Digicel Dominica recently donated 150 batteries to the Dominica Amateur Radio Club Inc.
Network Engineering Manager at Digicel, Glenford St. Jean said during the presentation that Digicel was proud as a commercial entity to be able to provide the assistance.
“…In total, we are providing 150 batteries. We know that it will be used as it should be to assist the nation through any disaster that may arise keeping in mind that we are in the hurricane season. These batteries would assist with communications – to increase the period of time that their systems remain online – to ensure communication is prolonged,” St. Jean stated.
President of the Dominica Amateur Radio Club Inc, Roger Blanchard also spoke at the function pointing out that the batteries will enhance the club’s on-air time during a disaster.
“We would like to thank our telecoms sub-committee partner Digicel for handing over those batteries. They will be greatly appreciated,” Blanchard assured the donor.
It was nice to read about Digicel Dominica’s gift of 150 batteries to the club.
Back in the 1980’s, I visited J73 on three different occasions as a Rep. for Partners of the Americas. Dutchess County (in NY) and Dominica were once partners so my visits included the Ham club, the fire department and the police. I represented the Emergency Preparedness committee. Some firemen visited Dutchess county, learning CPR & First Aid. Many years ago, I was able to secure 10-12 (50 MHz) radios for the fire Department and the Radio Club installed all of them.
Since then, your club has made so much progress. Thanks to all of you ! ! !
A world War 2 veteran brought his radio to Dominica when he settled on the island and started a business. He was a radio operator in the Army in the Pacific theater. He used his Ham radio to communicate all over the world with other HAM operators in the 1950’s and 1960’s, they would also share weather information which he passed on to the Government of Dominica to alert the people of hurricanes. Cannot post his name here but the older generation people older than 65 knew him. His last place of residence was at Elmshall when it was still a Roses Lime Juice Lime plantation. Lennox Honeychurch knew him personally. He had his HAM radio antenna strung between two bamboo poles. He passed away at Elmshall in early 1972.