[Elecraft] Elecraft Rigs in Emergency Service...

[Jim Miller]

Several years ago (10+) during a contest, probably phone sweepstakes, I
heard a marine emergency calling and calling.  I first thought it was
somebody messing around, BAD IDEA.  After I listened for a couple of
minutes, I believed it.  The contesters were ignoring it or not hearing it
and I tried to talk to the guy but couldn't hear him reliably because of the
contest and finally asked several times to please clear the frequency
because of a marine emergency and gladly it happened.  I still had trouble
hearing everything he was saying and asked if anyone else had a better copy
than I did.  One of the big stations came on and took it over, got the
information of his location and that he was dead in the water, called it in,
and went back to him and told him that it had been reported and that "they"
were on the way.  He wasn't using SOS and do not recall if he used anything
else or not as I have never heard of pan pan or QRRR until now.  I am a
"new" ham and it wouldn't have meant a thing to me.  He was just calling for
help, repeatedly, and describing his situation and requesting somebody to
make a call for him.

Just interesting and glad to be involved even though it was just to get
somebody else to actually help him.

73, de Jim KG0KP

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Stephen Brandt" <zbear at worldnet.att.net>
To: <Elecraft at mailman.qth.net>
Sent: Friday, September 26, 2008 11:19 PM
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Elecraft Rigs in Emergency Service...


>
>
>     A very good idea. I'll bet not very many know about it unless they are
> old timers. A lot of people were preoccupied with the Washington State
> Salmon Run last weekend. Most activity was on 80 and 75 because of the
skip.
> I wonder how many would have taken time out to  help if they had been
aware
> of what was going on. Contesters are good operators. I am one myself. But,
> emergenies first. Constesting second.
>
> 73,
>
> Steve Brandt N7VS Portland, Oregon
>
> > >
> > > I wonder if the Ham injured in the mountains knew to use "QRRR"? I
> > > wonder
> > > how many Hams today know what it means?
> > >
> > > Perhaps he got lucky hearing that guy tune up and getting an answer
> > > to his
> > > call before he needed it.
> > >
> > > Ron AC7AC
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > I wonder if he would be advised to use "QRRR",  if most hams don't
> > know what it means?
> >
> > Rick Dettinger   K7MW
>
>
>
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