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<DIV><FONT face=Tahoma>The Johannesburg Disaster Management, communications
division had a meeting on Tuesday the 23rd to discuss various issues around
communication during the <STRONG>Soccer World Cup</STRONG>. </FONT></DIV>
<P><FONT face=Tahoma>This turned out to be quite a lively meeting and much was
discussed. We were also informed, that because the Martindale D/M centre
is still in the process of being refurbished, the JCC – Joint Communications
Centre, will be in the JRA Building which is in the CBD of Johannesburg on the
corner of Sauer and Jeppe Streets. </FONT></P>
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<P><FONT face=Tahoma>The communications section will be on the 3<SUP>rd</SUP>
floor and this already creates a challenge as the antenna(s)will be on the roof
which is another 9 floors up! <STRONG>Hamnet*</STRONG> will pay a visit to
this centre within the next week or so the have a look at facilities and how we
are going to erect at least one and possibly two 2 m antennas. One for
repeater links and the other for simplex communication! </FONT></P>
<P><FONT face=Tahoma>What also materialised during this meeting is that Hamnet
is being relied on extremely heavily by all the role players. In fact one
suggestion was that wherever a facility is situated, all role players like JMPD,
EMS etc, should look for the “Hamnet” vehicle should communications
fail. What is meant by facilities, covers not just the 2 stadiums where
games will be played but also all the Fan Parks around Gauteng South!
</FONT></P>
<P><FONT face=Tahoma>This in itself also creates another challenge –
manpower! <BR>Fan Parks include Innes Free Park in Sandton and Elka Stadium
in Soweto. Public viewing – large screens – will be at the Mary Fitzgerald
Square, Walter Sisulu Square and Fan Walkway. </FONT></P>
<P><FONT face=Tahoma>Hamnet have approached D/M for maps and layouts of where
these venues or facilities are for planning purposes. It is obvious that
Hamnet (and ORRU – Off Road Rescue Unit) are going to be extremely busy during
the 5 odd weeks the Soccer World Cup is taking place. </FONT></P>
<P><FONT face=Tahoma>Looking at times of games, they all take place either at
13:30 16:00 or 20:30. At all times we will have to be either near to or at
any of the facilities where viewing will take place! Hamnet and the ORRU
are in the process of planning a top level meeting to discuss various issues but
mainly our cooperation during the Soccer World Cup period as the ‘to do’ list,
discussed at the D/M meeting is rather extensive! </FONT></P>
<P><FONT face=Tahoma>We are aware that in other cities where games are being
played like Cape Town, Port Elizabeth, Durban, Bloemfontein and the smaller
venues, Fan Parks and Public viewing facilities will also be open to the
public. That means all the Hamnet operators and Hamnet volunteers through
their official Hamnet coordinator in those cities should also liaise with their
local D/M heads as to what they require from Hamnet by way of emergency
communication! </FONT></P>
<P><FONT face=Tahoma>We suggest that this be done right now and some tests
should also be done to ensure that communication is 101% available and
acceptable – considering possible dead spots etc as 2 m will in all probability
be the communication frequency of choice! </FONT></P>
<P><FONT face=Tahoma>With 102 day to go as of today, time is critical and we
must ensure that Hamnet is ready for this occasion and that all backup
facilities are in place! </FONT></P>
<P><FONT face=Tahoma>Ten years ago we had Y2K. Now we have SWC. This
is a golden opportunity for both Hamnet and amateur radio volunteers to prove to
all once and for all, that we are the only reliable alternative means of
communication, when all else fails! </FONT></P>
<P><EM><STRONG><FONT face=Tahoma>Francois Botha, ZS6BUU</FONT></STRONG></EM></P>
<P><FONT face=Tahoma><IMG style="WIDTH: 195px; HEIGHT: 197px" height=197
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<P><A href="http://www.sarl.org.za/public/hamnet/hamnet.asp" target=_blank><FONT
face=Tahoma>Hamnet website</FONT></A><FONT face=Verdana> </FONT><A
href="http://www.sarl.org.za/Default.asp" target=_blank><FONT face=Tahoma>The
South African Radio League</FONT></A></P>
<P><EM><FONT size=2><FONT face=Tahoma><STRONG>HAMNET*</STRONG> is a voluntary
group of South African radio amateurs who make their unique communication skills
available to assist and help others in distress during and after disasters.
HAMNET is represented on the sub-committee of the South African Search &
Rescue Organisation, and is also affiliated to
IRESC</FONT></FONT></EM></P></BODY></HTML>