[TMRA] Hurricane Related W1AW Bulletin - ARLB017

[Robert Hall]

QST de W1AW
ARRL Bulletin 17 ARLB017
>From ARRL Headquarters
Newington CT September 8, 2017
To all radio amateurs

SB QST ARL ARLB017
ARLB017 Operating Procedures During Hurricane Irma

Please be aware that due to the breadth of this series of weather events,
numerous emergency and public service nets are in session, especially on
the 80, 40, and 20 meter bands. US licensees are reminded that Part 97.101
(c) always gives priority to stations providing emergency communications.
All stations should be aware that in a large-scale natural disaster,
immediate threats to life and property can happen quickly. In order for
Amateur Radio to play an effective role in supporting humanitarian efforts,
it is key that all licensees cooperate to minimize potential on-air
problems.

Amateurs should also be aware that the primary users on the 60-meter
channels are using those channels extensively. Amateur stations, as
secondary users, must ensure that their communications are conducted in
such a manner to ensure that Federal government stations, as primary users,
can have immediate use of any 60-meter channel. Amateurs, please make sure
you are leaving adequate breaks between transmissions to allow the primary
stations to use the frequency. If a primary user does break into an amateur
contact on the frequency, the amateurs involved should immediately cease
their transmissions.

At this time, it is ARRL's understanding that only Amateur Radio Emergency
or Amateur Radio Priority traffic is moving in and out of the affected
areas. Amateur Radio Health and Welfare communications are being queued up
for later delivery into the affected area, as the emergency and priority
traffic eases.

In the aftermath of a natural disaster, it is human nature for persons
outside of the affected area to seek information on their loved ones. Those
wishing to send Health and Welfare queries are encouraged to use the
American Red Cross's ''Safe and Well'' website to facilitate those contacts:
https://safeandwell.communityos.org/cms/index.php

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