ARLA/CLUSTER: Resgate utilizando o sistema APRS de amador

[João Costa > CT1FBF]

  Ham Radio APRS Rescue

Jenny, VK4FJMP (and Hunter the dog) was headed from Singleton New
South Wales to her home in Killarney, just south of Warwick
Queensland. The vehicle was fitted with an Alinco dual band amateur
radio and APRS tracker

Some three hours behind was Bob, VK4DA also on his way home to
Killarney, his vehicle fitted with an Icom 706 for HF, an Icom 880 for
 D-star, a Yaesu FTM-350 with APRS and an iPad mounted in a bracket
for tracking other Hams.

About 1400h that day, Bob received a telephone call from Jenny stating
that she had rolled the car, was injured and trapped in the vehicle.

She further explained that her phone was damaged in the accident and
she could only call the last number dialled.  Fortunately for Jenny,
she had called Bob as requested, when she had left the main highway at
Tenterfield tracking east along Mt Lindsay Road, that is in parts,
unsealed road.

After enquiring about the dogs condition, Bob asked for her location,
nature of injuries and entrapment, Jenny was unable to give her exact
location and that she was suffering from a possible broken arm, she
also advised the vehicle was on its side and suffered significant
panel damage and she was unable to open the doors or break through a
window.

Bob, pulled his vehicle over and fired up the iPad and was able to pin
point the exact GPS coordinates of Jenny’s location. This information
was passed onto the Ambulance and Rescue Service, who were able to
reach her without any delay.

Jenny suffering a dislocated shoulder, was treated at Tenterfield
hospital and collected by Bob on his way through, the dog was
transported from the scene by a thoughtful passer-by. The car, a write
off, will be replaced by insurance in due course.

A happy ending for all concerned, Emergency services may have still
been able to find her given that she was on a known road and an
estimated distance from Tenterfield, the APRS tracker in her car
providing Bob the exact coordinates to relay to the emergency services
reduced the delay in response and possible further injury.

Fonte: Bob VK4DA e WIA News