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<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>I've changed the title of my posting because I don't feel
the current thread</span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>will ever accomplish anything</span></font><font size=2
face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial'>.</span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'> </span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>In order for any of our efforts to succeed, several things
must be in place:</span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'> </span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>1) We must have clearly defined goals and objectives</span></font><font
size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial'>.</span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>We are talking about revitalizing connected mode packet,</span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>with backbones, nodes and such</span></font><font size=2
face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial'>.</span></font><font
size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial'> Fine,
we had that for</span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>many years in most parts of the </span></font><font size=2
face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial'>US</span></font><font
size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial'> and we let
it die</span></font><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>.</span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>Obviously, the majority of Hams didn't feel it was a </span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>useful tool</span></font><font size=2 face=Arial><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial'>.</span></font><font size=2
face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial'> So what are
we proposing, just dusting off</span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>a few old radios and computers, fire it back up and pat</span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>ourselves on the back? WHAT DO WE INTEND TO
ACCOMPLISH?</span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>We need to have a goal - what are going to DO with it</span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>once we get it back online?</span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'> </span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>2) In order to answer #1, there must be clear plans in place</span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>to integrate our communications networks in times of
emergency</span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>or disaster</span></font><font size=2 face=Arial><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial'>.</span></font><font size=2
face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial'> We must
analyze the communications needs, either</span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>for establishing communications in the event that an area is</span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>isolated, or for augmenting existing communications, e</span></font><font
size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial'>.</span></font><font
size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial'>g</span></font><font
size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial'>.</span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>providing communications when the existing systems are</span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>overloaded</span></font><font size=2 face=Arial><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial'>.</span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'> </span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>3) MOST IMPORTANTLY - providing equipment alone will
certainly fail!</span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>One person, showing up with a radio, while noble, is pretty</span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>much useless</span></font><font size=2 face=Arial><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial'>.</span></font><font size=2
face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial'> In times of
disaster, there needs to be volunteers</span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>willing to provide time to operate the equipment</span></font><font
size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial'>.</span></font><font
size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial'> This
may require</span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>hundreds or even thousands of trained Hams, in numerous
locations</span></font><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>.</span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>In my experience, there are usually more volunteers than
there are</span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>equipment</span></font><font size=2 face=Arial><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial'>.</span></font><font size=2
face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial'> Most show up
with only a handheld or mobile radio, some</span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>without anything</span></font><font size=2 face=Arial><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial'>.</span></font><font size=2
face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial'> Not all
volunteers need to be communicators, but</span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>all communicators need radios, equipment, etc</span></font><font
size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial'>.</span></font><font
size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial'> Being
able to identify</span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>what is needed and in what proportion is vital</span></font><font
size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial'>.</span></font><font
size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial'> In
the first stages of</span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>our response, identifying which parts of our existing
infrastructure is</span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>operational will be necessary, then developing a plan to
augment and </span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>"patch holes" will be most important</span></font><font
size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial'>.</span></font><font
size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial'> Only
then can we effectively</span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>communicate and be of value</span></font><font size=2
face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial'>.</span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'> </span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>As a "P</span></font><font size=2 face=Arial><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial'>.</span></font><font size=2
face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial'>S</span></font><font
size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial'>.</span></font><font
size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial'>" the
#3, we need to accept that most modern radios are becoming</span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>exceedingly complex to operate</span></font><font size=2
face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial'>.</span></font><font
size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial'>
Merely handing a volunteer a radio doesn't</span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>guarantee that they can use it</span></font><font size=2
face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial'>.</span></font><font
size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial'> How
many times have I seen someone show up</span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>at an event and couldn't change their PL tone or some other
needed function</span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>because they didn't have the instruction manual! AND
THAT WAS THEIR PERSONAL</span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>EQUIPMENT, so with loaner equipment this becomes even more
problematic</span></font><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>.</span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'> </span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>4) The system we design must be simple, redundant, and
require</span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>as little training as possible for the end user</span></font><font
size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial'>.</span></font><font
size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial'> In
this regard,</span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>it is highly desireable to have common components which can
be </span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>interchanged as necessary, and common user interfaces to
reduce </span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>operator training and setup time</span></font><font size=2
face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial'>.</span></font><font
size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial'>
Volunteers can then be used</span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>at almost any location without additional training or
experience</span></font><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>.</span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'> </span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>5) In large scale disasters, it must be recognized that many
forms</span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>of communications may be required to accomplish the goal</span></font><font
size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial'>.</span></font><font
size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial'> Local</span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>workers using VHF voice repeaters to communicate with field
supervisors,</span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>supervisors using connected mode packet to relay message
traffic to</span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>regional centers and APRS to track local assets, regional
centers </span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>utilizing HF to communicate with State and Federal offices</span></font><font
size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial'>.</span></font><font
size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial'> The </span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>benefits and limitations of each tier needs to be clearly
understood </span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>for it to be utilized effectively</span></font><font size=2
face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial'>.</span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'> </span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>6) For any of this to be effective, there must be
coordination between</span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>us (the Hams), and local, regional, and at least State
agencies</span></font><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>.</span></font><font size=2 face=Arial><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial'> We</span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>must understand how we are to be utilized, propose and
implement a</span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>system to do that, then test it and train with it regularly</span></font><font
size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial'>.</span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'> </span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>7) There must be local, regional and state-wide and/or
national plans</span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>in place to document what resources are available, where
they are </span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>located, who to contact to request them, and how it will all
be </span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>coordinated once activated</span></font><font size=2
face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial'>.</span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'> </span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>8) There must be a comprehensive training program, and
regular</span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>training and practice activation of the system at every
level</span></font><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>.</span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>At each site there should be someone responsible for
coordinating</span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>utilization of volunteers and providing training as needed
on</span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>their local systems</span></font><font size=2 face=Arial><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial'>.</span></font><font size=2
face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial'> It must be
recognized that in a large scale</span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>disaster, many volunteers will pour in from across the
country or</span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>even from outside the country to offer assistance</span></font><font
size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial'>.</span></font><font
size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial'> If
you cannot</span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>give each one a clearly defined job and the resources to
accomplish</span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>that job, they will be bored and go home, and others will
hesitate</span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>to volunteer in the future</span></font><font size=2
face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial'>.</span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'> </span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>9) We should have a good public relations program to educate
other</span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>agencies on our capabilities, and regional/state/national
offices</span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>that can offer support and guidance, provide training and PR
materials,</span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>coordinate larger PR events if needed</span></font><font
size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial'>.</span></font><font
size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial'>
"ARRL" type organizations</span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>can be valuable, if they are willing to dedicate staff, time
and resources</span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>to the effort</span></font><font size=2 face=Arial><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial'>.</span></font><font size=2
face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial'> In my
opinion, the </span></font><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>US</span></font><font size=2 face=Arial><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial'>'s ARRL is sadly lacking in this
area</span></font><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>.</span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'> </span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>Several have commented that they have some form of node or digi
that can</span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>be put online, or is operational already</span></font><font
size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial'>.</span></font><font
size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial'>
Without coordination, often these</span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>indivi</span></font><font size=2 face=Arial><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial'>dual</span></font><font size=2
face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial'> efforts only serve
to make things worse</span></font><font size=2 face=Arial><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial'>.</span></font><font size=2
face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial'> The KANode,
in my opinion,</span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>was a leading cause of the demise of connected mode packet,
as it often was</span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>incompatible with many other types of networks</span></font><font
size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial'>.</span></font><font
size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial'>
Indivi</span></font><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>dual</span></font><font size=2 face=Arial><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial'>s who took it upon</span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>themselves to install a KANode often introduced various
problems, even causing</span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>the other nodes to crash or operate very inefficiently</span></font><font
size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial'>.</span></font><font
size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial'>
That's why our efforts</span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>must be coordinated and planned</span></font><font size=2
face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial'>.</span></font><font
size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial'>
Otherwise, we're just wasting our time</span></font><font size=2 face=Arial><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial'>.</span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'> </span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>As far as WinLink, well, its a GREAT system, true</span></font><font
size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial'>.</span></font><font
size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial'> But
for anyone to be really</span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>successfull you need at least a Pactor-II modem, and Pactor-III
is certainly best</span></font><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial'>.</span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>Yes, Pactor really blows any "packet" system away,
being able to maintain comm's</span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>at 18dB BELOW the noise floor</span></font><font size=2
face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial'>.</span></font><font
size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial'>
FANTASTIC, but how many indivi</span></font><font size=2 face=Arial><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial'>dual</span></font><font size=2
face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial'> hams or response</span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>agencies can come up with the nearly $1,200 needed for the
proprietary modem? Plus</span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>we also have the "all our eggs in one basket"
debate, since the modem is only</span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>manufactured by one company, thus is not off-the-shelf
interchangeable with any</span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>other product</span></font><font size=2 face=Arial><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial'>.</span></font><font size=2
face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial'> "Sound
card Pactor" is rare, and only using Pactor-I which isn't</span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>all that fast, but still more reliable than packet</span></font><font
size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial'>.</span></font><font
size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial'> But I
feel that relying on</span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>"Telpac" to integrate local users into the WinLink
system is definately NOT the</span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>way to go, as we shouldn't be RELYING on any cellular or
Internet connection,</span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>ESPECILALLY AT THE LOCAL LEVEL</span></font><font size=2
face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial'>.</span></font><font
size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial'> WinLink
requires PACTOR, not packet, so packet</span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>systems cannot get into WinLink directly except through
intermediate servers</span></font><font size=2 face=Arial><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial'>.</span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>KISS - make it as simple as possible, and reduce the number
of components in the</span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>system to increase reliability and reduce complexity</span></font><font
size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial'>.</span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'> </span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>One final comment on "channel saturation" or the
apparent lack of available frequencies</span></font><font size=2 face=Arial><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial'>.</span></font><font size=2
face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial'> IN AN
EMERGENCY or DISASTER, to HELL with all casual users of</span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>the frequency! Voice repeaters, packet frequencies,
nodes, networks ALL CAN BE</span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>DEDICATED TO ONLY EMERGENCY COMMUNICATIONS, or at least it
should take PRIORITY</span></font><font size=2 face=Arial><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial'>.</span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>If we need to bump someone's BBS offline to use the channel
for earthquake response,</span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>so be it, and if anyone has any problem with that let them
call the head of the</span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>FCC to complain (and certainly be put in their place if not
have their license </span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>suspended for being a moron)</span></font><font size=2
face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial'>.</span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'> </span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>Merely putting some nodes and backbones up, or back online
is the easy part</span></font><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial'>.</span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>What will we do with it, and how to make it an effective
communications tool</span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>is a totally different question</span></font><font size=2
face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial'>.</span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'> </span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>Ray - WB3ABN</span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>Kingston</span></font><font size=2 face=Arial><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial'>, </span></font><font size=2
face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial'>WA</span></font></p>
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