[OFARC] OFARC webpage updated

[sc flowers]

Colleagues,
Hello and hope all is well at your QTH.  Something interesting happened
here in Perú a couple of nights ago that I'd thought I'd share.  This note
comes thanks to the Radio Club Peruano (RCP) which is the Ham radio club
based here in Lima.  When visiting Perú I suggest that you make contact
with the folks at the RCP, just like the OFARC, they're a great group of
radio enthusiasts who are passionate about the hobby.

A couple of nights ago, there was a medical flight or "air ambulance" from
Santiago, Chile, to Easter island (Hanga Roa).  For those unfamiliar,
that's a 2,337 mile flight over the open ocean.  The primary form of
communication for the flight was satellite comms with backup comms provided
by HF radio at the emergency frequencies of 6.600 MHz and 10.200 Mhz.  All
was well in the flight until the pilot's satellite comms system apparently
malfunctioned when the aircraft was 1,000 miles from the continent.  The
pilot then tried communicating on the two emergency frequencies per
protocol.  Unfortunately there was no response on those two frequencies.
Also, no HF contact was possible with the Easter island airport.

At this time, Guillermo OA4DTU and Giancarlo OA4DSN of the RCP were on the
7.100MHz frequency which is the peruvian radio emergency frequency.  The
pilot heard them talking and asked to speak.  He relayed his situation to
the guys and asked for their help communicating with the appropriate air
traffic personnel (Oceanic Air Control of Chile).  Mind you, Guillermo and
GianCarlo were in Lima and the aircraft was flying over the pacific ocean,
2,100 miles as the crow flies.  Thanks to the quick action and calming
demeanor of Guillermo, the appropriate information was successfully relayed
to the pilot.

GianCarlo hopped on to the local repeater in Lima (146.960 MHz) and
informed other hams of the situation taking place in the 40m band and many
operators started monitoring the communication.  Guillermo calmly talked to
the pilot through the remainder of the flight and provided support while
many amateurs, including yours truly, stayed on frequency ready to help out
if needed.  At around 2330, the pilot was able to raise Easter island on
the appropriate VHF frequency and landed without issue.

I just thought that I'd share this story that goes to show how Ham radio
provides a critical service day in and day out.  At any moment, hams are
ready, willing, and able to jump into the fray and help.

Have a great day and please be safe.

73,
Stephen (OA4/W2WF)

[image: image.png]
This is a pic of Guillermo OA4DTU and the "air ambulance" after it landed.

On Wed, Jul 15, 2020 at 8:29 AM KG5IRR via OFARC <ofarc at mailman.qth.net>
wrote:

> Members,
>
> The OFARC webpage (www.ofarc.org) has been updated.  Our next video
> conference meeting is scheduled for 9:00 am on 7/25.  The subject of the
> video presentation is to be determined.  If you have any suggestions or
> have something to present, let me know. If you are a club member, you’ll
> receive a directed invitation to our video conference Friday evening,
> 7/24.  If you’d like to invite a guest to the conference meeting, let me
> know that, too.
>
> Enjoy!
>
>
>
> Best regards,
>
> Barry - KG5IRR
>
>
> ______________________________________________________________
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> Message delivered to ursae47 at gmail.com



-- 
Regards,
Stephen
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