February 1 - 12, 2003
Shuttle Columbia Recovery
San Augustine County, Texas
February 1 - 12, 2003
Over 80 Amateur Radio Operators from the surrounding area and across Texas responded to the call to assist by providing communications in the search operation. Amateur Operators provided a communications link between the area Operations Center and the various teams in the search area. Many of the participants not only served over several days, but some traveled back to help during the second week of operations.
Reliable communications in the area were made possible by the use of portable repeaters brought into the area for use during the operation. These systems were provided by:
E.T.E.C.S. of Tyler, TX Special thanks to John Newman - N9JN and Ed Wilkinson - N1EW
Garland Amateur Radio Club of Garland, TX Special thanks to Bob Jones - W5BJ and John Galvin - N5TIM
Fort Worth Chapter-Texas VHF FM Society Special thanks to Harold Reasoner - N5SXK
Our thanks to all of the operators that assisted in the area of operations and the groups that loaned equipment that facilitated our operation. A special note of thanks to those that helped coordinate getting volunteers into the area. Some of these are:
Jim Lawyer - AA5QX Johnny Davis - K5JD Jerry Reimer - KK5CA Jeff Draper - N5SSI (via EchoLink)
Photos taken during the Operation in San Augustine
News releases and other info concerning the Amateur Radio Effort
San Augustine Amateur Radio Volunteers Stand Down in Debris Search (ARRL)
Texas Amateurs Aid in Shuttle Debris Recovery, Cataloguing (ARRL)
Hams Help with Columbia Recovery (MSNBC)
Reflections of a Ham Volunteer (by N5YGR)
Notes From Feb 16 Debriefing Session (AA5QX)
Link to Photos taken by Doug Kilgore (KD5OUG)