[Ares-races] Packet

Sat, 9 Mar 2002 14:31:26 -0800

Don't tell a MARS operator that RTTY is gone.  The internet is a great
system but totally worthless it the telephones are out.  I spent almost 35
years in telecommunications and will guarantee that the phone system should
never be taken for granted.  While the offices are designed to survive an
earthquake and remain functioning, it does not guarantee in any way that you
will get dial tone.  Central offices are normally designed to operate at
120% or more.  This means that if every one picks up their phone to report
an earthquake to the fire department of police (like the agencies don't
already know), only those with real fast reflexes will get dial tone.  While
packet is "antiquated", it works regardless, as long as you have an
alternate power source.  Ever seen the internet when it gets real busy?
I'll take packet, APRS, RTTY, PSK31 or any other of the antiquated
communications source that is available.

73 - Howard [email protected]

> Problem is that since the internet has evolved, packet has gone the way of
> RTTY. A thing of the past (so they say). That is a false sense of
security.
>
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: [email protected]
> [mailto:[email protected]]On Behalf Of Howard Coleman
> Sent: Friday, March 08, 2002 4:56 PM
> To: [email protected]
> Subject: Re: [Ares-races] Packet
>
>
> Hello Ralph,
>
> While rare, packet is alive.  I strongly agree that packet has great
> advantage over voice when requesting long lists of supplies or what ever.
> You may want to have a contact with Dave Gilmore AA6VH.  He is the DEC for
> the Ventura District of the Santa Barbara Section and usually can be found
> on this mailer or you can contact him at [email protected] .  All of the
> hospitals and a few other critical locations in the District are equipped
> with packet stations.
>
> 73 - Howard [email protected]
>
>
> Subject: [Ares-races] Packet
>
>
> > I'm looking for input.
> >
> > Our municipal ARES-RACE group has been fooling around with packet over
the
> > last couple of years.
> >
> > What we found was:
> >
> > 1. There are few other ARES-RACES units to talk to with packet .. the
> > County or State OEMs don't seem to be into it. The Red Cross units don't
> > seem to have packet support from their ARES units. We'd more or less be
> > talking within our little group.
> >
> > 2. It would be hard to maintain a packet network locally .. we just
don't
> > have that many packet-capable and outfitted operators.
> >
> > We sense that packet or other digital modes might be useful in emergency
> > communications -- it's accurate, uses less frequency time, can run
> > unattended, suited for archiving and hard copy print-outs ---  but there
> > just doesn't seem to be "critical mass" of operators or interested
> > ARES/RACES units around here.
> >
> > What's it like elsewhere?
> > Is there a truly useful role for packet in emergencies (vs. voice)?
> > If you're using it successfully, how'd you do it?
> > Anybody have experience using packet in actual emergencies? for what?
> > Is it worth it to keep working on "growing" packet?
> > Anything you can think of to help make it grow? ARRL support? easier
> > software? easier hardware?
> >
> >
> > 73,
> >
> > Ralph KC2RLM
> >
> >
> > Please help QSL.NET by sending a donation now.
> >
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