Maxon SP-7000 Series Portable

November 17th, 2008

Maxon’s latest compact, full featured portable is now available. This feature rich portable is sure to satisify nearly everyone’s needs. Just a few of the features included are 2-Tone encode/decode, scrambler, Selcal, ANI, alpha-numeric display and 255 channels.

Maxon SP-7000 Series Features Include: 255 Channels with Dynamic Grouping 7 Programmable Buttons 8 Character Alpha-Numeric Display Voice Actuated Transmissions (VOX) Compandered Audio Inversion Scrambling Keypad Lock Password Protection 2-Tone Encode/Decode, 5-Tone Encode/Decode DTMF Encode/Decode along with AN Selcal, 2-Tone and 5-Tone Emergency Calling Talk Around Mode 1500mAh Li-Polymer Battery Meets Military Standards 810F-IP54 OTAR - Over The Air reProgramming

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Nothing is really free …

November 13th, 2008

Nothing is really free …

So why is it that independent groups have such a hard time getting funding in good time and definitely during tougher times?

There are many agencies and organizations that benefit from the support resources of these independent groups. Yet there are those that will frown at the idea of not having control over the independent resources and go as far as to make sure that the funding that independent groups are eligible to receive never gets to them. As time has progressed there are those that are saying that it is getting harder to find good volunteers, rural fire departments are suffering, some services are even going as far as securing their doors and ceasing operation due to the lack of resources.

Yet there are those that are willing to help, they want to be independent in nature so the resources can be utilized by any agency that needs it without having to have the approval from a controlling agency first. There are those that have said they would be glad to help, but they can not afford to leave their work and when they can leave work, who covers their expenses for them?

We want instant access to the many support resources that are available, yet in order to have the resources available on short notice those that respond to the call need to know that expenses that they have will be covered. The challenge of maintaining equipment and the cost of transportation is definitely part of the problem. What about the cost of training and making sure the necessary equipment to provide a proper response is available? Then when the equipment is available what about the people that will operate the equipment, will they be able to handle the cost without some support financially?

The resources are present but what about the funding?

Nothing is really free …

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Asterisk 2095

November 12th, 2008

Asterisk 2095 is back online.

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Digital Frontiers

November 10th, 2008

In the 1800s there was the frontier of West. Today we have digital frontiers to explore. The digital frontiers may not always be digital voice or data that appears within this new frontier.

Some may remember the days of 1200 baud packet that was quite popular in the 1990s. This technology is now present in APRS, with even a hint of low-speed data showing up within the VHF and UHF bands via D-STAR enabled radios as well as telemetry.

For those that have radios such as the Icom ID-1 it is possible to have 100kbps data from the Internet available in your vehicle. In order to do this a base station with a ID-1 or a D-STAR 1.2GHz data repeater is required.

Most of us have some form of a wireless network in our home or business that operates via the 802.11 standards. Did you know that this same equipment can be used in Amateur Radio with higher RF power and higher gain antennas? Within Amateur Radio this technology is known as High Speed Multi Media or HSMM. The primary bands for HSMM are 2400, 3300 and 5800 MHz. The 902 MHz band can also be used for high speed data. One of the key advantages to HSMM is in its nature of being able to take a off-the-shelf wireless network adapter and access point add a higher gain antenna to them, and for longer range RF amplifiers can be added under FCC Part 97 rules.

Imagine having access to high speed video, IP-phone and Data Connectivity in your vehicle,or during special events and emergency incidents being able to provide data, video and voice to the agencies served. As well as providing last mile coverage into a disaster area.

Did we mention telephone service? With the development of Internet telephone services as well as telephone servers such as Asterisk which provide flexible interoperability between PSTN, Internet Phone and Radio dial tone can be presented along with the last mile capabilities of High Speed Multi Media create a resource that can be highly beneficial to the community and the nation.

What is next in the Digital Frontiers? As it was in the 1800s with the migration West the same is occurring with the digital migration. With networks such as Asterisk the migration is made easier as analog and digital technology is made one. On the Internet you can find more information about Asterisk and HSMM at http://www.asteriskradio.net.

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Dynamic Paths

November 10th, 2008

Just like other living things there are good and bad times for dynamic paths that are taken.

One can opt to be static yet knowing dynamic paths will move you.

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What does this mean to those that work in the area of emergency response?

Be flexible with the methods that are used, yet maintain the basic standards that allow a incident operation to be conducted safely. Standards which remain static can be used as a basis for operation integrity and also represent a road map to a successful mission.

Standard Operation Procedures provide the static portion for operational planning yet they should also be dynamic so that when new methods are presented they can be placed into the Standard Operation Procedures as soon as possible.

Every situation, every incident is different, thus the need for being dynamic in operational style. At times incidents will take place that are not amongst the normal operational situations. This indeed is one of the times that we need to be dynamic in readiness and response.

Flexibility is a key ingredient to readiness and the all hazard approach to emergency response and planning.

As a organization which path are you opting for: static or dynamic flexibility?

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