A couple days ago, I blogged about KNL Networks, who is using HF frequencies to implement a mesh network to connect ships at sea and transfer operational and machinery data to shore stations. As it turns out, they’re not the only ones.
This afternoon, Jeff, WB4WXD, emailed me information on two other companies using HF frequencies for networking:
- Rockwell Collins Urgent Link. Rockwell Collins’ UrgentLink is the first national, public safety grade network built for disaster communications. With ground stations throughout the country to create redundant radio coverage and hundreds of HF frequencies authorized by the FCC, UrgentLink is highly reliable when it matters most. With beyond-line-of-sight HF technology, UrgentLink doesn’t rely on infrastructure in the disaster zone, keeping it available when other communications technology fails.
- Redcom CrucialConnect HF. Redcom’s CrucialConnect™ HF is a rugged, deployable solution designed to serve as the communications network for a variety of Command and Control Communications (C3) applications, ranging from small unit support to large-scale disaster relief. Backed by the world-class integration and support services of REDCOM, CrucialConnect HF is a turnkey communications system. Built around REDCOM’s robust call manager and NViS Communications’ HF radio, CrucialConnect HF provides FirstNet-ready capabilities including voice calling, Automatic Link Establishment (ALE), and PSTN reach back.
Don’t you think that this is the kind of capability that amateur radio should be able to provide to our served agencies? Why don’t we have this capability already?
Dr. Frank M. Howell says
Have you seen http://hflink.com/alehamradio/?
73,
Frank
Joe W3NSU says
Dan,
I am not an expert, but HF ALE has been around a while and functions like you describe. Many existing amateur radio transceivers are capable as are ALE specific commercial units that can operate on amateur and MARS frequencies. The HFLink.com website is a place to start. Their user group is active , too and are getting ready for a national communications test this coming week
Again, I’m non-expert and have not been able get my station active yet, but that is mostly noobie-related more than anything.
Keep up your fine blog.
Dan KB6NU says
On Twitter, someone pointed me in the direction of HFLink.Com. I need to learn more about that. Thanks, guys.
KD8AQT says
ALE is the first thing that came to mind here as well…
Brennan Price N4QX says
“Why doesn’t amateur radio have HF networking capability like this?”
Because we have a 300 baud symbol rate restriction on most HF bands, reflecting technology of the 1980s, and attempts to change this elicit numerous and vociferous accusations of all kinds of nefarious motives.
¯\_(ツ)_/¯
Goody K3NG says
I wish ARRL would have taken a leadership role in this area. Instead they focused on Winlink 2000.
Brennan Price N4QX says
ARRL did take a leadership role in this area. They asked to remove the 300 baud symbol rate restriction on most HF bands, and got numerously and vociferously accused of all kinds of nefarious motives.
¯\_(ツ)_/¯
John N. Hudson III says
Actually, Amateur Radio has used ALE for some years, not to the extent of relaying through other stations as presented by UrgentLink which have 24/7 staff to assist in making connections. ALL Calls involve the UrgentLink NOC so really there is no service like that in Amateur Radio. However, there are digital systems like Winlink that can move traffic much more effectively than UrgentLink. The State of California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services has its own HF network using ALE and Non-Amateur Radio Frequencies both analog and digital at fix sites, transportable and mobiles, in addition CalOES also participates in SHARES both Analog and Digital where there is also a Winlink System separate from the Amateur Radio side and uses Pactor IV. CalOES has tested, evaluated and purchased a few radios on the UrgentLink network, the subscriptions are very expensive, they do provide another network outside of SHARES, STACOM (California), Amateur Radio during an emergency or disaster
Dale N0KQX says
It would help if ALE was easier to interface with ham radios so portability was better. Ham ring is a phone app in beta testing that uses a cellphone or tablet as the ALE controller including selcal. If the manufacturers of ham equipment would include ALE as a plug in option to radios it might take off.