An earthquake measuring 6.4 has hit Taiwan, and caused buildings to collapse.

HARTS has received a weak voice signal from the CTARL Taiwan that asks that the following frequencies be kept clear.

HF frequencies used in Taiwan are voice: Main is 7.060 MHz with backup 7.050MHz and 3.560 MHz. Short range frequencies are on VHF and UHF.

At least four buildings have collapsed in the south of the island. Dozens of residents are reported to be trapped in the city of Tainan, those houses nearly two million people.

Tremors were felt in the capital Taipei, on the other side of the island, and aftershocks were felt.

Taiwan lies in the ‘Pacific Ring of Fire’ and in 2013, four people were killed in a 6.3-magnitude quake.

-Jim Linton VK3PC, IARU Chairman Disaster Communications Committee.

FMRE have advised that the Amateur Radio response to Hurricane Patricia which passed over their country this weekend is now complete and all frequencies are returned to normal use.

The storm downed trees, flooding streets, and buffeted buildings as a category-5 storm, but lost strength in the mountains and was downgraded to a tropical storm. Initially when it made landfall in western Mexico with rain and winds of up to 266km/h, it was one of the strongest ever hurricanes.

The remnants of the storm were also being watched in case they caused flooding in the US state of Texas but this only caused limited damage and no amateur radio activity has been reported from that state yet.

Thanks are expressed for keeping the requested emergency frequencies clear.

Sources: XE2PNA, XE1VP, VK3PC

The strongest ever hurricane recorded in the Americas is heading towards Mexico’s Pacific coast causing a state of emergency to be declared in three states in its path. Hurricane Patricia is expected to make landfall on Friday afternoon with winds of 200mph/325kph.

Radio Amateurs in Mexico are already starting operations on 7.060MHz LSB in preparation for the storms arrival and all are encouraged to keep this frequency clear as the situation develops.

UPDATE – Latest information from FMRE indicates that 14.120 and 21.120MHz may also be used for this event.
The strongest ever hurricane recorded in the Americas is heading towards Mexico’s Pacific coast causing a state of emergency to be declared in three states in its path. Hurricane Patricia is expected to make landfall on Friday afternoon with winds of 200mph/325kph.
Radio Amateurs in Mexico are already starting operations on 7.060MHz LSB in preparation for the storms arrival and all are encouraged to keep this frequency clear as the situation develops.
UPDATE –  14.120 and 21.120MHz may also be used according to information from FMRE.

Authorities are concerned about the effects of Typhoon Koppu that may last three days, as the weather system is trapped in its movement by another typhoon.