JNOS – 15 years later

Long ago, in what now seems like a primitive world – I was introduced to a ‘new way’ to do packet radio. Like other pre-Internet computer connections, packet radio was based upon point-to-point links, and we used a local Bulletin-Board System (BBS) to exchange messages. Sometimes we could connect a local BBS to other distant BBSs via mountaintop digipeaters. This was the ham radio version of the dial-up BBS network that was common in the 80s. In 1990 AMSAT launched 4 MicroSats that carried packet radio store-and-forward technology to even further extend this reach, and many of us enjoyed a global electronic messaging service before most folks had even heard of the Internet. This ‘new way‘ to use packet radio utilized tcp/ip – which became the standards in use today as The Internet.

Command Prompt from BBS

So, in 1990 – just after I had moved to Kingsport, TN – my ham radio guru Gary – K4VZZ, introduced me to

MFJ-1278 returns to 145.010

In a brief fit of madness …
I was dusting the shelf under my old MFJ-1278 this last weekend, and wondered how long it would take to actually restore/establish that thing on 145.010, running just it’s feeble internal single-user mailbox…

1200 baud radio modem

Turns out it was easier than I expected (because it wasn’t broken), and after futzing around with

What is 97.113 ???

In case you have not heard this rumbling on the horizon, you probably want to watch this for future development. Everyone that has connection to Amateur Radio is familiar with the FCC’s requirement that ham radio not be used for business purpose (specifically Part 97.113). Most of us recognize the obvious situations where that would be an issue, but recently a gray area has come to be in the spotlight. What if someone who is employed by a local Emergency Management Organization happens to also have a ham license, and is participating in a training exercise sponsored by that EMA… Unfortunately the FCC is taking the position that it would not be appropriate for that EMA employee to use the ham radio as part of that exercise. Another example given by the FCC points out the difference between a Red Cross employee transmitting health & welfare traffic on behalf of an individual that has been relocated to a shelter, and a Red Cross employee using ham radio to manage Red Cross resources (read as ‘Red Cross Business’).

Whether you agree with this interpretation or not – you need to know the background facts, and stay informed as to how this is playing out. Even while rule-making proposals are being worked, the fact remains that the FCC has stated their position on this, and we all need to be aware of how to stay out of trouble with the laws as they are currently interpreted. Especially if you are a paid employee of ANY emergency relief or response unit, and hold an amateur radio license – you NEED to read carefully on this subject and understand what all this means, and how it effects you. If you are a volunteer, you need to help ensure that others are not inadvertently mis-interpreted as being in violation.

For those who are only just now learning of this issue, here is a brief time-line (with links following): I first became aware of this issue in June 2009, while reading blog entries(1) by David Coursey – N5FDL, an Emergency Coordinator in California. He indicated that he had received a request for guidance from a volunteer, and that he had been in contact with the FCC. Based upon the FCC response, he further indicated that a Rule Making Proposal needed to be in the works. In August several of us collaborated in the construction of a White Paper(2), with background information and FCC responses. On Sept 1st, the ARRL issued their view of this situation in QST magazine’s “It Seems to Us”(3). On Sept 18, Alabama ARES members received this update(4) from the Section EC regarding the weekly regional HF net. N5FDL also posted his ‘Don’t panic’ updated guidance(5) on 97.113 compliance. Apparently groups around the country are considering their response to this issue as well.

There will be more on this touchy subject going forward, and you can follow along via http://n5fdl.com/97113-blog-and-forum/ . To be sure, there are other valid reference sites, and you are welcome to post comments here (or on N5FDL.com) with any additional relevant information.

Be sure to help spread the word among your fellow hams and emergency workers. This IS important…

Thanks /;^)

(1) Update on Business Communications – June 17 2009
http://n5fdl.com/davids-blog/2009/6/17/important-update-on-business-communications.html

(2) N5FDL White Paper with background and FCC responses.
http://n5fdl.com/97113

(3) ARRL issues their insight in September QST
http://www.arrl.org/news/features/2009/09/01/10982/

(4) Alabama Section ARES responds
http://www.hmcraces.org/BB/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=238

(5) Updated 97.113 Guidance from N5FDL on 18 September
http://n5fdl.com/davids-blog/2009/9/18/dont-panic-97113a-can-be-dealt-with.html

September VHF contesting

We all know that the only radio contesting I ever participate in is the VHF contests… and even then it is only to see if I can beat my previous score. It certainly is not to impress my wife. With ‘in-attic‘ antennas I’m about the only one I can beat. I’m actually pretty pleased with these antennas tho, because I don’t have to twist a rotator back and forth, and I can work just about anyone that I can hear. Sometimes I hear things the other guys don’t, cause they are pointed off to the side or something. Often omni-directional antennas get a bad rap, but they do have their advantages. I had some preamps on there last year, but then I could hear folks that can’t hear me. I do rely on other folks that have big antennas on tall towers with serious power for my DX. Still tho I really enjoy having so many stations on for a good weekend of VHF. Again this contest, we had a local ARES Simplex Exercise Saturday afternoon, to bring out a few more operators, and introduce them to the world of VHF without repeaters. Pretty good participation !

I don’t have a lot of space in my shack, and share the desk with my computer stuff.

the Radio side of my desk

Several years back I built these desk-boxes to hold the radio gear, thinking they would be

Sept VHF QSO Party

Don’t forget the annual September VHF QSO Party runs from 1pm Saturday to 10pm Sunday (CDT) this weekend. Lots of fun meeting up with old and new friends in the region. Check the rules and other details on the ARRL website. The Alabama ARES group is also conducting a Simplex Exercise Saturday from 2-6 pm CDT, so don’t forget to listen on those FM frequencies as well for some extra contacts. Maybe we’ll get some new VHF contesters. If you scroll down further, you can see an example from the propagation map that NG0E generates from the APRS-IS beacon data-base. This is helpful to recognize where the signals might be strongest. Even if you are not into the contest for competition, it is a valuable exercise to see how well your equipment is operating. The rest of us will appreciate the additional contacts – so join in !
Enjoy /;^)

W1HKJ explains ARQ transfer time

An error correction method employed in amateur digital communication is known as Automatic Repeat reQuest (ARQ). I won’t get into those details here, but this mode can be used to ensure error-free delivery of simple messages over weak signal radio links as we often encounter in ham radio. In particular this method is available in the flarq program as part of the Narrow Band Emergency Messaging System (NBEMS) package. NBEMS provides amateur operators with the tools to operate several digital modes, regardless of

W4HMC-1

I managed to spend a few hours in the ham radio room at the HMCEMA’s EOC Friday afternoon. The antique Kenwood radio we are using for the APRS station was in need of some adjustments to the setup, so I took the opportunity to clean up a bit and re-arrange some of the station components. There are still a few things to fix up, and possibly a ‘newer’ used computer to replace the old Windows98 system that is currently providing the APRS software (we are using UI-View32). Look for W4HMC-1 on a map near you. See all APRS stations in the area via http://aprs.fi.

Amateur Radio station @ HMC EMA

What can we change with this ?

Not sure of the original source, but I saw this on Twitter, makes good sense.

Do more than belong: participate.
Do more than care: help.
Do more than believe: practice.
Do more than forgive: forget.
Do more than dream: work.

/;^)

Update On Business Communications

One of the blogs I follow, with particularly valuable EmComm insight, is by N5FDL… an Emergency Coordinator in California. Previously on his site I had read some discussion around the FCC regulations regarding use of ham radio for ‘conducting business’, specifically by those whose business may be emergency communications. David’s most recent post caught my attention, and is echoed here.

Wednesday, June 17, 2009 at 06:09AM

I have today, following a discussion with the FCC concerning interpretation of the 97.113 prohibition of business communication using Amateur Radio, removed my earlier comments on the subject. My new understanding is that the Commission interprets this prohibition very broadly—more so than I could have imagined.

My recommendation is that people whose job it is to provide emergency services should not use Amateur Radio even to discuss how Amateur Radio can provide those services.

I do not believe this interpretation best serves the public interest, but as FCC licensees we are bound to follow the guidance I have received. I will discuss this in a future post.

Meanwhile, I am also preparing a Rule Making Petition to carve out a small exception that would allow licensed hams who are also public safety workers to use Amateur Radio to promote safety and the public good.

This topic will need to be followed closely…
Hopefully this is a matter of interpretation and can be easily dealt with.
I’ll be watching David’s site for his updates.
/;^)

Field Day 2009

ARRL Field Day logo

Huntsville “hams” will be conducting a 24 hour emergency communications drill this weekend, along with thousands of Amateur Radio operators across the US and Canada. You may recall recent reports of ham radio operators providing critical communications support during unexpected emergencies in communities across America including the California wildfires, earthquakes, blizzards, tornadoes and similar events world-wide. During Hurricane Katrina, Amateur Radio – often called “Ham radio” – was sometimes the only way relief workers could communicate, and hundreds of volunteer “hams” traveled to the coast to help save lives and property. When trouble is brewing, Amateur Radio’s people are often the first to provide rescuers with critical information and communications infrastructure. On the weekend of June 27-28, the public will have a chance to meet and talk with local ham radio operators and see for themselves what Amateur Radio Public Service is all about. Exercising current shortwave technology, digital and satellite capabilities, voice communications and even historical Morse code, hams from the Huntsville area will be demonstrating their abilities to build a nationwide emergency communications network.