More than just Voice Communications...

In the second part, we explore how APRS can be used to provide Situational Awareness, share this information and create a Common Operating Picture, and how Raynet Groups can develop Community Resilience - Attributes that were identified by Aleksandra Rohde in her paper to the 2012 TAPR and ARRL Data Communications Conference.

Part 2 - More than just voice comms

Downloading and Setting Up APRSISCE

This document was written to accompany the second part of my data communications article, with the aim of providing instructions for setting up APRSIS32 so as to increase the critical mass of users in the area.

Downloading and Setting Up APRSISCE

The Wireless Bridge

Wireless links are often used to bridge two halves of a computer network together in situations where physical cables cannot be used.  Over the last weekend, members of North Humber Raynet and Yorkshire 4x4 Response have taken this idea one stage further, and have succeeded in joining together the two ends of one of the world’s longest suspension bridges in aid of their local charity the Dove House Hospice.

However, upon our arrival at the Humber Bridge, it quickly became apparent that the plans of placing the control station on the bridge itself clearly wasn’t going to happen due to the Engineering works underway to replace the original 1980’s toll booths.  Following a quick rethink, the control station was hastily set up on Hessle Foreshore on the North bank, with the network looking across the 2,220 metres of murky brown water to the checkpoint at Barton Upon Humber on the South bank – this network worked surprisingly well with a 20dB signal to noise ratio, and with the sponsored walk taking place at midnight, the path wasn’t going to be interrupted by passing ships!

An extra bonus of control being moved was that the 3G wireless router used at control was visible from the checkpoint operating 30m above on the roadway!   Not only did we succeed in passing the checkpoint data over our network, we also managed to use APRS for the first time to track the progress of the back marker as he made his way around the 8 mile course following our ladies dressed in their glow bands, “onesies” and fluffy pyjamas! 

Data Communications Special Interest Group

It is intended to start a Data Communications Special Interest Group within North Humber Raynet that specialises in data communications.  This group will draw upon the expertise of persons outside of the group in order to establish both the requirements and the current practices with the aim ensuring interoperability between ourselves and other Raynet and voluntary response groups. 

See Launch Document