UPDATE 10/7/2024 @ 1634 The SCHEART network has returned to normal operations and is available for licensed operators to use. Thanks to the amateur radio community for supporting the Hurricane Helene response effort. 73 Roger
UPDATE 10/6/2024 @ 1350 The SCHEART network continues to support recovery operations at the request of SCEMD. At 8:00 PM tonight, the ARES net will provide a statewide status update. At the end of the net, the SCHEART system will remain unlinked until Monday morning when the following repeaters will be linked: Columbia, Greenwood, Greenville, Caesars Head, Spartanburg Edgefield, Beech Island, Aiken Regional, and Sumter. Links to these repeaters will be dropped around 08:00 PM. The analog and digital systems will revert to normal operations and are available to everyone Monday evening. Special thanks to all amateurs who have supported Hurricane Helene response operations
UPDATE 10/4/2024 @ 1500 The power situation continues to improve across the state. The State EOC continues to be staffed 24 hours a day. The following repeaters will remain linked over the weekend to support operations: Columbia VHF/UHF, Caesars Head VHF, Greenville VHF/UHF, Spartanburg VHF/UHF, Greenwood UHF, Edgefield VHF, Aiken UHF, Beech Island VHF/UHF, Sumter VHF, Rock Hill UHF, and Barnwell VHF/UHF.
UPDATE 9/29/24 @ 20:30 Recovery efforts continue. The western part of he state is still experiencing major power disruptions with some counties having less than 10% of citizens with electricity. Additionally, our neighbors to the north are experiencing historical flooding, with widespread power and water disruptions. SCEMD is requesting SCHEART remain in emergency operational mode and support ongoing communication efforts. At 21:30 today, the analog repeater system will be configured for statewide communications as follows: Caesars Head VHF, Greenville (Paris Mountain) VHF/UHF, Spartanburg VHF/UHF, Rock Hill VHF/UHF, Greenwood UHF, Columbia VHF/UHF, Beech Island VHF/UHF, Barnwell VHF/UHF, Whitehall VHF/UHF, and Sumter VHF. At this time Edgefield VHF and Aiken RMC UHF are experiencing communication link issues. Once the problems are cleared, they will join the western link. Any SCHEART repeater not mention above will return to normal operations. The DMR repeater system will remain in emergency mode. Be advised, the western link configuration may change as needed.
UPDATE 9/28/24 @ 0900 Recovery efforts from Helene are continuing. Widespread power outages continues to affect large parts of the state. The SCHEART repeater network will continue to support response efforts and system link configurations will be adjusted as required. Currently the following repeaters are supporting the recovery. Columbia, Beech Island, Edgefield, Greenwood, Whitehall, Barnwell, Greenville, Caesars Head, Rock Hill, and Spartanburg (when ETV can reach the site). This may change during the day. There are concerns that generators supporting communications will start running out of fuel since roads to many sites remain closed. We appreciate everyone’s cooperation and support during this effort.
UPDATE 9/27/24 @0700. Helene is creating widespread power outages across the state. SCHEART has transferred to full emergency operational mode for DMR and analog repeaters are linked statewide.
SCEMD has requested a statewide link of the SCHEART system be established to support Hurricane Helene efforts. The VHF and selected UHF repeaters will be linked statewide today and will be released as conditions warrant.
