Please forward this to whom it may concern.
As you may know that a serial of earthquake (more than 20 times) originated from 150 miles south of northern Sumatera island through Nicobar Islands (India) and Andaman islands (India) in effect since 00.58UTC on 12/26/04. The biggest one with 8.9 mag has generated a 600 mph tsunami that blasted the beaches and villages of 8 countries range from Indonesia to eastern Africa. The biggest death toll found in northern Sumatera island (just now almost 30.000 and still rises).
The closest city from the epicenter is Meulaboh (about 90 miles away from the epicenter or 100 miles south east of the province's capital city Banda Aceh) at west coast of northern Sumatera. According to its mayor one-third of Meulaboh has been destroyed. The only inter-city main road to Meulaboh from Banda Aceh and south east region has been damaged. Until Tuesday Meulaboh has been isolated. The only way to supply Meulaboh is from the air using airplane. Several days after the tsunami several cities and villages along west coast of northern Sumatera experienced power, telecomm and water outage.
Unfortunately, the govt of Aceh province has issued hamradio ban since the uprising of rebellion around the area. Wyn, AB2QV, has requested the govt to revoke the hamradio ban for emergency purposes. The only active hamradio from district 6 (Aceh province and North Sumatera province) are those from North Sumatera (NS). The ARES station of Medan (the capital city of NS) reported that so far they can only communicate with YD6AT from Banda Aceh through 80m and a member of local MARS from Lhokseumawe (a city at east coast) through a linked vhf repeater. Zulkarman, YC6PLG, and Ady, YB6VK have been busy to handle a relay between hamradio and internet communication from northern Sumatera to concerned hamradio operators in Indonesian and overseas. The ORARI (Indonesian national amateur radio organization) has sent its memmorandum to their members to execute the amateur radio emergency services (ARES) in the disaster area, and to stay alert in other regions und! er natural disaster warning.
The ARES of Medan, NS, has declared that YB6ZZ or YB6ZES is the national dx emergency net control using 7055mHz and 21,300mHz. They also use several vhf linked repeaters throughout northern Sumatera and west coast of Malaysia. In addition, OM Anto, YD6AT, standby on 3815mHz in Banda Aceh. Also it has been reported that doctor Harto, YB6HB with his emergency team have been deployed from Medan, NS, to Nias island (about 350 miles east of the epicenter). Moreover, doctor Muslim, YC6DEM, with his medical team have been deployed from Medan, NS, to Banda Aceh. Additional ARES members from district 5 West Sumatera and district 6 NS have been deployed on day one to Meulaboh and Banda Aceh.
Today, several other ARES members from Medan, NS, and Java island (district 0) confirmed to take off to Banda Aceh and Meulaboh for additional EMCOMM support. Since there will be more local and international journalists and the relief support teams from overseas arrive soon the backup ARES members from Sumatera island and Java island standby to assist.
This information is a compilation of the messages sent by several members of the ORARI. From northern America the pledge can be sent to the Consulate General of Indonesia's relief fund account:
Indonesian Consulate General
Acc. No.: 604551 507
Citibank North Beach Branch
580 Green Street, San Francisco, CA 94133. Ph# (415) 474-9571.
Thank you,
W. Purwinto, AB2QV.
Syracuse, New York. [EMAIL PROTECTED]
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