How does Ponce de Leon help the families of the lost in the Andes?

He helped the parents keep in touch with his ham radio. Their families used his home as their command center during the search and gathered there in the evenings to listen for news. Ponce de Leon was able to spread word quickly by contacting other radio hams in far off areas. For example, from his home in Montevideo, Uruguay Rafael contacted Paez Vilaro in Santiago, Chile with new information.