OPS-1 Workstation

OP(S) stands for Operator Position or desk position to identify which station someone is or will be assigned to operate from. There are 4 OPS positions in the room. Any of them can work either voice nets or data/digital nets via the computer interfaces and sound card modes of operation.

OPS-1 is the primary voice net station that would operate as "NET CONTROL" for a simple voice net or as net control during any Emergency or Urgency that is going on that would require amateur radio communications.

We recently received a donation from (SK) K8TCR Theodore "Ted" Wilson's family a Kenwood TS-590 SG, 100 watt 6 though 160 meter radio that will be placed at OPS-1 and interfaced into the computer, foot switch, MFJ paddle keyer, etc.

OPS-1 has the rotor controller that has been upgraded to a DCU-1 controller module for computer control for the InnovAntenna 6 meter 5 element beam and the Mosley 10-15-20 meter 7 element beam antennas. OPS-1 has 2 auxiliary coaxial feeds for additional antennas as needed for 12-17-30-60-80 and 160 meters that be put up at any time. Access ports at the bottom of the tower allows connections of additional antennas and tower top ropes and pulleys are available to launch whatever is needed.

OPS-1 has capabilities for local nets on 144-440 MHz. FM & D-STAR and 220 MHz. FM.

This position has three 20" liquid crystal display (LCD) monitors for multi-tasking. The center screen displays the main logging program input screen, the right hand screen shows which frequency band and mode each operator position has selected. One of the other positions in this operation includes the extra station set up in a motor home in the parking lot next the building. Operators can avoid being on the same band as another operator at this location by viewing the screen. The screen to the far left is a "main screen" used as an internet screen for general purpose use, such as opening software programs. For example, the N3FJP logging software opens in the left screen. Once the N3FJP logging software is open, a left click and a drag can move it to another screen, or it can be left to remain on the main screen. This makes logging and simultaneously using two or three other software programs easier while performing emergency communications as compared to shrinking/minimizing the window down and bringing it back up hunting for the information needed. The screens can be set up by the operator to provide the information they need according to the operation being supported.

The desktop computers and radio power supplies are on a shelf below the desk. They are connected to the HF radios, VHF radios, and Terminal Node Controllers (TNCs). The computers interface with the radios to perform radio control, radio programming options, HF radio digital mode communications and packet radio data communications.

For Emergency Communications, the main program, N3FJP Emergency Manager 1.0, is normally displayed on the center screen. The served agency's feed from the WebEOC database can be displayed overhead (future upgrade) and/or on the right side screen. In addition, the left monitor screen can display an Automatic Packet Reporting System (APRS) map, with zoom in and zoom out capability, showing for example, operator locations, road closures, and hazmat situations with plume models.