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MEPN Operating Guide

MEPN Operating Guide. St. Louis County ARES October 13, 2008. Getting Started. Operating Mode 1200 baud packet – AX.25 protocol Frequency 145.070 MHz simplex Node Alias Name MSTL or KØDO-2 Terminal Node Controller Hardware Based – Kantronics Soundcard Based – AGWPE Software

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MEPN Operating Guide

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  1. MEPN Operating Guide St. Louis County ARES October 13, 2008

  2. Getting Started • Operating Mode • 1200 baud packet – AX.25 protocol • Frequency 145.070 MHz simplex • Node Alias Name MSTL or KØDO-2 • Terminal Node Controller • Hardware Based – Kantronics • Soundcard Based – AGWPE • Software • HyperTerminal – WinXP Only • AGWTerm (preferred)

  3. AGWPE Setup

  4. AGWPE Setup

  5. AGWPE Setup

  6. Local TNC Commands • Typical TNC: Kantronics, Kenwood, TAPR, etc. • Beacon, Connect, Disconnect, Converse, Echo, MyCall, Reset, ReStart, UnProto, and many others • Modal: Command Mode or Converse Mode • [Ctrl] + [C] to enter command mode • Your terminal is talking directly to the locally attached TNC. • [K] or [Converse] to enter converse mode • What you type is passed on to the next system without being acted on by the local TNC. • Converse mode is often automatic after entering the [connect] command

  7. AGWTerm Setup

  8. AGWTerm Setup

  9. Using AGWTerm

  10. Issuing MEPN Commands • Must first connect to a MEPN node using local TNC connect command like the ones below: • Connect MSTL • C MSTL • C KØDO-2 • Commands can be spelled out or abbreviated • Commands may be uppercase or lowercase • Mistakes will often get you a list of available commands from the node

  11. MEPN Command Examples

  12. Common MEPN Commands • Messages Heard or [MH] • List last few stations heard by node • List station regardless of connection status • Users or [U] • List stations currently connected to the node • Provides connected station status: <Talk>, <Downlink> • Connect or [C] • Tells MEPN node to connect to another station on your behalf • Used to connect to other MEPN nodes. Ex. [C MJEF]

  13. Common MEPN Commands • Talk or [T] • Places your station in a multi-point text chat mode • Limited to short text strings less than 80 characters • Very “chatty” wasting bandwidth with ‘ack’ frames • Not recommended in a communications emergency • Bye [B] and Quit [Q] • Used to disconnect you from the MEPN node • Can be used interchangeably with same result • Will be acted upon by last node you connected to that is in the command mode

  14. Basic Operating Principles • High Precision Latency Tolerant Traffic • Supply lists • Shelter occupants • Detailed instructions • Connect only when necessary • Beacons will announce your availability • Use voice/phone nets • To schedule packet traffic • To arrange alternative frequency • Avoid sending binary files

  15. Basic Operating Principles • Use direct connection when possible • Common 2meter packet frequencies • 144.910 (text chat), 144.990, 145.010, 145.030, 145.050, 145.070 (MEPN), 145.090, 145.550, 145.570, 145.590, 145.610, 145.650, 145.690, 145.770 (Emergency text chat). • From SEDFCC Packet Bandplan • Always use National Traffic System format • Standard header (Very Important) • Address (Very Important • Virtually unlimited text • Number, Precedence, Handling Instructions, etc. • Signature

  16. Example Message 1234 R HXG K0AZV 10 ST ANN, MO 13:30 LOCAL 5/27/2008; DNCO K4LSU CRAIG KLIMCZAK; K0AZV, MAX SLOVER, ST ANN, MO, NO ANNOUCEMENTS, NO TRAFFIC; DE K0AZV MAX

  17. Practice Net Procedure • Connect to MEPN node MSTL • Send [MH] command to list stations heard • Find recognizable ARES net control station • NØARS, K4LSU-5, KØCMH, KCØQMU, KBØH, etc. • Connect to any recognizable ARES net control station • use MEPN node connect command [c k4lsu-5] • Send routine check-in message in NTS format • Stand by for acknowledgement • Disconnect using [bye] or [quit]

  18. Advanced MEPN Operation • Connect to nearby MEPN node MSTL • Issue [MH] command noting stations on list • Using MEPN, connect to distant MEPN node • [C MJEF] or [C MMJY] or [C MCAL] • Issue [MH] command and compare difference to local node • Connect to a downstream station and send a file • Disconnect using [BYE] or [QUIT] • Note that you are in the command mode on the remote node

  19. Communications Emergency • Set up your packet station on the MEPN operating frequency • Send a beacon every hour so that the MEPN node recognizes your station and adds it to the stations heard list • Stand by for packet traffic • If node is not busy • Occasionally connect to MEPN node • List stations heard using [MH] • Disconnect to free up MEPN resources

  20. Closing Comments • Practice, Practice, Practice • You will be amazed at how fast you forget how to do something on MEPN • Regularly connect to the packet nets and send in your check-in text file • Try scheduling a remote station so that you can practice sending a text file across multiple MEPN network nodes • Dedicate radios and resources for packet use so that configuration does not become a problem.

  21. St. Louis County ARESMEPN Operating Procedure Dr. Craig Klimczak DE K4LSU

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