Subject: Specs for Solar Quote

 Request for Quotation 

 Stand-Alone Photovolatics Support of ARES/RACES Emergency Communications

 I.   SCOPE

      To provide charging of 12VDC battery-based portable, and mobile
      communications and telemetry equipment used for emergency response
      by Virginia ARES / RACES.  Three levels of use describe individual,
      small group, command and control needs.  Cost of systems to be
      specified shall not include batteries, which will be obtained
      locally through government surplus or corporate donation.  This
      equipment will be purchased entirely with private funds.  County
      or District ARES/RACES coordinators will pool individual and
      group orders to form case lots to enable quantity discounts and
      reduce shipping costs.  All equipment purchased will be for
      individual and/or local organizational use of registered
      ARES/RACES members and not for resale.  Used demonstration or
      minor category off specification units offered at discount are
      acceptable and may be considered.

II.  OBJECTIVES

      To maintain battery capacity during the day expected duty cycle, to
      recharge depleted battery power during periods of non use and to
      minimize battery discharge at night.  Portable systems to be
      light weight and fault tolerant.

IIIB7 DESIGN PARAMETERS

      Level I - Portable Search and Rescue Voice Comm

            Maintain 33 amp-hour, sealed lead acid battery used to power VHF
            tranceiver requiring 2 amps @ 12-13.8VDC standby receive and 5
            amps transmit @ 25% duty cycle FM carrier for an 8-hour duty
            shift. To prevent damage to the sealed lead-acid battery, this
            system must provide constant voltage charging and over-current
            protection to allow the battery to be charged quickly, without
            damage to the battery or charging appartatus.

      Level II - Mobile, VHF/UHF Crossband Repeater, Voice/Data

            Maintain two or more flooded, deep cycle batteries of
            minimum 300 amp-hours used to power two dual-band UHF/VHF
            transceivers, laptop PC, GPS and terminal node controller,
            requiring 5 amps standby, 16 amps with one radio in
            transmit while the other is in receive at a maximum of 50
            percent duty cycle and ability to handle an occasional 20
            amp surge, with both radios transmitting at once, not to
            exceed 20 percent duty cycle during any 24 hour period.

      Level III Mobile Command Center

            Maintain multiple flooded, deep cycle batteries totalling
            minimum 800 amp-hrs.  used to power 100 watt HF SSB radio,
            50 watt VHF and 35 watt UHF tranceivers, two personal
            computers, GPS, terminal node controller, sat-com
            telephone, antenna rotator, refrigerator, coffee pot, and
            DC flourescent lighting.

IV.   GENERAL CONSIDERATIONS:

      Due to high amp-hour battery ratings in Levels II and III, charge
      controllers are not needed.  However, these systems must still
      permit the response vehicle to be stored, charging all the time
      with the solar panels, when no loads are placed on the batteries,
      without signficant risk of battery damage.

V.    STATUS OF ARES AND RACES IN THE COMMONWEALTH OF VIRGINIA

      ARES is a private, coordinated, effort of the American Radio Relay
      League to establish amateur radio emergency communications for locally
      served agencies.  Local ARES organzizations provide support to the
      National Weather Service, through its Skywarn program, as well as
      providing nationwide disaster communications assistance for hospitals,
      the American Red Cross and Salvation Army.

      The Federal government created the Radio Amateur Civil Emergency
      Service (RACES) in 1952 to provide communications personnel to
      local and Federal government agencies in times of extraordinary
      need.  RACES is activated by FEMA through a Federal declaration
      of emergency, by a request from the Virginia Department of
      Emergency Services, or upon request by a local government.  In
      the Commonwealth of Virginia, the Department of Emergency
      Services (VA DES) is responsible for coordinating emergency
      response beyond the capability of local governments.  To enhance
      that capability, VA DES signed a formal agreement with the
      Virginia ARES which officially designates ARES as the RACES
      organization within the Commonwealth of Virginia.  A copy of the
      MOU is available upon request.

VI.   EVALUATION AND SELECTION PROCEDURE

      Quotations received will be forwarded to the Virginia State RACES
      officer and the Chairman of the National Capitol ARES Council for
      review.  Responsive quotes will then be forwarded via the
      Virginia ARES List Server to ALL County and District ARES
      Emergency Coordinators for the purpose of compiling a bulk order
      and to investigate potential response of corporate donors towards
      grant proposals.

      It is understood that quotations are for evaluation only.  Your
      recommendations as to suitable equipment and design
      modifications, based upon your experience are highly desired.  If
      your organization is interested in quoting on this equipment
      please respond, providing any recommended application notes via
      e-mail or USPS to Charles E.  Harris, Assistant Emergency
      Coordinator, Fairfax County ARES, 4101 High Point Court,
      Annandale, VA 22003-2309.

      If you have questions or wish to discuss this request for quotation in
      more detail I may be reached 0730-1600 hours EST at (703) 324-5224.

C. E. Harris
Asst. Emerg. Coordinator, Fairfax Co. ARES