YRM marks start of 2022 storm season

Wednesday, June 1, marked the official start of the 2022 hurricane season, and local radio operators and in particular, the Youlou Radio Movement (YRM), have marked the occasion with the commencement of a twice daily radio network.

The YRM said in a release this is to ensure that all radio operators are aware of the latest weather conditions, to ensure that their equipment is working and to provide opportunity for radio operators to sharpen their communication skills.

The radio networks are held primarily on the VHF 2 Meter band, with connections to a service called Echolink, which allows local operators to communicate with both local and international radio operators. Paul Lowman K9PSL who is also a licensed Vincentian radio operator J88DF has created an internet path called CDARIN which allows SVG to connect with the rest of the world via a radio over internet protocol (ROIP).

The first network began at 6:00 a.m on June 1 with radio operator, Sean Patterson – with radio callsign J88CU conducting that network. The stations joining that network included radio operators from St. Lucia, Montserrat, the USA and St Vincent and the Grenadines (SVG) where the YRM’s youngest licensed radio operator, Ciandra Scarborough, J88NCS read the latest weather report provided by the Met Office at the Argyle International Airport.

On May 2, the YRM tested its readiness for the 2022 storm season with an outdoor fitness field exercise from the four highest hills in SVG, including ‘La Soufriere’, ‘Ma Peggy’ in Bequia, ‘Mt. Royal’ in Canouan and ‘Mt. Taboi’ in Union Island which YRM Director, Don De Rigs said was a great success, thanks to the participation and support from both local and regional radio operators and the corporate sector. The 2-Meter network can be monitored by persons who own scanners on the frequency 144.185 FM from 6:00 a.m- 6:30 a.m, and in the evening from 8:00 p.m.