[MOham] MEPN End of 2006 report

[Ray Brown]

Dear List Member:

I have just received Roger Volk's MEPN Activities Report. I know that
others on the list also have gotten it, but many of you have not.

I have included it below in text format.

I am sending this out to let you know what is happening in Emergency
Radio Service here in Missouri. It is remarkable what a few committed
and talented hams can accomplish.

        _Ray_        KBØSTN


Attached is the MEPN 2006 year end report. For those new to the
mailing list, permission is given to share the information with
anyone and to those on the list that no longer want to receive the
reports, just let me know and I will delete your name from the
distribution list.

Roger, K0GOB

MEPN Project Manager

====================

MEPN ACTIVITIES REPORT

Roger H Volk, KØGOB

December 31, 2006


In this final report of 2006, we review the milestones achieved
during the year and look ahead to the plans for 2007.


2006 MILESTONES

TAX STATUS – The MO Emergency Radio Service Inc (MERS), the parent
corporation for all state-wide Amateur Radio projects, received
Federal IRS 501(c)(3) tax exempt status allowing individuals and
businesses to make tax deductible donations of equipment, services
and monetary contributions.

TAX EXEMPTION – Building on the Federal tax exemption, MERS received
a Missouri sales tax exemption on purchased parts and materials.

INSURANCE – MERS obtained liability insurance as a stand-alone
corporation to meet the requirements of building and tower owners
where MEPN equipment is, or will be, located.

HOMELAND SECURITY – With assistance from the Eureka Police
Department, MERS was able to make a presentation to the Missouri
Homeland Security Coordinator.

GENERAL TOWER AGREEMENT – MERS completed a state-wide tower agreement
with an agency that sets the stage for specific tower agreements on a
case by case basis.

SPECIFIC TOWER AGREEMENTS – MERS completed an agreement with a tower
owner in Jefferson City and retroactively signed an agreement with
the owner of the tower in St. Louis.

CENTRALIA NODE – The Centralia node has continued to operate
flawlessly for the past 12 months. The 6-mtr receiver was modified to
more reliably decode data by removing and adjusting components
required for voice operation. The 2-mtr side was used for the MS-150
bike event and the Amateur support staff reported excellent coverage.

ST. LOUIS NODE – The link between Centralia and St. Louis continues
to suffer 24x7 reliability issues. Tests indicate that the problem is
a very high RF background level at the 6-mtr receiver in St. Louis.

JEFFERSON CITY NODE – The sidearm bracket for the 2-mtr antenna is
expected any day. All other materials and parts are on hand. A
contract has been signed with a tower crew pending acceptance of
their insurance paperwork which comes due after the first of the year.

INDEPENDENCE NODE – The city of Independence offered to work with
MERS to develop a node to serve the Kansas City area.

SEMA STATION – SEMA installed a 2-mtr Packet station and successfully
connected to the Centralia node.

TOWER SITES – A scouting trip was made to look at towers to extend
the network westward from Centralia to Independence.


2007 PLANS

JEFFERSON CITY – Complete the Jeff City node. Tower agreement: done.
Parts: on hand. Bracket: in transit. Tower crew: contract signed,
pending new insurance paperwork. Timing: weather dependent, but early
in 2007.

CENTRALIA – ST. LOUIS LINK – Need stronger signal at St. Louis
antenna to overcome high ambient RF noise. Will be looking for an
intermediate location to install a 6-mtr digi to provide a stronger
signal between the two existing sites. Timing: mid 2007.

WESTWARD EXPANSION – Any of the three towers scouted this year appear
to be useful in getting over the ridge between Columbia and the
Independence/Kansas City area. One is more useful than the other two
in that it may be positioned to serve as an expansion of the Show-Me-
Intertie (SMI), the 440 FM voice link between St. Louis and Kansas
City along the I70 corridor at the same time. Coordination studies
will be made between the site and the City of Independence tower to
determine path losses. With the general tower agreement already
completed, a specific agreement on the selected tower can be executed
in a timely manner. Timing: third quarter 2007.

INDEPENDENCE – An operating node in Independence, MO in 2007 will
depend on receiving substantial funding from government agencies as
it is doubtful that Amateur contributions can cover more than the
three nodes listed above. MERS will work with various agencies in an
attempt to complete this node in late 2007.

WEB PAGE – The Homeland Security Coordinator suggested that MERS
develop a Web site to better distribute information on the system;
how it operates, the status, future plans and how individuals,
businesses and agencies could contribute to its success. The URL of
www.mersweb.org has been registered and work is well along on
developing pages for MERS, MEPN and SMI. Timing: early 2007

HANDOUT – A tri-fold handout, written in laymen’s terms, has also
been suggested. A block diagram has been developed, but many details
have to be worked out to make it look professional. Professional
graphic arts and printing assistance is being sought. Timing: mid
2007 or earlier.


This past year has been very fruitful in establishing MERS as a full-
fledged not-for-profit corporation and for laying the groundwork to
expand through the use of existing towers around the state. 2007 is
primed to be the year that the network becomes useful on a daily basis.