Peru experienced devastating earthquakes in 1966, 1970, and 1974: 70,000 people died in the 1970 earthquake. A mountain peak that collapsed affected homes all the way to the ocean, some 150 miles away. One ham on the side of this mountain, miraculously unaffected by the landslide, was relaying communications for the entire area. Members of the Peru Radio Club (PRC or RCP) coordinated communications that the army, navy, and government were unable to provide. The PRC organized a party to travel by truck and mules to find a missing group of police officers from Argentina who had been scaling the mountain when the landslide occurred.

The Medical Amateur Radio Council (MARCO) provides amateurs who are involved in medicine and healing with a network whereby they can exchange medical information. They also aid in medical emergencies and in handling priority traffic. (http://www.smbs.buffalo.edu/med/marco/) A 6 year old girl in Peru had deep encephalitis and needed drugs that were only available in the US. After contacting a Michigan ham who knew someone that worked at Squibb pharmaceutical. The medication was flown by a US Air Force jet from Detroit to Miami, FL to meet a Braniff flight headed for Lima. A Miami police officer monitoring the communications between Peru, Miami, and Detroit blocked traffic at Miami International so that the medication being delivered from the Air Force base could be brought in without delay. The Braniff pilot delivered the medication to Jose at the airport in Lima, which he then delivered to the hospital. Thanks to these efforts and amateur radio, the life of the girl was saved.

In Peru, amateur operator licenses must be renewed annually at a cost of $40 per year. Every 5 years, an additional $40 dollar fee is required in order to be allowed to install an amateur station. Jose also told us of the various fees and forms required to be allowed to order equipment for an amateur station, even things as minor as coax cable and connectors.