Japan’s Ham Radio Ops Provide Relief

The 8.9 earthquake near Sendai, Japan on March 11^th, has caused the people of this island nation to struggle each day for their survival and with their recovery efforts. This earthquake has been noted as the worst in 140 years. As a result, the side effects of such an unprecedented earthquake is the tsunami, rolling power outages, lack of the basic human needs and the potential for a nuclear accident.

While phone and internet server are available in most parts of the country, the IARU and the JARL has asked that the7.030Mhz frequency be kept clear for emergency use. Other requested frequencies to be kept clear are: 3.525, 7.030, 7.077, 7.087, 7.097, 14.100, 21.200 and 28.200 MHz.

JA1RL, the JARL HQ station, along with many other amateurs are providing disaster relief operations wherever possible. The less damaged areas are getting their power restored and amateurs in those areas have set up stations and shelters. Other amateurs are using batteries and small generators to provide support to the disaster relief and rescue operations in the areas most affected by the disaster.

For more on how radio amateurs in Japan are providing communications support after earthquake, click here. For information on how US amateurs are helping out, click here. For more on how Japan, Hawaii and the Western US dealt with the immediate aftereffects of the earthquake and tsunami, click here.