With the Japan nuclear accident, I think that the importance of preparedness for a nuclear accident is made clear. Whatever the probability that it can happen again is, we know that it can happen.   
I am by no means an expert but I do have past nuclear experience and training. I can see a lot of special considerations and knowledge would be needed for a nuclear accident response. I can also see some technical options. For example sensors (counters) that can interface with APRS. Are we prepared for this type of incident?

Bruce
KG4HLZ

WA9SVD

Thanks, I hear your concern. If I bought this thing, then I would be using some type of open source OS. I haven't seen the numbers but I think that there is more ham software for Linux then Windows. I  have learned that Microtel sails these systems with Windows. Looking at the prices, it does appear that the big savings is the low or no cost OS.

Also, it is my understanding that Lindows can run a limited set of windows applications. That is suppose to be the big thing about it. I wouldn't trust it though.

KQ6EA

I think that you are right. This is a bare bones system. The only unknown animal is the modem. It can probably do OK as a standard compatible. Who cares though, I have a cardboard box full of modems out in my shop.

Thanks,
Bruce

From what I have seen, it will run other flavors of Linux OK. You can also get is with the new Sun version or without any OS. I wander if it will run with OpenBSD?

73s
Bruce

W7DJM
Your right. I see that that model is out of stock. I would like to keep the discussion going though because my basic question is; Are the Microtel boxes OK considering there cost?

K7LS, KG4RUL
I actually prefer Linux for many applications, including a shack computer. My concern is about the quality of the box, not it's power. The E-Machines come to mind. Low price but a weak power supplies and marginal components.

Bruce
KG4HLZ

I know that this is an old post but you have my curiosity up. Are you using an AM receiver for SSB?

It might be possible to run the audio through a specialized DSP program. The big question is "Is all of the information still there?" I think that the answer would be yes. Dose anyone else have a call on this?

Bruce
KG4HLZ

Wal-Mart is selling cheep PCs with a Linux version called Lindows. They start aground $200.  They also have one with SUN's Java system based on Linux. Has anyone bought one for the shack? Looks like a good machine for Ham applications but "you get what you pay for" comes to mind.

Bruce
KG4HLZ

Thats a great idea!!

Since you are only sending text to be re-synthesized into voice on the other end. I wander if you could get better results by using a phonetic spelling instead of speech to English spelling. If the system miss recognizes something, then it will get something that sounds close at least. Just a thought. I don't even know if phonetic spelling systems are out there.

Bruce
KG4HLZ

Sorry, VR is voice recognition.

If you are getting a good dictation mode text to speech, then maybe I should look at Dragon Dictate. I have only been able to get about %80 accuracy on a good day.

I know that Windows can support 2 sound cards but I have never personally set it up. I know that the other VR systems that I have used allowed you to select the input device. I am assuming that Dragon will do the same.

Bruce
KG4HLZ

I am experimenting with VR in Ham Radio as well. If I understand your idea correctly, you will be using Dictation more. The state of the technology is still quite crude for this. Don't let me discourage you though. The Microsoft Speech SDK is available for free as a download from there site. There are a few for Linux as well.

Let me know how things work out. We may be able to exchange ideas.

73s
Bruce
KG4HLZ

I agree with Dave. Please refer to my earlier post *Georgia Amber Alert* New System.

I think that a formal system should be set up to get the message out. The technology exists to move the information quickly throughout the effected regions. This will get more eyes and ears out there. If it involves an active response for Hams then it needs to be organized through an official organization.

I will always recommend that the time to volunteer is BEFORE anything happens. The main enemy in an emergency response is disorder. Well meaning but unprepared volunteers showing up are usually part of this problem. I think that volunteering for Hams is a responsibility and not just a good deed. This responsibility should include taking the time to get organized and coordinated with a served professional emergency services organization. Trained volunteers are thought to not self deploy.

Please refer to FEMA course IS-422 "Developing and Managing Volunteers"
http://training.fema.gov/EMIWeb/IS/is244.asp

Bruce
KG4HLZ

Hear is an article on the Center for Disease Control Web site that mentions the importance of Ham in a disaster. Search the page for Amateur Radio.
http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/00001072.htm

The ARRL has a huge list of articles on past activations as well.

Bruce
KG4HLZ

I have done this successfully with just a 100K resister. If you want do this under software control, I have a program that I put together in the Python programming language. I could post the PTT subroutine as an example.

Bruce
KG4HLZ

I think that I worded that reply badly. My point is that the existing system, whatever that is, could be supplemented by a UHF / VHF system to get the message out on a large number of machines. What I man when I say "system" above is a secure (only authorized activation) method of distributing alerts over a group of participating repeaters. It isn’t my intent to replace existing methods, only supplement.

Thanks,
Bruce
KG4HLZ

Thanks for the information! It sounds like I need to order one.

Bruce
KG4HLZ

I agree that Hams shouldn’t jump in there cars and start combing the roads. If they are needed then it should be planed before the emergency. They should be trained and rehearsed. I am however a believer in trained, screened and disciplined volunteer help. That shouldn’t be done on a national bases, but rather on a local basses. The decision to call out wood be handled according to there local governments emergency operations plan.

My vision is rather an alert system to supplement the existing media and road sign system. I think that it would be technically pretty easy to do. The Tennessee system consists of emails that are sent out by TEMA (Tennessee’s EMA). These emails could be retransmitted on APRS networks. Sound bites are also sent to various media outlets. These could be distributed via audio file format to the participating phone repeaters. An automated system could use the EchoLINK and IRLP networks to further distribute the message.

Bruce
KG4HLZ