[FADCA] Sedan Guidelines

[fadca@mailman.qth.net]

On Fri, 08 March 2002, n4xeo wrote:

> 
> At 04:17 PM 3/8/2002 -0500, you wrote:
> >Deltona
> >Friday March 9 1600EST
> >
> >The FADCA group has been promoting re-establishing the old layered network
> >(ROSE - converting to FPAC) because we know that flat networks won't cut it.

Somehow this just never sinks in. I guess when you get it free it doesn't matter. Since it won't work when it is needed with the volumne of traffic that it will need to handle and when everyone gets on the same frequency and you experience hidden transmitters all over the area, unfortunately it won't be "This system doesn't work but we need  packet" it will be "Once again Packet radio doesn't work."

Layered networks have not been popular with those who have not tried to make flat networks work. A recent question I responded to from an ARES official in Bud's area testifies to that. I did not get into a discussion of "layered vs flat" but hopefully my examples will start some thinking.

The question had to do with "why coordinate" since packet stations are designed to share the frequency.

> >Tom Nolan, the SEDAN administrator has developed an "in" with the STATE EOC
> >and is promoting expanding coverage by the SEDAN network throughout the
> >state.  His basic premise to local groups is "You find me a tall tower, and
> >I'll put your area on the SEDAN network free".
> >
Bill do you remember the 220.43 node in Orange City that could be heard from TAmpa to Jacksonville? It could not hear you in all the "din" of others also transmitting since they could not hear each other. For two stations at a time, it was good, for 4 it was a disaster and when everyone was on the same frequency ---well you know the rest of the story.

You get what you pay for. If it is free and simple it will be just that.

> >Hams are human - Free will make it work every time.
> >
> >I make a presentation at a radio club and explain in (very) lay terms how
> >digis/nodes/bbs/switches work and how the FADCA layered network plan for
> >supporting emergency communications locally and around the state is better
> >suited than flat networks.  I don't blow any smoke where the sun doesn't
> >shine: I show how it takes more hardware and a greater number of sites -
> >though not as "tall" (or precious)  than a flat network.  I also don't offer
> >anything free except advice, configuration help, tuning of radios/tnc, etc.
> >
> >So far, the SEDAN administrator won in three places where I had started the
> >process by giving programs

Please don't blow smoke - tell it straight, be there when the "free" system does not do what it promises, but WE need to get to work and make our radio layered networks operational, fast, with enough band width, dependable, redundent and integrated with all other metods (yes HF and wire linked) so that when emergency services folks turn to us and say, "What now?" we can say switch to XXX.XX frequency and type in SEOC (or similar "quick connect" and the SEOC (or what ever) returns connected or the computer says the message is delivered and a response comes back.

The man with the right machine that  does the work when the work has to be done will be successful.

Leave 'em wanting more!
 - so far as I know he has never made a
> >presentation to a radio club in Central Florida..
> >
> >. . . but hams  are human.
> >
> >I just need to learn how to blow smoke.
> >
> >Then, more than a year ago when I talked with Tom Nolan he said he might
> >abandon a specific site (it was very close to a neighbor SEDAN node). I
> >suggested if he were abandoning the site, I'd appreciate his helping us get
> >on it - he abruptly cut the discussion off and I've never heard another word
> >from him.

Wonder why I am thinking, "not surprised." It is not the service that seems to count, it is a matter of "winning" but often the "winner" is "smoke." It is like a beauty  contest.


> >
> >73,
> >bud N0IA
> 
> 
> Hi All
> 
> I just wish I had Sedan down here so I could see how far I could keyboard 
> and how many EOC mailboxes that I would be able to connect to. This would 
> be a GREAT DEMO at a club meeting to show off the system.  After all, that 
> is what it is there for. 

Apparently not. When Bud and the folks in Central Flo tried, they were told to get off. I won't repeat what I was told when I brought  up communications from our State Agency EOC, surfice it to say our local District Emergency Coordinator stepped in.

But then again, how would you know the call of the 
> eoc mailbox since you can't beacon to let you know what is there? Do the 
> nodes have the quick connect turned on to connect to the LOCAL eoc???
> 
> There's some smoke for you Bud!!!
> 
> 73, Bill
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
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