onto the ship MV Eastern Trader.

# # # # The ship returned to Honiara #Dec 7th.2002.

# # # # Adding the 3 volunteers who did a similar deployment to Malaita Island last week means that ( with the up dated info ) 6 graduates of the amateur radio training school now have first hand experience in Ham, Helping All Mankind. # # # #

# # # #The National Disaster Council of the Solomon Islands has asked the ham radio training school to be ready for a possible third deployment of its volunteers. Details will be posted as it comes to hand.

# # # Areas outside the Weather coast are safe and all ham graduates will operate in those safe areas. With 5000 weather coast people receiving aid its hoped it can sustain them, if not ham graduates who volunteer to go to that area have had an experience none will ever forget.

# # # Well done, supplies distributed and 5 lives saved. A case of being (1) lucky that everyone is safe and (2) at the right time in the right place to save lives

My Webpage (http://www.H44A.com)
http://www.H44A.com

[ve3tok]

It seems that some in spoiled North America don't
understand what it is to live in a country where you
have nothing and the only thing is what they can do
is discriminate people why they can't use the tam tam or
fall about somebodies name.

I expect more of radio amateurs but maybe I miss the
joke :=(

I believe more in people of 15 who help as those who
are sitting on the couch and doing nothing..

It seems to me that clearly is spelled out what the
emergencies are in that story..
Is flooding and fighting not enough?

[wa4ptz]

Sorry, Ol chap, but there seems to be a little too
much of the old 2 + 2 = 22 in this story. For those
mathmatically challenged, it does not add up.
http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/confused.gif
We spoiled North Americans can add.
If these kids can learn all they need to know in
2 or 3 weeks, I applaud their achievements.
But I pity their lack of experience.
I wish them well.
73 - Tim #http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif

[KG4OIJ]

A couple of minutes researching on the internet revealed the following info. For the past two years there has been a struggle between the people of the two islands of Guadalcanal and Malaita for dominance of the country/islands. This has resulted in fighting in various areas, and people are trying to get out of the areas where the fighting has/is occurring. Who wouldn't? Add this to the recent floods which have wiped out crops, and the word famine comes to mind. Too many people with too little food. As far as who is getting licensed, and their experience level, I'm not familiar with other countries requirements for a radio license. But I also think that the people on the receiving end of the relief supplies are more worried about surviving and getting something to eat, than the experience level of the radio operator reporting their conditions back to the world. After all, isn't an operating radio with an inexperienced (not un-knowledgeable, just inexperienced) operator on the scene doing them more good than all the highly trained emergency communicators sitting at home in their shacks? That's enough for me. Best wishes for those helping out, good luck.

Dave
kg4oij

[kg6amw]

Its not that we are spoiled, its just that sometimes people write before they think. #Most everyone who face hard times will step up and do the right thing to help. We recognize the school is doing a great job and we're glad to see its graduates are helping when possible. #Guys if you have question about what's happening here, just post an email to the writer of the story. #There are people suffering here and we should not to take it lightly.

[k7nra]

Howdy!

# # Before you 'flame' this group, maybe, just maybe, you should check out the website, read the news, and then be grateful that there are still people in the world that believe in volunteerism.
# # Just because their training requirements aren't the same as ours, doesn't make them any less effective for emergency communications.
# # If you read the graduate roster, you will find that these alums are not just 'kids'.

# # Take 15 minutes, as I did, and learn about this school.
# # Then, engage your brain before commenting!

[ku4uk]

The bands #need a lot more pepole on, more qrm etc. Looks like if you need a license. just go to some island ?

[k4eez]

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (kg6amw @ Dec. 05 2002,11:17)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">Its not that we are spoiled, its just that sometimes people write before they think. #Most everyone who face hard times will step up and do the right thing to help. We recognize the school is doing a great job and we're glad to see its graduates are helping when possible. #Guys if you have question about what's happening here, just post an email to the writer of the story. #There are people suffering here and we should not to take it lightly.[/QUOTE]<span id='postcolor'>
what he said !!

[KD5UJZ]

The airforce bootcamp is only 6 weeks. All these kids are learning are radio operations and possibly first aid. The reason 15 year olds are doing it is because the 30 year olds are home complaining about how stupid this little disastar is. Look at the recent ice storms. They are considered a disaster so why sould someone losing their food supply and homes not be? Just because you cant see it from your house? I give these kids credit. I dont see them as crowding the bandwidth anymore then I do an emergency/weather/sell-trade net.

Its easy to point out mistakes when you are on the sidelines.

[KB2KAB]

http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif All that I would like to say on this matter is WELL DONE! # # I do not seem to understand the old way of thinking when it comes to have children do their part. Ham Radio was here before, and it will be here after, the old fuddy duddies go silent. These children are doing a fantastic job and should be commended not ridiculed. THIS IS WHAT HAM RADIO is all about. Not just sitting back in your shack and, MONDAY MORNING QUARTERBACK THEIR DISASTER. Hopefully someday soon others will hear about this and pick up a book here in the UNITED STATES and duplicate the efforts these children. This shows that HAM RADIO is not DEAD. But ALIVE and WELL. We should take a lesson from this. And try to get our children into the hobby. Again BRAVO! # #
# # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # 73's

# # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # David # #KB2KAB

It sounds like the primary function of these guys is to provide inexpensive and reliable communications. The fact that home was in the "skip" zone tells me that Ham radio is probably the best choice. I would bet there wouldn't be a bunch of ship radio ops waiting to relay the messages.

Maybe there WERE a few phones in the area they were going. Wouldn't it be safer to stay on the ship than going door to door looking for a working telephone?

Don't be too hard on them. Have any of us used the local repeater's phone patch to make a call while sitting in the car 40 feet from a pay phone?

[W5HTW]

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (KB9YKY @ Dec. 05 2002,12:04)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">"What if, what if, what if"? Maybe they could use drums, smoke signals, or runners. What we want to know is what the CURRENT "disaster" is. All we get is "what if something #happens". Surely, "something" happened there before. How did they manage then? Why is NOW the time to have crash courses in amateur radio? Why are the classes geared to seeing how many children they get on the air?[/QUOTE]<span id='postcolor'>
Without prejudice pro or con regarding the Solomans situation, I would suppose if ham radio works to ease the problem, then so be it. And it is up to their government as to licensing requirements.

But isn't this the policy here in the USA? Get as many children licensed as possible? Momma Bear, Poppa Bear, and the nine little Bears, all with shiny new ham licenses so they can "keep in touch with each other?" The Cell-Phone/FRS Bear family.

When we have hams trying to license the entire third grade at some elementary school, we can hardly complain about the Solomons doing the same thing.

Or perhaps we should complain about both?

[n4va]

Seems to me that if there is a need for this type of communications, their government would make frequencies available. The licensing of a bunch of kids (in the Amateur Service) to go out and risk their lives is, to me, questionable. I have a feeling that part of this story is "missing."

[KB4OID]

Man o Man are we Americans a spoiled bunch of brats! What a crowd of fuddie duddies. I'm ashamed to find I share a hobby with the likes of these creeps. I'd like to see half of the complainers here do as well as these kids, with as much adversity and as little in the way of resources.

My hat's off to them!

These kids are training to become the lifeline of hope for their isolated communities, not to be contesters or DX'ers. Have you seen a map of these islands? It's obvious that you couldn't connect these farflung outlying settlements with wire, so radio is the natural method for communications. Just how do you think they are going to call the doctor when he's on the next island anyway? Cell phones? Make a radio from rocks and coconuts? Come on, get real! Even old CB's would be better than nothing at all!
Now I gotta figure out what I can round up to send them.

Greg, you still accepting donations? #http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif ....

73's DE ~Steve>

[KG4OIJ]

"The licensing of a bunch of kids (in the Amateur Service) to go out and risk their lives is, to me, questionable."

I have a hard time believing that the sole purpose of the Radio School of the Solomon Islands is to get licenses for their students JUST so they can risk their lives. If graduates want to volunteer to help out with relief missions, and those under the age of 18 have their parents/guardians permission, who are we to say what they should/shouldn't do. Aren't there people here in America who volunteer their time and risk themselves to help others? Volunteer firefighters, storm chasers, etc...
Should the American Red Cross stop certifying youngsters in CPR because they might want to become firefighters/paramedics later in life and end up risking their lives in dangerous situations? Didn't I read something recently about missionaries being killed in South America? Weren't some of them hams? Should the FCC stop licensing people because some of them might want to volunteer to help others in times of need? Imagine the uproar that would cause! The fact of the matter is that the people in the Solomons are going through what could be called a civil war, and all the problems that go along with it.

[N3HGB]

Am I missing something, are are at least some of you annoyed that some hams are actually doing something usefull instead of maintaining the "ham radio is a club for grumpy old men who can send cw and we hate everyone else" ethos that seems so evident here and elsewhere?

[kb6ssn]

Let me get this straight! They sent a bunch of untrained, unarmed children into a fire fight and they're proud of it? Surely I have missed something here!

[aa1mn]

Dear Greg, N3MVF:

For all your accomplishments you come off as being a world class twit...and so do I !!!

May the road rise with you,

Chuck, AA1MN

[aa1mn]

Dear M3TMC,

While I have never heard a "young op" get "flamed" directly on the air myself -- if anything, I've only witnessed those who are new to amateur radio here in the States receive encouragemnet -- there is, unfortunately, some among us that do "flame" the younger or newer licensed hams.

Though there may be many reasons for this, much of it has to do with the fairly recent restructing of the licensing system which now requires only 5 WPM knowledge of code (I find nothing wrong with this -- it actually took me 4 attempts to pass the 20 WPM requirement to obtain my Extra).

Whatever the cause of this is, please rest assured M3TMC, I ask that you not judge all amateurs here in the United States by the few posts that sometimes appear on this site -- I like to think that those who do flame the newer hams are in the minority.

I, myself, will be first to admit that I am far from perfect; when I do "flame" some one I either will back up my staments with well based reasons or do it tounge-in-cheek.

There's hope for us yet...isn't there?

73's,

Chuck, AA1MN

[K0RGR]

http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wow.gif
To our young heroes in the Solomons, I say "Well Done"!

I don't know the details of this story and most likely never will, but young people volunteering to deliver disaster supplies and provide communications for disaster relief operations sounds outstanding to me. I don't understand what it is to live in a lawless place, but I do know the comfort that Amateur Radio can provide when all other communications are lost, and I pray that you are able to complete your mission safely!

I don't understand how people can criticize you or your training. Obviously, it is first class.

[wayneleake]

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (aa1mn @ Dec. 10 2002,18:52)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">Dear M3TMC,

While I have never heard a "young op" get "flamed" directly on the air myself -- if anything, I've only witnessed those who are new to amateur radio here in the States receive encouragemnet -- there is, unfortunately, some among us that do "flame" the younger or newer licensed hams.

Though there may be many reasons for this, much of it has to do with the fairly recent restructing of the licensing system which now requires only 5 WPM knowledge of code (I find nothing wrong with this -- it actually took me 4 attempts to pass the 20 WPM requirement to obtain my Extra).

Whatever the cause of this is, please rest assured M3TMC, I ask that you not judge all amateurs here in the United States by the few posts that sometimes appear on this site -- I like to think that those who do flame the newer hams are in the minority.

I, myself, will be first to admit that I am far from perfect; when I do "flame" some one I either will back up my staments with well based reasons or do it tounge-in-cheek.

There's hope for us yet...isn't there?

73's,

Chuck, AA1MN[/QUOTE]<span id='postcolor'>


I'll agree about many things here.
While most hams seem willing to offer open arms, and conversation, to new hams, I have also seen the 'old class' hams insult a newer extra class, simply because she was female and only had to pass a 5 wpm code test.
In fact, she took both the general and extra tests on the same day.
More power to her, and any others who pass the extra test.
I have also seen a few jam or otherwise harrass new teen age hams, some of whom passed the general or higher class, while they never (in some cases) got beyond a no code tech.
I applaud any who pass any of the tests to become a member of the amateur radio community, even if some of the tests are now easier.

I also applaud the efforts being made by those volunteers in the Solomons.
Maybe if more of the lazy Americans would get off their *** and help, these young people would not have to risk as much.
At least they are doing something


Wayne WA2YNE

[KB8EFD]

Squabling over licensing? come on, now - where is this thread going?
These folks have real problems. Correct me if I'm wrong, but under our laws, anybody can use any means of communication in any event in which there is an immediate threat to life or property - Communications Act of '34 & the FCC. That means that there are essentially no laws governing transmissions during a bona fide emergency - in this country. And just for the record, my XYL got the Tech book, studied a few hours a day - banged a 100 on her test three weeks later - and could recognize 2/3 of the letters in the alphabet - 95% accuracy - after a week of playing with the code. If she had put her mind to it, I'm sure she could have gone from zero to General inside of 6 weeks - but - alas - she just plays at it.
These folks need help from us - not condemnation of any kind. 73s - AB8PX - formerly KB8EFD
http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/sad.gif

[K3VR]

Hi Sam,

I have a few questions about this incredible report you wrote about "saving lives" in the Solomon's:

Given reports that you were nearly charged by Foreign Minister Gareth Evans under the Foreign Incursions Act, in Australia; let me play Devil's advocate for a moment and help you dispel any myths that may exist in the minds of readers about your current activities.

Pretend I'm Larry King.

I noticed a couple of the guys mentioning they thought there might be a little more to your story that you were leaving out. Shame on you guys!

OK Sam, here goes:

As a student of the Solomon Islands conflict, I was wondering if the police your students saved were part of the Malaita Eagle Force (MEF) or were they ex-Bougainville Revolutionary Army (BRA) militia?

Were these "police" involved at all in trying to oust Harold Keke from his hideout, and is that the reason they were fired on? Keke is on the Weathercoast of Gudalcanal is he not? What exactly were you delivering, and to whom?

What is your current involvement, if any, with the BRA and the MEF?

Do you find the radio still fuels the fire between the warring factions in the Solomon Islands as Malaitan Islander John Naitoro said in a portion of his essay below:

"Using the two way radio system in the Solomon Islands, both groups started abusing each other. In this war of words, many social tabus of both customs were openly violated. This produced the immediate effect of legitimating the animosity. Malaitans became united under these hostile conditions and those who were opposed to any such united front were discouraged strongly. Malaita Eagle Force was then seen as representing the interests of Malaitan lives lost and their properties... The idea of democracy as 'rule of the people, for the people by the people' is quite different in the Solomon Islands. The version of democracy in the Solomon Islands is perhaps better represented as ' rule of some people, for some people by some people'. "

Sam, could you tell the group whether you are a follower of the teachings of Trotsky and what your opinion is on anarchy and socialism in general?

Do you believe it's true that anarchy can create the conditions necessary to build a true socialist government led by a vanguard of the revolution?

Have you ever taught communist doctrine to your students? Do you feel America is a bastion of capitalism and an imperialist state that should be crushed and rebuilt?

Is it true that you won't QSL from the Solomon's because you feel that would be a capitalist enterprise and contrary to the example you are trying to teach?

Tell us what Radio Independent Mekamui is and how it came to be? How many watts is the station putting out? Where is the station hidden?

What about Colonel Abdullahi Yousuf Ahmed's SSDF station in Somalia? Is the station still at 800 watts since you sent the Colonel parts in the Autumn of 2000?

Why do you think the Colonel refused to step down after the legal elections of the Somali elders chose someone else? Do you still support the Colonel?

When you set up stations for armed militia leaders, did you know Amnesty International said the leaders in charge had committed human rights abuses like kidnapping, murder and hostage taking?

What other stations have you "helped out?"

What was your involvement in Iraq, Iran, Jordan, Bangladesh, El Salvador, China and Russia? Are there any militia stations you've worked on that haven't been mentioned?

Are the Children of the Young Communist League as friendly as people say?

How do you square all of the deaths against calling yourself part of a 'radio peace corp'?

As head of the IARN, did K1MAN know he was helping build radio stations for armed militias overseas? Do you plan to remain overseas Director of IARN? What is it like working with Glenn Baxter?

Isn't Francis Ona the indigenous leader who dynamited the Panguna mines power pylons, closing the mine where he was a surveyor, that was mostly owned by Rio Tinto. I read recently that #Francis' faction recently stole 212 weapons from UN caches and moved them to BRA territory. Is that true?

I noticed you are still the QSL manager for the Somali station and RIM. Do you still support Francis Ona with Radio Equipment? Do you plan to support him if he starts another war and makes a bid for complete independence from Papua New Guinea? Do you feel the destruction of the island, civil war, and the 20,000 deaths were worth it?

Is it true these stations are 90% propaganda and 10% coercion?

Are the Solomon islands still the main smuggling route to Bougainville? Have you smuggled anything in or out of Bougainville lately? Do people ever tease you about being a smuggler?

Have you felt any apprehension lately about Australia's new anti-terrorism laws?

I'm simply fascinated by the stories you post on QRZ. Please, keep them coming!

I guess I'll let you answer these questions before I ask any more. Don't make any rash judgements before he gets a chance to answer guys. Thanks in advance for your responses Sam, I'm sure the guys will be very eager to read them. If you get a chance, check out my webpage:

http://users.adelphia.net/~k3vr/charity.html