At least 70 people are missing after the Maharlika II experienced steering trouble and sank off the central Philippines during the approach of fast moving Typhoon Kalmaegi. Due the Typhoon, the Philippines Amateur Radio Association has activated its HERO network for emergency traffic and coordination. PARA has requested that 7.095 plus or minus 5 kHz be kept clear.

The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council has asked all in its path to take the necessary precautions. The Typhoon over the Cagayan and Isabela provinces was bringing with it winds of 130km/h and gusts of 160km/h on Sunday, and expected move north-east before reaching the South China Sea on Tuesday.

Jim Linton VK3PC, Chairman IARU Region 3 Disaster Communications Committee.

Typhoon Matmo (Henry locally) is centred east of the Philippines and expected to continue to intensify over the next few days to threaten Taiwan, China and south-west islands of Japan.

Philippines Amateur Radio Association Chief Operating Officer,  Thelma Pascua DU1IVT said the typhoon comes less than a week after Typhoon Rammasun and immediately follows a DU-Simulated Emergency Test.

Thelma DU1IVT said: “I have again requested our National Traffic System Chairman, Jojo Vicencio to activate the Ham Emergency Radio Operation (HERO) network on 7095 kHz.

“This is due to the effects and proximity of the current Typhoon Matmo (Henry locally). It has been rainy in almost the entire archipelago with threats
of landslides and flooding.”

HERO provided help during the recent Typhoon Rammasun (Glenda), a category three storm, that  came ashore in the Philippines killed at least 40 people, caused the evacuation of 530,000 and widespread damage.

Matmo formed well east of the Philippines on Thursday, and has gained strength over days to official have minimum strength to be declared a typhoon. The HERO Network of radio amateurs is trained and prepared.

Matmo is expected north of southern China and Vietnam that where Rammasun landed a few days ago.

Super Typhoon Haiyan last year, one of the world’s biggest to have made landfall, killed at least 6,300 people and 1,000 were still missing. About 20 storms hit the Philippines each year. Early attention is also watching a further potential storm that could develop.

-Jim Linton VK3PC, Chairman IARU Region 3 Disaster Communications Committee.

The Philippines Amateur Radio Association (PARA) Ham Emergency Radio Operation (HERO) has been activated on July 14th as Typhoon Rammasun (Glenda) affects the Philippines.

PARA President Thelma Pascua DU1IVT advises that the storm if it continues to track as forecast will traverse the western-central portion of the Philippine Sea, making landfall over Camarines Sur in the province located in the Bicol Region in Luzon by Tuesday noon, and then passing over metropolitan Manila by Wednesday morning. Please keep HERO net frequencies of 7.095, 7.119, and 7.151 MHz clear for traffic.

TS Rammasun (Glenda) is expected to continue moving generally westward during the next 24 hours…and will turn west-northwestward by 48 through 72 hours. On the forecast track, the storm will traverse the western-central portion of the Philippine Sea today…making landfall over Camarines Sur by Tuesday noon…and passing over Manila by Wednesday morning. Rammasun (Glenda) will be over the West Philippine Sea exiting the Philippine Area of Responsibility by Thursday morning.

At this moment the Serbian Radio Association (Savez radioamatera Srbije) carries out disaster relief communications in flooded areas. The control station uses the call sign YU0S. On 80m the frequency 3760 kHz (+ QRM) is used. All radio operators are asked to keep this frequency clear.
On VHF a repeater network with the same callsign supports the operations.