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In the wake of the April 16 earthquake in Ecuador, the Amateur Radio
community is being asked to keep 7.060 MHz clear for Cadena HC
emergency traffic. DXpeditions operating RTTY on 40 meters are
requested to keep pileups below 7.060 MHz. The 7.8 magnitude
earthquake has resulted in dozens of deaths and many more injuries.
Most earthquake damage has occurred in the Guayaquil and
Portoviejo/Manta areas of Ecuador. Well known DXer Lilian de Ayala,
HC4L, in Portoviejo, the capital of Manabi province, is safe, but
some structures in Portoviejo and Manta suffered severe damage, with
many victims reported to have been buried in the rubble of collapsed
buildings and homes. Electrical power and commercial
telecommunication systems have been either destroyed or knocked out
in the affected area, and hams in the HC4 district have been
operating by using mobile stations or battery power. Many roads have
been rendered impassable because of earthquake rubble.  The Cadena
HC emergency frequency is now active and running 24 hours per day on
7.060 LSB. Hams in Ecuador have been reported very busy coordinating
search and rescue activities.  IARU Region 2 News Editor Joaquin
Solana, XE1R, reports that radio amateurs hoping to operate in
Brazil during the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio this summer are in luck
and will be able to be on air without bureaucracy.  During August
and September any foreign radio amateur will be able to operate in
Brazil, whether or not a reciprocal agreement between the respective
countries exists. No IARP or CEPT license is necessary, and no fees
are required. The Brazilian Amateur Radio League LABRE has obtained
permission from ANATEL, the Brazilian telecommunications regulator,
to handle authorizations. Amateurs who want to operate in Brazil
should send LABRE the following, A copy of a valid passport,
identification pages A copy of the applicants Amateur Radio license
A list of cities in which the radio amateur plans to operate and the
respective dates An e mail address Send scanned documents to LABRE
via e mail at, executiva at labre.org.br .

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