What does ARES say about Volcanos?!

By Don K6GHA

I’ve been following the recent news in Hawaii, and through contesting I know a few folks in the southern part of the Big Island of Hawaii. I and a few local Amateurs around the bay, and in Santa Cruz, were concerned about some of the regulars that we talk to, or visit on an occasional trip to the islands. So I thought I would share a bit of what is going on, what ARRL is saying, and what local news is sharing.

You may know that the Leilani Estates, on the Big Island, is in the path of the lava flow, and is currently under evacuation, and headed toward the Ahalanui Park Warm Spings (soon to be known as a HOT pond instead of a warm spring!). Tom (KG6AO) has been over in the Islands in this location a lot. Thanks for the references.

Here’s a drone video: https://youtu.be/Gytkbx7Cf3U

Here’s a google map link: https://goo.gl/maps/35zhoczzyHr

I had heard of a few hams who may be in trouble based on the predictions of pending eruption, so I thought I would see how many hams were local to Leilani’s zip code, and within one area south. Doing a quick google search, I found a site that allows you to put in a zip code, and get back a list of call signs registered in that code. http://www.radioqth.net/ziplookup Amazingly, there are over 115 Amateurs local to that area of Leilani Estates. Take a look and see if you know anyone!

Right next door (next zip code south), there are over 120 additional registered Amateurs and club calls. This includes one of Santa Cruz’s past club members, Lloyd Cabral is KH6LC. He is one of Hawaii’s top contesters, so I was a bit more concerned about him. Talking with Tom (KG6AO) I found out Loydd is currently is in good shape, but I have heard that his water supply may be showing signs of Sulphur Dioxide intrusion. This might be because of the volcanic activity.

What does that ARRL say? http://www.arrl.org/news/informal-amateur-radio-nets-being-maintained-in-wake-of-volcanic-eruptions-in-hawai-i

“Two informal informational nets remain open on the island of Hawai’i (“The Big Island”) in the wake of recent and ongoing volcanic eruptions and seismic activity, Pacific Section Emergency Coordinator Clement Jung, KH7HO, reports. No formal traffic has been passed, but frequencies are being monitored. “All normal communications, i.e., cell, land-line phones, Internet, and public safety, are operational,” Jung told ARRL.

The Kilauea volcano on The Big Island erupted on May 3, spewing lava and venting high levels of sulfur dioxide. An Amateur Radio net is open on 7.088 MHz (SSB), and the Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster (VOAD) 146.720 MHz repeater (100 Hz tone) on Mauna Kea was activated after Hawaii’s governor issued an emergency declaration.”

You can tune in on 40 meters and listen if you want to hear the events as they unfold.

What would you do in a volcanic emergency?!?