Digital Communications
- DEC

Digital modes are becoming more important in supporting emergency communications.  Many new modes and client programs are available and are being evaluated by different groups for incorporating into their support of served agencies.  If you can operate packet radio/APRS/other digital modes (including Winlink, Telpac, HSMM, etc.), please E-mail, . GA ARES plans to incorporate these modes of communication into its overall support strategy.  Join the digital discussion reflector to keep up with current activity, ask questions and receive answers:

 
Digital Discussion Reflector

To download the Section Digital Emergency Network plan (revised 1/17/06), click this line.

Georgia APRS Plan

There has been considerable traffic on the TAPR APRSSIG over the last several months on improving the functionality of the APRS RF system. I have implemented some of these changes at the two digis I directly control and I think some of them have been made at others as well. I have seen a remarkable improvement in the local network. These changes can be summed up as falling into two primary categories:

1) Moving away from the generic digi paths of RELAY, WIDE and TRACE 

2) Providing for local operations while limiting the impact of increasing load on a limited resource (1200 baud ALOHA packet channel).

As the Digital DEC for Georgia I am interested in getting input on the proposed changes to APRS Digipeater settings. I am asking all APRS digi owners to provide me with input on your current settings as well as your view of the changes. Please read the pages below and let's see if we can incorporate some of these changes to make the APRS system work better. 

http://web.usna.navy.mil/~bruninga/aprs/fix14439.html http://www.ew.usna.edu/~bruninga/aprs/kpc3+WIDEn.txt
http://www.ew.usna.edu/~bruninga/aprs/kpc3+WIDEnCUT.txt
http://www.ew.usna.edu/~bruninga/aprs/PacComm-settings.txt 

I am also looking for someone to setup a digi in the cities of Albany, Metter/Statesboro, Sparta, McRae, and Waycross. I can provide technical assistance and a computer to run Digi_Ned which will create the most advanced and efficient APRS digi. These digi's can be setup at a home station and do not need to be at 200 ft sites. 50 - 100 ft is ok for a starter site. Highspeed internet is also a plus and would enable you to have an IGATE that would bring weather warnings into the area via your system. 

The presence of Highspeed internet will also allow you to setup a Telpac access node to the Winlink 2000 system. I can help with this as well.

(Revised 04/10/06)