Hurricane Zoe Passed Over the Solomon Islands

[kc6ufe]

Hurricane Zoe passed over the Solomon Islands on Sunday, and radio communication is the primary means of contact to the islands affected. Amateur radio operators should listen to the appropriate frequencies to obtain information about the status of the inhabitants.

http://abcnews.go.com/wire/US/reuters20021229_250.html

[k8cpa]

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (kc6ufe @ Dec. 28 2002,21:49)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">Hurricane Zoe passed over the Solomon Islands on Sunday, and radio communication is the primary means of contact to the islands affected. Amateur radio operators should listen to the appropriate frequencies to obtain information about the status of the inhabitants.

http://abcnews.go.com/wire/US/reuters20021229_250.html[/QUOTE]<span id='postcolor'>
anyone know these frequencies?

I went to the HWN's home page and they're not active...

73

-Chuck K8CPA

[vk2bvs]

Happy new year!
# # # # # # #Monitoring 27.295MHz LSB from 2200 to 1300UTC (9am to midnight local Sydney time) so I can let Solomons know to check at the post office to see if Gregs 3 donated HF radios with power supplies arrived from the USA.
# # # # # #
# # # # # # #Maybe just in time!

# # # # # # #I think Solomons has the same problem Guam had.

# # # # # # #Everyone is very busy - and thats where foreign visitors can help because all their time is for the locals.

# # # # # # #Anyone ready to go? #
# # # # # #
# # # # # # That service can be caught 2 times weekly from Brisbane, Australia.

# # # # # # North Shore Times newspaper reporter just came with camera man to get the story on how hams are helping and what we did in 2002 and plan for 2003 and how FOREIGN HAMS ARE HELPING SOLOMON ISLANDS through the internet on-

http://www.H44A.com

# # # # # # They will invite readers to donate ham and cb gear for the ham radio training school in our 2003 Solomon Islands project.

# # # # # # Story will probably appear in a week as it is a 2 times weekly local paper. They said one of the big Sydney, Australia daily newspapers may also take the story.

# # # # # # Only since this morning has it started to get very big local AM radio station coverage.

# # # # # # I think because of the reports from a media man who flew over the islands which have no air field and no radio.

# # # # # # Everyone saying that no ship has left Honiara and it will take 3-4 days to arrive when one does.

# # # # # # www.qrz.com gave very early reporting of this one compared to local media here in Sydney. But every radio station across the AM dial in Sydney is now extensively covering this story.

# # # # # # 73...Sam VK2BVS, H44A. #My Webpage (http://www.H44A.com)

[vk2bvs]

HAMS SENT SUPPORT TO SOLOMON ISLANDS

To- NDMO Solomon Islands,

# # # # # # # # In the situation you have you could not do more than your doing, but in frustration at waiting its become "who is to blame" that still on 3 Jan 2003 no one has arrived in the 300km/hr cyclone hit islands.
# # # # # # # # A boat is now on its way.
# # # # # # # # Here, Australia is under fire for the delay.
# # # # # # # # A newspaper reporter asked me the same question about Australia's response. Loti at SOLOMON Islands NDMO #answered that, on the TV news interview last night saying Australia was the first to help.
# # # # # # # # Australian Non Government Aid Organisations and opposition are saying Australia was to slow. # # # # # # # #
# # # # # # # # Now in Solomons, the National Disaster Management Organisation (NDMO) is being pointed at.
# # # # # # # # Really no one is to blame, everyone is going full speed. It is not possible to go faster given certain situations.
# # # # # # # # That explains why no one in the Capital is on air.
# # # # # # # # You have your hands full.
# # # # # # # # You are all going full speed.
# # # # # # # # That makes me more determined to help you guys.
# # # # # # # # Keep up the good work!!!

# # # #Look at what the Solomon Islands National Disaster Management Organisation (NDMO) did for 6months in 2002:it supported the getting on its feet of a national emergency preparedness amateur radio training school. Starting with no funds, using volunteers and donated equipment from overseas Amateur and CB operators and at a time when new initiatives don’t happen because of the current economic and social situation in Solomon Islands.

# # # There will always be the impossible that cant happen but NDMO is made of dedicated staff doing things beyond what the countries situation would normally expect. It already forecast the very communications emergency which is happening now and took action in 2002 by supporting the training of students to be teachers so that ham radio schools can be set up across the vastness of the 350 Solomon Islands. 170 people, all volunteers were registered as ham radio students in 2002.

# # # The ham school went on holidays in December 2002 and re-opens early 3rd February 2003.

# # # #Now that some students are ready to be teachers they hope this year to set-up the first ham radio training schools outside the Capital, in their villages and provinces using radios which THE RADIO/ INTERNET FRIENDS OF SOLOMON ISLANDS TEAM on http://www.H44A.com # will keep collecting and sending to you as we receive them from around the world.

# # # The goal to have a ham radio operator in every village might be impossible but its the NDMO which has already got 21 graduates. These are the first ever local born amateur radio operators, some of whom will return to the school in Honiara, ready to make preparations to set-up the first amateur radio training schools in the villages outside the Capital.

# # # In more of the countries future disasters the existence of such village amateur radio operators will provide reports from the ground without which, results in the uncertainty and distress currently witnessed.

Keep up the good work
.
Listening all day and night channel 29 LSB 27.295MHz LSB which I know is your ham training channel but dont make any special effort we know you are busy.
Only come on if you really need something.
Let Margaret, the director of the amateur radio training school of the Solomon Islands know her letter sent 10 Dec02 arrived today 3Jan03.
73 from all your radio friends worldwide.
...Sam Voron VK2BVS, H44A
Tel/FAX-61-2-94171066


My Webpage (http://H44A.com)

[kc6ufe]

I was happy to read in the news that a helicopter made it to one of the islands and found all had survived the hurricane.
I would suggest however that a frequency in the more traditional ham bands be used in addition to the channel 29 frequency.

If someone on the island has an amateur radio transmitter, a simple station consisting of a quarterwave vertical antenna cut for the 20 meter band would provide good service to many locations.

[vk2bvs]

Members of the amateur radio training school of the Solomon Islands are starting to return to the Capital Honiara. #The first on air 5Jan2003 was Moffet,H44MD who appeared at 0200UTC on 27.295MHz LSB. #On 6Jan 2003 Clement, still studying for his call sign was the second student back in the Capital and on 27.295MHz. The Director of the School, Margaret H44MKA is expected back in the Capital next week.

All radio amateur students and graduates are automatically volunteers with the NDMO and the returning of these students and graduates will be a very big help to the small staff of 3 at the Solomon Islands NDMO.

Moffet H44MD when hearing that Greg, N3MVF,(who has volunteered to freight ,from his home, all donated Ham and CB radios anyone in the USA wishes to send him for forwarding to the Amateur Radio Training School of the Solomon Islands) had sent 3 ham radios with power supplies air mail 3 weeks before the cyclone, immediately took the information to Loti Yates, the Director of the National Disaster Management Organisation of the Solomon Islands(NDMO). #Greg sent a donated Icom 718, Yaesu FT840 and Kenwood TS430 HF 100 Watt transceivers with 3 power supplies.

On Monday NDMO will be able to check with the Pos6t Office for this timely needed equipment.

Amateurs in Solomon Islands currently have 9 frequencies in the 27MHz 11metre band. The channel known as CB channel 29 is most used as most donated gear to the hams from overseas has been CB radios.

[kc6ufe]

thanks for the update vk2vbs, from what you report I would have to assume then that the amateur radio operators on the Solomon Islands have no priveledges on the HF bands other than the 27 MHz frequecies. It would be to their advantage for practical communications to have their government grant these priveledges, as these HF frequencies will give the most benefit in communications.
The CB frequencies will be very limited, only giving communication within a range of about 30 miles radius, the power levels are not high, typically less than 4 watts.
there are times during the day when the cb band will skip, giving longer communication paths, but it will be difficult with only 4 watts.
Simple cw transcievers on the hf frequencies would be inexpensive, and give good service for inter-island and international communication.
Relying on commercially produced radios to do communication is a Johnny-come-lately phenomenom, and seasoned hams know that simple transmitters and recievers can be made from parts, and will provide satisfactory methods of long range communication.

utilizing the 20 meter band during the day, and the 40 or 80 meter band during the night should give complete coverage for communication to all the Solomon Islands, and can be done with CW for a couple of watts, and a simple transmitter reciever pair such as a peanut whistle type transmitter.
That is the nice thing about amateur radio. The simple radios of the past work just as good as the fancy rigs of today. And, they can be put together from scrap parts.
Crystals are found in just about anything, and will make great transmitters.
A great deal of information can be found at the following website, I hope this can be of help.
http://cs.okanagan.bc.ca/ve7ouc/eng/kc6wdk-mirror/index.html

[vk2bvs]

Hello KC6UFE.
Thanks for the early cyclone alert on this site.
Solomon Islands have all ham bands but the first ever local born to graduate only have what the world can donate. No foreigners are active on air so without the new locals on air it would be very quite from Solomons.
For those with ham or CB gear to donate- details on how to send it to the Solomon Islands amateur radio training school is on- http://www.H44A.com


My Webpage (http://www.h44a.com)

[kc6ufe]

I am sure that the process of donation will provide a certain amount of equipment, I am also suggesting that the new local born solomon Island hams also take advantage of the low cost do-it-yourself simple equipment, which can be built from the parts of broken radios, old tv's, old stereos, old toasters, etc. It does not take much to make a simple amateur radio, and these simple transmitting and recieving devices are a real good way to go! Plus, you dont have to directly rely on expensive donations from others.
kc6ufe

[vk2bvs]

KC6UFE-

Good Morning and good idea!

The kids in the Solomon Islands really need some one to show them how homebrew is done.

These folk mainly walk. Not one has a car, not one is picked up after class by anyone they know with a car. Most dont have $2 for a bus fare (thats 0.35 US cents). They have no job, no income and come from traditional village backgrounds.Most never used a telephone and most never sent a letter. Most stay with and depend on relatives for food and accomodation

That will show readers that these folk are in a different situation to what we normally might take for granted.

If someone would like to go and take them through how to build things that would be great.
No one there has screw drivers, soldering irons, cutters, multimeters.

The school has a few under tight security because if they disappear they have no way to replace them not because you cant buy them . You can- if you have money- these folks dont.But they have all the time in the world. 8am to 4pm Monday to Friday (some come on Saturday and Sunday and all night some students stay as security for the schools equipment) they come to learn about ham radio and would love some one to came and teach them how to fix things and build things.

Students say if this school did not exist they would be home doing nothing because they dont have money to pay to attend government or private schools.

The ham radio training school is the only free school in the country open to anyone walking off the street. Students can come and go as they wish. The amateur radio qualifying course is 12 topics. Students can ask to be axamined at the end of each topic.

Anyone who might like to cancal their holiday to Paris, London or New York and come to Honiara will find free accomodation at the school if you dont mind a warehouse. No bed but toilet and shower is there and outside are shops for food.

More details on #http://www.H44A.com

My Webpage (http://www.h44a.com)

[kc6ufe]

When I was in high school taking an electronics class, we were in a similar stiuation, no money for parts and stuff.
What we as students did during our free time was to scower the garbage cans on trash night, walking many streets with a wagon, pidking through the garbage to find old brokent electronice equipment, which typically consisted ot tv's, radios, stereos mainly. We would then bring them back to class and with the aid of a soldering Iron, we would spend hours dis-assembling them for parts, sorting everything out nicely into appropriate boxes. We learned a lot this way about using a soldering iron, how parts go in and come out, ang what the general layout was after looking at a schematic. This approach gave us a great foundation to do electronic work, lots of parts. It took some ingenuiety, but that is the mother of invention. Percerverence and the desire to succede. Some things just take a little longer. I would define goals, then determine a path to them. Maybe the students could include in their activities a run to the dump to scower for whatever electronic gear there might be there, olt tv, radio, stereo, old outdated computers,even the commodore computers can be put to work in amateur radio.
No one said it would be easy or happen right away.
Also , I think the best bet for outside technical assistance it to make arrangements for hams from australia. They are close, should have equipment, and seem to be willing to help. It would not be such a burdon for them to get to the islands for help. much less than flying from the states or Europe or even Asia. But, the Asians seem a little preocupied trying to keep the genie in the bottle.
It is an interesting proposition, and one that I might be able to arrange. I hold a doctorate in chemistry, and can do a fair job teaching. Lots of discussion needed, but Im not totally against the Idea. I have taught classrooms as small as 1 and as large as 150. I find the key to be reading material first and formost prior to any hands on work. It would be interesting, maybe in the spring or early summer.
William F. Hagen kc6ufe

[N3HGB]

This is to everyone who wants the Solomon Island hams to start homebrewing CW equipment.
While this is nice in theory, you do not seem to have an idea of what these places are like. There is no technological infrastructure to produce a waste stream of junk box parts. The target audience are people who may never have used ANY type of electronic communications gear in their entire lives.
73
Joe

[vk2bvs]

I find the key to be reading material first and formost prior to any hands on work. .
-William



Hello William

Thanks for thinking about coming. You would be very welcome in Solomon Islands.

A few people cannot read, they get that material translated by a friend who speaks their local language. Most in the school up to now can read but how much do they understand?

99% never heard of a dinasour and dont know what is latitude and longtitude - The later is specially included in the ham course because it needs to be known by all hams- other countries dont cover this - its assumed everyone knows it.

Now this is were foreign visitors can explain to one person and that person can explain to others using the local language.

As you said, in our culture we read to learn. This way of learning is foreign to some village people but that is something that is giving them a new experience- using #pen and paper sitting in a room when your normal life experience is outside in the food gardens or fishing or looking after animals.

In the ham school many appear to have little trouble with English but if you try and give a lecture then at the end its common to think everyone understands but actually no one does and they will not tell you (they are a softly spocken people- probably because there is no noise in the villages to need loudness- maybe another reason?).

The method of small lectures on specific questions and then letting each student continue studying where ever they are up to in the 12 topic course lets each learn at their own speed.

The students ask to be examined at the end of each topic and each success is recorded in the school progress book.They can enter and leave the school (actually a warehouse) anytime 8am to 4pm and can ask to be examined any time.

The school is free and open to anyone.Ham students learn through a 12 topic ham radio qualifying course written in English- this is not their language. National language is Pigeon English, it has many English words. English is taught in schools but not used in local life.

Overseas visitors are a great chance to find that learning English was actually useful and opens an amazing world.Thats what Ham radio allows and demonstrates nicely with most starting by having short English language radio contacts and then signing off.

More are becomming very confident in their English and are starting more involved on air English language contacts and friendships. Using English at the Ham radio training school in the Capital, Honiara has been successful. Graduates who go back to set up village ham radio training schools may need to translate the course into their local language to make it accessible to remote communities.

Your time in Solomon Islands would be well appreciated.

Every ham they can meet will bring new experiences, knowledge and a widening of knowhow as the first local born to qualify for the ham licence become teachers and bring the skill to more people in this 350 island nation.

Now they would love someone who could open the door to more advanced training such as how to repair and build things from nothing and someone whom students can ask questions.

2003 will see the first graduates wanting to learn more and make sense of the theory they learned and who now will teach others and some who will set up the first ham schools outside the Capital in their home villages.They need help to reactivate the Solomon Islands Radio Society and set up a club station. The school station is quite busy with new students needing it for there training so a separate station would give graduates with no gear a place to meet each other and operate.

If someone can help set up a club HQ and station with all the facilities foreigners need it could be a good place for visitors to stay during their visits.

Anyone interested in helping these first local born hams in their 2003 adventures can get more info on-

http://www.H44A.com

My Webpage (http://www.h44a.com)