News
Intrado inks deal for ‘Apocalypse-proof’ HF offering
Public-safety and critical-infrastructure entities soon will have a new option for long-distance, last-resort communications when local and even regional infrastructure is unavailable, as 911 solutions provider Intrado today announced a new product that will leverage high-frequency (HF) spectrum from 3 MHz to 30 MHz.
Known as HF 9-1-1, the Intrado offering will operate on HF frequencies that previously were reserved for maritime use but are now available to public-safety agencies and critical-infrastructure organizations under a recent FCC order, according to Stephen Meer, co-founder and chief technology officer for Intrado. Intrado secured an exclusive agreement with maritime radio operator ShipCom for use of the HF frequencies in the U.S.
"We are very, very, very excited about this," Meer said during an interview with Urgent Communications. "When this opportunity came, we immediately said, 'This is a big deal. This is exactly what the U.S. has been needing for a long time' — a viable, Apocalyse-proof solution to back up other levels of communication.
"I think it's completely complementary for what's going on at FirstNet … and other areas of public-safety radio communication. When all of these very capable, feature-laden, spectacularly great systems that we depend on day in and day out [falter because infrastructure is unavailable], this is the backup for those."
HF technology operates on frequencies that have remarkable propagation characteristics, which is why it was the longtime primary method for ship-to-shore communications with personnel on the "high seas," Meer said.
"The beauty of HF is that you need a radio on this end and a radio on the other end, and that's it — there's no intervening infrastructure … and you can talk pretty much to whoever you need to talk to," he said, noting that the the HF device that Intrado envisions will be simple enough that no special training will be necessary to operate it.
Use of the maritime frequencies were expanded to include public safety and critical-infrastructure entities after the Coast Guard used the ShipCom spectrum in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, Meer said. In 2010, the FCC approved a waiver that allows public-safety and critical-infrastructure entities to use HF frequencies when other communications options are not available, he said.
"The waiver requires that deference be paid to maritime users," Meer said. "But, since there's virtually no maritime traffic anymore [on HF] … it's very easy to keep the traffic separate.
"There are some significant rules about when it can be used, how it can be used and under what circumstances, but — at the end of the day — the waiver is very broad," Meer said. "It covers anywhere in the U.S. — when one of these critical industries has no other way to communicate and it's an urgent situation, you can use HF."
HF communications will be coordinated through relay stations operated by Intrado, Meer said. Intrado plans to sell subscriptions for use of the service, with the offering expected to be available in 90-120 days, he said.
Meer also emphasized that use of the HF frequencies will be limited to qualifying entities and will be used more for strategic communications in time of need. It will not be designed for use by individuals, he said.
"One of the things that we recognize is that the hams have provided this critical communication of last resort for decades, and I think this is completely complementary with them," Meer said. "I wouldn't want this keyed up as the replacement of those guys, because there's way more communication that needs to happen in these situations than we're going to be able to do with just this network. This is one piece of a coordinated communications-response capability."
Gee, I guess Intrado doesn’t
Gee, I guess Intrado doesn’t view EMP or severe HF degradation due to solar-storms as being part of the apocalypse.
I’m all for HF, but most entities are happy with the mobile satellite system-based products for voice & data, plus VHF/UHF land mobile radio for disasters. Many important entities already have HF too, so I’m not going to be running out to buy Intrado stock, and in fact, if I had any, I’d be selling it right now.
Effective communication on HF
Effective communication on HF requires more than just two radios and the will to use them… you need operators who know (at least) which frequencies are appropriate for the current ionospheric conditions and communication paths. (Fortunately, your local amateur operators will be happy to help you operate your equipment.)
DE AB3NA
ALE has been around awhile
ALE has been around awhile and keeps up to the minute changes in path propagation. I used to assign frequencies in Europe for military radio teletype, as well as working DXCC as a novice, so I know what you’re getting at. This is a typical vendor oversimplification to boost sales and contracts.
All you need is HF equipment
All you need is HF equipment from Mobat Micom, Icom, Codan or Barret. ALE (automatic link establishment) will make it fool proof to operate. No need for a subscription and pay for airtime on HF. My guess is they are trying to lease the old maritime mobile telephone channels.
All these issues can be
All these issues can be overcome with training, if a bunch of ‘amateurs’ can do it I’m sure the ‘professionals’ can also.
Let’s not forget that the
Let’s not forget that the term “Amateur” speaks of a person not paid for their service. Radio Amatuers are highly trained and proficient in the use of the radio spectrum. They present themselves professionally and many are registered with their counties and/or cities as communications specialists. In the end I believe even this new trend will be peopled by trained Radio Amatuers so those responding to a disaster will be free to do just that and leave much of this traffic to the hams.
I meant no discredit to the
I meant no discredit to the amateur radio operators for I am one myself but I am also a professional who underwent a background investigation and five year updates and can be held to errors in judgement.
Of course everyone knows the
Of course everyone knows the technical reason for the government language “amateur”? Licensed radio enthusiasts who can not be compensated for the use of the “amateur” spectrum they use. Technical radio enthusiasts who are volunteers and have provided emergency comms for years. Now with digital technology, short range and long range e-mail over radio is commonplace.
Ham Radio operators have
Ham Radio operators have known that HF radio viability for decades. 73’s WA2GLA
Please correct usage: 73 is
Please correct usage: 73 is not ever plural. Never. using “73s” drags us into the mud. Get it right in all ways and we will find respect in that.
Hams do it for free and more
Hams do it for free and more highly trained. I am sure Public Safety will run out and lease this option…not
Rockwell/Collins
Rockwell/Collins automatically checks for the best frequency via their Automatic Link Establishment (ALE).
So does the Micom!
So does the Micom!
Welcome to Amateur
Welcome to Amateur Radio….been there done that… oh and BTW, still need trained operators and tech to test and maintain the system….oh yeah, ARES and RACES….DOH, I forgot!!!!
I guess this is what happens
I guess this is what happens when NON radio people are making decisions for public safety communications. Your main radio systems are so fragile due to the weak chain of computer aided dispatch, routers, servers, tcpip, 800-900 mhz propagation, scanning multiple groups (ie dog catcher talking to mail man, ect), interoperability baloney, microwave links, fiberoptic links, internet links, building infrastructure. These systems work great when they work. So now to satisfy the doomsday senario we’re going back to the future with terrestial HF links. At one time the Houston Emergency Center boasted 10,000 calls per day. There will only be one call over Intrado that will make any sense at all…..SOS. Instead of listening to the next company or tradegroup trying to take a drink out of the taxpayers money. Think about how differently HF would need to be used, the kind of training and technical expertise that would be required to keep it all on the air. Most cities can’t afford to fill potholes right now, let alone train personnel to operate in nets, or mobile HF fleets.
Best leave HF communications to the community that wrote the book, your local ARIES, RACES, ARRL groups.
Instead of a paid, commercial
Instead of a paid, commercial network, why not join SHAred RESources (SHARES) High Frequency (HF) Radio Program
http://www.ncs.gov/shares/program_info.html.
WOW,WOW and WOW!!!??? Well
WOW,WOW and WOW!!!??? Well first things first I’m an amateur radio operator and a commercial radio operator given that background I dare to say that I had witnessed the virtues of both worlds yes HF had been known to amateurs and other utility users for many, many years and others like me had also had been lucky enough to know the practicalities,wonders and limitations of HF either on the amateur or commercial world and the idea simply was something that should had been available way many years back but still yet it’s a great welcome the fusion of HF-SSB + 911 so kudos for that only thing is even though ALE can make the job of frequency selection easier there’s nothing like a well trained operator with some technical knowledge and an engineer or technician at hand or on site that can also double as an operator that way you can only sure system reliability and yes been there done that.
Apocalypse proof is quite a
Apocalypse proof is quite a stretch LOL. Does it come with it’s own power generating syste also. I work with Public Safety all the time and HF is already being used. I also have to laugh at “how simple it is”. HF was my specialty in the Military. It is certrainly viable for long distance comms, but it is not as simple as they make it sound. Does anyone want to rely on their “Repeater sites” being on the air if their truly is an apocalypse?
Yeah, ALE is great for long
Yeah, ALE is great for long distance HF comms. We’re talking about shorter range though, right? Can you spell NVIS?
73 DE KB3JA
Nothing new here except the
Nothing new here except the hype. Remember when certain manufacturers started selling “digital ready” antennas? H.F. is still very much alive. It just requires it’s own knowledge base to use it effectively.
Amateur Radio operators also
Amateur Radio operators also work in ALE and have a 24/7 Emergency Net for Data (AMD and Email) and Voice with gateways to the Internet. It is completely operated by Ham radio operators. It combines ALE with Winmor. Operators can use native ALE radios or Ham radios with ALE software on a computer. Like MARS, ARES, and RACES these fine people provide the technology, equipment, and time free of charge. Americans, just tell us something can’t be done or it won’t work and sit back and watch what happens!!
I’d want a lot more
I’d want a lot more information about this product and its design before I’d recommend it to a client. Please publish the answers to these questions:
1. What frequencies will this equipment use? “HF” could be anything below 30 MHz.
2. What capabilities does it have? Voice? Data? Both?
3. If this service offers data transmission, what rates are available?
4. How much power do the transmitters use?
5. What kinds of antennas are used? How long are they, and how high are the mountings?
6. What does the equipment cost? What are the fees for using the central server?
W1AC
The Military has been using
The Military has been using HF for a very long time and now as a backup to SATCOM so there are many people that know the HF advantages and disadvantages
It is an attempt to monetize
It is an attempt to monetize an existing service already operated for free when needed, with incredible adaptability. Just siphoning off our tax dollars. Epic fail predicted, and future rescue by the Amaters.
Anon. non-amateur
I am stunned at the number of
I am stunned at the number of alleged “experts” that based on a simple product announcement that includes no technical or operational details whatsoever are willing to declare here that this is just a greedy boondoggle.
Hopefully actual public safety decisions are made with a more complete set of facts and real information.
Everything’s a gigantic
Everything’s a gigantic boondoggle. Tech decisions made by marketing, finance and lawyers. Great combo. It might work. But I think the end user will overpay for the service. If only the FCC would re-allocate those channels to Private Radio. part 90, something like that. These guys would have to compete with the many consultants out there that could devise a better cheaper system.
But wait till there’s another very long solar minimum like the last one. Sunspots high now, HF works fine. But five years ago? Not so good.
Wnd wait till BPL and the look alikes start causing interference. Or numerous chinese wall-wart power supplies make HF useless for them. GC
With all that has been said
With all that has been said and done, how much HF spectrum will be available to meet day-night MUFs? If limited to the maritime band, forget it. Are OPSECURE frequencies still available?
With all that has been said,
With all that has been said, will there be enough HF spectrum to meet day-night MUFs? Will the maritime band allocations span 3 to 30 MHz? Are OPSECURE frequencies still available? What will be the interoperability channel assignments across 3-30 MHz? A Recently Retired Comm Officer
Once again, Intrado trying to
Once again, Intrado trying to charge us for something we can get for free (and which REAL public safety has been using reliably for decades) Amateur Radio! ARES and RACES are already doing this and at no cost to public safety. Intrado should stick to their data base management and leave 9-1-1 to the rest of us who have a clear idea of what is needed (and what is not).
Let’s see what Intrado has to
Let’s see what Intrado has to say. They don’t really say much on their web site. As many have said, on the surface, it seems that there’s nothing here that the RACES, ARES, MARS, and regular ‘ole Elmers couldn’t offer for free. I operate HF/ALE and reached out to Intrado. If I ever hear back from them, maybe I’ll learn what they’re really offering and why I should pay for it.
Perhaps Intrado has developed
Perhaps Intrado has developed a protocol to address all of the issues discussed. No one is trying to usurp the amateur radio community and the good work they do. ALE is an effective protocol, but will not work with the number of radios envisioned on this network. (No I do not work for Intrado)