KH6JPL Repeater - Hurricane Iniki Story
The Federal Communications Commission created the Amateur Radio Hobby as a means to promote communications within our communities that could become very instrumental during major disasters and other emergency scenarios.
Hawaii's Hams provide a number of trained personnel at the ready to serve our communities.
Located atop Mauna Kapu (above Makakilo) was the KH6JPL / Repeater on frequency 147.120 / 720 Mhz. Its coverage included all of the Honolulu area and eastward towards Koko Head creator. To the west, 95% coverage between Honokai Hale and Makaha Surfing Beach. Even further west was radio coverage to the island of Kauai, the point of Hurricane Ally. I say this seriously because I have seen tracking maps of past hurricanes and many followed the same trajectory as Hurricane Iniki.
On Friday, September 11, 1992 - Hurricane Iniki came to visit us leaving a toll of 3 deaths and 8000 injured.
After the brunt of the Hurricane came through all commercial communications between the island of Kauai and Oahu were severed.
Medical Emergencies
Wilcox Hospital contacted Saint Francis Hospital via ham radio autopatch to coordinate a flight for 50 Dialysis patients to Oahu for emergency treatment
A visiting ham at Wilcox coordinated with Saint Francis Hospital for much-needed supplies to be flown to Kauai
Hams set up a radio at a public school so that people in Kauai could provide health and welfare notifications to loved ones on Oahu and abroad.
References;
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