The Last Mile Bridging the Gap By KS4JU

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 PSK31 –HF APRS –VHF –HF –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 PSK31, 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 MFJ Saratoga Amateur Radio Parts - / 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

PSK-31 Frequencies PSK-31 activity is concentrated around the following frequencies: – MHz –3.580 –7.035 MHz –14.07 MHz (Most Popular) – MHz – MHz – MHz – MHz – MHz

PSK-31 Basics PSK-31 uses Binary Phase Shift Keying (BPSK) The keying rate is 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 PSK31 except for a wider bandwidth of 63 Hz –Improved polar path performance compared to PSK31 –Works with any soundcard-equipped Windows computer and SSB transceiver –Initial testing on 20 meters between and KHz –Lots of software for PSK63 is available now! PSK 63 Resource Page

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 mW/Hz for SSB) –If a 100 W PEP (~ 11 – 15 W rms) signal provides a 20 dB S/N ratio at the receiver using SSB, the same S/N ratio is achieved with 8W using RTTY and only 1W 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 (< 5W) 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 kHz 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 – MHz Low Powered Trackers – MHz Satellites –ISS MHz – UP MHz- Down – 1200 Baud AFSK –PCSAT MHz – UP MHz- Down – 1200 Baud AFSK –PCSAT –MHz – UP MHz– Down Baud AFSK –AO MHz – UP MHz– Down – 9600 Baud FSK Web Access – Open APRS –Based on Google Maps

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 –

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

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

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 VA3TO and iLinkboards

Software Main Page

Echolink Status 09/31/06

Echolink Connect Screen

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 –Most emergency agencies rely on 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 -

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 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..

Laptop Compute r Radio Data Interface A typical ham radio “last mile” station is composed of simple components, even for an Agency with multiple computers. VIA HAM RADIO using Winlink 2000 Laptop for a Portable Station. Desktop for an agency. Paclink AGW & Paclink Postoffice mini server software with AGW Packet Engine Pro and Outlook Express or Outlook Win2000 or WinXP A D-Star or Packet Radio Modem (TNC.) A VHF or UHF Radio and a Good Antenna This is a Winlink 2000 PACLINK station.

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

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

VIA HAM RADIO VHF Radio Data Interface Compute r 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 outlet. PMBO VHF Radio Data Interface HF Radio Data Interface VHF Radio Data Interface Compute r Users on HF have a special e- mail program called “Airmail.” Airmail “client Program

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

VHF Radio Data Interface VIA HAM RADIO PMBO VHF Radio Data Interface Compute r 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. The Internet VHF Radio Data Interface TELPA C b TELPAC stations may communicate to the PMBO via any TCP/IP link, including ICOM’s D-Star or “WiFi” b.

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

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

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

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

VIA HAM RADIO PMBO VHF Radio Data Interface VHF Radio Data Interface Compute r The PMBO forwards radio between its radio users, even if its internet connection is gone. The Internet VHF Radio Data Interface Compute r

The Internet VIA HAM RADIO PMBO VHF Radio Data Interface VHF Radio Data Interface Compute r 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

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

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

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

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?