1. ARES and Georgia Public Broadcasting John A. Davis – WB4QDX District Emergency Coordinator Georgia Public Broadcasting January 28, 2006

2. Background In 2005, MOU executed between ARES and OHS/GEMA establishing official cooperation with State of Georgia In 2005, MOU executed between ARES and OHS/GEMA establishing official cooperation with State of Georgia As a state-affiliated agency, GPB proposes to supplement OHS/GEMA emergency planning with state-owned tower sites As a state-affiliated agency, GPB proposes to supplement OHS/GEMA emergency planning with state-owned tower sites Georgia Public Broadcasting developed RFP for digital TV conversion and upgrades to transmitter sites Georgia Public Broadcasting developed RFP for digital TV conversion and upgrades to transmitter sites GPB includes commercial-grade amateur antennas and transmission lines in TV tower upgrades GPB includes commercial-grade amateur antennas and transmission lines in TV tower upgrades Georgia ARES designated to manage amateur radio use at GPB tower sites to support emergency communications Georgia ARES designated to manage amateur radio use at GPB tower sites to support emergency communications ARES created new DEC position to support GPB relationship ARES created new DEC position to support GPB relationship

3. ARES Opportunity Utilize GPB tower sites to develop statewide amateur radio network for emergency communications Utilize GPB tower sites to develop statewide amateur radio network for emergency communications Commercial-grade antennas and low-loss transmission lines available for amateur radio use at each site Commercial-grade antennas and low-loss transmission lines available for amateur radio use at each site Building space and electrical power provided at sites Building space and electrical power provided at sites

4. GPB Television Towers Nine TV towers Nine TV towers –Atlanta: WGTV / 8 –Albany: WABW / 14 –Augusta: WCES / 20 –Chatsworth: WCLP / 18 –Columbus: WJSP / 28 –Dawson: WACS / 25 –Macon: WDCO / 29 –Savannah: WVAN / 9 –Waycross: WXGA / 8

5. GPB Radio Transmitters Some Radio tower sites may be available Some Radio tower sites may be available –Albany: 91.7 FM WUNV –Athens: 91.7/97.9 FM WUGA –Augusta: 90.7 FM WACG –Brunswick: 88.9 FM WWIO –Carrollton: 90.7 FM WUWG –Columbus: 88.1 FM WJSP –Demorest:88.3 FM WPPR –Dahlonega: 89.5 FM WNGU –Fort Gaines: 90.9 FM WJWV –Macon: 89.7 FM WDCO –Savannah: 91.1 FM WSVH –St. Marys: 1190 AM WWIO –Tifton: 91.1 FM WABR –Valdosta: 91.7 FM WWET –Waycross: 90.1 FM WXVS

6. ARES Network Development Georgia ARES should develop statewide voice and data network plan Georgia ARES should develop statewide voice and data network plan Determine site equipment required at each site Determine site equipment required at each site Utilize local ARES groups and amateur radio clubs for equipment and maintenance Utilize local ARES groups and amateur radio clubs for equipment and maintenance Approve site use by ARES or affiliated groups who agree to support network plan Approve site use by ARES or affiliated groups who agree to support network plan

7. GPB Site Use Criteria Equipment to be installed and operated consistent with ARES network plan Equipment to be installed and operated consistent with ARES network plan Repeaters or other equipment to be owned and operated by local ARES groups or affiliated groups Repeaters or other equipment to be owned and operated by local ARES groups or affiliated groups Users to execute GPB approved Site Use Agreement Users to execute GPB approved Site Use Agreement Liability insurance to be provided by user Liability insurance to be provided by user Unrestricted use by ARES for training and emergency communications Unrestricted use by ARES for training and emergency communications Available for open amateur use during non- emergency conditions Available for open amateur use during non- emergency conditions

8. Where are we? GPB site upgrades/digital conversion vendor to be selected in the next few weeks GPB site upgrades/digital conversion vendor to be selected in the next few weeks Site work to be completed over next 2 to 3 years Site work to be completed over next 2 to 3 years First Site Agreement completed with Americus Amateur Radio Association for 2m repeater on WACS–TV in Dawson using existing commercial antenna First Site Agreement completed with Americus Amateur Radio Association for 2m repeater on WACS–TV in Dawson using existing commercial antenna National Weather Service discussing Mesonet data network with GPB/ARES using amateur radio National Weather Service discussing Mesonet data network with GPB/ARES using amateur radio

9. Next Steps Develop Georgia ARES voice and data network strategy Develop Georgia ARES voice and data network strategy Determine equipment requirements at each site to support network Determine equipment requirements at each site to support network Recruit and approve local groups to install and maintain equipment at each site as GPB upgrades are completed Recruit and approve local groups to install and maintain equipment at each site as GPB upgrades are completed

10. Site Use Inquiries Contact John Davis – WB4QDX Contact John Davis – WB4QDX wb4qdx at arrl.net wb4qdx at arrl.netwb4qdx at arrl.netwb4qdx at arrl.net