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.
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Medical Emergencies
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Wilcox Hospital contacted Saint Francis Hospital via ham radio autopatch to coordinate a flight for 50 Dialysis patients to Oahu for emergency treatment
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A visiting ham at Wilcox coordinated with Saint Francis Hospital for much-needed supplies to be flown to Kauai
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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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