Emergency communications effort continues in Pakistan

The Pakistan Amateur Radio Society (PARS) reports that a cross-band emergency repeater is set to provide the first communications of its type to the flood hit Swat Valley, linking it to the rest of the country through a chain of 2-metre band repeaters. PARS emergency communications organiser Asad Marwat AP2AUM that while the linking of so many repeaters will cause a tail squelch delay, given the circumstances and lack of proper equipment it will be acceptable.

A convoy of radio amateurs is relocating a repeater already installed at Changla and relocating it to Malakand Heights, so it can be linked into the emergency communications system via Nowshera. Asad AP2AUM said that a team of radio amateurs will be transporting via a helicopter a VHF base station with a high gain antenna, and subject to the availability of a 12v car battery all should be up and running.

As the massive flood disaster that has ravaged Pakistan for the past month shows no signs of easing, PARS continues to collaborate with Islamabad Jeep Club members and the Pakistan Academy of Family Physicians to provide
support for those affected. Some 30 radio amateurs are involved in providing emergency communications in response to the disaster estimated to have affected 20 million people and claimed 1500 lives.

Jim Linton VK3PC
Chairman,
IARU R3 Disaster Communications Committee

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