Plane Crash in Monterey Massachusetts

[wa1nti]

Was listening to my club repeater #NOBARC (146.910 Mhz) on Monday morning March 3, 2003 when John WA1ZHM of Pittsfield put out a call looking for any Hams who could assist in helping locate a downed aircraft. #The operators who could help out were told to report to the Sheffield MA Police Dept where we would be briefed. We were shown an area of Beartown State Forest where the crash site was believed to be. #Our objective was to monitor 121.5 Mhz the frequency of the aircraft emergency beacon. #K1SXA (Gary) was put in charge of the group and about seven of us took off to our assigned areas. The crash site was found about 3 miles in from where Gary and I were assigned by a helicopter who saw a survivor moving. #The terrain was so hard to reach a heavy-duty helicopter was called in from Albany NY to help rescue three boys who survived the crash that took the life of the father (pilot), mother, and two other children. #The three hour rescue involved police,fire and EMS from Massachusetts and New York and volunteers from Massachustts and Connecticut.

[kd5lwu]

GOOD jOB! And not one word from the media that ham radio was involved. 73 Johnny

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (kd5lwu @ Mar. 07 2003,18:52)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">GOOD jOB! And not one word from the media that ham radio was involved. 73 Johnny[/QUOTE]<span id='postcolor'>
That's probably because a ham did not locate the downed plane. It was located by a helicopter.

I'm not trying to poo poo the author's efforts, but what were the media supposed to say, "The survivors were rescued by a helicopter. Oh, and by the way, some guys in another area were using ham radio."

Give credit where credit is due. http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif

[KD7LDH]

Great JOB.... PS, If your enjoyed (not in a sadistic way) what you did to help out I suggest you join Civil Air Patrol www.capnhq.gov - We constantly are DFing ELT's (that beacon on 121.5000) and searching for aircraft (we search from BOTH the Air and Ground - You dont have to be a pilot)

# We also are starting to do some homeland security stuff....






Email me for more info..... VGIDWANI@Juno.com




# # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # -KD7LDH

[wa1nti]

A response to 'anomymousham' post. It's was the Massachusetts State Police who requested our presence. WA1ZHM was awoked at 4 A.M. by a knock on the door by a Lt. from the State Police Task Force. At the time the location of the aircraft was unknown. With a wide area to cover they needed people with radio knowledge and equipment who could help triangulate the location.

[KE6DII]

The fact that the State Police came knocking at 4 a.m., looking for assistance from ham radio operators, seems to show that at least some hams have been doing a good job of letting local law enforcement know of their availability and expertise.

[ke5sua]

Did you consider writing a detailed description of this for QST's Public Service section?
This is outstanding for ham radio in every way- hate that some died in this but at some survived.

[kd7mtr]

I like to think that as amateurs we do good for the sake of doing good. Behind the scenes kind of people. It's good to see involvement with emergency crews and that they would approach us with a need. That to me is really what makes ham radio a worthy hobby.
Good Day 73's http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wow.gif

[n9nrw]

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (anonymousham @ Mar. 07 2003,19:20)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE"></span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (kd5lwu @ Mar. 07 2003,18:52)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">GOOD jOB! And not one word from the media that ham radio was involved. 73 Johnny[/QUOTE]<span id='postcolor'>
That's probably because a ham did not locate the downed plane. #It was located by a helicopter.

I'm not trying to poo poo the author's efforts, but what were the media supposed to say, "The survivors were rescued by a helicopter. #Oh, and by the way, some guys in another area were using ham radio." #

Give credit where credit is due. http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif[/QUOTE]<span id='postcolor'>
anonymousham,
I hate that, makes for easy flapping of the jaw.....
Your a real asset....

[w8qf]

It is not important who found the survivors but rather that they were found.I think the positive point being made here is that ham radio has the standing in his area that authorties felt it a good idea to ask for their help.It is not important that ham radio is always the hero,but rather that it be reliable and consistant in their effort to assist when ever where ever nessary.Just my thought on the matter and glad to hear that there were hams willing and able to help when requested.Dave AE8U

[WB6ANP]

http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif Good work. As previously mentioned if you like to do that type of work check into Civil Air Patrol. I have been out on a few searches so far and many of the members in my squadron are hams as well. We are starting a ham class in the near future and are brining many cadets to field day so they can get a taste of talking to others over ham radio. We also go out on disasters (floods, earthquakes, tornado's)

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (n9nrw @ Mar. 08 2003,05:47)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE"></span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (anonymousham @ Mar. 07 2003,19:20)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE"></span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (kd5lwu @ Mar. 07 2003,18:52)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">GOOD jOB! And not one word from the media that ham radio was involved. 73 Johnny[/QUOTE]<span id='postcolor'>
That's probably because a ham did not locate the downed plane. It was located by a helicopter.

I'm not trying to poo poo the author's efforts, but what were the media supposed to say, "The survivors were rescued by a helicopter. Oh, and by the way, some guys in another area were using ham radio."

Give credit where credit is due. http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif[/QUOTE]<span id='postcolor'>
anonymousham,
I hate that, makes for easy flapping of the jaw.....
Your a real asset....[/QUOTE]<span id='postcolor'>
Once again, Gentlemen, I must state that I do not wish to disparage the efforts of the author -- they were no doubt helpful even though they did not directly result in the location of the aircraft.

However, one must be a realist when discussing the non-hamradio world. The media have no agenda for the promotion or suppression of amateur radio. To mention amateur radio for this tragedy would have required mentioning everything else that contributed to the search.

You'll notice there was no mention that the helicopter pilot used a radio for communications, or that the air traffic controllers used telephones to contact the authorities, why should they mention ham radio? There is only so much time to report the news and still run sensationalist stories about tap water impurities.

As for the fellow who wishes we did not have anonymous postings, I say that Free Speech and anonymity were not created to protect popular ideas. If you desire homogeneity of viewpoints, perhaps you should seek it somewhere other than the Internet. As long as this site allows it, I will continue to post anonymously.

[kc2kvz]

I just wanted to say that I listened to much of the repeater activity for the search preparations and was very impressed with the professionalism I heard. It is obvious that public safety in Berkshire County relies heavily on, and respects amateur radio. So whether or not the media noticed, other people did and were suitably impressed. Kudos to NOBARC.

That's probably because a ham did not locate the downed plane. It was located by a helicopter.
C'mon YKY admit this is you, (or God forbid a clone)
Loser

[KD7LDH]

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (WB6ANP @ Mar. 08 2003,06:41)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif Good work. As previously mentioned if you like to do that type of work check into Civil Air Patrol. I have been out on a few searches so far and many of the members in my squadron are hams as well. We are starting a ham class in the near future and are brining many cadets to field day so they can get a taste of talking to others over ham radio. We also go out on disasters (floods, earthquakes, tornado's)[/QUOTE]<span id='postcolor'>
Hey man start a group wide comm/ops team.... - We have one here at my squadron... we have too much fun (I used to be NCOIC till I transferred to GT comm) - We have a completely mobile setup with towers (made from modified GP-Small poles) and complete foward base kits including a comm/ops trailer.... - If you really want your wing dir of ES to like you offer to setup a foward base in the wood for a SAREX....




-KD7LDH (C/CMSGT VINAY GIDWANI)

[arullo123]

Great work by all involved. This just goes to show why ham radio [operators] are such a good asset to everyone. The way i see it, just having a license is a public service. Kee up the good work Hams!

KB1JLU

I would like to get involved or be available for rescue efforts via ham radio etc. I still have a lot to learn, but I am getting there.

I drive a very capable jeep wrangler with all the off road enchancements that could be of help in some of the more rural areas.

[KD7LDH]

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (KB1JDK @ Mar. 14 2003,15:03)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">I would like to get involved or be available for rescue efforts via ham radio etc. I still have a lot to learn, but I am getting there.

I drive a very capable jeep wrangler with all the off road enchancements that could be of help in some of the more rural areas.[/QUOTE]<span id='postcolor'>
JOIN CAP!!!!!!!!!! www.capnhq.gov

Were all not pilots.... Inquire with a Unit near you about Ground Teams.


-KD7LDH

[n8zux]

http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif Ok gang GR8 job doing some SAR work thought here is and I'll encourage anyone wanting more info. contact your local E.C. for the A.R.E.S. / R.A.C.E.S. in your area, also if S.A.R. is your interets check with your local Program Emergency Manager that handles your county F.E.M.A. or Civil Defense Agency usually the Sheriff's Dep't. probably knows. We have a saying Pre Proper Planning Prevents Pathetic Poor Performance ( P7 ) we train , Train, Train when the call-down is issued follow proceedures and report in.

Afterwards critique is warranted, thinking here is to go over what was done right in a positive way, what maybe a situation happened, and what should change, sometimes a change in a situation may help improve in the next training B4 next call-down.

by the way I know everyone is seeing some nit-picking posts I have no idea what good is that getting maybe a plaque for the den or the outhouse is in order http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif

I left a 11m. untrained bunch some time back lacked organization, but some sorta power trip. I just again seen another situation and left. I don't mind getting the new mustangs going, young blood always wanting to learn.

L8TOR

[VA5EMT]

Good job guys! I worked in EMS ans SAR for along time. Unfortunately all too often the "important" people go unmentioned. Rest assured, the authorities who were involved won't forget your help. I know that from having been there at one time.

Keep up the good work! http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif