Winlink 2000 Helping with Southern Asia Disaster Communications
December 30, 2004 -- NEWINGTON, CT -- In the wake of the
earthquake and tsunamis that hit the region December 26, Amateur Radio
operators who have Winlink 2000
capability, many of them maritime, have found Winlink 2000 to be especially
helpful to stay in touch with friends and family by e-mail, and to help handle
emergency communications. "Since it interfaces with Internet e-mail, the
Worldwide Winlink 2000 ongoing digital radio messaging network does not have to
ramp up for such disaster events. It simply handles messages with a different
content," Steve Waterman, K4CJX, explained. Waterman, of Nashville,
Tennessee, is the Winlink 2000 network administrator, a member of the Winlink
2000 Development Team and a member of the ARRL Ad-Hoc Committee on ARES
Communications. He has been monitoring the activity on Winlink 2000 in the
aftermath of the tsunamis.
"The messaging process does not change, even in an
emergency. People will e-mail their families and friends, as well as handle
EmComm communications and health and welfare directly, just like they e-mail on
a daily basis," Waterman said. "The advantage of the direct
communications is amplified because they are sending and receiving when
propagation is optimal rather than having to wait for any pre-scheduled
time." The Winlink 2000 team is presently assessing the status and
location of its users in and around the Indian Ocean (including South Africa)
in order to better assist those who need it. Winlink 2000 is one method that is
being used to collect data on vessels in the southeastern Asia region on behalf
of the International Boatwatch Network.
Page last modified: 04:37 PM, 30 Dec 2004 ET
Page author: awextra@arrl.org
Copyright © 2004, American Radio Relay League, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
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