Florida Amateur Digital Communication Association
Promoting packet radio in the State of Florida


Mail Address:
L. E. "bud" Thompson
1131 Abady Court
Deltona, FL 32725



REPORT ON FADCA WORKSHOP AT THE MELBOURNE HAMFEST


Saturday Sept 8 1200-1345EDT


In attendance: N4XEO, WB4KGY, WB4MOZ, W4MLA, N4SCY, KF4SIR, N9AWP, W1NPR,
N4YDY, N0IA

A discussion on Friday with representatives of the WL2K (Winlink) system
(Rick KN6KB and Vic W5SMM) and several FADCA directors showed good interest
in working together to support routing RVer packet connect requests to the
nearest WL2K packet station. This would facilitate the existing scheme of
WL2K routing reply e-mail messages in the same method as used on HF PacTOR.
To accommodate this, each FPAC switch would include WL2K as a QUICK CONNECT,
and any WL2K station in Florida would have to have access to the network
through a LAN switch.


Presently KN6KB near Melbourne is likely the only active WL2K station in
Florida, and there is no network switch in his area.


At the FADCA meeting on Saturday we cataloged all known working LAN/switches
and backbone links in the state on a sketchy map. The striking result was
that if there were a switch in the Melbourne area, there would be
connectivity from Jacksonville all the way to Hollywood along the eastern
coast. The map also shows two routes across the southern part of the state,
linking the two coasts, then northward along the Gulf coast from Ft. Meyers
to Sarasota. It was indicated the Sarasota-to-Tampa link only needs some
TLC to get it back in working order. Part of the problem is that what
little activity there is in the SW portion of our working map is on a flat
network managed by BPQ nodes in the Charlotte County area. While the BPQ
network functions for the area, a flat network of nodes is not compatible
with automatic routing through backbone links on the layered network.


A lively discussion concluded that if several (two?) of the BPQ nodes were
to be replaced with FPAC switches, network connectivity would be greatly
increased E-W across the state and the previous BPQ network would gain
access to the entire network. While it may be a hard sell to those
presently using the BPQ system, the representative, N9AWP, indicated some
interest in making the pitch.


We also discussed establishing a third trans-state tie between eastern
Central Florida and Tampa once the Orlando switch is moved to a better
location. This might logically go from Orlando toward Lakeland, or from
Deland to Tavaris westward.


Hank, N1YDY, represented a group of USAF hams that needs help in supporting
the CAP using packet. He offered the possibility of a site for a Melbourne
switch on a three-story building at Patrick AFB. A short discussion
indicated that two separate switches (or a switch and a node) might be
required to support both the amateur band activity on the layered network
and the CAP activity outside the ham bands. Cross-over access between ham
band and CAP band is likely not legal.


Never-the-less, FADCA will offer help for introducing and teaching the CAP
group to packet and to get a CAP switch or node working, and Hank will
continue efforts for possibly locating a FADCA switch if the location is
needed.


It was noted that the old Melbourne ROSE switch and gear may still be in
place, but just turned off due to lack of maintenance, etc. Some of the
components may be avaialble for use to upgrade to an FPAC switch


Major players in these discussions who were sorley missed include Clayton
KA4NHW and Wayne, KC4YCK. Clayton was tied up with hamfest duties, but
otherwise has indicated interest in helping restablish a switch at
Melbourne. Wayne, who is "Mr. Packet" in Melbourne, would have been able to
enlighten us during the discussion. (If anyone knows how to reach Wayne by
e-mail please forward this note to him.)


Bud's spin:


Several independant groups have an opportunity to work together to benefit
each group's needs as well as the Common Good. KA4NHW, N1YDY, KN6KB, W5SMM,
and hopefully KC4YEK (all in the Melbourne area) could be the nucleas to
manage getting a switch (or two) (back) on the air in the Melbourne area.
N0IA offered to provide classes/workshops for the CAP group. As many as
four FADCA directors can be avaialble for consultation and physical help
getting switches on the air. If N9AWP can sell his group on moving to FPAC,
the two networks will mutually benefit.


What is missing from this picture is a site for the network swich at
Melbourne that might be more appropriate (higher) than a three story
building.


Wayne - where are you?


On FADCA business matters, we discussed that the previous secretary
treasurer has not responded to repeated requests to turn over the club's
papers and funds still in his possession. It was suggested that perhaps
Chuck, KP4DJT might be able to make contact with the previous
secretary/treasurer to facilitate the transfer.



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