Upcoming Events

October 2011 - Some more pictures can be viewed of the Amashovashova race here

07/08/11 Some more picture have been uploaded on our photo album of the Scottborough to Brighton Race, Dusi Mfula, Durban Airshow and our July Hamnet meeting

2011 Tour Natal Rally, 25/26 March

The Rally was a resounding success from Hamnet's communication point of view.  The reliability of modern technology still has not caught up with what our teams can achieve with Amateur Radio equipment.  Again we managed to provide invaluable comms between the stages and control, which was also used to send through the stage times to control.

More pictures can be viewed here

Durban Twister?

On 31 January 2011 Phil ZS5VC reports:
"I have just (19h20) captured on camera what appeared to be a very well defined 'funnel shaped feature' in the sky to the south of Durban. I am not suggesting full-on 'twister' but looks quite similar to one (although it was not touching the ground), or perhaps a water spout ? I can not tell exactly it's distance from my location or whether it is over the sea or not, but if I had to guess it looks like it could have been in the vicinity of Isipingo - Amazimtoti (??) Interesting anyway."

you can view some more photos here

WHEN ALL FAILS AMATEUR RADIO SUCCEEDS 

Something has gone terribly wrong. Normal ways of doing things are not working. The fastest way to turn an emergency into a full disaster is to lose communications.  Radio Amateurs understand emergencies. For over 70 years they have provided emergency communications for organisations. When normal ways of communication fail or get overloaded Radio Amateurs will be there.  

HAMNET, the National Emergency Communications division of the South African Radio League (SARL), provides communications for emergencies and can mobilise experienced communicators who with their own radio equipment will back up official channels or take over when all else fails.

The SARL represents all Radio Amateurs in South Africa at all levels of Government and through the IARU at the International telecommunications Union.  Radio Amateurs or "Hams" use two-way radio communication to make contact with other radio amateurs all over the world. They are even able to use satellites and on occasion speak with astronauts. Radio Hams can do this from home or while mobile in cars, boats or on foot.

Radio Hams have a full range or communication modes at their disposal. These include plain voice, Morse code, numerous digital computer modes and even graphical modes like television. A licensed radio amateur is able to join in experiments using all these modes.

HAMNET is a voluntary group of amateurs who make their unique communication skills available to assist and help others in distress during and after disasters. HAMNET is represented on the sub-committee of the South African Search & Rescue Organisation. Training Modules are available either from your Provincial Director or from the National director via e-mail.

HAMNET forms part of the Constitution of the South African Radio League which means that you have to be a member of the SARL to be a member of HAMNET. All information on HAMNET is available on the web site of the SARL.

The SARL is a founder member of the International Amateur Radio Union and as part of it's charter, is required to operate an emergency communications division which is charged with providing accurate and efficient communications in times of natural and other disasters, and when life or property is endangered.

This task has been delegated to HAMNET which is the SARL's emergency communications arm.

The members of Hamnet KZN are also actively involved in assisting with communications on numerous sporting events. During these events, normal means of communication by cell phone do not work due to various reasons, including traffic congestion of cell phone towers, and difficult terrain, such as deep valley where no cell phone coverage is found.  Our Hamnet members have the ability to set up radio equipment in these environments for successful communication lines, enabling critical race and safety information to be relayed from the field to the central command centre.

Some of the regular events Hamnet are involved in include:

• Comrades Marathon
• Tour Natal Motor Rally
• Dusi Mfula Cycle race
• Tour d'Urban
• Scottbugh to Brighton Beach Sand and Surf Marathon
• Amashovashova Cycle Race