The twin engine Embair Brasillia turboprop carried 26 passengers and a crew of three. All aboard were killed in the crash. They are KB2YNK at the Office of Emergency Services in Manhattan and WB2JSM at the Hall of Science Amateur Radio Club in Queens. According to the ARRL's Hudson Division Loop Newsletter, KB2YNK became a reality in October, 1996. It was the result of an unprecedented donation of funds for equipment from the City of New York.
Plans are in the works to add packet and other communication modes by the end of the year.
Extensive power backup systems are being installed to provide long term emergency communications without commercial power availability. Now, after two decades its resurrection is now a reality. In ham radio industry related news, word that the DX Magazine, previously published by Paul and Nancy Smith, following many years of publication by Chod Harris, has been sold again. The March issue will be the first one by Smith. For the better part of a decade, Carole Perry has taken time out of her busy schedule to travel to Ohio to host the young peoples gathering at Hamvention.