Amateur Radio Volunteers Sought in Greater New York City Area

From the ARRL...


NEWINGTON, CT, Sep 14, 2001--ARES is seeking additional volunteers from the Greater New York City area--including Eastern New York, Northern New Jersey and Connecticut--to assist in supporting the World Trade Center disaster relief and recovery effort. ARES is assisting the American Red Cross and emergency management officials.



New York City-Long Island Section Emergency Coordinator Tom Carrubba says volunteers must have a VHF (2-meter) or, preferably, a VHF/UHF (2-meter/70-cm) mobile radio, power supply and cables, and mobile/portable mag-mounted gain antenna. Carrubba says hand-helds are not sufficient to deal with the difficult operating conditions.



"Operators are still needed," he said, but stressed, "This is a difficult assignment."



Amateurs are working two 12-hour shifts per day, 8 AM to 8 PM and 8 PM to 8 AM, "plus or minus three or four hours, mostly plus," Carrubba said. This schedule is subject to change at any time.



This duty requires a serious commitment and involves working in a possibly hazardous area in war zone-like conditions. Volunteers will need to supply some items of protective clothing. Amateurs considering communications duty in New York City should first contact the appropriate ARRL Section Emergency Coordinator in the tri-state area for further information on how to proceed:

<UL>
<LI>New York City-Long Island: Tom Carrubba, KA2D, ka2d@arrl.net or telephone 631-422-9594.
<LI>Eastern New York: Ken Akasofu, KL7JCQ, kl7jcq@arrl.net
<LI>Northern New Jersey: Steve Ostrove, K2SO, k2so@arrl.net.
<LI>Connecticut: Darrow Loucks, WA1D, wa1d@arrl.net.[/list]




Assigned volunteers will be asked to report to American Red Cross Headquarters for credentials and assignments. Volunteers must use public transportation to ARC HQ because of limited vehicle access; there is no parking in that area.



Carrubba has asked potential out-of-region volunteers to &quot;stand by until we can provide for your safety and comfort.&quot;



New York City District Emergency Coordinator Charles Hargrove, N2NOV, has expressed his appreciation to the amateur community. &quot;Thank you for all the support and well wishes,&quot; he said. &quot;This is a difficult time for all of us. We appreciate all the amateurs who have volunteered their time and equipment.&quot;



Carrubba also cited the ongoing efforts of Guy Richman, KC2AYG, who has been coordinating net controls for the ARES nets, and Manhattan ARRL EC John Kiernan, KE2UN.