[ADXA] VU4 INFO

[LennyK5OVC at wmconnect.com]

Subj:   [DX-NEWS] VU4 news Dec 31 0300 Z    
Date:   12/30/2004 11:17:23 PM Central Standard Time    
From:    k4vud at hotmail.com (Charles Harpole)
Sender:    DX-News-owner at njdxa.org
To:    dx-news at njdxa.org
    
    


QST at 0300 Z on Dec 31

1.  VU4RBI continues to operate from Port Blair Sinclairs Hotel with 
emergency messages, but no DX calls can now be taken.  Bharathi is going to 
use her regularly scheduled departure ticked on its original date... the 
best way to get an airline seat...on Jan. 1, 2005.

2.  Other VU operators will remain on the Islands and continue the emergency 
traffic for as long as it takes.  More VU operators are traveling to Andaman 
to help out soon.

3.  One of the VU4NRO stations is dispatched to one of the hardest hit 
NicobarIslands and is relaying out emergency traffic from that devastated 
place.

4.  The other NRO station is again operational in the college dorm.  They 
also are passing emergency traffic.

5.  Around 0400 Z/UTC today Dec. 31, NRO will transmit slow scan TV pictures 
on 14.190 +-.  These are photos from around the Islands and affected areas 
there.  Any station is free to tune in and copy these TV pictures.

6.  Let me again be clear about my status re VU4.... I served as a helper on 
this DXpedition and at all times tried to be sure it was an INDIA effort, 
not some foreigner's.  That same fact prevailed as soon as the earthquake 
hit...that is, I helped and obverved, and took photos.  It was clear from 
the time just after the quake onward that the INDIA hams had the situation 
completely handled and were immediately effective as emergency 
communicators.  Further, these India operators speak the locaol languages, 
which I do not, further reason for me to only be an observer.  I took my 
regularly scheduled air ticket date to depart Andaman... the only way I 
could get a ticket and reasoned that I could relay whatever Andaman traffic 
from my HS0ZCW station.  That I did and continue to do.

7.Feel free to give my Thailand telephone number to anyone who wants it... 
66-5-046-1922.

Hams all over the affected area in multiple countries are stepping in and 
helping.  It is a very gratifying international effort by hundreds of 
volunteer hams.  I am proud of ham radio, again, today.

Let us hope for a better New Year.....  73

Charles Harpole
k4vud at hotmail.com