WELCOME
MAY 6, 2010
Thanks to our host, Subaru of Indiana Automotive (SIA) for the generous use of their facilities, and to Dan, WA9DDI, for helping make it all happen.
•
Let’s Keep It Clean – Recycle!
•
Leave the room the same way we
found it (chairs, tables, etc.)
•
No smoking on property (except in
Primary
•
Monday, 20:00 – WIRES repeater
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3
rdSaturday, 12:00 – Weekend net, WIRES
repeater
Special Mode
•
1
stMonday, 20:30 – Packet, 145.050 MHz
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3
rdMonday, 20:30 – 2M SSB, 144.250 MHz USB
•
Experimental modes, as announced, likely on the
2
ndor 4
thMonday, 20:30 –
not regularly scheduledWhy We Do What We Do
Hurricane
Katrina
TCARES Spring Picnic
Sunday, May 23 - Munger Park, Lafayette
Pitch-in Picnic - Please RSVP on W9TCA.com
and let us know what you plan to bring
Upcoming Events
May 14-16 – Dayton Hamvention
May 23 (Sunday) – TCARES Spring Picnic
June 11-13 – Indianapolis Air Show
June 26-27 – ARRL Field Day
July 10 (Saturday) – Indianapolis Hamfest
August 15 (Sunday) – Lafayette Hamfest
August 28 (Saturday) – Wabash River Ride
October 2 (Saturday) – 2010 SET
Wabash River Ride
Wabash River Cycle Club - Wabash River Ride
Saturday
(not Sunday as last year),
August 28
Start/Finish at Fort Ouiatenon
Three other fixed locations (SAG stops)
Wabash River Ride
Over 300 riders expected
Over 100 miles of route to cover through
Tippecanoe, Warren, and Fountain counties
Cellphone coverage non-existent along some
areas of the route
Four fixed locations to operate from (SAG stops)
Three mobiles (SAG wagons) to provide
communications for
Armed Forces Day Crossband Military /
Amateur Radio Communications Test
Saturday, May 8 (Armed Forces Day is May 15
and conflicts with Dayton Hamvention)
Military stations transmit on selected MARS
frequencies - Amateurs will transmit on
frequencies announced by the military stations
SSB / CW / RTTY /
MT-63
Special message from Secretary of Defense via
New Storm Spotting Book from ARRL
Software Updates
Outpost Packet Message Manager
Version 2.4.0 c089
GRLevel3 Update
Version 1.75 )
NBEMS (fldigi, flarq, flwrap, flics, flrig)
Indiana ARES Digital Net
Weekly – New day and time
Monday evenings, 6:00-8:00 p.m. local time
3583 kHz USB, Olivia 8/500 mode
Great way to get familiar with fldigi
Just prior to our weekly net
Suggested Memory Channel
Programming Scheme
2M Single Band
or Dual-band Dual-band, shared memory channels
Channel Contents 1 WI9RES 2 W9YB 2M 3..4 5 TAC-A 6 TAC-B 7 TAC-C 8 TAC-D 9 CALL 2M Channel Contents 11 KA9VXS/R 12 W9YB 440 13..14 15 TAC-1 16 TAC-2 17 TAC-3 18 TAC-4 19 CALL 440
VHF
UHF
Suggested Memory Channel
Programming Scheme
440 Single Band or Dual-band, non-shared channels
Channel Contents 1 KA9VXS/R 2 W9YB 440 3..4 5 TAC-1 6 TAC-2 7 TAC-3 8 TAC-4 9 CALL 440
UHF
Suggested Memory Channel
Programming Scheme
Only suggestions – not an ARES requirement
If you have a programming scheme you like and
are used to – don’t change
Makes an unfamiliar radio a little less so
Still keep a printed list of frequencies, tones, and
Recent Updates
SOPs
Updated Net Scripts (NET 1-4)
Frequency List (now includes memory channel #s)
Front page always lists the latest updates and news
Net Controls
Hand-holding time is over
(no more weekly reminder emails) You are responsible for checking the web site for NCS
and ANCS schedules
Should be checked at least once a week for changes
Schedules are usually posted for the next 6-8 weeks,
but are subject to change
Last-minute changes and important updates will still
be sent by email
2010 Simulated Emergency Test (SET)
Saturday, October 2 (tentatively)
Will involve area hospitals, Red Cross shelters
Focus on message traffic
Packet
NBEMS modes (MT63, MFSK, etc.)
Digital Modes for TCARES
Wide variety and a large number of digital modes
Rather than be a jack of all trades (and master of
none), we have chosen a select few for ARES Ops
Bobby, KP4CI, conducted research into the various
digital modes and made recommendations to the
Planning Committee
Based on our data needs, software availability and
ease of use, and effectiveness in a variety of
circumstances
Digital Modes for TCARES
Packet (1200 baud, VHF)
Additional training & exercises utilizing Outpost
Use of NBEMS (fldigi & associated programs)
MT63-2000 (local FM comms, high data rate) MT63-1000 (regional/local HF comms)
Olivia 8/500 (regional/local HF comms) DominoEX 11 (regional/local HF comms) MFSK (sending images, FM or HF)
Digital Modes for TCARES
WinLink will be introduced over the next several
months
Will provide email access via radio
Interoperability with other jurisdictions and agencies
Packet (1200 baud, VHF) access in accordance with state
ARES emergency communications plan
D-STAR voice and data
Easy linking with outside world when Internet access is up No additional hardware or software cost for those with
Scanning Radios
Dan Taylor
WA9DDI
Verification of the Origins of
Rotation in Tornadoes
Experiment (VORTEX2)
May 1 – June 15
SAME Weather Radio
Primary means of alerting the public to severe
weather and national emergencies (EAS)
When configured properly, only alerts you to
dangerous events that can affect YOU
Outdoor warning sirens are NOT meant to alert the
public indoors, and certainly not wake you at night!
EVERYONE should have an
SAME Weather Radio
Inexpensive insurance that may save your life
$30 - $60 (make sure it has SAME capability)
Buy a reliable model with an external antenna
iNWS
Warnings by email & on your cell phone
Interactive NWS (iNWS)
Timely delivery of weather warnings and other
events that you choose
EmailSKYWARN Spotter Locations
Located in all sections of Tippecanoe County
Clear view to N - NW – W – SW
Quick escape route to S or E
No duplication of other agencies
Thanks to all who submitted suggestions!
Site surveys were done by WR9A, K9HER, W9TN
SKYWARN Spotter Locations
30 locations have been designated
7 in the northern third of the county
8 in the central area 15 in the south
Detailed maps, descriptions, and pictures
Google Earth file of all locations available now
Google Streetview pictures available at most spots
Scanning Radios
Dan Taylor
WA9DDI
Introduction
• A scanner is a radio receiver that can automatically tune, or scan, two or more
discrete frequencies, stopping when it finds a signal on one of them and then continuing to scan other frequencies when the initial
Introduction
• The terms radio scanner or police scanner generally refer to a communications receiver that is primarily intended for monitoring VHF and UHF landmobile radio systems, as opposed to, say, a receiver used to monitor
Introduction
• More often than not, these scanners can also tune to different types of modulation as well (AM, FM, WFM, Digital, etc).
Introduction
• Early scanners were slow,
bulky, and expensive.
•Today, modern microprocessors
have enabled scanners to store
thousands of channels and
monitor hundreds of channels per
second.
Introduction
• Recent models can follow trunked
radio systems and decode
APCO-P25 digital transmissions.
• Both hand held and desktop models
are available.
History and Use
• Scanners developed from earlier
tunable and fixed-frequency radios that
received one frequency at a time.
• Non-broadcast radio systems, such as
those used by public safety agencies, do
not transmit continuously.
History and Use
• A scanning radio will
sequentially monitor multiple
programmed channels, or
search between user defined
frequency limits.
History and Use
• The scanner will stop on an active frequency strong enough to break the radio's squelch setting and/or coded then resume scanning other frequencies when that activity ceases. (Coded; DCS/CTCSS, NAC)
• Scanners are used by hobbyists,
railfans, off duty emergency services
personnel, and reporters.
• Scanners first became popular and
widely available during CB Radio’s
heyday in the 1970s.
• The first scanners often had between
four and ten channels and required the
purchase of a separate crystal for each
frequency received.
• Modern programmable
scanners allow hundreds or thousands of frequencies to be entered via a keypad and stored in various
'memory banks' and can scan at a rapid rate due to modern microprocessors.
• Many recent models will allow scanning of the specific DCS or CTCSS code used on a
specific frequency should it have multiple users.
• Additionally a specific NAC code is used on the Project 25 digital systems.
• There is a difference between
“Trunking” and “Digital” (i.e., they are
not the same, Tippecanoe County 800
system is trunked but not all digital,
ISP & SAFE-T is mostly digital, etc.)
• One memory bank can be assigned to air traffic control, another can be for local marine
communications, and yet another for local police frequencies.
• These can be switched on and off depending on the user's preference.
• Some models have GPS location based scanning.
• Most scanners have a weather radio
band, allowing the listener to tune into
weather radio broadcasts from a NOAA
transmitter.
• Some scanners are equipped with Fire-Tone Out mode.
• Fire tone out decodes “Quik call II” tones and acts as a pager
when the correct sequence of tones is detected.
• Active frequencies can be found by
searching the internet and frequency
reference books or can be discovered
through a programmable scanner's
search function.
• Basics of “rebanding”
– Made some trunking scanners obsolete. – Rebanding (also called Reconfiguration)
refers to the changes within the 800 MHz band that are taking place nationwide.
– Detailed information about rebanding can
also be found at
• Rebanding; Excellent explanation at;
http://wiki.radioreference.com/index.php/Rebanding
• Narrow Banding; another sticky issue with scanners. • "Narrowbanding" and "refarming" are terms heard
quite often but just as often misunderstood. • Both refer to the FCC plan initiated in 1992 to
increase the available spectrum in the VHF and UHF land mobile bands.
• More details here;
http://wiki.radioreference.com/index.php/Narrowbanding
• Narrowbanding (the gory details);
– 01/01/2011 - all manufacturing of 25 kHz equipment to cease.
– 01/01/2013 - All current licensees must be fully operational on 12.5 kHz equipment.
– channel spacing between VHF and UHF
• 12.5 kHz channel spacing (and eventually 6.25 kHz) only affects UHF between 420 and 512 MHz.
• VHF land mobile narrowband uses 7.5 kHz spacing.
• Since nearly all scanners are based on 5 or 6.25 kHz channel step size it was necessary to implement 2.5 kHz channel steps.
• Buyers of new radios and scanners should check to determine whether they can tune to the new channels or not.
• An external antenna for a desktop scanner or an extendable antenna for a hand held unit will provide greater performance than the original equipment antennas
provided by manufacturers.
• Many scanner clubs exist to allow
members to share information about
frequencies, codes and operations.
• Most have Internet presence, such as
websites, email lists or Web forums.
• The All Ohio Scanner Club, Chicago Area
Radio Monitoring Association and
RadioReference.com are examples of
these.
Legal Issues In the U.S.
• The legality of radio scanners varies considerably between jurisdictions.
• In the United States it is a federal crime to monitor
• Some US states prohibit the use of a scanner in an automobile.
Legal Issues In the U.S.
-Redindicates use illegal without an FCC license, or permission.
-Orangeindicates legislation is being proposed, but use is currently legal. -Greenindicates use illegal in furtherance of a crime.
• Although scanners capable of following
trunked radio systems and demodulating some digital radio systems such as APCO Project 25 are available, decryption-capable scanners
would be a violation of United States law and possibly laws of other countries.
• A law passed by the Congress of the
United States, under the pressure from
cellular telephone interests, prohibited
scanners sold after a certain date from
receiving frequencies allocated to the
Cellular Radio Service.
• The law was later amended to make it
illegal to modify radios to receive those
frequencies, and also to sell radios that
could be easily modified to do so
• This law remains in effect even though
few cellular subscribers still use analoge
technology
• Certain states in the U.S prohibit the use of scanners in a vehicle unless the operator has a radio license issued from the FCC (Amateur
Radio), etc. or the operator's job requires the use of a scanner in a vehicle (e.g., police, fire, utilities).
• In some parts of the United States, there are extra penalties for the possession of a scanner during a crime, and some states also prohibit the possession of a scanner by a
person who has been convicted of a felony in the last 5 years.
• In the United States, the general guidelines to follow when using a radio scanner are that it is illegal to:
– listen in on cellular and cordless phone calls.
– intercept encrypted or scrambled communications.
– sell or import radio scanners that are capable of receiving cellular phone frequencies (this rule does not apply to sales by individuals and radio scanners made before the ban).
Continued…
• …it is illegal to:
– modify radio scanners so that cellular phone frequencies can be received.
– use information received for personal gain (a common example is where a taxi driver listens to a competitor's dispatch channel to steal a customer).
– use information received to aid in the commission of a crime. – disclose information received to other persons.
• Licensed Amateur Radio Operators with a valid FCC License may possess Amateur Radio
Transceivers capable of reception beyond the Amateur Radio Bands per an FCC Memorandum & Order known as FCC Docket PR91-36 (also known as FCC 93-410).
• The full text
of the Indiana
Code is
available from;
Legal Issues In the U.S.
Words of Advice
• What do you want it to do?
– Just monitor a simple AM or FM channel? – Or provide detailed embedded digital data
about the specific radio and system it is affiliated with? …or more?
– Or just monitor all your local public safety agencies?
• If looking for a deal, be sure to do a little research, and know what you want.
– Know specific brands and model numbers. – Know a little about what features you need. – Remember, Analog vs. Digital = Cheap vs.
Expensive.
– www.radioreference.com (Membership not required)
References
• FCC (1997-07-10). DA 97-1440: Manufacturing Illegal
Scanners Includes Scanner Modification. Federal
Communications Commission, 10 July 1997. Retrieved from
http://www.fcc.gov/Bureaus/Engineering_Technology
/Public_Notices/1997/da971440.txt.
• http://public.leginfo.state.ny.us/menugetf.cgi § 397
• FCC (1993-09-03). PR Docket 91-36: In the Matter of Federal Preemption of State and Local Laws
Concerning Amateur Operator Use of Transceivers Capable of Reception Beyond Amateur Service
Frequency Allocations - Memorandum Opinion and
Order. Federal Communications Commission, 3
September 1993. Retrieved from
http://www.arrl.org/announce/regulatory/pr91-36/pr91-36.html.
• A partial copy of the Electronic Communications Privacy Act of 1986 can be found at
http://floridalawfirm.com/privacy.html with the
following disclaimer: "This document was originally published by Florida Law Firm in 1998. It is no longer current and should not be relied upon for any reason."
Links
• Mobile Scanner & Radar Detector Laws in the United States;
– http://www.afn.org/~afn09444/scanlaws/
• Scanner Frequencies & Radio Frequency Reference Database;
– http://www.radioreference.com/
• United States Federal Communications Commission searchable database;
– http://wireless2.fcc.gov/UlsApp/UlsSearch/searc hAdvanced.jsp
