Wisconsin ARES/RACES Digital Update

WinLink RMS, D-Star, Messaging

By James K. Darrow WI ARES/RACES ASEC Digital Communications

WI ARES/RACES ConferenceOctober 31, 2009 – November 1, 2009

How big is your last mile?

Wisconsin ARES/RACES Digital Update

WinLink RMS

WinLink RMS

• 36 VHF RMS Packet Nodes 145.610 MHz• 4 UHF RMS Packet Nodes 446.100 MHz• 4 RMS Relay Stations Fox Valley Milwaukee Racine Wausau• 2 RMS Pactor Stations Milwaukee 7.100 MHz Fox Valley 7.100 / 3.592 MHz• 1 D-Star 1.2 GHz High speed data station Milwaukee 1298 GHz• IL ARES/RACES is now on 145.610 MHz

How big is your last mile?

Wisconsin ARES/RACES Digital Update

ICOM D-Star

High Speed Digital Data 1.2 GHz

Pros and Cons

•Data speeds of 56K or better.•Can be configured for direct internet access. •Multiple stations can be networked together.•A lot of data can be passed in a short period of time.

Cons•Cost equipment/feed line.•Near line of sight communications.• Limited distance.•Not for the faint hearted.

Pros

Events where D-Star has been used.

•26.2 marathon which starts in Minneapolis ends in St. Paul.•Required 5 D-Star access points with antenna' mounted at 200'+•Mobile antenna's at 70'•Distance of 1 mile.

Madison – Chicago 2000

•Access Point mounted at 40'•Mobile Antenna 30'•Distance of about 3 miles.

Medtronic Twin Cities Marathon

KB9MMC D-Star Coverage area.

How big is your last mile?

Wisconsin ARES/RACES Digital Update

Messaging

Q-Forms

ICS-213

ARRL Radiogram

Simple Message

Q-Forms

Properly formatted message.

Q-Forms

Why go to all that trouble?

Q-Forms

ICS-213

ARRL Radiogram

Simple Message

2009 SET Lessons Learned

• Practice, Practice, Practice• Use distribution lists whenever possible• Verify your distribution list before you use it• Use the digital net• Practice, Practice, Practice

Questions