[MIham] Dist 5 and 6 ARES - QMN Packet Net

[Tom VanderMel]

----- Original Message -----=20
From: Jim Wades=20
To: James Wades=20
Sent: Thursday, November 13, 2003 7:53 PM
Subject: Dist 5 and 6 ARES - QMN Packet Net


Hi Everyone:

As the QMN Packet Radio Network expands on 145.760 in West Michigan, =
particularly with the recent addition of digipeaters at Holland and =
Grand Haven, occasional questions arise about the purpose and useage of =
this network.  One issue of interest is that of "beacons."

As the QMN Packet Radio frequency is voluntarily reserved for public =
service use only, there should be no reason for personal stations to =
beacon.  A review of the agreed upon guidelines for network useage =
indicate that only high-profile digipeaters and public safety facilities =
(EOCs, Red Cross Chapters, and so forth) may beacon.  In otherwords, a =
personally owned station should not beacon, but those operated by the =
QMN organization or an ARES group may do so.

This policy is in place for two reasons.

1.  We wish to discourage abuse of the network.  There are plenty of =
alternatives available for causual use, chats, and debates. =20

2.  We wish to maintain adequate circuit capacity for public service =
communications.  Excessive beacons eat-up circuit capacity and cause =
unwanted collisions on long-haul connections.


Another issue is that of appropriate uses.  Here are a few examples of =
acceptable activities:

* NTS Message Traffic
* ARES business
* Club Meeting Bulletins
* Tests, drills, or exercises.
* Occasional use of the network.  For example, a message to a fellow =
ARES member.

What doesn't belong?  Here are a few examples:

* "Cork-board" items.
* Editorials (know code / hate code, etc.).
* Personal key-board to key-board conversations for extended periods.
* Round-table discussions (not part of a drill or similar activity).
* Automatic forwarding systems not authorized by the digital committee.

In other words, let common sense dictate.  If you want to connect with =
another station by the network to chat for a few minutes, or leave a =
message for a specific individual, it's OK.  Extended debates and =
multiple postings about the future of the democratic party are probably =
not!    LOL.

We want everyone to feel welcome, but at the same time, we want to make =
sure that this frequency is always available for on-going ARPSC work.  =
In the near future, we will be adding a digipeater in central Ottawa =
County, as well as a full-time BBS at the National Weather Service in =
Grand Rapids.  As a result, one will likely see increased usage of this =
network for routine public service functions.

Please help us make this program a success.  If you have any questions, =
please feel free to contact me or contact your EC for a copy of the QMN =
Packet Net Guidelines, which are a part of the State Emergency =
Communications Plan.

Thanks, and 73,


James Wades, PEM
General Manager, Michigan Net, QMN, Inc.
P.O. Box 457
Allegan, Michigan  49010
Telephone: 269-673-8845



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