[aprssig] Hurricane APRS Preparedness

[Bob Bruninga]

In preparation for Huricanes here are some APRS preparations that should be considered:

1) Make sure that all digipeaters are New-N compliant.
(www.aprs.org/fix14439.html)

2) This includes containing a beacon for the locally recommended working voice repeater frequency in the coverage area of THAT digipeater. (www.aprs.org/localinfo.html)

3) Whatever you are assigned, or whatever you are doing.  Include your contact frequency in your APRS position reports.

4) Enable VOICE alert in your mobile so you can be contacted on 144.39 CTCSS 100 if needed.

5) Learn how to use APRS messages effectively and APRS Email.

6) If you are in areas one-tier-back from affected areas, consider temporary beams and temporary digipeaters and temporary IGates to link into affected areas.

7) Home stations and IGates point high-gain beams into the affected area to listen for tropo and even rare Meteor-scatter packets that may make it out of the area on 144.39.

8) In surrounding non-affected areas, cut your RATES and HOPS to clear the channel for other traffic...

9) In the affected area (with no digi support) keep your rate high (1 min) to improve the random probability of contact with others in the area and occassional propogation of packets out.

Just some thoughts...

Bob, Wb4APR