Amateur Radio Aids Post-Typhoon Rescue and Recovery Effort

Officials in the Philippines are still assessing the extent of damage wrought by Typhoon Haiyan (locally called “Yolanda”), which hit the central Philippines November 8. The death toll is at least 100, with many others injured and some 500,000 people left homeless. The typhoon (hurricane), with sustained winds approaching 150 MPH with gusts to 170 MPH, swept away homes and buildings, blocked roads with fallen trees and debris, and disrupted electrical power and communication facilities. Ham Emergency Radio Operator (HERO) Thelma Pascua, DU1IVT, said hams were handling essential traffic, as the rescue and relief effort continues.

“We have established a good HF communication link with Tacloban City,” she said. “Exchanges on air are for emergency, priority or welfare traffic to and from Leyte Province. This may take days while other means of communications are yet to be restored.” DX5RAN (RADNET or District 5 Radio Amateur Network) is operating at the Tacloban City Hall powered by a generator and using a wire antenna. Tacloban City is on Leyte, the hardest-hit island and one of six islands that the typhoon slammed into on Friday.

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