[FADCA] OARC and other Amateur Radio Clubs -Help Requested

[bud thompson]

From: bud Thompson N0IA
Deltona
December 22, 2002

Subject: Several items of interest to radio clubs and ARES/RACES groups in
Orange, Osceola, and Seminole Counties

You are on this istribution list due to your interest or involvement in any
of the
following:

    Hamcation 2003

    Updating information in The Listening Post

    Club meeting programs and Web Page links

    Status and major problems with the W4PLB-8/9 packet switch - and help
    needed.

This note covers several items specific to the OARC's FPAC packet switch
W4PLB-8/9, its purpose to serve the local hams and community, and its
position in the Florida Layered Packet Network.

    Hamcation 2003

The Florida Amateur Digital Communications Association (FADCA) would like to
sponsor a Digital Radio Forum at Hamcation 2003.  We would like to have this
just prior to the FRC meeting as in the past.  The FADCA representive for
this activity is Bill Sinbine N4XEO - n4xeo@bellsouth.net

    OARC newsletter The Listening Post

The November/December 2002 issue contains outdated information in the left
panel on the front page.  Both the "Packet digipeater W4PLB-6" and the "Rose
switch W4PLB-7" need to be changed.  An updated entry could read:

145.070 W4PLB-8/9 digi/FPAC packet switch. status: up.

If any club would like a short newsletter/web page article with internet
references on how to use the switch and the network just ask.

    Club meeting programs

We have several programs on digital Ham Radio that are available for club
meetings. This includes introduction, HF modes, packet, Ham e-mail,
ARES/RACES support, etc.  Just ask.

    Web Page Links

I can provide links for your web pages to specific information on digital
Ham Radio, and the Florida Layered Packet Network and the SEDAN network in
Florida. Just ask.

    Status of W4PLB-8/9 FPAC network switch

Good news - all three radio ports and network switching are working fine.
The switch is configured for a fourth radio port for future use.  After a
lightning strike in 1999, the ROSE switch was repaired and changed to an
FPAC switch in September 2000.  Since then two lightning strikes (2001,
2002) toasted some equipment and interrupted service for several weeks on
each occassion.  The switch was completely rebuilt and last returned to
service on September 10, 2002.  At that time it was lightning proof!

Bad news - The switch is no longer in Orange County!  Due to a change in
building management at the previous location (I-4 and Lee Road in Maitland),
we were forced to move the switch to my QTH in SW Volusia County on November
19, 2002. It is on a triband vertical at 80-ft agl and works well.

This is not an appropriate location for the OARC W4PLB-8/9 switch to cover
Orange and Seminole Counties, which is its role in the Florida Layered
Packet Network.  Since the move from Maitland, several packet stations,
including the Orlando BBS, have lost connectivity completely.  Go to
www.fadca.org then click on the 2nd box in the left pane to review the
interactive network map and see the important position the OARC W4PLB-8/9
switch plays.

While we desperately need a new site for the switch, our immediate need is
for someone in the Orlando area to turn on his/her digi on 145.07, the
Orlando LAN.  This is a quick fix.  We need someone who can connect to
W4PLB-8 and/or N3PPC 24/7. Anyone who can reach either of those with a good
signal return could turn digi ON and help others a lot.  If we had two or
three such digis around the Orlando metro area, it would bring network
connectivity back to those who have lost it.  This is a temporary measure
until a more suitable site for the switch is located.

We need a new site for the OARC W4PLB-8/9 FPAC switch.

The OARC has an investment in this switch and it is a shame to not have it
available as an active network hub on the Florida Layered Packet Network.
There are two main objectives:

(1)   Cover as much of Orange and Seminole Counties as possible on 145.07,
the Orlando LAN.  The western, most populated sections of the two counties
are a must.

(2)   Link with DeLand FPAC (29 02 22N 81 18 15W) and (hopefully) Melbourne
FPAC (28 02 20N 80 35 53W) on UHF direct with beams.

If you know any place where we might move the switch, please let me know.
This is my first priority now, but I'm not familiar with various places in
Orange, Seminole, or Osceola counties where ham groups have access to
buildings or towers.  I need some help. (Perhaps the OARC could appoint a
committee to make a search?)

Rest assured we will not simply jump at the first opportunity.  Setting up a
new location requires coordination and work, so we might as well do it right
while we have the opportunity. For those who are interested and might be
able to help, here is a short note on what is involved.

Basics on location:  The best site would be in southern Orange County,
perhaps favoring the west/central southern part slightly to assist in
reaching Melbourne on UHF. That said, the new site should not be more than
45-50 miles line-of-site from the DeLand switch. The west side of Orange
County is not mandatory - since we would like to cover as much of northern
Osceola County on 2M as well. In fact, a suitable location in northern
Osceola County would work.

Antenna height:  On 2M we only want to cover Orange and Seminole Counties
and what spill-over we get into Osceola and Lake Counties.  Even if the
tower/site would be a "Tall Tower" (i.e. antenna height greater than 200 ft
agl), we would reduce power output on 2M or move the antenna lower on the
tower to limit the coverage.  The W4PLB-8/9 2M radio can run 60w or less.
In general, an antenna height of 150-200 ft. agl would suffice for 2M.
Antenna height on the UHF backbone ports is critical, especially as we may
be pressing the radio horizon on the path to Melbourne.  We use 6-element
beams and 45-60w on each end for paths under about 30-35 miles and larger
beams and as much as 100w for up to 50 miles.  In general it is not
effective to use UHF point-to-point for more than about 50 miles, though
each case has different real limits depending on terrain and other factors.
If we find the most suitable site for Orlando LAN coverage and linking to
DeLand, we will develop an intermediate switch between Orlando and Melbourne
if needed.

Other considerations include (1) possible co-location with other services,
(2) installing feed lines and antennas, (3) support of the OARC for locating
at the new site, and (4) cost.

Co-locating a multi-port packet switch with other amateur and/or commercial
services is no different than with a repeater.  All frequencies and mixes
need to be considered and/or tested.  The frequencies and output power for
the OARC W4PLB-8/9 FPAC switch are

            145.07 60w max
            223.42 100w max (to be replaced with a uhf frequency)
            441.05 60w max unless 100w needed on long link

The DeLand FPAC switch, (2m, 220, and two UHF ports) is co-located with the
N4GMU 2M repeater w/o any noticeable affects on either service.

New feed line(s) and antennas will be required at the new site (unless some
existing feed lines are available.)  A new 2M vertical will be required,
along with one or two UHF beams, and feed lines to support three antennas.
(The old 2M antenna was vaporized by the last lightning strike.)  If the
site does not have feed lines and/or antennas for our use, it is suggested
that four lines/antennas be installed to cover future expansion to avoid a
second antenna party later.  I have 6-element UHF beams available for the
ham-fest prices I paid - cheap!

OARC support will be required for any move. This would include establishing
any required MOU with the site manager/owner, and installing any feed lines
and antennas required.

The cost of a move to the new site should be limited to feed lines and
antennas. It is likely some incidental costs could be incurred, but these
should be minimal.  Later next year when a UHF port is established to
Melbourne, an additional TNC and radio will be required.

Certainly there is an ideal location somewhere.

Any help you or your club can provide to move this project along will be
appreciated.

73,

bud Thompson N0IA
386 574 4124

To:    Hal Prosser KK1B
         John Melchiori K4JBM
         Maria Melchiori K4MFM
         Bob Cumming W2BZY
         Benton Bonney W4PE
         Ron Newsam K4WWW
         Keith Kotch KF4BXT
         Bruce Burpee KL7IV
         Karl Lambert KB4DCR
         Bill Sinbine N4XEO
         Larry Monroe N2HBX
         CJ Shafer KD4JIX
         Bill West KA4GDV
         Ray Stevens, W2BYO
         David Mock KG4GAX
         Dave Flagg N4BHG

Cc:    Charlie Crook, N3PPC
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