It turns out that the amateur radio group was active behind a record wildfire
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In Australia, a massive wildfire has occurred over several months since around September 2019, causing severe damage. It turned out that `` amateurs with amateur radio skills '' contributed to the area where the communication infrastructure was destroyed by the wildfire and it was difficult to communicate with the outside world by providing communication support. Was.
Amateur radio skills prove useful during bushfire emergencies-ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation)
https://mobile.abc.net.au/news/2020-02-01/amateur-radio-skills-prove-useful-during-bushfires/11903200
Amateur radio is a hobby where individuals communicate with each other using specific radio frequency bands, and there are persistent enthusiasts around the world. In Japan, you cannot operate amateur radio unless you have a radio worker license and radio station license , and in Australia you need a license to enjoy amateur radio as well.
According to ABC News , a massive wildfire in New South Wales and Victoria in 2019 called on many amateur radios to help. Neil Fallshaw, vice chairman of WICEN NSW Communications , a volunteer group of amateur radios who help in response to emergencies, is located in Vega , Cobago , Narooma and Bermagui , along the south coast of New South Wales. Approximately 30 members said they had provided temporary wireless communication infrastructure after a fire damaged the wireless communication infrastructure.
Members of WICEN NSW installed wireless repeaters on the mountain and covered some areas of the south coast where wireless communication became difficult with wireless communications. 'People usually use mobile phones, but mobile phones in the area have been rendered useless by the damage of wildfires,' commented Fallshaw.
by Neil Fallshaw
WICEN NSW members regularly work with town fire centers such as Glen Innes , Port Macquarie and Kempsey to support wireless communication operations. 'They needed someone to be able to communicate wirelessly in a very confusing communication environment,' explains Fallshaw.
In New South Wales, WICEN NSW is recognized as a professional support team that joins the local Volunteer Rescue Association (VRA) . Mark Gibson, VRA Commissioner, commented that the VRA will have a support team, including the WICEN NSW, as needed, through a partnership between the local fire department and VRA.
'For recent wildfires, WICEN NSW will be the most effective support unit inside the VRA.' 'They can be deployed in communication centers around the state, as well as serving as radio operators for aircraft. And set up the coastal communications network as needed, 'said Gibson.
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WICEN Victoria, a volunteer group of amateur radios in Victoria, did not respond to wildfires at the time of writing, but participated in local emergency response briefings. 'WICEN Victoria is a key regional partner and part of Gippsland's regional emergency management team,' said a Gippsland spokeswoman pointing to the rural Victorian region.
Tony Falla, an amateur radio in Victoria, points out that ham radios, which are often considered 'obsolete', can be useful in times such as severe power outages caused by extreme weather. Amateur radio does not require the Internet, and can use its own battery and small solar power to transmit messages from the area surrounded by danger to the outside. 'The massive wildfires this year have proven that today's communications infrastructure is not adapting to extreme environments,' Falla said.
by bertknot
Gibson points out that the work done by WICEN NSW is excellent, despite the fact that its support capacity is limited by the number of WICEN NSW members. 'Since November 9, 2019, the WICEN NSW group has completed just 2,900 hours of wireless communication with just 30 members,' Gibson said.
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