Ron Hashiro

The company which provided guestbook services for these web pages will end its free service on April 1, 2012. The code to access and leave guestbook comments will be removed in the latter part of March. My thanks to the many persons over the years who've left comments and feedback through the guestbook pages.

Check out the guestbook while you can.

A good percentage of people are not sufficiently prepared for shelter evacuations, for enduring through emergencies and disasters.

Too many persons wait until the sound of a siren or other alert before stocking up and making preparations. It's too late then to scurry around the neighborhood and shop.

You should have a minimum of two weeks of food, water and other consumables on hand. If you're waiting for a siren or other alert to be notified, consider the date January 1, 2012 to be your "siren".

I've heard from a number of persons who've said they've gotten into amateur radio because they want to be prepared during emergencies. Then I find out all that they have is a 5 watt walkie, and they're depending on the use of repeaters to communicate during normal times.

If you are depending on repeaters, note that repeaters can and do fail during emergencies. A 5 watt walkie is not enough for communications when all other forms of communications is impacted or unavailable. If you do not have a 50 watt mobile radio with a matching antenna and a power source such as a fully charged 12 volt marine battery to talk directly with another ham on simplex, you are NOT prepared to operate during an emergency.

"Be Ready" has opened in Waipio on February 1. You can check out their web site. They seem to feature Kenwood radios.

Robin AH6CP reports that the 4-wire link between the 146.98 repeater atop the Frank Fasi Municipal Building and the 146.76 Peacock Flats/Mokuleia repeater has been restored and is operational. The link is undergoing final tests and alignment and is available for use. He's looking for reports of coverage, audio and functionality.

The 146.76 repeater has coverage along the Waianae Coast, Mokuleia, Haleiwa, North Shore into Kahuku, and down through Mililani reaching to the Airport Viaduct and along Honolulu Harbor. It also has coverage into Eastern Kauai, and was used extensively during the recovery from Hurricane Iniki.

Combined with the 146.98 repeater which has coverage from Kaimuki through to Kapolei and Mililani, the link offers extra coverage for commuters and DEM Districts I (Honolulu), II (North Shore-Mililani), III (Waianae), and VI (Pearl City-West Oahu).

Ron K6RPT and his son Lee sets records with their balloon attempt of Sunday, December 12. Their balloon set a combined transcontinental and transatlantic record for amateur radio operations aboard a high altitude balloon.

ARRL covered the event in their web article. The Register also covered the event in their web article.

2011 has been a very good year in amateur radio. Look forward to more amateur radio in 2012!

Amateur radio clubs and organizations around Hawaii sponsor or participate in a variety of operating events and meetings. This is a list of key events around the state.