LOS ANGELES – The Filipino American Service Group Inc. (FASGI), together with the newly-formed Fil-Am Emergency Disaster Communications Los Angeles (FEDComm LA), recently opened a radio facility that will provide free communication services to Filipinos in LA with relatives in areas hard-hit by Super Typhoon Yolanda (Haiyan).
With much of the telecommunication infrastructure in the typhoon-battered areas in Visayas still down, one of the reliable means of communication that people can use is ham radio, or amateur radio.
Thru the initiative of licensed ham radio operator Paul Mirador, and a group of volunteers from the National Traffic System, the communication center will coordinate with the Philippine Amateur Radio Association in tracking down relatives in the affected areas and set up a radio conversation with their family members here in LA.
Manned by both licensed and non-licensed volunteer radio operators, the communication center opened its doors on Friday, November 22. According to Mirador, the communication center is open on Tuesdays and Thursdays, 5 to 7pm, and on Saturdays, 3 to 5pm.
According to a FEDComm LA statement, additional days and hours will be arranged, depending on the demand for service.
The communication center is located at the FASGI headquarters on 135 N. Park View Street, Los Angeles, CA 90026.
According to Mirador, the communication center will offer three services: 1.) Win Link, or a messaging system that will help track down relatives in the typhoon-affected regions; 2.) Echo Link, or a voice communication system similar to Skype calls with no video interface; and 3.) ham radio.
Mirador also revealed that the communication center will allow LA-based Pinoys to reach out to their relatives in Borongan, Naga, Manila, and a few other locations in the Philippines.
Mirador also said that FEDComm LA is also reaching out to other licensed licensed ham radio technicians to encourage them to volunteer and help in this project. Non-licensed volunteers are also needed to coordinate the schedules, handle calls, and provide other necessary support services.
Should the level of demand increase, plans are already in place to put together a second radio facility at the Silver Lake Medical Center.
For more information, you may reach FEDComm LA at [email protected]. You may also call Jeanette Sayno at (213) 483-9804 ext. 205.
(www.asianjournal.com)
(LA Weekend November 30 – December 3, 2013 Sec A pg.6)
