[FADCA] Keeping Focused - Florida Layered Packet Network

[bud Thompson]

Deltona
Monday Oct 14 0600EST

We have come a long way in the 14 months since the Orlando switch had to =
be re-built due to lightning.  It should not go without notice that the =
day Charlie and I removed the smoking gear was the day the World Trade =
Center was smoked. =20

There have been more folks show up at FADCA Digital forums at Hamcation =
and Melbourne than ever before.  The WCF Digital Conference early this =
month has stirred the pot considerably, and Dave, N4ZKF's possibly =
acquiring some choice sites offers much for network expansion.

We have an interactive network map on the FADCA web site that is =
impressive and will be of great assistance to newbees getting on packet. =
 As soon as the new Melbourne switch is stable we'll have good =
connectivity throughout the East Coast of Florida.  We have heard that =
LINUX FPAC has much to offer in better routing and stability, as well as =
the promise of eliminating both TNCs and comports from the mix through =
the use of sound cards.  Much discussion has been forthcoming on the use =
of 2.4Ghz high speed applications that would bring webpage-level detail =
to/through our system at breakneck wireless speeds.  Not only is all =
this exciting technically, but also for the promise of increased =
bandwidth we can supply served agencies during emergencies.

We must not, however, lose focus on the here and now - the next week, =
month, year - the next hurricane season or other disaster needing our =
help.  Nothing we do now to increase point-to-point network connectivity =
will be wasted as this requires sites we do not now have.  Sites will be =
required for what ever improvements in speed/services we make in the =
future, so selectively adding sites to the existing network to get from =
here to there where we can't now is not wasted effort.  Upgrading =
backbone links from 1200 baud to something higher, even 9.6kb will not =
be a wasted effort. (However, I do have some reservation regarding =
purchasing 9.6kb TNCs if LINUX/sound card capability is only six months =
away!)

We must also increase our promotional efforts - talk it up at club =
meetings, especially with ARES/RACES groups.  The possibility of using =
sound cards in laptops for general and tactical packet use should catch =
the attention of those hams who have been reluctant to purchase TNCs and =
mess with all the wiring.  We need to educate county and city emergency =
planners and served agencies toward including digital capability in =
their emergency plans and EOCs, etc.  Several of us have programs on =
these topics that can be given at club meetings, a good way to get a =
foot in the door. =20

The WCF Task Force made a commitment to have a full inventory of =
switches and needs in the Tampa Bay area by early next year, perhaps by =
the December 12th meeting in Tampa.  We should have connectivity 24/7 =
from Jacksonville to Hollywood before that, and certainly know if N4ZKF =
will be able to get on some sites.  We should have an internet link =
level between Tampa and Orlando before then, and perhaps know where =
radio sites will be placed for that level to cross the state.

Here in District 5 we have a LINUX expert who is close to providing us =
with our first look at LINUX FPAC.  I'm hopeful that we can have a LINUX =
switch on bench test for my education before Thanksgiving and perhaps =
convert both Orlando and DeLand to LINUX early next year.  With several =
months of field testing, we should be able to provide a near plug'n'play =
LINUX FPAC install package. (It will not be necessary to become LINUX =
experts to install/maintain a LINUX switch.)

Perhaps we need an individual (or a team of two) to study the high speed =
2.4GHz applications for the future while the rest of us keep firmly =
focused on site selection, preparation, point-to-point connectivity and =
network expansion.  Any (qualified) volunteers?

It is an exciting time to be in Ham Radio.

73,

bud Thompson N0IA






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