[FADCA] North American Digital System Directory

[bud thompson]

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Bill Sinbine" <n4xeo@bellsouth.net>
To: <fadca@mailman.qth.net>
Sent: Sunday, April 18, 2004 13:07
Subject: [FADCA] North American Digital System Directory

> Hi All
>
> Is the
>
>
> North American Digital System Directory
>
> still a useful thing? I see that the last time it was updated was in 98.
> I know that we haven't sent in a update for FADCA www.fadca.org in
Florida.
> Does anyone look at this site any more? It seems that we should have a
> updated site for our digital workings...
>
> I just want to put this out and see what the thoughts were. There are a
few
> links on the site that don't work any more also.
>
> 73, Bill N4XEO
>
* * * *

Deltona
Sunday Aug 18 1605E

I can address this...  but it will take some background.. grab your favorite
drink and hang in there with me.

Over the past three weeks there has been a lot going on in the background at
upper levels in ARRL and its Field Organization. (You must realize you have
not heard much outta me on this e-mail reflector lately!)

Over the next few weeks you should be hearing more about this from your
Emergency Coordinators - and me.

I believe that, in the near term, the major utilization of and source of
growth for the Florida Layered Packet Network and digital in the state will
be the increased interest by the local ARES communities. I expect this
interest to double every 60 days for a year.  That means we in FADCA must
re-double our efforts to (1) maintain and (2) grow the network.  I fully
expect ARES groups where there is presently no LAN/Switch to inquire about
setting one up.  We must be prepared to offer advice, planning, and physical
help when needed.  Above all, we must have a PLAN for growing the network.

(Wouldn't hurt to get working on some grants!)

Here is what has been going on. . . much instigated right here in Florida by
the Winlink 2K Development Team programmers (Rick, KN6KB and Vic W5SMM), and
me.

Last week a proposal was issued from ARRL HQ down to Section Managers,
Section Emergency Coordinators, District Emergency Coordinators and
local/County Emergency Coordinators for major changes/additions to ARES
record messaging system in EMCOMMs Plans.  Currently, there are two entities
involved in EMCOMMs planning and response-  (1) ARES and (2) NTS - and they
have not been working swell together in the past.  It is time that the ARES
develops  ". . . an emergency communications capability to include rapid and
accurate handling of long range (inter-state, national, and international)
emergency related message traffic. . ."

For reference, see at least the first two slides on the Power Point
presentation given at the N. FL. ARES meeting at the State EOC on March 27.
Click on the Yellow Box on the opening page of www.fadca.org, and then click
again on it at the next page. Then click SLIDE SHOW at the bottom right
corner of your browser.

As for National Digital Directories...  I would expect that within two years
or less this will include hundreds, perhaps thousands of
Paclink-Ham-Radio-to E-mail 'stations' as well as LANS/switches, etc, such
as those comprising the Florida Layered Packet Network.  It would be the
rough equivalent of a Repeater Directory and a White Pages directory for
users and fixed Paclink 'stations' at hospitals, EOCs, etc.

Here in Florida we should maintain an overall EMCOMMs directory of Digital
Stations including:

WL2K PMBOs
EmComm Hubbing PMBOs
TelPacs
LANS for ARES communities
Fixed Paclink stations (EOCs, Hospitals, etc.)
Individual Paclink stations and their EmComm Hubbing PMBOs

This may be maintained by FADCA or by some other interested group.  I
personally would like to see FADCA take on this responsibility, but we can
address that later. I also would recommend that each ARRL Section maintain a
similar data base and that it all fits in with a national ARES EMCOMMs data
base - far more than I want to take on personally, but I'll be making that
recommendation to ARESCOM eventually.

What you will see missing is any reference to our trusty old friends the
store-and-forward BBSs (FBB, AA4RE, MSYS, etc.)  While they may continue to
be utilized, they are not compatible with processing of SMTP: e-mail
messaging.  Sad though it may be, we'll likely see the demise of these as
the New Order is (slowly) adopted from ARES group to ARES group.

It is an exciting time to be in Ham Radio - and has been for my 52 years.

73,
bud N0IA
386 574 4124