Local Trampers and Radio "Hams" To Co-ordinate In Emergencies

Chronicle (Levin), 3 November 1949, Page 4

Local Trampers and Radio "Hams" To Co-ordinate In Emergencies

j — * , FIELD DAY IN RANGES PLANNED

With the lessons of the air tragedies of Ruapehu and Wai: kanae in rtiind and the -valuable assistance rendered by amateur radio operators at Ruapehu and on many other 'occasions, local radio "hams" last night called a meeting in order to bring about a system of complete co-ordination with other rescue organisat'ions and personnel in the event of emergency. Realising the importance of communication, the "hams," all members of the Horowhenua branch of the New Zealand Association of Amateur Radio Transmitters, offered their services to the Levin-Waiopehu Tramping Club and detailed the equipment which could be made ready within half an hour if called upon.

In the chair was the pijesident i of the branch, Mr. R. T. Woodfield (ZL2VN) , who detailed the work of the amateur radio transmitters and read to the meeting an article in "The Chronicle" which. lisred the times and places wheri local and Dominion "hams" had provided, and in cases controlled, the entire communication system in emergencies such as the Napier earthquake, floods at Clutha and air disasters. He also instanced the case when four trampers were lost in the Tararuas for 15 days and the value theii of amateur radio communication and, more recently, the big floods in the Manawatu. The Levin branch was of course a member of the Amateur Radio Emergency Organisation, an offshoot of the New Zealand Association of Radio Transmitters, said Mr. Woodfield. It had qualified and active personnel and a wide range of portable equipment capable of transmitting messages to any part of New Zealand and beyond. In the event of an emergency, communications had to be established but there were times when the Post and Telegraph Department was unable to provide the service where lines were down or in areas beyond power lines. R.adio was the quick and simple v/ay of providing , alternative communication, and the amount of traffic which had passed through amateur sets at Ruapehu had been terrific, he said. In many cases the amateurs had been disregarded by the authorities in charge but they had now gained recognition and would soon" be issued with special passes. "It, therefore, behoves us all to get together and we have asked the tramping club here tonight to offer our equipment and obtain an idea of just what we can do and what we can't do. Tonight's meeting is mainly one of liaison."

On behalf of the tramping club, Mr. A. L. Edwards said that his ciub was already organised for emergencies and had specia'l equipment and rations on hand at all times. Club members could be called together at a moment's notice. Rations were loaded on to the transports and distributed out among the packs of members during the journey. The amateur transmitters were also ready to move at short notice, said Mr. Woodfield, and were willing to co-operate with either the tramping ciub, poiice or Transport Department. The Post and Telegraph Department had allocated tnem a special frequency, which was never done without a very special reason, and the association was now recognised as part and'parcel of any emergency. After the Waikanae disaster the president of the Federated Mouhtain Clubs, Mr. N. M. Thomson, had obtained an assurance from the Prime Minister that in the • event of another emergency the tramping clubs would be contacted immediately by the poiice, said Mr. Edwards. There was no question of the efficiency of radio transmitters on such occasions, and the local tramping club would be happy to co-operate. After further discussion it was agreed that the tramping club would make available.to the radio transmitters a complete list of the clothing, emergency rations and equipment necessary for mountain work, and that arrangements be made for the .holding of a field day in the ranges and, possibly, later a complete weekend of manoeuvres. ' • The meeting ended with supper and a demonstration to tramping club 3elegates of the various portable sets used by the amateurs. A further meeting of delegates • was arranged for next Wednesday.