The Last Mile Bridging the Gap By KS

The Last Mile Bridging the Gap By KS 4 JU

What is the Last Mile ? The “last mile” is the path across an area where conventional communications have been disrupted or overloaded by an incident.

Why Digital Radio? • More Robust – Can work better in noisy RF environments – Built in filtering or data redundancy improve communications – Can be more efficient with less power and smaller antennas. • Greater Connectivity – Some modes can be linked over the Internet to reach more potential users • Communicate More Efficiently – Greater bandwidth capability for more information – Potential for sending documents, photos and other attachments. – Provides more accurate communications

Digital Radio Tools • PSK 31 – HF • APRS – VHF – Internet • Echolink – VHF – Internet • Winlink – HF – VHF – Internet

Radio • HF or VHF Radio – Most radios will work – Computer control interface can be useful, but not necessary – Compact low power capable radios can be used for field work or ran more efficiently on emergency power supplies.

Computer • Most digital amateur radio software have very modest computer hardware requirements • Laptops are more useful in emergency operations. – – Portable Self contained power supply Low power requirements for emergency power. Be sure to look into battery efficient laptops for emergency use

Computer / Radio Interface • Interface needs to be made between the computer sound card and radio for PSK 31, APRS (AGW packet engine), Winlink (AGW Packet Engine), and Echolink server. – Sound card out to Radio mike input – Sound card input to Radio speaker / headphone output – Computer serial or usb port to Radio PTT • Interfaces can be made or purchased – Vendors • Rigblaster - West Mountain Radio www. westmountainradio. com • MFJ www. mfjenterprises. com • Saratoga Amateur Radio Parts - www. saratogaham. com/ezpsk/ Note 1. APRS can be used with a standalone 9600 baud hardware TNC 2. Winlink HF requires a dedicated Pactor 3 modem.

Software • Usually low cost or free

PSK-31 • Advantages – Very easy to deploy in an emergency – Modest equipment requirements • Laptop, Radio Interface, HF Transceiver, Antenna, and Power Supply • This can include a low power HF transceiver, portable power supply, and portable antenna. – Very Robust • • • Can provide long range communications using HF in noisy conditions. Can provide keyboard contact over long distances as well as short bulletins. Does not rely on other technologies to work. Possibly the best (only choice) during a widespread communications outage. Disadvantages – – – Transfer of information slow (low bandwidth) Can be affected by HF conditions (Propagation) Not as useful for local or short-range communications No redundancy Limited connectivity Official PSk-31 Website http: //aintel. bi. ehu. es/psk 31. html

PSK-31 Frequencies • PSK-31 activity is concentrated around the following frequencies: – – – – – 1. 83815 MHz 3. 580 7. 035 MHz 14. 07 MHz (Most Popular) 18. 100 MHz 21. 070 MHz 24. 920 MHz 28. 120 MHz 50. 290 MHz

PSK-31 Basics • PSK-31 uses Binary Phase Shift Keying (BPSK) • The keying rate is 31. 25 bits/sec • The effective speed for plain English text is approximately 50 words/minute

PSK-63 • PSK-63 offers – 100 wpm character transmission speed for contest exchanges and macro transmission versus RTTY at 60 wpm – Only 1/5 the bandwidth of RTTY - capable of displaying 25 signals simultaneously on a waterfall or spectrum display – Fast, easy, point-and-click tuning using the mouse or keyboard arrowkey tuning – Capable of color thumbnail portrait transmission in less than 2 minutes – Faster sync recovery than RTTY, resulting in fewer errors – Requires much less power than RTTY for the same communications performance – Identical to PSK 31 except for a wider bandwidth of 63 Hz – Improved polar path performance compared to PSK 31 – Works with any soundcard-equipped Windows computer and SSB transceiver – Initial testing on 20 meters between 14072. 5 and 14080. 0 KHz – Lots of software for PSK 63 is available now! PSK 63 Resource Page www. qsl. net/kh 6 ty/psk 63

PSK-31 Performance • Real World Performance – The power in a PSK-31 signal is concentrated in a 31 Hz bandwidth, versus 250 Hz for RTTY and 3300 Hz for SSB; the PSK-31 signal is brighter (3. 2 W/Hz vs 30 m. W/Hz for SSB) – If a 100 W PEP (~ 11 – 15 W rms) signal provides a 20 d. B S/N ratio at the receiver using SSB, the same S/N ratio is achieved with 8 W using RTTY and only 1 W using PSK-31! – Transcontinental QSO’s using PSK-31 are possible using less than 50 W under any conditions and when conditions are good, QRP (< 5 W) PSK-31 contacts are possible to any point on the planet. – Unlike AMTOR, PACTOR, and packet, PSK-31 supports net operation (no handshaking required between stations)

Bandwidth Utilization • Waterfall display on the left shows several RTTY signals • Waterfall display on the right shows several PSK-31 signals • For the nearly the same character rate (~ 50 wpm) PSK uses 1/5 the bandwidth • A 3 k. Hz SSB channel can support 10 or more PSK QSO’s

Tuning in a PSK 31 signal • Turn on the equipment • Run the PSK software • Select the waterfall display mode • Use the mouse to place the cursor on a signal • Adjust the squelch until text appears in receive window Receive Window

Recommended Software for PSK • Ham Radio Deluxe – hrd. ham-radio. ch

APRS • Advantages – Modest Equipment Requirements – VHF Radio, Computer, Interface or TNC, and Software – Can be used for: • • Map based asset management. Tracking people or objects. Weather reporting Short messages – Large radio based network with internet connectivity – Can be deployed quickly and portable / mobile – Still heavily used • Disadvantages – Need to be in range of an APRS node to participate in the network or internet connectivity. – Not a strong VHF network in the Athens Area APRS Wiki info. aprs. net/wikka. php? wakka=APRS

APRS Frequencies • USA National Frequency – 144. 39 MHz • Low Powered Trackers – 144. 99 MHz • Satellites – – ISS PCSAT-2 PCSAT-1 AO-51 145. 990 - MHz – UP 145. 800 MHz- Down – 1200 Baud AFSK 145. 825 - MHz – UP 435. 275 MHz- Down – 1200 Baud AFSK 145. 825–MHz – UP 145. 825 MHz– Down - 1200 Baud AFSK 145. 860 - MHz – UP 435. 150 MHz– Down – 9600 Baud FSK • Web Access – www. findu. com • Open APRS – Based on Google Maps www. openaprs. net/

Recommended APRS Software • AGW Packet Engine Pro – – Replaces the need for a hardware TNC Requires PC with Soundcard $50 License Supports many TNC based Applications • AGW Tracker APRS Software – Very sophisticated mapping features using online maps – Very good weather displays – Supports standalone Kenwood APRS radios – Only program that is currently being updated

Athens APRS Activity 8/30/06

Coverage

Messages

Weather Data

Tracking

Satellite

Hurricane Tracking

Emergency Planning

Echo Link VOIP / Protocol • Advantages – Can only require a computer, microphone, and Internet Connection – Allows monitoring or communicating on VHF repeaters world wide – Can be used to access distant repeaters for message handling during emergencies – Can be used to extend the range of local repeaters – Conferencing supported – Mobile transmitters can access remote repeaters via DTMF codes – Transmit automated messages with 3 rd party software – Easy to use – Must validate Amateur Radio license before using • Disadvantages – Requires a live internet connection or a VHF vocie link to a radio connected to an Echo link server with a working internet connection. Echolink – www. echolink. org

PC as a Base Station Home PC VHF Repeater (Anywhere in the World) Internet VHF Radio Base Microphone Echolink Sysop Server

Mobile Link Echolink / PC VHF Repeater (Anywhere in the World) Internet VHF Radio Mobile Echolink Sysop Server

Echolink Overview

Advanced Controllers • Advanced controllers allow – – – Shutting down or rebooting the computer remotely Remote access to controller functions from a mobile radio Time out timer to unlatch PTT in case program hangs up More suited for Echolink Sysop mode. Priced from $75 to $135 (will work with other modes discussed here) From VA 3 TO www. ilinkca. com and i. Linkboards www. ilinkboards. com

Software Main Page

Echolink Status 09/31/06

Echolink Connect Screen

www. voipwx. net

WXTALK Node # 7203

Winlink • Advantages – Modest equipment requirements for VHF access – VHF radio, computer, interface, MS Outlook Express, AGW Packet Engine, and Paclink Post Office – Based on SMTP E-mail – Most emergency agencies rely on email for information transfer – Can send attachments for photos and documents – Redundant network utilizing radio and internet connectivity – Was proven very effective for “Last Mile Communications” in the hurricane Katrina aftermath • Disadvantages – HF links can be costly because of the requirement for a proprietary Pactor 3 modem – VHF access is fairly limited in Athens area (however, it would be easy to set up a local Telpac station) – Can be more complex to set up Winlink - www. winlink. org

Why Winlink • Our traditional methods fail for complex message handling in today’s agency environment! – Need for delivering written procedures, lists, graphics, images, and Pre -defined, formatted, documents to multiple recipients! – Multiple recipient e-mail with binary attachments is the de facto standard to carry written information. – Hand-written message forms are seldom used, and are not transparent to normal operations! • For complex messages, voice, Morse code, Radiograms, and traditional Packet radio won’t do… – way too slow, translation required, inflexible, prone to error, no permanent record, not self-originating, not point-to-multipoint. – doesn’t go end-to-end from user-to-user on their own computers in their own offices & no attachments and no automatic distribution. .

E-MAIL VIA HAM RADIO using Winlink 2000 This is a Winlink 2000 PACLINK station. A typical ham radio “last mile” e-mail station is composed of simple components, even for an Agency with multiple computers. Radio Data Interface Laptop Compute r A VHF or UHF Radio and a Good Antenna A D-Star or Packet Radio Modem (TNC. ) Laptop for a Portable Station. Desktop for an agency. • Paclink AGW & Paclink Postoffice mini e-mail server software with • AGW Packet Engine Pro and • Outlook Express or Outlook • Win 2000 or Win. XP

E-MAIL VIA HAM RADIO To send or receive e-mail, this station makes a connection with a Winlink radio node or PMBO. Radio Data Interface Compute r PMBO

E-MAIL VIA HAM RADIO For the “last mile, ” use VHF radios and the Packet mode as a pathway to carry e-mail. VHF Radio Data Interface Compute r PMBO

E-MAIL VIA HAM RADIO For longer distances or in difficult terrain, most PMBOs are outfitted with multi-band HF radios and the Pactor II & III modes to serve stations with no other e-mail outlet. Users on HF have a special email program called “Airmail. ” VHF Radio Data Interface Compute r PMBO Airmail “client Program

E-MAIL VIA HAM RADIO The PMBO is connected to the internet at all times. VHF Radio Data Interface Compute r PMBO The Internet

E-MAIL VIA HAM RADIO PMBOs may have remote “gateways” called TELPAC stations. They are connected to the PMBO via any TCP/IP link and duplicate its VHF radio port in another location. TELPAC stations may communicate to the PMBO via any TCP/IP link, including ICOM’s D-Star or “Wi. Fi” 802 -11 b. VHF Radio Data Interface TELPA C Compute r PMBO The Internet 802 -11 b

E-MAIL VIA HAM RADIO Other computers, or CMBOs, organize and manage the network traffic. CMBOs are transparent to users. They are redundant, and you never know they are there. VHF Radio Data Interface Compute r PMBO The Internet CMBO

E-MAIL VIA HAM RADIO You can send radio e-mail directly to internet e-mail users. VHF Radio Data Interface Compute r PMBO The Internet

E-MAIL VIA HAM RADIO And you can send radio e-mail to other Paclink or Airmail stations like yours. VHF Radio Data Interface Compute r PMBO The Internet

E-MAIL VIA HAM RADIO Adding a LAN on the PACLINK computer permits individuals to send and receive radio e -mail. PACLINK is now an e-mail server. PACLINK may be placed in the “DMZ” zone in front of the firewall. VHF Radio Data Interface Comput er Compute r PMBO The Internet Served Agency LAN

E-MAIL VIA HAM RADIO The PMBO forwards radio e-mail between its radio users, even if its internet connection is gone. VHF Radio Data Interface Comput er Compute r PMBO The Internet

E-MAIL VIA HAM RADIO If the local PMBO has an outage, you can make a connection with a local TELPAC station which will automatically shift to a distant host PMBO with connectivity. Or… VHF Radio Data Interface TELPA C Compute r PMBO The Internet

E-MAIL VIA HAM RADIO NODE Or… you can traverse the packet network using nodes to get to a connected TELPAC or PMBO. Or… VHF Radio Data Interface Comput er TELPA C PMBO The Internet

E-MAIL VIA HAM RADIO Or… you can use an HF station to get to a distant connected PMBO using Airmail. HF Radio VHF Radio Data Interface Compute r PMBO The Internet

E-MAIL VIA HAM RADIO Besides radio channels, PACLINK stations also may have telnet channels to the internet. This is handy for fixed stations because it is fast. PACLINK stations automatically switch between preset radio destinations and telnet channels to find a connection to a PMBO. VHF Radio Data Interface Comput er TELNET Compute r PMBO “My E-mail server is down” The Internet TELNET

PMBO Locations

US Telpac Nodes

Nearby Telpac Stations Overview

Nearby Telpac Stations Detail

Devise a Plan! • Insure that there is no duplication of efforts in your “last mile” coverage area. • Set up an strategy for implementation with your local ARRL ARES® or RACES organization. Set up a time-line for each task. – Coordinate efforts with the Winlink 2000 Development Team, EC’s, SECs, DECs/SM, etc. – Ask other ARES® communities for assistance. – Set up personnel responsibilities with Time-lines! – Handle the finances. “How much will it actually cost”? Who should pay? – Involve and commit the end-user. They are the one’s to benefit! • Implement the plan in stages. • Test it, and Test it again. • Provide a presentation and demo for your served agencies. • Continue to promote your capabilities.

Questions?