[FADCA] Tampa Hamfest

[Chuck Hast]

On 11/27/05, Burt Wizeman <burt at burtwizeman.com> wrote:
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: fadca-bounces at mailman.qth.net [mailto:fadca-bounces at mailman.qth.net]
> On Behalf Of bud Thompson
> Sent: Sunday, November 27, 2005 6:12 AM
> To: fadca at mailman.qth.net
> Cc: Gary Sessums
> Subject: [FADCA] Tampa Hamfest
>
> The Tampa Hamfest is next weekend Dec 3-4  -you can check it out here:
>
> http://www.fgcarc.org/bin/site/wrappers/default.asp?NC=6774X
>
> <snip>
>
> With this note I'm requesting those who are interested in attending /
> participating in an informal FADCA FORUM at the Ham Fest to respond to this
> message so the whole group will know how much interest there is.  Perhaps as
>
> the responses grows, others will decide to attend the hamfest.
>
> If so, I will be avaialble to chair/moderate an informal FADCA forum.
>
> 73,
>
> bud N0IA
> 386 574 4124
> 386 956 0386 Sprint Cell
>
> -----
> Hello all,
>
> I would attend a demonstration as I could well use a full demo / tutorial on
> Winlink.  From my point of view, the setup of a Winlink station sounds too
> time consuming and support laden and that is a feeling shared with others.
> We may be wrong.  The information that is communicated on the reflector
> makes for confusion when trying to grasp what is involved with using the
> FADCA Network.  I am not even sure of what function it has aside from
> Winlink.  I say this not to raise the ire of those on this reflector, but to
> make you aware that there are many of us without the extensive knowledge
> that many of you are blessed with.  A demonstration towards a more adaptable
> and utilitarian approach would offer a great opportunity for growth in the
> use of the network.  "Winlink in Emergency Management" or Packet And
> Emergencies" and then tutorials, examples and discussions on how to use the
> system within that context.  There are many hams that have heard of FADCA
> and packet but consider packet good for only APRS.
> We use repeaters everyday but many of us do not know the details of setting
> up a repeater and do not need to for its effective use.  FADCA needs to take
> that approach to the network.  There are administrators and there are users.
> I speak from a user's standpoint.  Educate us with information and
> demonstrations on what I can do functionally.  I don't have the interest in
> my hobby to set up a switch.
> I agree that the information on the Tampa Bay Hamfest has been slim.  I also
> sense a regional responsibility by the leaders on this reflector.  That if
> it is not in their area, they wish not to provide a demonstration.  That is
> easily understood as many folks do not have the time or $upport.  If the
> FADCA net holds any promises, you need an evangelist that is not concerned
> about regions or politics and has been blessed with the money to bring the
> knowledge of the available practical uses of the network to the users.
> Moving from a "how you can build the network" to a "what you can do with the
> network" approach with demonstrations will go a long way in increasing
> awareness, usage and growth.
> Do that here at the Tampa Ham Fest and I will personally print and handout
> flyers at the fest, and bring you a crowd.  How do I use this Winlink??
> Hopefully all you would need would be a radio, a computer, a TNC and an
> antenna.  Anything more and something is amiss as that is what most USERS
> would have.  N4SER-8 ?? is here in SRQ and I believe it is up and running to
> get to Frees site.
>

Burt, you have brought up many valid questions, that has been the thrust of
the training programs that Bud and Co. have been presenting, indeed they
take people from nothing to being able to handle the operation of the win-
link piece, and on the network piece one of the reasons we want to move the
switches to Linux is that it greatly simplifies the operation from the
standpoint
of the guy out in the field. The whole idea is that you should not need to know
more than a minimal amount to get on and communicate. The combination
of the two technologies are what will permit this.

What you see going back and forth on the list mostly is comments as we are
learning how to do all of this magic, but the base system both the WinLink
and network piece are solid and the training that Bud and Co. can give you
will take you to a point where you can handle the day to day stuff that the
average person needs to know, as we bring the new switches on line we will
provide more services on the network and try to simplify the day to day oper-
ation for the users.

Have a bit of patience with us as we work on all of this and pass info back
and forth as to what we are trying to do. It is just a sign that there is some-
thing happening and in the end it will be a good thing for all of us.

Bud has a group of Evangelist who are doing a very good job putting on the
training sessions, and is willing to put one on at the hamfest though not as
long as the normal one, the ideal thing would be for your local group to say
do like we did here in Tampa, we had the training session here at the County
EOC, and it went very well for all involved. Perhaps you all can do somehting
similar down there.




--
Chuck Hast
To paraphrase my flight instructor;
"the only dumb question is the one you DID NOT ask resulting in my going
out and having to identify your bits and pieces in the midst of torn
and twisted metal."