Ham radio technology used in Thailand cave rescue.

13th July 2018
Charles M0OXO
Blog
heyfone

UK radio amateur John Hey G3TDZ (SK) designed the special low frequency radio equipment, the Heyphone, used in the recent cave rescue in Thailand

On Facebook Phil Karn KA9Q posted:

Naturally I got interested in the technical aspects of the cave rescue in Thailand, particularly communications.
They used the “Heyphone”, a voice radio designed by a UK radio ham, John Hey, G3TDZ, as open-source hardware specifically for cave rescues.
It uses upper (single) sideband voice on 87 kilohertz in the VLF (very low frequency) band. (That’s what it says — 87 kHz is actually LF).

The “antenna” consists of two stakes driven into the ground about 20m apart. Enough of the current between them fringes outward to couple to another antenna up to a few hundred meters away (or down).

John Hey passed away in 2016 so he didn’t get to see his work used here. But ham radio should get some of the credit.

Phil Karn KA9Q
https://facebook.com/phil.karn.98/posts/10155276627256486
https://twitter.com/ka9q

John Hey G3TDZ Heyphone Cave Rescue Communication System http://bcra.org.uk/creg/heyphone/

Al Williams WD5GNR has written an article on Hackaday about the cave equipment
https://hackaday.com/2018/07/11/ham-designed-gear-used-in-thailand-cave-rescue/

http://www.southgatearc.org/news/2018/july/ham-radio-technology-used-in-thailand-cave-rescue.htm

 

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Charles M0OXO

I was born in the 1960’s and have lived all my life in the Coal Mining Town of Barnsley in South Yorkshire, Northern England. My parents were all from this area of Yorkshire and my father worked in the main Industry of the local Collieries as a face worker. I have been married to my wife Debbie for 35+ years and we have two children and two grandchildren.

I have been licensed for around 20 years after my interest was re-kindled when I retired from my role as a Police Officer within South Yorkshire Police Force. The latter few years were spent as Radio Operator in the Force Operations Control Room at Sheffield, before my career ended.

IOTA chasing is (and always has been) my real passion, as climbing the ladder to reach Honour Roll status was always my main aim. The 1000 Islands Trophy is still out of reach but I am heading in the right direction. I am currently a Board Member of IOTA Ltd and IREF.

In my free time I am a keen Photographer of Wildlife, Aviation, (anything really) but the QSL Manager role is my main passion within Ham Radio.

https://www.m0oxo.com/
https://www.m0oxo.com/oqrs/