Emergency Message System

Narrow Band Emergency Message System

Overview
Using a station set up for sound card digital modes, text messages and e-mails are transferred by radio operators in a Keep It Simple Stupid format. It puts to work the latest in RTTY keyboard type modes with a minimum of technology and one program interface does many different modes, no knowledge of packet commands needed, and can pass a message with any station capable of CW, psk-31, Hellschreiber, RTTY, MFSK, or MT63. They don't even need to have the same software.

What you need to do to start using FLdigi

Download and install FLdigi for Windows. W1HKJ .com
Install AF6EF macros for FLdigi. Download macros & save them to a folder on your desktop.

Instructions for installing macros
AF6EF 3.10 Macros

All stations in our message handling group should use these as a standard set of macros.
That will help keep us organized and able to help people get the job done . If you have another set of macros that you like to use, just rename the file;
i.e.: “macros123.mdf” and you can load either set to Fldigi from “/file/open macros”.

Where do you put the macro file?
Simplest way to see where your macros should go is to check where they are now.

Open Fldigi,
Click Files>Open Macros
1. In the dialog box, the “go up levels” in the file explorer will show the path of present macros.
2. Open Windows Explorer and copy the new macros.mdf file into the macros folder alongside your old set you renamed.
3. Folder in the level above macros should be “Fldigi.files” . Don't put macros anywhere else!

Windows Vista screen shot

How to Use Fldigi macros

Macros are to facilitate your keyboard operation so don’t be a “lid” and get in the habit of pushing a button for a canned response that is irrelevant to the contact! Macros are to help structure and avoid typing in call sign exchanges and prosigns over and over. Keep your fingers on the keyboard and use the function keys to send macros so you can type.

The 12 macros at the bottom of the Fldigi screen corresponds to the 12 function keys at the top of your keyboard. To type ahead while receiving click in the TX window, load a 1X1 call macro, type in your response, load BTU macro. When it’s your turn strike pause/break key to begin transmission. The “back to you” macro will automatically return to receive when it’s finished.

There are four rows of macro buttons with twelve each. Switch rows by clicking on the number at the right of the row.

Meaning of marks on face of each macro button

>	Starts TX
>>	TX everything prior in the buffer
>\|	TX start and stop when macro text is finished
\|\|	Does not TX automatically but stops and returns to receive at end of macro text

The first row of 12 buttons:

The first row of 12 are for general digital QSOs , and I added ID to send your call at the end of test transmissions. STD BY says please stand by so you can have a minute to figure out a reply.

The second row of 12 buttons:

First 6 from left for contest exchanges. (See Fldigi help files)

The next six macros are in the following table:

CW-CQ>\|	Manual CW CQ call.
BEACON	Sends a beacon every 30 seconds for use in EMC message operations. Click on active timer button to stop it.
CQ+	Automatic CQ with 5 sec idle signal (for calling in MFSK modes...facilitates waterfall tuning by the receiving operator.
CQ-ID	A CQ call with video mode ID shown on the waterfall.
CALL, BTU\|\|	Use to reply to a beacon station in digital message handling net.

Beacon Countdown Timer

The third row of macro buttons is for EMC message handling.

CALL	Adds a 1x1 callsign exchange. Hit this, add your text
BTU\|\|	Hit T/R button and away it all goes with a return to receive at the end.
TEST MSG	Is text sent that both stations know so that receiving station can determine if copy is good enough for a “real” message to be sent. After this operators negotiate by
ADJ PWR	Asks for power up or down
QSY	Move frequency to avoid interference, or negotiate a mode change and send test message again until good copy is achieved.
READY?	Asks if you are ready for message, reply RRR and BTU\|\|.
BT msg\|\|	Sends a Break for Text with instructions to add dividers in RX window before and after the message and how to copy or relay to another station. TX stops, pause here so RX station can insert a divider, then
CALL	Paste message into TX window, BTU\|\|, then T/R to send the whole string and wait for a RRR.
CNFRM	After getting a RRR from RX station, the sending station asks to be called back to confirm delivery of the message to the next relay or destination.
Rmsg	A Roger reply the RX station sends if he gets the message correctly.
FILL BFOR RX	Station asks for a fill before (line selected and pasted back in TX window)
FILL AFTR- RX	Station asks for fill after... these are in case most of the message got through. If you are having much trouble copying, you should change mode or use a relay.
TNX CLR	Ends the message exchange with a thank you, date, time , and available for traffic.

Row Four is a set of macros for operating keyboard CW.

AUTO CQ sends an automatic repeating CQ on a timer. Others are self explanatory. You will want to modify some of the messages that pertain to my QTH and station. Just right click on the macro button and change the text, then “OK”. Macros will need to be saved if you change anything. In the dialog, be sure to select the file “macros.mdf” , then save. For further info on programming a macro see the on-line help (http://www.w1hkj.com/FldigiHelp-3.12/Macros.html).

Helpful documents to print out or download and put on the desktop of your shack computer.

Freq Lists:

OARS NBEMS Frequencies
OARS Digital Frequencies

A sample QSO for digital modes: typical exchange protocol

It is helpful to the receiving station if you push the t/r button ( Or click in the transmit window and use the pause key) to start transmission and transmit idle signal a couple of seconds before adding text or hitting a macro. This allows retuning or AFC lock on your signal. Also it helps to lock your TX frequency so the two of you won't play hopscotch if one is off frequency. Don't forget to unlock after QSO!

Calling another station: QRZ? Who is calling me?
CQ CQ CQ DE (mycall) (mycall) (mycall) K is a 3x3 CQ call inviting any station.
(call) (call) (call) DE (mycall) (mycall) (mycall) KN is a 3x3 call to specific station. (Or answer a CQ)
(call) DE (mycall) a 1x1 call in excellent conditions when copy is known to be easy.
Exchange signal report: UR RST IS (459) hw? Give signal report and ask other station so you know if you can communicate, or have to make adjustments.
Exchange name and QTH or location. Each time turn over to the other station by BTU (call) de (mycall) KN.
The "brag file" a prepared file describing your station set up. Usually invoked by a macro button.
Begin and end each transmission with a 1x1 call so everyone copying knows "who just said that", and "to whom was it said". Have fun rag chewing by the keyboard! Remember the Pause key will start and stop transmission
Graceful ending of the contact... QSL cards maybe? 73 or best regards then 1x1calls SK. If you want someone else to call right away SK QRZ? lets others know the contact is over and you are open for another contact. SK CL or QRT means all done, shutting it down.

Sending Text Files

Loading and sending a text file in fldigi is simple, so you can use it for sending lists and e-mails, and relaying/ forwarding to other stations.

Here's how:

Open a text file (the help files are handy for a test message)
Right click in the text area, or left-click and drag to highlight text line by line.

Control+c (This copies selection to the clipboard, screen switch to fldigi)
Left-click in the bottom Tx window, insert a 1X1 call
Control+v (or Control+p) will paste text there ready to send.

In a similar way, text can be copied off the Rx window. First select lines you want with left mouse held and roll over the lines highlighting them. Then control c copies. Next you could control v into 8either the Tx window for relaying the message, or into e-mail to send on the internet, or into Notepad text editor to edit and save a text file to print, or load on a flash drive to transfer to another computer.

Ideas For Organizing Network Of Stations to handle message traffic

All stations need to know specific clear channel frequencies for message transfer. An ad-hock network can use a single voice channel to negotiate who uses what digi channel, or there can be one 2Khz channel for PSK-31 beacons from each station, 100Hz apart. Beaconing stations set the PSK viewer to watch for a station located for where they wish to direct some traffic, then call and negotiate a clear channel to go and pass the traffic.

On line 2, the beacon macro has my call, QTH, grid square locator, station capabilities and current connections to phone, internet, set to repeat at 30 second intervals. When activated, it runs timer at top right of fldigi screen.

When another station calls, stop the timer by clicking the timer button, enter other call in log window, and switch macro bars, use a call macro to reply to the calling station.
Beaconing should be done in a 2 KHz channel using psk-31 with signals 100 Hz apart. All participating stations run their "psk viewer" with aging set at a long interval. A search can be set for a station in a particular QTH, call him, and QSY to a clear channel to pass traffic on a wider, faster mode if possible. An alternate way to use a beacon would for an individual station to beacon CQ (QTH) for a random response, say on 14.070 MHz, and hope someone can help them pass traffic.

Message Handling

Macro line three I set up to facilitate message handling routines.

From left to right, a 1x1 call, a button "KN" or "over to you only", next a test message in which I copied and pasted a paragraph from the help files.
Next button: "please adjust your power..." (The 1x1 call used at beginning and ending of transmission. Just hit it and then another macro or paste in text or type ahead....the test message you would run to find an appropriate mode and power level for 100 percent copy.

The QSY button asks to change to another frequency if QRM or to change band for less noise.

An auto Tx button " are you ready for message?" (chain on 1x1 and KN <Rx> for reply.) If the other station is ready, then 1x1, message follows, a macro which has instructions to save message from receive window, 1x1, KN. Remember technique to help the other station tune your signal...before you load the TX window with text, use t/r button to put in transmit for a few seconds for a tune signal, then start punching macro buttons and start sending text. This is particularly important when a station is using an old radio which Tx and Rx frequencies are slightly different. also use the Tx lock button so you don't step up or down on each over. <Rx> for a few seconds to give the other op a chance to place the divider in his rx window, then <Tx> and paste (Ctrl V) or (Control P) your message into transmit window.<Rx> wait a few seconds, <Tx> QSL? 1x1 KN. <Rx>. The other station can use the macro "RRR your message" or other macros for fills. The sending station then uses "confirm?" macro to ask for delivery confirmation with instructions to check back on what frequency. This is a rough shell of how to go about a traffic handling negotiation. Things like numbering messages and logging have to also be worked out systematically and macros can be used to facilitate that as well.
I also programmed macro line 4 for CW QSOs so that if an fldigi operator connects with a CW station the digi op can communicate even though he doesn't know code. The flexibility of fldigi allows for many modes...whatever it takes to get a message through.

Here's another idea for fldigi

Suppose all you have is a radio setup for psk and you have to switch modes to complete your contact. Use the video ID to tell the other station which mode you are going to. In fldigi config menu video tab, check XMT mode ID and the other op will see letters on his waterfall telling what mode you went to so he can switch and tune you in. Then when he comes back successfully you uncheck the box so it won't waste time every Tx.

Establishing Standard Working Frequencies

When setting up for digital EMCOMM work, frequency coordination needs to be done, channels need to be established even for narrow band modes to be effective. In any given area there will be some physically close stations on adjacent frequencies so channel spacing should be set up to prevent AGC pumping. We don't want it to be a competitive thing like on 20 meter psk with 20 stations in a 2 KHz bandwidth. How will we work this ? Perhaps on voice repeaters or on HF phone. One frequency that every station in the operation can hear directing traffic. "We have a message for Sioux Falls S.D.", who will take that? Nearby station responds; "OK, can you connect with N6PSC on 17 meters psk?" Yes. OK, you two QSY for a sked, no contact come back here, passed traffic report back here.

Remember how 28.885 MHz works for liaison on 6 meter contacts? When the band is open fully on 28 MHz, and might be on 50 MHz, ops jump in and arrange skeds on 28.885 MHz, as well as report activity. We can do this as well with our multi-band, dual VFO radios and antenna switches.

When an emergency net activates, NCS would check stations in, do signal checks to filter out problem stations, find out who can copy who for relay, and send a bulletin of channel assignments to all stations.

Remember the fldigi "Log to file box" you checked? That can save your bacon if you mess up and clear the screen instead of saving or copying some text. If you have to shut down fldigi, it would be wise to go save the log file in a separate directory, as I think some text gets lost on the log file when program is killed. This log file can also be saved to document our EMCOMM operations for FEMA or whoever is interested. Every Tx/Rx is logged with the date and time. Some work needs to be done in the file manager to keep this straight. Also, macros should be set up so that every message is logged with a number using the <incr> count function to the logging program which makes it convenient to track each message and confirm delivery as other messages are being passed before the delivery confirmation comes back. I put a shortcut on the desktop to the log file so we don't have to search for it. To save text from it just open it in Notepad text editor by right click menu, select and save to file in My Documents.

Operating Parameters We Discovered in Testing

The semi-automatic e-mail handling using fldigi works well on FM mode and PSK-125 or 250 with a full-quieting signal. Relaying from station to station is easy by select, copy from receive window, and paste to transmit window. With some practice, a net can handle text traffic fairly efficiently. Text speed is in excess of 100wpm.

SSB operations work best without the ARQ handshake. Fldigi using the AF6EF macros allows operators to find the mode that gives the best copy by sending a test message and looking for wrong or dropped characters. If you need error free copy on a message use the Wrap program for a checksum. We found consistently best results by using MT63-1000, which is the most robust digital mode of all the sound card modes. If you can hear the other station on voice, then MT63 should get through with perfect copy...no need for ARQ handshaking because errors are corrected by the interleaved signal. Typically, MT63 is like spread-spectrum...it gives perfect copy until it just falls apart below a certain threshold. Navy Mars has gone to preferring MT63 over Pactor. In fldigi MT63 is easy to tune...just get the signal between the lines and click. After a few seconds text will start to print.

MFSK works well and can send small pictures inserted in the stream of text. If you have good copy on the text, a picture will go through fine. You must be careful tuning in a signal…look for the low pilot tone on the waterfall while the other station is transmitting an idle signal. Line up your low frequency cursor on the pilot tone and click.

If for some reason, stations cannot get good copy of text, there is the feldhell mode which will get it through without errors, but you have to hand-copy the text off the screen as hellschreiber copy is actually an image file rather than text, and the lines are doubled. Fading will just give fades to gray but no garbled characters.

Net could also be directed by a net control station who would scan the channel assignments and direct pairs of stations to a clear channel for traffic. I have reviewed the band plans for 28 and 50 Mhz and developed a scheme for this activity. (OARS Band Plan) As much as possible, use 28 Mhz and above for the local traffic, with regional and long distance being handled by a limited number of stations on HF, as it is harder to find a clear frequency there. If a decent signal path can't be had or by relay for a 30 mile local contact, then use 80 or 40 meters NVIS. It is also possible perhaps to send short text messages by repeaters as long as the audio from the originating station is compatible with the repeater.

by Erik Bayer AF6EF