N5FDL.COM Handles Haiti H&W Inquiry

I was surprised last night to receive an e-mail request to handle a welfare inquiry from the family of Fr. John Hinault, HH6JH, who has reportedly been on the air since the earthquake.

His cousin, Rev. Armand Hinault, said he heard that Fr. Hinault was alive and had been on his ham radio and was apparently alive.

Fr. Hinault must have Googled his brother and found the situation reports that I posted on on this site, from which he contacted me.

 

This morning, I contacted one of the net controls for the International Assistance and Traffic Net (14,300), where HH6JH reportedly checked in. The NCS, Bob, KC4TVO, agreed to handle the request and follow up with Rev. Hinault. Hopefully, the contact will be made.

Interesting story about how e-mail, website, Google, email, telephone, and amateur radio (the last miles) are combining to provide emergency welfare communications. 

Thanks to John, AF6JP, for checking HF for me last night right after I got the message from Rev. Hinault.

Update on Mon, January 18, 2010 at 9:25AM by David Coursey, N5FDL

E-mail received a short time ago, sent to Rev. Armand Hinault about his cousin, HH6JH, in Haiti:

Rev. Henault,

The last contact with Father John was last night by a station in Florida.  He is OK, but needs gasoline & supplies both at Les Cayes, and Lie A Vache.  We are hoping to hear from him again sometime later today.  I am sure they are trying to conserve resources.  Please feel free to contact me at any time for additional.information or if you have traffic to pass.  Additionally, the following site is a good place to post requests for health and welfare requests: http://qso.com/satern/emailfrm.htm   Our net  has been talking to the very few amateurs that are able to get on the air from Haiti.

Bob Rodgers


Bob Rodgers
KC4TVO