Back in mid-October we performed a link
test from Providence Colby Hospital to Snohomish County DEM at
Paine Field.
Last Saturday we performed a test from
another Snohomish County hospital – Valley General in Monroe –
also to Paine Field.
This shot was a little more challenging due
to trees immediately across the block in the RF path. After
scouting around the available roof space, we were able to find
a spot on the south side of the hospital with an open path.
Unfortunately we didn’t bring a tripod
along, but we “made do” with a ladder to help steady the
hand-held dish. With this “Redneck Tripod” we were able to
peak the signal at about -64 to -65. Nowhere nearly as good
as the Providence link, but still plenty good enough to get a
6Mbit throughput test up and down. I expect that a more solid
tripod will give us an even better signal.
This gives us two key EMCOMM facilities
with good connection capabilities to HamWAN.
Our next step is to put together a
presentation to the respective administrations to get buy-off
on installing HamWAN at those facilities.
Thanks to Dave Williamson (WA7DGW), Steve
Elli (KF7LKA), and Bart (AE7SJ) for tagging along during the
adventure and helping out.
Cheers,
Rob Salsgiver – NR3O