The following information was received from Radio Relay International.
Radio Relay International has received several inquiries regarding emergency communications support in the aftermath of the Tonga volcanic eruption.
Our nearest RRI Registered Radio Operator is in Fiji, approximately 800 km (500 miles away). He reports the following:”The situation in Tonga is dire indeed with the loss of their submarine cable link as well as ash clouds blocking satellite communications.”
The ETC Office in Suva also enquired about any HF links in Tonga, but as far as I know there are no resident amateur stations there, and most inter-isand links now rely on satellite. Perhaps there remains some HF links with government offices, but I do not have the information here.
This is a typical example of the need for skilled HF operators to be trained in such localities; the lack of interest for HF nowadays is the main issue.”
If more news is forthcoming, RRI will provide additional information and any needed operational guidance to the Amateur Radio community. For more information on disaster emergency communications planning and response, please visit the RRI website or download a copy of our National Emergency Communications Response Guidelines at: http://radio-relay.org/…/RRI-NECRP-2020-8-1-Final…