Hurricane Maria continues to affect the Caribbean with Puerto Rico the latest to be affected losing power and many cellular phone stations. The SATERN net is operating on 14.265MHz with a bilingual (Spanish/English) operators looking for any messages out of Puerto Rico. It has been reported from the Dominican Republic that some Puerto Rico stations are operating on 7.085 and 7.095 MHz and they are communicating with those stations.

In Mexico the earthquake response continues and the 7.095 MHz frequency is also in local use there as rescuers move into the affected areas. Co-Operation is starting between networks in the area and between all countries in the Caribbean area and their assistance is appreciated.

Two updates have been received about the use of Amateur radio in response to Hurricane Maria and the Earthquake which hit Mexico.

XE2O of FMRE in Mexico reports that they are maintaining an Emergency Network on 7060 kHz with the support of many Mexican radio amateurs. They have also deployed two mobile emergency communication units. One of them to the south of Mexico City and the other goes to the communities near the city where communication problems have been reported.

They have permanent contact on HF between the Command and Control centre in Mexico co-ordinatiing the emergency response and the Emergency Network of the FMRE.

9Y4J reports that Health and welfare traffic in and out of Dominica continues to be passed via amateur radio, on frequencies 7188 kHz, and 3815 kHz.

However, the airports remain closed, and an assessment of the seaports is underway. This will determine how soon relief goods, and substantial human resources can access the island.

As always, please listen carefully in the area of the frequencies given above and try to avoid QRM.

Emergency Net for Earthquake in Central Mexico

Following the magnitude 7.1 earthquake on Tuesday the IARU member society, Federacion Mexicana de Radio Experimentadores or FMRE, had its National Emergency Net activated.

This is on 7.060 MHz, 3.690 MHz and 14.120 MHz as well as IRLP reflector 9200, channel 08. The epicenter in the central Mexico state of Puebla at 1814 UTC on Tuesday was southeast of Mexico City, which felt it.

Early reports had more than 120 people killed as the ‘quake toppled buildings and rescuers are searched the rubble for survivors.

FMRE President Al Tomez XE2O reports the National Emergency Net has been handling traffic to make up for the loss of some mobile phone networks.

He noted that the latest earthquake was on the anniversary of the 1985 magnitude 8.0 earthquake that struck the Mexico City, killing some 9,500 people.

Since then Mexico has prepared for seismic events. A week ago, a magnitude 8.1 earthquake struck off Mexico’s southern coast. It killed more than 60 people and caused considerable damage.

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

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.