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Opportunity for Exchange of Ideas between WIA and ARRLThe opportunity exists for the Wireless Institute of Australia (WIA), and in particular the Wireless Institute Civil Emergency Network (WICEN), to benefit from developments recently approved by the Board of the American Amateur Radio Relay League (ARRL). In the US, as in Australia, there is an
increasing appreciation of the resource base that is provided by the Amateur
Radio Service (ARS) in the event of local, national and international emergency
and disaster operations. Training in emergency operations and providing the
enabling environment are now official policy in Australia and the USA. Australia has the same needs as the USA. The Australian Communications Authority (ACA) recently introduced reforms of Australian Amateur Service Regulations that demonstrate that here too the Government understands and accepts the potential value of amateur radio operators. Now that an increasing number of State Divisions are signing up to the Implementation Agreement to form one national amateur radio organization, WIA and by definition WICEN, is poised to proactively promote the rejuvenation of amateur radio in Australia. These encouraging developments can be enhanced by the exchange of ideas with overseas organizations like ARRL. As far as Winlink is concerned the important development is that ARRL’s Ad hoc Committee (ARESCOM), recommends “the deployment of a digital email system based on the Winlink 2000 software.” Specifically, it “encouraged the deployment of e-mail via Amateur Radio – as exemplified by Winlink 2000 –“, as an additional emergency capability provided to agencies served by ARES. Winlink will therefore not substitute but complement voice communications. Winlink 2000 will be tested by ARES and the Winlink Development Team (WDT) undertook to follow up on any comments to further improve the usefulness of the system for local, national and international emergency and disaster relief operations. WDT already has a system update under development that would mitigate against the adverse effects of possible failure of the Internet during major emergencies. With these understandings, ARRL agreed to “complete necessary negotiations and agreements to assure ARRL access to the Winlink 2000 software.” In its deliberations ARRL and ARESCOM had
the benefit of the technical advice and support of the Winlink Development Team.
Steve (K4CJX) – Winlink 2000 Administrator and Rick (KN6KB) both key members of
WDT served on ARRL’s ARESCOM. Vic (W5SMM), Winlink’s founder, serves as Chairman
oo ARRL’s HF Digital Band Planning Committee with Steve (K4CJX) providing
support as one of the Committee’s members.
"ARESCOM" Plan to Enhance Emergency Communication Capability The Board adopted a resolution encouraging further development and expansion of an inaugural network to enhance the emergency communications capability of the Amateur Radio Emergency Service (ARES). The Board had designated an ad hoc committee, dubbed "ARESCOM," to develop an augmented ARES telecommunications system that would include rapid and accurate handling of long-range emergency communications between states, nationally and internationally. ARESCOM recommended deployment of a digital e-mail system based on Winlink 2000 software. The Board's motion encouraged the deployment of e-mail via Amateur Radio--as exemplified by Winlink 2000--"as an additional emergency capability provided to agencies served by ARES." In its report, the committee said situations arise when ARES must "pass message traffic across the nation quickly and accurately," and it said the need for such a nationwide capability within ARES is likely to increase in light of the ARRL's Citizen Corps partnership with the Department of Homeland Security. A two-part series appearing in the August and September 2004 issues of QST, "Winlink for ARES," by ARRL South Texas Section Emergency Coordinator Jerry Reimer, KK5CA, outlines an enhanced ARES network that would include e-mail capability over HF links. Winlink 2000--a worldwide Amateur Radio digital radio e-mail system--already is widely used by the blue water boating and recreational vehicle communities to pass e-mail around the world. "The momentum is moving strongly in favor of our recommended digital message source," said the report of the committee, chaired by Great Lakes Division Vice Director Dick Mondro, W8FQT. Members of the ARRL Programs and Services Committee witnessed a Winlink 2000 demonstration at ARRL Headquarters the day before the board meeting. ARESCOM said it wants to adapt the already-proven communications network to meet the needs of served agencies and other organizations involved in providing disaster communications. "The digital network will provide a value-added service for ARES and will continue to be viewed very positively by our served agencies," the committee said in its report. "This allows ARES to be viewed as modern and necessary instead of antiquated and invasive." The ARRL Board extended the committee's charter until its January 2005 meeting so ARESCOM can complete an implementation plan that ensures that ARES has "the prominent role" in managing the national network and that ARES officials at all levels as well as appropriate ARRL Headquarters staffers have an opportunity to formally critique the network's operation to ensure it meets the requirements of ARES and its served agencies. In addition, Winlink 2000 technical experts are to "positively address the results and findings of this critique," ARESCOM will develop a plan "to assure timely upgrading of the network as new technologies emerge and future ARES requirements evolve" and it will complete necessary negotiations and agreements to assure ARRL access to the Winlink 2000 software. The Board praised ARESCOM for exceeding its expectations by demonstrating a working network that implements the basic capabilities of the comprehensive program it had requested. It also commended the committee's members for their "efforts and expertise" in inaugurating the system.” UNQUOTE Now that the new national WIA is setting its priorities, that will include its bid to assume responsibility for running ACA’s amateur radio administration, it is well advised to offer the Government its “Quid Pro Quo.” ACA, as the responsible government agency in Australia (and for the matter the New Zealand Amateur Radio Regulator), has significantly liberalized the operations of the Amateur Radio Service. In particular this includes allowing the interfacing of amateur radio with the Internet and sympathetic consideration of the encryption of radio communications for the training and simulation of relief operations. The ball is now in the court of WIA, and particularly WICEN, to enhance the Civil Emergency Network by including a facility for amateur High Frequency digital radio communications. Winlink is working on reducing the risk of Internet failure during catastrophes. For this and the other reasons given, WIA is urged to exchange ideas with ARRL and the Winlink Development Team to follow the example set by ARRL. Quite separately from disaster and relief operations, the Winlink network is going from strength to strength. Worldwide it now has close to 40 fixed stations, referred to as Participating Mail Box Offices or PMBOs, on all major continents. The volume of traffic and the number of users is also increasing, particularly among recreational yachtsmen, outback travelers, and medical and humanitarian workers in remote areas. With the increased concern about international security, the Winlink service – primarily dedicated to the prevention of personal or local emergencies, is playing an important role. What has been achieved is due to a small band of amateur radio operators. In addition to the WDT already referred to, this group includes Jim (KE6RK) – who developed and maintains the AirMail software used by Winlink, as well as the 40 or so volunteer PMBOs around the world. Collectively, these and the many users that are tuning in generate many ideas for the enhancement of Winlink 2000. Australian hams are doing their part. Special request have been made for increasing the usefulness of Winlink in Australia by expanding its weather reporting for both offshore and inland travel. It is projected that Australian PMBOs, serving such a huge part of the southern hemisphere, could perhaps become some of the most active PMBOs on the Winlink roster. For additional information refer to the following websites: www.winlink.org for all official news about Winlink and for Helpful Examples of Emergency Management uses for Winlink 2000:
See the two Part article about the Harris County (Houston area),
Texas, Winlink 2000 for ARES® effort in the August-September, 2004.
AussieWinlink August 9, 2004 | |||||
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