[CTSARA] "expanding and enhancing the digital amateur

[John Sabini Jr.]

 -------- Original message --------From: Bill Barber  Date:12/22/2014  10:21  (GMT-05:00) To: Bill Barber  Subject: Fwd: FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 
---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Mister Mike <w1rc at near-fest.com>
Date: Sat, Dec 20, 2014 at 5:42 PM
Subject: FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
To: Bill Barber <ne1b.c6awb at gmail.com>


The Board of Directors of NEAR-Fest has allocated a significant sum of money for the purpose of "expanding and enhancing the digital amateur
radio networks" in our service area and constituency.  NEAR-Fest Directors have authorized the establishment of a three-member Digital
Networks Commission (DNC) to administer the distribution of these funds and to ensure recipients remain in compliance with the terms of
the grants. Commissioners are John Goran, K1JJS, John Flood, KB1FGQ and Gregg Bares, W1USA.  Michael Raisbeck, K1TWF and Michael Crestohl,
W1RC, will serve as advisors to the Commissioners.

The pilot project will be a monetary grant to the New England Digital Emergency Communications Network (NEDECN) of up to $500.00 for the
purpose of building a C-Bridge network hub here in New England that will give the NEDECN network more versatility, flexibility and
independence than it currently has by using the C-Bridge located in the Midwest shared with the rest of the country.

The dollar amount of this grant will be based on a dollar-for-dollar match basis for funds collected by NEDECN between December 15th and
January 31st 2015.

Clubs and organizations who are interested in upgrading their current repeater system to digital (either D-Star, MotoTRBO DMR, Fusion or
experimental) or wishing to set up a new digital repeater system with network access will be able to apply to the NEAR-Fest DNC for a grant
to help defray the costs of such an undertaking.   Policies and procedures for applying for a grant as well as conditions and terms of
the grants are now in the process of being formulated and the community will be advised as to when and how applications will be
accepted.  No applications for grant funding are being accepted at this time.

Each application will be judged on a case-by-case basis and will partially be based on repeater location, availability of other
repeaters in the same area, network on which it will be active and the numbers of amateurs that it will serve as well as the credentials of
the club/organization and its governing officials.  Any repeaters and their ancillary features receiving a subsidy from the DNC must be open
and available to all licensed amateur radio operators.   Grants will normally be paid only at such a time when the repeater or system is
completed, operational and actively on the air.

An Advisory Board has being established consisting of knowledgeable members from the VHF/UHF community from throughout the New England
area to advise the Commission members in their decisions.  Members of this advisory board will also be eligible to apply for grants but will
be required to undergo the same screening and interview process as all other applicants.

Contact:  Warren Elly, W1GUD/4
                 w1gud4 at gmail.com