Daren News 1994 ====================================================================== D.A.R.E.N. NEWS of WV January 02, 1994 by Ken Harris WA8LLM WOOD COUNTY RACES, 1810 STAUNTON AVE., PARKERSBURG, WV 26101 D.A.R.E.N. News, are short articles about the Digital Amateur Radio Emergency Network of WV, which operates on 145.69 Mhz. Anyone having information about the network, they would like to share with others, may leave it to WA8LLM @ W8SP.WV.USA.NA, or on PKBGWV on 145.05, .09, or .69 Mhz. D.A.R.E.N. NEWS of WV is posted on the normal BBS system @ ALLWV, and on the DAREN PBBSs: CHASWV, DAREN-1, ELKNWV, HILLWV, MRTNWV, NMARWV, PCTNES, and PKBGES. A State Wide DAREN NET is held every Saturday from 7:30 pm to 9:30 pm. DAREN NET Announcements, with the previous week's check-ins, are posted by Thursday on most MAIN county PBBSs. I've had very few messages this week, so the news is a little short. I hope everyone had a good year of 1993, and hope that 1994 is as good. A message from Jim, WA2GIN, says the problem with the Harrison County EOC station being down, is the computer. He will keep us informed. Until he can get it back up and running, any messages for the Clarksburg area can be left on DAREN-1. I notice that DAREN-1 is starting to get a lot more stations checking into it. It's becoming a "Central Message Center". There are some messages in it, that still need to be delivered. If any one that can deliver any of them, it would be greatly appreciated. DAREN-1 is a good place to leave messages, if there is no PBBS in or near the message destination. The firmware chip has arrived to upgrade the Jackson County NODE, JACKWV, to version 5.1 and 26 NODE Channels. When time permits I will get it upgraded. There were 56 check-ins to this week's State Wide DAREN Net. ====================================================================== D.A.R.E.N. NEWS of WV January 09, 1994 This week has been an experience that I hope doesn't happen again, but I'm sure we'll see another storm like it. If anyone has any stories they would like to pass on about the use of packet, I'd like to hear about them. I may just ramble on this week relating a few problems that I saw. First, since my power went off at about 4:30 Tuesday morning, and didn't come back on till about 7:45 Saturday Evening, I'm a little late with the DAREN news. Also I didn't get the Net Announcements posted on all of the Primary PBBSs, like I usually do. I have a 25 amp-hour battery on my home Packet station, and it lasted about 30 hours before it started causing interference. We were at the Emergency Operations Center, when someone noticed there was a steady, weak signal on 145.69 Mhz. We turned off every radio, printer, scanner, and anything else that may produce an RF signal. As a last resort I thought maybe my station may have got keyed up someway, even though the signal much weaker, than normal. I called home and had my wife turn the power off to the radio, and the signal disappeared. We're not sure if it was the TNC (a KPC-3) or the radio (an Alinco DR1200T), that caused the key up, but it seems that when the voltage goes low, the station will key up. The only NODEs, I know of that were off the air were JACKWV and KANAWV. The loss of JACKWV wasn't near as bad since there were paths between the North and the South using PENDWV to GREEWV, and WEBSWV to WYOMWV. The real loss was KANAWV. If there had been a real need to pass traffic into the State Office of Emergency Services, using packet, it would have been crippled. We did get a message from N8ZQU, at the Wetzel County OES, wanting to pass traffic to Charleston. I want to thank Olie, WD8V, for asking if there was anything he could do, to help get KANAWV back up. What I'd like to see personal stations around the state that could be used as temporary major NODEs, in case we lose a primary NODE. Even though we limit BEACONs to weather alerts, and Net Announcements, personal stations that are used to take the place of an inoperative primary NODEs, on a temporary basis could BEACON, though as many primary NODEs as possible to alert DAREN users of the temporary NODE. A temporary, personal NODE could even use the same ALIAS as the inoperative primary NODE. After the primary NODEs are back in operation, all BEACONs should then be turned off. There was plenty of warning of the storm that hit early Tuesday morning. Ted, W8KVK, kept weather announcements posted and updated on at least two PBBSs, PKBGES and CHASWV. I think Ted did a great job of keeping us informed, I just wish I had been better prepared. I haven't heard from Skip, K8SOR, but if he may have the Nicholas County NODE, NICHWV, back up. The NODE was in operation for about two weeks last year, when it was hit by lightening and hasn't been heard since. With a last minute work schedule change, Alan, N8POB, had to turn this week's DAREN Net Control over to his Wife Connie, N8TWS. She reported 68 check-ins to this weeks net, it looks like another record has been set. ====================================================================== D.A.R.E.N. NEWS of WV January 16, 1994 Am I beating a dead horse? Am I just wasting my time? I saw a message go over the DAREN System the other day that said the DAREN System is quote, "somewhere between SNAFU and FUBAR" unquote. The message was in reference to a message that was transmitted two ways, one of them via DAREN. One message was picked up the next day, and the one via DAREN was "not" delivered. Am I just fooling myself? I'd like to know. I'm a firm believer in the DAREN system and I've seen a lot of messages, NTS, MARS, and personal go through it. If the people, that oppose the DAREN system, would put as much energy into helping the system, as they do opposing it, it might not be "SNAFU" and "FUBAR". Any network will fail, if messages are just left sitting in them. If you see a message on any packet network addressed to someone that you know isn't on packet, it should be picked up, delivered, then killed, or if the addressee has packet, advise him/her where their message may be found. I got a telephone call from Skip, K8SOR. He told me the Nicholas County Station is up, but has a few parameters wrong. The station doesn't have the NODE turned on, it only has a PBBS. The PBBS is SMVLWV. He's unable to get to the mountain to make the changes. The Ritchie County NODE, RITCWV, running 25 watts, is powered from a good set of batteries. It stayed in operation during last week's snow storm, when the commercial power failed, from about 5:00 am Tuesday, till about noon the following Monday. The NODE shares the batteries with the WOODWV NODE on 145.09 Mhz, running 60 watts, a two meter repeater, running 60 watts, a commercial paging transmitter, running 100 watts, and three remote receiver/transmitters for the County Sheriff, County Fire Departments, and Emergency Services repeaters. JACKWV/RPLYWV has been upgraded to version 5.1 firmware and 128K of RAM. There are now 26 NODE Channels. With the 5.1 firmware, it is possible to auto forward any messages with an @ sign, to one other Mailbox, BBS, or PBBS. After upgrading JACKWV/RPLYWV, the PBBS's of CHASWV, PKBGWV, MRTNWV, and RPLYWV were set up to auto forward any message, with an @ sign, to DAREN-1. After they forward the message, it is killed at the location where it was posted. When posting a message on any of the above PBBS's be careful with the use of the @ sign. If the @ sign is used, followed by anything, the message will be forwarded, and posted on DAREN-1 and then be killed. There are two exceptions, if the "to" callsign is the same as the callsign of the NODE/PBBS, or the PBBS following the @ sign is the same as the PBBS it is on, it will not be forwarded. There were "71" check-ins to this week's State Wide DAREN Net. ====================================================================== D.A.R.E.N. NEWS of WV January 23, 1994 TIPS ON USING THE DAREN AUTO FORWARDING SYSTEM ============================================== Auto Forwarding is starting to be incorporated in the DAREN System. Using the Kantronics KPC-3 with 5.1 firmware makes auto forwarding possible. At the present time there are 6 PBBSs that have the ability to automatically forward messages to another location, they are: CHASWV, HILLWV, MRTNWV, PCTNES, PKBGWV, and RPLYWV. HRVLWV and STMYWV should be able to forward within the next few weeks. The above PBBSs are set up to forward any messages, with an @ sign, to DAREN-1, the Central Message System, located in Glenville, Gilmer County. An example of how to post a message on CHASWV, that needs to be forwarded to WA8LLM at PKBGWV is as follows. ST WA8LLM @ PKBGWV. After the message has been posted on CHASWV, and you disconnect, CHASWV will attempt to connect to DAREN-1. If the attempt is successful, the message will be posted on DAREN-1. The message will then be deleted from CHASWV. Within an hour DAREN-1 will attempt to connect to PKBGWV. If the attempt is successful the message will be posted on PKBGWV, and then be deleted from DAREN-1. If a message is posted on a PBBS, to a callsign that is the same as the PBBS SYSOP callsign, it will NOT be forwarded, example: ST WA8LLM @ CHASWV, posted on PKBGWV, it will NOT be forwarded, (the callsign of PKBGWV is WA8LLM-7). If a message is posted on a PBBS that is the same as the (@ PBBS) it will NOT be forwarded, example: ST WA8LLM @ PKBGWV, posted on PKBGWV. Any messages, that has an @ sign, in the address will be forwarded to DAREN-1, and then be deleted from the PBBS they were posted on. If the following message were to be posted: ST WA8LLM @ NTS, it would be forwarded to DAREN-1 and not be forwarded anywhere else, there is no paths to NTS at this time. When ZIP CODES for all of the established PBBSs are collected, and routes established using Zip Codes, the following message could be posted: ST NTS @ 26184, it would be forwarded to DAREN-1, and then be forwarded to PKBGWV, which is the nearest location to 26184 (Waverly, WV), this will be added in the future. Be sure when posting any message, to use "ST" NOT "S", "SP", or "SB". Remember, AUTO FORWARDING is not a substitute for knowing how the DAREN Systems works. You should still remember that DAREN was established to be a backbone for an emergency system, with NODEs and PBBS's or Mailboxes in as many counties as possible. You should still practice connecting through the network, via NODEs, in case the auto forwarding system would become inoperative. The State Wide DAREN Net was a tuff one again this week. I hope everyone was lucky enough to get checked in. As the NODEs are upgraded to version 5.1 with 128K of memory, and NODE Channels are increased, it will be easier to get checked in. Lynn, AI8I, NCS, said he had a total of 48 check-ins to this weeks Net. ====================================================================== D.A.R.E.N. NEWS of WV January 30, 1994 George, K8QEW, says they have ordered a KPC-3 TNC with 5.1 Version Firmware. The TNC will be used to replace the KPC-2 that is now on the Hancock County NODE, HANCWV. I'm not sure, but I think a 128K RAM Chip was also ordered to allow the NODE to have 26 NODE Channels and 7K of PBBS. The new TNC will allow auto-forwarding of messages into the DAREN System. They have also ordered a battery and battery charger, which should make HANCWV a very reliable NODE. At the present time there seems to a problem with the NODE, that makes it hard to connect to. About the only way to get to HANCWV/WEIRWV is from MARSWV. It's possible that with all the snow and bad weather in the past few weeks, there may be some kind of damage to the antenna. Dave, KA8ZXP, is working on putting the (@ ZIP CODE) into operation on the Central Message System, DAREN-1. When completed, messages with an (@ ZIP CODE), left on any of the PBBS's that can auto-forward, will be forwarded to the PBBS nearest the location of the ZIP CODE. The Ritchie County NODE/PBBS, RITCWV/HRVLWV, has been upgraded. The KPC-2 has been replaced with a KPC-3 with 5.1 Firmware and a 128K RAM Chip. RITCWV now has 26 NODE Channels and HRVLWV will allow auto- forwarding, of messages, into the DAREN System. The PBBS, HRVLWV, still has only 7K of memory. Last week's State Wide DAREN Net was a challenge. Lynn, AI8I, has very few paths in which to allow stations to connect to him. He is able to connect to The Pendleton County NODE, PENDWV, since the leaves have all disappeared, and if he has his beam pointed that way. He says the Greenbrier County NODE, GREEWV, is going to be upgraded to provide more NODE Channels. If GREEWV is upgraded to version 5.1 firmware and 128K memory, there should be no problem connecting to Lynn, when he is NCS of the State Wide DAREN Net. The upgrading of GREEWV/LSBGWV, will also as add another PBBS that will allow auto- forwarding of messages into the DAREN System. At least until GREEWV is upgraded to 26 NODE Channels, and the leaves are off the trees, using PENDWV, might be another way to connect to Lynn, when he is NCS of the State Wide DAREN Net. While talking to Randy, WA8ART, Wetzel County RACES Officer, he indicated he would like to move the Wetzel County NODE/PBBS to a lower profile, like the EOC, change it to WETZES/NMARES, and install another station, on the hill, in it's place. The new station NODE would still be WETZWV/NMARWV, have 26 NODE Channels and a PBBS of 7K, that would allow auto-forwarding of messages into the DAREN System. Ted, W8KVK, Reported 64 check-ins to this week's State Wide DAREN Net. ====================================================================== D.A.R.E.N. NEWS of WV February 06, 1994 The Pleasants County NODE/DIGI/PBBS has been upgraded. PLEAWV/STMYWV is now a KPC-3 with version 5.1 firmware, with 26 NODE Channels and 7K of PBBS. It also has Auto-forwarding into the DAREN System. Those stations having a Kantronics KPC-3, with 5.1 version firmware, wanting to add Auto-forwarding, into the system, should set the PBBS up with following commands: PBHEADER ON, PBHOLD OFF, PBKILLFW ON, PBPERSON OFF, PBREVERS OFF. The PBFORWRD needs to be set up for the shortest route to DAREN-1. For example, if the best route from your PBBS to DAREN-1 is VIA WOODWV and GILMWV, your command would be: "PBFORWRD DAREN-1 V WOODWV,GILMWV AFTER 1". Before Auto-forwarding will work, the HTEXT must also be set. For example, the HTEXT for PKBGWV is: "HTEXT PKBGWV.WV.USA.NA". I learned something the hard way. If you're going to post a message on several PBBS's, you should give instructions as to when it should be deleted from the PBBS. If you post a message, on several PBBS's as "ST" (Send Traffic), and leave instructions when it should be deleted, anyone can delete it. If it is posted as "SB" (Send Bulletin), then only the SYSOP of the PBBS, or the person posting it, are the only ones that can delete it. This means that you may have to go around to all of the PBBS's and delete your own messages. It is preferred to post the all messages as "ST". I posted messages about AUTO- FORWARDING UPDATE 1/16/94, on most of the PBBS's, using the Auto- Forwarding. I didn't leave any instructions, as to when it should be deleted, so as I connect to each of the PBBS's, I have to delete the message. If I have missed deleting AUTO-FORWARDING UPDATE 1/16/94 message on any PBBS, please do it for me. Don't forget, you "DO NOT" have to list all messages on any of the DAREN PBBS's. If you only want to list the last few messages, use the "LL xx" command. For example, to list the last 3 messages on any of the KPC-2 or KPC-3 PBBS's, use the command: "LL 3". It's interesting watching everyone connect through the network, to reach the DAREN Net Control Station. A lot of times, I see the connecting station force a disconnect, thinking they aren't going anywhere, and at the same time, I'm watching the "connect text" coming the other way. It's better to have several NODE Channels on each NODE, so more stations can connect at once, and not get a "link busy" message. If you don't get a "link busy" back, while connecting through the net, just be patient, the hill top, mountain top NODEs may be hearing traffic, that you can't hear, and they have to wait their turn, to transmit. Several stations still try to Digipeat through the network when it's busy, which is almost impossible. Mark, KJ4QQ, reported he had 59 in this week's State Wide DAREN Net. ====================================================================== D.A.R.E.N. NEWS of WV February 13, 1994 Jim, WA2GIN, says that HARRES/CKBGES is back in operation. The station is located at Harrison County Emergency Services. The station has reliable paths to BARBWV, UPSHWV, PRESWV, and sometimes to RANDWV. From his message, it looks like the station got turned off by the Emergency Services personnel. Pepper, KA8ZOO, saw a message he thought would have been handy, if posted on several PBBSs in the affected area of the flooding in Barbour County. I've asked Dave, KA8ZXP, if we can have the PBBSs in each WV ARES ZONE, using an @ sign, such a "ST FLOOD @ ZONE3" to post messages and/or bulletins to all the PBBSs in ARES ZONE 3. This way only certain areas of the state would get the information needed. If this can be done, I will pass along the Zone Numbers and the PBBSs in those zones in a future DAREN News. After I wrote about how to set up a KPC-3, with 5.1 version firmware to allow auto-forwarding into the DAREN system, in last week's DAREN News, Lynn, AI8I, had a better idea on the PBBS Header Text, (HTEXT). He suggested to add the city to the HTEXT, of each PBBS. This has been done on the PBBSs of CHASWV, HRVLWV, PKBGWV, and STMYWV. It would have been done on RPLYWV, but someone forgot to set up the remote SYSOP command, no names mentioned, but his call is WA8LLM. The HTEXT for CHASWV now reads "CHASWV.WV.USA.NA Charleston, WV 253xx". That of PKBGWV reads "PKBGWV.WV.USA.NA Parkersburg, WV 26101". It makes the Header Text look a lot better. Lynn, AI8I, left me message stating that with the ice storm that went through the Southeastern part of the state, that the Greenbrier County NODE is off the air. They are experiencing a lot of power outages in the area, which may have caused it to be off the air. He noted that with all the ice, the signal strength on most of the NODEs are only about half of what they normally are. They have a battery and charger to put at the site, when the weather gets better, and they are able to make it to the site. Several stations checking into the State Wide DAREN Net are still trying to digipeat through several NODEs to the Net Control Station. From watching the net, as Aaron, N8NVQ, was NCS, I could see several stations connecting at same time. The stations that would connect from NODE to NODE would be checked in and out of the net as much as 10 minutes before the stations that were digipeating through each NODE. I saw as many as 13 stations connected to WOODWV at one time, all waiting for the NCS to give them a Connect Text, and then disconnect them. The stations that were digipeating, had to wait a long time to get their Connect Text. When digipeating through several NODEs, there is a built-in time delay before the connecting station will retry to connect again, if it doesn't make it the first time, which is the case when there are several stations on the air. There were 68 check-ins. ====================================================================== D.A.R.E.N. NEWS of WV February 20, 1994 George, K8QEW, is still waiting for the equipment, to upgrade the Hancock County NODE, HANCWV. In the mean time, the problem with the NODE seems to be getting worse. Connections to the NODE and PBBS are only available through MARSWV. The Greenbrier County NODE, GREEWV, was off the air for over a week. The NODE is located on Keeny's Knob, elevation of about 4000 feet. With the ice storm that went through that area last week, power was off in much of the area. Lynn, AI8I, sent me a message this Thursday saying that GREEWV/LSBGWV was back in operation. Dave, KA8ZXP, said he is working the new paths, and should be done by this weekend. The paths should allow messages that need to be posted on most of the main PBBSs in the state to be left to @ DAREN. Messages that only need to be left on the PBBSs that have a large amount of memory, such as the ones that have the D.A.R.E.N. News and RACES Bulletins, can be left @ HIMEM. I still have to send Dave a list of all ZIP CODES in West Virginia, and the associated PBBSs. When completed, messages can be left with an @ (zip code), and then automatically forwarded to the proper PBBS. As soon as Dave gets all of this done, I'll let you know. Remember, as the weather changes, so does the paths on some of the NODEs. You may have to try a different path or paths from the ones you are used to. While the weather was cold, Lynn, AI8I, who lives in Pocahontas County, had a good path to PENDWV, after the weather warmed up, he lost that path. The last time I talked to Mark, WB8ZLQ, he said Bob, WB8IOF was having some kind of problem with the Jefferson County NODE, JEFFWV. I haven't been able to connect to JEFFWV for quite some time now. Don't forget to check your local PBBS, and others if you like, for any traffic. Try to get the messages delivered, or picked up, and relayed to another net. Traffic shouldn't just set around. This week's State Wide DAREN Net Control Station was Bill, N8ZQU. Bill operated the net from the Paden City Fire Department Mobile Communications Van, COMM 7, while it was parked at the Tyler County OES. The power failed on the van, with about 45 minutes of the net left. Bill was able to check the "Heard List" on the controller and pull out 3 stations that would have been lost. We're sorry if any stations may have been lost while the power was off for about 7 minutes. Even with the power failure, there were 56 check-ins. ====================================================================== D.A.R.E.N. NEWS of WV February 27, 1994 The Hancock County NODE/PBBS, HANCWV/WEIRWV, is working good again. George, K8QEW, had the owner of the tower site, where it is located, re-adjust the Volume and Squelch controls on the radio. A general rule of thumb for setting the Volume and Squelch is as follows: Adjust the Squelch control till it is wide open, and the "REC" light on the TNC comes on. If the "REC" light doesn't come on, the Volume may be too low. Now turn the Volume all the way down, and start turning it up until the "REC" light comes one. At this point, turn the Volume up just a little more. After the Volume has been set, re-adjust the Squelch. Turn the Squelch control until the "REC" light on the TNC just goes out, then turn it just a little more. You don't want the Volume too loud, or the data from the radio will be distorted, and the TNC will have a hard time reading it. If the Volume is too low the TNC won't see it at all. If the Squelch is too tight, only very strong signals will be able to connect to the station. If the Squelch is too loose, the "REC" light will stay on, and the TNC will not transmit, until it goes out. These controls are "NOT" critical, but you don't want to over do them. Phil, K8MHR, says there's been an offer to locate a DAREN NODE in Putnam County. If a transceiver can be acquired, there will be a TNC made available, and maybe the interest in DAREN will grow in that area of the state. We may be seeing the NODE in operation in the next few weeks. Phil also says that Cabell County is having trouble getting their station set up. Jim, WB8DMS, has upgraded the NODE/PBBS, GREEWV/LSBGWV, to 5.1 version firmware and 128K RAM memory. LSBGWV can now be used to Auto-Forward messages into the DAREN network. I'm not sure how many NODE Channels Jim has the station set up for, but if there's enough, it should make it easier to connect to Lynn, AI8I, who will be DAREN net control on March 5th. Kent, KB8NCX, ask if there was any kind of certificate for checking into the State Wide DAREN Net. We decided that for every 50 nets an operator checks into, they should receive a certificate of appreciation for supporting the DAREN Network and the Net. Since the net started about a year and a half ago, there are several operators who will be receiving a certificate. I'll be needing address' for some of the operators which I do not have. I will try to get a list of those stations, who will be receiving the first certificates in next week's DAREN News, and if I need their address. There were 70 check-ins to this week's State Wide DAREN Net. ====================================================================== D.A.R.E.N. NEWS of WV. March 06, 1994 With the upgrade of the Greenbrier County NODE, GREEWV, to 5.1 firmware and 128K Ram, the NODE Channels have been increased to 15. With the old 5.0 version firmware, there were only 5 NODE Channels, which was not enough. From experimenting with other NODEs during the State Wide DAREN Net, 15 NODE Channels should be enough to handle all of the stations during the most congested times. While Alan, N8POB, was visiting Washington, D.C. last week, he made a tour of the White House. While on his tour, Alan, left a copy of the DAREN Plan at the tour office, to be given to the President. Alan figures, it couldn't hurt to let the President of the United States, see what's going on in West Virginia. Until the NODE can be placed back in operation on the mountain in Nicholas County, Skip, K8SOR, says the one at the Emergency Operations Center will work as the main NODE for the county. The NODE/DIGI at the EOC are K8SOR-11/K8SOR-11, the PBBS is SMVLWV. When the NODE is put back on the mountain, the NODE/DIGI will be NICHWV/NICHWV, and the PBBS will be SMVLWV. The NODE/DIGI at the EOC, will be changed to NICHES/NICHES and PBBS to SMVLES. I've started to notice a couple of stations, that are fairly new to the DAREN System, that have found the Full Service BBS in Pennsylvania. I would like to ask them to refrain from using the DAREN NODEs to communicate with the BBSs that are not part of the DAREN System, or an Emergency and traffic handling type network. If everybody starts to use the DAREN NODEs to connect to the Nationwide full service BBSs, then the DAREN System will become as congested as all of the other frequencies which are not frequency coordinated. There are plenty of other full service BBSs in West Virginia that are available, on frequencies other than 145.69 Mhz. I know 145.69 Mhz is used by other types of services such as BBSs, DX Clusters etc., outside of West Virginia, but so far they are far enough away, they don't interfere too much with our system, so please refrain from using the DAREN NODEs to connect to other Non-DAREN type Systems. Mark, KJ4QQ, has upgraded the Mercer County station, MERCWV/BLFDWV to 5.1 version firmware and 128K of memory. The station now has 26 NODE Channels and 7K of memory in the PBBS. BLFDWV now has auto-forwarding of messages into the DAREN System. A complete list of West Virginia Zip Codes, with the associated PBBS, has been sent to DAVE, KA8ZXP. When Dave gets the list built into DAREN-1, messages, with a Zip Code, will be forwarded to the nearest DAREN PBBS. There will be a lot of Zip Codes that will not have a place to be forwarded to, in this case those messages will be left on DAREN-1, to be picked up. Operators that like to handle traffic, should check DAREN-1 at least once a day. Lynn, AI8I, reported 49 check-ins to this week's State Wide DAREN Net. ====================================================================== D.A.R.E.N. NEWS of WV. March 13, 1994 Last week's State Wide DAREN Net didn't go too bad, even though several stations still tried to digipeat through 3 or 4 digipeaters, to get to Lynn, AI8I, who was net control. Digipeating is one of hardest ways to connect through any network, it's even harder when the network is busy. What I've noticed the last few times when either Lynn, or Mark, KJ4QQ, were NCS, is the paths that are either weak, or marginal, have a tendency to fail completely, during heavy periods of traffic. Even though the DAREN PATHS MAP shows a path between two points, it may only be a weak one, which works most of the time, when traffic is light, but may fail, during heavy traffic, such as the net. Some of the paths that I know of that are either weak, or marginal are: KANAWV to FAYEWV, KANAWV to GREEWV, JACKWV to WYOMWV, BOONWV to WYOMWV, and PENDWV to GREEWV. Getting to Lynn, last week was a lot easier than before, since GREEWV and MERCWV both have several new NODE Channels. Other NODEs we would like to get upgraded to 5.1 and 128K of RAM this summer would be PENDWV and WEBSWV, this will help handle the additional traffic. Any operator not having the latest NODE/DIGI/PBBS PATHS map, dated 12/27/93, can leave me a message @ PKBGWV, with your address, and we will send it, or a later issue map, to you. I talked to Ray, KB8GOH, from Tyler County. He says the money is now available to purchase two DAREN stations, one for the EOC, and one for the hilltop. He will keep us posted as the equipment is ready to be installed. I've talked to a couple of operators that said there is a Cabell County station on the air. I found a couple of messages that indicates it does exist. At the present time the only paths to it are from JACKWV and WYOMWV, but it's not quite ready for full service. The Call and Digi on the station are W8VA, the PBBS is W8VA-1. I've left a message for the SYSOP to get in contact with me, and I'll give them a hand in getting the station ready to go. With any luck it may be in full service in the next few weeks. I'm hoping to be at the Charleston Hamfest March 27th, any SYSOP's, that are having trouble getting their NODEs set up, may bring them along. This is a good time to get your stations set up, so they will be uniform with the rest of the DAREN NODEs. There were 72 check-ins to this weeks State Wide DAREN Net. The Net Control Station for March 19, 1994, will be Dave, KB8MWY. The only NODE that Dave is able to connect to is WETZWV, this may be another tuff one, but give it a try. ====================================================================== D.A.R.E.N. NEWS of WV. March 20, 1994 I posted a message on all of the High Memory PBBS', that is not exactly Emergency, Priority, or NTS Type. The message has to do with license renewal. The message originated over the MARS system, but does pertain to all Amateur Radio Operators. It's been about 10 years since the FCC issued it's first "10 Year License" so there may be some operators out there that have a license that's about to expire. With the "10 Year License" we will more likely than not, wait too long before checking the expiration date, and have to re-take our test. So pass the word and have your friends check their license. Ray, KB8GOH, says the equipment for the Tyler County NODEs have arrived. The county OES has purchased two Alinco radios, two TNCs, two Ringo Ranger Antennas, a power supply, and transmission line. It may be only a couple of weeks before he gets the terminal station at the Emergency Operations Center on the air, since there's some construction at the EOC, in the form of building work benches and operating positions. Experience Lesson Number 2. My first lesson, which caused a trip to the hilltop, was described in DAREN News dated October 24, 1993. If you're the SYSOP for a NODE that is at a remote location, be sure to check your "Remote SYSOP" capability. I've known there was a problem with the Jackson County Remote for at least a month now, but just never got around to fixing it. Thursday morning I woke up, only to find the PBBS of RPLYWV transmitting some kind of information, about every two seconds, to RPLYWV via KANAWV. How it ever got in such a locked up loop, I'll never know. I was unable to connect to the "Remote SYSOP", so an hour trip had to be made, while the transmitter was still transmitting every two seconds. If you're a SYSOP, you might want to connect your NODE "Remote SYSOP", and give it a "RESET", about once a week. This may save you a trip to your hilltop location some time. Phil, K8MHR, has been keeping me posted on the progress of the Putnam and Cabell County NODES. He's been talking to Don, KA8KVD, who is the president of the Putnam County club, and soon to be the ARRL EC for Putnam County. Don is dedicated and wants to support DAREN NODEs at both the Emergency Operations Center, and main county NODE on Peach Ridge. Phil has also been talking to Seth, KB8KMI, and says the Cabell County NODE which was installed back in January, lost it's mind shortly after it was installed at it's location at Rotary Park in Huntington. When the NODE gets moved to it's permanent location, the TNC will have a new programming. See last weeks news about CABEWV. Dave, KB8MWY, had a pretty good turn out on this week's State Wide DAREN Net. He reported 72 check-ins, counting himself, plus one station with the call of "NOCALL". This is Dave's first time as NCS. ====================================================================== D.A.R.E.N. NEWS of WV. March 27, 1994 Mark, KJ4QQ, has be in contact with Tim, KC8IT, SYSOP for WYOMWV. Mark has told him about the upgrading of the different NODEs, and has sent him the paperwork on how to order the equipment. Hopefully WYOMWV will be upgraded to version 5.1 firmware, and maybe 128K RAM, with auto-forwarding of messages. On Wednesday, the 23rd, Ray, KA8GOH, Communications Officer of Tyler County Emergency Services, and Lee, WB8FGM, Tyler County RACES Officer, put the NODE/DIGI/PBBS, TYLEWV/TYLEWV/MIDBWV, on the air at Rays's house in Middlebourn. As soon as possible, a work crew will be going to the tower site to place an antenna up about 20 feet on the tower, till weather gets better, so the NODE can be moved to the hill top. The 128K RAM chips haven't been received yet, so it will only have 4 NODE Channels, and auto-forwarding of messages into the network. The Terminal Station at the Emergency Operations Center will be installed as soon as the construction work at the EOC is completed. Ashby, KB8OPH, says as soon as the equipment arrives, he and Terry, KB8EIR, will be upgrading the Randolph County NODE, RANDWV, to 5.1 version firmware. They're going to increase the NODE Channels, decrease the PBBS memory, and add auto-forwarding of messages into the network. Ashby may change out the KPC-2 at the Emergency Operations Center, in Elkins, with a KPC-3 and 128K RAM. He also said that Gene, N8ER, has been coordinating the installation of a Terminal Station in the Emergency Room of the Tucker County Hospital, next week. A Terminal Station will also be installed in the main hospital in Elkins as soon as the Steve, the Maintenance Supervisor, gets his license. Ashby says the EOC will be getting a computer from the hospital, and would like to set it up with an ARES/Data (FINDERS) system. Last week I wrote an article about the possibility of Amateurs, with the first 10 year licenses, about to expire. Phil, K8MHR, has offered some additional information. The older FCC 610 forms are obsolete, as of March 1, 1994. To get a new 610 form, for license renewal, you can call the FCC at (202) 632-3676, or Fred Maia, W5YI, at (817) 461-6443. Messages from Ray, AA8MR, and Doug, AA8AR, say that Cabell County is now part of the DAREN System. The NODE/DIGI/PBBS was re-programed on Friday, the 25th, and is now in operation. The NODE/DIGI is CABEWV, and the PBBS is HUNTWV, and has direct paths to/from JACKWV, KANAWV, and WYOMWV. Now all of the major cities in West Virginia have access to each other. Any county that doesn't have at least one main NODE should contact their Emergency Services Director and see about getting one. Some of the counties may have already got approval from the State Office of Emergency Services, to purchase the equipment. There were 68 check-ins to this week's State Wide DAREN Net. ====================================================================== D.A.R.E.N. NEWS of WV. April 03, 1994 On the State Wide DAREN Net March 26, I still saw a lot of stations trying to digipeat through several digipeaters to get to the Net Control Station. After 45 minutes, there was one station, that was digipeating through only two digipeaters, still trying to get the Connect Text from DAREN. In the mean time, at least 15 other stations had connected to DAREN, got their Connect Text, and was disconnected. All of these stations had connected from NODE to NODE. The purpose of the DAREN Net is to familiarize operators on the BEST and FASTEST way to get from where they are at, to some other part of the network. In a real emergency, where lots of traffic is going to be handled, 45 minutes would just be a waste of time, not counting the tieing up of the frequency. All operators should connect from NODE to NODE. I got to talk to Dave, KA8ZXP, at the Charleston Hamfest last Sunday. He's still working on a few problems with the forwarding of messages that will be posted as "Traffic", either on the county PBBSs, or on DAREN-1. The program he is using will not allow messages, such as NEWS, NET, RACES etc., be forwarded as "Traffic". These type of messages are usually posted as "Bulletins". When a message is posted as a "Bulletin", it can only be killed by the SYSOP of the PBBS, or the person posting the message. If all messages such as NEWS, NET, and RACES are posted as "Bulletins", then the SYSOP of each PBBS will have to kill the messages. At the present time, only about 50 percent, or less, of the DAREN PBBS SYSOPs know how to use their SYSOP privileges, so a lot of PBBSs won't be kept cleaned out. Dave will keep us informed as to his progress. I received a message from Ray, KA8GOH, about the Tyler County EOC Terminal Station. He says it's been up and running, as of 5:30 pm on Sunday, March 27. When I connect around the PBBSs, I see a lot of old messages. Most of them are announcement messages of the State Wide DAREN Net. At the end of these messages, there's a sentence asking to have the message killed or deleted after a certain date. The messages are posted as a "TRAFFIC" message so anyone can remove them from the PBBS, after that date. If you see a message that has a date that has passed, PLEASE, help keep the PBBSs cleaned up, by removing any of the old messages. Matt, KA8YEZ, has WLNGWV (Wheeling), set up to auto-forward messages into the DAREN System. Judy, N8UFQ, reported 75 check-ins to this weeks State Wide DAREN Net, and there are still several stations trying to digipeat. ====================================================================== D.A.R.E.N. NEWS of WV. April 10, 1994 Ray, AA8MR, one of the SYSOP's of CABEWV, reminded me of something that I'd like to find an answer to. To make the DAREN NODEs look alike, as much as possible, the use of the causes a blank line to be placed above and below the text. When connecting to the NODE, PBBS, or CALL of a station, the blank line above and below the text, makes it stand out and easy to read. The problem I'd like to figure out is: How can you send a , which will insert the blank line, over the air to correct problems in the CTEXT, NTEXT, and PTEXT? If anyone has any idea, let me know so it can be passed on to the other SYSOPs. Mike, N8WMU, will be taking over as SYSOP for the Fayette County NODE. Since Buzz, K8CFT, passed away, the NODE has been in need of some work. Mike said he would like to get some of the projects completed, that was started, when the NODE was first put in operation, but didn't get completed. The Berkeley County NODE/PBBS has been out of service for about a week now. I've been trying to get in contact with of Mark, WB8ZLQ, the SYSOP, to see what the trouble might be. George, K8QEW, has installed the new TNC on HANCWV. The new TNC is a KPC-3 with 5.1 version firmware, 128K RAM, 7K of PBBS memory, and 26 NODE Channels. The PBBS, WEIRWV, has auto-forwarding into the DAREN System. Ray, KA8GOH, and a work party, has moved the the Tyler County NODE, TYLEWV, to the hilltop Saturday April 9th. The antenna is only about 20 feet off the ground, but the NODE has direct paths to MARSWV, WETZWV, BARBWV, TUCKWV, PENDWV, RANDWV, UPSHWV, WEBSWV, GILMWV, RITCWV, WOODWV, and PLEAWV. This looks like a very good NODE. Alan, N8POB, reported 76 check-ins to this week's State Wide DAREN Net. While monitoring the net, I only saw 3 or 4 stations trying to digipeat through the system to get to the Alan. ====================================================================== D.A.R.E.N. NEWS of WV. April 17, 1994 Ashby, KB8OPH, sent me a message about the upgrading of the Randolph County NODE/PBBS, RANDWV/ELKNWV. The station now has version 5.1 firmware, and 128K RAM. The NODE has 12 NODE Channels, and the PBBS has 65K of memory and auto-forwarding into the DAREN System. There were a few mistakes in the NTEXT and PTEXT, when he first upgraded it, but most of them have been corrected. Also he helped get the Tucker County EOC station installed, but the computer they have for it, needs some work. It was used in a network configuration, and there needs to be some re-programming done for it to work with a TNC. Phil, K8MHR, has some good news about Putnam County. The Putnam County Club has approved the purchasing of a radio and TNC to get "PUTNWV" on the air. He says they have all the other equipment needed to put it in operation. The NODE will be installed on Peach Ridge, an elevation of about 900 feet. The equipment will be purchased at the Dayton Hamfest. The Terminal Station at the County Emergency Operations Center will be on DAREN as needed. He's also working with the WV National Guard, in Charleston, to get a DAREN Station installed there. They have most of the equipment to put it together, but are waiting for a computer. Mike, N8WMU, met with technicians of Cellular One, at the tower where "FAYEWV" is located, on Friday. He hoped to get a few things changed on the station, but ran into a problem getting the computer to talk to the TNC. Since time ran out, he and NM8T, took the NODE off the mountain, to make the changes. He's hoping to put it back in operation this coming Tuesday. Cellular One, says they will soon get their antenna crew to move the antenna up the tower, as high as the coax would let it go. The last time I was at the site, the antenna was only about 10 off the ground and strapped to the side of the tower. There's no battery back-up, and when the commercial power takes a hit, or goes off, the TNC loses any messages it has in the PBBS. We think it goes off during the test running of a back-up generator. There are plans to have a battery installed for the station. I got to talk to Mark, WB8ZLQ, Monday the 11th. He said the TV station where the Berkeley County NODE, "BERKWV", was located has been sold, and the new owners were removing all of the equipment. He had to remove the NODE, at least for awhile, until things get settled down. He was hoping to have the station back on the air by this weekend, but it's still off. If he can't get the old location back, he has another tower site in mind, and will be doing some tests to see if there's a path from the new site to "PENDWV" and "MINEWV". There were 84 check-ins to this weeks State Wide DAREN Net. ====================================================================== D.A.R.E.N. NEWS of WV. April 24, 1994 I'm sorry to announce, but another one of our DAREN friends has passed away. Roy Querrey, KD8VS, who has been ill for several months passed away around 12:30 am, April 19th. Roy was very active on the DAREN System, and was the SYSOP of the Beckley Weather Service NODE, BECKWX. The Fayette County NODE/PBBS is back in operation. Mike, N8WMU, is the new SYSOP for the station. He had trouble communicating with it last week, and took it off the mountain. Mike will keep us posted on the improvements as they are completed. Two improvements will be the raising of the antenna, and installation of a battery for standby power. The Central Message System, DAREN-1, had a problem Wednesday morning, and could not be connected to. I thought now might be the time to give a brief description of how Auto-Forwarding works, in the DAREN System. The Kantronics KPC-3, when equipped with version 5.1 firmware, will allow messages posted on the PBBS to be forwarded to one another PBBS, if the messages format is set up right for forwarding. Messages that enter into the DAREN System on PBBS's from the South, are forwarded toward the North. For example, a message that is posted on LSBGWV, will be forwarded to BLFDWV. If the message is not for someone @ BLFDWV, it is forwarded to CHASWV. If the message is not for someone @ CHASWV, it will then be forwarded to RPLYWV. If the message is not for someone @ RPLYWV, it is forwarded to PKBGWV. If the message is not for someone @ PKBGWV, then it will be forwarded to DAREN-1. However, if the message is for someone at PKBGWV, it stops there. After a message is forwarded to DAREN-1, which has more than one route path, will forward the message to the proper PBBS. Messages from the North are handled the same as the South, except the messages are forwarded South. WEIRWV, will pass the message to MIDBWV, who will in turn pass it to STMYWV, who will pass it to PKBGWV, and it will then be passed to DAREN-1. As you can see, a loss of any of the Auto-Forwarding PBBS's can delay the handling of a message. Auto-Forwarding is nice to have, but, you should also stay familiar with the different paths to get through the system, and post some of your messages manually. If you see a message on a PBBS, that you know should be going another direction, you should either contact the person leaving the message, or pick up the message, and post it on the right PBBS. BERKWV/MRTNWV, in Berkeley County, is back on the air after being off for about two weeks. Mark, WB8ZLQ, said the Berkeley County Emergency Services Director, Steve Allen, is a real supporter of the NODE, and DAREN, and with a little arm twisting, may be getting his Amateur License. Ashby, KB8OPH, reported 56 check-ins to this weeks State Wide DAREN. ======================================================================= D.A.R.E.N. NEWS of WV. May 01, 1994 Charlie, WB8CNN, has taken over the duties as SYSOP for the DAREN Station at the National Weather Service in Beckley. The move was necessary, after Roy, KD8VS, passed away. Last week, while I was posting the DAREN News on MGTNWV, I saw a message that looked like it had been transferred from the regular BBS Network. I'd seen this same message on the N8HHU BBS. The message made reference to looking for information about an ATV Repeater. This isn't the first time that a Non-DAREN Type message, with an @ ALLWV, has somehow been transferred from the regular BBS Network to the DAREN System. I received a message from Dave, KB8MWY, who told me that a message he had posted to @ ALLWV, on the regular BBS Network, WA8OMR, about selling a couple of radios, had somehow shown up on MGTNWV. He was quite upset about it being there, since he knows the DAREN System is not a Buy, Sale, Trade Network. If we don't watch out, the DAREN System will be overrun by this type activity. You'll find the following paragraph in the DAREN Plan under Part IV.A.11. "There should be NO CROSS CHANNEL or FULL SERVICE BBS stations included in this NETWORK. Not having Cross Channel and Full Service BBS stations included will reduce the possibility of non-conforming traffic in the Network." To keep the DAREN System from becoming a regular BBS Network, we all need to follow the DAREN Plan as close as possible. Any operator wishing to have a copy of the Plan, can drop me a message @ PKBGWV. Since Spring has arrived, I've noticed a lot of band changes. If you're not sure of the NODE paths, you might want to do some testing on you own. As the weather changes, so will the paths. The NODEs Paths map may not always give the best path to reach your destination. With this being Dayton Hamfest Weekend, and several operators out of town, Judy, N8UFQ, took Net Control of the State Wide DAREN Net. The Net was extended an hour, to allow those operators, returning from Dayton, the opportunity to get checked in. But, as mother natural would have it, a lighting storm disrupted Judy's station. Almost everyone trying to connect, was getting a busy, and then getting disconnected. Most of the time, when the NCS is local, we try to have another station just monitor the net, and record all stations that are checking in. We set the station, at the EOC, up to just monitor and record the net. The same storm took out the monitoring station also. Duane, N8LDM, who just got home about an hour after the net started, was monitoring, saw what was happening, and started to print what he saw. Finally, he set up his station, and took over as net control. During the feasco, several stations may have been missed, and at this time we have no idea of amount of check-ins. This wasn't the only BAD LUCK that happened on Saturday, before, during, and after the Hamfest, but it's tooooo long to tell about it now, but some things include, rain, breakdowns, wrecks, fire, and, lost. We'll do better next week. ======================================================================= D.A.R.E.N. NEWS of WV. May 08, 1994 Not much news this week. Mike, N8WMU, should be receiving the battery, which will be installed on the Fayette County NODE, FAYEWV. Al, N8UBG, picked up the battery while at the Wood County RACES Meeting Tuesday. Doug, AA8AR, said he and Seth, KB8KMI, has moved the Cabell County NODE, CABEWV, to it's permanent location, on Barkers Ridge, near Huntington. The elevation is about 1000 feet. Doug says, he hopes it doesn't hear too much. The NODE does have a better path to KANAWV, and it now has a direct path to WOODWV. Phil, K8MHR, says that the WVAR has purchased a KPC3 controller and a radio to be used for the Putnam County NODE. He's not sure when the installation will take place. I haven't forgot about the special certificates for those operators who have checked into the State Wide DAREN Net. There have been several operators that have checked into the nets at least 50 times. I'm just not through going over all the net check-in records yet. But I am a little late getting the certificate designed and ready to be printed up. Terry, KB8EIR, reported 67 check-ins to this week's State Wide DAREN Net. ======================================================================= D.A.R.E.N. NEWS of WV. May 15, 1994 With the lack any news this week, I thought this might be the time to print a D.A.R.E.N. News Special. It is some of the more important highlights and points of the system, and will printed in four parts. *********************************************************************** D.A.R.E.N. NEWS SPECIAL part 1 of 4 This D.A.R.E.N. NEWS Special is written for those who are new to the Digital Amateur Radio "Emergency" Network, and for those who may have questions they don't know to ask. It should answer several questions, and may bring up a few more. A State Wide DAREN NET is held every Saturday from 7:30 pm to 9:30 pm on 145.69 Mhz, all Packet Radio Operators are welcome to check in. The net is a "connect/disconnect" net. When you connect to the Net Control Station, you should get a message back, and then you will be disconn- ected automatically. DAREN Net Announcements, with the previous week's check-ins, are posted by Thursday on most MAIN county PBBSs. The DAREN Net Announcements let you know who the NCS is, and the best NODEs to connect from. The DAREN System is a traffic handling network, that should be used to pass Emergency, Priority, and "NTS Type Traffic". "NTS Type Traffic" is any formal type traffic, such as NTS, MARS, CAP, and etc, that has a serial number, date, time, text, and signature. The network should be used on a daily basis for passing "NTS Type Traffic" for practice and staying familiar with the system. All messages posted on the DAREN PBBSs, should be left as traffic (ST) so they can be deleted by those picking up the traffic. This includes ARES and RACES BULLETINS, D.A.R.E.N. NEWS, and Net announcements. If a message is posted with only an "S" or posted "SP" (send personal), only the person it is sent to, the person sending it, and the SYSOP, can see it. If a message needs to be posted as a personal message, make sure the call sign is right, otherwise the person it is intended for, WILL NOT see it. Try not to use "S" or "SP" when posting messages. (to be continued) *********************************************************************** Alan, N8POB, reported 55 check-ins on this week's State Wide DAREN Net. The NCS was located at the Allohak Area Council Boy Scout Camporee, being held in Pennsboro, WV. Those stations that got checked in, and would like a Special Event Certificate, can leave a message to: N8POB @ PKBGWV, giving your name and address. ======================================================================= D.A.R.E.N. NEWS of WV. May 22, 1994 While at the Wheeling Hamfest, I ran into Greg Groves, the Emergency Services Director, Preston County. Greg is now an Amateur, his call is KB8RZA. I'm not sure, but this makes at least six county Emergency Services Directors, that have their Amateur licenses. I also heard that Clay Carney, the Communications Officer for the State Office of Emergency Services, will be taking his Amateur test at the State Convention at Jackson's Mill in July. Also while in Wheeling, I talked to Hal, N8FXH. He's concerned about handling NTS Traffic over any Packet Network, including DAREN. He has a right to be. When an NTS message is posted on any Packet Network, there's no way to know if it's going to be forwarded to the right location, and if it is, will it be delivered? With Voice and CW nets, there's a paper trail of the messages. On Packet, the message is just posted on a BBS with hopes it makes it to it's destination. Any time an NTS message, that has been posted on any Packet Network, has been delivered, or is unable to be delivered, there should be a confirmation sent back to the person posting it. It's something to think about. I haven't seen the NODE/PBBS, WETZWV/NMARWV for a few days. Rumor has it, there's political unrest, and a power struggle, in the county, starting at the top, with the County Commissioners, and filtering down into everything, including Amateur Radio. Greg, KB8RZA, is helping the Lewis County Emergency Services get their DAREN stations in operation. Greg worked on the Emergency Operations Center station until about 11:00 pm Thursday, the 19th, programing the TNC. He didn't have any luck connecting into the system, that night. He didn't know how the hilltop station was coming along, but I did talked to Rick N8XUQ, on Friday, and he told me the hilltop station is ready, but the TNC needs to be programmed with the DAREN parameters. I'll be sending Rick the information to get it programmed. It looks like Lewis County will soon be in operation. The NODE/DIGI/PBBS at the EOC is called LEWIES/LEWIES/WESTES. There's one thing about putting DAREN Net announcements on most of the main PBBS's, it lets you know which ones are having problems. I send all of the net announcements to DAREN-1, and let it sort them out, and deliver them where they need to go. The next morning I look at DAREN-1 to see if all of the messages have been delivered, if not, I try to connect to that station. In the process, I've also found that CKBGES, located at the Harrison County EOC, is off the air, and may be having some kind of trouble. There were only 56 check-ins to this week's State Wide DAREN Net. ======================================================================= D.A.R.E.N. NEWS of WV. May 29, 1994 *********************************************************************** D.A.R.E.N. NEWS SPECIAL part 2 of 4 (continued from 5/15/94) BEACONs from all stations in the DAREN system are discouraged. BEACONs only add additional interference on the frequency. BEACONs, however, can be used on a limited basis. BEACONs that are used to announce a net that is in progress, or announcing a National Weather Service Weather Advisory, are a couple of exceptions. Please DO NOT BEACON just so others know you are on the air. A list of the most commonly used NODE/DIGI/PBBSs are posted, or otherwise available. Keyboard to Keyboard communications are not discouraged, since it does not tie up the channel as much as some other systems, but please do it wisely. The TNCs on the main NODEs in the DAREN are KANTRONICS KPC-2s and KPC- 3s, with 5.0 version firmware or higher. These are used because they can be a NODE, DIGI, or PBBS, all with different ALIASs. KANTRONICS' name for mailbox, or mail drop, is PBBS. The main county NODEs and DIGIs have an ALIAS using the first four letters of the county they are in, followed by the state abbreviation. The main county PBBSs have an ALIAS using a four letter abbreviation of the city they are in or near, followed by the state abbreviation. Most of these PBBSs only have 7K of memory, enough memory for several NTS Type messages. Most low profile NODEs, DIGIs, and PBBSs are made up the same way, except the last two letters are that of the agency they are serving. Example: ES (Emergency Services), SH (Sheriff), RC (Red Cross), etc. The DAREN system is not a buy, sale, trade system. It doesn't have access to any nationwide BBSs. There are no buy, sale, trade BBSs in West Virginia on 145.69 Mhz. The DAREN system is not restricted to West Virginia. We would like for it to have access to other systems, that have the same purpose in mind, (Emergency, Priority, NTS Type Traffic). We only ask the operators not to go outside the state looking for BBSs, DX Clusters, and other non-formal systems, which will clutter up the network. (to be continued) *********************************************************************** Mike, N8WMU, reported the Fayette County NODE, FAYEWV, had been off the air for a short time, do to lightening, luckily it didn't get any major damage. Kent, KB8NCX, reported 59 check-ins to the State Wide DAREN Net. ======================================================================= D.A.R.E.N. NEWS of WV. Jun 05, 1994 There's a new Wetzel County NODE/DIGI/PBBS in operation. WETZWV-1/- WETZWV-1/NMARWV-1 is sponsored by the Wetzel County RACES. It has about the same paths as the WETZWV NODE. I got messages from Phil, K8MHR, and Karl, KB8LMW. A Putnam County NODE has been installed. The NODE/DIGI/PBBS is PUTNWV/PUTNWV/HURCWV. The NODE is sponsored by the W.V.A.R Club, and is located on Peach Ridge. According to Phil, it has reliable paths to CABEWV, WYOMWV, JACKWV, KANAWV, and FAYEWV. The PBBS has Auto-Forwarding into the DAREN System. Phil says it's been a long struggle, but thanks to the W.V.A.R. Club, it's done. Randy, WA8ART, says that WETZWV/NMARWV will soon be upgraded to version 5.1 firmware. It already has 128K of RAM. The number of NODEs will be increased, the PBBS will be decreased a little, and Auto-forwarding will also be added. I need some ideas for the use of the DAREN System during the Field Day activities June 25, and 26. Last year we operated a 24 hour DAREN Net, and had about 50 check-ins. Since Field Day is a 24 hour test of Emergency Communications, DAREN should also be tested. Anyone having ideas, can leave me a message on PKBGWV. I haven't heard from anyone lately about the Lewis County hilltop NODE. The station at the Emergency Operations Center has been in operation for a couple of weeks now. Since the weather has turned nice, the State Wide DAREN Net check-ins has dropped. Where we used to have check-ins in the 70's and 80's, there were only 52 check-ins this week. ======================================================================= D.A.R.E.N. NEWS of WV. Jun 12, 1994 I talked to Gary, WV8D, on the telephone last Sunday, and he has improved the Greenbrier NODE. He has moved the station to another tower, which increased the height about 60 feet. He's also added a battery for use as a back-up power source in case of commercial power failure. He says the station has very little transmission line loss, since he's using 1/2 inch hardline that goes straight from the radio to the antenna. Not only does the NODE have good paths to the original list of NODEs, it now has good paths to GILMWV, JACKWV, and CABEWV, at least while CABEWV was up. See next paragraph. I went to the Kanawha County NODE Wednesday, to look the station over, and add another battery to it. While I was there, I checked some of the paths to different NODEs. Using the signal meter on the radio, and a scale from "BUSY" to "10 PLUS", here are the path readings. From KANAWV to: RANDWV=BUSY, WOODWV=BUSY, WEBSWV=1, RALEWV=7, FAYEWV=9, GREEWV=9, RITCWV=9, JACKWV=10 PLUS, MERCWV=10 PLUS, PUTNWV=10 PLUS, WYOMWV=10 PLUS. In the process of making the tests, I found that CABEWV seems to be off the air. I heard there was a severe thunder storm went through that area, and it may have been damaged by lightening. Other NODEs that I've not been able to connect to, for several weeks now, are JEFFWV and HARRES. A few weeks ago Mark, WB8ZLQ, told me that Bob, WB8OIF, was having some kind of trouble with interfering signals, and had to change the "CD" command, on the TNC, from "INTERNAL" to "SOFTWARE", which causes the station to require a very very strong and clean signal before it will allow connects to it. The path from BERKWV to JEFFWV doesn't have that good of signal. With the installation of the Putnam County NODE/PBBS, PUTNWV/HURCWV, there's now another very good path to/from the State Office of Emergency Services, in Charleston. During the snow storms back in January, the commercial power to the Kanawha County NODE was off, for about a week, and the battery went dead after about one day. With KANAWV/CHASWV out of service, there were no other paths into, or out of, the State OES, but now there is. Doug, KB8PSS, has reported only 49 check-ins on this week's State Wide DAREN Net. ======================================================================= D.A.R.E.N. NEWS of WV. Jun 19, 1994 * * * Out of service NODE/PBBSs: * * * MARSWV/MDSVWV, HARRES/CKBGES, CABEWV/HUNTWV, FAYEWV/OAKHWV This weekend is Field Day and like other things, the DAREN will also be involved. Stations operating Field Day should use the DAREN NODEs to make contacts with as many other Field Day Stations as possible. This is one of the times that BEACONs should be allowed on the network, but please use them wisely. Remember to put the NODEs you can connect to, in your BEACON, so other stations will know how to get to you. I'd like to try something, if I can get enough participation. I'd like to get reports from all Field Day Stations that operate, and make contacts on the DAREN. After Field Day is over, send me a copy of your 145.69 Mhz log, with the times and calls of each station. I'll give a report of the actives in the DAREN News a few weeks after Field Day. This will only work, if all stations operating on the DAREN, during Field Day, will send in their reports. Send your report to WA8LLM @ PKBGWV. A couple of weeks ago, I asked for suggestions on the operations of DAREN Net during Field Day, and only received one back. Charlie, WB8CNN, suggested that a special certificate be sent to those stations, that check into the State Wide DAREN Net, during Field Day. Unlike last year's Field Day, the State Wide DAREN Net will only be operated during it's normal hours, of 7:30 pm to 9:30 pm on Saturday. Lynn, AI8I, was going to have a big surprise for me, but, the cat was let out of the bag. He and Jim, WB8DMS, have been working on a main county NODE in Pocahontas County. He says the NODE/DIGI will be POCAWV, and the PBBS will be MARLWV (Marlinton). The NODE will have 128K RAM and 5.1 version firmware, which will allow it to have Auto- Forwarding into the network. He feels it should have good connects to the South and West, and some connects to the North. On the July 16th, another main county NODE came into the DAREN system. The hilltop NODE in Lewis County is now in operation. The NODE and DIGI are LEWIWV, and the PBBS is WESTWV. Rick, N8XUQ, has been working 12 hours a day, 7 days a week, and hasn't had time to make a visit to the station, to get the CTEXT, NTEXT, and PTEXT straightened out yet, but at least it's in operation. The NODE has been in operation for awhile, but it wasn't set up as a DAREN NODE. Rick has been programing the NODE remotely, but since you can't use 's remotely, in the TEXT, he will have to make a trip to the hill, to get them straightened out. Preliminary tests show the NODE has paths to RANDWV, BARBWV, TUCKWV, PRESWV, MONOWV, and RITCWV. Since the station has 5.1 Firmware, the PBBS has Auto-Forwarding into the DAREN system. A few weeks ago the Lewis County Emergency Operations Center got it's NODE/PBBS in operation with the ALIAS of LEWIES/WESTES. Terry, KB8EIR, had only 46 check-ins to this week's State Wide DAREN Net. Band Conditions were real bad. Where's our January snow. Hi Hi ======================================================================= D.A.R.E.N. NEWS of WV. Jun 26, 1994 * * * Out of service NODE/PBBSs: * * * PENDWV/FKLNWV, HARRES/CKBGES, CABEWV/HUNTWV, FAYEWV/OAKHWV The Marshall County NODE/PBBS, MARSWV/MDSVWV, was off the air for a few days. Don, WB8ZTV, sent me a message saying Kantronics KPC-2 TNC had become defective. He was going to replace it with a Kantronics KPC-3, but he seems to have gotten the original controller working, and it's back in service. Mike, N8WMU, said the building that housed the Fayette County NODE/PBBS was broken into, and the station has been stolen. I don't know if that's all that was taken or not, but all Amateurs need to be on the look out for the station. The Radio was an Alinco DR1200T, and the Packet Controller was a Kantronics KPC-2. We're not for sure on the brand name of the power supply. The TNC was programed with the call and ALIAS' of: MYCALL=N8WMU-5, MYALIAS=FAYEWV, MYNODE=FAYEWV, MYPBBS= OAKHWV. George, K8QEW, told me that since Brook County has become an EMA county, (Federal Emergency Management Agency), they are now eligible for Federal Funding. The Emergency Services Director is going to apply for funding to install a DAREN Terminal Station some where in Brook County. Those Stations that participated in Field Day, and made contacts, using the DAREN System, should send me a copy of their contacts. I'll give a DAREN Field Day report in the July 17th issue of the DAREN News. Send a copy of your report to WA8LLM @ PKBGWV on either 145.09 or 145.69. I got a message from Ray, AA8MR, reporting about the Cabell County NODE/PBBS, CABEWV/HUNTWV. He told me that about two weeks ago, the station took a lightening strike, and it fried everything, radio, TNC, and power supply. It's unknown how long it will be, before the station will be put back on the air. Wednesday night, the 22nd, at around 8:00 pm, the Pendleton County NODE/PBBS, PENDWV/FKLNWV, mysteriously went off the air. I've talked to Ed, N8OYY, and he said that he and Dave, KA8ZXP, will try to get on the mountain, after Field Day, to see what the trouble might be. The NODE Path Map is being updated. I will have the new maps at the state convention, in Jackson's Mill, July 2nd. To keep the map as up to date as possible, NODEs that are no longer in service, for one reason or another, since the last issue, will be removed, if there's no reports as to when they will be put back in service. There will be at least three new ones added to the map. There were only 46 check-ins to this week's State Wide DAREN Net. =======================================================================