[FADCA] Updating Digital Network Support for EMCOMMs

[bud thompson]

Thanks, Paul!

This is indeed great news and ultimately will enhance not only our service
for EMCOMMs, but grant applications as well!

73,
bud N0IA

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Paul J. Toth-NA4AR" <ptoth1 at tampabay.rr.com>
To: "Florida Amateur Digital Communication Association"
<fadca at mailman.qth.net>
Sent: Monday, July 19, 2004 07:55
Subject: Re: [FADCA] Updating Digital Network Support for EMCOMMs


> 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
> >
> >
> > _______________________________________________
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> > FADCA at mailman.qth.net
> > http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/fadca
>
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