[MDC-EC] Paclink/RMS Express Training

[Jim Montgomery]

As a result of a meeting at the Anne Arundel Radio club last night, there was a discussion of the details involving an ARES joint exercise with MARS.  Several surrounding county ECs, MARS members and MEMA were present to hear Nick ,N3CK, give the run down of the scenario.

On October 1 MARS and selected ARES groups will be having a joint exercise to test their ability and capability to communicate with each other during a disaster event.  It was decided that Winlink would be the common mode of communication, given the issue that ARES are bounded by the frequencies in the Amateur bands while MARS operates outside those bands.  Winlink knows no bounds.

Tactical call signs will be used.  While most of the entering students of Winlink got started in Airmail, it does not support tactical call signs.  To use tactical call signs, one must migrate to either Paclink or RMS Express clients.  PRGE ARES is offering a morning training session tomorrow on the installation and uses of these programs.

If you and you organization is participating in the join exercise, or just want to come out and learn about these new programs, you are welcome to join us tomorrow at 0900 at the PGC Fire Services Building, 6820 Webster St, Landover Hills, MD.

All you need to bring is your notebook computer and your TNC (and its p/s).  We'll have a few HTs to pass around if you want to play with the program.

It is never too early to get started in the preparation for the exercise.

Hope to see you all there.

tnx es 73,

Jim
WB3KAS
PRGE EC