in time of need, amateur radio backs up chile mine rescue
as the world watched via television the rescue 33 trapped miners at san jose
in chile, giving its support was the radio club de chile (rcch) to boost
the availability of communications in the area.
president of the radio amateurs of the region of atacama (radio club copiap),
jose maldonado ce1rxy has reported that support was offered to overcome the
lack of communications facilities in this desert region of chile.
it provided communication support between the authorities and emergency equipment
operators inside the san jose mine complex, the ambulance service as well
as with family of the trapped miners in the complex and authorities in copiap.
the mine complex in a desert region did not have telephone contact. ce2epb,
radio club copiap spokesman erico jos andrade ce2epb said some 80 members
of the club were involved from day one of the mine accident.
they installed amateur equipment in the mine complex, and club volunteers
took shifts to provide communication support.
"this, together with additional mobile police stations, hospitals and fire
battalions, kept everyone abreast of all the needs and urgent requirements,"
said erico ce2epb.
the support enabled links for various authorities with emergency equipment
inside the san jose site and also with family and authorities in the city
of copiapo.
while this collaboration continued all shared the common hope for the safe
rescue of the miners, trapped 700 metres (2,300 ft) below the ground in the
cooper mine since 5 august. the rescue of all the miners was successful.
- jim linton vk3pc, chairman, international amateur radio union region 3,
disaster communications committee.
