[FADCA] Central Florida Network News (Limited Edition)

[bud Thompson]

Deltona
Sunday Nov 17 0600EDT

ORLANDO FPAC W4PLB-8/9 145.07

Orlando FPAC network switch/hub must be removed from its present site at Lee
Road and I-4 in Maitland.  Building ownership has changed and apparently the
new owners were not told of the agreement with the Orlando Amateur Radio
Club, sponsors of the switch.  After ten years, the OARC cannot produce a
written agreement (if there ever was one), and the new owners are not open
to negotiations for such a relationship.

The equipment will be moved Tuesday Nov 19 and set up in Deltona (SW Volusia
County) on a tri-band vertical at 80 ft.  This location will cover most of
Seminole county and part of NW Orange county, but will not suffice as the
Orlando LAN (145.07) .  Efforts will continue to find a new site, but the
OARC has not been able to secure one in the past two years.  (Anyone have
any ideas?)

Full network operations in Central Florida should be back to normal before
Thursday Nov 21st.  Those in Orange County who cannot reach the Orlando LAN
in Deltona directly can try to digi through N3PPC on 145.07 in Sanford.
With the move, the 220 port will be operational and should support six hours
a day (early AM) backbone service to Melbourne via Cocoa (#COA or N4LEM-2).

Lesson learned:  Best to have a formal MOU/lease agreement for these
devices.

MELBOURNE FPAC W4MLB-8/9 145.09

The switch at Melbourne is back on the air and under tests.  Presently the
220 port is not heard by X1J node #COA/N4LEM-2  The other two ports appear
to be working properly and the previous computer stalls have not returned.
The 220 port will be checked out during a short site visit this week.

DELAND FPAC N0IA-8/9 144.91

The switch has been working perfectly since being installed early in
September.  The N4GMU W. Volusia BBS is down.  It should be back up within
the week.

Daytona Beach ROSE N4EEB 5/4 145.05

I can't remember for sure the last time we made a site visit to this switch!
(Probably about a year ago!)  It is the most stable in Central Florida.  We
will be adding a fourth port and changing call signs and address numbers in
December.

POSSIBLE EXPANSION

There may be a possibility of site availability between DeLand and Ocala.
More on that later if it develops.

73,
bud Thompson N0IA
389 574 4124