( from the ARRL )
On Tuesday, January 12 at 4:53 PM Haiti time (2153 UTC), a magnitude
7.0 earthquake hit 10 miles (15 kilometers) west of Port-au-Prince,
the island nation's capital. Communications in and out of Haiti have
been disrupted. No word has been received as of yet from any of
Haitian Amateur Radio operators. The ARRL encourages US amateurs to
be aware of the emergency operations on the following frequencies:
7.045 and 3.720 MHz (IARU Region 2 nets), 14.265, 7.265 and 3.977
MHz (SATERN nets), and 14.300 MHz (Intercontinental Assistance and
Traffic Net). The International Radio Emergency Support Coalition
(IRESC) is also active on EchoLink node 278173.
IARU Region 2 Area C Emergency Coordinator, Arnie Coro, CO2KK, is
coordinating a multi-national response by hams. There are organized
nets on 7.045 and 3.720 MHz; amateurs are asked to monitor the
frequencies, but to also keep them clear of non-essential traffic.
Amateur Radio operators should also be aware that emergency traffic
pertaining to the Haitian earthquake is expected on the SATERN
frequencies of 14.265 MHz, 7.265 MHz and 3977 MHz, according to
SATERN's leader, Major Pat McPherson. The Salvation Army is
accepting health and welfare traffic requests on its Web site.
"As late as 9:45 PM local time (0245 UTC), we have not been able to
contact any amateur or emergency services stations in Haiti," Coro
said in an e-mail. "Amateurs from Cuba, the Dominican Republic,
Puerto Rico and Venezuela are monitoring the 40 meter band
frequency. We are still keeping watch on 7.045 MHz, hoping that
someone in Haiti may have access to a transceiver and at least a car
battery to run it," but so far. no HH stations have checked in.
Tuesday's quake was felt in the Dominican Republic, which shares the
island of Hispaniola with Haiti, and in Eastern Cuba, but no major
damage was reported in either place.
