[GA ARES] Katrina - Missed Signals

[John Kraus KC4ZGQ]

>From: Paul Pescitelli <dx.k4uj at gmail.com>
>To: Ares at gaares.org
>Subject: [GA ARES] Katrina - Missed Signals
>
>http://www.govexec.com/features/0206-01/0206-01s2.htm
>
>Yet another recap from Katrina in reference to Emergency
>Communications. It does validate a lot of basic networking principles.
>Interesting to note that the internet is the only service that worked
>and how Ray Negin communicated with the rest of the world for days via
>the internet.
>
>--
>73 - Paul    K4UJ / FS, KP2, KP4, PJ6, PJ7,VP2E, ZF2UJ


Thanks for posting this Paul,

This article is a concrete example of why I settled on Winlink 2000 as the 
entry point for building a robust statewide data network.

Any functional internet connection can be used with Winlink. It was 
deliberately designed that way.  This is the basis of the Winlink concept 
of the "Last Mile".  Winlink recognizes the fact that the internet can be 
by far the most robust backbone available.  So far in most recent disasters 
the internet has remained a viable resource and in most cases could have 
been accessed using low cost VHF radio / TNC's.  One ham with a 2 meter 
radio 1200baud TNC and a laptop preloaded with Telpac could have 
established a large area coverage Point of Presence and extended that 
internet capability over a much wider area than actually was covered.

This is the reason I think every ARES member needs to have Airmail and 
Telpac on their computer and must know how to use them.

Yes there are many other technologies that can use the internet but one 
thread has emerged and that is that when these things happen the coverage 
is often spotty and can slow considerably.

Winlink 2000 has three very real advantages over standard packet applications.

The built in compression for text based documents including MS Word and 
Excel maximizes throughput on slow links.

It does not require a ham to be on both ends of the connection.

Its robust backbone system for delivering traffic already exists and 
features redundant mirror servers that are geographically separated in 
hardened secure facilities.  It exists now.  It does not need to built only 
tapped.






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

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