JA-JP Jjapan Earthquake

On Friday a major earthquake struck Japan. The quake measured 8.8 and also created a Tsunami that has devastated the northern region of the country in particular the Prefecture of Myagi with it's capital, Sendai.

NHK has been reporting continuously on events related to the quake as they unfold. As for hams, the JARL (Japanese Amateur Radio League) has posted a bulletin to their site, in Japanese noting that JA7RL/7 has requested a clear frequency for emergency traffic on 7.030 SSB. Other bands were not mentioned JARL also requests that Twitter be used to communicate. Below are the latest bulletins in Japanese\English.

【重要なお知らせ】
　JARLでは、東北地方太平洋沖地震に際し、JA7RL/7 ほかRL局において、 主に7.030MHz SSBにより非常通信のワッチを実施しています。 各バンドにおける非常通信用周波数をクリーンな状態に保てるようにご協力をお願いします。 　(3/12)

●JARL中央局JA1RLとJA3RL局はTwitterによる情報の収集と発信を行っていますのでご活用ください。
　JA1RL (http://twitter.com/JARL_ARESC)
　JA3RL (http://twitter.com/JA3RL_Hijyo)　 (3/13更新) Tweets are in Japanese

[Important Notices]
JARL in northeastern Taiheiyou earthquake occasion, JA7RL / office in addition to 7 RL, 7.030MHz SSB is mainly carried out by the very watch of communication. Thank you for your cooperation to keep their clean state of emergency traffic frequencies for each band. (3 / 12)

● JARL JA1RL central office and the office JA3RL Please use Twitter do so with the collection and transmission of information.
JA1RL (http://twitter.com/JARL_ARESC)
JA3RL (http://twitter.com/JA3RL_Hijyo) (3 / 13 Update)

listening to 7.030 I noted that there was light traffic on the air.

In an emergency we all want to try and help but, that sometimes can create more problems for those trying to meet the needs of the victims. Some things to remember when dealing with an emergency like this one.

1. Check media outlets for bulletins
2. Don't go to the affected area unless you absolutely must and can assure that you won't get in the way.
3. Do your best to keep phone lines clear so that emergency calls can be made. Instead of many calling a family member in Japan designate one person to do so. The less circuits are busy the better.

Google Crisis is an excellent portal for those interested in accessing resources with respect to this emergency and other disasters. In fact the net is a great tool for reaching out to family and friends in the affected area. Next to the media sites like Twitter and other social sites are the best places to gather to obtain the latest eyewitness accounts and information on the situation at ground level.

For the amateur operator the best thing to do is support fellow hams in Japan by keeping known emergency frequencies clear and to assist when asked.

Remember 7.030 should be kept clear at this point so that emergency traffic can flow during the earthquake/Tsunami relief efforts in Japan.

73 De VA2UTC-Cliff