[App_rpt-users] RANGER network

Sun Nov 13 16:32:59 UTC 2011

What are the three lines we need?

David

On Fri, Nov 11, 2011 at 11:19 AM, Bryan D. Boyle <bdboyle at bdboyle.com>wrote:

> Been working (with Jim...and hope he doesn't mind...) on some mods to the
> app_rpt module.
>
> The genesis for this was a posting on QRZ concerning the lack of
> consistent monitoring (or even accessiblity) of repeaters across the
> country, as well as the multiplicity of frequencies in use (note, I'm only
> talking about the US here...though, I'm sure that other countries have the
> same issues), PL schemes, etc.
>
> So...took this a step further.
>
> What if (how all great ideas start):
>
> 1. There was one agreed-upon frequency in the 2m band (which is the most
> popular, and accessible to all (well, except for the grandfathered Novice
> licenses...) hams.  Some folks have bandied about 146.55.  Idea is to NOT
> impinge on .52, satellite, repeaters, weak signals, sideband, etc.  55 is
> in the simplex range in the current band plan.
>
> 2. There was a way of having a transceiver (this is simplex, remember)
> physically connected via app_rpt/URI/etc to a local machine or linked
> network (such as the one I participate in here in eastern PA/NJ) that would
> be listening on 55...waiting for the LiTZ signal (and that's the only
> gating part...no PL, no processing, just waiting for the long zero...) in
> which case asterisk would:
>        a. *3 to a targeted node/reflector/network
>        b. using the nodename announce gsm file, announce its presence
>        c. change add an extra 'feature' to the CT sequence to alert
>           to the fact that the emergency node is connected
>        d. be disconnected under the control of a control/sysop on
>           the network after the issue had been resolved.
>
> 3. Part 97 says one of our three charters is to provide emergency services
> in the event we're called upon to do so.  I'm taking a broad view and
> saying that a fellow ham, either themselves, or coming upon an incident, is
> well within their privileges to offer whatever aid they can.  The fact
> is...driving across country for vacation with my ARRL Repeater Directory at
> my side...finding a machine that a) had someone listening and b) was
> accurately listed (freqs, PLs, offsets, locations..) was a hit and miss
> thing.  Mostly probably because of b)...because when I was able to finally
> connect up with machines during the drive, there was always some OM out
> there willing to chew the rag.
>
> So, it's part of our charter.  Besides...if you look at it...other
> licensed services, such as marine, aviation, heck, even Citizens Band, has
> defined emergency frequencies...and in the case of CB...an active cadre of
> folks who are visible presences on the highways (REACT comes to mind...say
> what you will...at least they make the effort....).
>
> Anyway, Jim took the bull by the proverbial horns and coded up the
> additions to the app_rpt.c code to do just that.  At it's minimal
> implementation, you only need 3 lines in the rpt.conf file to activate the
> basic functionality, a URI, and an open USB port.
>
> So...the current SVN has the code in there to do just that. For what it's
> worth, I'm using an Alinco DR135, since in data mode, the DB9 connector on
> the back gives you all the right signals: discriminator audio, COR, audio
> in, PTT.  VERY simple to interface.  Just remember to put it into DATA
> mode...
>
> So, there are a few things to consider:
>
> 1. Registration of the node.  Jim's set aside the 9xxxx sequence of node
> numbers for this proposal on AllStarLink.  Oh, by the by, RANGER stands for
> Radio Amateur Network (for) General Emergency Response. If you want to
> participate, register for a node by putting RANGER in the comments field
> for the registration.  You'll need to download the current svn, build, and
> install the software and build the configs for the additional uri to bring
> it up.
>
> 2. He's registered a domain and set up a web site (www.hamranger.org)
> with some preliminary information about the whys, wherefores, and such as
> an introduction.  There's also more about the rationale.
>
> 3. The AllStarLink nodelist lists the active RANGER nodes in RED. Ranger
> Red.  Not bad...;)
>
> Think also of other advantages:
>
> 1. You see something (or it happens to you...).  The manufacturers see the
> advantages of putting an 'emergency button' on the faceplate of their
> newest lines of radios which (or, you programmed one of the hypermemory
> buttons), when pressed, segue to the defined frequency, you send out the
> dtmf zero for 4 seconds to get picked up by the closest station that is
> connected to a network covering, say, Philly to NY to Allentown PA (which
> is the reach of the PA/NJ Asterisk Net).
>
> 2. Someone somewhere answers back.  Help disptched or additional aid
> offered.
>
> or
>
> 1. You see something (or it happens to you...).  You twist the dial to
> find a repeater.  Can't hear anything.  So, you call on 52.  Same thing.
>  Pull out the repeater handbook and a) try and figure out what county
> you're in, b) what machines MAY be close to you, and c) dial in the
> frequency, try to remember which button sequences you need to press to get
> to the PL settings since you computer loaded the thing and forgot how to
> operate the front panel apart from on, volume, and channel select...
>
>
> I set up a Facebook group, if anyone on the list is on FB.  Search for
> 'RANGER Emergency Communicatons Network' to join.
>
> It's a hope that the discussion will center around not so much "whether"
> we should do this, but "HOW WE CAN" do this. <soapbox>That we CAN is the
> important thing, and might just be one more contribution we can make as
> amateurs to using our skills not to just collect wallpaper...but to provide
> additional services for our society </soapbox>
>
> Also, FWIW, my RANGER node is up, connected to my controller, and initial
> tests indicate that it responds just fine to the long zero (including
> transmitting the additional courtesy tones....) and works just fine.  I'm
> sure there will be tweaking.  But, that is the nature of running a repeater.
>
> Feel free to discuss...flames to /dev/null.
>
> --
> Bryan
> In this world, you must be oh so smart or oh so pleasant.
> Well, for years I was smart. I recommend pleasant.
> You may quote me.
>
> Sent from my MacBook Pro.
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