ARRL received the following report from Carlos Alberto Santamaría González, CO2JC, Emergency Communications Coordinator, International Amateur Radio Union, Region 2 (IARU R2).
Update: Thursday, August 13, 2026
EXCELLENT WORK BY COLOMBIAN AMATEUR RADIO OPERATORS SUPPORTING SEISMIC EMERGENCY RESPONSE
We have maintained contact with Faber Mosquera (HK6F) and José Fernando Vélez (HK4VEL) of the Colombian Amateur Radio League (LCR) emergency network. They have provided updates on the efforts of their colleagues —spanning various radio clubs and associations across the country— as they perform vital work to ensure communications remain functional following the earthquake.
Yesterday, we learned that volunteers from the Liga Radio Quindío (based in Armenia) were heading to Cerro Campanario to attempt to restore the club’s repeater stations using solar panels and batteries. Located in the Central Cordillera at an altitude of 3,600 meters above sea level, this peak hosts repeater stations that are highly strategic for national communications and links, serving both the amateur radio service and the municipal and departmental risk management systems in the area.
Additionally, Nair Ríos (HK6JSP) —president of the Asociación de Radioaficionados del Eje Cafetero (Asorec), an LCR -affiliated group based in Dosquebradas, Risaralda— has made their communications infrastructure, including repeater stations, available to support communications in Pereira. At the time of the earthquake, Nair was actually evaluating work done over the weekend to link two repeaters in the Eje Cafetero (Coffee Axis) region. He reported that, as happens in all emergencies, cellular and Wi-Fi networks immediately went down; the repeaters also failed because the backup transfer system to the power generator did not activate.
Amateur radio operators are proactive in emergencies, and that is exactly what happened here: within approximately 15 minutes, they had activated the entire emergency communications system—not only for amateur radio operators but also for other institutions that maintain repeaters at the site. They received significant assistance from the Cultural Remigio Antonio Cañarte radio station —whose transmitters are located next to the repeater hut— in the form of power supplied by a generator.
Ríos added that EmCom Director Luis Hernando Montañez quickly established himself at the Risaralda Red Cross headquarters to coordinate operations. They managed to restore their generator at the hilltop site, ensuring 72 hours of continuous power. They also organized support teams to be deployed across the two cities—Dosquebradas and the Risaralda area—stationing groups at locations such as the Dosquebradas Official Fire Department and the airport; this allowed them to mobilize association members and volunteers who wished to assist in the effort and remain active.
Having this system operational proved to be an invaluable tool for the Official Fire Department; their digital systems had collapsed, forcing them to switch to the repeaters. From there, they began building a functional network to keep the outside world informed about the unfolding situation.
Nair Ríos expressed gratitude for the support received from other LCR clubs and associations, such as Liga Radio Medellín—which maintains a regional link with the Radio Club de Antioquia and activates Echolink*. Liga Radio Cali joined this information link via Medellín, as did Liga Radio Quindío, utilizing the Cerro El Castillo site and its repeater on 147.120 MHz. Support was also provided by Liga Radio Manizales. Yesterday, they activated another repeater —the Belalcázar frequency serving Pereira and Dosquebradas— and handed over 15 portable radios (equipped with dual batteries) to officials from the Risaralda Governor’s Office and the Risk Management Directorate (DIGER) to ensure continued communication operations. In addition, a VHF repeater was installed on 146.880 MHz.
The coordination among LCR members —a point highlighted by Nair— is impressive; everyone has worked to ensure the national link functions effectively. This effort has included colleagues arriving from Bogotá and Ibagué who have placed their equipment —including infrared-equipped drones and other devices— at the service of the emergency response. Faber Mosquera (HK6F), the LCR’s Emergency Coordinator (EmCor), has played a key role in this work.
Liga Radio Quindio is supporting the link between the local repeater in Armenia (located on El Castillo Hill) and the Asociación de Radioaficionados del Eje Cafetero (Asorec) in the city of Pereira.
Meanwhile, the Radio Club de Antioquia is maintaining operations by linking the 146.910 MHz frequency with the 146.930 MHz frequency (Las Cruces, Risaralda) and Asorec, while also monitoring emergency frequencies.
The Colombian amateur radio community is doing vital work by making its communication systems and human resources available for rescue, recovery, and locating individuals affected by this disaster. This makes us proud to be amateur radio operators.
We are grateful for the assistance of Sigfrido Estuardo Rodas Paz (TG9SRP), Coordinator of the Amateur Radio Emergency Service for the Club de Radio Aficionados de Guatemala (CRAG), in preparing infographics and other materials related to this matter.
*Echolink: A free system for amateur radio operators that uses the Internet and Voice over IP (VoIP) technology to connect traditional radios with computers and smartphones via the Internet.
Carlos Alberto Santamaría González, CO2JC
IARU R2 Emergency Coordinator
Monday, August 10, 2026
This morning, several regions of Colombia were shaken by an earthquake. According to data from the Colombian Geological Service, the quake occurred at 07:34 local time, with its epicenter located in the municipality of San José del Palmar, Chocó (at coordinates 5.04°N, -76.34°W). The event registered a magnitude of 7.4 and a depth of 96 km. Subsequently, there were several aftershocks exceeding magnitude 2.0, including one of 4.8 at 08:18 local time.
Minutes later, we made contact with Faber Mosquera (HK6F), the emergency coordinator for the Colombian Amateur Radio League. He informed us that damage assessments were underway in the departments of the Coffee Axis and the Colombian Pacific coast—the areas most severely affected—and that he was already coordinating with the National Disaster Risk Management System.
From the very beginning, we were also in contact with emergency coordinators from Guatemala, Cuba, Venezuela, Honduras, El Salvador, and Ecuador—as well as Greg Mossop (G0DUB), the emergency coordinator for Region 1 of the International Amateur Radio Union (IARU R1, covering Europe and Africa)—to provide information and assistance.
By gathering information from the Colombian government, the press, and amateur radio operators, we have obtained data regarding the impact of the earthquake. Abelardo De La Espriella, the Colombian president who recently took office, provided a preliminary assessment of the casualties and damage caused by the event: 111 dead, 87 injured, 1,575 homes damaged, 37 homes completely destroyed, 61 buildings collapsed, 18 health centers damaged, 52 educational centers damaged, 17 community centers damaged, 18 roads damaged, 6 airports with infrastructure damage and no commercial flight operations, and another air terminal with runway damage.
Members of the [Liga Colombiana de Radioaficionados — LCRA] are already deploying alongside the Colombian Red Cross to provide communications support in the wake of the disaster.
In Colombia, the [LCRA] uses the International Amateur Radio Union Region 2 (IARU R2) frequencies for emergency communications, as follows:
80 m: 3985 kHz
40 m: 7060, 7240, and 7275 kHz
20 m: 14300 kHz
17 m: 18160 kHz
15 m: 21360 kHz
2 m: 146.520 MHz (simplex)
For this reason, we ask all fellow radio amateurs to keep these frequencies clear and simply monitor them, in case our assistance is needed by our Colombian colleagues.
We will share further information as it becomes available.
We also appreciate the collaboration of José Fernando Velez, HK4VEL, who is likewise supporting LCR communications.
Carlos Alberto Santamaría González, CO2JC
IARU R2 Emergency Coordinator
