[FADCA] Updating Digital Network Support for EMCOMMs

[Paul J. Toth-NA4AR]

Bud....

In addition to the actions that you have noted below, the ARRL Board also
accepted a proposal put forth by the High Speed Multimedia and Networking
Task Force (HSMM) on legalizing the use of encryption to secure digital
transmissions and systems operating above 50 MHz.  The Board, on a motion
put forth by ARRL Southeastern Division Director Frank Butler-W4RH, directed
that a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) by developed and submitted to
the FCC for their consideration.

As the main author of the Security and Encryption White Paper that was
presented to the Board, I am elated with the Board's action and am hopeful
this will allow Part 97 operations, on bands populated with unlicensed Part
15 operations, to navigate the waters successfully and enable meaningful,
"Last Mile" emergency communications.

This is, indeed, a banner day for digital communications here in Florida!

73 de Paul-NA4AR
Assistant Director - ARRL SE Division
ARRL HSMM WG Member



----- Original Message ----- 
From: "bud thompson" <budt at cfl.rr.com>
To: <fadca at mailman.qth.net>
Sent: Monday, July 19, 2004 7:39 AM
Subject: [FADCA] Updating Digital Network Support for EMCOMMs


> Updating Digital Network Support for EMCOMMs
>
> This note is intended to inform you of what is going on regarding digital
> communications that will affect us here in Florida (or should)!
>
> As you know, several of us in FADCA have been promoting the ARRL Amateur
> Radio Emergency Service Communications (ARESCOM) committee's
recommendation
> to use the Winlink 2000 (WL2K) model for supporting Emergency
Communications
> (EMCOMMs) with E-mail over Ham Radio. This weekend the ARRL BOD of
directors
> provided further support for implementation (see my FADCA note "ARRL BOD
> Sanctions ARESCOM/WL2K)
>
> I am in contact with ARES groups all over the country; no matter how many
> holes we have in our Florida Layered Packet Network - it has the greatest
> coverage of a state anywhere!  The problem, as with here, is that the
older
> existing packet networks have deteriorated since the mid 90s and now must
be
> repaired and upgraded.  The greatest obstacle is operational and packet
> network expertise within local ham communities.  I am on two e-mail
> reflectors and one weekly Echolink net regarding these matters and receive
> phone calls weekly from various places around the country.  Were it all to
> surface, such expertise in Florida would far overshadow that anywhere in
the
> country.
>
> Here in Florida we have an unequaled opportunity to literally lead the way
> and set the nationwide network model for statewide coverage through at
least
> the rest of this decade.  This will require (1) establishing new
> LANS/switches to fill in holes for local ham radio communities, (2)
> increasing throughput speeds on backbones and LANS, (3) training of hams
to
> use the network, and (4) training of non-licensed volunteers to use e-mail
> over Ham Radio for EMCOMMs.
>
> To assist in growing Florida's nationwide leadership position are two of
the
> four WL2K Development team members who live in the Melbourne area and
> utilize the network for development work.  That results in our working
very
> closely with the WL2K Development Team, including beta testing end-user
> programs.
>
> Several FADCA members are looking to secure grants from Home Land Security
> funds to upgrade and grow the Florida Layered Packet Network.  While these
> grant applications are not unified, they are generally focused on purchase
> of new commercial wideband radios and TNCs for use throughout the network.
> Upgrading backbones to at least 19.2KB and all LANS to 9.6KB is
technically
> feasible and can happen within a year or less given sufficient grant
> funding.  Ideally, establishing the switch and data ports with the
> grant-funded radios and TNCs would literally be 'plug 'n play', with
> securing a good site, installing antennas, feed lines, grounding, and
> lightning protection being the hard part!
>
> To my knowledge there is no single grant source for the total amount of
> money needed, but two or three grants totaling $50K or so would likely do
> the job.  The grant I may be able to apply for would be for $25K.  If the
> grant writers decide to use the FADCA case for the grant, the draft
> application will be available for others who have a place to make such
> applications.
>
> What can you do? (1) If you are in an area of nominal population density
and
> there is no 2 meter Local Area Network, set one up.  That is the initial
> building block toward getting network connectivity.  It only takes two
> people on a single packet frequency to start a LAN!  (2) Get more hams in
> your community on the LAN, and (3) work with your local ARRL Emergency
> Coordinator on a plan to implement Digital Messaging in Support of
EMCOMMs.
>
> You can learn about e-mail over Ham Radio on the FADCA website
> (www.fadca.org) and www.winlink.org.
>
> If you need help, just ask any questions on the fadca at mailman.org group.
>
> More later as information becomes available.
>
> 73,
> bud Thompson N0IA
> 386 574 4124
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> FADCA mailing list
> FADCA at mailman.qth.net
> http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/fadca