UPDATED: 9/25/13
UPDATED: 9/16/13
UPDATED: 9/9/13
Original Post Date: 8/26/13

Greetings!
Please see the email below from ASEC Bill W1GTT that describes the recently activated statewide system of RMS Packet Gateways.

These RMS Packet Gateways are all remotely connected to a central computer via the CSP microwave network (think of it as eight RS232 data cables that are tens of miles long connecting the master computer and the eight TNCs!).

Initially there will be eight ("8") nodes -- one in each of the eight Connecticut counties. If any gaps in coverage are identified, future plans are to add a few more nodes as needed. This network should allow us to effectively utilize the Winlink 2000 (WL2K) system to handle data/digital traffic around the state -- and beyond!

Some email clients [like mine - Douglas WA1SFH] have trouble with the table formatting. In the near future we will get this table posted on the CT ARES website.

In addition to the support we got from the folks at DESPP/DEMHS/W1SP, we all owe Bill a great deal of gratitude for his patience and perseverance working to bring this project to fruition!

If you haven't tried WL2K because you couldn't connect with an RMS Node, get on the new network and send a message to W1GTT thanking him for his efforts!

LOTS of info on getting started can be found on the winlink.org website!

P. S. Faster than I could type this email, Art AF1HS has posted the table of gateways in the Digital Communications section of the CT ARES website!!

[ Go to www.ctares.org, Left column, and click DIGITAL COMMUNICATIONS - Douglas WA1SFH]

73, Wayne N1CLV
CT ARES - SEC
Communications is the link between problems and solutions.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

From: [email protected]
Subject: RMS Packet Gateways
Date: August 26, 2013 7:35:02 PM EDT

Greetings
The following RMS packet Gateways are now available for use.

I suggest that if you are not already a user of RMS packet that you check out www.winlink.org/ to learn how to activate your own Winlink.org email address. The site has valuable information as well. Software recommended is RMS Express (or Airmail) to use the system.

The project is a joint venture between CT DEMHS, CT State Police Radio Club (W1SP), and CT ARES. I have been working almost three (3) years to get the project completed.

Please use it and report any problems you encounter.
- The two (2) sites that are not active will be operational shortly, but the remaining six (6) sites have great overlapping coverage.


CT RMS Packet Gateways

CALL NODE LOCATION FREQ GRID

W1SP-1 TOLLCT TOLLAND 145.65 FN31UV

W1SP-2 WINDCT BROOKLYN 145.61 FN41AT

W1SP-3 NLONCT LEDYARD 145.63 FN31XK

W1SP-4 HARTCT AVON 145.69 FN31OT

W1SP-5 MIDDCT HADDAM 145.69 FN31RK

W1SP-6 LITCCT LITCHFIELD 145.65 FN31JR

W1SP-7 NHAVCT OXFORD 145.63 FN31JK

W1SP-8 FAIRCT BRIDGEPORT 145.69 FN31JE

73
Bill, W1GTT

William Covey, W1GTT
ASEC CT ARES
Region 4 MCU Custodian
Communications Officer
Town of East Lyme, W1OEM
Office of Emergency Management

UPDATE - 9/9/13
Bill (W1GTT) informed us on last night's Section Emergency Coordinator's (SEC) Net that the Hartford Node (Avon) is now up and running.
- That makes 7 out of 8 nodes up and running.

Can the node in Bridgeport be far behind?
- Stay Tuned!

UPDATE: 9/16/13

Greetings,
The following nodes have had a change in frequency. Avon on 145.67 was causing interference with D-Star direct QSO's, so it and Oxford have changed frequencies.

AVON W1SP-4 is 145.69

Oxford W1SP-7 is 145.63

Please check these out and send me an email. There is a need to find dead spots and any sites that are not working correctly.

Please understand that we are still getting the system working and up to speed.


73 Bill, W1GTT

UPDATE: 9/25/13

Greetings,

The following node has had a change in frequency. Bridgeport on 145.65 was causing interference in Orange that use that frequency in their EOC and shelters for direct comms.

BRIDGEPORT W1SP-8 is now on 145.67


Please check this out and send me an email. There is a need to find dead spots and any sites that are not working correctly.

Please understand that we are still getting the system working and up to speed.


73 Bill, W1GTT
ASEC CT ARES