[KL7AA] Hams to Haiti

[Jim Larsen - AL7FS]

Hams to Haiti

-- 
Jim Larsen, PE, AL7FS
Section Manager - Alaska

ARRL, the national association for Amateur Radio™
http://www.ARRL.org/
907-345-3190
AL7FS at ARRL.org

http://www.AL7FS.us/
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For Immediate Release

For more information contact:! ! ! !
Kevin L. Poorman
Pinellas County ACS/ARES Public Information Officer
Phone 727-688-6419 (Press Only)
E-mail dx70th at gmail.com

Local Ham Radio Operators To Be Deployed to Haiti

Tampa Bay area, Florida...

Neil H. Lauritsen, Sr. W4NHL, Pinellas County Auxiliary Communications 
Service Radio Officer and Amateur Radio Emergency Services Emergency 
Coordinator has been tasked with recruiting amateur radio operators and 
equipment for deployment to Haiti. These individuals will be aiding in 
communications in the earthquake stricken country. The Florida EOC has 
placed their deployment on standby until more infrastructure can be put 
in place for their safety. Valid passports will be needed.

As of 7:30 AM EST Saturday, Neil reported he has 22 operators who have
volunteered and several others who have applied for passports or are 
renewing their current passport. These outstanding individuals are from 
Pinellas, Hillsborough, Charlotte and Highlands County. Once deployed, 
they will be assigned to assist the various relief organizations (Church 
Groups, Satern, the Salvation Army Team Emergency Radio Network, and 
Search and Rescue, etc) already in place on Haiti. Other Ham radio 
operators have volunteered their equipment to assist the Hams who are 
going to Haiti. Arrangements are being made to be able to keep the Hams 
in contact with each other for both support and security in addition to 
their primary function of providing communications both within Haiti and 
between Haiti and the US for the relief organizations to which they are 
assigned. These deployments may last for up to a week.

The State Department has set up a special office at the Miami Airport to 
expedite the issuance of passports if needed. At this time, those being 
deployed will likely depart the U.S. from the Miami Airport.

In the finest traditions of Ham radio, and like the Minutemen of old or 
our National Guardsmen of today, these outstanding individuals are 
setting aside their jobs, families, and time to serve by providing 
emergency communications when and where disaster strikes.

January 16, 2010
For Immediate Release
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