HAMNET UPDATE 7 SEPTEMBER



NEW DISASTER MANAGEMENT SYSTEM FOR SOUTH AFRICA

A new disaster management system for South Africa, bringing all 3 tiers of
government together to handle disasters of any kind, is likely to be put in
motion by the end of this year.

It will require the national government, every province and every
metropolitan and district municipality to establish a disaster management
center, to cover disasters of national, provincial or local nature,
including humanitarian aid to those affected.

The present system focuses on relief, while the new policy is based on a
White Paper, which emphasizes steps to avoid and minimize human and economic
losses, including warnings to the public about possible dangers.

Among key features of the new national disaster management system are:

* To ensure the reduction of risk in cases of foreseeable danger;
* To build sufficient capacity to respond to disasters;
* To give the national, provincial or local government the authority to fund
post-disaster recovery; and
* To ensure "rapid and effective" action to restore normality.
 
 

We, as Hamnet, have already been approached for input from our side as to
how the Amateur Radio fraternity, who are specifically trained for emergency
communication, can fit into this new system.
 

Jan Schubart, ZS6ARV, has been approached to supply the necessary
information to Henk van Elst, who is an authority on the subject of disaster
management and we believe the person who is responsible for the development
of the new system.

We look forward in anticipation as to how the new system will work and where
we will fit into the scheme of things.
 


GUJARAT (INDIA) EARHQUAKE STATISTICS



On January 26th at approximately 8:46 local time, an earthquake measuring
7.7 on the Richter Scale occurred in western India. The epicenter was
placed approximately 69 kilometers northeast of Bhuj in Gurat State.
According to the Government of India, the earthquake impacted nearly 8000
villages in 21 districts, resulting in 20,000 deaths, approximately 170,000
injuries and almost 16 million people affected.

Damage to infrastructure exceeded $453 million. Approx. 1 million houses,
23,000 schoolrooms were damaged or destroyed and three hospitals, 21 primary
health centers, four community health centers and 140 health sub-centers
were lost. In addition, the earthquake disrupted water supply, sanitation,
electrical, communication and transport systems. Destroyed mills, food
warehouses and irrigation structures.

At present, there are problems in the following areas of the world. Floods
in India, the ongoing Checnya problems, Afghanistan, the Great Lakes region,
the Balkans and West Africa.
 

HAMNET BULLETIN FOR SUNDAY 2 SEPTEMBER 2001

COMPILED AND PREPARED BY FRANCOIS – ZS6BUU



IN THE BULLETIN TODAY

Bulletins around the country
Outstanding Questionnaires
Hamnet Repeater Frequencies
Professionalism in Emergency Communications
New Divisional Structuring
Final Database
News from around the country

HAMNET BULLETINS AROUND THE COUNTRY

Sunday mornings kick off with Hamnet KZN. They start at O7H15 on their
local VHF repeaters with a relay on 7.070Mhz by Wally ZS5WP.

Then there is the national Bulletin on 10,130Mhz in the 30M band with a
relay on 7.070Mhz by Martin ZS6MSG. In Gauteng, 145,700Mhz is also used for
a local transmission. The time is 16:30 local – until propagation improves
when it will revert to 17H00.

Next we have Gauteng North. Their bulletin runs from 18H00 local on
145.725Mhz with a relay on 3,650 by Rudie ZS6DX.

Next is North West Province with a club bulletin on Mondays at 19H00 local
on 3,750Mhz in the 80M band as well as their local repeater on 145.737.5Mhz
output – for those who already fall into the new band plan.

Last but not least the Hamnet Western Cape Province. They run a bulletin on
Wednesdays at 20H30 local on 3,674 relayed by Matt ZS1MJJ in the 80M band
and on their local repeaters, 145:625Mhz, 145:700Mhz, 145:750Mhz and various
other links.

Whatever you missed is available in the Hamnet Website within the S.A.R.L.
Website under the heading "Hamnet News – regularly updated", or it may
have been sent to you by Packet radio – thanks to Rudie ZS6DX.
 
 

OUTSTANDING QUESTIONNAIRE’S
 

Please let me have the outstanding Questionnaires as soon as possible. This
is hampering the issuing of the new I. D. Card for Hamnet members. You may
recall, your official Bar Coded I. D. number now forms part of the new card
and we need that number before we can start issuing new Hamnet I. D. cards.
 
 

As far as possible, the new Database has now been completed and will be
installed on to the League’s Computer during the next few days. At the
council meeting on 15 September, we hope to have the Database available on a
CD for installation on any computer and a copy for each Councilor.
 

HAMNET FREQUENCIES – 2 METERS
 

The central Wits repeater as it was known on 145,700 was removed from its
current location to a new location to be run and maintained by the Sandton
Branch.

Hamnet does not "own" frequencies if one can put it that way. The term we
use is "preferred" frequency. On 2 Meters, 145,700Mhz countrywide has
always been regarded as the "preferred" frequency for emergency
communication. This specific frequency may not always be in a situation
where it can be accessed for an emergency. In such cases an alternative
frequency may be "preferred" and communication may continue on another
repeater or simplex frequency.

The demand on our services of late has been quiet and we hope it will stay
that way. However, should an emergency arise, we respectfully and in the
spirit of Amateur Radio, request that 145,700Mhz still be regarded as a
first choice emergency communication frequency.

On 7,070 in the 40 meter band we again request that conversations continue
as usual but please be aware that this is Hamnet’s "preferred" frequency for
emergency communication and that we leave a reasonable pause for a station
to break in should there be an emergency.

PROFESSIONALISM IN EMERGENCY COMMUNICATIONS.

It has come to my attention that offering your service as a communicator in
any sporting or other events, you will be taxed on your "Professionalism as
a communicator". Being a member of Hamnet, is no passport to acceptance.

We need to prove our efficiency when the chips are down. Can you meet those
requirements?

It may surprise you, but in countries like America, Britain, Australia and
so on, becoming a select member of an Emergency Communications Unit, you
need to prove yourself by way of passing certain exams and other criteria to
ensure acceptance.

We do not lay down strict rules at this stage, and I am aware of certain
modules having been compiled by Jan Schubart ZS6ARV. I intend to have a
look at those modules but will, at this stage, not enforce their completion
but make it voluntary.

But be aware of the level of professionalism that is expected of us.
 

NEW DIVISIONAL RESTRUCTURING – CODING

We still await the coding format for the various Municipalities around the
country. It is essential that we become aware of the various new councils
and name changes that have taken place around the country.
As soon as this list becomes available, it will be either distributed via
our Internet Website or by some other means. My suggestions at present is
that should you get a call of an emergency in some unpronounceable name,
please find out what this area was called before the name change, to avoid
confusion.

HAMNET DATABASE – FINAL LISTINGS

Herewith the current list – call signs only, of Amateur Radio Operators who
have indicated their willingness to remain on as Hamnet members.

ZR1JPA – ZR1PDT – ZR1SBM – ZR2T – ZR4DJ – ZR4G – ZR4MJ – ZR5CW – ZR5DES –
ZR6DAN – ZR6HF – ZR6JHB – ZR6MDK – ZR6NC – ZS1BMT – ZS1DFR – ZS2AOZ –
ZS2FM – ZS2GIN – ZS2IV – ZS2MW – ZS2OC – ZS2RT – ZS2U – ZS2W – ZS3BR –
ZS30C – ZS4A – ZS4AT – ZS4C – ZS4EP – ZS4HX – ZS4JR – ZS4KC – ZS4PA –
ZS4PK – ZS4PV – ZS4RN – ZS4TV – ZS4VS – ZS4ZR – ZS5ABD – ZS5BBO – ZS5BP –
ZS5CD – ZS5GN – ZS5GR – ZS5IH – ZS5J – ZS5JAN – ZS5KD – ZS5LP – ZS5LS –
ZS5M – ZS5PJ – ZS5Q – ZS5R – ZS5SK – ZS5TT – ZS5TUB – ZS5VE – ZS5VO/6 –
ZS5WFD – ZS5WI – ZS5WP – ZS5YG – ZS6ACT – ZS6ALJ – ZS6ANU – ZS6APO –
ZS6ARV – ZS6AYC – ZS6BBE – ZS6BDL – ZS6BKO – ZS6BML – ZS6BNE – ZS6BTM –
ZS6BUU – ZS6BXL – ZS6BXP – ZS6BYQ – ZS6CZI – ZS6DX – ZS6GC – ZS6GMJ –
ZS6HH – ZS6HLJ – ZS6L – ZS6MCG – ZS6MWG – ZS6NKM – ZS6RX – ZS6TY – ZS6VB –
ZS6VXN – ZS6WAL – ZS6WC – ZS6XU – ZS6ZGL – ZS6ZR – Z21KI/R – Z21KJ/R.
 

LATE CONFIRMATIONS

ZS6PHD – ZS6GPM – ZS6RAP – ZS6MAC – ZS6AKI – ZS6NS – ZR1IKB – ZS5HV –
ZR6LDW – ZS1B – ZS2PJP -
 
 

One hundred and fourteen confirmed to date. All unconfirmed members have
now be deleted from the list, and the remaining confirmed members will form
the core of the new Hamnet Group from which we will build our emergency
Communication Network.

NEWS FROM AROUND THE COUNTRY

A newspaper clipping was faxed to me from Tubby Waldeck ZS5TUB which
appeared in the local Amanzimtoti newspaper. In fact it was an interview
with Tubby on his Amateur Radio hobby. What was also good about the article
is the publicity that Hamnet as an Emergency Organization of the S. A. R. L.
received.

Well done Tubby and thank your for sending me this clipping.

Apart from listening to the various bulletins, should there be news from
your area for the main bulletin, please send your contributions to either
jans@netdial.co.za <mailto:jans@netdial.co.za> or francois@overflow.co.za
<mailto:francois@overflow.co.za> .

Contributions are always welcome and it also supplements the Sunday get
together on 10,130 and 7,070. It also helps to ad some spice to the regular
Sunday bulletin.

Bulletin Ends