A small team of amateur radio operators are keeping the lines of communication open in earthquake-hit areas of Christchurch.

AREC team member Richard Smart ZL4FZ said 10 radio amateurs are using their two emergency broadcast vans to keep rescue teams and Civil Defence staff in touch.

He said one is at a major welfare centre providing portable communication so they can talk to Civil Defence and the other vehicle is en-route to assist search and rescue teams in an area where communication is poor.

Richard ZK4FZ said amateur radio operators from around the country are volunteering to help out and others are sending updates on the disaster to families of people in Christchurch who are overseas.

Former NZART Vice President Stuart Watchman ZL2TW was attending a medical conference and lucky to escape. He told how his hotel swayed and crumbled, managed to free himself and other only to find devastation outdoors and the adjoining building leaning threatening to collapse. (Source: Jim Linton VK3PC and Tnx Greg Mossop G0DUB)