Just a few points of interest ,and please elaborate with your own
ideas.
This year we had reports given to us by the same hams that helped out
last year in the Hatteras area. Bob ( I missed the call )I can't
Thank you enough. Bob was using a computer on the Echolink system,
Comes in Handy . If it were not for Bob this year with Alex and last
year with Isabel. We would have missed alot if important information
in the effected areas.
Computers are valuable in said events.
No one's saying they're not. :-) As long as the message gets through, that's what counts. I'd be happy even if it was on a carrier pigeon. :-)
The local Hatteras Repeater ( K4OBX )was down again for Alex.
Again I must stress the point, Having Repeaters setup out of the
affected areas that can project back into the effected areas is a
great way to not lose your voip connections.
Portable nodes can also be used to great effect. In our current setup, Echolink has a significant advantage to the run of the mill IRLP - it uses GSM and will work over dialup. We've been running IRLP in ADPCM mode. Actually, I might propose we try GSM on the IRLP side. It should be much more reliable than it used to be. My EchoIRLP node is an example of what the IRLP system in GSM mode would be capable of.
I also have a Repeater back up plan. If I lose power I just pickup
my repeater and go to where the power is. You see I have two
Repeaters on the same Frequency. The standard Repeater would be a
problem to move but my backup Repeater is portable.
I have a portable node - currently IRLP, but when I get it booting again (just need to reinstall the boot loader), I will install EchoIRLP on it. If things go _really_ pear shaped, I can theoretically run it using Bluetooth and GPRS, though at $5.50/MB, that's a last resort when all else fails.
Two Kenwood radios and a software called EchoStation will make any
Repeater work on any frequency you choose, for a backup or as a main
Repeater. How well dos this work? You Guys have heard me on this
system during Alex, and for several months now. My main Repeater is
under repairs again. You tell me , How well did it sound ?? I can
move it ,and have it setup in a matter of minutes. The same as with
the Echolink - Links.
Might be something to load up on the laptop. The registration fee is quite reasonable.
Another idea is to try and keep computers sounds off during an event,
MSN and Echolink have features that will let you turn off
notification beeps etc. I know its going to happen from time to time
as we will get curious hams that just want to hear whats going on. I
think all hams are curious :) . I can ignore anything to get a report
in an event though.
They are annoying on the nets... :-)
73 de VK3JED
