Amateur Radio nets keep watch on Kilauea eruption and lava flows

Posted on by Russ Roberts

Accessed on 13 May 2018, 2336 UTC, Post #556.

Source:

http://www.arrl.org/news/informal-amateur-radio-nets-being-maintained-in-wake-of-volcanic-eruptions-in-hawai-i

Author:  Clement Jung (KH7HO)–ARRL Pacific Section Emergency Coordinator and HQ ARRL, Newington, CT, 06111.

Comment:

Ever since the Pu’u ‘O’o vent along the Kilauea East Rift Zone started pumping lava into two rural Hawaii Island subdivisions (Leilani Estates and Lanipuna Gardens), Hawaii Island radio amateurs have maintained an active watch over the ever expanding lava, toxic gas (mostly sulphur dioxide), and plume ash associated with the Kilauea volcano.

Hawaii Island Amateur Radio operators  are monitoring the VOAD repeater (146.720 MHz, 100 Hz tone) and the 40 meter interisland net at 7.088 MHz (LSB) for any changes to the current activity.  Hawaii Island hams stand ready to render assistance should local ARES or RACES support be needed by Hawaii County officials.

Clement Jun (KH7HO), the ARRL Pacific Section Emergency Coordinator, submitted this overall assessment of the emergency facing Hawaii Island.  This report was published on 12 May 2018 by the HQ ARRL.  Here’s the complete report:

Informal Amateur Radio Nets Being Maintained in Wake of Volcanic Eruptions in Hawai’i

05/12/2018Two informal informational nets remain open on the island of Hawai’i (“The Big Island”) in the wake of recent and ongoing volcanic eruptions and seismic activity, Pacific Section Emergency Coordinator Clement Jung, KH7HO, reports. No formal traffic has been passed, but frequencies are being monitored. “All normal communications, i.e., cell, land-line phones, Internet, and public safety, are operational,” Jung told ARRL.

The Kilauea volcano on The Big Island erupted on May 3, spewing lava and venting high levels of sulfur dioxide. An Amateur Radio net is open on 7.088 MHz (SSB), and the Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster (VOAD) 146.720 MHz repeater (100 Hz tone) on Mauna Kea was activated after Hawaii’s governor issued an emergency declaration. A federal disaster declaration has been approved.

The Hawaiian Volcano Observatory reports active venting of lava and hazardous fumes continues, with no end in sight. The Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park closed after roads and trails were damaged. Media accounts report that volunteers are assisting about 300 evacuees who have been staying at emergency shelters. Some 2,000 residents have been evacuated in all. The US Geodetic Survey has warned that new lava outbreaks could happen “at any time,” as well as “more energetic ash emissions.”

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Please send your Hawaii Island Amateur/Ham Radio news items to kh6jrm@arrl.net for inclusion in this blog on local print and broadcast media.

Thanks for joining us today.

Aloha es 73 de

Russell Roberts (KH6JRM)

Public Information Coordinator

Hawaii County, ARRL Pacific Section

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