The Philip B. Petersen Collection Broadcast April 25, 1990

     It was 7:18 in the morning on September 19, 1985, when Mexico City was hit by a severe earthquake, registering 7.8 on the Richter scale, causing death and destruction when large buildings collapsed.  Many were either killed or trapped for many days.  Telephone communications were severely damaged, cutting off most all telephone service with the outside world.  Mexico radio amateurs came on the air telling of the devastation and the need for assistance.  There was a great outpouring of help.  Radio amateurs in many countries were handling supplies - Red Cross, Salvation Army, Catholic Charities, American Jewish Relief, Rotary International - and so many more were helping and needed more information.  Special kinds of equipment were rushed by air to help find the many entombed under tons of rubble.  The offers of help kept coming in over the air.
     Radio amateur and U.S. Senator Barry Goldwater, K7UGA, was one of many handling messages with Louis, XE1L, in Mexico City, who was coordinating communications with many relief agencies and government officials.  Here is a transcript of actual two-way transmissions between the Mexican amateur radio operator and Senator Barry Goldwater:

      "...The Red Cross is also listening on this frequency; the Geneva Red Cross has been contacted on this same frequency; also the Washington Red Cross, the Argentine Red Cross also has helped and brought some planes; the Dominican Republic has brought help to Mexico.  I'll relay a list to the Mexican Embassy, then I'll be talking to you, Barry ... (K7UGA, this is XE1L, do you QSL?" (acknowledge)

Then the former Arizona senator inquired about friends in Mexico:

       "...Louis, you are five-nine plus here (signal reception report), and again Louis, thank the Mexican Embassy in my words, vaya con Dios, and to you, good work my friend.  Call Ambassador Ganon and tell him I'm glad to hear he's well.  I'll inform all of his friends and I will be back listening for you later.  Over."

     Charles Gspann, W2ZEE, in Deal, was on the air over 12 hours a day helping the headquarters of the Salvation Army in Asbury Park with many messages from worried relatives concerned about the safety of loved ones.  He was helped by a Spanish speaking person at his station.  He also answered requests concerning the safety of foreign ambassadors in Mexico City.  He made calls for U.S., Canadian, French and Costa Rican governments.  Charlie, W2ZEE, continued to operate for the next several days, sending over 100 messages until the emergency was over.
     Our southern neighbors are ever so thankful for the quick response to help.  On the wall in Charles Gspann's radio shack is a colorful diploma that was presented to him for his wholehearted support in helping the people of Mexico in the emergency.

April 25, 1990

** Broadcasts recordings preserved and presented here by Mr. Robert Buss and Mr. Bernie Ricciardi, Phil's friends and fellow Marconi Chapter 138 QCWA members **

Page updated January 12, 2004  page created June 11, 2001