Radio Amateurs (HAMS) do not Hinder but Serve their Local Communities in the Southern Cape Area!

Image:  Mobile Emergency Communication Station  (Click on image for larger view.)

The title of the article says it all: Radio Amateurs (HAMS) do not Hinder but Serve their Local Communities in the Southern Cape Area! 

Through the years amateur radio operators has wrongly been identified as Citizen Band (CB Radio) operators that in the eyes of the public serve no useful purpose other than chatting to each other on their radios.  This impressions is far from the truth when it comes to amateur radio operators also called HAMS.  There are more than 3 million people World Wide that practices Amateur Radio.

Incidents where neighbors spot a towering antenna or a mast rising above the rooftop has resulted in complaints being send to the local municipal authority in Mossel Bay.  Some view the towers or masts as a concern and an eyesore while others complain that its obstructing their sea view.  Some even go so far as to claim that is its a health and safety risk and also an unnecessary intrusion on the skyline just to talk to one another.  In this day in age why not use a cellphone to talk to your buddies?  Such complaints are on the increase and it has become necessary to address concerns of the general public even though in some cases the radio amateur lived and erected a tower in the neighborhood long before new entrants moved into the area.  Understandably from an aesthetic standpoint, the profound role these masts and antennas play is overlooked from the point of view by the general public as well as uninformed local authorities.

Far from being a mere hobby or a nuisance, amateur radio operators (HAMS) are licensed guardians of emergency communications and render their skillful knowledge and service to the general public and local authorities during disasters, emergencies, community events etc.  This service is provide free of any charges and all expenses is bared by the radio amateurs themselves.  A free service to the benefit of the local authority and the general public whenever our services are needed.  I will later provide more information on the specific services rendered and also proof of such services being provided in the past.

Anchored in rigorous International and National Regulations, the service that radio amateurs provide is a testament to service, innovation and community protection.  Yes, community protection! (See link below for more information)  

Now this article provides an overview into the regulated world of amateur radio, its vital contribution to the Southern Cape Area safety net and the official endorsements that underscore its value, transforming what might seem like a nuisance and backyard operation to some.  In fact this is far from the truth.  Please read on and you will discover how the best hobby in the world is also the beacon of resilience.

A Regulated Service

Amateur Radio is not only a hobby but also renders a service to the local authorities and community when modern communications fail.  Yes modern communications do fail.  The Knysna Fire 2017 is only one instance where modern communications failed.  Amateur Radio is a formally recognized radio communication service under Local and International law. The International Telecommunication Union (ITU), a specialized agency of the United nations, defines the amateur radio service in it's Radio Regulations as "a radio communication service for the purpose of self-training, intercommunication and technical investigations carried out by amateurs, that is, by duly authorized persons interested in radio technique solely with a personal aim and without pecuniary interest."  This definition, enshrined in Article 1.56 of the ITU Radio Regulations, elevates amateur radio beyond a hobby to a structured discipline with global oversight.

In South Africa, this international framework is implemented through the Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (ICASA).  Established under the ICASA Act and the Electronic Communications Act of 2005, ICASA issues amateur radio station licenses only to those who demonstrate technical competence.  Aspiring operators must pass rigorous examinations covering radio theory, regulations and operating procedures.  Licenses are divided into classes:  Class A (for advanced operators) and Class B (for beginners), with restrictions on power output and frequency bands to ensure safe and interference free operations.

Towers and antennas, often the focal point of neighbor disputes are not erected haphazardly.  ICASA's Radio Frequency Spectrum Regulations 2015 mandate compliance with structural safety standards, including engineering assessments to withstand South Africa's variable weather conditions. 

In many instances by-laws of local authorities does not make provision for radio amateur antennas, masts and towers.  When a complaint is lodged the local authority use old and outdated by-laws.  In some instances antennas and towers are described as structures and building plans must be submitted together with a town planner and structural engineer's certification. Written permission must also by obtained from neighbors. Some authorities rely on by laws regarding the installation of TV Antennas which is then used for installation of amateur radio antennas, mast and towers.  Currently there is no distinction in this regard. This is an omission that seriously hampers the great free services provided by amateur radio to their respected communities.

In many cases complaints rely solely on the visual impact of the antennas and tower and not on the service that amateur radio provides to their local communities.  In other instances amateur radio antennas, masts and towers has been erected long before any by law existed that regulates installations. In one instance a radio amateur erected his tower in 2004 and a neighbor only complained about the tower only 14 years later.  

Don't understand me wrong it is not that we are unwilling to comply or work with authorities and the community when putting up towers.  We need to all work together, provide sound input and representations  to establish clear guidelines and by-laws.  The ideal situation would be that amateur radio antennas and towers be recognized  as essential infrastructure rather then illegal  or that it's visual impact is not acceptable to some. 

Amateur Radio is over a century old, with roots tracing back to the late 19th and early 20th centuries. It originated alongside the birth of radio technology itself, with enthusiasts experimenting with wireless telegraphy as early as the 1890s.  Now that we know how old amateur radio is, it is important to look at some services it rendered in the Southern Cape and South Africa throughout the years.  Unfortunately space only allows for a few examples but I am sure those mentioned here will provide a great overview of the service we provide to our local communities, authorities locally and nationally as well as world wide.

Community Service in Action (Internationally, Nationally and Locally)

Before I provide a few incidents let me point out that there are to many instances where amateur radio saved lives by assisting in providing emergency communications when all else failed or when a distress call is received.  I will only provide a few.  Before continuing I would like to mention that radio amateurs does provide a service that entails many different scenarios.  The instances below does not mean that radio amateurs can only assist in the mentioned incidents.  Some might even be surprised to learn that radio amateurs can provide emergency communications in outer space via satellites should the need arise.  Radio Amateurs can "cater" for any eventuality as they do have all the necessary radio equipment and satellites available to do just that.

Image: Mossel Bay Fire Storm  (Click on image for larger view.)

Now herewith a few past and present events that radio amateurs assisted in:  (Click on the links for more information)

• One of the most famous rescue effort took place after the Laingsburg Flood (25 January 1981) and for a week, the only contact between Laingsburg and the rest of the country was via Amateur Radio.
• Harnessing Technology for Early Warning - Local Mossel Bay Radio Amateur participate in the Disaster Mitigation for Sustainable Livelihoods Research Project by the University of Cape Town.
• Mossel Bay Radio Amateurs give wireless support behind the scenes -  Knysna Fire Disaster 2017
• Amateur Radio Mesh Network Brought into Mix as Volunteers Assist in South African Fire Disaster
• South African Radio Amateurs Poised to Support Communication as Wildfires Rage  
•  “A major problem fighting the massive fires that ravaged Knysna  was the lack of communications and electricity outages"  -  HAMNET Report 25 June 2017
• South African Radio Amateur save lives - Maritime Rescue near Brazil 
• Three Amateur Radio Clubs provided radio communication during the World Renowned Mountain Ultra Trial (MUT) 2024
• Destructive Fire destroy and damage homes, cars and wild-life in Mossel Bay (5 - 10 January 2026)
• Amateur Radio Emergency Communications PDF - After Action Report 2017 Knysna Fires
  
• Amateur Radio Emergency Communications PDF - After Action Report 2018 Herold / George Fire 
• Amateur Radio Software provides notification of Strong 5.3 Earthquake - West of Brandvlei, SA, on Sunday, December 22, 2024, at 02:51 SAST
  

Image: Amateur Radio  Emergency Communications Field Station at St Blaize, Mossel Bay

Local Community Events where Radio Amateurs assist with communications:

• ISUZU Iron Man Competition - Mossel Bay
• St Blaze Mossel Bay Lighthouse - Radio Amateurs  participate in International Lighthouse and Lightship Awareness Weekend 
• Radio Amateurs (hams) and HAMNET members have historically assisted with communication in Blind Navigator Rallies
• Amateur Radio Communications: 2013 Mossel Bay Mini Air Race - 13 October 2013
• Great Teamwork by Radio Amateurs: 2013 President's Trofee Air Race: Oudtshoorn, South Africa (23 - 25 May 2013)  
• Amateur Radio H.O.T.A Activation: 1. 500 year old Post Office Tree 2. Dias Museum, Mossel Bay - 19 November 2022 14h00
  

Above is only a few incidents / events in which amateur played a important roll in providing services to the community and assistance during disasters.  I am sure many will agree if it was not for radio amateurs and their equipment many lives, homes and animals would have been lost on land and sea.

Health and Safety Concerns

Members of the public living near radio amateurs often express their concern about health risks when amateur radio operators transmit (Electromagnetic Fields aka EMF) RF using their radios. Amateur radio installations are governed by stringent safety standards.  ICASA adopts exposure limits from the International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection (ICNIRP)  which align with the World Health Organization (WHO) recommendations.

WHO's extensive reviews included over 25 000 studies, conclude that low-level EMF from amateur radio poses no confirmed health  risks.  Radio amateurs are trained to evaluate their stations using tools like the FCC's RF exposure guidelines, adapted locally to avoid interference with aviation, broadcasting or emergency services.  In practice most amateur radio setups operate well below these thresholds, far safer than everyday devices like cell phones.

Official Recognition:  A Global and National Endorsement

Amateur radio's role in disaster response is officially recognized by the United Nations.  The ITU under UN auspices highlights amateurs in emergency telecommunications, noting their ability to provide voice, text, digital and data links in remote or devastated areas.  The United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR) cites amateur radio as a resilient method for risk reduction, integrated into global strategies like the Sendai Framework.

In South Africa the South African Radio League (SARL= National Body for Amateur Radio in South Africa) collaborates with ICASA and provincial disaster management / agencies to embed amateur networks in emergency plans in all provinces. These partnership underscores amateurs as a "force multiplier" in crises as per United Nations guidelines.

More than Towers / Antennas:  Equipment of readiness and hope

Those amateur radio antennas and towers are not vanity projects but lifelines.  In the Southern Cape Area devastating fires, floods, wind storms and even earthquake risks, they represent not only preparedness but a necessity when disasters or emergencies occur.  The neighbor decrying a tower and antennas might one day rely on it for a distress call when all other means of communications fails. The Knysna Fire in 2017 is a reminder in this regard where it was reported:  “A major problem fighting the massive fires that ravaged Knysna  was the lack of communications and electricity outages"

Conclusion:  Embrace Radio Amateurs as they are the Guardians of the Airwaves

Radio Amateurs do not hinder communities - they fortify and assist their communities.  Under ITU and ICASA oversight, with the SARL's guidance and UN endorsement they embody regulated volunteerism and Ubuntu.  The next time a tower or mast graces the Southern Cape Area see it as a symbol of service; metal and wire woven into the fabric of safety and solidarity.  By supporting Radio Amateurs we invest in our collective resilience.

In the final analysis, while amateur radio have a storied past, the future looks even brighter. The fusion of traditional knowledge with contemporary innovations is set to usher in a golden era for
amateur radio. In the realm of crisis communication, amateur radio remain, as ever, a stalwart ally, poised to play an even more pivotal role in the future.

AMATEUR (HAM) RADIO IS THE ONLY FAIL SAFE COMMUNICATION SYSTEM IN THE WORLD!

Images:  Past and present events where amateur radio assisted communities in need.  (Click on images for larger view.)

 

ED.  This article would not have been possible without the contribution by many fellow radio amateurs, news papers, HAMNET  and the Internet.  To many to mention individually.  I do not claim in any way to be the owner of any of the content and information.  In my humble opinion it belongs to Amateur Radio.  All the inputs are highly appreciated.

Down Memory Lane: Amateur Radio and the Laingsburg Flood ( Sunday, 25 January 1981)

Image:  Laingsburg Flood  (Click on image for larger view.)

Today 45 years ago on 25 January 1981 the Laingsburg Flood occurred. 104 people died in the incident. Read more in the attached article that I wrote about the Laingsburg Flood after receiving a request from several schools who wanted to use it as an assignment. Amateur Radio also played a vital role during the Search and Rescue mission. See the photo beneath. 

THE LAINGSBURG FLOOD - 25 JANUARY 1981 (PDF 5 MB Download)

Amateur Radio assisted in establishing vital communications with the outside world.

“The memories will remain with those who witnessed and experienced this disaster” 

APRS Activity increasing in the Southern Cape, South Africa

Above Image:  OSCAR 44 (also called Navy-OSCAR 44, PCSat-1, Prototype Communications SATellite and NO-44) is an American amateur radio satellite for packet radio. It was built by Bob Bruninga at the U.S. Naval Academy.

What is APRS?  No APRS is not new in amateur radio.  APRS was developed in the late 1980s by Bob Bruninga, call sign WB4APR, a senior research engineer at the United States Naval Academy.

 

APRS, or Automatic Packet Reporting System, is an amateur radio-based system for real-time digital communication of information like GPS coordinates, weather data, and text messages. It transmits data packets over radio frequencies, allowing users to display real-time information, such as object locations on a map, and is widely used for emergency communications and asset tracking. 

How it works

• APRS uses packet radio technology to send digital information over specific frequencies.

• A GPS receiver is often combined with a radio modem to automatically transmit a station's location, a process known as tracking.

• Data packets can include callsign, GPS coordinates, altitude, weather telemetry, status messages, and short text messages.

• Other users can receive these packets and display the information, typically on a map, allowing for shared situational awareness.

• Information can also be relayed through the internet via APRS-IS (Internet System) gateways, enabling global access to local data.

What it's used for

• Emergency Communications: Quickly sharing tactical information, such as weather alerts or the location of emergency personnel, during a disaster.

• Tracking: Monitoring the real-time movement of vehicles, such as in a rally or search and rescue operation.

• Asset Tracking: Locating mobile stations or other assets on a map.

• Information Exchange: Sending short messages, announcements, or weather station data to other operators.

Above is just a short explanation in a nutshell what APRS entails.  Many radio amateurs think APRS is all about tracking vehicles and objects.   APRS is far more that watching objects on a map.

Want to know more about APRS and it's History.  Click HERE

APRS Activity increasing in the Southern Cape, South Africa

APRS is not new in the Southern Cape / Garden Route Area.  I will in a future article provide more information on the history of APRS in this area and what roll it played during "Exercise Double Barrel."

There is definitely an increase and renewed interest in APRS in the Southern Cape.

Herewith a list of all the ZS1 APRS stations as displayed by aprs.fi.  Click HERE

Stations active on 2 December 2025 at 15h00 SAST:

Click on images for larger view.

Further reading:

How to configure APRS Reporting in South Africa

How to configure a radio for APRS location and data reporting in South Africa

Donation towards the ZS1I DMR Repeater Project by Anonymous Donor

Now here is once again a story of  real amateur radio spirit.  In today's life buying equipment are rather expensive when it comes to amateur radio.  There is a song with the name of Money, Money, Money which reminds me that nothing comes for free nowadays.  I was however once again proven wrong.  Last week I received a private WhatsApp containing an image of a Voltex UPS / Inverter that the author would like to donate to me for use as a power back-up system when necessary.  I tried to buy the equipment but the donor was adamant that he does not want any money as long as the equipment will be used to further amateur radio projects and installations in the Southern Cape.  He refused to accept anything for the equipment and I arranged for the transport of the equipment to my QTH.  The package was delivered by Jacobus ZS1JDJ. I want to thank Jacobus for going out of his way to pick up the package en delivering it in Mossel Bay.  This UPS / Inverter will be used in conjunction with the ZS1I DMR Repeater that will be permanently installed early in December 2025.  This repeater will be connected to the ZS Link Network here in the Southern Cape.

I would like to thank the Donor for his generosity, great amateur radio spirit and for donating this equipment, to provide power to the DMR Repeater and possibly other equipment used as part of  the ZS Link Network in the Southern Cape.  Highly appreciated and once again a big thank you!!

Some might ask "Why using a UPS / Inverter for a repeater?"  Quite simple .....The DMR Repeater currently works of the 220v mains power.  This equipment will provide 220v AC,  12 DC as well as, Solar Panel and Battery Charging in the event of a power outage. 

I will later post images where this equipment is connected to the DMR Repeater in an operational state.

Images (Click on images for larger view.)

 

Large Wildfire threatened Danabay near Mossel Bay!! (26 November 2025)

Image: Danabay Fire - Gerrit ZS1KLO (Click for larger view.)

During the Sonsakspan Net on the 26 November 2025 at 16h30 the following interesting question was asked by Jacobus ZS1JDJ.

What impact does ash, smoke and flames have on radio communications while a veld fire is burning?

Danie ZS1DL reported that there was a lot of interference on his radios while the emergency personal attended to the fire and other incidents. 

Videos:  Provided by Danie ZS1DL

Herewith a short explanation:

Wildfire ash and the associated smoke and flames can significantly impact amateur radio signals

Wildfire ash and the associated smoke and flames can significantly impact ham radio signals by causing signal attenuation and refraction, particularly at higher frequencies like VHF and UHF. The effect is dependent on the density and chemical composition of the smoke/ash, and the frequency band used. 

Effects on Radio Signals

• Signal Attenuation: The primary effect is a degradation of signal strength. Smoke and ash contain particulate matter (like graphitic carbon and potassium) and ionized gases (plasma) that can absorb or scatter electromagnetic waves.

• Frequency Dependence: Higher frequencies (UHF and above, such as 70cm amateur bands, Wi-Fi's 2.4 GHz, and cell signals) are generally more affected by the particulate matter than lower frequencies (VHF and HF bands).

• Refraction and Ducting: The intense heat from a wildfire creates a "thermal bubble" or "thermal lens" in the atmosphere, leading to temperature inversions and changes in the air's refractive index. This can sometimes cause unexpected signal bending (refraction) and even enhance long-distance propagation (tropospheric ducting) in certain conditions, where radio waves bounce further than normal.

  
  
  What is a Thermal Bubble?

  A thermal bubble is a concept used to describe a buoyant mass of hot air and emissions that rises from an intense fire. 

• Formation: Continuous heating of the surface air mass by the fire causes the air to bulge upwards into a "bubble". The intense heat creates strong thermal buoyancy, making the air less dense than the surrounding cooler air.

• Ascension: Eventually, this hot air mass can break away from the surface and ascend into the atmosphere as a distinct cell.

• Atmospheric Dynamics: As the thermal bubble rises, cooler air from aloft moves downward to replace the ascending warm air, initiating a circular motion or horizontal roll vortices at the edges of the plume. This process is part of the formation of a pyrocumulus cloud (fire cloud) and is most prominent in strong vertical wind profile environments. 

  
  
  Image:  Pyrocumulus cloud, or fire cloud - Wikipedia
  

         What is a Thermal Lens? 

A "thermal lens" in the context of wildfires

refers to the atmospheric distortion caused by a fire's heat, which can negatively impact radio communications. The intense heat creates a "thermal bubble," which acts like a physical lens, bending radio waves and causing signal degradation. This phenomenon requires specialized communication strategies and technologies for effective firefighting and operational coordination during a wildfire. 

How it works

• Atmospheric distortion: Wildfire heat creates a plume of hot air, smoke, and debris, which alters the air's density and refractive index.
• Radio wave bending: This change in the atmosphere causes radio waves to bend or refract, similar to how a glass lens bends light.
• Signal disruption: The bending can cause the signal to be weaker, distorted, or lost entirely, making it difficult for emergency responders to communicate using standard equipment.

Impact on radio communications

• Coverage gaps: Areas directly under or near the plume experience significant radio dead zones.
• Interference: Other radio signals can interfere with one another, leading to unreliable communication.
• Operational challenges: Firefighters need to have a backup plan, such as using different radio frequencies, satellite phones, or establishing direct line-of-sight communication.

Solutions and strategies

• Specialized equipment: Firefighting agencies often use specialized radio equipment that can better penetrate or adapt to the challenging conditions.
• Backup systems: Relying on multiple communication systems, such as satellite phones and handheld radios, can ensure redundancy.
• Strategic planning: Planning for the thermal lens effect is crucial. This includes identifying areas likely to be affected and developing contingency communication plans.
• High-frequency radios: Some high-frequency radios are less affected by atmospheric conditions and can provide more reliable communication over longer distances.

Radio Operations During Wildfires

Image: The illustration above shows high altitude troposheric ducting - VK3SF.

Despite these challenges, amateur radio operators play a vital role in emergency communications during fire events, often filling in when traditional cellular or landline infrastructure fails. They adapt their operations by: 

• Utilizing lower frequency bands (HF or 2m VHF) which are less susceptible to severe attenuation from smoke than UHF.

• Employing tactical positioning of antennas to work around dense smoke plumes or terrain features.

• Leveraging enhanced (though unpredictable) propagation events like tropospheric ducting to make long-distance contacts.

Temperature inversions significantly disrupt radio communications during wildfires by creating

anomalous propagation conditions that can cause signal path loss and unpredictable signal patterns. 

Effects on Radio Communications

• Signal Trapping and Bouncing: A temperature inversion creates a "lid" of warm air over cooler, denser ground-level air, which traps smoke and pollutants. Radio waves get bounced or "trapped" within this cooler surface layer, leading to signals ricocheting around rather than propagating normally through the atmosphere.
• Signal Path Loss: The environment created by the fire plume itself and the inversion is "sub-refractive," which can cause significant radio signal path loss, especially over long distances.
• Unpredictable Behavior: The turbulent, ionized, and smoke-laden atmosphere within and around a fire can cause radio beams to spread out or bend in unpredictable ways, making consistent communication difficult.
• Increased Range for Some Signals: In some instances, the "sandwich effect" of an inversion layer can cause sound and radio waves to travel further than normal, leading to unexpected signal reception from distant sources, though this is generally unreliable for operational communication within the fire zone.

Operational Impact During Wildfires for Firefighters

 

For firefighters, these disruptions mean that traditional radio communication systems can become unreliable, particularly in valleys or areas where inversions settle overnight. This communication failure poses a significant safety risk during active fire suppression efforts. 

Mitigation Strategies:

• Situational Awareness: Fire crews are trained to observe and report weather conditions, including signs of an inversion (e.g., low-hanging smoke, hazy atmosphere), to anticipate potential communication issues.
• Alternative Technologies: Modern approaches utilize technologies that do not rely on traditional, centralized radio infrastructure. Mobile mesh networking, where each device acts as a relay station, creates a more resilient network with no single point of failure.
• GPS and Situational Apps: Firefighters use smartphones with downloaded maps and situational awareness applications (like ATAK) that use GPS, which functions independently of cellular networks, to maintain awareness of their location and the fire's movement even when voice communication is lost.
  

Amateur Radio and Wildfires 

Amateur radio is a crucial tool for communication during wildfires because it is independent of traditional infrastructure like cell towers and power grids, providing a reliable backup network. Amateur radio operators can provide vital information to emergency services and the public when other communication systems fail, report fires, coordinate logistics, and even assist in long-range communication for isolated communities. This independence makes them essential for public safety and personal communication in disaster situations. 

Benefits of ham radio for wildfire communication

• Infrastructure independence: Amateur radio does not rely on the cellular or power grids, so it remains functional even when they are down due to damage or overload.
• Reliable communication: Operators can communicate directly or use repeaters to extend range, enabling them to report fires, provide status updates, and request assistance.
• Emergency support: Trained ham radio operators can integrate with official emergency response efforts to provide communications support, as seen with programs like California's Provincial Emergency Radio Communications Service (PERCS).
• Long-range capability: With appropriate equipment and antennas, ham radios can facilitate long-distance communication, which is crucial for large-scale disasters or reaching remote areas.
• Sustained operation: Radios are designed for long-term use, making them ideal for extended emergencies where other devices may run out of power.

Examples in practice

• Reporting fires: An amateur radio operator used his radio to report a wildfire, and within minutes, emergency services were dispatched, a helicopter arrived, and firefighters extinguished the fire.
• Evacuation support: In the 2017 Mossel Bay Heiderand Fire, radio amateurs helped residents receive timely updates and evacuate safely, even as there houses were under threat.
• Official integration: HAMNET are officially incorporating amateur radio operators into their disaster plans, training volunteers and establishing radio stations to ensure communication continuity.

 Interesting reading:  Radio Propagation in Fire Environments

Down Memory Lane - To all HAMNET Members - Compiled by Pierre Tromp ZS1HF (Before he became SK)

 

Garden Route Fire Warning - Next one will be worse! Are we as Radio Amateurs ready?

"The Knysna fire of 2017 went down into the history books as one of the biggest environmental disasters to hit the Garden Route. As the 8th anniversary of the great fire approaches, the man who predicted the 2017 chaos, Dr Guy Preston, has made an urgent appeal to the entire region.
He has warned that the situation on the ground is far worse, and the next fire will be far more destructive. Are we ready? " - Group Editors

 

Need I say anything about the fires that occurred in 2017 and 2018 in the Southern Cape?  I asked the following question on 29 September 2023: 

Are we ready to provide Emergency Communications in South Africa during a Disaster? 

I am not aware of any active amateur radio emergency communications group in the Southern Cape.  I might be mistaken but really there is no mentioning of any emergency communications activity over the air in this area.  If anybody knows of any amateur radio emergency communications activity in the Southern Cape I would like to hear from you.  Send me and email by clicking HERE.

I need to ask the following question:

"Is your amateur radio station equipped to handle any emergency situation, disaster or total power blackout event ?"

This question leads to more questions than answers.  Now some might say I am not interested in amateur radio emergency communications.  Whether you are interested in emergency communications or not, if your community experience a disaster and you are asked to assist with radio communications, will you be able to assist within an hour or two.

The following questions are currently unanswered.  Hopefully some of the questions might set your brain into the thinking and creative mode:

• Can you be of benefit to your local community before, during and after any emergency situation or disaster?
• Must you be a member of any emergency communication group to assist with emergency radio communications in your local community?
• Are your ready to provide emergency communications during load shedding and what equipment do you have available to overcome power failures?
• How quickly can you respond to a request to assist during a emergency situation?
• Can you use the following modes?  Winlink, FT8Call, AREDN, Morse Code etc.
• Should we get involved at all in providing any communication during a disaster or emergency situation?
• Must I be a paid up member to any organization to provide any communications when a disaster or emergency arise?
• If there is no amateur radio emergency communication member or organization in your community will you be able to assist with communications?
• Will you assist with emergency communications when asked by you local authority or community members?
• What equipment do you have available to assist, radios, antennas, batteries, inverters, solar power etc.?
• What roll if any did amateur radio play before, during and after the Knysna Fire Disaster?
• Should we wait until we are called upon to assist with radio communications during a emergency or disaster event?
• When there is load shedding I have noticed that many amateur radio stations are off the air.  As a simple example you can just look at the ZS-Link Network.  Activity is at an all time low during load shedding.  Why is this the case?  If we cannot keep the ZS-Link Network running during load shedding what will happen during a disaster? Will we as radio amateurs be able to provide emergency communications if we do not have backup power systems?  

The above questions are not posted to point finger or to "stir".  It is questions that came to the fore as a result of the fire disasters that occurred in 2017 and 2018.   The above is posted as food for thought and hopefully to motivate some fellow radio amateurs to improve their stations if they are not currently equipped for total blackouts or natural and man made disasters.

Of the utmost importance is communications amongst and between other amateur radio
organizations/clubs/emergency communication networks. It was clear from this event that the one did not know what the other was doing. This was clearly evident in emails received and posts on amateur radio forums.

Emergency Communications training is needed and more frequent Emergency Communications
Training exercises are essential. Simplicity need to be looked at. The disparate radio systems in use by all roll players during the Knysna Fire Disaster interrupted services. This radio communication disparity issue prevented effected communications during the event.   I am not aware that this issue has been addressed to prevent such issues during a future disaster.

Finally:  I am no prophet of doom but we need to be prepared for any eventuality in this country.  The 2017 Knysna Fire Disaster was the wake-up call we all needed.   The question remain whether we took this wake-up call to heart?  Only time will tell!!

AMATEUR (HAM) RADIO IS THE ONLY FAIL SAFE COMMUNICATION SYSTEM IN THE WORLD!

Eskom Loadshedding Solutions - Raspberry Pi Router/Modem "Watchdog" Project: Testing Internet Connection (Part 3)

 Image:  ZS1I AllStar Hub, 145.550 Echolink Simplex Link and ZS-Link SVXLink Reflector

With the recent loadshedding experienced I decided to consolidate several projects that were left hanging due to other more urgent projects or the fact that loadshedding was suspended and there was not really a need to finish such projects.  Well this time around I decided to make a list of unfinished projects and whether loadshedding is suspended early, these projects must be finalized irrespective if there are other more urgent projects.  One such project is the Raspberry Pi Router/Modem "Watchdog" Project.  I received requests from fellow radio amateurs to provide more information setting up the "Watchdog" and what was the end result in connecting it to an AllStar node and LTE Modem/Router. Part 1 and Part 2 is available by clicking on the specific part.

What is the project all about?  In short I needed an automated “watchdog”  to tell me if the Internet was up  or down and if  down to automatically connect to the Internet once it is back up and running again especially during and after loadshedding. (power outages)  If it is up then there is no further action to be taken. In Part 3 I will be looking at a few Linux and Setup commands for this project.  Once you finished constructing the "Watchdog" it is time to "wake it up" and getting it to watch the Internet for connection outages or confirm that it is up and running.

Let's first look at our connections that must be made for the "Watchdog" to work correctly.  

Cables needed:

1.  12 v DC Cable to power the "Watchdog"

2.  Ethernet Cable coming from the Router/Modem that you will be monitoring.

3.  Relay Control Cable.  One end of the cable connects to the Router.  The other end connects to 12v DC going to the Router and the third connection is to the "Watchdog" relay connection which is  Com - NC wired.

4.  Internet "Watchdog" Bridge Plug -  This is needed when the "Watchdog" is not connected to the Router/Modem.  It is just a wire bridge to give  12 v DC connectivity.

See images for clarity in this regard.

Once you have connected all the cables it is time to switch the unit on.  Wait a few minutes and then retrieve the IP address by either looking in the router/modem or by using software to retrieve the IP address. 

I use VNC to get access to the Raspberry Pi.  Enter  the IP address in VNC as well as your username and password which you must have created when installing the OS.  Once you have logged into the Raspberry Pi you must install Python 3.11.1 if not already installed.  If not installed do a Google search on how to install Python on a Raspberry Pi.  We need Python 3 to run the Internet Watchdog program.  Once Python is installed and you rebooted we need to update the Raspberry Pi.   Open a Terminal window in the Raspberry Pi.

Enter:

$ sudo apt update (enter)

When all the updates are downloaded and installed use clear and enter to clean the terminal window.

We will now write the two script files as shown in Part 2.   Keep Part 2 open in another tab of your browser as we will copy the contents of the two script files into two separate files.  To create each file you will have to follow the procedure listed underneath.

$ sudo su (enter)

$ cd /home/pi (enter)

To create and write a new Python script with Nano:

In the terminal window use:

$ nano filename.py  In our case replace filename with relay_test.py

Copy and paste the relay_test.py in the second browser to relay_test.py  Once copied

press CTRL+S to save the file.

press CTRL+X to exit Nano and come back to the terminal.

Your relay_test.py script file is now created.  Do the same with the relay_final.py script file.  Also open  relay_final.txt and relay_test.txt files by using the above nano method.  Do not copy and paste anything in the relay_final.txt or relay_test.txt files.  Just save them without anything in it.

 

The four files you created will be listed in the /home/pi directory.

You should still be in root@raspberrypi:/home/pi#

Use ls command to list the files.  The files will be listed as:

relay_test.py 

relay_final.py

relay_final.txt

relay_test.txt

Now go to the Applications Menu of the Raspberry Pi (far left top of the screen)

Look for Thonny Python under programming.

Open Thonny

The Thonny Python Program will open 

Click File - Open - select relay_test.py

Click OK

relay_test.py script file will open in Thonny Python

Again click file

Select Open

Click on relay_final.py

Click OK

relay_final.py script file will open in Thonny Python

Time to test if the Internet is UP or DOWN using relay_test.py script

In the Thonny Python Program select relay_test.py  The script has a false IP address to simulate that the Internet is down.

Go to the green round icon with the black triangle pointing  to the right

Click on the icon to run the relay_test.py script

Output will be displayed in Shell (Bottom of Thonny)

 

Output:

 

Date and Time is: 2025-02-24  15:44:12.382124

Testing Internet connection using Ping

PING 1.51.17.1 56(84) bytes of data

(Note the 1.51.17.1 is a fake IP address) to simulate  that the Internet is down)

--- 1.51.17.1 ping statistics ---

5 Packets transmitted, 0 received, 100% packet loss, time 135 ms

1.51.17.1 Internet connection failure

Turning off power to router

Waiting 1 minute to turn router back on

Power up and Reboot router

Nearly there - wait another while!  (Till  >>> appear)

It is clear from the above that we do not have a working Internet connection.  Internet is down!

 

You can replace the IP address in the above script with 8.8.8.8 and again test if the Internet is UP or DOWN.  The output would reflect that the Internet is UP.  No need to change the IP.  We will use the final script to get the "Watchdog" up and running.

 

Next we will use relay_final.py script to find out if the Internet is UP or Down. 

In the Thonny Python Program select relay_final.py 

Go to the green round icon with the black triangle pointing  to the right

Click on the icon to run the relay_final.py script

Output will be displayed in Shell (Bottom of Thonny)

 

Output:

 

Date and Time is 2025-02-24  15:59:35.420916

Testing Internet Connection using Ping

Ping 1.1.1.1 (1.1.1.1) 56 (84) bytes of data

64 bytes from 1.1.1.1; icmp_seq=1 ttl=57 time=66.0ms

64 bytes from 1.1.1.1; icmp_seq=2 ttl=57 time=48.6ms

64 bytes from 1.1.1.1; icmp_seq=3 ttl=57 time=47.4ms

64 bytes from 1.1.1.1; icmp_seq=4 ttl=57 time=48.5ms

64 bytes from 1.1.1.1; icmp_seq=5 ttl=57 time=45.8ms

 

---1.1.1.1 ping statistics ---

5 packets transmitted, 5 received, 0% packet loss, 12 ms

rtt vnin/avg/mox/mdev=45.826/51.277/66.032/7, 446 ms

 

1.1.1.1  Internet connection success.  No further input needed.

 

If the Internet was down the output would be similar to the output we received in relay_test.py simulation.

 

I drilled an inspection hole on the top of the cabinet to view the two LED's on the relay module.  Under normal operation there is a green led that indicates that there is power to the relay module.  There is another relay that will indicate whether the Internet is up or down. (See videos in Part 1)

If only the green power led on the relay module is on then the Internet is up and running.

If the green power led and a red led is lit on the relay module then the Internet is down.

You can now easily see if there is any issues by just looking through the inspection hole.

Finally:  We now need to setup the crontab -e file to run the final script every 10 or 30 minutes (you choose the time interval)

 

Open a Terminal window

Type after $:

crontab -e (enter)

 

Once file open go to the last entry line in the file and enter the following:

 

#*/10 * * * * python3 /home/pi/relay_final.py

#*/2 * * * * python3 /home/pi/relay_final.py >> /home/pi/relay_final.txt 2&>1

#*/2 * * * * python3 /home/pi/relay_test.py

#*/2 * * * * python3 /home/pi/relay_test/py >> /home/pi/relay_test.txt 2&>1

 

We have four options/settings:

 

1.  Running relay_find.py script every 10 minutes

2.  Running relay_find.py script every 2 minutes with output to relay_final.txt file

3.  Running relay_test.py script every 2 minutes

4.  Running relay_test.py script every 2 minutes with output to relay_test.txt file

 

Note:   Options 2 and 4 should not be activated to run continuously as output data can quickly fill up your SD Card.  Just use it for test purposes only.

 

The relay_final.py script will run every 10 minutes and should be activated by removing the # in front of  */10 ------ etc

 

If you go to cd /home/pi (enter) you will see the text (txt) files listed.  If you activated relay_final.py and relay_text.py while testing crontab you can click on the txt file and you will be able to view output when running either script file.  Only run one script txt file at a time.  How ever there is another way to check if crontab ran successfully.

In Terminal use:

grep CRON /var/log/syslog

Note:  After testing script files and txt files ensure that only relay_final.py is activated.  The three other crontab entries should be de-activated by putting an # in front of each entry. 

To check crontab content after closing it you can type in Terminal:

$ crontab -l

Crontab content will be displayed in the terminal window.

This final setup will activate the Raspberry Pi Router "Watchdog" and you will now be able to use this setup/project to automatically monitor the Internet continuously.

 

Enjoy!!

Video:

 

 

 

Images:  Click on images for larger view