Projects

I'm sure you're familiar with the hello world program. When you're first learning to write code, or taking your first steps into building embedded systems, the documentation and guides typically instruct you to write simple code to print "hello world." Or in the hardware realm, get an LED to blink.

My only real experience with emergency radio communications involves 2-meter/VHF and 800Mhz/UHF. Both rely on existing infrastructure to operate well. Either local 2-meter repeaters or the 800Mhz municipal trunking system. In addition to my portable HT, I have a couple of old 2m mobiles that I use for temporary base stations. While fairly easy to operate, their distance is limited to "around town." This is convenient for local emergencies, but there are scenarios where one needs to reach out much further.

It was a bit like a high-stakes science fair project. In the early days of the MCC we were often trying to communicate or sell our vision of what it could become. We needed the volunteers to be as excited about the project as we were and carry that up through the chain of command and attract enough interest so they would help fund the project. This meant that we had to use a lot of our own gear to build a working network in the vehicle so they could get a tangible feel for the possibilities.

Introducing the Mobile Communications Center (MCC)
The go-to vehicle in support of disaster communications for the American Red Cross of Greater Columbus.