vk2bvs
02-03-2003, 08:39 AM
Bob, WD4AWO in the USA asks Sam, VK2BVS in Sydney, Australia about the Ham Radio peace Corp. activities in Iraq, Somalia, Solomon Islands and more.
It’s the 3rd Feb. 2003 the day of the reopening of the Ham training school in the Solomon Islands. A few days ago I completed documenting last years 6 month training course which students will use to continue training some 170 students from last years first intake. You can see it on http://www.H44A.com
There are no experienced hams available to attend the Solomon Islands ham training classes so anyone looking for a great time I can tell you I enjoyed my 6 months with them last year and you will be made very welcome.
Attention now is helping avoid war in Iraq and following Bobs questions I will try to use the experience gained through the years of the Ham Radio peace Corp. to find ideas some one may be able to use. Its not every day we have a chance to look at a disaster approaching that is preventable. Lets go to Bob WD4AWO. His questions and comments will be followed with my answers………..Sam VK2BVS, H44A
Hi Sam,
Since you have decided to post your activities regarding the Solomon Islands in this forum, I hope you will reply to the following questions via the same.
While your activities do appear admirable, there are a few disturbing questions many have expressed about your activities, not necessarily confined to the Solomon Islands.
Given your past history of allegedly nearly being charged under the Foreign Incursions Act by the government of Australia by Foreign Minister Gareth Evans it is imperative that you respond to these questions in order to support your claims of providing assistance to diverse areas of the world.
------------Bob,
ANSWER 1A FROM Sam-
Hello Bob what an excellent set of questions,
Let me start with a comment on your introduction and then I shall go through your questions.
Someone is charged or not charged.
Pregnant or nearly pregnant.
You can’t be nearly.
I have not had any request on my return from any authority in 1991 or since to please explain and no visit by the Police or other officials.
In 1991 the native people on Bougainville Island were cut off from the whole world with no medicine and no communications that went on for 10 years. My reported visit to see what no one was suppose to see is what gave the speculation. I told everything to TV and newspapers of what I saw and did. That speculation instead of scaring off others had media going in and out through that same blockade reporting about one of the least heard of conflicts at that time
That 1991 experience continued a spirit that has taken me face to face over the last 12 years meeting with people in distress around the world.
Ham radio helps people no one else can.
Ham Radio is one of the few effective means we have for reaching out to peoples in distress worldwide in making a difference in opening unique communications with leaders and the ordinary people in distress.
What would a ham say to leaders who Ok’ed the fire bombing of German civilian cities or who OK’ed dropping atomic bombs on 2 civilian Japanese cities or who fought the American Indians or Australian Aborigines? I don’t know I was not there but I would hope that as we have done in all our projects today we would have then also helped all sides in whatever humanitarian way possible. Thinking of those situations it would have been difficult to travel to Germany and Japan and since they attacked first we could well stay home and celebrate the war ended. We probably would not have known the situation at ground zero for those civilians in Germany or Japan to even think about it. Maybe there are many times we can’t do anything. We don’t know about things. #We don’t have the finance to travel. #Other commitment etc All ham radios were taken by authorities during the World Wars and the thinking in one-time changes with the years. Also many of ones own countrymen and women and children affected can keep one very busy without much time to think of those in other far away places. So we can only apply some of this thinking to the times we are in today when we guess what if anything we could have done in those past era. They do make it a powerful insight to realise that the individual can do today more than yesterday.
During the Gulf War we were allowed to keep our ham transceivers and there was no prohibition in talking to or travelling to Iraq even during the fighting. This is going to be the case this time as well so again the Ham has a unique capability in exercising the mind on what if anything can Ham radio do. Weeks not months is the latest report for the beginning of conflict.
The civilian humanitarian people you find in places no tourist will travel include- Officials of organisations, Red Cross, Doctors With No Boarders, Journalists and Ham radio operators.
Of those people the ham radio operator is often the only person not being paid to be there.
In 1991 I found many humanitarian organisations could not get involved with Bougainville because it would have jeopardised their funding source. I talked to Australian aid organisations before departing and realised ham radio really was the only way to provide a humanitarian response because it was not dependant on anything but the Ham operators own income.
Ham radio operators are individuals who can make a difference no one else can. They can provide a response to help people because that decision is not based on money aid that has strings attached. That decision removes that political concern and gets straight to the humanitarian need. Even one box of medicines and a radio, less than a drop of what is needed makes a tremendous connection of friendship and aid to people who have nothing and need so much more help.
A Ham is a volunteer who often lives outside the security compounds other foreigners usually live in.
I remember in Somalia whenever foreign visitors would come to town I would be described to show how safe it was- Look at Sam he walks the streets everywhere, he has no weapon and he has no bodyguard.
The Ham lives with the local people and becomes accepted as a special friend.
The ham helps promote medical aid by providing basic supplies, using all means and influence to save all life, helping get people to hospital and providing communications to people who have none in a true humanitarian way, no strings and very limited conditions. The limited condition is that assistance stops if aid is used to incite hatred of any organisation, person or nation.
Disagreement is fine but hatred is forbidden.
That’s what I have been enjoying doing over my spare time as a ham.
It’s a great way to enjoy the hobby and use it in a way that helps people.
A ham’s help is to anyone at anytime one is able.
My first help to Bougainville Island was in response to a news item on Radio Australia that communications was cut from that island as a result of civil unrest, the background to which I knew nothing.
I just wanted to help at a time I could.
I requested that the PNG Government allow third party traffic and this was passed through the Australian High Commission in Port Moresby.
To my second offer to send volunteers to open a health and welfare ham radio emergency communications service on Bougainville, the PNG Post and Telecommunications authorities told me to contact PNG immigration.
In a few days the third party message agreement was in place and Radio Australia broadcast the news over it’s short wave radio station that anyone on Bougainville able to locate an amateur radio operator could send their welfare messages through the relayed help of any Australian radio ham.
No messages were received so my interest to make an approach to PNG immigration faded. That was 1989.
In 1991, a Journalist told me that Bougainville Island was a place that had no communications because the entire Island was blockaded and that he would introduce me to Bougainville representatives if I were interested.
If I said that I am not interested I can’t claim to be a person who helps all peoples in diverse parts of the world. I would be someone other than a HAM- Helping ALL Mankind person.
You can’t help your relatives and ignore mankind else where when you understand that we all come from the same ancestor, we are all relatives, at least that’s the theory of evolution. Jewish, Christian and Islam texts call our one common ancestor Adam and Eve. This belief says that we are all exactly the same human beings and all the earth and what happens on it is of every ones concern. Why? Because we all have the same mother and father- the common relative of us all.
True or not? it at least gives you an idea of my thinking and why I feel confident to meet peoples of all cultures worldwide. The entire world is your relative if you are a person who has the ham spirit. The spirit to Help ALL Mankind. At some point in our lives we all need help even if it’s finally to be buried after a healthy full life. With that in mind I say we should all help each other whenever we can.
HAM- Helping ALL Mankind is a spirit that is within one to help others.
I know some people are not interested to help others but for me it’s the ability to help everyone that makes ham radio unique.
I have been able to telephone a candidate who was running and became Prime Minister of PNG. His platform was on a genuine solution for Bougainville and I was pleased to be able to pass my line of ideas to help both parties of that conflict.
I was able to speak to captive PNG people in private and then get the Bougainvilleans to release them.
The Bougainvilleans said the media sneak in get a story and most are gone but the ham radio operators are genuine friends. Ham’s don’t come because they are going to make money by selling stories; they are one of few foreigners the people trust. They bring communications and medical supplies. While other visitors want this and that, the hams don’t ask for anything they just come to help the people.
The short wave radio station set up on Bougainville not only gave the first link to the outside world about what was happening to the people but also saved lives by giving information about PNG intercepted attack plans received on equipment owned by the Bougainville military arm. It almost seemed that PNG solders tired of getting killed were purposely sending their plans. They would then say the next day we will cancel that plan because the Bougainville radio knows our plan. Instead of ambushing the soldiers the Bougainville radio saved the life of everyone by avoiding military contact in this way.
A leader from the opposing side of the conflict gave thanks for the setting up of that radio station. He said we are all brothers and this is the first time in the conflict we could communicate. #The first dialogues then started with talkers over the Government’s radio station listening the next night to the Bougainville radios comments to what they said.
ANSWER 1B FROM Sam-
Just prior to the Gulf War the former King Hussein of Jordan accepted an initiative of the IARN ham peace Corp. The King was well known by his ham call sign JY1. This was an initiative to see what hams could do to avert a conflict.
Departing from Australia I arrived on a World Vision relief aircraft and was met at the tarmac in Amman by Palace representatives.
Later I was at the Royal Jordanian amateur radio club; Jordan hams were in contact with the Iraq amateur radio club on the 20 metre band. Hams in Europe where listening telling fellow Europeans to stop using unnecessary language that was being directed at the Baghdad hams.
At that time 1990 Jordan was technically at war with Israel.
The King’s communications officer also a ham talked about how the whole Middle East could have water through desalination to transform the desert and a rail system linking all North Africa, Middle East and Asia.
He welcomed my initiative to take his ideas to Israel and I was allowed to walk across the bridge separating the 2 countries. Israeli and Jordanian machine guns were at each end of the bridge pointing towards this Aussie ham walking across. On the bus at the Israel side a Palestinian invited me to his home, unfortunately my time was short otherwise I might have had another experience to tell you about.
I met the hams of the Israel amateur radio club and made phone calls to Israeli leaders to pass the ideas on how the region could come together. One Israeli leader said the ideas were acceptable and recommended I take the ideas to Syria. Unfortunately my funds could not go further.
Crossing back to Jordan I recalled the Jordanian hotel telling me previously, when I asked what the bill was so far, they said $12,000 and that the Royal Jordanian Palace was paying for it. I did not feel quite right about continuing with such kindness being spent on me so when I crossed from Israel back to Jordan I asked a taxi for the cheapest place in town. King Feisal hotel $1 per night with 12 people sleeping on one big bed which was full. I was lucky, one person volunteered to sleep on the floor! I can’t remember the price to sleep on the roof under the stars but it was cheaper, 25 cents? I was probably worried about the mosquitos hi hi. Not that I recall seeing any its just that I am always very careful to stay clear of those Malaria spreading creatures where ever I travel.
I departed on a United Nations International Organisation for Migration flight that was carrying refuges to Bangladesh. The IMO had been authorsed to provide free flights to IARN volunteers. #They had flights to other destinations but I chose the Bangladesh flight. On arrival in Dhaka I met a group at the Hunger Project who had been corresponding and asked I visit the country if ever possible, stayed a month and then returned to Sydney, Australia.
On returning to Sydney I found a visa to visit Baghdad but it came after all my funds were gone so I had the Iraq visa transferred to another Aussie ham Steve Blair- Hello Steve are you still on the planet? Steve ended up on the Iraq Saudi boarder and I ended up back in Sydney, Australia on a daily net beaming to the Middle East ready to help all sides in the aftermath of the 1991 Gulf War.
Bob asks:
What is your current involvement, if any, with the BRA (Bougainville Revolutionary Army) and/or the MEF (Malaita Eagle Force)?
----------Bob
ANSWER 2 FROM Sam-
Bougainville is under a UN peace process moving toward a Bougainville autonomous Government followed later by a Referendum on Independence. The PNG parliament has already committed itself to that process. I have offered to set up a free of charge full time Amateur Radio Training School on Bougainville Island modelled on the one I set up last year in the Solomon Islands. The idea I have is to bring all the former warring sides together as was done in Solomon Islands. Currently the opposing leaders on Bougainville don’t talk to each other.
One side wants an immediate referendum. The other side wants to set up an autonomous government first and hold the referendum on Independence later. I have said that if they both agree and PNG agrees then I am ready to start that ham radio training school immediately.
Solomon Islands
In 2000 I heard the announcement over the short wave radio station of the Solomon Islands Broadcasting Corporation that all Australian, New Zealand and Japanese should go to the wharf for evacuation by Australian warship out of the Capital Honiara,
I contacted the Solomon Islands National Disaster Management Organisation (NDMO) volunteering to help. They said Telkom may pull out and that my ham radio would be the only link for the country if that happened. The Director of the NDMO requested Australia fly my ham equipment and me. I received a telephone call from Australian Foreign Affairs saying I had been requested to help Solomon Islands and to be at the Royal Australian Airforce Base in Townsville with my ham station to catch a Hercules aircraft to Honiara, Capital of the Solomon Islands.
On arrival I visited the MEF front lines where an Israel flag was flying.
I was told I would learn more about that later.
No there were no Israeli’s there but some believe they are one of the lost tribes of Israel.
The front lines were around the Capital to stop in coming attacks. I asked MEF if I could go across the lines to talk to the other side. They said yes.
I contacted doctors without boarders in France about the medical emergency faced by the other side in that conflict. The other side to the conflict had no access to the Capital’s hospital and no doctor to attend their medical needs. Last time I had contacted those Doctors they responded by going to Bougainville. They had said it was my constant flow of reports that moved them into action.
When peace came from the signing of a Peace agreement in Townsville there were people being killed in the hospital. I met a commander who had a bullet in his leg. I told him you come with me to the hospital; they will have to shoot me first. He said many feared the MEF and had bullets in them but wont go to the hospital. I said MEF are my friends they won’t do anything to you and I will take you in and take you out of that hospital.
I also met MEF people who had problems with each other and with people not in the conflict. I was happy to be a person who could talk to all sides and help all sides. That’s what HAM is Helping All Mankind.
The ham station was set up at the National Disaster Management Organisation where with the removal of the bunkers around the Capital people were able to come in for the first time in 2 years. They all looking very ragged in grey looking warn out clothing.
I specially left the ham radio room door open and any man, woman or child who peered in I would said “ in come in! Come in!”
I soon had started a growing ham radio class. A Government minister said, “some of those in the class were shooting at each other last week. We need this ham spirit to bring the people together. There is nothing like this in the country”. OK I said I would go back to Australia and organise bringing Ham Radio to Solomon Islands on a large scale.
In 2002 after 6 month our first 21 hams graduated from the Amateur Radio Training School of the Solomon Islands- 12 from Malaita Island, 2 from Guadalcanal Island, 3 from Isabel Island, 2 from Choiseul Island, 1- Western province, 1 from Makira Island. Graduates have already used their new ham radio skills taking relief supplies to both former warring parties. Both to the people’s on South Malaita island hit by flooding and to people on South Guadalcanal Island hit by flooding and fleeing fighting.
Here 5 Police lives were saved when the supply ship picked up 5 who were under gunfire. Lives saved and lucky to be at the right place at the right time.
Bob asks:
Do you find that two-way radio still fuels the fire between the warring factions in the Solomon Islands as Malaitan Islander John Naitoro has claimed on numerous occasions? ------Bob
ANSWER 3 from Sam-
The only person not in the Solomon Islands peace process today is Harold Keke on South Guadalcanal. He is one of many who fought against the Malaita Eagle Force (MEF). All other parts of Guadalcanal made peace with the Malaita Eagle Force through the Australian held Townsville peace agreement.
Harold would have access to radios at clinics that operate in the 5MHz band which is the frequency used by Provincial radios around the country. I am told he respects those radios and leaves after using one. There are no telephones.
That radio is Harold’s only link to the world and it has been his only way to get his side of the story to the news desk of the Solomon Islands Broadcasting Corporation.
I have not heard or met him.
Since the war is over those radio wars on 5MHz are of the past.
Also its too dangerous for Harold to frequently be near those radios as Police were after him.
Those using the radios daily are all in the now well established peace. Most Malaitan fighters are back in Malaita starting new lives or in the Capital continuing where they were before the war started. The people of Guadalcanal work in the Capital and live in the countryside.
During the war many Guadalcanal people fled the Capital.
The 5MHz provincial radios are the telephone line of this island nation carrying business, personal and Government messages. That was when it was dangerous to be a Guadalcanal man in the Honiara hospital. The radio wars would have been during those times. Now both islanders mix freely in the Capital. The War in Solomon Islands is over.
It’s the damage to the economy and the rebuilding of the police (A European Police commissioner has arrived to fix this) that is now taking place. There are also moves to start talks with Harold Keke and Police have stoped hunting him.
Bob asks:
Are the Solomon Islands still the main smuggling route to Bougainville? Have you smuggled anything in or out of Bougainville recently?
…….Bob
ANSWER 4 from Sam-
The blockade of the Bougainville people has ended.
Bougainvilleans can again travel wherever they want.
You can mail what ever you want to whom ever you want.
Telephones work for those with money to make a call if they are lucky to be near one of the few that exist.
Anyone can send a gift to Francis Ona, he gives his address on his radio broadcasts and the authorities will deliver his mail.
Last I heard I think less than 10 PNG military were on Bougainville and they have requested to return to PNG.
The Bougainvilleans are being made to feel like they own and control Bougainville in the current UN peace process. Tourists are now welcome.
The former Bougainville Revolutionary Army (BRA) chief has completed a helicopter flying course in New Zealand and is back in Bougainville. That’s something that shows the people they can now do whatever they like, no one is blocking them from anything they want to do.
They now have unlimited travel so it’s a completely changed situation. The Police are just about all Bougainvillean.
The only area now out of bounds has been declared by Francis Ona himself. That’s the no go zone around the Panguna Copper Mine which was the issue sparking the 10 year long war. Until Independence is achieved Francis will not allow foreigners to make decisions that he says from now on will be made only by Bougainvilleans.
Bob asks-
Do you feel apprehension about Australia's new anti-terrorism laws?
-------Bob.
Answer 5 from Sam-
After 911 we need to look for ways of preventing people that are happy to die killing civilians.
Now in my ham hobby I would like to look at what makes someone happy to die killing others and what can we do to change people wanting to do such things. #
On our TV news Australians are being shown departing Sydney airport going to Baghdad to be with the Iraq people with crowds greeting them off. No one is talking about stopping them even though more of Australia’s military forces are on their way at this same time to the Gulf. Australians are not barred from going to any country on this planet at anytime. It’s a real democracy down under where we can all do what we want. No worries, She’ll be right mate. We are all free and easy these days. No one threatens anyone violently because they don’t like their ideas. People are even sticking up for Muslim woman in the streets who are being badmouthed. I am very proud that Australian society has gone through so much and has reached where we are now.
Bob asks:
What type of radio equipment is Radio Independent Mekamui using? How many watts is the station transmitting with? Where is the station located?
-------Bob
Answer 6 from Sam-
The Radio is a HF 2-way radio with 5Watts into a linear putting out 60Watts AM. It is in Guava village Francis Ona’s home village overlooking the Panguna Copper mine in Central Bougainville.
Bob asks:
It is alleged that you set up stations for armed militia leaders. Did you know Amnesty International said those leaders in charge had committed human rights abuses such as murder?
----- Bob
Answer 7 from Sam-
I have given reports to Amnesty International in Sydney. They told me to call their London office, which I did several times. This was on behalf of a Somali who asked me for help to get news to the outside about things that everyone else is afraid to handle.
I have also asked Francis Ona about particular incidences.
Amnesty has said that without that radio station they had no way to get reports from the other side of that 10-year conflict. They need access to both sides to produce as complete a report as possible.
If I see someone in distress or can help increase understanding or if I can bring people together I am happy to help. That’s what ham is- Helping All Mankind.
I recall in Solomon Islands when a foreign NGO came to me after our amateur radio training school had been going for 4 months with no help from anyone except the rooms provided by the National Disaster Management Organisation. They said there is no other project in the country that is run by volunteers. Since then Oxfam helped in the printing of a complete ham radio study course for students and which graduates can use to set up ham schools through out the country. The Australian Governments Ausaid through their Community Projects Rehabilitation fund made it possible to move to a new and bigger location allowing more people in the classes. They also supplied a complete ham station for the school training.
In a country where every one expects to be compensated this idea of ham is revolutionary. It is something the young people we have attracted have taken to. Like the volunteers in Somalia they know this is something they like and has brought together different people. In Solomon Islands, the 21 graduates include people who were on the opposite ends of the conflict. They would never have met and bonded together except for this course. Here you find Malaitan and Guadalcanal people together day after day. The ham school has 170 students who have passed at least 1 of the 12 topics required to obtain the ham license. The ham radio course has succeeded to bring people together after the war had driven them apart.
Something new is brewing- A new direction in life is being fostered where students help student and the wider role of helping community and inter-community relations is being born. I hope this core of people will be able to spread this new way of thinking as they set up new ham schools around this 350-island state. #
Bob asks:
What other stations have you "helped out"?
------Bob
Answer 8 from Sam-
I started Radio Galkayo in 1993. Ham radio training was included and like in the recent Solomon Islands model a free for all ham radio training course began.
For 3 months a Somali had told me that North East Somalia never had a radio station. I contacted Australian aid organisations and as with Bougainville found that no one was able to get involved.
It gave me the same feeling as Bougainville. I thought here are a people asking for help whom no one else can help. After 3 months of talking on the telephone and having never seen a Somali I said you are in Melbourne, I am in Sydney 700km away, lets meet each other for the first time in Singapore on our way to Somalia.
On arrival in Somalia all I was told and my instinct was correct.
I started the ham training by offering people no food and no money.
I have found that attracts the people with little opportunity and no job but who have lots of time and enthusiasm to learn. People from different clans wanted to join, I encouraged the breakdown in resistance to that and all those original multi-clan members are still at the radio today.
Where are the women? I encouraged an effort to open the training to girls, one of whom has since got a job with the Kenya Broadcasting Corporation.
All People who have the interest to learn the ham spirit gain a new direction in life. With this spirit those in Somalia now have an income from the local administration to maintain the radio station which they operated for free as volunteers all those years when no one could help except for fuel to keep the generator going. Volunteers were unknown but quickly understood as the training progressed. The students started to become respected by the community for the skills and service they gave. Never before had the town had its own radio broadcasting station. “My little girl is missing, last seen at” all kinds of messages where broadcast as the community were told this is your radio for you to use.
In 1994 Rotary International and the Australian Government funded a 1000Watt AM output Amplifier and Log Periodic aerial to be set up on a 30 metres tower which already existed at the Galkayo Police station. I was offered a return ticket to go back and up grade the station as a volunteer and set it up after a successful first year on air.
With growing confidence in the security of that radio it was moved out of the Police station into its own building in the middle of town.
The best effect of having the Ham radio training and building up the facility at the Police station was that it stoped the Police being isolated from the community. The community came in and out of that Police compound constantly and that set up an environment where the Police were not cut off in their own world. That was a very important contribution to the restarting of the Somali Police force.
It’s a similar beginning in Bougainville when a sign was put on the radio room door “no entry”. I took it off immediatly and said this is a community radio for everyone to use. I put a new sign on that door “all welcome”. These things need to be done at the very beginning so that everyone can see the positive effects and not worry about what might happen. The benefits of the civilian people walking in and out has the effect of bringing the ordinary people close to those in authority who would otherwise shut themselves from the community. Both stations continue to read messages to family and friends so maintaining the open access of a community radio
I have visited Somaliland.
When I said I was going to Galkayo I was told no one from Somaliland would cross the boarder to Galkayo, Somalia. Galkayo people similarly told me that no one would go with me into Somaliland.
On my departure after visiting Radio Hargeiysa in Somaliland a man who had never been across the boarder said he would go with me. I said you would be welcome. Nothing will happen to you. You will be with me all the time and I will go back to Hargeiysa with you.
On arrival in Galkayo, people were fascinated to talk with this man who explained why Somaliland had broken away from the turmoil of Somalia and had its own constitution, democratic elections, currency, flag, national anthem, motor car license plates, stamps, military, police and government infrastructure.
Somalia does not agree with the break away but no one was angry with that man. Someone from Galkayo, Somalia decided to go back with us to Hargeiysa, Somaliland. The Radio Galkayo staff asked if I could arrange for an exchange visit of staff between the two cities radio stations . That has since happened. Another example of how a ham can help people over come their fear of the unknown and bringing people together.
Now Radio Galkayo and Radio Hargeiysa and its staff are two of the few under the wings of Canadian Government funding being used to strengthen media broadcasting. To broaden the knowledge of the staff and keep those radios on the air.
In Bougainville I provided the current opposition to Francis Ona, with “Radio Paru Paru” which is a completely home built AM transmitter I built by modifying my home made morse code transmitter. I told Francis this is for you and this is for your “friends” in Paru Paru. #Francis had no trouble with the idea that I am openly helping both sides. He said because my help is humanitarian he respected it. #
A satellite phone that I delivered I used to telephone his opponent Joseph Kabui. For political reasons they don’t talk to each other and here I was acting as a relay conveying messages. They have not talked since. Why? Because I am not there to make such things happen. It shows why I say ham radio operators can make things happen that others cant. Its because hams are trusted by parties, both those who signed on to the United Nations peace process and those who did not.
In the Amateur Radio Training School of the Solomon Islands last year (2002) 6 months of training has resulted in two girls rising to the top Director and Vice Director positions both unpaid and voluntary. I am sure some support will come to these dedicated people in future as it has for those in Somalia. I tell all the students as a ham you don’t build up money. You build up something else, its respect for what you are doing to help people. When someone losses their money its said they loss many friends but if a ham is in distress you can be sure that their call for help will be answered because that person is respected. Respect is the strongest relationship you can build and it’s built by your actions.
-------Bob asks:
Do you care to comment on Colonel Abdullah Yousuf Ahmed's SSDF station in Somalia?
-------Bob
Answer 9 from Sam-
All the references above to Radio Galkayo describe how from its early beginnings in 1993 the students proved how starting with nothing they attracted the support of Rotary International, the Australian Government and currently the Canadian Government. With the changing situation over all those years the standing of that Radio as a community radio station continues and the staff over those years have exercised wisdom in accepting and rejecting material submitted to keep to the spirit of a community radio station. If something should happen beyond the control of such fine people then we know that their know-how and dedication are ready to move into action to serve the future national Government when it finally comes. These people who were born out of a ham radio training program are now part of a national resource being maintained and trained further by the international community in technical and program production knowledge.
The current national Government has no effective control in most of the country and a meeting of most Somali leaders is underway in Kenya to try and form a national Government which is accepted by all the leaders and clans.
I have been to Somalia 6 or 8 times and am starting to lose count. The Colonel always greets me and always says the radio is a community radio. He knows the original purpose of it to tell me it will always be a community radio before I even say anything. Many other groups in Somalia have asked my technical advice and I have refused none. As a Ham – Helping All Mankind person my help can serve to bring everyone together. The ultimate goal of Ham Radio activities is to bring the whole world together in peace and friendship. How can ham radio do that? Your questions are showing what one ham has already done. Now add to that what other hams are doing or could do and the potential of ham radio and its contribution to life in the 21 century is amazing.
Bob asks:
What was your involvement in Iraq, Iran, Jordan, Bangladesh, El Salvador, China and Russia? Are there any armed militia stations you have or intend to work on that have not been mentioned?
-------Bob
Answer 10 from Sam-
Iraq- See ANSWER 1B and ANSWER 11.
Iran- Not been there but have listened from Australia on ham radio to assist during their earthquake emergencies. A Russian disaster assistance team with a ham radio operator was there. They were talking to Russian disaster assistance people in the Russian language on the 20 metre ham band near 14.275MHz USB. That is where I was listening as reports came through the world media about the scope of the destruction and loss of life in the thousands if I remember correctly.
Jordan- See ANSWER 1B.
Bangladesh- See ANSWER 1B.
I contacted Singapore Airlines for a reduced fare and free freight.
During a cyclone tidal wave disaster I arrived at Dhaka airport with no Visa. Airport immigration asked me, Where is your Visa? “I have no Visa I am responding to your Prime Ministers call for emergency assistance.” Oh he has come to help our country let him through.
I went to the Hunger Project Office with my ham gear and a portable generator where a team was being organised to go to the tidal wave hit disaster areas.
Hurricane Iniki, Hawaii, USA
I contacted Continental airlines regarding free tickets. The airline manager said you want to help the USA? How many free tickets do you want? #5 hours later I was on a flight, I arrived at Honolulu airport. Customs said, You need documentation. “I have an IARN letter with details for me to catch a military flight to Kawai.” OK let him through. I stayed 1 month handling the daily Red Cross messages needed to maintain the 300 people at that relief shelter. The logistics for daily food and other needs were all handled through our ham radio link. We seemed to be the last area to get telephones restored. On return to Australia I received an award from the American Red Cross, Hawaii State Chapter for service rendered at their evacuation shelter at the Wimea High School.
San Salvador city, El Salvador and Mexico city, Mexico- Not been there but did listen from Australia during the earthquake of San Salvador city and Mexico City and helped in relays of traffic out of the Capital to the rest of the world on 14.275MHz. Contacted Australian radio and TV offering to pass health and welfare messages during both emergencies. I received an award from the President of Mexico along with other Aussie hams presented at the Sydney Opera House by the Mexican embassy. I also received a Citizen of the Year award for Service to the community from the Australian Council of the Municipality of Willoughby in Sydney. Participation in the worldwide assistance effort for Mexico lead to my appointment as International Amateur Radio Network (IARN) Director for Australia.
China
Visited Shanghai, China as a result of on air friendship with Chinese radio amateurs on the 20 metre ham band. That lead to an invitation from the China Radio Sports Association to visit the country. I visited the Shanghai Children’s Palace where after school activities includes ham radio. Half the kids are girls. The Solomon Islands is trying to equal or exceed China’s success in bringing ham radio to girls. This year 2003, the amateur radio training school of the Solomon Islands will specially target girls with the guidance of the 2 graduate student girls who are now the schools Director and Vice Director.
During China’s massive flood in Nanging, with my antenna beamed to China I located a ham (“Dragon”). He organised for authorities to accept our offer to help. Sydney hospitals donated half a ton of supplies and 2 Hams came with me. China airlines took the materials freight free and 3 of us paid our fares and took a ham station and a portable generator with the medical supplies and medical equipment.
Armenia
A massive earthquake killed thousands. I contacted Radio and TV to offer a heath and welfare message service for worried friends and relatives. I later received an award from the local Armenian community.
Bob asks:
How can you call yourself part of a 'radio peace corp when in virtually every area of the world where you have provided armed militia groups radio equipment untold atrocities have been committed by the very groups you have 'helped'?
Answer 11 from Sam-
If you want to help in peace building and bring people together you need to go to areas where there is no peace.
You will find in conflict areas the longer they go the less people you can find who have not done something wrong. In most conflicts both sides are sited by Amnesty, that means all sides need help. There is no good guy in wartime.
Look at the Vietnam War. Leaders got so desperate to find a solution they sprayed toxins on that country’s vast forests. Those areas lost all their trees and the civilians killed included anyone who lived in a forest village, that includes villagers trying to escape the atrocities being inflicted on them by both sides in that conflict. In World War 2 Leaders authorised fire bombing of entire German civilian city after city and the use of 2 atomic bombs on Japanese cities- all civilian none military targets. Now I think if you asked the people of the USA and Australia and the UK they would say we know they are civilian targets but we want to win and shorten the war.
Both sides need help. That’s why ham help is unique. The ham is not interested in taking sides. The ham wants to understand the situation by talking to all sides and helping those he or she can in ways no one else can. Friendship, medical supplies and communications these are the humanitarian tools used by the radio ham. Medical supplies save life immediately, friendship is the core of ham radio worldwide communications practised by every radio amateur on the airwaves as an example of how all peoples of all countries have already achieved on air intercommunications between complete strangers. It only takes a CQ call followed by a call sign and you will be friends with anyone who replies. The ham’s history, appearance, beliefs and religion all don’t matter.
It is worth noting that Amateur Radio in the 21st century remains the only free international communication system. Computers are 10 times more expensive than say a CB radio and there is no on the-air-time using radio.
Solomon Islands
One donated solar panel and transceiver to the Solomon Island ham radio graduating students who do not have $2 on most days will get them on air talking to the world. Free computers are limited in value for communications without telephone and money to make calls. The only system village people can use is a zero cost system.
Donated ham and CB radios can be operated in a village, aboard a ship, in a car, on a bicycle or portable on the coast, up a mountain, in the centre of a city or while walking and talking using a walkie talkie. Its also used in outer space today in the Space shuttle and the International space station. This is the exciting future for the 350-island nation Solomon Islands that is made possible only through the help of hams overseas.
In Somalia, Bougainville and Solomon Islands everyone is or was at stalemate. The people there were just like the US, UK and Australians during war, they all want to win. There is no 100% clean good boy side. You might get 100% historical facts of who did what to whom but what happens in War is you want to kill the other guy before he kills you. No matter who you are, what side you are on, which nation, clan or militia groups the longer these conflicts go on the more desperate both sides become.
To go to any conflict area you need to meet leaders if you want to be of any help to the people. If you don’t like the leaders then you cant do anything to help in the conflict resolution process. This is a long process. As a ham the more you listen and understand the more opportunity you have to make a difference in the process and in the difficulties of the ordinary people who ask you for life saving help. I am thinking of the lady about to give birth and her husband who asked to leave with me. They did not want to give birth in a cave like everyone else had too. Here was their chance to get out of the blockade to a hospital and give a new life a chance at birth to survive. Only one person but it could be you or me who will survive at birth or not. And who is there who can help or has any interest to help? It’s the radio ham again. I am thinking of another lady holding a baby who the doctor said would be dead in a few hours because all his medicines are long finished. When did you get your last medicines I asked? He says nothing since the last ones you sent us 1 year ago.
When Hams help people they don’t ask which side are you on and list all the atrocities you committed.
Iraq
Let me give you an example of how Hams help all sides in what- ever way we can.
The biggest challenge we have in world peace is how to change the atmosphere so that people no longer train to undertake suicide killings such as 911, Bali or as happens daily or weekly in Israel.
Currently the idea but not the means to implement this follows-
Hams go to meet with members of the Iraq amateur radio club #in Baghdad.
A new world order where everyone’s desire is fulfilled with Iraq a central key is outlined.
Iraq needs to do something dramatic to convince the USA it has no banned weapons or it needs to immediately disclose them.
Anything disclosed may, at this stage not be believed to be a real full disclosure because massive USA, UK and Australian forces are in place ready to move into Iraq.
The following points are initially suggested to Iraq:
(1) Iraq would announce it kept those weapons secret for its national security but has now decided to give all those weapons to the UN for the reason that now follows. Or really does not have any banned weapons and will demonstrate this to all the world ( here is the reason now following) by removing its security concern in the making of a peace treaty immediately with Kuwait and Israel and opening as soon as possible an Iraqi embassy in Israel Jerusalem.
No Arab country has an embassy in Jerusalem and this would make a dramatic statement unimaginable in its potential to change the current bitter feelings of the Arab public to Israel. It’s that bitterness once removed that will start to redress the full-scale training and glorification of suicide martyrs. The Allies desire to change regimes in Iraq could not accomplish any change in the atmosphere of bitterness in the Mid East but the current Iraq regime could in a breath taking way.
(2) Iraq would become the centre to start a new breakthrough in peace and development projects such as a railway linking all the Middle East, Africa, Asia and Europe for all the peoples using worldwide development funding.
(3) Iraq would call on Palestinians to join with Iraq in making peace with Israel.
(4) Iraq would be ready to host a meeting or facilitate in all peaceful ways the creation of the new Palestinian state based on full relations with Israel and part of Jerusalem, Palestine Jerusalem to be the Capital of the new Palestine State.
This would fulfil the desires of both Israel and Palestine to have Jerusalem as their Capital.
Iraq would then be the key to the peace that the whole region has been seeking.
(5) Iraq would further welcome continued UN inspections because it would be involved in peace and development throughout the region. Having established peace with Israel and Kuwait its security concerns would be well addressed.
(6) Iraq would support a peaceful discussion for a solution to the return of the 5 million Palestinian refuges to the areas of the new Palestinian State. This is the last key demand of those training suicide bombers.
(7) Full relations would be re-established with the USA who would be welcome to open any number of offices in the north and south zones of Iraq as a sign to those living there that they will be fully involved in the countries affairs and need have no fears.
(8) Further systems such as control of local affairs by the local people should be announced with some detail to give confidence to all the people in and out of the country.
(9) An immediate Pardon be given to all people who have fled Iraq. That might include pardoning top defectors to show everyone that a new era really has started. Immediate release of everyone in Prison might be a very dramatic show that these pardons and clemencies really are sincere and no one need fear returning to Iraq or living anywhere in Iraq.
Through the Internet and ham radio broadcasts I hope that hams in Baghdad can take this message to the leaders of their country or overseas visitors already there might be able to use these ideas. We can legally travel to Iraq from Australia if I can help in any way or if anyone has further ideas please let me know.
E mail- svoron@hotmail.com
Tel/Fax- Sydney, Australia 61-2-94171066
Bob says-
Sam, these are questions that are very reasonable for me to ask of you since I am considering making a substantial donation of amateur radio equipment to your organisation, which I presume is, the IARN headed by Mr. Glenn Baxter - K1MAN of Belgrade Lakes, Maine.
Thankyou,
Bob wd4awo
Sam answers:
Welcome aboard.
In the Solomon Island project the only way on the air for graduating hams is through donated equipment. They will be able to open ham schools through out the country but will be very much reliant on what ever the outside world can send them to actually get on the air. The National Disaster Management Organisation is accepting gifts to the school.
Details are on http://www.H44A.com
73…Sam Voron VK2BVS, H44A
For background see:
http://www.H44A.com
http://www.radiogalkayo.com
see the older news- village ham radio in Solomon Islands
It’s the 3rd Feb. 2003 the day of the reopening of the Ham training school in the Solomon Islands. A few days ago I completed documenting last years 6 month training course which students will use to continue training some 170 students from last years first intake. You can see it on http://www.H44A.com
There are no experienced hams available to attend the Solomon Islands ham training classes so anyone looking for a great time I can tell you I enjoyed my 6 months with them last year and you will be made very welcome.
Attention now is helping avoid war in Iraq and following Bobs questions I will try to use the experience gained through the years of the Ham Radio peace Corp. to find ideas some one may be able to use. Its not every day we have a chance to look at a disaster approaching that is preventable. Lets go to Bob WD4AWO. His questions and comments will be followed with my answers………..Sam VK2BVS, H44A
Hi Sam,
Since you have decided to post your activities regarding the Solomon Islands in this forum, I hope you will reply to the following questions via the same.
While your activities do appear admirable, there are a few disturbing questions many have expressed about your activities, not necessarily confined to the Solomon Islands.
Given your past history of allegedly nearly being charged under the Foreign Incursions Act by the government of Australia by Foreign Minister Gareth Evans it is imperative that you respond to these questions in order to support your claims of providing assistance to diverse areas of the world.
------------Bob,
ANSWER 1A FROM Sam-
Hello Bob what an excellent set of questions,
Let me start with a comment on your introduction and then I shall go through your questions.
Someone is charged or not charged.
Pregnant or nearly pregnant.
You can’t be nearly.
I have not had any request on my return from any authority in 1991 or since to please explain and no visit by the Police or other officials.
In 1991 the native people on Bougainville Island were cut off from the whole world with no medicine and no communications that went on for 10 years. My reported visit to see what no one was suppose to see is what gave the speculation. I told everything to TV and newspapers of what I saw and did. That speculation instead of scaring off others had media going in and out through that same blockade reporting about one of the least heard of conflicts at that time
That 1991 experience continued a spirit that has taken me face to face over the last 12 years meeting with people in distress around the world.
Ham radio helps people no one else can.
Ham Radio is one of the few effective means we have for reaching out to peoples in distress worldwide in making a difference in opening unique communications with leaders and the ordinary people in distress.
What would a ham say to leaders who Ok’ed the fire bombing of German civilian cities or who OK’ed dropping atomic bombs on 2 civilian Japanese cities or who fought the American Indians or Australian Aborigines? I don’t know I was not there but I would hope that as we have done in all our projects today we would have then also helped all sides in whatever humanitarian way possible. Thinking of those situations it would have been difficult to travel to Germany and Japan and since they attacked first we could well stay home and celebrate the war ended. We probably would not have known the situation at ground zero for those civilians in Germany or Japan to even think about it. Maybe there are many times we can’t do anything. We don’t know about things. #We don’t have the finance to travel. #Other commitment etc All ham radios were taken by authorities during the World Wars and the thinking in one-time changes with the years. Also many of ones own countrymen and women and children affected can keep one very busy without much time to think of those in other far away places. So we can only apply some of this thinking to the times we are in today when we guess what if anything we could have done in those past era. They do make it a powerful insight to realise that the individual can do today more than yesterday.
During the Gulf War we were allowed to keep our ham transceivers and there was no prohibition in talking to or travelling to Iraq even during the fighting. This is going to be the case this time as well so again the Ham has a unique capability in exercising the mind on what if anything can Ham radio do. Weeks not months is the latest report for the beginning of conflict.
The civilian humanitarian people you find in places no tourist will travel include- Officials of organisations, Red Cross, Doctors With No Boarders, Journalists and Ham radio operators.
Of those people the ham radio operator is often the only person not being paid to be there.
In 1991 I found many humanitarian organisations could not get involved with Bougainville because it would have jeopardised their funding source. I talked to Australian aid organisations before departing and realised ham radio really was the only way to provide a humanitarian response because it was not dependant on anything but the Ham operators own income.
Ham radio operators are individuals who can make a difference no one else can. They can provide a response to help people because that decision is not based on money aid that has strings attached. That decision removes that political concern and gets straight to the humanitarian need. Even one box of medicines and a radio, less than a drop of what is needed makes a tremendous connection of friendship and aid to people who have nothing and need so much more help.
A Ham is a volunteer who often lives outside the security compounds other foreigners usually live in.
I remember in Somalia whenever foreign visitors would come to town I would be described to show how safe it was- Look at Sam he walks the streets everywhere, he has no weapon and he has no bodyguard.
The Ham lives with the local people and becomes accepted as a special friend.
The ham helps promote medical aid by providing basic supplies, using all means and influence to save all life, helping get people to hospital and providing communications to people who have none in a true humanitarian way, no strings and very limited conditions. The limited condition is that assistance stops if aid is used to incite hatred of any organisation, person or nation.
Disagreement is fine but hatred is forbidden.
That’s what I have been enjoying doing over my spare time as a ham.
It’s a great way to enjoy the hobby and use it in a way that helps people.
A ham’s help is to anyone at anytime one is able.
My first help to Bougainville Island was in response to a news item on Radio Australia that communications was cut from that island as a result of civil unrest, the background to which I knew nothing.
I just wanted to help at a time I could.
I requested that the PNG Government allow third party traffic and this was passed through the Australian High Commission in Port Moresby.
To my second offer to send volunteers to open a health and welfare ham radio emergency communications service on Bougainville, the PNG Post and Telecommunications authorities told me to contact PNG immigration.
In a few days the third party message agreement was in place and Radio Australia broadcast the news over it’s short wave radio station that anyone on Bougainville able to locate an amateur radio operator could send their welfare messages through the relayed help of any Australian radio ham.
No messages were received so my interest to make an approach to PNG immigration faded. That was 1989.
In 1991, a Journalist told me that Bougainville Island was a place that had no communications because the entire Island was blockaded and that he would introduce me to Bougainville representatives if I were interested.
If I said that I am not interested I can’t claim to be a person who helps all peoples in diverse parts of the world. I would be someone other than a HAM- Helping ALL Mankind person.
You can’t help your relatives and ignore mankind else where when you understand that we all come from the same ancestor, we are all relatives, at least that’s the theory of evolution. Jewish, Christian and Islam texts call our one common ancestor Adam and Eve. This belief says that we are all exactly the same human beings and all the earth and what happens on it is of every ones concern. Why? Because we all have the same mother and father- the common relative of us all.
True or not? it at least gives you an idea of my thinking and why I feel confident to meet peoples of all cultures worldwide. The entire world is your relative if you are a person who has the ham spirit. The spirit to Help ALL Mankind. At some point in our lives we all need help even if it’s finally to be buried after a healthy full life. With that in mind I say we should all help each other whenever we can.
HAM- Helping ALL Mankind is a spirit that is within one to help others.
I know some people are not interested to help others but for me it’s the ability to help everyone that makes ham radio unique.
I have been able to telephone a candidate who was running and became Prime Minister of PNG. His platform was on a genuine solution for Bougainville and I was pleased to be able to pass my line of ideas to help both parties of that conflict.
I was able to speak to captive PNG people in private and then get the Bougainvilleans to release them.
The Bougainvilleans said the media sneak in get a story and most are gone but the ham radio operators are genuine friends. Ham’s don’t come because they are going to make money by selling stories; they are one of few foreigners the people trust. They bring communications and medical supplies. While other visitors want this and that, the hams don’t ask for anything they just come to help the people.
The short wave radio station set up on Bougainville not only gave the first link to the outside world about what was happening to the people but also saved lives by giving information about PNG intercepted attack plans received on equipment owned by the Bougainville military arm. It almost seemed that PNG solders tired of getting killed were purposely sending their plans. They would then say the next day we will cancel that plan because the Bougainville radio knows our plan. Instead of ambushing the soldiers the Bougainville radio saved the life of everyone by avoiding military contact in this way.
A leader from the opposing side of the conflict gave thanks for the setting up of that radio station. He said we are all brothers and this is the first time in the conflict we could communicate. #The first dialogues then started with talkers over the Government’s radio station listening the next night to the Bougainville radios comments to what they said.
ANSWER 1B FROM Sam-
Just prior to the Gulf War the former King Hussein of Jordan accepted an initiative of the IARN ham peace Corp. The King was well known by his ham call sign JY1. This was an initiative to see what hams could do to avert a conflict.
Departing from Australia I arrived on a World Vision relief aircraft and was met at the tarmac in Amman by Palace representatives.
Later I was at the Royal Jordanian amateur radio club; Jordan hams were in contact with the Iraq amateur radio club on the 20 metre band. Hams in Europe where listening telling fellow Europeans to stop using unnecessary language that was being directed at the Baghdad hams.
At that time 1990 Jordan was technically at war with Israel.
The King’s communications officer also a ham talked about how the whole Middle East could have water through desalination to transform the desert and a rail system linking all North Africa, Middle East and Asia.
He welcomed my initiative to take his ideas to Israel and I was allowed to walk across the bridge separating the 2 countries. Israeli and Jordanian machine guns were at each end of the bridge pointing towards this Aussie ham walking across. On the bus at the Israel side a Palestinian invited me to his home, unfortunately my time was short otherwise I might have had another experience to tell you about.
I met the hams of the Israel amateur radio club and made phone calls to Israeli leaders to pass the ideas on how the region could come together. One Israeli leader said the ideas were acceptable and recommended I take the ideas to Syria. Unfortunately my funds could not go further.
Crossing back to Jordan I recalled the Jordanian hotel telling me previously, when I asked what the bill was so far, they said $12,000 and that the Royal Jordanian Palace was paying for it. I did not feel quite right about continuing with such kindness being spent on me so when I crossed from Israel back to Jordan I asked a taxi for the cheapest place in town. King Feisal hotel $1 per night with 12 people sleeping on one big bed which was full. I was lucky, one person volunteered to sleep on the floor! I can’t remember the price to sleep on the roof under the stars but it was cheaper, 25 cents? I was probably worried about the mosquitos hi hi. Not that I recall seeing any its just that I am always very careful to stay clear of those Malaria spreading creatures where ever I travel.
I departed on a United Nations International Organisation for Migration flight that was carrying refuges to Bangladesh. The IMO had been authorsed to provide free flights to IARN volunteers. #They had flights to other destinations but I chose the Bangladesh flight. On arrival in Dhaka I met a group at the Hunger Project who had been corresponding and asked I visit the country if ever possible, stayed a month and then returned to Sydney, Australia.
On returning to Sydney I found a visa to visit Baghdad but it came after all my funds were gone so I had the Iraq visa transferred to another Aussie ham Steve Blair- Hello Steve are you still on the planet? Steve ended up on the Iraq Saudi boarder and I ended up back in Sydney, Australia on a daily net beaming to the Middle East ready to help all sides in the aftermath of the 1991 Gulf War.
Bob asks:
What is your current involvement, if any, with the BRA (Bougainville Revolutionary Army) and/or the MEF (Malaita Eagle Force)?
----------Bob
ANSWER 2 FROM Sam-
Bougainville is under a UN peace process moving toward a Bougainville autonomous Government followed later by a Referendum on Independence. The PNG parliament has already committed itself to that process. I have offered to set up a free of charge full time Amateur Radio Training School on Bougainville Island modelled on the one I set up last year in the Solomon Islands. The idea I have is to bring all the former warring sides together as was done in Solomon Islands. Currently the opposing leaders on Bougainville don’t talk to each other.
One side wants an immediate referendum. The other side wants to set up an autonomous government first and hold the referendum on Independence later. I have said that if they both agree and PNG agrees then I am ready to start that ham radio training school immediately.
Solomon Islands
In 2000 I heard the announcement over the short wave radio station of the Solomon Islands Broadcasting Corporation that all Australian, New Zealand and Japanese should go to the wharf for evacuation by Australian warship out of the Capital Honiara,
I contacted the Solomon Islands National Disaster Management Organisation (NDMO) volunteering to help. They said Telkom may pull out and that my ham radio would be the only link for the country if that happened. The Director of the NDMO requested Australia fly my ham equipment and me. I received a telephone call from Australian Foreign Affairs saying I had been requested to help Solomon Islands and to be at the Royal Australian Airforce Base in Townsville with my ham station to catch a Hercules aircraft to Honiara, Capital of the Solomon Islands.
On arrival I visited the MEF front lines where an Israel flag was flying.
I was told I would learn more about that later.
No there were no Israeli’s there but some believe they are one of the lost tribes of Israel.
The front lines were around the Capital to stop in coming attacks. I asked MEF if I could go across the lines to talk to the other side. They said yes.
I contacted doctors without boarders in France about the medical emergency faced by the other side in that conflict. The other side to the conflict had no access to the Capital’s hospital and no doctor to attend their medical needs. Last time I had contacted those Doctors they responded by going to Bougainville. They had said it was my constant flow of reports that moved them into action.
When peace came from the signing of a Peace agreement in Townsville there were people being killed in the hospital. I met a commander who had a bullet in his leg. I told him you come with me to the hospital; they will have to shoot me first. He said many feared the MEF and had bullets in them but wont go to the hospital. I said MEF are my friends they won’t do anything to you and I will take you in and take you out of that hospital.
I also met MEF people who had problems with each other and with people not in the conflict. I was happy to be a person who could talk to all sides and help all sides. That’s what HAM is Helping All Mankind.
The ham station was set up at the National Disaster Management Organisation where with the removal of the bunkers around the Capital people were able to come in for the first time in 2 years. They all looking very ragged in grey looking warn out clothing.
I specially left the ham radio room door open and any man, woman or child who peered in I would said “ in come in! Come in!”
I soon had started a growing ham radio class. A Government minister said, “some of those in the class were shooting at each other last week. We need this ham spirit to bring the people together. There is nothing like this in the country”. OK I said I would go back to Australia and organise bringing Ham Radio to Solomon Islands on a large scale.
In 2002 after 6 month our first 21 hams graduated from the Amateur Radio Training School of the Solomon Islands- 12 from Malaita Island, 2 from Guadalcanal Island, 3 from Isabel Island, 2 from Choiseul Island, 1- Western province, 1 from Makira Island. Graduates have already used their new ham radio skills taking relief supplies to both former warring parties. Both to the people’s on South Malaita island hit by flooding and to people on South Guadalcanal Island hit by flooding and fleeing fighting.
Here 5 Police lives were saved when the supply ship picked up 5 who were under gunfire. Lives saved and lucky to be at the right place at the right time.
Bob asks:
Do you find that two-way radio still fuels the fire between the warring factions in the Solomon Islands as Malaitan Islander John Naitoro has claimed on numerous occasions? ------Bob
ANSWER 3 from Sam-
The only person not in the Solomon Islands peace process today is Harold Keke on South Guadalcanal. He is one of many who fought against the Malaita Eagle Force (MEF). All other parts of Guadalcanal made peace with the Malaita Eagle Force through the Australian held Townsville peace agreement.
Harold would have access to radios at clinics that operate in the 5MHz band which is the frequency used by Provincial radios around the country. I am told he respects those radios and leaves after using one. There are no telephones.
That radio is Harold’s only link to the world and it has been his only way to get his side of the story to the news desk of the Solomon Islands Broadcasting Corporation.
I have not heard or met him.
Since the war is over those radio wars on 5MHz are of the past.
Also its too dangerous for Harold to frequently be near those radios as Police were after him.
Those using the radios daily are all in the now well established peace. Most Malaitan fighters are back in Malaita starting new lives or in the Capital continuing where they were before the war started. The people of Guadalcanal work in the Capital and live in the countryside.
During the war many Guadalcanal people fled the Capital.
The 5MHz provincial radios are the telephone line of this island nation carrying business, personal and Government messages. That was when it was dangerous to be a Guadalcanal man in the Honiara hospital. The radio wars would have been during those times. Now both islanders mix freely in the Capital. The War in Solomon Islands is over.
It’s the damage to the economy and the rebuilding of the police (A European Police commissioner has arrived to fix this) that is now taking place. There are also moves to start talks with Harold Keke and Police have stoped hunting him.
Bob asks:
Are the Solomon Islands still the main smuggling route to Bougainville? Have you smuggled anything in or out of Bougainville recently?
…….Bob
ANSWER 4 from Sam-
The blockade of the Bougainville people has ended.
Bougainvilleans can again travel wherever they want.
You can mail what ever you want to whom ever you want.
Telephones work for those with money to make a call if they are lucky to be near one of the few that exist.
Anyone can send a gift to Francis Ona, he gives his address on his radio broadcasts and the authorities will deliver his mail.
Last I heard I think less than 10 PNG military were on Bougainville and they have requested to return to PNG.
The Bougainvilleans are being made to feel like they own and control Bougainville in the current UN peace process. Tourists are now welcome.
The former Bougainville Revolutionary Army (BRA) chief has completed a helicopter flying course in New Zealand and is back in Bougainville. That’s something that shows the people they can now do whatever they like, no one is blocking them from anything they want to do.
They now have unlimited travel so it’s a completely changed situation. The Police are just about all Bougainvillean.
The only area now out of bounds has been declared by Francis Ona himself. That’s the no go zone around the Panguna Copper Mine which was the issue sparking the 10 year long war. Until Independence is achieved Francis will not allow foreigners to make decisions that he says from now on will be made only by Bougainvilleans.
Bob asks-
Do you feel apprehension about Australia's new anti-terrorism laws?
-------Bob.
Answer 5 from Sam-
After 911 we need to look for ways of preventing people that are happy to die killing civilians.
Now in my ham hobby I would like to look at what makes someone happy to die killing others and what can we do to change people wanting to do such things. #
On our TV news Australians are being shown departing Sydney airport going to Baghdad to be with the Iraq people with crowds greeting them off. No one is talking about stopping them even though more of Australia’s military forces are on their way at this same time to the Gulf. Australians are not barred from going to any country on this planet at anytime. It’s a real democracy down under where we can all do what we want. No worries, She’ll be right mate. We are all free and easy these days. No one threatens anyone violently because they don’t like their ideas. People are even sticking up for Muslim woman in the streets who are being badmouthed. I am very proud that Australian society has gone through so much and has reached where we are now.
Bob asks:
What type of radio equipment is Radio Independent Mekamui using? How many watts is the station transmitting with? Where is the station located?
-------Bob
Answer 6 from Sam-
The Radio is a HF 2-way radio with 5Watts into a linear putting out 60Watts AM. It is in Guava village Francis Ona’s home village overlooking the Panguna Copper mine in Central Bougainville.
Bob asks:
It is alleged that you set up stations for armed militia leaders. Did you know Amnesty International said those leaders in charge had committed human rights abuses such as murder?
----- Bob
Answer 7 from Sam-
I have given reports to Amnesty International in Sydney. They told me to call their London office, which I did several times. This was on behalf of a Somali who asked me for help to get news to the outside about things that everyone else is afraid to handle.
I have also asked Francis Ona about particular incidences.
Amnesty has said that without that radio station they had no way to get reports from the other side of that 10-year conflict. They need access to both sides to produce as complete a report as possible.
If I see someone in distress or can help increase understanding or if I can bring people together I am happy to help. That’s what ham is- Helping All Mankind.
I recall in Solomon Islands when a foreign NGO came to me after our amateur radio training school had been going for 4 months with no help from anyone except the rooms provided by the National Disaster Management Organisation. They said there is no other project in the country that is run by volunteers. Since then Oxfam helped in the printing of a complete ham radio study course for students and which graduates can use to set up ham schools through out the country. The Australian Governments Ausaid through their Community Projects Rehabilitation fund made it possible to move to a new and bigger location allowing more people in the classes. They also supplied a complete ham station for the school training.
In a country where every one expects to be compensated this idea of ham is revolutionary. It is something the young people we have attracted have taken to. Like the volunteers in Somalia they know this is something they like and has brought together different people. In Solomon Islands, the 21 graduates include people who were on the opposite ends of the conflict. They would never have met and bonded together except for this course. Here you find Malaitan and Guadalcanal people together day after day. The ham school has 170 students who have passed at least 1 of the 12 topics required to obtain the ham license. The ham radio course has succeeded to bring people together after the war had driven them apart.
Something new is brewing- A new direction in life is being fostered where students help student and the wider role of helping community and inter-community relations is being born. I hope this core of people will be able to spread this new way of thinking as they set up new ham schools around this 350-island state. #
Bob asks:
What other stations have you "helped out"?
------Bob
Answer 8 from Sam-
I started Radio Galkayo in 1993. Ham radio training was included and like in the recent Solomon Islands model a free for all ham radio training course began.
For 3 months a Somali had told me that North East Somalia never had a radio station. I contacted Australian aid organisations and as with Bougainville found that no one was able to get involved.
It gave me the same feeling as Bougainville. I thought here are a people asking for help whom no one else can help. After 3 months of talking on the telephone and having never seen a Somali I said you are in Melbourne, I am in Sydney 700km away, lets meet each other for the first time in Singapore on our way to Somalia.
On arrival in Somalia all I was told and my instinct was correct.
I started the ham training by offering people no food and no money.
I have found that attracts the people with little opportunity and no job but who have lots of time and enthusiasm to learn. People from different clans wanted to join, I encouraged the breakdown in resistance to that and all those original multi-clan members are still at the radio today.
Where are the women? I encouraged an effort to open the training to girls, one of whom has since got a job with the Kenya Broadcasting Corporation.
All People who have the interest to learn the ham spirit gain a new direction in life. With this spirit those in Somalia now have an income from the local administration to maintain the radio station which they operated for free as volunteers all those years when no one could help except for fuel to keep the generator going. Volunteers were unknown but quickly understood as the training progressed. The students started to become respected by the community for the skills and service they gave. Never before had the town had its own radio broadcasting station. “My little girl is missing, last seen at” all kinds of messages where broadcast as the community were told this is your radio for you to use.
In 1994 Rotary International and the Australian Government funded a 1000Watt AM output Amplifier and Log Periodic aerial to be set up on a 30 metres tower which already existed at the Galkayo Police station. I was offered a return ticket to go back and up grade the station as a volunteer and set it up after a successful first year on air.
With growing confidence in the security of that radio it was moved out of the Police station into its own building in the middle of town.
The best effect of having the Ham radio training and building up the facility at the Police station was that it stoped the Police being isolated from the community. The community came in and out of that Police compound constantly and that set up an environment where the Police were not cut off in their own world. That was a very important contribution to the restarting of the Somali Police force.
It’s a similar beginning in Bougainville when a sign was put on the radio room door “no entry”. I took it off immediatly and said this is a community radio for everyone to use. I put a new sign on that door “all welcome”. These things need to be done at the very beginning so that everyone can see the positive effects and not worry about what might happen. The benefits of the civilian people walking in and out has the effect of bringing the ordinary people close to those in authority who would otherwise shut themselves from the community. Both stations continue to read messages to family and friends so maintaining the open access of a community radio
I have visited Somaliland.
When I said I was going to Galkayo I was told no one from Somaliland would cross the boarder to Galkayo, Somalia. Galkayo people similarly told me that no one would go with me into Somaliland.
On my departure after visiting Radio Hargeiysa in Somaliland a man who had never been across the boarder said he would go with me. I said you would be welcome. Nothing will happen to you. You will be with me all the time and I will go back to Hargeiysa with you.
On arrival in Galkayo, people were fascinated to talk with this man who explained why Somaliland had broken away from the turmoil of Somalia and had its own constitution, democratic elections, currency, flag, national anthem, motor car license plates, stamps, military, police and government infrastructure.
Somalia does not agree with the break away but no one was angry with that man. Someone from Galkayo, Somalia decided to go back with us to Hargeiysa, Somaliland. The Radio Galkayo staff asked if I could arrange for an exchange visit of staff between the two cities radio stations . That has since happened. Another example of how a ham can help people over come their fear of the unknown and bringing people together.
Now Radio Galkayo and Radio Hargeiysa and its staff are two of the few under the wings of Canadian Government funding being used to strengthen media broadcasting. To broaden the knowledge of the staff and keep those radios on the air.
In Bougainville I provided the current opposition to Francis Ona, with “Radio Paru Paru” which is a completely home built AM transmitter I built by modifying my home made morse code transmitter. I told Francis this is for you and this is for your “friends” in Paru Paru. #Francis had no trouble with the idea that I am openly helping both sides. He said because my help is humanitarian he respected it. #
A satellite phone that I delivered I used to telephone his opponent Joseph Kabui. For political reasons they don’t talk to each other and here I was acting as a relay conveying messages. They have not talked since. Why? Because I am not there to make such things happen. It shows why I say ham radio operators can make things happen that others cant. Its because hams are trusted by parties, both those who signed on to the United Nations peace process and those who did not.
In the Amateur Radio Training School of the Solomon Islands last year (2002) 6 months of training has resulted in two girls rising to the top Director and Vice Director positions both unpaid and voluntary. I am sure some support will come to these dedicated people in future as it has for those in Somalia. I tell all the students as a ham you don’t build up money. You build up something else, its respect for what you are doing to help people. When someone losses their money its said they loss many friends but if a ham is in distress you can be sure that their call for help will be answered because that person is respected. Respect is the strongest relationship you can build and it’s built by your actions.
-------Bob asks:
Do you care to comment on Colonel Abdullah Yousuf Ahmed's SSDF station in Somalia?
-------Bob
Answer 9 from Sam-
All the references above to Radio Galkayo describe how from its early beginnings in 1993 the students proved how starting with nothing they attracted the support of Rotary International, the Australian Government and currently the Canadian Government. With the changing situation over all those years the standing of that Radio as a community radio station continues and the staff over those years have exercised wisdom in accepting and rejecting material submitted to keep to the spirit of a community radio station. If something should happen beyond the control of such fine people then we know that their know-how and dedication are ready to move into action to serve the future national Government when it finally comes. These people who were born out of a ham radio training program are now part of a national resource being maintained and trained further by the international community in technical and program production knowledge.
The current national Government has no effective control in most of the country and a meeting of most Somali leaders is underway in Kenya to try and form a national Government which is accepted by all the leaders and clans.
I have been to Somalia 6 or 8 times and am starting to lose count. The Colonel always greets me and always says the radio is a community radio. He knows the original purpose of it to tell me it will always be a community radio before I even say anything. Many other groups in Somalia have asked my technical advice and I have refused none. As a Ham – Helping All Mankind person my help can serve to bring everyone together. The ultimate goal of Ham Radio activities is to bring the whole world together in peace and friendship. How can ham radio do that? Your questions are showing what one ham has already done. Now add to that what other hams are doing or could do and the potential of ham radio and its contribution to life in the 21 century is amazing.
Bob asks:
What was your involvement in Iraq, Iran, Jordan, Bangladesh, El Salvador, China and Russia? Are there any armed militia stations you have or intend to work on that have not been mentioned?
-------Bob
Answer 10 from Sam-
Iraq- See ANSWER 1B and ANSWER 11.
Iran- Not been there but have listened from Australia on ham radio to assist during their earthquake emergencies. A Russian disaster assistance team with a ham radio operator was there. They were talking to Russian disaster assistance people in the Russian language on the 20 metre ham band near 14.275MHz USB. That is where I was listening as reports came through the world media about the scope of the destruction and loss of life in the thousands if I remember correctly.
Jordan- See ANSWER 1B.
Bangladesh- See ANSWER 1B.
I contacted Singapore Airlines for a reduced fare and free freight.
During a cyclone tidal wave disaster I arrived at Dhaka airport with no Visa. Airport immigration asked me, Where is your Visa? “I have no Visa I am responding to your Prime Ministers call for emergency assistance.” Oh he has come to help our country let him through.
I went to the Hunger Project Office with my ham gear and a portable generator where a team was being organised to go to the tidal wave hit disaster areas.
Hurricane Iniki, Hawaii, USA
I contacted Continental airlines regarding free tickets. The airline manager said you want to help the USA? How many free tickets do you want? #5 hours later I was on a flight, I arrived at Honolulu airport. Customs said, You need documentation. “I have an IARN letter with details for me to catch a military flight to Kawai.” OK let him through. I stayed 1 month handling the daily Red Cross messages needed to maintain the 300 people at that relief shelter. The logistics for daily food and other needs were all handled through our ham radio link. We seemed to be the last area to get telephones restored. On return to Australia I received an award from the American Red Cross, Hawaii State Chapter for service rendered at their evacuation shelter at the Wimea High School.
San Salvador city, El Salvador and Mexico city, Mexico- Not been there but did listen from Australia during the earthquake of San Salvador city and Mexico City and helped in relays of traffic out of the Capital to the rest of the world on 14.275MHz. Contacted Australian radio and TV offering to pass health and welfare messages during both emergencies. I received an award from the President of Mexico along with other Aussie hams presented at the Sydney Opera House by the Mexican embassy. I also received a Citizen of the Year award for Service to the community from the Australian Council of the Municipality of Willoughby in Sydney. Participation in the worldwide assistance effort for Mexico lead to my appointment as International Amateur Radio Network (IARN) Director for Australia.
China
Visited Shanghai, China as a result of on air friendship with Chinese radio amateurs on the 20 metre ham band. That lead to an invitation from the China Radio Sports Association to visit the country. I visited the Shanghai Children’s Palace where after school activities includes ham radio. Half the kids are girls. The Solomon Islands is trying to equal or exceed China’s success in bringing ham radio to girls. This year 2003, the amateur radio training school of the Solomon Islands will specially target girls with the guidance of the 2 graduate student girls who are now the schools Director and Vice Director.
During China’s massive flood in Nanging, with my antenna beamed to China I located a ham (“Dragon”). He organised for authorities to accept our offer to help. Sydney hospitals donated half a ton of supplies and 2 Hams came with me. China airlines took the materials freight free and 3 of us paid our fares and took a ham station and a portable generator with the medical supplies and medical equipment.
Armenia
A massive earthquake killed thousands. I contacted Radio and TV to offer a heath and welfare message service for worried friends and relatives. I later received an award from the local Armenian community.
Bob asks:
How can you call yourself part of a 'radio peace corp when in virtually every area of the world where you have provided armed militia groups radio equipment untold atrocities have been committed by the very groups you have 'helped'?
Answer 11 from Sam-
If you want to help in peace building and bring people together you need to go to areas where there is no peace.
You will find in conflict areas the longer they go the less people you can find who have not done something wrong. In most conflicts both sides are sited by Amnesty, that means all sides need help. There is no good guy in wartime.
Look at the Vietnam War. Leaders got so desperate to find a solution they sprayed toxins on that country’s vast forests. Those areas lost all their trees and the civilians killed included anyone who lived in a forest village, that includes villagers trying to escape the atrocities being inflicted on them by both sides in that conflict. In World War 2 Leaders authorised fire bombing of entire German civilian city after city and the use of 2 atomic bombs on Japanese cities- all civilian none military targets. Now I think if you asked the people of the USA and Australia and the UK they would say we know they are civilian targets but we want to win and shorten the war.
Both sides need help. That’s why ham help is unique. The ham is not interested in taking sides. The ham wants to understand the situation by talking to all sides and helping those he or she can in ways no one else can. Friendship, medical supplies and communications these are the humanitarian tools used by the radio ham. Medical supplies save life immediately, friendship is the core of ham radio worldwide communications practised by every radio amateur on the airwaves as an example of how all peoples of all countries have already achieved on air intercommunications between complete strangers. It only takes a CQ call followed by a call sign and you will be friends with anyone who replies. The ham’s history, appearance, beliefs and religion all don’t matter.
It is worth noting that Amateur Radio in the 21st century remains the only free international communication system. Computers are 10 times more expensive than say a CB radio and there is no on the-air-time using radio.
Solomon Islands
One donated solar panel and transceiver to the Solomon Island ham radio graduating students who do not have $2 on most days will get them on air talking to the world. Free computers are limited in value for communications without telephone and money to make calls. The only system village people can use is a zero cost system.
Donated ham and CB radios can be operated in a village, aboard a ship, in a car, on a bicycle or portable on the coast, up a mountain, in the centre of a city or while walking and talking using a walkie talkie. Its also used in outer space today in the Space shuttle and the International space station. This is the exciting future for the 350-island nation Solomon Islands that is made possible only through the help of hams overseas.
In Somalia, Bougainville and Solomon Islands everyone is or was at stalemate. The people there were just like the US, UK and Australians during war, they all want to win. There is no 100% clean good boy side. You might get 100% historical facts of who did what to whom but what happens in War is you want to kill the other guy before he kills you. No matter who you are, what side you are on, which nation, clan or militia groups the longer these conflicts go on the more desperate both sides become.
To go to any conflict area you need to meet leaders if you want to be of any help to the people. If you don’t like the leaders then you cant do anything to help in the conflict resolution process. This is a long process. As a ham the more you listen and understand the more opportunity you have to make a difference in the process and in the difficulties of the ordinary people who ask you for life saving help. I am thinking of the lady about to give birth and her husband who asked to leave with me. They did not want to give birth in a cave like everyone else had too. Here was their chance to get out of the blockade to a hospital and give a new life a chance at birth to survive. Only one person but it could be you or me who will survive at birth or not. And who is there who can help or has any interest to help? It’s the radio ham again. I am thinking of another lady holding a baby who the doctor said would be dead in a few hours because all his medicines are long finished. When did you get your last medicines I asked? He says nothing since the last ones you sent us 1 year ago.
When Hams help people they don’t ask which side are you on and list all the atrocities you committed.
Iraq
Let me give you an example of how Hams help all sides in what- ever way we can.
The biggest challenge we have in world peace is how to change the atmosphere so that people no longer train to undertake suicide killings such as 911, Bali or as happens daily or weekly in Israel.
Currently the idea but not the means to implement this follows-
Hams go to meet with members of the Iraq amateur radio club #in Baghdad.
A new world order where everyone’s desire is fulfilled with Iraq a central key is outlined.
Iraq needs to do something dramatic to convince the USA it has no banned weapons or it needs to immediately disclose them.
Anything disclosed may, at this stage not be believed to be a real full disclosure because massive USA, UK and Australian forces are in place ready to move into Iraq.
The following points are initially suggested to Iraq:
(1) Iraq would announce it kept those weapons secret for its national security but has now decided to give all those weapons to the UN for the reason that now follows. Or really does not have any banned weapons and will demonstrate this to all the world ( here is the reason now following) by removing its security concern in the making of a peace treaty immediately with Kuwait and Israel and opening as soon as possible an Iraqi embassy in Israel Jerusalem.
No Arab country has an embassy in Jerusalem and this would make a dramatic statement unimaginable in its potential to change the current bitter feelings of the Arab public to Israel. It’s that bitterness once removed that will start to redress the full-scale training and glorification of suicide martyrs. The Allies desire to change regimes in Iraq could not accomplish any change in the atmosphere of bitterness in the Mid East but the current Iraq regime could in a breath taking way.
(2) Iraq would become the centre to start a new breakthrough in peace and development projects such as a railway linking all the Middle East, Africa, Asia and Europe for all the peoples using worldwide development funding.
(3) Iraq would call on Palestinians to join with Iraq in making peace with Israel.
(4) Iraq would be ready to host a meeting or facilitate in all peaceful ways the creation of the new Palestinian state based on full relations with Israel and part of Jerusalem, Palestine Jerusalem to be the Capital of the new Palestine State.
This would fulfil the desires of both Israel and Palestine to have Jerusalem as their Capital.
Iraq would then be the key to the peace that the whole region has been seeking.
(5) Iraq would further welcome continued UN inspections because it would be involved in peace and development throughout the region. Having established peace with Israel and Kuwait its security concerns would be well addressed.
(6) Iraq would support a peaceful discussion for a solution to the return of the 5 million Palestinian refuges to the areas of the new Palestinian State. This is the last key demand of those training suicide bombers.
(7) Full relations would be re-established with the USA who would be welcome to open any number of offices in the north and south zones of Iraq as a sign to those living there that they will be fully involved in the countries affairs and need have no fears.
(8) Further systems such as control of local affairs by the local people should be announced with some detail to give confidence to all the people in and out of the country.
(9) An immediate Pardon be given to all people who have fled Iraq. That might include pardoning top defectors to show everyone that a new era really has started. Immediate release of everyone in Prison might be a very dramatic show that these pardons and clemencies really are sincere and no one need fear returning to Iraq or living anywhere in Iraq.
Through the Internet and ham radio broadcasts I hope that hams in Baghdad can take this message to the leaders of their country or overseas visitors already there might be able to use these ideas. We can legally travel to Iraq from Australia if I can help in any way or if anyone has further ideas please let me know.
E mail- svoron@hotmail.com
Tel/Fax- Sydney, Australia 61-2-94171066
Bob says-
Sam, these are questions that are very reasonable for me to ask of you since I am considering making a substantial donation of amateur radio equipment to your organisation, which I presume is, the IARN headed by Mr. Glenn Baxter - K1MAN of Belgrade Lakes, Maine.
Thankyou,
Bob wd4awo
Sam answers:
Welcome aboard.
In the Solomon Island project the only way on the air for graduating hams is through donated equipment. They will be able to open ham schools through out the country but will be very much reliant on what ever the outside world can send them to actually get on the air. The National Disaster Management Organisation is accepting gifts to the school.
Details are on http://www.H44A.com
73…Sam Voron VK2BVS, H44A
For background see:
http://www.H44A.com
http://www.radiogalkayo.com
see the older news- village ham radio in Solomon Islands