1. Narrow Band Emergency Messaging System Emergency Radio Communications
NBEMS & RMS Express
Narrow Band Emergency Messaging System
&
Winlink 2000
For
Emergency Radio Communications
George Blakeslee N1GB
Eric Lougee KB1OKX

2. Agenda What is Digital Communication Why Digital ECOMS What is NBEMS
Configure FLdigi
Configure FLmsg
Configure FLamp
Configure Soundcard
Set Radio Power Levels
Macros & Modes & Instances

3. Agenda What is Digital Communication Why Digital ECOMS What is NBEMS
Configure FLdigi
Configure FLmsg
Configure FLamp
Configure Soundcard
Set Radio Power Levels
Macros & Modes & Instances

4. What is Digital Communication
ANY information that can be digitized can be sent via a digital mode.
Some data is just too big to reasonably send via sound card digital modes (Video, MP3, big pictures) etc.
We will be focusing on smaller file types: text, spreadsheets in .csv format, small pictures.

5. What is Digital Communication
Best Used for:
Specific directions / instructions.
Long lists of information.
Difficult to spell names.
Prescriptions.
Etc.

6. What is Digital Communication
Best NOT USED for:
Short, tactical messages.
Quick exchanges of simple information.
Simple status updates.
Station call-ups – basic Net operation.

7. What is Digital Communication
Flmsg
Flamp
Software on Computer
Fldigi
Sound Card Interface
Hardware connection Computer to Radio
Radio and Antenna

8. What is Digital Communication
Signal Link USB – Just needs USB Port
Rig Blaster – USB and audio ports
March 2011 QST, Page 34 - Audio Ports Only
Anything hardwired is better, but
Audio coupling does work, and can be used.

9. Agenda What is Digital Communication Why Digital ECOMS What is NBEMS
Configure FLdigi
Configure FLmsg
Configure FLamp
Configure Soundcard
Set Radio Power Levels
Macros & Modes & Instances

10. Why Digital ECOMS
Accurate, Rapid Communications

11. Why Digital ECOMS Think back to your last public service event,
drill, or deployment.
You probably passed a lot of traffic best suited
for voice communications but...
What if you had been asked to pass:
Roster of evacuees
Required prescription medications
Directions to a disaster scene

12. Why Digital ECOMS The needs of our Served Agencies have changed.
They still need voice communications but...
There's an increasing need for data communications.
We need to be able to provide more than just voice communications from a ham with an HT.

13. Agenda What is Digital Communication Why Digital ECOMS What is NBEMS
Configure FLdigi
Configure FLmsg
Configure FLamp
Configure Soundcard
Set Radio Power Levels
Macros & Modes & Instances

14. What is NBEMS Narrow Band Emergency Messaging System
Consists of program suite:
Fldigi – Fast Light Digital modem application
Flwrap – Wrap a file with a checksum
Flmsg – easily send ICS forms and Radiogram
Flamp – sends files in blocks
Can download from
Runs on Windows, Linux, and Mac.
Released under GNU Public License, so it is completely FREE.

15. What is NBEMS Prerequisites for NBEMS Operations:
FLDIGI, FLWRAP, FLMSG and FLAMP downloaded and installed
A basic understanding of your computer Operating System (OS)
Ability to create file folders and move files 15

16. What is NBEMS
Download and Install FLDIGI, FLMSG and FLAMP from 16

17. SET UP EQUIPMENT
Connect the interface and computer to the radio

18. Agenda What is Digital Communication Why Digital ECOMS What is NBEMS
Configure FLdigi
Configure FLmsg
Configure FLamp
Configure Soundcard
Set Radio Power Levels
Macros & Modes & Instances

19. Configure FLdigi
Double click on your FLdigi icon 19

20. Configure FLdigi
Optional Configuration Wizard 20

21. Configure FLdigi
Operator Info 21

22. Configure FLdigi
Audio Device 22

23. Configure FLdigi
Rig Control 23

24. Configure FLdigi
Operating Display 24

25. Configure FLdigi
UI – User Interface 25

26. Configure FLdigi
Waterfall 26

27. Configure FLdigi
RxID 27

28. Configure FLdigi
Misc - NBEMS: FLmsg auto-unwrap 28

29. Configure FLdigi
Misc - NBEMS: FLmsg auto-unwrap 29

30. Configure FLdigi
Misc - NBEMS: FLmsg auto-unwrap 30

31. Configure FLdigi
Misc - ‘Sweet Spot’ 31

32. Configure FLdigi
Autostart 32

33. Configure FLdigi
IO – Enable ARQ 33

34. Agenda What is Digital Communication Why Digital ECOMS What is NBEMS
Configure FLdigi
Configure FLmsg
Configure FLamp
Configure Soundcard
Set Radio Power Levels
Macros & Modes & Instances

35. Configure FLmsg
Personal Data 35

36. Configure FLmsg
Date – Time Format 36

37. Configure FLmsg
File Names 37

38. Configure FLmsg
Radiogram 38

39. Configure FLmsg
Sync Modem with FLdigi 39

40. Configure FLmsg
Standard Forms 40

41. Agenda What is Digital Communication Why Digital ECOMS What is NBEMS
Configure FLdigi
Configure FLmsg
Configure FLamp
Configure Soundcard
Set Radio Power Levels
Macros & Modes & Instances

42. Configure FLamp
Sync & Repeater Timing 42

43. Agenda What is Digital Communication Why Digital ECOMS What is NBEMS
Configure FLdigi
Configure FLmsg
Configure FLamp
Configure Soundcard
Set Radio Power Levels
Macros & Modes & Instances

44. Configure Soundcard
Computer Sound Controls 44

45. Set Radio Power Level
Tune Fldigi. Adjust Level and Soundcard TX control for 50% power output with min. ALC 45

46. Agenda What is Digital Communication Why Digital ECOMS What is NBEMS
Configure FLdigi
Configure FLmsg
Configure FLamp
Configure Soundcard
Set Radio Power Levels
Macros & Modes & Instances

47. Fldigi operation
Macros 47

48. Fldigi operation
Macros 48

49. Fldigi operation
Modes 49

50. Fldigi operation Modes Mode WPM BW (Hz) Primary Use(s)
PSK HF/VHF ‘live’ keyboard *
PSK 4x125R HF/VHF file transfer mode
PSK 3x250R HF/VHF file transfer mode *
PSK 5x250R VHF file transfer mode
Olivia 8/ HF keyboard mode
MT HF file transfer mode
MT VHF file transfer mode
Thor1x HF Keyboard mode *
* NH Digital Net & HARP 50

51. Configure FLdigi
Modem – MT63 51

52. Configure FLdigi
Modem - Thor 52

53. Configure FLdigi
Modem - Olivia 53

54. Fldigi operation Multiple Installations (Instances)
Each Fldigi version is installed in its own Program folder: 54

55. Fldigi operation Multiple Installations (Instances)
FLdigi puts the configuration files - fldigi.files - in
C: \Users\[your-login-name]\fldigi.files 55

56. Fldigi operation Multiple Installations (Instances)
Can change location by adding Command Line Switches to desktop shortcut
--config-dir “DIRECTORY”
Look for configuration files in “DIRECTORY”
Directory is: “C: \Users\your-login-name\fldigi-instance-name.files”
Mine is: “C\Users\GB\fldigi-NHDN.files” 56

57. CREDITS Help Sheets, Power Points and other files:
Info and Downloads: