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<H1>Haiti, the Amateur perspective</H1>
<P><FONT face=Tahoma>We have all seen the tragic human toll and devastation of
the Haitian hearthquake as reported by the media. We have been asked what the
Amateur Radio community is doing about it.</FONT></P>
<P><FONT face=Tahoma>To our knowledge, since the hearthquake, less than half a
dozen Hams have been reporting from Haiti and have done so very sporadically.
Most have severe constraints for electricity, fuel or other required
facilities.</FONT></P>
<P><FONT face=Tahoma>Apart from a couple of Radio Hams embedded with the UN or
the Red Cross, none other have succeeded to enter the country and stay to
operate.</FONT></P>
<P><FONT face=Tahoma><STRONG>Yesterday, a convoy of Dominicans</STRONG> made up
of representatives from that government and including 8 Radio Amateurs, entered
Haiti by road on its way to their Embassy in Port-au-Prince. <STRONG>Almost at
destination they were attacked by gunfire resulting in one dead and several
wounded. All 8 Amateurs are safe. The convoy turned around and is now safely
back in the Dominican Republic.</STRONG></FONT></P>
<P><FONT face=Tahoma>Outside of Haiti,there are scores of Hams listening on the
published HF frequencies for emergency communications and ready for any
QSPs.</FONT></P>
<P><FONT face=Tahoma>Here in Canada, our Vice President Field Services,
<STRONG>Doug Mercer, VO1DTM</STRONG>, is watching the situation very closely,
ready to give any help that might be needed.</FONT></P>
<P><FONT face=Tahoma>We also have French speaking operators like Gerry, VE2AW
and Richard, VE2DX, that are ready on the frequencies to speak to anyone in need
in Haiti.</FONT></P>
<P><FONT face=Tahoma>We are also getting ready for the future. At the Request of
the Salvation Army SATERN I have recruited about 20 Hams, fluent in French, that
are now poised to leave for Haiti when required.</FONT></P>
<P><FONT face=Tahoma>This is the situation as of now and we will update you when
we have something significant to report.</FONT></P>
<P><FONT face=Tahoma>73,</FONT></P>
<P><EM><STRONG><FONT face=Tahoma>Daniel A. Lamoureux,
VE2KA</FONT></STRONG></EM></P>
<P><FONT face=Tahoma>Vice President International Affairs<BR></FONT><A
href="http://www.rac.ca/" target=_blank><FONT face=Tahoma>Radio Amateurs of
Canada</FONT></A></P></DIV></BODY></HTML>