April 16, 2024

This Week in Amateur Radio

North America's Premiere Amateur Radio News Magazine

Via Southgate: Eruption proved continuing importance of shortwave

When the Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha’apai submarine volcano exploded earlier this year, bringing down communications to and from Tonga, RNZ Pacific reverted to shortwave to reach the isolated island nation

Public Media Alliance carry an article by Richard Sutherland, Head of News at Radio New Zealand:

In January this year, Tonga’s Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha’apai submarine volcano exploded.  It was the most powerful eruption of its type that the world has seen since Krakatoa in 1883.  In addition to sending atmospheric shockwaves around the world, the eruption badly damaged the international high-speed subsea cable connecting Tonga to the rest of the world.

The island kingdom was cut off – it was several days before jury-rigged comms were restored.  Getting information out of Tonga was next to impossible. But thanks to shortwave, RNZ Pacific was able to broadcast vital information into the country.

Read more – Southgate Amateur Radio News RSS Feed http://www.southgatearc.org/news/2022/august/eruption-proved-continuing-importance-of-shortwave.htm
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