Serious motor vehicle crash just outside of Stockton, TX.

June 18, 2014

At approximately 1720 UTC, Maritime Mobile Service Network net control station Donald Plunkett, VA6FH, received a distress call from a fellow amateur radio mobile operator on 14.300 MHz. The operator advised VA6FH that he was a truck driver and that there was a serious motor vehicle crash between a truck and vehicle just outside of Stockton, Texas.  The operator asked the Net Control Station to immediately contact the Texas Department of Public Safety.  The operator explained that he was outside of both cellular phone service as well as local VHF/UHF repeater coverage.

With the assistance of fellow net control station Ken Porter, AC0ML, a landline call was made to the Texas Department of Public Safety. Several emergency units were dispatched to the scene thanks to the effective communications and teamwork by these two net control stations.

Maritime Mobile Service Network net control stations are used to assisting maritime stations with routine reports, weather information and emergencies.  This incident represents a land based rescue in which the reporting station advised that he always knew that the Maritime Mobile Service Network was always on 14.300. A first rate job by both net control stations!

Report submitted by Jeff Savasta - KB4JKL
2nd Assistant Net Manager
Maritime Mobile Service Network