[FARC] This is long, but please take a minute to read it

[William "Bill" Kisse, W3MSH]

Gentlemen:

The purpose of this activity is to set up our MESH network for use by our 
licensed Amateur Radio community which will include activities such as the 
public service and emergency communications that we provide on behalf of 
the public at large.


To do so *will* serve to substantiate the value and benefit of Amateur 
Radio involvement to served-agencies and the public in times of emergency.


To create a network for public use (without Amateur Radio operator 
supervision) is not the intent of our efforts.


We can design and implement *one or the other* - *not both* as the network 
cannot commingle data from both groups.


If we choose to implement a "Part 15" or "public" network 100% of the 
burden of design, equipment procurement, site selection and maintenance 
will be the responsibility of our Amateur Radio community and diminish the 
perceived value of our Amateur Radio service.


To truly enhance our value and perception in the public eye, Amateur Radio 
operators must design and *operate* (or at least supervise the operation 
of) a communications network that will equal or exceed the capabilities of 
the proposed (and well into the future) First-Responder network.


I must emphasize that supporting emergency communication will be but a *tiny 
slice* of the many other benefits to our Amateur Radio community!


And...emergency and non-emergency communication can co-exist on a 
high-speed digital data network without interference to each other!


FYI and food for thought.


73,


Bill 

W3MSH


On Thursday, April 3, 2014 8:31:04 AM UTC-4, WN3R,Dick wrote:
>
> Good morning BOAR-NET Members and Amateur Radio Clubs,
>
>  
>
> I would like to report my activities over the past week or so. I also want 
> to acknowledge Kevin Sherwood, KB3PLX, the President of BRATS for inspiring 
> me to seek out those who might benefit from using what everyone is building 
> and wants to build. When I asked him to build a link between Baltimore and 
> Frederick Counties, he asked where the traffic would come from. I had no 
> answer. This is what I did to answer that question.
>
>  
>
> MY ASSUMPTIONS
>
>  
>
> First there are several assumptions I have made and, hopefully, they are 
> reasonably correct.
>
>  
>
> 1. The ham community with others have an interest in building a broadband 
> wireless network which incorporates some if not all of, the following: 
> backhauals, point-to-point links, multipoint-to-point for distribution, 
> Wi-Fi, MESH, and other stuff.
>
>  
>
> 2. One purpose for doing all this is to create an alternative wireless 
> data network with robust connections between links and fail proof internet 
> connectivity at various points within the network in order to support, 
> among other entities, ourselves, and the community at large, especially 
> during emergencies.  
>
>  
>
> 3. It is desirable to lend this network to those who provide support 
> during emergencies and disasters.
>
>  
>
> 4. We, hams, are an Army of Geeks. We are looking to increase our ranks 
> from old hams, new hams, the newly licensed, and the non-licensed. In other 
> words, we want help from anyone who is interested in what we are doing.
>
>  
>
> 5. We need free vertical real estate for locating equipment throughout the 
> region.
>
>  
>
> 6. We are good people. However, we all have our ideas, our differing 
> experiences and knowledge, differing agendas, and biases. BUT WE NEED TO 
> AGREE TO STANDARDS IN ORDER TO BUILD AN INTERCONNETED NETWORK.
>
>  
>
> 7. We must take an all new view on how we will work together in order to 
> be really useful and dependable to the public. In other words, FOCUS. We 
> must be singular in purpose and very clear in how our clients work with us.
>
>  
>
> 8. As hams, we are providing our enthusiasm, experience, and knowledge. We 
> are not providing our frequencies. Therefore, our activities do not fall 
> under the ARRL nor Part 97. Those restrictions have held us back in the 
> past and we finally have an opportunity to get out from under them when 
> implementing a wireless broadband system for use by unlicensed persons. 
> Certainly, part 97 rules apply when we also need to use our traditional 
> data and voice communication methods and frequencies to support emergency 
> communications. It’s both – not one or the other.
>
>  
>
> 9. I could go on and on, but you get the idea.
>
>  
>
> THE REPORT
>
>  
>
> I have had several significant conversations with the right people at the 
> Center for Health and Homeland Security (CHHS) at the Law Center at the 
> University of Maryland. I find it hard to believe that I finally found 
> those who can really influence government agencies, public safety, large 
> organizations, etc. in how to prepare and handle disasters and other 
> emergencies.  These are the experts who appreciate the ham community and, 
> especially, what we are beginning to do with broadband.
>
>  
>
> In talking to these folks, one thing becomes very clear: They want to deal 
> with a single entity (not me as an individual) that represents the Army of 
> Geeks.  It was agreed that this had to be a new entity (NGO and Nonprofit) 
> in order to have the proper energy, focus, and lack of history(baggage).
>
>  
>
> MY PLAN
>
>  
>
> I am forming a new Association. Trying to find a name with a domain that 
> has not been taken took hours. I ended up with PUBLIC-CONNECTIONS.ORG and 
> PUBLIC-CONNECTIONS.NET
>
>  
>
> This is an association of groups, clubs, businesses, faith-based 
> organizations, agencies, etc. IT IS NOT A GROUP OF INDIVIDUALS nor is it an 
> Amateur Radio Organization. We hams are key to the success of this project 
> because of our knowledge and experience. It’s our passion to build and 
> serve, plus we’re volunteers.
>
>  
>
> Conceptually, local "clubs" would be the members. Each club would appoint 
> a representative to serve on the P-C Executive Committee. Eventually, the 
> committee would write by-laws and select officers for leadership. I am 
> appointing myself as the EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR until it makes sense to replace 
> me.
>
>  
>
> In addition to members who are the designers, builders, and maintainers of 
> the new Alternative Wireless Data Network, the other members are the users 
> or the clients of what is being built.  It's these client members who will 
> support our efforts in getting the free vertical real estate we need to 
> mount antennas and radios.
>
>  
>
> ACTIONS TO TAKE
>
>  
>
> I am asking each of you to approach your organizations/clubs/groups to 
> join PUBLIC-CONNECTIONS. We need to present a single representative 
> organization to work with CHHS and others. Ideally, we will have enough 
> clubs/groups with over 300 individuals combined as part of P-C. These are 
> serious numbers.
>
>  
>
> I am not asking for financial support from the groups. Although, at some 
> point, it will have to be addressed by the Executive Committee.
>
>  
>
> FINALLY
>
>  
>
> I know one thing. If this is a one-man show, it will fail.  Please join 
> the Army of Geeks.
>
>  
>
> WHY YOU ASK
>
>  
>
> I am of the opinion (yes, I have several) that since 911, our served 
> agencies feel the hams are no longer needed. We have been approaching them 
> improperly. A fresh new approach with a new organization of organizations 
> can work. Fortunately, it appears important folks at CHHS want to work with 
> us if we can get our act together.  This is a major first step in that 
> direction.
>
>  
>
> Respectfully submitted,
>
>  
>
> Richard Hayman, WN3R 
>
> WN3R.US at gmail.com
>
>  
>
> PS The website is in the process of being built. I published it only to 
> see how it works. The design and words make no sense YET. UNDER 
> DEVELOPMENT. It’s OK to visit, but do not send anyone to it. They will get 
> the impression I am an idiot. Thanks. (I could use some help with it)
>
>  
>
> PPS I read and reread the above. Please excuse any grammatical errors (I 
> are a engineer by education).
>
>  
>
> PPPS Feel free to forward to any MD, DC, VA, DE organization who might 
> have an interest in P-C.
>
>  
>
>  
>
>  
>