[RVRC] More Info: HF Link ALE Test
John Garmendi
gar3j at earthlink.net
Fri Mar 28 06:47:57 EDT 2014
Marv,
I am just learning about HF Link and ALE myself, so I can't comment
intelligently. I can tell you that there's a Yahoo group that I joined
earlier this year that brought this exercise to my attention, and the
http://hflink.net website is informative.
-----Original Message-----
From: Marvin Bronstein
Sent: Thursday, March 27, 2014 4:10 PM
To: John Garmendi ; E. Drew Moore ; RVRC
Subject: Re: [RVRC] More Info: HF Link ALE Test
John,
Quite interesting 'maps'. It showed only 3 paths were achieved in the 1 ~ 4
MHz band (N.A.) and all the rest between 7 ~ 29 MHz!! None were completed
in the 60 MHz band that is set for hams to participate in this upcoming ALE
TEST!!!
I ''assume'' it's because last year there weren't any amateur radio
authorizations!!! This is probably (it appears) the first year hams have
been given an ''STA'' to do this and only on the selected 2 channels of the
60 meter band!!
I wish I knew more about ALE and had the software to participate. It's one
of the things we can get to do for our club effort at South Plainfield ARC!!
I'll look forward to the next ''semi-annual test''!
73,
Marv, k2vhw
..............................................................................
----- Original Message -----
From: "John Garmendi" <gar3j at earthlink.net>
To: "E. Drew Moore" <drumor at optonline.net>; "RVRC" <rvrc at mailman.qth.net>
Sent: Thursday, March 27, 2014 3:43 PM
Subject: Re: [RVRC] More Info: HF Link ALE Test
> some good full color HFLink Maps of last year’s test on QRZ
>
>
> http://forums.qrz.com/showthread.php?430456-US-Ham-Operators-and-Government-Test-HF-Radio-Communications
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: E. Drew Moore
> Sent: Thursday, March 27, 2014 9:58 AM
> To: RVRC
> Subject: [RVRC] More Info: HF Link ALE Test
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> HFIE-2014 Guidelines for US Amateur and
> Government Stations Communicating with ALE on 5 MHz
>
> About HFIE
>
> High Frequency Interoperability Exercise (HFIE) is a readiness
> exercise event to test radio stations and radio operator practice for HF
> interoperability communications using Automatic Link Establishment
> (ALE). The
> exercise prepares radio operators to more efficiently handle essential
> Emergency
> Communications (EMCOMM) and respond to the needs of disaster relief.
> Participating radio operators use this exercise to gain more experience
> in
> setting up and operating stations, and to achieve technical proficiency
> in
> communicating via HF radio using ALE. HFIE is a free and open
> semi-annual
> exercise, coordinated by the HFLINK organization and the Global ALE High
> Frequency Network (HFN). More information is available at:
>
> http://hflink.com
>
> http://hflink.net
>
>
>
> HFIE-2014 Timeframe
>
> HFIE-2014 Starts 2014 March 27 at 00:01 UTC and ends 2014 April 07 at
> 23:59 UTC.
>
>
>
> Click here to
> print or Download these guidelines as pdf
>
>
>
> HFIE-2014 for US Amateur Radio Service and Federal Government
> Stations
>
> At
> the request of FEMA, the FCC and NTIA have granted Special Temporary
> Authority
> (STA) for US Amateur Radio Operators and US Federal Government stations
> to
> communicate with each other for participation in the 12 days of
> HFIE-2014.
> Informal guidelines are presented here for technical operations of HF
> radio
> stations for participating US Amateur Radio Service and Government
> entities.
>
>
>
> Objectives
>
> A
> primary objective of the HFIE-2014 is to test HF two-way communication
> to meet
> essential communication needs and to facilitate relief actions. Another
> objective of HFIE-2014 is to test the interoperability between
> software-based ALE controllers using computer-interfaced HF radios (as
> commonly
> implemented in the Amateur Radio community) with various types of
> embedded-hardware ALE HF radios (commonly used by government and other
> services). The exercise encourages and promotes a common denominator of
> standard
> ALE techniques for maximum compatibility.
>
>
>
> Interoperability Standards
>
> Interoperability for communications in HFIE-2014 is facilitated by
> the use of 2nd Generation
> Automatic Link Establishment (2G ALE) as proscribed in the Federal
> Standard
> FED-1045a or MIL STD 188-141b/c family of protocols and equipment
> standards. At
> a minimum, ALE radio equipment used in the exercise should be capable of
> sending
> and receiving ALE Individual Calls, ALE Sounding, and ALE Text messaging
> (AMD)
> using the normal 2G ALE methods. The equipment may be normally set up
> for
> automatic channel scanning, or manual operation may be selected for
> fixed
> channel frequencies. Two shared channel frequencies will be used for
> HFIE-2014
> out of the five channels approved for use by both Amateur and Federal
> Government
> stations during the timeframe of this exercise. Channel information is
> provided
> in Table 1.
>
>
>
> Table 1. HFIE-2014 - HF Interoperability
> Channels
>
>
> HFIE-2014
>
> ALE HF Interoperability Channels for US Amateur Radio and
> Federal Stations
>
>
>
> Channel
> Designation
>
> Channel
> Frequency
>
> Type of
> Communication
>
> Comments
>
> Sounding
>
> Gov
>
> Sounding
>
> Amateur
>
> HFIE Primary
>
> 5357.0 kHz
>
> USB
>
> VOICE
>
> or AMD
> Texting
>
> Call using ALE and
> communicate on this channel.
>
> Yes
>
> Automatic
>
> Manual or
> Non-Auto
>
> NALE
>
> HFIE Secondary
>
> 5371.5 kHz
>
> USB
>
> VOICE
>
> or AMD
> Texting
>
> Call using ALE and
> communicate on this channel if the other channel is busy, or to
> conduct
> extended testing.
>
> Yes
>
> Automatic
>
> Manual or
> Non-Auto
>
> NALE
>
> Notes:
>
> 1. Channel Frequency is
> the carrier reference frequency for Upper Sideband suppressed
> carrier,
> commonly displayed on the front panel of the radio.
>
>
> 2. Emission type for
> ALE modem signal is 2K80J2D (or 2K00J2D).
>
> 3. The
> center-of-channel frequencies are 5358.5 and 5373 kHz. The USB
> offset is
> -1.5 kHz.
>
>
>
>
>
>
> ALE Radio
> Programming Information
>
> Program your
> controller to automatically allow and add any new ALE address it
> receives.
>
> If possible,
> program the two channel frequencies in a separate ALE channel group, or
> as part
> of your existing HFL NET group of channels.
>
> You may program
> the ALLCALL channel of this group to 5357.0 kHz USB, and you may set it
> to allow
> sending ALLCALLS and receiving ALLCALLS.
>
> Recommended
> sounding interval is 60 minutes.
>
> The recommended
> scan rate is 2 channels per second.
>
> Recommended ALE
> call duration is 12 seconds minimum and 20 seconds maximum.
>
> Use POLITE or
> LBT (Listen Before Transmit) channel occupancy detection.
>
> Linking
> protection (LP) should not be used for HFIE-related communications. Use
> AL0
> setting.
>
>
>
> NET =
> HFL
>
> If you program
> an additional ALE NET into your radio, the NET name is HFL. If you
> already have
> the HFL NET programmed into your radio, you should add the 2 channels in
> Table
> 1, to your existing HFL NET. There is a total of 10 “members” of the HFL
> NET,
> and your ALE Self Address should be programmed in the first slot. Other
> net
> member ALE Addresses should be programmed in the other 9
> slots:
>
> KQ6XA, N2CKH,
> KB3JAJ, KJ4AYT, KE6IYC, W6HIQ, WB6MZS, WB4AKK, KG6VBX.
>
>
>
> Basic Operating Procedures
>
> The following procedures are suggested guidelines for
> establishing links and exchanging communications between US Amateur
> Radio
> Service stations and US Federal Government stations operating in the
> exercise.
> Operators should operate within the approved guidelines and rules
> applicable to
> their own agency or organization, and radio service.
>
>
>
> * For the
> purpose of this exercise, please send and respond only to
> communications which
> are initiated by an ALE call or an ALE text message.
>
>
>
>
> * Transmit ALE
> Soundings on the channels to actively encourage communication with
> your
> station. See Table 1 for details on sounding methods.
>
>
>
>
> * When
> responding to an ALE Call, you may reply either by voice or by
> texting AMD
> message. If responding by voice:
>
>
> 1. Respond to the ALE ADDRESS (call sign)
> for a US station.
>
> 2. Identify and announce the ALE call sign
> of the station you are responding to.
>
> 3. Announce your own station call sign
> identification (or your ALE self address).
>
> 4. Exchange a message by voice. See example
> messages below. Use phonetics if necessary.
>
>
>
> * If responding
> to or initiating an ALE link to call a station, you may transmit a
> message
> containing the following information:
>
>
> 1. The letters “HFIE” (this helps others
> identify your messages as part of HFIE).
>
> 2. Your call sign (call sign, designator, or
> ALE self address).
>
> 3. Your operator name (or an operator
> designator you are using for this event).
>
> 4. The abbreviation of your organization or
> affiliation (Amateur default: HFLINK).
>
> 5. The abbreviation of the state your
> station is located in.
>
> 6. Any other information you wish to convey,
> such as a sequential message number, or other comments.
>
> 7. Here are four examples of typical format
> AMD text messages:
>
> HFIE WGY9999 MARK NV FEMA ACTIVE
> NEXT 2 HOURS
>
> HFIE WX3XYZ MIKE DC HFLINK
> CONTACT 123 CONFIRMED
>
> HFIE WB8XZZ JOE OH HFLINK MESSAGE
> RECEIVED OK
>
> HFIE KQ6XA BONNIE CA
> HFLINK
>
>
>
> ·
> When
> your communication exchange with a station is complete, terminate the
> link using
> the CLEAR
> LINK command
> or
> END command of
> your ALE.
>
>
>
> How To
> Determine Which Authorized US Stations May Communicate With Each
> Other
>
> For HFIE-2014, NTIA and FCC approved Special Temporary Authority
> (STA) allowing US Amateur Radio stations and US Federal Government
> stations to
> communicate with each other using ALE, on the authorized channel center
> frequencies: 5332, 5348, 5358.5, 5373, 5405 kHz. But, this exercise will
> focus
> activity mainly upon only 2 of these available channels, as indicated in
> Table 1
> of this document.
>
>
>
> US
> Government stations can recognize call signs of US Amateur Radio
> stations by
> identifying the characters of the call sign (ALE Address). For Amateur
> Radio,
> the call sign is usually the same as the ALE address. US call signs
> generally
> begin with one of the following characters: K, N, W, or AA through AL. A
> single
> numeral is either in the 2nd or
> 3rd position.
>
>
>
> US
> Amateur Radio operators can recognize US Government call signs and ALE
> addresses
> by the following guidelines. Government stations, for their ALE address,
> may use
> their call sign or an agency-issued identifier. Non-military Government
> call
> signs may be 3 or 4 letters followed by 1 to 5 digits. MARS (Military
> Auxiliary
> Radio System) call signs are 3 letters followed by one digit followed by
> 1 to 3
> letters. US Coast Guard Auxiliary call signs may be “NF” or “NM”
> followed by 3
> digits followed by 2 letters. Maritime shore stations are 3 letters.
> Ship
> stations are 4 letters. Some US Government stations use an ALE address
> with the
> segments of their call sign reversed – WGY900 could be 900WGY. Some
> government
> stations use a three-character agency identifier followed by additional
> letters
> or digits – e.g. WGY900 might use FEM900 (FEM indicating
> FEMA).
>
>
>
> Reporting Format and Methods
>
> Reports may be
> submitted in one of the following ways:
>
> 1. Posting of a
> communication exchange text via the ALE Comm Center chat room of the
> Global
> ALE High Frequency Network at http://hflink.net
>
>
> o You may register at HFLINK.NET with your
> call sign to show on the HF network map. Also please include your Grid
> Square
> when registering. The map does not show or utilize exact coordinates,
> the Grid
> Square is approximate.
>
> 1. An email
> report with a simple text log of communication exchanges and
> description of
> your station may be sent to hfie2014 at hflink.net
>
>
> o Please include a description of your ALE
> hardware (manufacturer, model, and ALE firmware version) or ALE software
> product
> name and version number.
>
> o Indicate what (if any) ALE
> incompatibility or problem was experienced with which
> stations.
>
> 1. Automatic
> logging to hflink.net via PCALE ALE controller and ALE^stat
> software.
>
> 2. Please use
> the following format in UTC time to report a communication
> exchange:
>
>
> YOUR CALLSIGN
>
> [OTHER CALLSIGN][03/27/2014][14:32][5.3 MHz][HFIE
> MESSAGE OR COMMENTS]
>
>
>
>
>
> Evaluation Criteria
>
> After the end of the HFIE-2014, a database will be compiled
> containing reports and comments from various stations and operators
> participating in the exercise. HFLINK will facilitate an ongoing
> discussion via
> internet forum to examine any issues or problems encountered, and to
> recommend
> any necessary technical or operational improvements. A survey of
> participants
> will be launched by HFLINK to evaluate the exercise based upon factors
> recommended in the forum.
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> From: E. Drew Moore <mailto:drumor at optonline.net>
>
>
> Sent: Thursday, March 27, 2014 9:24 AM
>
>
> To: John Garmendi <mailto:gar3j at earthlink.net>
>
>
> Subject: RE: HF Link ALE Test
>
>
>
>
>
>
> Done.
> Thanks.
>
>
>
> On Thu, Mar 27, 2014 at 08:38 AM,
> John Garmendi wrote:
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> Drew,
>
>
>
>
>
> Can you please share with RVRC . Some members may find this of
> interest.
>
>
>
>
>
> 73,
>
>
>
>
>
> John N2DV
>
>
>
>
>
> US Ham Operators and Government Test HF Radio
> Communications
>
>
>
> Disaster
> Communications Compatibility Exercise Uses Automatic Link
> Establishment
>
>
>
> Washington, DC, and San
> Francisco, CA – 27 March 2014 - US Amateur Radio operators (ham
> operators) and Federal Government radio stations are engaged in a
> nationwide
> test of their capability to communicate with each other by shortwave
> radio, in
> case of an emergency or disaster. They are participating in a 12-day
> joint
> readiness exercise running from 27 March through 7 April, covering
> all areas
> of USA, using a digital High Frequency (HF) radio system known as
> Automatic
> Link Establishment (ALE). This High Frequency Interoperability
> Exercise 2014
> (HFIE-2014) runs concurrent with the federal National Exercise
> Program (NEP)
> 2014.
>
>
>
> ALE is a
> standardized digital signaling protocol used by each radio service,
> ham and
> government, to establish HF communications between their own
> stations. For the
> first time, the government regulatory agencies (FCC and NTIA) have
> authorized
> these stations to communicate with each other using ALE. HF radio
> enables long
> distance communication independent of terrestrial communications
> infrastructure, internet, or satellites.
>
>
>
> To facilitate the
> communication testing, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)
> secured
> temporary authority from the National Telecommunications and
> Information
> Administration (NTIA) and the Federal Communications Commission
> (FCC). Federal
> Government radio stations and hams are allowed to communicate with
> each other
> using ALE during the exercise. Under existing rules, hams have
> secondary
> access to 5 HF radio channels on which Government stations are the
> primary
> users.
>
>
>
> HF radios used by
> Federal Government stations have the ALE capability built into the
> hardware.
> Amateur Radio operators have implemented the same ALE protocols using
> their
> personal computers with ham radio equipment and software. The Special
> Temporary Authority allows for on-the-air testing of interoperability
> between
> the hardware and software-generated ALE implementations.
>
>
>
> Participation in the
> interoperability exercise is open to all ALE-capable Federal
> Government radio
> stations and to all ALE-capable US Amateur Radio stations. While five
> channels
> are available if needed, the test plan calls for using only two of
> the
> channels in order to minimize impact on other stations not
> participating in
> the exercise. Specifics of the STA are as follows:
>
>
>
> (1) Temporary
> modification of the authority granted at NTIA Manual section
> 7.3.8(4), which
> authorizes Federal Government stations to communicate with stations
> in the
> Radio Amateur Civil Emergency Service, to allow communications with
> any
> Amateur Radio station utilizing Automatic Link Establishment, limited
> to the
> five channels in the 5 MHz band which are available to the Amateur
> Radio
> Service on a secondary basis, for the period March 27th through April
> 7th
> 2014.
>
>
>
> (2) Concurrent waiver by
> the FCC of that part of FCC rule 97.111(a)(4) which limits
> communications with
> US Government stations to transmissions necessary to providing
> communications
> in RACES, limited to the five channels in the 5 MHz band which are
> available
> to the Amateur Radio Service on a secondary basis, for the period
> March 27th
> through April 7th 2014.
>
>
>
> The HFIE-2014 is a
> semi-annual ham radio readiness exercise coordinated by the HFLINK
> organization http://hflink.com and the Global ALE High Frequency
> Network
> http://hflink.net
>
> It is open to all
> ALE-capable ham radio stations. Technical and operational guidelines
> for ham
> and federal government stations are available at:
> http://hflink.net/hfie2014
>
>
>
> National Exercise
> Program (NEP) 2014 is a complex emergency preparedness exercise with
> activities sponsored by government departments and agencies, designed
> to
> educate and prepare the whole community for complex, large-scale
> disasters and
> emergencies. As part of the National Preparedness Goal (NPG), it
> enables a
> collaborative, whole community approach to national preparedness that
> engages
> individuals, families, communities, the private and nonprofit
> sectors,
> faith-based organizations and all levels of government.
>
>
>
> Media and Technical
> Contact: Bonnie Crystal, KQ6XA, HFIE-2014 Coordinator
>
> Email: hfie2014 at hflink.net
>
> Website: http://hflink.net
>
>
>
>
> ______________________________________________________________
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