Few hours after the landslide occurred at Kavalpapra, Nilambur in Kerala, INDIA on August 9 where around 40 houses where gone under the mud and the all means of communications were breakdown. The Ham Radio Wireless Repeater System(VU2MJJ) under the Malabar Amateur Radio Society (MARS)(VU2MLQ) in Malappuram District in Kerala INDIA, played a crucial role in assisting district authorities by connecting from the disaster site and various government offices with the collectorate. Within hours of the tragedy, coordinator Thajudheen Iringavur (VU2DJ) contacted the District Collector, head of the District Disaster Management Authority. Under his direction, a temporary radio station was set up at the District Collectorate and then a team headed by Ashraf Kappad(VU3MTY),Shajeer (VU3EUB), Shanavas(VU3EUE) and Dr. Anwar(VU3LMW), few among the Amateur Radio Emergency Communication team, started to the disaster site of Kavalappara and a parallel communication system was established within minutes from the Nilambur Taluk office and district HQ Over the next two days, Nilambur Tehsildar communicated to the Collectorate through the ham radio systems only. Even the police wireless repeater system was partially disrupted during the disaster. MARS ham radio wireless repeater station (VU2MJJ) has also played a crucial role in the 2018 floods in Kerala. At present, VU2MJJ repeater can be accessible from around 250 Km radius and covering half a dozens of Districts of Kerala State. The efforts are underway to shift the repeater from the present location to a higher location which will enables to connect the entire state and some part of the neighboring states. The repeater station is fully solar powered and remote controlled. The wireless transmitter repeater station was approved by the Ministry of Communications in 2010. The Malabar Amateur Radio Society (MARS) decided to implement a new Ham Radio Digital System for Emergency Communication. D-Rats in India WPC issued new licence to establish the Digital repeater - VU2LUE (145.325 - ve). MARS is working out to commence the repeater with D-Rats Communication Networks which will be a great tool to co-ordinate during disaster management. It does not need the help of the Internet or other mobile systems. This system will be able to record audio conversations, send and receive images, data and videos, and maintain accuracy of messages. D-Rats capable to record the location and movement of each station. ARRL has recently implemented D-Rats for the American Red Cross. https://malabarradiosociety.in/
