            Using the Wisconsin Network - Part 32
                 by Andy Nemec, KB9ALN

     In the last installment of this series, we took a look at
packet radio and how it might relate to emergency
communications. We noted that a well thought out system and a
properly configured station can be most helpful when performing
emergency work. In this installment, we will discuss how to
determine if packet radio can be helpful to you, and what to
about it if you think it can be.

"Where do you want to go today?"

     With apologies to the software folks in Washington, we can
modify this question a bit to read "What do you want to do
today?". Will you be trying to correct a communications
deficiency, or are there any particular special needs you will
be attempting to fill? In order to answer this question, you
will have to rely on your past experience and by thinking your
emergency communications plan through.

     While we are trained to be prepared for any emergency,
readiness for hurricanes is Wisconsin is a bit unnecessary.
Your time as an emergency communicator should be devoted to
preparing for and thinking about the kinds of emergencies you
are more likely to encounter. Start by thinking about your
local situation. Is there any industry in your county that
deals with hazardous material? Are you near a major airport?
Are there any environmental risks you may have to deal with,
such as dams, nuclear power plants, or any other unique risks?
All of these disaster scenarios can necessitate an evacuation,
or worse yet, mass casualties. In these scenarios, packet can
be a positive supplement to your other communications
capability.

     Packet radio is excellent for relaying large lists of
evacuees to the Red Cross or other disaster management agencies,
for example. Packet can also be used to transmit other
long, involved instructions to and from field workers. It can
also, when properly set up, allow one to access the internet
for information on dealing with chemical spills or other
hazardous material incidents. If you have a large quantity of
hazardous materials being used or shipped through your county,
you may find this capability interesting.

     One seasonal threat we deal with in Wisconsin is severe
weather of various kinds. If you often have trouble staffing a
weather service office promptly, a packet station can help.
Setting up a printer to print out storm data will certainly help
meteorologists get data without trying to listen to a radio. In
the winter time, snowfall amounts can be reported without
making phone calls.

     Do you routinely have a problem communicating with a
particular part of your county, or with a particular place
outside of your county? Packet can be a big help if a node is
in place to relay your signal. We have found it very useful to
communicate with the Wisconsin Division of Emergency Management
via packet. Voice contact is marginal and inconsistent. There
are enough network nodes to complete the circuit and
communicate with Madison from Northeastern Wisconsin. There are
nodes that we use to conference with stations not only from
Madison, but from neighboring counties as well.

     Speaking of conferencing, packet is particularly useful
for this purpose. 4 to 6 stations can conference on a typical
conference node, and this can be very helpful for coordinating
activities with other agencies.

     By this time (and with knowledge of your past experience),
you should have a pretty good idea of where you might put
packet radio to use. Now let's talk about implementing it. You
can take this process step-by-step:

1) Test your idea with existing equipment before investing in
   the necessary equipment. If you know people with laptops
   computers and TNC's, go on-site and see how it actually
   works. Check paths and access to nodes and such.

2) Plan your system. Do you plan to have amateur radio access
   to the internet through a gateway station? Where would it
   be, who would control it? Obviously, most laptop computers
   we will be using will be older and less capable than newer
   units. If you plan on accessing large amounts of data on a
   frequent basis, perhaps your station at "headquarters" (the
   county E.O.C.) can be set up as a server. This would, of
   course, require software with expanded capability.

3) Select software. This is a function of what you need to do.
   There are many choices out there, but the rule of thumb is
   this: simplest is best, unless you have a definite need to
   complicate things. Field units should have relatively simple
   software that is easy to learn and use.

4) Once you have determined your plans you can start to acquire
   equipment. When possible, you should look for the
   highest-possible performance units. If you have access to a
   9600 bps user LAN, and can get a radio capable of operating
   there with good performance, it would be wise to think
   carefully about investing in this equipment. Remember, you
   wish to keep this equipment around for a long time. At some
   point, 1200 bps will be more of a historical mode than a
   common operating speed. Many TNC's can be upgraded with a
   9600 bps modem, consider this as an alternative. How easy is
   it to install? I highly recommend a TNC that is truly
   TNC-2 compatible. Alternate firmware for these TNC's is
   available from various sources, and plugs right in. In the
   event that someone creates fancy new firmware capable of
   something really neat, you will find it is much easier to
   use this new firmware in a Paccomm Tiny-2 than a Kantronics
   KPC-3. The Paccomm is truly TNC-s compatible. The KPC is not.  

5) Provide for training. A lot of hams have not been exposed to
   packet radio, or tried it once many years ago. They may not 
   be familiar with operating the equipment. Even if an 
   operator can make the equipment play, they may not know how
   to get from point A to point B through the network. In
   addition to regular training, you should have a short "cheat
   sheet" to help jog the memory of an infrequent packet operator.

6) Once you have a system in place, designate a person to be in 
   charge of the packet operations and maintenance. You will
   need someone to cycle the batteries in laptops, radios, and
   TNC's. This person can also keep operating systems
   up-to-date, along with keeping any instructions current
   (like the "cheat sheet" mentioned above).

7) Use packet in your exercises just like any other
   communications system. You probably already know that people
   get better at doing something when they practice. Make it a
   point to keep people in practice.

In the next installment, we will look at the specifics of
planning a system. Until then, 73 from Andy.
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