Hurricane Maria is moving through areas still recovering from the effects of Hurricane Irma just weeks ago and has been reassessed as a dangerous Category 4 hurricane.

Amateur Radio groups are preparing for this next storm and the Caribbean Emergency and Weather Net (CEWN), was activated this morning 18th/September 2017 at 1030 UTC on the frequency 3815 kHz, and will subsequently qsy to 7188 kHz at 1100 UTC.

Coverage continues on the frequency 7188 kHz until 1030 UTC when it again will qsy to 3815 kHz .

The frequency will change between the two as propagation dictates.

It is intended to maintain 24 hour coverage during the passage of the system, and immediately after, in case there is the need to pass health and welfare traffic.

This follows earlier notices from the Puerto Rican and the Dominican Republic who advised they would be using the following frequencies;

Puerto Rico – 7.188 MHz and 7.192 MHz.

Dominican Republic 7,065 LSB but depending on propagation may also use 3.780 MHz

With the potential to suffer QRM from a wider area, the normal operation of the Hurricane Watch Net on 14.325MHz has also started.

Please look at the frequencies used in Hurricane Irma, watch the news and if islands are affected again please try to avoid QRM to emergency activities in the Carribean.