Hams Help Rescue Injured Climber

Ham radio assists injured climber:

Bill Manatt, KE6NHO, reports that Amateur Radio was instrumental in helping to rescue a mountain climber injured April 29 south of Iceberg Lake near the east face of Mount Whitney--the steepest face of the mountain.

Amateur Radio operators, including Mike Franz, KA6HII, and Dave Whitaker, KO6ME, were involved in coordinating the helicopter rescue, Manatt said. The effort included at least one ham at the scene.

Manatt said rescue traffic was being handled via the Mazurka repeater on 146.76, which is linked to the Little Lake 147.21 repeater, which he monitored. Manatt said the radio operator at the scene was having problems--possibly with weak batteries or a faulty antenna connection--and communication with KA6HII became increasingly difficult at one point.

The injured climber was to be taken off the mountain by helicopter by midday on April 30. "KA6HII and the operator at the other end did a great job getting essential information," he said. "In addition, Mike Franz was a cool, efficient operator. He did a wonderful job coordinating the rescue."

--Bill Manatt, KE6NHO

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