[GA ARES] Thoughts on the direction of Georgia's digital plans.

[John Kraus KC4ZGQ]

All,

I have had some alternative digital plans passed to me lately and I want to 
begin a public discussion of them.  The web page below has links to the 
documents I received and my responses and analysis of them.

I am strongly in favor of rolling out Winlink.  Here are my reasons in a 
nutshell but the website below offers a full rationale and explanation of 
various options.

1) Winlink 2000 is an already existing network that has global reach.

2) Winlink 2000 is extremely easy for most hams to setup and the entry 
level for learning does not require any hardware.

3) Winlink 2000 already has a significant penetration and market share in 
the EMCOMM field and I expect this to increase rapidly this year.

4) Winlink 2000 offers something for almost every level of cost and desire.

5) The most important thing is that Winlink 2000 can be done right 
now.  Any area of the state that makes a realistic effort can have a 
functional Winlink 2000 presence in less than two weeks.  It does not need 
to built out across the state; it is already there.  It simply bridges the 
last mile from where the internet is still functional into the area where 
it is not.

I have seen many alternative plans over the past three years or so and have 
found several common factors in most of them.

1) None have existing networks but do have great plans for them "some day".

2) None have presented any clearly defined roll out plan that can cover all 
of Georgia.

3) Most have focused on building a highspeed network (generally around the 
Atlanta metro area) and do not address how real highspeed can realistically 
be used to link the whole state.

4) When I have asked for these questions to be answered; I am normally told 
"that's your job".

I do not accept the assertion that it is my job as DEC to build a statewide 
network any more than would an EC accept the assertion that he should do 
all the communications for his county.

Rather as DEC I have spent three years researching and using the various 
technologies and trying to see how a network could be built.  The end 
result of that is my recommendation in favor of Winlink.

I want to be very clear that I am not opposed to local groups building 
alternative local infrastructure or networks.  I am certainly not opposed 
to any particular program or network topology. I simply believe strongly 
that before any group takes a path away from Winlink 2000 that they be 
fully competent in using it.

The reality is that Winlink 2000 will work with virtually any modern 
hardware and the real choice is made by the individual operator when he 
decides which Icon to click on his desktop.  The programs are tools and it 
is a foolish operator who limits his choices unnecessarily.


Below is a link to a much more through discussion of the issues and 
technologies that I have examined.  As always I am willing to discuss these 
with anyone and can provide more information on request.

http://www.kc4zgq.com/hamfiles/gaares_digital_plan.html

I ask that any comments be placed on the 
<http://www.kc4zgq.com/phpBB/>Georgia ARES Digital Forum so that they will 
be available for all to review.




73 de John Kraus KC4ZGQ
Georgia DEC for Digital Communications
DIGITAL_COMMS_GA at COX.NET

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