Amateur Radio donates thousands of man-hours of supplementary public service communications in civil emergencies, official drills and events such as parades and marathons each year. Such events show Amateur Radio in its best light, and it is critically important that ARRL bring documentation of this public service work to the attention of the Congress, the FCC and other public officials. Your information below is an important addition to the record. Please complete and return this form to the Public Service Branch at ARRL Headquarters. Thank you.

1. Nature of activity (Check one).

X   Communications Emergency. Amateurs supplied communications required to replace or supplement normal
      communications means.

      Alert. Amateurs were deployed for emergency communications, but emergency situation did not develop.

      Special exercise. Amateurs supplied communications for a parade, race, etc.

      Test or drill. A training activity in which amateurs participated.

2. Brief description of activity: Communications Support to American Red Cross Turnagain Pass Avalanche Search Support Operation

3. Places or areas involved: Turnagain Pass, 60 miles southeast of Anchorage, AK

4. Number of amateurs participating: 11

5. Event start date/time: 24 Mar 99/1100                    6. Event end date/time: 25 Mar 99/1900

7. Duration of event (hours): 18                                   8. Total man-hours: 124

9. Number of repeaters used: 0

10. Estimated manpower cost: $1,240 (man-hours times $10/hr)

11. Estimated cost of equipment used: $12,200 (hand-helds, repeaters, etc.)

12. Total estimated cost of service: $13,440 (add amounts from lines 10 and 11)

13. Nets and/or frequencies used (including repeater call signs): 3.920 MHz, 7.093 MHz

14. Number of messages handled: Continuous tactical traffic

15. Names of agencies receiving communications support: American Red Cross

16. Please list call signs of amateurs who were major participants: KL5T, KL7CC, WL7CFL, WL7AU, KL7DJE, AL7FI, WL7BP, NL7VL, KL7HIU, KL7HHO, KL0QK

17. Other comments: Amateur HF communication support to the American Red Cross was instrumental in ensuring adequate supplies were coordinated and delivered to the disaster site in a timely manner. Cellular telephone coverage to this remote area was marginal at best, and could not be relied upon to relay needed traffic. In addition to the communication support provided by amateurs, transport of needed supplies was coordinated with a local trucking company via connections through one of the participating amateurs. The Red Cross supported over 400 volunteers in the search for the 6 individuals killed in the avalanche.

Please attach photos of amateurs in action, newspaper clippings or other data.

_____________________________________________________________________

Name of Amateur Radio organization providing service: South Central Radio Club, ARES

Location of organization: Anchorage                                                        State: AK

Your name: Larry K. Petty                                                                   Call sign: KL5T

Address: 2631 W. 27th Ave, Anchorage, AK 99517

ARRL appointment, if any: ASM, Alaska; Volunteer Examiner, ARES

e-mail address: [email protected]

Telephone: (907) 552-9780    (907) 243-5856
                         (days)                   (evenings)

I attest that the information provided above is complete and true to the best of my knowledge.
 

//signed//
LARRY K. PETTY, KL5T                                                                                     10 Apr 99