RAC News Bulletin - January 17th, 2010

Haiti, the Amateur perspective.

We have all seen the tragic human toll and devastation of the
Haitian hearthquake as reported by the media. We have been asked
what the Amateur community is doing about it.

To our knowledge, since the hearthquake, less than half a dozen
Hams have been reporting from Haiti and have done so very
sporadically. Most have severe constraints for electricity, fuel
or other required facilities.

Apart from a couple of Hams embedded with the UN or the Red
Cross, none other have succeeded to enter the country and stay
to operate.

Yesterday, a convoy of Dominicans made up of representatives from
that government and including 8 Amateurs, entered Haiti by road
on its way to their Embassy in Port-au-Prince. Almost at
destination they were attacked by gunfire resulting in one dead
and several wounded. All 8 Amateurs are safe. The convoy turned
around and is now safely back in the Dominican Republic.

Outside of Haiti,there are scores of Hams listening on the
published HF frequencies for emrgency communications and ready
for any QSPs.

Here in Canada, our Vice President Field Services, Doug
Mercer, VO1DTM, is watching the situation very closely, ready to
give any help that might be needed.

We also have French speaking operators like Gerry, VE2AW and
Richard, VE2DX, that are ready on the frequencies to speak to
anyone in need in Haiti.

We are also getting ready for the future. At the Request of
the Salvation Army SATERN I have recruited about 20 Hams, fluent
in French, that are now poised to leave for Haiti when required.

This is the situation as of now and we will update you when we
have something significant to report.

73,

Daniel A. Lamoureux, VE2KA
Vice President International Affairs, Radio Amatuers of Canada
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