[WARC] Infrastructure Brainstorming discussion

[Len Litvan]

Hmmmm....

What about a portable simplex repeater station to get into the "holes"?  
Not too much equipment (would fit into a laptop bag) and readily 
available inputs/outputs--2 meter simplex.

But I am ahead of myself--we need to define the needs first.  Will get 
something out on needs in a day or so.

Len

Erik Brom wrote:
>
> Before I get into our communications needs though, I want to briefly 
> list some technologies we should consider.  I have not been too active 
> recently, so I may have missed some:
> -Conventional 5Khz FM repeaters and simplex.
> -Extra / portable UHF repeaters
> -Remote receivers
> -APRS
> -NVIS
> -HSMM
> -D-Star,
> -Digital modes.
> -Internet connections.
> I envision a network that is a combination of these, but working 
> together seamlessly.   Before we get too far, we also need to contact 
> our neighbors in LaCrosse, Rochester, and Wabasha to see what their 
> plans are.  As the flood pointed out, its important that we all be 
> able to work together.
>
> Now, on to the major topic:  What are our communications needs?
> I want to break that down into two parts:
> 1. External needs.  This is what we do to support public service, 
> Skywarn, other communications emergencies, etc.
> 2. Internal needs.  These are strictly for the pursuit of our hobby.  
> That includes communicating with each other and experimenting with new 
> technologies.
>
> The external needs are what we can sell to help raise funds.  The 
> internal needs are what keep us interested, and that we use 99% of the 
> time.  Both are important.
>
> Some random thoughts:
> -We want to experiment with new technologies, but we don't want to 
> make the current equipment obsolete, we want to migrate over time.
> -Since the more technical people tend to be busy, we should purchase 
> as much as possible.
> -What geographic area do we need to cover?  We usually focus on Winona 
> County, but Rushford is in Filmore county.  We can help all of our 
> neighbors.  I'm bad myself at keeping in touch with other groups 
> around, but I know many of you are better at it.  We should work with 
> them in our planning, and also in discussions and drills.
> -One thing I've been thinking since Katrina, and the flood re-enforced 
> - part of our job is to provide communications from inside the 
> affected area out to where normal communications are running.  We saw 
> this with health and welfare traffic coming out of Rushford.  As soon 
> as it got to Winona, it went to email or landline telephone.
>
>
> Thanks,
> Erik
>
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