Amateur Radio as a First Amateur Radio as a First Aid and a Tool of the Aid and a Tool of the

Emergency Emergency CommunicationsCommunications

Alexandria, EgyptAlexandria, EgyptApril 14, 2007April 14, 2007

Dr. Seppo Sisättö, OH1VRDr. Seppo Sisättö, OH1VREmCom Coordinator of the IARU Region EmCom Coordinator of the IARU Region

11

My subjects:My subjects:

1)1) Tampere ConventionTampere Convention

2)2) IARU EmCom activitiesIARU EmCom activities

3)3) WRC-07 WRC-07

My background:My background: Journalist , director in press, radio and tv, Journalist , director in press, radio and tv,

entrepreneur, writer, Fulbright Scholar at entrepreneur, writer, Fulbright Scholar at Stanford University, lecturer etc.Stanford University, lecturer etc.

One of the fathers of the Tampere One of the fathers of the Tampere ConventionConvention

EmCom Coordinator of the IARU Region 1 EmCom Coordinator of the IARU Region 1 2005 –2005 –

Ph.D. 1977, OH1VR since 1960Ph.D. 1977, OH1VR since 1960

Tampere ConventionTampere ConventionTampere Declaration 1991Tampere Declaration 1991 ICET 1998 (The Birth of Tampere ICET 1998 (The Birth of Tampere

Convention)Convention)Finally: Tampere Convention in ForceFinally: Tampere Convention in Force January 8th, 2005 when 30thJanuary 8th, 2005 when 30th country ratified it !country ratified it ! ICEC-2006, GAREC-2005, 2006, ICEC-2006, GAREC-2005, 2006,

2007..2007..

United Nations Press release Information ServiceUnited Nations Press release Information ServiceUnited Nations Office at Geneva United Nations Office at Geneva

7 January 20057 January 2005

TAMPERE CONVENTION: TAMPERE CONVENTION:

SAVING LIVES THROUGHSAVING LIVES THROUGHEMERGENCY TELECOMMUNICATIONS EMERGENCY TELECOMMUNICATIONS

Why Tampere Why Tampere Convention?Convention?

Former UN Secretary-General Mr. Kofi Annan:Former UN Secretary-General Mr. Kofi Annan:

’’From the mobilization of assistance to theFrom the mobilization of assistance to thelogistics chain, which will carry assistance logistics chain, which will carry assistance

totothe intended beneficiaries, realible the intended beneficiaries, realible

telecom-telecom-munication links are indispensable’munication links are indispensable’

More:More:’’Until now, various regulatory barriers haveUntil now, various regulatory barriers havemade it extremely difficult for aid workersmade it extremely difficult for aid workersto rapidly deploy telecommunications to rapidly deploy telecommunications

equip-equip-ment without the prior consent of localment without the prior consent of localauthorities’authorities’

’ ’ These formalities have caused delay and These formalities have caused delay and loss of lives ’loss of lives ’

More:More:The Convention describes the procedures forThe Convention describes the procedures fortelecommunication assistance, recognizingtelecommunication assistance, recognizingthe right of a state to direct, control and the right of a state to direct, control and coordinate assistance provided under thecoordinate assistance provided under theConvention within its territority. It alsoConvention within its territority. It alsorequires States to make an inventory ofrequires States to make an inventory ofrecources – both human and material –recources – both human and material –available for disaster mitigation and relief. available for disaster mitigation and relief.

MoreMoreThe Convention is the first treaty of its The Convention is the first treaty of its

kindkindthat provides privileges and that provides privileges and

immunities toimmunities tothe staff of NGOsthe staff of NGOs

e.g. Amateur Radio operators e.g. Amateur Radio operators

IARU and EmCom 1IARU and EmCom 1 The Amateur Radio Service is a The Amateur Radio Service is a

valuable asset in Emergency and valuable asset in Emergency and Disaster ResponseDisaster Response

- its networks are independent of - its networks are independent of vulnerable infrastructuresvulnerable infrastructures - its skilled operators – many of them with - its skilled operators – many of them with special training in EmCom – support special training in EmCom – support disaster response world widedisaster response world wide - EmCom party twice a year since 2006 - EmCom party twice a year since 2006

IARU and EmCom 2IARU and EmCom 2 Amateur Radio Service isAmateur Radio Service is - a global telecommunication service- a global telecommunication service recognized by the ITUrecognized by the ITU - operated by more than 2 Million- operated by more than 2 Million volunteers world widevolunteers world wide - the most flexible telecommunication- the most flexible telecommunication service, operating in all available modes:service, operating in all available modes: Voice, Data, Images ( + Center of ActivityVoice, Data, Images ( + Center of Activity Frequencies)Frequencies)

IARU and EmCom 3IARU and EmCom 3The Amateur Radio Service hasThe Amateur Radio Service has - a long tradition in EmCom- a long tradition in EmCom - most recently provided services - most recently provided services during major disasters such asduring major disasters such as o The Indian Ocean Tsunami in 2004o The Indian Ocean Tsunami in 2004 o Hurricanes Katrina and Rita in 2005o Hurricanes Katrina and Rita in 2005 o Tornadoes, Floods, Train accidents,o Tornadoes, Floods, Train accidents, EarthquakesEarthquakes

IARU and EmCom 4IARU and EmCom 4The Amateur Radio Service provides The Amateur Radio Service provides

operators, whooperators, who - have proven their qualification in exams- have proven their qualification in exams - know how to establish communication- know how to establish communication network with minimal resources, makenetwork with minimal resources, make things work under adverse conditions,things work under adverse conditions, overcome difficulties such as damagesovercome difficulties such as damages to equipment and infrastructuresto equipment and infrastructures

IARU and EmCom 5IARU and EmCom 5 GAREC –processGAREC –process (GAREC= Global Amateur Radio EmCom Conferences)(GAREC= Global Amateur Radio EmCom Conferences)

-- In Tampere Finland 2005 and 2006, thirdIn Tampere Finland 2005 and 2006, third August 2007 in Region 2, fourth in CroatiaAugust 2007 in Region 2, fourth in Croatia 2008 etc.2008 etc. - Creating processes among Radio - Creating processes among Radio Amateurs for EmCom Services cross theAmateurs for EmCom Services cross the boarders (like frequency management, boarders (like frequency management, tools for education, exercises etc.)tools for education, exercises etc.)

Safety 2003 exerciseSafety 2003 exercisein Finlandin Finland

Objectives:Objectives:1)1) to build a nationwide (covering all 446to build a nationwide (covering all 446 municipalities) two-way communicationsmunicipalities) two-way communications network, separate from the national gridnetwork, separate from the national grid2)2) to enhance the preparedness of radio amateurs for to enhance the preparedness of radio amateurs for

assisting society in emergencies by improving, assisting society in emergencies by improving, among other things, the message handling skills of among other things, the message handling skills of amateurs, andamateurs, and

3)3) to create a basis for more regular cooperation with to create a basis for more regular cooperation with the authorities with the aim of establishing radio the authorities with the aim of establishing radio amateurs as a distinct cooperating partner among amateurs as a distinct cooperating partner among partners listed by the authorities in their partners listed by the authorities in their preparedness planspreparedness plans

Safety 2003 in practiseSafety 2003 in practiseAbout 1000 radio amateurs participatedAbout 1000 radio amateurs participated = every fifth finnish radio amateur = every fifth finnish radio amateur Three preliminary exercises before June Three preliminary exercises before June

7th, 20037th, 2003The aim of the exercise, the building The aim of the exercise, the building

and operation of a nationwide and operation of a nationwide communications network, was communications network, was deliberately exaggerateddeliberately exaggerated

Minister of Interior and Minister of Interior and Safety 2003Safety 2003

Vests for the participants of Vests for the participants of Safety 2003Safety 2003

Training courses before the exerciseTraining courses before the exercise

Cell HQ at Helsinki Energy ARCCell HQ at Helsinki Energy ARC(under one cell HQ operated 5-8 stations)(under one cell HQ operated 5-8 stations)

Conclusions 1Conclusions 11)1) The exercise demonstrated that radio The exercise demonstrated that radio

amateurs can build a nationwide amateurs can build a nationwide communications network which is communications network which is cabable of operating independently, cabable of operating independently, separate from the country’s national grid separate from the country’s national grid and telecommunications networksand telecommunications networks

2)2) The message handling skills of radio The message handling skills of radio amateurs are sufficient, in spite of some amateurs are sufficient, in spite of some shortcomings, for running traffic on such shortcomings, for running traffic on such a networka network

Conclusions 2Conclusions 23) The equipment of radio amateurs is 3) The equipment of radio amateurs is

suitable, thanks to equipment diversity, suitable, thanks to equipment diversity, for use on an emergency communications for use on an emergency communications network. Fixed antennas and equipment network. Fixed antennas and equipment located at the Command Centers of the located at the Command Centers of the authorities would speed up construction authorities would speed up construction of the network in the event that the of the network in the event that the authorities decide to seek recourse to authorities decide to seek recourse to radio amateurs for their assistanceradio amateurs for their assistance

Conclusions 3Conclusions 34) Given its extent and scope, 4) Given its extent and scope, Safety Safety

20032003, was a unique exersice. , was a unique exersice. Feedback received from the Feedback received from the participants has been entusiastic, so participants has been entusiastic, so much that there is every reason to much that there is every reason to consider organizing a similar exercise consider organizing a similar exercise in a few years’ time. Regional in a few years’ time. Regional exercises are another interesting exercises are another interesting possibility.possibility.

Conclusions 4Conclusions 45) 5) Safety 2003Safety 2003 gave proof of the way gave proof of the way

in which the know-how and in which the know-how and equipment of radio amateurs can be equipment of radio amateurs can be used for public service.used for public service.

6) 6) Safety 2003 Safety 2003 demonstrated the demonstrated the readiness of the authorities to readiness of the authorities to discuss the idea of deepening discuss the idea of deepening cooperation with radio amateurscooperation with radio amateurs

WRC-07WRC-07IARU’s two frequency proposals have IARU’s two frequency proposals have

a major effects on EmCom Services a major effects on EmCom Services provided by Amateur Radio Service:provided by Amateur Radio Service:

- New band 5260 -5410 kHz- New band 5260 -5410 kHz - World wide allocation of 7000-7300 kHz- World wide allocation of 7000-7300 kHz for Amateur Radio Service (now only in for Amateur Radio Service (now only in Region 2)Region 2)

SummarySummary Amateur Radio is usefull tool for the Emergency Amateur Radio is usefull tool for the Emergency

CommunicatiosCommunicatios WRC-07 has a key role to strengthen EmCom WRC-07 has a key role to strengthen EmCom

opportunities of Amateur Radio Serviceopportunities of Amateur Radio Service World wide cooperation among Amateur Radio World wide cooperation among Amateur Radio

operators on the field of EmCom is in the operators on the field of EmCom is in the process (GAREC’s, exercises, education etc.)process (GAREC’s, exercises, education etc.)

Ratification of Tampere Convention and Ratification of Tampere Convention and acceptance of CEPT -licensing are steps forwardacceptance of CEPT -licensing are steps forward

Thank you!Thank you!

(seppo.sisatto@uta.fi)(seppo.sisatto@uta.fi)