KH6JRM's Amateur Radio Blog

Hawaii Island survived the 11 March 2011 tsunami with
considerable damage incurred to businesses along Alii
Drive in Kailua-Kona.  According to Governor Neil
Abercrombie, who did a damage assessment tour on
15 March 2011, the damage could run into the tens of
millions of dollars.  Thankfully, no one in the state was
killed.  According to state Civil Defense, 20 homes were
damaged (2 being draged into Kealakekua Bay) and 31
businessess suffered some degree of damage.  The
county's Public Works Department and volunteers have
cleaned up most of Alii Drive--the main thoroughfare
seriving Kailua-Kona.  Our hearts go out to Japan
which has been hit pretty hard--both in the loss of
human life and the crisis at the Fukushima nuclear
power plant.  One of former announcers, who now
runs a morning show in Yokohama, gave the news
department a gritty picture of what went down--not
a pretty picture.

As relief efforts continue, the Japan Amateur Radio
League (JARL) is asking amateur radio operators
to keep the following frequencies clear for emergency
communications:  7.030 MHz, 7.077 MHz, 7.087 MHz,
7.097 MHz, 3.525 MHz, 14.1 MHz, 21.2 MHz, and
28.2 MHz.  More information can be found in the 17
March 2011 "ARRL Letter".

If you want to contribute to relief efforts in Japan, go
to http://www.redcross.org/.  You can also text REDCROSS
90999.  The text will add $10 to your mobile phone
bill.  The additional charge will be used to support
relief efforts in Japan.

The events of the past week should serve as a
reminder that natural forces are stronger than
any device, plan, or pattern devised by human-
kind.  Those of us in Hawaii share many of the
concerns of those who lost family members,
friends, and property in Japan.  Like Japan,
Hawaii rests on the "rim of fire"--a fact that
the ongoing Kilauea eruption continuously
reminds us.  With that in mind, it might be
a good idea to have a family survival kit
handy in case nature deals you a bad hand.
I have several of these kits at home, in the
van, and at work.  Long ago I decided to
keep my amateur gear off-grid and portable.
I also have several easy to assemble antennas
both both VHF and HF.  One never knows
what the future holds.  Our prayers go to those
working to restore Japan.  Have a good week-
end.

Aloha es 73 de KH6JRM.

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