[FADCA] Use of ESATCOM for TCP/IP

[Paul J. Toth-NA4AR]

I am not sure I would put a lot of weight into John Fleming's view of SEDAN.
John does not put a lot of credence in Amateur Radio for carrying
disaster-related traffic and messages.  In fact, it ranks near or at the
bottom of his list.

That having been said, the view from Tallahassee should not deter the
continuing development of Amateur Radio digital capability in Florida.
There are many ways Amateur Radio digital circuits can and will be used in a
post-disaster environment, and particularly when we are free to use
encryption, which the ARRL is working on now.  While Part 15 802.11 is
pervasive, its use is limited to short range, high density applications.
The Part 15ers (with the exception of the Wireless ISPs) do not have the
technical know how or tools to be able to throw their signals over extended
distances.  We do.  We also have spectrum diversity and access to bands the
Part 15ers do not have.

There is no way of knowing just how much of the commercially available
digital capability we use daily will be available when a disaster strikes.
When it is not there to use, those who have messages to get through will
need another means of conveying the traffic.  That's when the "Original
Wireless Communications" resource will be put to the test.  Let's hope we
are up to the task.

73 de Paul-NA4AR
ARRL HSMM Working Group Member