[TCARC-NTX] FWD: APRS User Group Info

[david@justcalldavid.com]

Howdy! 

It's spring, and therefore time to kick off activities
for both APRS and HSMM.  

APRS USERS GROUP MEETINGS 

The focus of the users group meetings will be on
practical APRS operation, digipeater coordination and
equipment construction & maintenance.  There are many
APRS users from out of town who might be interested in
attending, so I'm requesting comments on when these
meetings should be held.  For the APRS Users Group I'd
like to propose having a monthly weekday meeting with
a weekend meeting once per quarter so that hams from
out of town can attend.  Please address comments to
n5oom@arrl.net no later than Sunday, January 18.



HSMM ANNOUNCEMENT 

HSMM (High Speed Multi Media) is an ARRL sponsored
project to develop high speed data networks for hams. 
Much current focus is on use of 801.11x (wireless
ethernet) where those frequency allocations overlap
the ham bands.  One of the topics that this group will
need to discuss is how to provide HSMM coverage for
special events and emergency response events. 
Hospital interconnects will be a prime topic of
discussion.  We'll also be carrying out practical
equipment demonstrations, training and preparing for
Hamcom.

The web page for the group is
http://www.hykkonen.net/dawg-hsmm/.  To subscribe to
our emailing list, send a message to
majordomo@hykkonen.net with "subscribe dawg-hsmm"
(without the quotes) as the body text of the message. 
 Meetings will begin soon, so please subscribe to the
list to get meeting info.



UPCOMING PROJECTS 

January, February - In conjunction with the Nortel
Networks Amateur Radio Club, we'll be doing some path
distance and equipment experimentation.  Be sure to
sign up to the dawg-hsmm list (given above) SOON for
info.

June 12 - Collin Classic Bike Rally - We'll be using
APRS at the event, and may attempt to link the Net
Control station with the Event Logistics coordinator
using 802.11b.

June 18, 19 - HAMCOM - Due to the popularity of the
NTX APRS Workshop last year, we've been asked to do it
again at this year's Hamcom.  In addition, we need to
put an internet feed into the Arlington Convention
Center to support both the APRS and HSMM workshop
activities.  We're asking for volunteers for
presentations and to help run demos.  For more
information on the APRS Workshop, go to
http://www.n5oom.org.  For updates on Hamcom, go to
http://www.hamcom.org.

September 17,18,19 - Plano Balloon Festival - APRS
will be used in our balloon safety tracking
operations.  802.11b will be used for communications
at the launch field.



John T. Beadles N5OOM 
Wireless Network Engineering - Engineering Tools &
Processes - Nortel Networks 
972-685-8713 phone, ESN 445-8713 
972-684-3626 fax 
beadles@nortelnetworks.com