HAM Radio to Digital

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HAM Radio to Digital

Contents


Self-Register

Please provide your name, email address, Twitter address (etc.), skill set, organization, and call sign!

  • Project Lead: Jeannie Stamberger, jeannie.stamberger at sv.cmu.edu, CMSV Disaster Management Initiative
  • Simon Twigger
  • Information received from conversation between Jeannie and John WB999 TAPR.org.
  • Information received from email between Jeannie and Martin Cadirola, NV3V
  • Craig Anderson (N6YXK), SCEWN.Org, Digital Radio Manager San Jose RACES, softwarejanitor at gmail.com,
  • Jim Kusznir, K7LL. Whitman county, WA ARES Emergency coordinator, node operator, etc. k7ll at arrl.net
  • Roger Rustad, KF6FXK, roger.rustad@gmail.com
  • Scott Reuter, KE7QQR at gmail.com, @KE7QQR, general class ham license, member Clatsop Co. OR ARES, KE7QQR
  • Contributions provided by Paul Petach, Rakesh Kumar, George Chamales
  • Rakesh Bharania (N6ILG), Cisco Systems Tactical Operations. rbharani at ciscodotcom
  • Contributions provided by Richard Barber KD6KXR kd6kxr@gmail.com
  • Greg Staios (VE3STG), University of Toronto - Emergency Communications/Hart House Amateur Radio Club, gregstaios@gmail.com
  • Salvadore C. Torres (W0SCT) Senior Vice President/ Director of Presidents of the International Radio Emergency Support
  • Coalition known as IRESC, 2500 Elizabeth Street, Pueblo, Co, 81003, E mail: torrespipueblo@msn.com

About

HAM Radios can get information in and out when most other communication infrastructure is down. This project will develop technology to allow HAM radio generated information to be directly posted to Twitter, Facebook, or as an RSS feed to output information in a flexible data format (e.g., 'Tweak the Tweet' model) to provide digital machine-parsable information for direct input into information dissemination tools, such as Ushahidi and Sahana maps, Facebook posts and other tools under development. Our immediate focus is assistance in Pakistan floods. 



OFFICAL PRESS RELEASE

March 28, 2011

Greetings: My name is Salvadore Torres; I am the present Senior Vice President and Director of Presidents for the “International Radio Emergency Support Coalition” known as IRESC. (http://www.irescintl.com/). The main objectives of IRESC are to foster efficient collaboration between Radio Amateurs, extending friendships across the world and providing international emergency communications in times of need. IRESC is a worldwide coalition of volunteer communicators, with dedicated members spread around the globe, help can be provided at all times of the day or night.

Currently, IRESC has members in at least 40 countries and it continues to grow. Most members are also affiliated with their respective national organizations; for example, the International Red Cross, the Magen David Adom, the Salvation Army, RAYNET, local ARES and Races groups, along with many others.

The IRESC team uses several modes of communication, including HF, VHF, UHF, amateur satellites, and principally Echolink VoIP communications. IRESC has Conference Server’s. The trunk systems use the Internet to link communications over vast distances without the propagation and interference shortcomings of radio paths. In this way, a disaster zone and the point of best assistance can be joined even if they are on opposite sides of the planet. The IRESC Conference Server on Echolink (*IRESC*) is node number 257246. It is the official International Radio Emergency Coalition Support channel using Echo link trunk systems via the Internet to link. The IRLP link 7767 it is the official IRLP International Radio Emergency Coalition Support channel.

We are always looking for a support in any form or manner and also new members in any part of the world. IRESC is willing to collaborate with all emergency communicators and relief agencies to provide support and communications for any disaster. Being a truly international organization, IRESC strongly adheres to the principals that bind together the world amateur radio movement; working together regardless of race, religion, culture or political viewpoint. The way the pre existing infrastructure is set up throughout the world, including Muslins Countries and even in the United States, in regards to emergencies communications, is that it is not prudent in life and death and health and welfare situations.

We at IRESC have the honor having as our members world class ham radio operators,

IRESC has been involved helping people in emergencies throughout the entire world. This includes Haiti, Pakistan and Mexico and Japan and Thailand most recently. The IRESC team consists of Officers, Members and Supporters. Every person in IRESC is a volunteer. Officers and Members have the specific skills and experience that IRESC requires and are expected to demonstrate a significant and regular level of commitment to the organization. All IRESC Officers and Members can be reached via email using the format @irescintl.com Supporters are those that have registered an interest in IRESC via our registration process. Supporters do not have full access privileges to the IRESC systems but they can quickly become full Members if they regularly attend the IRESC Echolink conference, particularly if they possess skills that are of benefit to the organization or who live in parts of the world where our representation is not established. The level of activity of our Supporters varies greatly; those listed here are the most active. You can read more about the different classes of IRESC membership by following the 'Become a Member' link from here, http://www.irescintl.com/_mgxroot/page_10775.html

The International Radio Emergency Support Coalition” known as IRESC has undergone an organization change, there was confusion started by revoked former officers but those issues have been addressed and the former officers have their own respective organization. The original founders of IRESC are still senior members and officers, and have kept this fine organization. We at IRESC see problem’s in the existing infrastructure which is dependent upon the normal, when emergencies happen, existing infrastructure fails at times and that’s where the volunteers come in for free.

A lot of commercial companies will try to profit and make money off the emergencies and also the countries own government may not be up to the task and even so if they are, their communications is limited and not available to the whole world. This makes a big difference and life and death as IRESC has witnessed this many times.

We at IRESC would train them to do it for free if possible and help out in their respective country.

There is a lot of false security when it comes to the above, emergency resources are very limited and important and do make a difference.

IRESC has helped out most recently in Haiti, Pakistan, Mexico and Japan and Thailand and will continue to so for any emergency that may happen throughout the world.

The International Radio Emergency Support Coalition does make a difference and IRESC hereby wants to thank you for your time and honor and respect and in reading this communications.

Yours Respectfully,

Salvadore Torres/Senior Vice President of IRESC

torrespipueblo@msn.com


WOSCT@IRESCINTL.COM

News

A meeting will be held in the next few weeks engaging the Amateur Radio community with this project and exploring technology and research needs to further integrate amateur radio with digital common operating pictures. The meeting will be held at Carnegie Mellon Silicon Valley Disaster Management Initiative on the NASA Research Park with virtual participation as well.

If you are interested in participating, please fill out the scheduling doodle to help us find a date http://doodle.com/drezxsskqi4f83bd.

Contact Jeannie Stamberger if you have any questions: jeannie.stamberger@sv.cmu.edu

Concept Project

Concepts projects are derived from merging technical information below on HAM, map-input requirements, current equipment constraints on the ground.

Concept - August 27 --Jeannie, Karl Anderson, Paul Petach, Rakesh Kumar, Rich Barber HAM Radios to send emails updating Pakistan flood auto-mapped to Ushahidi/Sahana. This is the most basic version.

Note: Assumes no existing HAM-to-digital infrastructure on the ground.

HAM steps:

  • Voice relay message from HAM operator to HAM operator until an operator is reached that 1)is next to a computer and can send email or has web access 2) can send SMS messages 3) has TNC/HF and can send emails via packet radio.

Digital Steps:

  • Send email to submit@pakreport.org, fill out web-form on pakreport.org, or send SMS 3441 beginning with "FL"
  • No standards required for formatting content
  • Email auto-sent to Crowdflower.com where volunteers categorize content and identify a location
  • Once two vol's in the crowd categorize the message, it is sent to Ushahidi for upload

Potential improvements:

  • Hardware/software autonomous sensor dropped in area to 'listen' to HAMS over low frequencies, auto-translate and send out SMSs -- Jeannie. If interested talk with Patrick Tague he is looking for GNU Radio Platform experts
  • Standard format of messages for machine-parsing to speed categorization step ala Tweak the Tweet; need a better understanding of standards being used by HAMs in Pakistan -- Jeannie (ala Tweak the Tweet?)
  • Voice to text and text to text translation across languages -- Jeannie; Creators of Jibbigo are working on Urdu/other language voice to text translation system; collecting data.

Concept - August 20 --Jeannie HAM Radios to send emails updating Pakistan flood auto-mapped to Ushahidi/Sahana. This is the most basic version.

Note: Assumes no existing HAM to digital infrastructure on the ground. HAM steps:

  • Voice relay message from HAM operator to HAM operator until an operator is reached that can send an email.

Digital Steps:

  • Easy to remember Email address created POP 3 email program (e.g., pkfloods@gmail.com. Note: current testing shows easy implementation in gmail, but limitations in Yahoo)
  • Format of emails is provided, which allows machine parsing to directly input information into Ushahidi/Sahana. A more free-form structure such as Tweak the Tweet could be used with machine learning algorithms.

CrisisCommons, Ushahidi, Sahana, RSS feed developers and other techies - can we do this??

  • A system already exists for twitter posting and other email sending via ALE. This is an international system with HF base stations in various regions of the world, called Global ALE High Frequency Network (HFN) http://hflink.net and it uses Automatic Link Establishment. Free software called PCALE is available at http://hflink.com and it can be used with any amateur radio HF transceiver connected to a windows PC or laptop.
  • Sahana-Eden provides a generic RESTful interface - data import into Sahana-Eden can happen directly by PUT/POST of the data to the IRS (Incident Report System), e.g. PUT to /irs/ireport{.format} on the Eden server. The format can basically be any suitable XML or JSON format, since the system supports implicit XSLT transformation (into the Eden-internal format) at import - provided a transformation stylesheet exists (currently supported: Ushahidi-XML, S3XML). Besides XML/JSON, submission of data in URL queries is also supported.

Related Projects

Automated Conversion of HAM Radio Messages using a Software-Defined Radio Platform

Patrick Tague Assistant Research Professor, CyLab / ECE / INI / Silicon Valley Campus Carnegie Mellon University and participant in two CrisisCampSiliconValley events is starting a related project on the "Automated Conversion of HAM Radio Messages using a Software-Defined Radio Platform"(below). Please contact Patrick (tague@cmu.edu), if you would like to help out with his project; skills needed include experience with GNURadio software platform and deep knowledge of C++. --Jeannie Sept 1 2010

Purpose: The purpose of this project is to automate the conversion of HAM radio messages using an autonomous platform to passively collect messages, transcribe and translate voice to text, and encapsulate the text in a simple digital format such as SMS, email, or other text. This project aims to provide a deployable multi-radio platform for use with such a conversion, assuming transcription and translation algorithms exist and have code-efficient implementations (i.e., they can be implemented in a capability- and memory-limited hardware platform).

System Design: We propose to implement the automated conversion process using the USRP2 software-defined radio platform which supports dual radios on a single platform or many more radios in a MIMO configuration using multiple tethered platforms. The simplest case of converting HAM messages on the low-frequency bands and re-transmitting them over WiFi, for example, can be implemented using a single platform supporting a 0-30 MHz receiver and a 2.4 GHz ISM band transceiver. Coupled with the necessary algorithms to perform voice-to-text transcription and text translation, this dual-radio platform could autonomously translate HAM voice messages to any text format and upload them to any appropriate repository over the Internet. The flexibility of the USRP2 platform allows precise control of the system with code down to the radio antenna, where the bulk of communication and signal processing implementation is in C++ and applications are written in Python using the GNURadio software development toolkit (or a handful of other alternatives).

Our group at CMU-SV is already in possession of several of the USRP2 platforms, and the necessary low-frequency receiver could be added at a very low cost (~$75). The additional components required to design and deploy a working system include: 1. Appropriate antenna systems for the reception of HAM radio messages over the desired frequency band, 2. Development of any necessary communication and signal processing blocks in C++, 3. Development of any necessary application code blocks in Python and integration of the lower-level C++ blocks, 4. Development and implementation of necessary algorithms for voice transcription and translation to produce the desired text format.

The development tasks 2-4 in the above list comprise the remaining challenge of this proposed approach, noting that another group at CMU-SV is already working on transcription and translation systems, so the primary challenge in task 4 is implementing their results in the GNURadio-based system.

Technical Requirements - Step by Step

Add step-by-step information for how HAM data on the ground in Pakistan would be input into a Facebook post for CrisisCommons Facebook page, a tweet on @CrisisCommons Twitter handle (or other handle), an RSS feed directly into Ushahidi/Sahana. I (Jeannie) have put in some sample steps, but need experts to verify. Please provide as much technical detail as possible.

Step, Description, URL/Requirements/Need, Author

  • HAM Radio information is transmitted; Requirements: HAM Radio, call sign and license. -Jeannie
  • HAM Radio transmission encoded with "Tweak the Tweet"-like flexible data model, enabling machine parsing when received digitally - Jeannie
  • HAM transmission relayed (necessary?) - Jeannie
  • HAM to digital uses a hardware/software interaction converting a message into tones representing bits recognized by computers (e.g., see data transmission protocol at http://www.tapr.org/pub_ax25.html) . Costs revolve around speed and fidelity and are primarily due to level of hardware. For example, a system allowing you to send email from a boat in the middle of the Pacific can be $5000, while at the lower end open source software can uses a computer's internal sound card to generate tones which are held up to the radio microphone.
  • HAM to digital can be done in the field using the hardware/software system described above or it can be relayed and then digitized. Relaying from operator to operator is like playing a game of telephone where information can be corrupted during transcription. Apparently it is difficult for the SF area to get signals from Pakistan, or at least getting signal is unreliable.
  • Email over packet: Here is an example of email that goes/from in

K7LL's suggestions:

Field data can originate in a number of ways. For the first case, I'll assume a field HF station with WinLink capability (Remember, using WinMor will decrease the equipment cost requirements dramatically while reducing the throughput somewhat, but still plenty to get through).

  • Field HF Winlink station types up a short tweet or other message and sends to an SMTP e-mail address via Winlink software. Uses HF, gets out of country to a relay station in one hop, immediately.
  • Winlink system does its stuff, the message gets delivered to destination email account (need not be a ham/winlink account; it can be a gmail account or any other "regular" e-mail account)
  • volunteer in other country runs script/program that retrieves messages from said account, parses, and posts them to the appropriate system (twitter, etc).

The above assumes the existence of a field HF station with an operator entering the messages there. There may or may not be very many of these available. So, I propose some alternatives:

  • 1 or a few HF stations (need not be "field"; they just need to be functional) with VHF or UHF packet capability run BPQ BBS software with WinMor plugin and appropriate sound card interface. This station runs mostly unattended.
  • Field stations with VHF/UHF packet capability (minimum requirement: laptop, radio, interface cable between radio and laptop sound card) enter in reports and send them via VHF/UHF Packet to the BPQ station (any it can reach).
  • [automated] BPQ forwards message via HF to an e-mail address as above
  • system out of country retrieves e-mail and distributes appropriately.

This systems' range of utility can be improved through the addition of nodes on "high points" that can repeat packets into valleys or other areas outside the direct range of the BPQ station. Multiple BPQ stations (each with their own HF uplinks) can be operating, using different VHF/UHF frequencies for optimum performance. Nodes require only a radio and basic electronics or low-end computing device (any platform capable of running a minimal linux and sound card can serve as a controller, or dedicated nodes such as a TNC-2 compatible hardware can run. All runs on 12VDC, and is easily supported via solar power if required).

Both of the above systems are actually bidirectional; that is, they can also send and receive e-mails for non-commercial purposes. These e-mails can even contain small attachments (pictures, files containing supply lists, etc). A single BPQ system can support many end user VHF/UHF stations.

Second system: APRS-based

APRS is a very useful system for field disaster support and real-time information gathering. Its main limitation in this case is a lack of means to get information out of the area without some form of infrastructure. However, it can be very helpful within the effected area, and if the VHF/UHF signals can make it to a place where internet is operating, this can be sent directly into the internet for the whole world to see.

Some possible use cases:

  • Ham with modern radio and built-in APRS support (such as Kenwood D710A) and GPS beacons position reports (so emergency managers know the location of this resource/vehicle/etc).
  • Managers or the resource operator can send brief text messages directly back and forth; these will go through the same system as the position reports, and include position data.
  • Ham with radio WITHOUT built-in APRS support can run a laptop or other computing platform, with open-source software and GPS running, and a soundcard interface to the radio. A full map may be displayed with other stations listed, and the operators' position information can be transmitted, as well as "text messages".
  • Weather stations (unmanned) can be set up and transmit their measurements on a regular interval (usually 10-30 minutes); all APRS receivers in range can see that. This can help emergency managers and weather personnel assess the weather threat to the current situation and dispatch resources appropriately.
  • Anyone can run a receiver (scanner + PC + sound card & cable), and can display the received data anytime
  • Range can be extended with nodes running as reflectors on higher points. Often, all APRS activity happens on the same frequency, so with a decent network of nodes, then entire country or effected area can be covered.
  • Wherever there is Internet access, an iGate can be run that will repeat all data received via APRS on the radio onto public servers on the internet, where anyone can retrieve the data. If desired, direct tweet gateways and the like can be run out of country.

As you can see, both Winlink and APRS have very useful positions. Winlink's focus is for "less real-time" data transmission, but more data (eg, entire e-mails, attachments, etc). It also uses more of a store-and-forward system, so the intended operator need not be online at the time of the message being sent. It can reach more people (anyone with an e-mail address), and can receive messages from anyone (via email). It can use HF to get data out of country without dependence on any internet links at all (self-sufficient).

APRS on the other hand has much more of a real-time, short-message focus. Ideally, some infrastructure would be installed (repeater nodes), which would dramatically extend range. It provides emergency managers with an immediate picture (in map form) of the effected area. It usually requires less equipment for field stations. However, it is not good at getting data out over a very large area (i.e., out of country) where internet is not available. It also cannot handle larger messages, and is difficult for people on the internet to send messages back to the effected area.

--Jim, K7LL

HAM Terms and Tools (e.g., existing HAM to digital tools)

Add definitions to bring us up to speed on HAM.

Term, Description, URL/Requirements/Need, Author

  • ALE Automatic Link Establishment - provides easy HF linking and includes text message transfer. Free software PCALE is available http://hflink.com - An existing ALE worldwide HF 24-7 network called HFN provides internet connectivity, email, and Twitter posting capability on all international HF amateur bands ith base stations in various regions: the Global ALE High Frequency Network (HFN) http://hflink.net - the HFN scans the following ALE frequencies kHz USB: 3596.0 - 7049.5 - 7102.0 - 10145.5 - 14109.0 - 18106.0 - 21096.0 - 24926.0 - 28146.0 and thus provides coverage to many remote areas of the world. Transceivers with built-in ALE such as Micom/Harris/Codan radios can be used to communicate via text message on this network without need for a computer.
  • Packet Radio -"Packet Radio" is used to refer to a network layer 2 connection oriented point to point link (AX.25 protocol - an ASCII-printable derivative of X.25, Audio Frequency Shift Keying - similar to Bell 212 standard, 1200 baud or 9600 baud). AX.25 is built in to all Linux kernels. Internet Protocol can run over AX.25 (but is not often done so due to speed and efficiency issues). --K7LL
  • APRS (Automatic Packet Reporting System), Automatic position report transmission with text message and weather station capability, all over AX.25. GPS required for position reporting; optional for all other uses (including monitoring with OSS software like Xaster). APRS is a specific type of packet radio data which in contrast with most packet (point to point) it is a regular beacon broadcast to all stations within range without acknowledgment, which are then freely rebroadcast. GIS data: resources with position, time stamp, status, telemetry, SMS-style messages. https://secure.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/wiki/Automatic_Packet_Reporting_System. To see an example of APRS information displayed in near real-time digital map: http://aprs.fi/ (Courtesy of Martin Cadirola, NV3V) - Jeannie + K7LL
  • ARES (Amateur Radio Emergency Service)- strictly 'civilian' organization, lead by the ARRL; Has Memorandums of Understanding with organizations like Red Cross, Salvation Army, and most local governments in the US. --K7LL
  • ARRL (American Radio Relay League, Newington, CT, www.arrl.org)- A membership organization of amateur radio operators in the U.S. of approx 160,000. The ARRL promotes interest in amateur radio communications and experimentation. It represents U.S. radio amateurs in legislative matters and maintains a standard of conduct among radio operators. - Jeannie
  • RACES (Radio Amateur Civil Emergency Service)- Basically a Government sponsored ARES, often ARES members are also RACES members. ARES can activate based on any member orginization, RACES can only activate by a government agency, usually the National Guard. --K7LL
  • ACS (Auxiliary Communcation Service) - Specific to California, under CalEMA http://www.calema.ca.gov/WebPage/oeswebsite.nsf/0/5D650F1E7361391E88257450005FB620?OpenDocument).
  • Winlink 2000 (WL2K)http://www.winlink.org/ A worldwide system of volunteer resources supporting e-mail by radio, with non-commercial links to internet e-mail. These resources come from Amateur Radio, the Military Auxiliary Radio System (MARS), and other volunteer organizations. The system provides valuable service to emergency communicators, and to licensed radio operators without access to the internet. The all-volunteer Winlink Development Team (WDT) is committed to continuous improvement using modern computer and networking technology with the most efficient and effective radio modes and digital protocols for local, regional and long-distance applications. Winlink 2000 is excellent at long-distance email over radio, but often it is dependent on buying a proprietary PACTOR III modem that normally costs about $800. New WinMor stations requiring a sound card interface between HF radio and PC are available (but it only runs on Windows -- No OSS or Linux options yet). Using WinMor, costs can be as low as $700 for radio, basic antenna, and sound card interface. Using used radios and even more basic antennas, it may be possible to get down to $200-400. A nice HF radio and antenna with the SCS PACTOR III modem, the cost ends up being almost $5000. The baud rate of a PACTOR III modem is about 2400 baud over HF radio frequencies which can travel many thousands of miles. WinMor can almost achieve that, but is typically slower.
  • HF (high frequency) - radio frequencies are between 3MHz and 30MHz which can propagate all the way around the world by reflecting off of the ionosphere. -Jeannie
  • VHF (very high frequency) - radio frequencies require line of site. -- Jeannie (from Jon WB999)
  • UHF (ultrahigh frequency) - 300 to 3000 megahertz. - Jeannie
  • RF (Radio frequencies) -radio frequencies including HF, VHF. -Jeannie
  • TNC - "Terminal Node Controller" is the digital-to-analog modem. Some are for VHF/UHF only, others can include HF. Prices range from about $80 (e.g. Argent Data Systems) to over $170 (Kantronics KPC3+).
  • D-STAR - A radio protocol that was originally developed in Japan and is somewhat proprietary (there are some ways around that). It can give VHF/UHF data rates of 4800 or 9600 baud and up to 10Mb/s over 1.2GHz channels. It gives digital voice and data over the same channels. It has been quite expensive in the past but there have been efforts to reduce the costs significantly. D-RATS is one of those efforts.
  • D-RATS -
  • WinMor - hardware?

Software - communication

  • PCALE Automatic Link Establishment HF ALE free program for windows PC and laptop computer. Provides High Frequency (HF) ALE communication for connectivity and text messaging. Email/text-messaging/twitter/postings go through worldwide HF base stations on the HFN worldwide network at http://hflink.net
  • [EchoLink] software allows licensed Amateur Radio stations to communicate with one another over the Internet, using streaming-audio technology. The program allows worldwide connections to be made between stations, or from computer to station. There are more than 200,000 validated users worldwide — in 162 of the world's 193 nations — with about 5,000 online at any given time.
  • IRLP Internet Relay Linking Protocol] - link amateur radio systems via Internet (i.e. without the use of RF links, leased lines, or satellites). (issues linking EchoLink and IRLP).

Software - HAM to maps

  • PCALE Automatic Link Establishment HF ALE free program for windows PC and laptop computer. Provides High Frequency (HF) ALE Mapping/Tracking/Locating with GPS connected Geo Position Reporting (ALE-GPR) or manual location entry mapping via the HFN worldwide network on the web at http://hflink.net
  • Xastir (http://xastir.org) - an open-source APRS and mapping software. Difficult to get running on Windows (unless you use a virtual machine running Linux) but everything else works fine. Used by Search & Rescue groups. Works with 125 map formats. Can use Internet maps or be stand-alone with on-board maps. -n6yxk
  • Depiction (http://depiction.com/amateurradio) ,(not open source) - a lightweight mapping, simulation & collaboration software program that is used extensively by ARES teams & other amateur radio volunteers (as well as Red Cross groups, professional emergency managers, etc.). Depiction has a feature called “live reports” which enables geographic information to be sent & received via email. See http://depiction.com/files/winlink-depiction.pdf for details. It may work with D-STAR via the D-RATS system as well, though I’m less confident of that. There’s also APRS capability available that might be useful for your ham radio efforts: http://depiction.com/aprs-live -- added by Jeannie from Timothy Goddard of depiction.com
  • APRS Live (by Smucker Data Solutions) (not open source) - add-on for Depiction mapping software that allows APRS packet information received over RF via your radio and TNC to be displayed in Depiction’s mapping and simulation environment. No Internet connection is needed—APRS Live connects to your TNC via your computer's serial port, allowing you to use the power of Depiction to display current APRS position, status, and weather data in real time as your radio receives it. -- added by Jeannie

HAM to Twitter

HAM Organizations to Contact

Background

Below is a running list of press releases about HAM Radio use on the ground for flood relief efforts in Pakistan.

Aug 31

A press release related to Pakistan's amateur radio community appeared on the QRZ.com forum this week. There are several contacts listed here by callsign. Direct contact information can usually be found by searching for the callsign on the QRZ.com website. -- Richard Barber KD6KXR

IRESC PRESS RELEASE August 31, 2010

Dear Media Organization or whom it may concern:

I Salvatore C. Torres wish to inform the Media Organization of the International Radio Emergency Support Coalition present emergency activities:

The Government of Pakistan agency known as the "PTA "(Pakistan Telecommunications Authority) has officially recognized the “International Radio Emergency Support Coalition” (IRESC) and the Pakistan Amateur Radio Society known as PARS for the Pakistan Flood Relief.

Both Organizations are major ham operators in the world performing emergency ECOMM and other search and rescue operations presently in Pakistan.

In the PTA letter it states that IRESC and PARS are working together through the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA).

That IRESC be issued a “: Non Objection Certificate “to perform their operations. This is an honor for IRESC and it is rare for the PTA to issue such a certificate to a ham organization. It does recognize that ham operators play a vital role in emergencies.

We take pride and honor in performing our skills and duties as “Amateur Operators” for IRESC and try to set the example and high standards for the amateur community.

The Pakistan IRESC operations are in part because of ham operators like the below stated:

Carl E.Caracol W2WRX, IRESC President

Salvatore C.Torres W0SCT, IRESC Senior VP/Director of Presidents

M. Urcun CANEL TA0U, IRESC President of Turkey and his Team and Representatives,

Devulapalli “Bharathi” Prasad VU2RBI, IRESC President of India and National Institute of Amateur Radio (one of the founder members of NIAR and Chief Coordinator) since 1980

Douglas B. Patterson VE7XAT, IRESC President of Canada

Khalid Shoaib AP2MKS, IRESC President of Pakistan

Syed Asim Hussain AP2SAH, IRESC Coordinator of Pakistan

All IRESC Net Controllers Stations and persons from the 38 countries.

Respectfully submitted,

Salvatore C. Torres W0SCT IRESC Senior Vice President/Director of Presidents /PR www.iresc.org torrespipueblo@msn.com


Aug 22

This was sent to CrisisCommons email listserv Aug 22 http://www.arrl.org/news/pakistani-amateurs-team-up-to-provide-communications-relief-support-for-flood-victims


According to the Pakistan Amateur Radio Society (PARS) -- that country’s IARU Member-Society -- radio amateurs in Pakistan have teamed up with the Islamabad Jeep Club (IJC) and Pakistan Academy of Family Physicians (PAFP) to provide relief activities in those areas of Pakistan devastated by floods. The groups will supply food, tents and medical support to the northern flood affected areas of Nowshera, Charsadda and central Sargodha districts. “The cellular services are down and so is the landline,” the PARS Web site reports. “Last week, the joint team carried out a survey in the north and the center of the country, and to its dismay, the situation isn’t promising. Restoration of cellular services and landlines could take months.”

PARS already has a 2 meter repeater in these places and say a “weak signal can be heard in these areas, but [they] would need cross-band repeaters to further increase its strength and allow penetration into the remote areas. This would result in effective communication through handheld [transceivers], rather than relying on base stations where there is an issue with electricity.”

PARS has set aside the following frequencies for relief efforts: 145.700 MHz (receive 145.400 MHz, transmit 144.200 MHZ, CTCSS 88.5 Hz), 7.070 MHz, 14.200 MHZ and 14.300 MHz, 435.050 MHz (CTCSS 88.5 Hz)

In order to address the communication breakdown, PARS and the IJC created two teams: one for the northern cities, linking Islamabad with Peshawar, Nowshera and Charsadda, and the other to link cities in the center of the country, including Sargodha, Lahore, Faisalabad and Multan.

In the past few weeks, monsoon rains have deluged Pakistan, followed by disastrous floods that PARS said “were never seen in the last eight decades in some regions. These floods have impacted millions of Pakistanis who need help from the international community with providing food, clean drinking water, shelter and medical aid.” In the second week of the disaster, floods are spreading to the Punjab, Sindh and Balochistan Provinces, as well as the Kashmir region where thousands of villages have been destroyed and the situation is worsening.

PARS members, in partnership the IJC, has initiated a relief mission to help the suffering population, and are raising funds to provide essential relief supplies to the families affected by these floods. Until now, more than 1500 people have lost their lives, thousands of villages and towns are destroyed and more than 4.5 million people are left homeless or displaced in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Province in the northwest region of the country. PARS reports that due to “large scale destruction of roads and bridges, relief agencies are finding it difficult to reach the areas where people are still stranded. Once communication with those areas is established, authorities are expecting [to find] a high number of fatalities.”

PARS said they have targeted three areas that need a great deal of assistance:

  • Pashtun Garhi and Pir Sabak in the Nowshera District: (34° 01’ 13.94”N, 71° 49’ 54.96”E)

Approximately 14,000-16,000 affected/displaced; immediate requirements are tents; food and drinkable water

  • Dharkhanawalla in the Sargodha District: (31° 50’ 10.90”, N 72° 19’ 33.36”E)

According to PARS, the town itself is not affected, but many villages east of the town are under water; food is an immediate requirement

  • Mera Prang in the Charsada District: (34° 7’ 36.51”, N 71°46’ 31.48”E)

Approximately 300 families are without homes; tents are the most-need necessity here.

PARS Contacts

PARS Contacts from their website CONTACT Nasir Khan AP2NK (President, PARS) Add: H# 30 , Street 28 , Shalimar F-6/1 Islamabad Phone:+92 (0)300 5230052 or +92 (0)51 2273755 Email: ap2nk.nasir@gmail.com

Muhammad Khalid Shoaib AP2MKS Phone:+92 (0)333 5106595 Email: khalid.shoaib@gmail.com Skypee: Voyager303

Asadullah Marwat AP2AUM Phone:+92 (0)300 8529852 Email: ap2aum@gmail.com

Other organizations to investigate

Global Hams Cisco DIRT Radio program

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