ARLA/CLUSTER: Eslovaquia usa Pactor 4 e Echolink em comunicações de emergencia

[João Costa > CT1FBF]

Pactor 4 and Echolink used in Slovenia WX Crisis

GEM member Klaus DO1VK reports 3644.5 kHz is in use for Pactor 3/4
communications via Radio Mail Server (RMS) S51SLO and Echolink is
being used

Since January 31 Slovenia has been affected by extreme cold weather
such as blizzards, heavy snow and sleet. This has caused the collapse
of power lines under the weight of ice, snow and falling trees with
widespread electricity disruptions.

Klaus DO1VK provides the following information.

• 3644.50 kHz is in use for Pactor 3/4 communications via Radio Mail
Server (RMS) S51SLO
• The Slovenian forces are said to be using Pactor and Winlink.
• 3664.00 kHz has been in use for voice traffic. The net is in English
and sometimes German. [3601, 3608 and 3617 kHz also reported in use]

Tilen S56TC and Andrej S57TRP are providing regular reports. The
information below was recently supplied by them:
• Radio amateurs are said to be very active in relief support roles.
They are said to be well organised but due to the power shortages only
a few stations can be regularly active.
• Echolink is being used linked to a number of VHF and UHF repeaters
around the country.
• Lack of power for heating is the main problem. The situation is
improving as more generators are brought in. These are typically
250-350KVA devices. The authorities say it will take two weeks to
restore grid power to some regions.
• Heavy machinery is starting to arrive is the worst-affected areas
but mountain regions are still cut off and landslides are common.
• Trees washed down from the mountains are causing blockages on major
road and rail routes.
• Drinking water distribution is also a problem.
• The temperature is rising now (3C today), very heavy rain is falling
and the main fear now is flooding as the ice melts.
• The UMTS mobile phone network has been quite badly affected.

Global Emergency Communications (GEM)
http://www.gem-int.org/