Amateur radio operators are being asked to refrain from using 7.088MHz as this is being used in the State of Hawaii for Disaster Operations. The current situation is still in flux at this time.
From the ARRL:
Devastating Hawaii Wildfires Prompt Response from Amateur Radio Emergency Service
08/12/2023
https://www.arrl.org/news/devastating-hawaii-wildfires-prompt-response-from-amateur-radio-emergency-service
ARRL The National Association for Amateur Radio® is closely following updates from the Hawaii Amateur Radio Emergency Service®, Hawaii ARES®, as amateur radio operators respond following deadly wildfires on the Hawaiian island of Maui.
On Tuesday, August 8, wildfires, fueled by the strong winds of Hurricane Dora, were burning in Maui and Hawaiʻi Counties. By the next day, much of Lāhainā on Maui had been destroyed.
ARRL Section Manager Jospeh Speroni, AH0A, who serves the Pacific Section including Hawaii and US territories in the Pacific, sent a message to members across the Section on Wednesday. “The suddenness of the Maui Disaster is shocking. It affects us all,” he said. Speroni said it was difficult to know immediately the status of radio amateurs and equipment on Maui, including repeaters and gateways. “Sadly, there are now confirmed deaths and several of our ham friends have lost their homes.”
Speroni reported that the ARRL Hawaii ARES website, https://hawaiiares.net, was modified to provide the latest emergency communications news. The website includes updates on Maui’s amateur radio and communication infrastructure, including affected and operational radio systems, repeaters, and other emergency communication details.
“Wildfires have affected phones, internet, and cell services across Maui. VERY Limited Cell contact was established with Lahaina or its ham operators due to burned fiber lines and VERY limited hams in the area,” included one of the updates.
Hawaii has many amateur radio repeaters and an extensive internet-linked repeater system, including KH6COM, a VHF/UHF Maui countywide system with emergency backup power. An update, as of August 11, 2023, shares that the KH6COM repeater system is operational in Central Maui, Haleakala Summit, Lanai, and Molokai. “Repeaters on the Whaler and Kaanapali Beach Hotel lost linking due to fiber optics cables burned. Those in Lahaina can utilize the Pu’u O Hoku Ranch repeater at the East end of Molokai.”
“Our thoughts and prayers go out to the people of Hawaii and especially the Island of Maui,” said ARRL Director of Emergency Management Josh Johnston, KE5MHV. “[ARRL] was in initial contact with Section Manager Joe Speroni, AH0A, on Wednesday, August 9, and we have had daily briefs with him. This is an exceedingly challenging time for Hawaii, and we will be available as needed.” ARRL has offered equipment available through ARRL Ham Aid, a program established in 2005 and funded through donations that makes emergency communications equipment available on loan to amateur radio organizations during disaster response when communications equipment is unavailable.
Johnston emphasized that most of amateur radio communications, including any messages being relayed, are being handled on the existing repeater system in the state. On shortwave, HF stations across Hawaii are operating nets on 7.088 MHz.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), on Saturday, August 12, reported that “more than a dozen federal agencies and departments are mobilized to assist state, county, nonprofit and private sector partners to help the people of Hawaii with recent devastating wildfires. Personnel from FEMA, federal agencies and voluntary organizations are arriving daily to Hawaii to support active response and initial recovery efforts.”
About Amateur Radio and ARRL
Amateur Radio Service licensees use their training, skills, and equipment to practice radio communications and develop radio technology. Amateur Radio Operators volunteer their qualifications and equipment for communications duty in public service and during emergencies. Amateur Radio also provides a basis for hands-on STEM education and pathways to careers.
ARRL The National Association for Amateur Radio® was founded in 1914 as The American Radio Relay League, and is a noncommercial organization of Radio Amateurs. ARRL numbers within its ranks the vast majority of active Radio Amateurs (or “hams”) in the US and has a proud history of achievement as the standard-bearer in promoting and protecting Amateur Radio. For more information about ARRL and Amateur Radio, visit www.arrl.org.
About ARES®
Amateur Radio Operators, or “hams,” have a long history of serving their communities when storms or other disasters damage critical communication infrastructure, such as cell phone towers and fiber optic networks. Amateur radio functions completely independently of the internet and phone systems, and a ham radio station can be set up almost anywhere in minutes. Amateurs can quickly raise a wire antenna in a tree or on a mast, connect it to a radio and power source, and communicate effectively with others.
The ARRL Amateur Radio Emergency Service® (ARES® www.arrl.org/ares) consists of hams who have voluntarily registered their qualifications and equipment with their local ARES leadership for communications duty in the public service when disaster strikes. They use their training, skills, and equipment to prepare for and provide communications during emergencies When All Else Fails®.
For those interested, here’s the latest information, at the time of this posting, from the Hawaii ARES:
Updates on Maui’s Amateur Radio and communication infrastructure amid wildfires, detailing affected and operational radio systems, repeaters, and other emergency communication details.
This file: https://bit.ly/HAM-UPDATE –Send updated to KH6ML808@gmail.com CC: KH6ML via winlink radio email if possible
REQUESTING Testing of KH6COM Linked UHF analog repeater at Kahua Ranch (Big Island)
See https://bit.ly/Maui-ICS-205-HAM 8/12/2023 (Unsure if PL Tones are listed correctly )
Also want to know who can reach contact it, Coverage back side of Maui and parts of Big Island. Send updated to KH6ML808@gmail.com CC: KH6ML via winlink radio email if possible.
https://bit.ly/Maui-ICS-205-HAM – Updated by KH6ML and KH6UU
Suggest you download and print – Load into the radio.
MAUI_CHANNEL_ INFO_KG-UV3D_20230811.csv
MAUI_KG-UV3D_20230811_CODEPLUG.IMG.txt (Download and rename by removing the .txt) If updates are needed, contact KH6WG skawamae@gmail.com
Radio Bulletins RE: Maui Wildfires have affected phones, internet, and cell services across Maui. VERY Limited Cell contact was established with Lahaina or its ham operators due to burned fiber lines and VERY limited hams in the area.
KH6COM Linked Repeater Update As of 8/11//2023 7:50 am, operational in Central Maui, Haleakala Summit, Lanai, Molokai. Repeaters on the Whaler and Kaanapali Beach Hotel lost linking due to fiber optics cables burned. Those in Lahaina can utilize the Pu’u O Hoku Ranch repeater at the East end of Molokai. Maui County Repeater system See https://bit.ly/Maui-ICS-205-HAM
Maui Winlink Status– See https://bit.ly/Maui-ICS-205-HAM
- Stations are operational but some face internet disruptions.
- Can still function as digipeaters.
HF Stations are suggested to monitor 7.088 LSB. Your participation is crucial during this time. SEE 40meter.net Informal Nets held at 9 am, Noon and 4 pm.
DMR-Hawaii- Lost Kula and West Maui repeaters IP connectivity, repeaters in local mode only.
Lahaina DMR is on, local mode only, no IP connection 444.82500 + cc 3 ( 8/10/2023 1:00 pm)
Wailuku DMR is on, IP connected 444.9500 + cc 3
Use HI-1 (3115) TS-1, HI-2 (31150) TS-2Mauna Kea Repeater at the top of Big Island is on the air for EMCOMM purposes, 146.720, Negative Offset, – pl 100.0 FM (4:33 PM 8/9/2023
Haleakala Vara Gateway/ Digipeater Protocol:9pm 8/10/2023 working Should KH6COM-10 encounter connectivity problems, it will continue as a Digipeater. KH6ML and digipeat via KH6COM-10 on 441.000.
Change to 441.000 KH6ML Winlink Gateway to service Maui -Station: KH6ML: 441.000 VARA FM Kaneohe, Oahu
- Status: Operational as a Winlink Gateway with internet
- Note: Please limit testing to affected areas.
Hawaii Allstar Repeaters online on Maui County:
Maui
WH6AV – Wailuku 443.025 (+) PL 103.5 Repeater
WH6CYD – Pukalani 147.140 (+) PL 88.5 Repeater
WH6YF – Lahaina 147.540 PL 100 Simplex (Offline) Fire related
WH6FQM – Lahaina 444.800 (+) PL 88.5 Repeater (Offline) Fire related
WH6FGS – Wailuku 442.525 (+) PL 100 Repeater
WH6FEO – Wailuku 446.175 PL 100 Simplex
AH6MA – Napili 147.495 PL 100 Simplex (Offline)
WH6FGX – Waiau 147.510 PL 100 Simplex (Offline)
Molokai
WH6IT – Ho’olehua 147.420 PL 100 Simplex (Offline)
WH6IT – Kaunakakai 145.370 (-) PL 88.5 Repeater
Lanai
KH6CED – Lanai City 147.435 PL 100 Simplex (Offline)
WH6DNN – Lanai City 147.510 PL 100 Simplex (Offline)
8/10/2023 Frequency Correction on the Pukalani Repeater – WH6CYD – Pukalani 147.140 (+) PL 88.5 Repeater
12:19 pm 8/9/23 checked AREDN microwave link Waialae Iki to Haleakala PtP link operational LQ 100% both directions. Microwave to internet crossover on Oahu is Kaimuki one hop from Waialae Iki. Received AREDN call a little while later from Mitch advising the KH6MP-3 gateway on 145.09 is available and reachable from West Maui and Upcountry and/or Digipeat WH6FVX in Kula.
Repeater is now working Pu’u O Hoku Ranch on Molokai ( KH6HHG 8/10/2023 11:20am)
Working now Haleakala Vara Gateway/ Digipeater Protocol: 6:00PM 8/10/2023 Some reports of this not working.
ARRL HQ has been informed of the situation and is ready to assist if HawaiiARES request. (8/9/2023 11:01 am)Normal Weekly HF ARES Net on Wednesday night 18:30 on 7.088 LSB
California Hawaii Net – Wide Coverage Net – North America & Pacific Traffic Handling: Emergency Traffic Weather – Uses Netlogger Frequencies: 14.340 USB M-F at 7am HST / 1700 UTC
Please stay vigilant and safe. We extend our gratitude for your amateur radio service.
8/9/2023 10:00am LOCAL AND Visitors that are displaced and do not have accommodations on Oahu can go to Hawaii Convention Center.
Help & information
Shelter information and family reunification hotline American Red Cross 800-733-2767Please Call or text for emergencies – Maui 911 back up 2-911
Maui County Emergency Management Agency twitter.com/Maui_EMA
Traffic updates on TwitterHawaii Twitter.com/DOTHawaii
Situation updates on Twitter County of Maui twitter.com/CountyofMaui
Situation updates on FacebookCounty of Maui facebook.com/countyofmaui
Impacted areas are approximate and provided for informational purposes only. Check official sources for more information.
8/10-8/11 DRAFTED – Amateur Radio Support Plan for West Maui Hotels
Radio code plugs made from Maui ICS-205 4 handheld radios handed off to Maui Ham for training to Hawaii Hotel Visitor Industry Security Association (HHVISA) Mahalo to KH6WG, WH6CPH, KH70
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1CfWIk6ZTlbcbfizyZ9-DOJyqHusbA0KWBE2RSVMCtMg/edit