NE-FL D-STAR System

The Journal of the North East Florida D-Star Repeater Network

Archive for August, 2010

D-Star Default Reflector Linking

Aug 27

Posted by mikelee in D-Star Repeaters, D-Star Users, DSTAR Projects | 3 Comments

About 10 weeks ago, I put a very crude method of insuring that the gateways were all linked to REF034C, so that we had a fully-connected network of repeaters for the NEFL-DStar Network – and I do mean VERY CRUDE. Every hour, on the half, I issued a link command to connect to REF034C (same as issuing REF034CL in the URCALL field, if you were doing it on the RF side).

Crude, but it worked – if the gateway was already connected to ANYTHING, it would simply respond-back with “Link Already Established”. If the link was idle, it would connect to REF034C and respond with “Link Established”.

There was a downside – every hour, on the half – you would usually hear “Link Already Established” – quite annoying. Okay – it’s functional, but certainly not elegant (hey – I TOLD YOU I was a Linux knucklhead..!!).

It’s only been a couple of weeks since Jason Price (W4LTL) graciously took over the management of the D-Star Gateways for us. It has been a big relief, since he is a Unix/Linux professional by trade, as well as being a sponge to all things D-Star.

Well, Jason has changed all of that. Wednesday evening, he developed a method of actually checking for the link status – then if idle, it would link to the default REF034C – if active, it would just terminate QUIETLY. He tested it late Wednesday evening and has it working now.

Following is the email exchange from that night..  KUDOS to Jason… this is GREAT STUFF..!!!!

Above: “Linker” – explanation of how it works (click to enlarge)

NTS versus ICS Messaging Format..??

Aug 26

Posted by mikelee in ARES Training, Flagler ARES Admin, NET Operations, Volusia ARES Admin | 1 Comment

There was some discussion at the Volusia meeting last Tuesday (17-August), with proponents of the NTS radiogram format and why we need to use something else (like the ICS message formats).

Following the meeting, Ed (KA1EHR) asked a very good question via email, asking for my opinions and views. I’ve attached my response below, in the interest of transparency.

Please note – this may NOT be consistent with the official ARRL position – and even though I was speaking that evening as the DEC for East Coast District ARES, the following views are mine alone – but hopefully, they are based on common sense and  clear thinking. The comments are NOT to be viewed as “policy”, but simply one person’s opinion. All are free to disagree (including the League).

Above: Email regarding NTS and ICS  (click to enlarge)

Are we on the path to being obsolete..??!! Certainly, if we don’t keep up with the times, with our Served Agencies and with Technology, we WILL be obsoleted – or somebody with bigger, better and less expensive capability will take our place. Look at Nextel and how they have changed the face of Event Management – in fact, the MS-150 staff will be using Nextel amongst themselves.  In short – we need to be AHEAD of the curve – always pushing, always advancing, always LEARNING in order to stay relevant. What worked (well) in 1950, or 1960 or even 1990 may not apply as well today. We need to constantly assess, change and adopt new solutions where they apply.

DStar is a good example, as are packet, WL2K and other technologies.

JAX D-Star Status

Aug 24

Posted by mikelee in D-Star Repeaters, DSTAR Projects | No Comments

For those of you in the Jacksonville Beach and downtown, here’s an update of our current status:

  • the Big JAX tower site (500-foot) has been delayed – I have not heard from the station engineers yet, but all components are ready to be deployed (we purchased an additional DB-224E for this site).
  • the JAX Beach site is nearing installation. Scott has helped us finalize the contract for the roof-top site and I have already signed it. Site is ready for installation. Steve and I will be finalizing the RF equipment this coming weekend – this will be a D-Star Full-Duplex Hotspot on UHF. We’ll release details as soon as they’re finalized.
  • We will need a crew for the JAX Beach site install – there will be antenna work, feed-line runs and equipment installs (Steve Finger will be the point-man for the equipment install). If you’re interested, please contact me offline or via email

MS-150 Planning Package

Aug 23

Posted by mikelee in ARES Events, ARES Training | No Comments

The MS-150 Training meeting yesterday was attended by more operators than we expected (we only prepared 30 copies of the planning package), so about 8 of the folks walked away with nothing but their own notes. Great turn-out – sorry we didn’t anticipate that large number.

For those of you who didn’t get a hand-out, I’ve put the information files on the links below. Feel free to download.

There was a question during the meeting about (paraphrased) – how do we insure that others don’t impersonate  ”official” ham operators who have been assigned to the MS-150 event..??!!   There was concern about predators, as well as the possibility of non-sanctioned amateurs just “dropping-in” and working the event.

Unfortunately, we won’t be able to do much about the problem of Predators – such is the world that we live in today – but if you do see something highly-suspicious, report it as an Emergency or Priority message to Net Control. We will then ask our law enforcement partners to sort-out the situation as might be required.

With respect to non-sanctioned Amateur Operators – we are contemplating issuing a unique “Credential” to all rostered Amateur volunteers on, or shortly prior to the event day. For security reasons, we will not release the design or form-factor of the credential – in order to lessen the chance of counterfeiting. The design (and possibly a sample) will be reviewed and approved by the MS-150 Executive Committee, so that they and their staff will have the ability to verify an individual as being rostered for the event, should the need arise. We’re anticipating that you’ll be able to keep the credential, as an exclusive souvenir of your participation in the event. Also, for the first time – the MS-150 Event T-shirts are supposed to have the ARES logo imprinted on them, along with the other volunteer organizations and event sponsors. A great display of “Partnership” between our ARES group and the MS-150 organization – GO TEAM..!!

Stay tuned for more information in the coming weeks regarding the credential.

Planning information files below:

MS-150 Operators Deployment Guide

MS- 150 Distances Beetween Rest Stops

2010_FINAL_Route

Above: Saturday, St. Johns (click to enlarge)

Above: Saturday, Flagler (click to enlarge)

Above: Saturday, Volusia (click to enlarge)

Above: SUNDAY, Volusia (click to enlarge)

Above: SUNDAY, Flagler (click to enlarge)

Above: SUNDAY, St. Johns (click to enlarge)

MS-150 Training – Recap

Aug 22

Posted by mikelee in ARES Events, ARES Training | 2 Comments

Yesterday’s training session for the MS-150 was held at the Flagler EOC. There were 38 people in attendance, more than in any other planning session for any event. We had members from Nassau, Clay, St. Johns, Flagler and Volusia Counties – all working as ONE TEAM.

For those of you who were not able to attend today’s meeting, please see the EC for your county – they will be able to provide you with the information packet, as well as the information reviewed in today’s meeting.

Pictures below:

Shelby Hamfest – one of my favorites

Aug 21

Posted by mikelee in Hamfests | No Comments

It’s my favorite in the South East (yes… I know – Orlando and Huntsville are great, but Shelby is my favorite) – always on the weekend of Labor Day. It’s a bit of a drive from Northern Florida (I used to go from Atlanta), but it’s definitely worth it. For those of you who may be looking of Ham Radio things to do on the Labor Day weekend, consider Shelby.

Huntsville Hamfest – This Weekend

Aug 20

Posted by mikelee in Hamfests | No Comments

for those of you who are not attending the MS-150 training session, remember that the Huntsville hamfest is this weekend as well. All indoor, all air conditioned – it’s a great gathering.

For those of you interested in D-Star, there are 3 hours of forums scheduled which will be chaired by Robin (AA4RC),  John (QDX), Ed (YIH) and some of the movers-and-shakers in the Alabama D-Star community.

I’m already scheduled to go to the MS-150 training, but if I weren’t, I’d be in Huntsville this weekend.

Flagler ARES – 17-Aug Official Summary

Aug 20

Posted by mikelee in Flagler ARES Admin | No Comments

here’s the meeting summary file from Robbie (KG4HUF) our EC, and Eddie (KJ4LRB).

FLAGLER COUNTY ARES SUMMARY – 20100817

MS-150 Training Session – SATURDAY

Aug 20

Posted by mikelee in ARES Events | No Comments

Reminder: Training for the MS-150 event is on Saturday, 21-August at the Flagler EOC, starting at 09:00 and ending by Noon. All of your DEC and EC’s will be there. Please plan to attend if at all possible.

Talk-in on 147.300+ PL123 and 147.320+ digital (KA4RES)

Flagler ARES Meeting from 18-August

Aug 20

Posted by mikelee in Flagler ARES Admin | No Comments

The monthly Flagler ARES meeting was held Wednesday night at the Flagler EOC. Summary  follows:

  • Robbie opened the meeting with the Pledge of Allegiance
  • Tracking of hours for ARES – remember to include Nets, Repeater Maintenance, Fire Tower volunteerism – anything that is in support of the community by ARES. Hours to be reported to Robbie and Eddie via email.
  • Programs upcoming – September program will be about the MS-150 instead of Traffic Handling.
  • Tonight’s program was about the EMCOMM-1 vehicle by Mike.
  • Meeting adjourned at 20:45