[amsat-bb] AMSAT-Florida net issues

[Andrew Glasbrenner]

To all AMSAT-Florida net participants:

Recently, the KG4YZY repeater that provided the Echolink connection into 
the wide area NI4CE repeater system was permanently disconnected from 
the  network, and temporarily removed from service. As the AMSAT-Florida 
net relied on that Echolink connection as the hub for all our 
participating repeaters from Miami to Gainesville, as well as worldwide 
individual participants, we are left in quite a jam until we reestablish 
a hub system.

Further complicating the situation is that the three active net control 
stations rely on being able to use a real RF connection to run the net, 
assisted by Echolink in the background.

For tonight's net I propose that Echolink users connect to K4ZPZ-R 44310 
in Orlando, 443.100 on RF. Our Orlando NCS is unavailable tonight, so 
depending on conditions I will attempt to be NCS either via RF or 
Echolink. This might get very "interesting", and the net will likely be 
more informal than usual. We can reevaluate and reintegrate NI4CE when 
they restore Echolink connectivity. What I do not think should happen is 
the net splitting into two entities. That, IMO, is a recipe for failure 
and burnout.

So, please join us on K4ZPZ-R tonight for the AMSAT-Florida net, 
Echolink node # 44310, RF 443.100 MHz.

73, Drew KO4MA