On Saturday, October 24, 2009, I was visiting Gord VE7GVB.  We heard a call come through from Duncan VE7TCC saying he was in a “pickle”.  Paul VA7JHW, City of Coquitlam – Emergency Radio Coordinator (ERC) came back to Duncan’s call from the Coquitlam Amateur Radio Club house.  Duncan and his wife’s walk on Buntzen turned out longer than they had anticipated...

They were concerned:

1. it was getting dark and they had just come out of their hike on the north side of the lake and had to walk down the park service road to the south end (approx 45 min)
2. The park gates would be locked until morning
3. About the cold during the night if they had to wait it out in the car till morning
4. About Duncan’s diabetes.  They had packed a few snacks and Duncan was eating and resting at time of call.

Gord identified and offered assistance.  Paul, with the assistance of Ryan VE7STK,  looked up the directions to Buntzen and the park ranger’s number.  Paul passed the park ranger’s number to Gord for telephone contact.  Paul headed to Buntzen Lake.  Fred VE7TUG (location Maple Ridge) identified and offered assistance.  Gord made contact with the park ranger and explained the situation, health and welfare to her.  She queried our information and Gord told her we were in radio contact with Duncan, as we are Ham operators, and that we would relay for her.  She headed to Buntzen.  Gord passed information/traffic between Duncan, Paul and Fred.  Paul appointed Gord net control.  I assumed net control when Gord took breaks.  When another ham operator identified (to use the frequency) I informed him that the frequency was in use for a priority situation.
 
The park ranger found Duncan and Pat and drove them to their vehicle.  We monitored until Duncan informed us the situation was resolved and he did not need further assistance.  Gord proceeded with stand down to Paul and Fred and returned the frequency to regular use.
 
All responders are members of the Coquitlam Amateur Radio Emergency Services Society (CARESS).  We took advantage of the situation for further training.  Paul VA7JHW has APRS capabilities and guided us to the computer to bring up APRES.fi where we were able to visibly track Paul’s movements.  Fred VE7TUG critiqued our report to the park ranger – advising we specify exact number of people.  (We could not remember the wording as “they” or if two hikers were specified).  I continue to learn from experienced and talented operators.
 
Marcy VE7JT
 

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