Echolink and Skywarn nets...

As most of you know the Plano Amateur Radio Club has incorporated Echolink onto their 147.18 repeater.

It is our intent to take advantage of this feature during our Skywarn nets but only to a limited extent. During Skywarn nets Echolink will be available to the NWS so that if there are times that they can not reach us over RF, they have the option of using Echolink to not only monitor our nets but when needed, be able to pass important timely weather related information to the net.

We ask that members not use this feature during CCARES nets to check-in or make reports.

It is our intent to keep all check-ins and reports as they have been in the past.  Members can use Echolink to monitor the net but...please no comments via Echolink. There are delay characterics within Echolink that would make using it rather difficult as a general rule.  Folks trying to get in from Echolink can unknowingly  "double" with those getting in using RF.

At any time we can disable Echolink during our nets if it becomes an issue.  We may at a later time decide to expand the use of this mode but for now please observe our present posture. 

Bruce

N5byl

CCARESEC

Skywarn Class 2012 another success.

On Saturday, January 21, 2012, 8:00AM - 4:30PM, we held our annual training session with the National Weather Service. This year's session was again held at the Collin College Spring Creek Campus Conference Center.  It was well attended with about 350 attendeing. As usual this years presenters provided invaluable information related to weather spotting and reporting.

I appreciate those that took the time out of their busy schedules to attend.  The knowledge gained will make our interface with the NWS much more cohesive and benificial to our served agency.

73s,

Bruce N5BYL

Greetings

It is my pleasure to announce the availability of official CCARES shirts to our members beginning this coming Monday evening at the PARK meeting.

It is our desire to present ourselves as profession, trained communicators.  These shirts are intended to clearly identify our members during activations.  It is intended that the CCARES patch, your name and call sign be the only markings.

You can order your shirt by downloading the order form in the download section of this web site.

Follow the instructions and present your order form to our representative at the PARK or MARC meetings. Chadwick, KD5UMO will be our PARK rep. and Rick, W5TUX will be our rep at the MARC meetings.

My thanks go to Chadwick for the amount of time and effort he put into making this happen.

As usual, if you have any questions just drop me a line.

Regards,

Bruce

N5BYL

CCARES EC

Major changes to Winlink 2000 User Software and network sites. (again)

Winlink 2000 Sysops have been working for several months on improving the software used with this mode. Changes and Beta testing have been extensive. We are now at the point of migrating over to the new software programs that are being released.

Here is a quick summary:

• Paclink MP and Paclink are being replaced with RMS Express.
  
• Telpac Node software has been replaced with RMS Packet software.
• Our local PMBO station is converting to running RMS Packet software with RMS Relay.

Our local PMBO and our Telpac Nodes have been converted to the new software. At this point all indications are that these changes have gone smoothly and basically our network is up and running. I appreciate the efforts of those involved.

Those of you that have installed and used Paclink MP or Packet are encouraged to change over to RMS Express. Instructions for downloading and installing RMS Express are obtained by going to Winlink.org web site. Documentation is well done and easy to follow. You will find that this new upgrade is much easier to install and use. Of course if you have any questions please don’t hesitate to ask. Copies of the software are not going to be provided on our Yahoo site or Collinares web site because updates are ongoing and automatic once the new software is installed.

Members who have not gotten on board with this mode, now is a great time.

I wish to take this opportunity to thank those members in our group who have supported this important segment of our emergency communications capabilities by providing net work stations that are available 24/7, ready to go into action if ever the need arises.

I would encourage others to become a part of this effort. Please contact me at any time.

Bruce

N5BYL

CCARES EC