Saturday 31 Dec 2022
I am excited to advise that Isaac and I are off to Peru for our first short term (3 week) trip. We are travelling from 4 Jan returning Fri 27 Jan 2023. Isaac (19) is now studying engineering at Uni and he will be an invaluable help to me this trip.
Since our last blog post, the Cusco FM site (reaching nearly half a million people) has progressed and is now ready for installation of the transmission and satellite equipment in the coming weeks. My work has granted me leave without pay and Isaac is on Uni holidays. As such, the need is now and so we have taken the step of faith to go now. In addition, Diospi Suyana have 2 Peruvian technical staff from the Centro de Medios for me to teach what I can during this period.
Since my last blog post, Diospi Suyana have acquired a 4th new FM license – this one to reach Ayachucho. It is a city of some 216,000 in 2022 and sits at an elevation of 2,761 metres. I am again involved in the planning of this, including site design and ordering from my now established list of overseas suppliers.
This table shows the number of Diospi Suyana transmission sites existing and new:
|
Site Count |
Actual Site Name |
Estimated
Population Coverage |
|
1 |
Curahuasi (FM 103.7
MHz & TV Ch7) |
30,000 |
|
2 |
Andahuaylas FM
96.1 MHz |
120,000 |
|
3 |
Puerto Maldonado
FM 107.7 MHz |
200,000 |
|
4 |
Puno FM 103.7 MHz |
200,000 |
|
5 |
Casabamba (Uripa/Chincheros) FM 104.7 MHz |
50,000 |
|
6 |
Echarati FM 100.7
MHz |
30,000 |
|
7 |
Sicuani FM 104.1
MHz |
68,000 |
|
8 |
Abancay FM 92.7
MHz |
78,000 |
|
9 |
Cusco FM 100.2 MHz |
465,000 |
|
10 |
Urcos FM 100.9 MHz |
286,000 |
|
11 |
Anta FM 90.9 MHz |
396,000 |
|
12 |
Ayachucho FM |
200,000 |
|
|
TOTAL POPULATION |
1,973,000 |
As you can see, when these new FM sites (as shown in yellow highlight) are up and running, we will
be reaching some 2 million people 24 x 7 with Diospi Suyana radio delivering
needed hope to Peru.
At a high level my work plan is as follows:
1.
Fault find telemetry system interference issues
with the main satellite uplink at the Centro de Medios in Curahuasi
2.
Commission the new Cusco FM site including satellite
telemetry
3.
Travel to commission Sicuani FM site satellite telemetry
and make various upgrades
4.
Travel to commission Puno FM site satellite telemetry
(incomplete from 2019)
5.
Travel to commission Abancay satellite telemetry
and make various upgrades
6.
Survey for a suitable 4th new FM site
in Ayacucho as/if time permits
7.
Visit other FM sites for repairs and upgrades
as/if time permits (e.g. Casabamba and Puerto Maldonado).
You may be aware from the media there has been political turmoil in Peru due to the impeachment of their president Pedro Castillo on 8 December. Following that there has been civil unrest in a number of areas, predominantly in the south. This includes road blockades, the destruction of selected government infrastructure, closing of airports, looting and street protests. However of more recent time I am assured by Diospi Suyana that this has largely settled down. This could change at any time so please pray that we can travel to all the locations we need to and work in safety.
 |
| Blockade of the Pan-American Highway in Curahuasi. |
Sandi is staying at home with the other 6 kids whilst Isaac and I are away. Please pray for their safety and wellbeing. Sandi is enjoying being closer to her family in Perth after some 30 years living in the east (my fault as we met in Port Macquarie and married in 1996 J).
We have about two thirds of the support we need and are believing in faith for the remaining support needed. Having got our feet wet, we have confidence as our experience testifies God has a perfect track record!
 |
| The Ayacucho region on the map of Peru. |
 |
| The city of Ayacucho with central Plaza de Armes in the foreground. |
Thank you for praying for us. Sandi and I trust that you all had a blessed Christmas. Albeit we are aware some of you are facing very challenging family circumstances this year. We are praying for you.
Blessings, Chris
 |
| Our Welch Family Christmas sign which we made (thanks to Derek for the idea and the wood) one Saturday in December and then put to good use all 9 letters for this season’s family photo given the 9 of us ☺. Web browser link to this post: https://welchesinperu.blogspot.com/2022/12/our-plans-to-return-to-peru-and-4th-new.html |
