Japan Suffers Large Aftershock; Tsunami Warning Issued, Lifted

A 7.4 magnitude aftershock hit just off the coast of Japan at 11:30 PM JST (1430 UTC) on Thursday, April 7. The epicenter of this earthquake is just 73 miles from the nuclear plant at Fukushima and 41 miles from the epicenter of last month’s 9.0 earthquake. As such, Japan’s meteorological agency issued, and then lifted, a tsunami warning for a wave of up to 6 feet for the coastal area that has been already torn apart by the March 11 earthquake and tsunami. These events are believed to have killed some 25,000 people and have sparked an ongoing crisis at the nuclear power plant. That tsunami was estimated to be higher than 120 feet. The ARRL asks that you keep 7.030 MHz clear for emergency use. In addition, these frequencies should also be kept clear: 3.525, 7.030, 7.077, 7.087, 7.097, 14.100, 21.200 and 28.200 MHz.

Source:http://www.arrl.org/news/

Japan triple disaster the latest

As misery continues since the earthquake, tsunami and nuclear accident hit north-eastern Japan on 11 March, the police say the death toll has reached 11,603 dead, with 17,258 missing.

The headquarters station of the Japan Amateur Radio League (JARL) in Tokyo, JA1RL became a disaster communication centre in the days immediately after the disaster.

International Amateur Radio Union (IARU) Region 3 Secretary, Ken Yamamoto JA1CJP reports that they transmitted rescue requests including the needs of refugee centre facilities down to the basics of electricity, water and gas supplies.

Ken JA1CJP said that hand-held VHF and UHF transceivers are now being delivered to the local disaster relief centres.

“The equipment is being used to establish VHF/UHF networks for refugee centres and local disaster relief,” he said.

HF communications for disaster relief are still being operated occasionally by some volunteer radio amateurs, but JARL HQ stations were off the air by Friday, 25 March.

“JARL expresses its appreciation to all radio amateurs for their cooperation to keep 7.030MHz clear for disaster relief communications,” said Ken JA1CJP.

While relief efforts continue, concerns are still being expressed about the crippled Fukushima plant that is the worst nuclear accident in Japan’s history. The crisis has still not been overcome.

It’s a worrying time for the plant damaged by the earthquake and tsunami – measuring 8.9 on the Ritcher scale and the worst for that nation in 140-years.

Jim Linton VK3PC
Chairman, IARU Region 3, Disaster Communications Committee

Source: http://www.southgatearc.org/

Radio Amateurs in Japan Still Providing Communications Support

Amateur Radio operators became involved in the rescue effort soon after the March 11 8.9 earthquake and devastating tsunami that hit northern Japan, and that effort continues nearly two weeks later. “In the early stage following the earthquake and tsunami, several radio amateurs were able to activate their stations with car batteries or small engine generators, despite the electric power outages,” IARU Region 3 Secretary Ken Yamamoto, JA1CJP, told the ARRL. “They transmitted rescue requests and information on the disaster situation -- including refugee centers and their needs -- and the availability of basic infrastructures, such as electricity, water and gas supplies.” After the earthquake and tsunami, there was no electricity, water or gas service in many of the affected areas.

In his report to the ARRL, Yamamoto said that the Japan Amateur Radio League (JARL) quickly activated JA1RL, its headquarters station in Tokyo, to assist in the rescue effort. With the help of many other amateurs, it also activated its regional headquarters station JA3RL in Osaka to communicate with amateurs in the areas devastated by the tsunami, including its Tohoku headquarters station JA7RL in Sendai. “The communications were mostly on the 7 MHz band in daytime and the 3.5 MHz band at night,” Yamamoto explained. “Short range communications were also made on the 144 and 430 MHz bands. The information gathered through Amateur Radio communications was reported to the rescue and disaster relief organizations for their appropriate deployment. Some other amateurs accepted health-and-welfare inquiries from the [impacted] areas and then posted the information on the Internet.”

Japan’s Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications -- that country’s equivalent of the FCC -- approved the use of an additional 300 UHF/VHF transceivers in the affected areas.

With gasoline and natural gas in short supply, Yamamoto said that the fuel shortage was “a very serious problem in the cold climate. Calls for fuel were received over radio from many disaster areas, but delivery remained very difficult at least for the first week as the access roads were hacked up everywhere. Several days later, some Amateur Radio clubs reached the affected areas with their radio equipment and established communications for supporting disaster relief.”

Yamamoto told the ARRL that several radio equipment manufacturers offered “hundreds of VHF/UHF transceivers to JARL for the use at refugee centers and local disaster relief centers. These transceivers should help to establish mutual communications between refugee and disaster relief centers, and to facilitate smooth and appropriate delivery of disaster relief goods.”

As of noon JST on March 23 (0300 UTC), Japanese authorities announced that 9408 people have been killed and another 14,716 people have been reported missing in the earthquake and tsunami.

Source: http://www.arrl.org/news

Ham Radio Emergency Preparedness

Japanese earthquake disaster facts emerge

Japan remains under its worst threat to an ever rising toll, widespread destruction, power, fuel and water shortages follow the massive earthquake, tsunami and failed 40-year old nuclear power station.

IARU Region 3 Secretary, Ken Yamamoto JA1CJP said the Japan Amateur Radio League (JARL) HQ station JA1RL and other amateur stations are maintaining their effort to support the disaster relief operation.

Ken JA1CJP said, ''In less damaged areas, the electric power supply is being restored gradually and local amateur radio club members have started to establish stations at shelters."

The information is being coordinated as part of an organised rescue and relief effort. It seems likely to continue for some weeks and months to come.

The 8.9 on the Richter scale quake hit off north-eastern Sendai and triggered a ten-metre tsunami on Friday.

Ken JA1CJP quoting local news sources said, "The situation is getting worse. On March 15, police announced that 2,414 people have been killed (up from 1,627 24 hours earlier) and 3,118 are reported missing (about double in the same period).

"Some 55,380 houses/buildings were damaged by the earthquake and 3,000 houses washed away by the tsunami."

Rescue teams have arrived and started their activities in the affected areas. They came from many nations including Korea, Singapore, New Zealand, China, USA, Germany, Switzerland, Australia and Russia.

In all the Japanese government has received help from 91 nations and territories and nine international organisations.

Ken JA1CJP said another worry is leakage of radio-active gasses at the Fukushima nuclear plant which was damaged by the earthquake and tsunami.

A shortage of fuel, disruption to rail and road transport have been reported from many affected areas still recovering from the worst earthquake in 140 years followed by a widespread tsunami that swept away so much.

JA1RL continues to operate under instruction to be an emergency traffic centre and increasingly receiving help from JARL members in the affected area.

It is using the 7 MHz SSB, 144 MHz SSB/FM and 430 MHz SSB/FM.

Many other stations are active and are using various frequencies including some battery powered and others using small generators to exchange rescue and disaster relief operation information with JA1RL and others.

While 3525, 7030, 7043 and 7075 have been mentioned as in use, it's wise to keep those and all of the Centre of Emergency (CoA) clear of normal and non-urgent traffic. There is no call for additional foreign radio amateurs.

Jim Linton, VK3PC
Chairman IARU Region 3 Disaster Communications Committee.

Source: http://www.southgatearc.org/news/

Radio Amateurs in Japan Provide Communications Support after Earthquake

Since last week’s 8.9 earthquake and tsunami, Japan faces widespread destruction, including power, fuel and water shortages. The Japan Amateur Radio League (JARL) HQ station JA1RL, along with other amateurs throughout the island nation, is maintaining the effort to support the disaster relief operation, according to IARU Region 3 Secretary Ken Yamamoto, JA1CJP. “In less damaged areas, the electric power supply is being restored gradually and local amateurs have started to establish stations at shelters,” he said. The quake, whose epicenter was located off the coast of Sendai -- a city of 1 million people -- triggered a 40 foot tsunami.

Yamamoto said that JA1RL continues to operate as an emergency traffic center on 7.030 MHz, as well as 2 meters and 70 cm. It is receiving and reporting news from Japanese amateurs who are in the affected area. Using battery power or small generators, Japanese stations are active and are using various frequencies to exchange rescue and disaster relief operation information with JA1RL and others.

Source: http://www.arrl.org/news/

“While 3.525, 7.030, 7.043 and 7.075 MHz have been mentioned as in use, it’s wise to keep those -- and all of the Center of Emergency frequencies -- clear of normal and non-urgent traffic,” said IARU Region 3 Disaster Communications Committee Chairman Jim Linton, VK3PC, who added that there is no call for additional foreign radio amateurs in Japan.

Yamamoto said that information is being coordinated as part of an organized rescue and relief effort and seems likely to continue for weeks and months to come. Quoting local news sources, Yamamoto said that the situation in Japan is getting worse. On March 15, police announced that 2414 people have been killed -- up from 1627 reported just 24 hours earlier -- and 3118 are reported missing. Some 55,380 houses and buildings were damaged by the earthquake and 3000 houses washed away by the tsunami.

Rescue teams -- from Korea, Singapore, New Zealand, China, USA, Germany, Switzerland, Australia and Russia -- have arrived in Japan and have started their activities in the affected areas. In all, Yamamoto said that the Japanese government has received help from 91 nations and territories, as well as nine international organizations.

Yamamoto said that another worry in Japan is leakage of radioactive gasses at the Fukushima nuclear plant, which was damaged by the earthquake and tsunami.

Japan Earthquake Updates - Request for Frequencies Clearance

Dear all Malaysian Ham Members,

In the view of the recent Japanese earthquake and tsunami, we would like to
request our ham members to observe the following request, to clear the
frequencies for Japanese rescue effort.

The following was received from Mr. Dave Raycroft, VA3RJ of I.C.P.O.
(Islands, Castles & Portable Operations). Also, below are some important and
usefull links for all.

Message from Toru, JG1EIQ

Following freq's are assigned for emergency QSO. Please be clear. Thank you
for your kind help!

Ops JARL & volunteers - 3520 to 3530, 7025 to 7035, 14090 to 14110, 21190 to
21200, 28190 to 28210, 50100, 51000, 14100, 14500, 430100, 433000 kHz.

DXped Ops - Please kindly consider QSX freq & RTTY freq.

73 and Good DX!
Dave Raycroft, VA3RJ
Home of ICPO: http://webhome.idirect.com/~va3rj/

Usefull Links:-

JAPAN
Japan Amateur Radio League, JARL - http://www.jarl.or.jp/
JARL ARES Twitter - http://twitter.com/JARL_ARESC
JARL ARES Twitter - http://twitter.com/#!/JA3RL_

Hijyo

ARRL
ARRL Alert on Japan Amateur Radio Frequencies Clearing Request -
http://goo.gl/EfmNx

IARU R1
IARU R1 Emergency Communication - http://goo.gl/epY9f

News and information on Nuclear issues
International Atomic Energy Agency, IAEA - http://www.iaea.org/
IAEA update on Japan Earthquake - http://goo.gl/D7YWk
IAEA Page on Facebook - http://www.facebook.com/iaeaorg
IAEA Incidents & Emergencies - http://goo.gl/mdc6h
The International Nuclear And Radiological Event Scale, INES -
http://goo.gl/N0lB1
Japan Nuclear and Safety Agensy, NISA - http://www.nisa.meti.go.jp/english/
Japan Ministry of Economic, Trade and Industry -
http://www.meti.go.jp/english/
Malaysian Atomic Licensing Board, AELB - http://www.aelb.gov.my
Malaysian Meteorological Department - http://www.met.gov.my/

Other Links
Google Crisis Response - http://www.google.com/crisisresponse/
Google Translation Tool - http://translate.google.com/
US Geological Survey Real Time Earthquake Monitoring - http://goo.gl/U7MtT

Links will be updated from time to time. For those who like to submit a new
link, kindly email to 9w2bbs@mares.org.my .

We pray for the safety and the well being of the Japan people in view of
this disaster.

73 de MARES

Regards,

FahRoe Ibrahim
9W2BBS

The Big Picture

Japan: earthquake aftermath

Massive Earthquake Hits Japan, Tsunami Warnings Issued

03/11/2011

An 8.9 earthquake struck Japan at 2:46 JST (0546 UTC) on Friday, March 11. According to the US Geological Survey (USGS), this is largest earthquake in 140 years to hit the island nation. The earthquake occurred in the western Pacific Ocean, 81 miles east of Sendai, Honshu, Japan. Its epicenter was 232 miles from Tokyo. News reports by the Tokyo Broadcasting System indicate that at least 200 people have died and another 88,000 are missing in six different prefectures. The quake triggered tsunami waves as high as 33 feet off the coast of Japan.

At this time, there are no reports of Amateur Radio involvement in the disaster response. Even so, IARU Region 1 Emergency Communications Coordinator Greg Mossop, G0DUB, has asked that extra care be taken so as to not interfere with any emergency traffic. The IARU Region III Emergency Center of Activity frequencies are 3.600, 7.110, 14.300, 18.160 and 21.360 MHz. Other suggested emergency frequencies being reported by Amateur Radio operators from Japan include 7.130, 14.230 and 21.230 MHz.

Icko Suzuki, JA1BPA, of Tokyo, told the ARRL that telephone lines and the Internet are “okay for the JA1 (Tokyo) area, but the Miyagi, Fukushima and Iwate prefectures (JA7 area) are hard hit and I cannot reach my brother who lives there.” Suzuki said that in Japan, emergency communications activities and support normally occur on 40 meters and on VHF, “so normal DX bands should not be affected.”

In Hawaii, Ron Hashiro, AH6RH, told the ARRL that his state is preparing for a tsunami: “The water level at Kahului Harbor -- the main harbor on the Island of Maui -- dropped 5 feet at 3:54 this morning HST (1354 UTC).” A quake measuring 4.5 was felt in Hawaii, 150 minutes following the Japan tremor.

Less than an hour after the Sendai earthquake hit, the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center (PTWC) in Honolulu, Hawaii, issued a Tsunami Warning for the State of Hawaii, saying that “an earthquake of this size has the potential to generate a destructive tsunami that can strike coastlines near the epicenter within minutes and more distant coastlines within hours.”

The PTWC also issued a Tsunami Warning for Japan, Russia, the Marcus Islands, the Northern Marianas Islands, Guam, Wake Island and Taiwan. A Tsunami Watch was issued for Yap, the Philippines, the Marshall Islands, Belau, Midway Island, Pohnpei, Chuuk, Kosrae, Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, Nauru, Johnston Island, the Solomon Islands and Kiribati.

The West Coast and Alaska Tsunami Warning Center (WCATWC) in Palmer, Alaska, issued a Tsunami Warning for the coastal areas of California and Oregon from Point Concepcion, California to the Oregon-Washington border and for the coastal areas of Alaska from Amchitka Pass, Alaska (125 miles west of Adak) to Attu, Alaska. A Tsunami Advisory was issued for the coastal areas of California from the California-Mexico border to Point Concepcion, California and for the coastal areas of Washington, British Columbia and Alaska from the Oregon-Washington border to Amchitka Pass, Alaska.

A tsunami is a series of long ocean waves. Each individual wave crest can last 5-15 minutes or more, and extensively flood coastal areas. The danger can continue for many hours after the initial wave as subsequent waves arrive. Tsunami wave heights cannot be predicted and the first wave may not be the largest. Tsunami waves efficiently wrap around islands. All shores are at risk, no matter which direction they face. The trough of a tsunami wave may temporarily expose the seafloor, but the area will quickly flood again. Extremely strong and unusual near-shore currents can accompany a tsunami. Debris picked up and carried by a tsunami amplifies its destructive power. Simultaneous high tides or high surf can significantly increase the tsunami hazard.

According to the BBC, coastal areas in the Philippines, and other parts of the Pacific were evacuated ahead of the tsunami’s expected arrival. The first waves, currently about 4 feet high, have started reaching Hawaii. New Zealand downgraded its alert to a marine threat, meaning strong and unusual currents were expected.

Initially reported as 7.9 by the USGC, the magnitude of the Japan earthquake was quickly restated as 8.8 and then 8.9. According to the USGS, this earthquake is the fifth strongest quake in the world since 1900, the seventh largest in recorded history and the largest tremor to hit quake-prone Japan in 140 years. The largest quake ever recorded hit Chile in 1960, measuring 9.5.

As of now, the only entities conducting emergency nets are the Oregon ARES®/RACES on 3.964 MHz and SATERN on 14.265 MHz. As the ARRL hears of more emergency nets related to the earthquake and tsunamis, we will post this information and frequencies on the ARRL EmComm Twitter page and the ARRL website.

Source: http://www.arrl.org/news

Japan earthquake emergency QSO frequencies

• Message from Toru, JG1EIQ

Following freq’s are assigned for emergency QSO. Please be clear. Thank you for your kind help!

Ops JARL & volunteers — 3520 to 3530, 7025 to 7035, 14090 to 14110, 21190 to 21200, 28190 to 28210, 50100, 51000, 14100, 14500, 430100, 433000.

DXped Ops — Please kindly consider QSX freq & RTTY freq.

Source: http://dx-world.net/

Letusan suria ganggu isyarat radio, satelit

2011/02/17 WASHINGTON: Letusan besar suria yang menyebabkan ribut geomagnetik sudah mengganggu komunikasi radio dan mampu mengganggu grid kuasa dan komunikasi radio serta satelit untuk beberapa hari akan datang, menurut NASA.

Gelombang kuat partikel plasma tercaj yang terpancar dari tompok matahari sebesar planet Jupiter itu, iaitu yang terkuat dalam tempoh empat tahun, sudah mengganggu komunikasi radio di selatan China.
Pancaran kelas X itu, iaitu yang terbesar dalam kategorinya, meletus pada 9.56 pagi kelmarin.
"Ia adalah insiden suria yang paling kuat dan mampu menyebabkan gangguan radio serta ribut radiasi berpanjangan dan mengganggu telekomunikasi serta grid kuasa," menurut NASA.

Ribut geomagnetik biasanya berlarutan 24 hingga 48 jam tetapi ada antaranya mampu bertahan sehingga beberapa hari.

Sistem navigasi seperti GPS juga akan teruk terjejas. - AFP

Sumber: anacoz85

Radio communication still kicking

In a growing age of cell phones, radio seems like an outdated mode of communication, but Tauranga Emergency Communications Group president Brian Heywood says amateur radio is still very much alive and kicking.

Gordon Cooper explains the radios to Timi and Hamiria Tawa at Gate Pa shopping centre.

“It’s not outdated. We are used by the Police for search and rescue and civil defence when they need radio communication.”

Celebrating Amateur Radio Day on Saturday, shoppers at Gate Pa shopping centre can experience how to use amateur radio communication. Brian says they have been communicating with other amateur radio users across the country.

“We have set up a van here with various different types of radios, and have been talking to Hamilton and Napier this morning. Just before, we overheard a conversation between a chap in Arizona and a man in Hamilton.”

Using the frequency of 3.6MHz, Brian says “you would normally expect to be able to get all the way down New Zealand on that frequency. Using radio repeaters through the internet, you can talk to overseas as well”.

Amateur radio, or ham radio, is what Brian describes as a “multipurpose hobby”, where people use radio communication equipment to communicate with other radio amateurs for public services, recreation and self-training.

“We aren’t here to make money out of it. It is a great way to make international friendship. One of the men here went for a trip through the United States 10 years ago, and he stayed with hams all the way through. It just opens up a sphere of friendship”

The Tauranga Emergency Communications Group, or Branch 88, currently has 15 members. There is also a Tauranga District Amateur Radio Club and a branch in Te Puke. For more information call Brian on 543 3677.

Posted at 11:21am Saturday 15th Jan, 2011 | By Laura Weaser laura@thesun.co.nz

Source:http://www.sunlive.co.nz