This is Paul Bohne KG4HJC's original outline.  As you read it, you may find that your favorite mode seems to have been been neglected or dismissed.  Keep in mind that this is just a starting point.  You have to start somewhere, and you have to make some assumptions before you can get started.  Paul did update the outline based on discussion at the meeting, but it's still preliminary.  Now, gather up your thoughts, and make your arguments on the mailing list.

• Take advantage of digital modes unique capabilities over voice communications for supporting emergency operations
• Send data quickly and accurately in a ready-to-print or ready-to-database format
• Facilitate incorporation of digital modes in ARES operations beyond Wake County across North Carolina

• Health and Welfare Traffic
• ARES currently has no capability to do this.
• NTS traffic nets would be incapable of delivering large volumes of H&W traffic
• Digital modes could be used to provide the capability to capture and pass a large volume of H&W traffic from shelters to National Traffic System (NTS) nets, Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN), or internet (email) for delivery.
• EMC2000 fallback network support
• State emergency operators are mandated to use EMC2000, which is used to pass formatted messages between emergency operations facilities over digital network connections
• Digital modes could be used to provide a fallback digital network to use in the event of network outage
• Message link between EOC and Relay stations
• Relay stations may be used to increase EOC capacity or coverage
• Digital modes could be used to provide a back-haul link between Relay and EOC to pass message captured by relay to EOC without tying up the primary voice links

 
• Digital modes will be used to supplement basic voice modes
• When proven superior, digital modes will be preferred over voice modes whenever possible.  Operations will fall back to voice if digital modes are not available.
• A limited set of hardware and software configurations will be recommended for use by ARES.  These configurations will be validated by compatibility tests.
• Detailed operating instructions will be developed and provided for the recommended hardware/software configurations via the ARES Web Site
• EOCs will be enhanced with digital hardware and software configurations
• ARES operators will be encouraged to add digital mode capabilities to their ARES equipment configuration and operating skills
• NTS messages will be translated to digital transmission using a standard message translation format (software may be developed and made available to support message translation and formatting)

• Digital Mode Requirements
• Essential
• Statewide coverage
• Handles formatted message traffic
• Error-free delivery of messages
• Higher throughput than voice (5 WPM)
• Compatible with EOC HF or VHF Radios
• Low acquisition and maintenance cost
• Easy to setup (supports both fixed and portable installations)
• Easy to operate
• Compatible with EOC computer systems
• Integration with existing infrastructures:  EM2000, NTS Networks, Internet, and Public Switched Telephone Network
   
• Extra Credit
• Binary file transfer
• Image transfer
• Based on open standards with multiple sources for equipment

 

• CW
• The most basic mode. Reliable communications requires human operators. Not effective for computer-to-computer operations.
• RTTY
• Poor performance under less than ideal conditions rules it out for serious use.
• PACTOR
• Better than AMTOR and RTTY, but requires a relatively expensive MCP and it does not compare with performance of the new soundcard-based digital modes (PSK-31, MFSK, and MT63).  May be useful in conjunction with WinLink, but not worth considering as a stand-alone mode.
• PACTOR-II, CLOVER-II, CLOVER-2000, and GTOR
• Very robust modes with better performance than PACTOR, but all are proprietary requiring a relatively expensive MCP from a single source.
• Facsimile, Hellscrieber, SSTV, ATV
• Only support image transfer.  Not suitable for text messaging.  May have ancillary uses for ARES.

• AMTOR
• Large installed base.  Acceptable performance with error correcting modes.
• PSK-31, MFSK, and MT63
• New soundcard-based digital modes that are inexpensive to implement via free software and simple rig interface. They vary in bandwidth, performance, and ease of use.  Worth conducting a comparative test to select the best tradeoff between performance and ease of use.
• APRS
• Packet-based position reporting and messaging becoming very popular and supported by virtually all TNCs. HF could be use for inter-county operations and VHF could be used for intra-county operations.
• SEDAN
• Packet-based network of nodes designed for rapid live keyboard - to - keyboard communication.  No long file transfers, bulletins or lists, but individual mailboxes can be used for non-realtime message transfer.
• BBS Network
• Packet-based network of Bulletin Boards.  Has provisions for handling NTS messages and passing traffic to NTS networks.
• WinLink
• Automatic internet email to HF gateway system with simple email interface. Downside is that it requires a PACTOR MCP (only SCS and Kantronics supported by software).

• All testers use identical software
• required freeware/shareware could be made available on the ARES Web Site
• Stations simulate EOC and remote facilities (EOC, remote, relay)
• A series of simulated emergency NTS or EM2000 test messages are translated to digital format and are exchanged between the stations 
• test messages could be made available on the ARES Web Site
• Coordination via voice link during test
• The following items are noted by each tester during the test
• Copies of messages received
• Ease of use
• What worked and what didn't
• Testers document their notes and email them and copies of the messages received to the test coordinator
• Test results are published by the test coordinator
• Test results could be published via the ARES Web Site

• How will Bulk Health and Welfare traffic be delivered to its destinations after it leaves the disaster area?
• We need to choose or develop “trunks” that are capable of delivering large volumes of H&W traffic in a short time to arbitrary destinations (within the state, country, or world) to recipients either via telephone, internet, or mail.
• How will ARES communications procedures be changed to accommodate the use of digital modes?
• Current operations depends solely on voice networks passing NTS formatted radiograms
• We need to develop protocols to coordinate the use of digital modes to supplement voice communications, e.g. use voice net to coordinate modes and frequency for establishment of digital link to pass bulk traffic.

• Near term
• Getting agreement on where to focus development of digital capabilities for ARES operations
• Getting agreement on which modes and systems to test
• Identifying volunteers to participate in tests
• Developing test plans and prerequisites
• Down the road
• Arranging for demonstrations of digital capabilities to emergency officials
• Integration with EM2000
• Picking standard hardware and software configurations
• Developing operations manuals for selected standards
• Incorporating digital mode use in drills and tests
• Gaining support from other counties