[MRIC] Recommended RACES Capabilities and Equipment document
al.fitzsimons at att.net
al.fitzsimons at att.net
Tue Apr 22 10:49:09 EDT 2008
Brett,
A very impressive and thorough document!
Two suggestions to hopefully make it better:
1. The conventional frequency description for SSB or AM on ham bands is the dial freq which is the center freq of the AM signal or the "zero beat" freq for SSB. The only exception is the new channelized 60M band where the tuning/dial freq is adjusted to center the SSB energy in the channel. So I recommend the 80 and 40M frequencies be stated as the dial freq i.e. 3.950 and 7.250 (as should all other ham band freq except 60M).
2. Suggest that it is unnecessary to use the descriptor "Region" for the Eastern, Western and Central nets. Although MEMA has assigned an individual for certain specific areas, I don't recommend we try to align our nets with those specific lists of counties - we need the flexibility to allow check ins based on ability to make reliable contact. Also these are the terms used in the ARRL plan and we don't want them to be mixed up. So I recommend the use of Eastern Net, Western Net and Central Net.
Al in LA-Back in MD on the 24th.
-------------- Original message from brettham at aol.com: --------------
> All Maryland RACES Officers,
>
> I took the information that the MRIC Winlink Technical Committee
> compiled regarding recommended equipment, and put it into a document
> that covers all recommended equipment and procedures required for
> Maryland RACES Interoperable communications (VHF, HF voice, data).
> Please review it sometime in the next few days. If you think we should
> recommend a different piece of equipment than is in the document,
> please provide manufacturer name, model, price and rational and I will
> incorporate it into the document for discussion. Please save any minor
> corrections, rewording or typos for the meeting, and I will be happy to
> correct them then. All expert advise is much appreciated, so feel free
> to start technical discussions via email.
>
> If you take issue with a major premise, or section, please say so now
> so we can resolve it before the MRIC meeting Saturday. I would like to
> approve this document, or modification thereof, on Saturday. I think
> this is pretty much in line with what we have been discussing, and
> don't think any of this should come as a suprise to anyone (I just put
> it all in one document), so I'm hoping it goes smoothly.
>
> I did not incorporate a section on what equipment already exists,
> because I did not receive any feedback, save one or two.
>
> Please remember to bring with you to the meeting a plan on how you will
> be expanding the winlink network in your jurisdiction, if you plan to
> set up more than just the EOC station at this time.
>
> Thank you for your diligent review of the document below.
>
> Brett Hammond
> Chairman, MRIC
> -------------------------------------------------------------------------
> ---
>
> D R A F T
>
> Recommended Amateur Radio Capabilities for Maryland Jurisdictions
> by the
> Maryland RACES Interoperability Committee (MRIC)
> of the Maryland Emergency Management Association
> on
> April 26, 2008
>
>
>
>
> Table of Contents
>
>
> Purpose 1
> Overview 1
> Maryland RACES VHF Voice Nets 2
> Maryland RACES HF Voice Net 2
> Maryland RACES Data Network (Winlink2000 Email) 3
> Appendix A – Equipment Recommended for EOC RACES Operations 4
> Equipment for Local VHF Voice Net 4
> Equipment for MEMA VHF Voice Net 5
> Equipment for Maryland RACES HF Voice Net 5
> Equipment for Maryland RACES Data Net (Winlink2000 email) 6
> Appendix B – Maryland RACES Winlink2000 Tactical Email Addresses 9
>
>
> Purpose
>
> In an effort to resolve interoperability issues between Maryland
> jurisdictions, the Maryland Emergency Management Association (i.e. the
> Association) created the Maryland RACES Interoperability Committee
> (MRIC). MRIC consists of the Maryland RACES Officers and meets several
> times per year, one vote per jurisdiction, to make interoperability
> recommendations subject to approval of the Association. The purpose of
> this document is to compile those recommendations and to advise what
> equipment is necessary to implement those recommendations.
>
>
> Overview
>
> To date, MRIC has made recommendations regarding three modes of
> inter-jurisdictional communications: VHF Voice; HF Voice; and Data
> communications. To resolve interoperability issues regarding these
> three modes of communications, MRIC has coordinated VHF frequencies and
> Maryland RACES nets; created a Maryland RACES HF Voice Net and
> operational procedures; and created the Maryland RACES Data Network
> (MRDN) standardizing on Winlink2000 Email for data communications
> statewide.
>
>
> Maryland RACES VHF Voice Nets
>
> To facilitate inter-jurisdictional voice communications, the Maryland
> Emergency Management Agency (MEMA) RACES operates three statewide VHF
> FM Voice Nets:
> 1. Maryland RACES Western Region Net (WRN)
> 2. Maryland RACES Central Region Net (CRN)
> 3. Maryland RACES Eastern Region Net (ERN)
>
> The frequencies and CTCSS (PL/CG) are specified in the Maryland RACES
> Interoperability Frequency List created and maintained by MRIC.
> Every EOC should have the capability to participate in one of the MEMA
> nets using the MRIC approved ICS-213 form for passing traffic between
> jurisdictions.
>
> Additionally, most jurisdictions operate their own local
> (intra-jurisdictional) voice network on either VHF or UHF FM.
> Therefore, an EOC should have a second radio for operating on their
> local net for local operations.
>
>
> Maryland RACES HF Voice Net
>
> MRIC has established the Maryland RACES HF Voice Net for communications
> between jurisdictions when the Maryland RACES VHF Voice Nets are not
> operational, due to tower outage or VHF repeater malfunctions.
>
> The net may operate on the following frequencies:
>
> 80 meters 3.950 MHz LSB (tune 3.9515)
> 40 meters 7.250 MHz LSB (tune 7.2515)
>
> If there is conflict on the MRIC HF frequencies, net control will
> attempt to find an available frequency by going up 3 KHz, if still not
> available then down 3 KHz, if not available then down 6 KHz, if not
> available then up 6 KHz from the original frequency. If none are
> available, Net control will find an available frequency. Net control
> will move the net to the available frequency. Also, MRIC members should
> report any nets found on the MRIC frequencies and the day-of-the-week,
> time, and frequency, be compiled by MRIC and posted on the web site for
> future reference.
>
> Also, MRIC agreed to use channel 1 on the 60-meter band for Maryland
> RACES HF communications, in addition to the 40 and 80 meter MRIC
> frequencies. If channel 1 is busy, net control will move to successive
> channels on 60-meters in ascending order until an available frequency
> is found.
>
> Maryland RACES Data Network (Winlink2000 Email)
>
> MRIC standardized on using Winlink2000 Email for data communications.
> Winlink2000 Email provides the following advantages over other digital
> modes:
>
> 1. Ease of operation – Once configured, everyone knows how to use email.
> 2. Automatically locally saves of copy of every message sent and
> received.
> 3. Automatically saves time and date message sent and recieved.
> 4. Can use spell checkers and other tools with email.
> 5. Provides ability to attach documents of any type (pictures,
> drawings, etc.).
> 6. Messages can be received and stored without an operator present.
> 7. Can be used over UHF, VHF or HF.
> 8. Utilizes a format (SMTP) that can be used to communicate directly
> with anyone around the world with email access.
> 9. Ability to send a single message to multiple (or all) Maryland
> jurisdictions.
>
> MRIC recommends that every Maryland EOC be equipped with, as a minimum,
> an HF Winlink2000 email client station. Jurisdictions may additionally
> utilize UHF or VHF for local Winlink2000 email communications, or
> establish a local email server (RMS) at their discretion. Each
> jurisdiction has tremendous flexibility in how simple or complex they
> build-out their network.
>
> Some advantages of having each EOC establish their own HF link via
> Winlink using Airmail software:
>
> 1. If one site goes down, it has no affect on the operation of any
> other site.
> 2. Airmail software is simpler and more user friendly than PacLink when
> using HF (all available PMBOs/RMSs are listed in Airmail).
> 3. A single link (HF) is simpler to manage and maintain than an HF and
> VHF link to a site.
> 4. If each site connects to a different PMBO or TelPac station outside
> the affected area, the effective bandwidth into the emergency area is
> maximized (i.e. there are no bottlenecks).
> 5. Pactor III modems (TNCs) operate at 3600 baud (5000 baud max with
> compression) and are comparable to VHF speeds.
> 6. Each jurisdiction is free to expand and customize their Winlink
> network in the future.
> 7. Tech support is simple since we are only dealing with a single HF
> link per site.
> 8. Training, configuration, and equipment purchases are kept simple
> since each site is just a computer, printer, HF rig, modem and antenna
> system.
> 9. All sites can be configured identically, except for tactical email
> address.
>
> Once EOCs are equipped with HF Airmail station as a first phase, the
> MRDN can be expanded as resources become available and expertise is
> gained.
>
> MRIC agreed to create the MRIC Winlink Tech Support group to assist
> jurisdictions that have no Winlink experience, with their technical
> Winlink problems. The tech support group only commits to support those
> jurisdictions that purchased the recommended equipment and are using it
> in the recommended configurations. MRIC will also assist by providing
> common configuration files, training videos and recommended settings.
>
> The tactical names for Maryland RACES Winlink2000 stations will be of
> the form: MDjjjxxx at winlink.org where jjj is the jurisdiction, and xxx
> is a specific site. For example, the Talbot County EOC is
> MDTALEOC at winlink.org. See Appendix B for a list of all Maryland RACES
> stations.
>
> Appendix A – Equipment Recommended for EOC RACES Operations
>
> The following is guidance material for equipping an EOC in order to
> provide the RACES capabilities mentioned above. Note that many
> jurisdictions find it convenient to use a single model of VHF/UHF radio
> for all applications (UHF, VHF, voice, data, APRS, packet, etc.) to
> ease radio programming, and training of operators.
>
> Total Estimated Cost to equip an EOC for Maryland RACES operation is
> approximately $10,000, but will vary from site to site depending on
> installation costs.
>
>
> Equipment for Local VHF Voice Net
>
> Total Estimated Cost for a UHF/VHF Voice station: $1000 excluding
> feedline and installation.
>
> 1. Kenwood TM-D710A – Dual band (UHF/VHF) and two channel mobile radio.
> If you want to standardize all operations on a single rig, this is a
> good choice as it also provides built-in TNC, APRS, digi-peater, packet
> and Winlink2000 capable without requiring an external TNC. Also
> provides capability to listen to two different frequencies
> simultaneously.
> Approximate price: $600
>
> or
>
> ???? (please make other recommendations)
>
> 2. Alinco DM-330MVT Switching Power Supply – Provides 30 amps
> continuous 12VDC from 115VAC. Output adjustable from 5 to 15 VDC;
> Volt/Amp meter.
> Approximate price: $150
>
> 3. Comet GP-3 UHF/VHF 6-foot Antenna
> Approximate price: $100
>
> or
>
> Diamond X-50A UHF/VHF 6-foot Antenna
> Approximate price: $110
>
> 4. PolyPhaser IS-B50 LN-C2 Bulkhead Mount Lightening Suppressor w/
> N-connectors for 125 to 1000 MHz operation.
> Approximate price: $65
>
> 5. Feedline and connectors as required.
>
>
> Equipment for MEMA VHF Voice Net
>
> MRIC recommends the same equipment purchased for local VHF Voice
> communications, also be purchased to support MEMA VHF Voice Net
> operations for a second operator station.
>
> Equipment for Maryland RACES HF Voice Net
>
> Since the Maryland HF Voice Net operates best using a Near-Vertical
> Incidence Skywave antenna, the antenna recommended for this application
> are horizontal wires (dipole and folded dipoles) capable of operating
> on 40 and 80 meters.
>
> Total Estimated Cost for a HF Voice station: $1500 excluding feedline
> and installation.
>
>
> 1. ICOM IC-718 All-band HF Transceiver – This is a low cost, very
> reliable, simple to
> use transceiver with limited feature set. Recommend you also purchase
> the optional high precision oscillator option.
> Approximate price: $700
>
> 2. Samlex America SEC1235M, 30 Amp (continuous) switching DC power
> supply (115VAC to 12VDC). Includes both Volt and Amp meters built-in.
> Approximate price: $140
>
> or
>
> ICOM PS-125, 25 Amp (continuous) DC switching power supply (115VAC to
> 12VDC). No meters or controls.
> Approximate price: $300
>
> 3. Alpha Delta DX-CC Single Wire Dipole Antenna for 80, 40, 20, 15, 10
> meters – Center fed 82-foot wire.
> Approximate price: $160
>
> or
>
> Alpha Delta DX-B Single Wire Dipole Antenna for 160, 80, 40, 30 meters
> – Center fed 60-foot wire with RF choke coils.
> Approximate price: $110
>
> or
>
> B&W BWD-90 Folded Dipole Antenna – Center fed 90-foot long.
> Approximate price: $300
>
>
> 4. PolyPhaser IS-B50 LU-CO Bulkhead Mount Lightening Suppressor for 1.5
> to 400 MHz operation.
> Approximate price: $65
>
> 5. Feedline and connectors as required.
>
> 6. LDG AT-7000 Tuner – Supports 100 Watts on all bands. Remote control
> and DC power from ICOM rigs.
> Approximate price: $170
>
> or
>
> LDG Z-100 Tuner – Supports 100 Watts on all bands except 6-meter (50
> Watts). Requires no power once tuned. Remote control and DC power from
> ICOM rigs.
> Approximate price: $150
>
>
> Equipment for Maryland RACES Data Net (Winlink2000 email)
>
> Unlike the Maryland RACES HF Voice Net, the HF station for Winlink
> should be equipped with an antenna for distant (not-NVIS) operations in
> order to be able to connect to a distant RMS with Internet connectivity
> outside the affected area in the event of catastrophic emergencies.
> Winlink2000 RMSs operate on 80, 40, 30, 20, 17, 15 and a very few on 12
> and 10 meters. You can successfully operate a HF Winlink client on just
> 80, 40 and 20 meters if necessary.
>
> Total Estimated cost for an HF Winlink station: $4000 excluding
> feedline and installation.
>
>
> 1. ICOM IC-718 All-band HF Transceiver – This is a low cost, very
> reliable, simple to use transceiver with limited feature set. Recommend
> you also purchase the optional high precision oscillator option,
> especially for Pactor-III operations. This rig is commonly used by
> Winlink2000 RMS for 24x7 continuous operation.
> Approximate price: $650
>
> 2. Samlex America SEC1235M, 30 Amp (continuous) switching DC power
> supply (115VAC to 12VDC). Includes both Volt and Amp meters built-in.
> Approximate price: $140
>
> or
>
> ICOM PS-125, 25 Amp (continuous) DC switching power supply (115VAC to
> 12VDC). No meters or controls.
> Approximate price: $300
>
>
> 3. BWD-90 - 90-foot center fed (coax) folded dipole for 1.8 to 30 MHz.
> Mount 30 to 40 feet above ground ($280)
>
> or
>
> BWD-65 - 65-foot center fed (coax) folded dipole for 4 to 30 MHz. Mount
> 30 to 40 feet above ground. Requires antenna tuner ($280)
>
> or
>
> 6-BTV - Hustler 24-foot vertical. Requires very good ground (radials).
> 10, 15, 20, 30, 40, 75/80 meters. ($220)
>
> or
>
> HF6V - Butternut 26-foot vertical, 10, 15, 20, 30, 40, 80 meters.
> Requires good ground plane. ($350), Also requires STR-II resonant
> radial kit for above ground mounting ($130).
>
> or
>
> Outbacker or Perth Plus??? - Outback 6 or 7-foot vertical for fixed,
> mobile or portable installations. Covers 10-80 meters plus 2 and 6
> meters. Requires good ground plane. ($330)
>
> or
>
> 9140 - Ham Stick, 7-foot long, 40 meter ($27)
>
> or
>
> 9175 - Ham Stick, 7-foot long, 75 meter ($30)
>
> or
>
> HS-1800pro - High Sierra, 9-foot verticle, 3.5 to 30 MHz, includes
> 20-feet of motor wires, ($546)
>
> or
>
> Sidekick - High Sierra, 4-foot, 3.7 to 60 MHz, vertical for fixed,
> mobile or portable. ($396)
>
> or
>
> Challenger - GAP 32-foot verticle, 2, 6,10, 12, 15, 20, 40, 80 meters.
> Ground or elevated mount (requires 3 25-foot insulated radial wires).
> ($300)
>
>
>
> 4. PolyPhaser IS-B50 LU-CO Bulkhead Mount Lightening Suppressor for 1.5
> to 400 MHz operation.
> Approximate price: $65
>
> 5. Feedline and connectors as required.
>
> 6. LDG AT-7000 Tuner – Supports 100 Watts on all bands. Remote control
> and DC power from ICOM rigs.
> Approximate price: $170
>
> or
>
> LDG Z-100 Tuner – Supports 100 Watts on all bands except 6-meter (50
> Watts). Requires no power once tuned. Remote control and DC power from
> ICOM rigs.
> Approximate price: $150
>
> 7. SCS PTC-IIex Pactor III modem with USB interface. Be sure to specify
> you want the Pactor III option. The USB (as opposed to the serial
> version) allows you to remotely control the tuner and transceiver
> frequency via the single USB computer connection.
> Approximate price: $1000
>
> 8. Dell latitude laptop - 2 GB memory, XP pro, 60 GB HD
> Approximate price: $1000
>
> 9. Any 3-in-1 HP or Brother printer/copier/fax, possibly HL2070N
> brother laser or brother 2040 color fax/printer/copier.
> Approximate price: $100
>
>
> Appendix B – Maryland RACES Winlink2000 Tactical Email Addresses
>
> MDALEEOC at winlink.org = Allegany EOC
> MDAACEOC at winlink.org = Anne Arundel EOC
> MDBCOEOC at winlink.org = Baltimore County EOC
> MDBCIEOC at winlink.org = Baltimore City EOC
> MDCAREOC at winlink.org = Caroline EOC
> MDCRLEOC at winlink.org = Carroll EOC
> MDCALEOC at winlink.org = Calvert EOC
> MDCECEOC at winlink.org = Cecil EOC
> MDCHAEOC at winlink.org = Charles EOC
> MDDOREOC at winlink.org = Dorchester EOC
> MDFREEOC at winlink.org = Fredrick EOC
> MDGAREOC at winlink.org = Garrett EOC
> MDHAREOC at winlink.org = Harford EOC
> MDHOWEOC at winlink.org = Howard EOC
> MDKENEOC at winlink.org = Kent EOC
> MDMEMEOC at winlink.org = MEMA EOC
> MDMONEOC at winlink.org = Montgomery EOC
> MDOCCEOC at winlink.org = Ocean City EOC
> MDPRGEOC at winlink.org = Prince George’s EOC
> MDQANEOC at winlink.org = Queen Anne’s EOC
> MDSOMEOC at winlink.org = Somerset EOC
> MDSTMEOC at winlink.org = St. Mary’s EOC
> MDTALEOC at winlink.org = Talbot EOC
> MDWASEOC at winlink.org = Washington EOC
> MDWICEOC at winlink.org = Wicomico EOC
>
>
>
>
>
> ______________________________________________________________
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