The “Y” Performance Plan: Increasing Repeater Capacity and Capability in Collin County

1. The “Y” Performance Plan:Increasing Repeater Capacity and Capability in Collin County Sean P. Kelly - W5SPK Plano Amateur Radio Klub July 8, 2019

2. LARGE DISCLAIMER • THE FOLLOWING PRESENTATION IS NOT IN ANY WAY TO BE TAKEN AS A FORM OF CRITICISM, RIDICULE, OR CASUAL REMARKS ON ANY ONE PERSON’S EFFORT TO MAINTAIN THE 147.18 PARK REPEATER. • THIS PRESENTATION IS MEANT TO OPEN DISCUSSION AS TO HOW TO IMPROVE OVERALL PERFORMANCE AND ENRICH OUR EMCOMM CAPABILITIES AND CAPACITIES. • NOTHING MORE … NOTHING LESS • COME PREPARED TO DISCUSS HOW TO MAKE THINGS BETTER FOR THOSE WHO COME AFTER US.

3. Background • At Ham-Com 2019, Fred Varian and Greg Evans expressed their concerns presented to them by others about the capability of the PARK repeater. • The main arguments were focused on the current capability. • But capability is also a function of capacity. • W5SPK took copious notes and promised action. • Using FD materials, GPS data, created list of potential sites to map for future repeater relocation and additional repeater sites. • W5SPK and K5GTX met during the afternoon of 5 July 2019 to review the compiled data. • Using a software package that Greg Evans has, we mapped RF coverage. • We used the USGS Topo to confirm site height, assumed 165 water towers with 6 foot antennas. • Attached are the maps – our work product.

4. The “Y” Solution

5. Results of Work Session with K5GTX Favorable (Estimated) Prosper Allen (New) Princeton The Value Chain is USGS Topo Altitude by Height of Water Tower by Geographic Position Unfavorable (Estimated) Allen (Current) Fairview Fire Stations McKinney Plano Presby Hospital Melissa Farmersville

6. Collin County: Population Growth and Needs • Population • Current: 940K By 2040: 3M • 45% growth since 2000 (Better than Las Vegas, NV) • Growth Pattern • Continuing to the North (Prosper and Celina) • Then turning to the East (Melissa and Blue Ridge) • Home Building in Princeton: 8K new homes in the next five years. • Makes our needs to build out to that population growth pattern • Capability and capacity that much more urgent.

7. The “Y” Solution • Three cross linked repeaters. • Prosper / Allen (New) / Princeton • Mapping (estimated) points to improvement • Ability to go into Collin County ARES should be one phone call and one set of tones and we are engaged. • Disengagement should be just as easy • Unlinking should be a guarded secret • Capable of AREDN or H-Mesh Network • AREDN appears to be the stronger horse to bet on • Need to review presentations made at Dayton • ACTION: Need someone to make PROS/CONS list

8. The “Y” Project Critical Personnel • Leadership of various first responder organizations • Fred Varian, WD5ERD • Greg Evans, K5GTX • Andy Duckworth, K5BAD • Chad Stetzl, KD5UMO • Various officers of local ARCs. Priorities • Move Allen Repeater from current tower to new site ASAP • Build out new Prosper site with all new equipment • Build out Princeton using repeater equipment and enhancements with assets currently at MCP MOU’s • Get Allen to agree to the need for change and permit(s). • Executed with the cities of Prosper and Princeton Material Needs • Need complete BOM for each repeater with ruggedized assets • Make a target budget for each activity. • Coax and Connectors • W5SPK has the duty with Amphenol Corp • Need to investigate partnering for capital purchases and monthly operating costs with • Cities of Frisco & Prosper • Other ARCs

9. Financing and Operations • Go it alone and do it ourselves or partner with others. • Partnering would require working with at least the following entities • Cities of Frisco, Prosper and Princeton • FD and/or Water Dept. • McKinney ARC • LARK • Need to assess impact to our monthly operating budget on a solitary v. shared operating basis. • Power • Phone • Insurance

10. Remember…This is going to happen to us someday…We have to be ready to help 1+M citizens…

11. Questions / Comments Thank you for time and attention!