An article on what happens next after a large earthquake hits BC. It will take a few minutes to read, but it is interesting

https://www.nsnews.com/local-news/a-massive-earthquake-hits-bc-but-what-happens-next-5991974?utm_source=newsshowcase&utm_medium=gnews&utm_campaign=CDAQxZO12NHg_7N1GPXo3o-gt4XAtgEqEAgAKgcICjCmpY0LMPOInwM&utm_content=rundown

https://www2.gov.bc.ca/assets/gov/public-safety-and-emergency-services/emergency-preparedness-response-recovery/embc/plans/peirs.pdf?utm_source=north%20shore%20news&utm_campaign=north%20shore%20news%3A%20outbound&utm_medium=referral

Working in concert with members of the Nanaimo Amateur Radio Association an AREDN station was installed at the Gabriola Fire Department and became part of the AREDN network. More work will be done in the coming days to complete work on the roof. The station is operational and we are working on “proof of concept. ” The next step will be do we want to expand the network in our area of responsibility.

This is one more tool available during emergency/auxiliary communications,

CECA members along with members of Civil Air Search and Rescue Association participated in the opening of the new Arrowsmith Ground Search and Rescue HQ at the Qualicum Airport Oct 1 2022. CECA members have assisted with the installation of radio equipment in the new mobile unit. CECA also provides radio operators in assist with searches.

The drought has lowered water supply to the Sunshine Coast of BC to the point an Emergency Operations Centre has been activated. More information at

https://bc.ctvnews.ca/the-worst-that-it-has-ever-been-concern-mounting-as-severe-drought-conditions-persist-in-parts-of-b-c-1.6098233?cid=sm%3Atrueanthem%3Actvvancouver%3Atwitterpost&taid=633e4bc5e9289400010cb342&utm_campaign=trueAnthem%3A+Trending+Content&utm_medium=trueAnthem&utm_source=twitter

A fire fighter in Maryland used amateur radio to assist with the location and rescue of folks impacted by hurricane Ian. The information comes from FOX news and is found at the url below.

https://www.foxnews.com/lifestyle/hurricane-ian-hero-maryland-firefighter-ham-radio-send-rescuers-sanibel-island

From the ARRL Letter

The Radio Amateurs of Canada (RAC) have announced a realignment of their Field Organization resulting in the addition of a new section and name changes to several others effective January 1, 2023. This will result in the changes to ARRL contests that use ARRL/RAC sections as multipliers, including Field Day, ARRL November Sweepstakes, and 160-Meter contests.

The RAC Field Organization will be reorganized into the following sections effective January 1, 2023:

• Newfoundland and Labrador (NL)
• Nova Scotia (NS)
• Prince Edward Island (PE)
• New Brunswick (NB) – the Maritime Section (MAR) will be abolished.
• Quebec (QC)
• Ontario East (ONE)
• Golden Horseshoe (GH) – currently called Greater Toronto Area (GTA).
• Ontario South (ONS)
• Ontario North (ONN)
• Manitoba (MB)
• Saskatchewan (SK)
• Alberta (AB)
• British Columbia (BC)
• Territories (TER) – Northwest Territories, Yukon and Nunavut will be combined into one section.

Note that this change is forthcoming and will not impact the 2022 ARRL November Sweepstakes (CW/SSB) or 160-Meter Contests.

The FCC has granted a 60 day waiver to allow higher baud rates (Pactor 4) at the request of the ARRL to assist in emergency /auxillary communications during Hurricane Ian

https://www.radioworld.com/news-and-business/headlines/amateur-radio-operators-help-prepare-for-ian

Please note

The FCC states: “The waiver is limited to amateur radio operators in the United States and its territories using publicly documented data protocols that are compatible with FCC rules, with the exception of the data rate limit waived here, for those directly involved with HF hurricane relief communications.”

The Hurricane Watch Net is currently active on 14.325and 7.268 MHz. Your usual cooperation is appreciated. More information may be found at

https://www.hwn.org/

Hurricane Fiona Update: September 23, 2022

From the ARRL Newsletter

On September 7, 2022, Jeanne (Jan) Socrates, VE0JS/MM / KC2IOV, and her sailboat, the SV Nereida, set sail from Cape Flattery, the northwesternmost point of the contiguous US. She was on her way to visit friends in San Francisco, California, but 2 days of 35 knot winds and storms left her sailboat disabled and her onboard radio equipment marginally operational. Amateur operators in New Mexico, California, and Canada, and members of Group 7.155 heard her requests for assistance.

Jeanne (Jan) Socrates, VE0JS/MM/ KC2IOV, and her sailboat, the Nereida.

Gil Gray, N2GG, was able to contact Socrates on 40 meters. “Her power was extremely low, and she was unable to communicate on 14.300 MHz to notify the monitoring group on that frequency,” said Gray. “She needed help with wind and sea conditions, and tidal data for San Francisco Bay,” he added.

Low-power output on the HF radio made it very difficult to get Q5 copy, which would typically be Q2 or Q3. With the help of several software-defined radio (SDR) operators in Utah, California, and Maui, Hawaii, they were able to glean enough copy to understand her situation and answer questions for her navigation.

Gray; Jonathan Ayers, AI6NA, and Edwin E. Jenkins, K6EXY, are all experienced sailors. They were able to make periodic contact with Socrates and give her updated wind reports. Their last contact was on Monday, September 12, at 11:00 AM (MSDT). By this time, Socrates was sailing with only the forward sail on her 38-foot sloop. Fortunately, a “following wind” kept her moving without a mainsail. As she approached the Golden Gate Bridge, Socrates was able to use the tidal information passed on by amateur radio operators to make it safely to Berkeley Marina in San Francisco Bay.

“I wouldn’t call it a rescue,” said Socrates, “just good amateur radio assistance — and I’m grateful for their help.”

Socrates is 81 years old and the oldest person to have ever sailed around the world unassisted. Once her sailboat is repaired, she will sail again, not for records, but for the enjoyment of sailing the high seas.

Her situation is one of three events in early September in which amateur radio was able to provide emergency assistance.

More information about Socrates is available on her Facebook page.