[FADCA] Melbourne Hamfest- Update an Information on FADCA

[bud Thompson]

Check for Melbourne Hamfest details here http://www.pcars.org/

Deltona
Sept 26, 2006

FADCA will have a table and a FADCA FORUM at the Melbourne Hamfest Saturday 
October 14th.

While the response from FADCA members regarding attendance has been low, 
there is so much to be gained by FADCA having an appearance at the hamfest 
this year.

The Melbourne DOS FPAC switch is being converted to LINUX FPAC, and a 900 
MHz link is being installed from the site to an internet connection.  The 
Vero and Ft. Pierce FPAC sites are going back on the air.  We will soon have 
9.6kb backbone service from Orlando through to Jacksonville which also 
includes two new LINUX FPAC nodes with LANs to service NE Florida. There is 
an ongoing LINUX FPAC project that promises to modernize if not 
revolutionize packet networking.  Sites are on the air or in progress in 
South Central Florida, mid-central Florida, Tampa Bay area, and W. central 
Florida. There are 37 active Telpac nodes throughout the state.  That 
represents ten percent of all those in the world!

Check that out here  http://www.winlink.org/positions/telpacpos.aspx

We need to learn about all that is happing with digital throughout the state 
and to let the ham radio community know what is going on.

I hope you can make the hamfest and join us at the FADCA Forum that I will 
chair and which, for starters, will cover at least the following.

(Directors please be prepared to provide information on the following in 
your districts:)

    Present status of the Layered Packet Network.  What's up, what's down, 
activities.

    On going projects for implementation by the end of 2006

    On going projects for implementation in 2007.

    Status of WL2K Telpac Nodes.  - How many?

    Status of any other user functions, BBS, etc.

Informal discussions - During this section we will first handle any 
questions/requests from the floor. Otherwise here are some topics that 
should be of general interest.

    Emergency Communications applications of packet in Florida

    Linux FPAC - what it can do for users

    Basics of what it takes to make and install an FPAC network switch

    Radios for 9.6kb packet.

    All else digital.

Hope to see a good turn out at the FADCA FORUM and will see you at the FADCA 
table.

73,

bud N0IA
386 574 4124
386 956 0386 Sprint Cell