This weekend, following 124 hours of uninterrupted operation by the Colombian Amateur Radio League (LCR) National Emergency Network, the emergency frequencies used by Colombian radio amateurs —deployed in response to the earthquake that shook much of the country on August 10— were released. We have listed these frequencies at the end of this report.

The release of these frequencies does not mean that communications have ceased; rather, the network remains locally active in each affected department and city, managed by the radio clubs and amateur radio associations based there, while authorities work to regain control and restore the functionality of their own communication systems.

Additionally, the IARU Region 2 emergency coordination team remains in contact with Faber Mosquera (HK6F) and José Fernando Vélez (HK4VEL) of the LCR. They have provided updates on the participation of their fellow radio amateurs through various clubs and associations and expressed their gratitude for the support received from emergency coordinators across the region’s associations and countries.

During the final days of the past week, a link was established connecting the city of Popayán —via EchoLink*— with Liga Radio Cali, Liga Radio Medellín, and the “Eje Connet” network in the Coffee Axis region.

Also in recent days, a USAR (Urban Search and Rescue) team conducted rescue operations in Pereira with the support of the Sabaneta Fire Department; several radio amateurs communicated with this USAR team in Pereira via radio. Sabaneta is a municipality located in the southern part of the Medellin Metropolitan Area.

At the same time, a Starlink system was installed in Pereira to provide people with internet access and a way to communicate with their families; the system will remain open and operational for one week. Furthermore, support was provided for the distribution of 600 prepared meal rations offered to volunteers from the Asociación de Radioaficionados del Eje Cafetero (Asorec); with the assistance of amateur radio operators and in coordination with the Scout Movement, these were delivered to some of the city’s hardest-hit areas.

Once again, the strong relationship and essential support between commercial broadcasting and amateur radio were highlighted. Specifically, technical assistance was provided to “Radio Reloj” —a popular and highly credible station serving the city and surrounding areas that had gone off the air— to get it back on the air. The goal was to enable it to broadcast instructions and other information issued by the Risaralda Risk Management Service.

I also wish to acknowledge the excellent work performed by LCR amateur radio operators across various clubs and associations, including the Asociación de Radioaficionados del Eje Cafetero (Asorec), the Liga Radio Quindío in the city of Armenia, and the Liga Radio Medellín —which maintains regional links with the Radio Club de Antioquia— among others.

Additionally, Jaime Hernando Duarte (HK6W), Director of Area E, Region 2 of the International Amateur Radio Union (IARU R2), and José Arturo Molina (YS1MS), President of IARU R2, have remained constantly informed about all developments.

Frequencies released that were previously in use by the LCR:

80 m: 3985 kHz
40 m: 7060, 7240, and 7275 kHz
20 m: 14300 kHz
17 m: 18160 kHz
15 m: 21360 kHz

We once again appreciate the support of Sigfrido Estuardo Rodas Paz, TG9SRP —Coordinator of the Amateur Radio Emergency Service for the Club de Radio Aficionados de Guatemala (CRAG)— in the preparation of the infographic and other materials related to this topic.

*Echolink: A free system for amateur radio operators that uses the Internet and Voice over IP (VoIP) technology to connect traditional radios with computers and smartphones via the Internet.

Carlos Alberto Santamaría González, CO2JC
IARU Region 2 Emergency Coordinator.