TO: ALL WOOD COUNTY EMERGENCY COMMUNICATIONS AMATEURS
ALL NON-WOOD COUNTY EMERGENCY COMMUNICATIONS AMATEURS
FROM: KEN HARRIS WA8LLM
WOOD COUNTY EMERGENCY COMMUNICATIONS INCORPORATED
WV ARES BULLETIN NR 13.19 DATE: May 12, 2013 SUBJECT: DON'T BLAME THE SYSTEM
A few years ago, I saw a couple of messages passing through the area over the DAREN (Digital Amateur Radio "Emergency" Network) system. The messages were in route to the State Office of Emergency Services. The messages were to inform the State Office of a drill that was being held in Monongalia County. The first message was to tell the State Office the drill had started, and the second one was to let them know that it had been terminated.
Ten days later the messages were still setting in a Mailbox waiting to be picked up and delivered. I'm sure the agency that sent the messages are complaining that the DAREN system is not doing its job. The problem is not in the system, but instead it is those who are not taking advantage of the facilities.
The DAREN system has been in existence for over 20 years and is not being used as a reliable means of passing traffic and messages. The advantage of using Packet Radio for passing traffic, over a voice net, is that messages can be sent at any time, day or night, and picked up when an operator checks into the Mailbox that is storing the messages.
Messages that are passed by voice can only be passed when there's a voice net, or when an operator, passing the traffic, can contact someone to pass it to. The problem with not getting traffic passed is not a problem with either a Packet system or a voice system, it's with those who don't check into nets, or message mailboxes, to pick up the traffic and get it delivered. So the next time you hear someone say there's a problem with any kind of system, just remember, it takes people, and operators, to make any system work.
Ken Harris WA8LLM
WCEC
Wood County WV