SARnet MAJOR NETWORK OUTAGE TODAY MARCH 4, 2016!!

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What is SARnet?

The Statewide Amateur Radio Network (SARnet) is a network of linked UHF voice repeaters that serves the State of Florida. The repeaters are operated by their local trustees and the network that connects them together does not interfere with the local use of the repeaters. These UHF repeaters were specifically chosen in part because the voice traffic on them is light. This helps ensure that long conversations and rag-chews are rare on SARnet since any SARnet traffic brings up ALL of the repeaters on the network.

The key to what makes SARnet work so well is that this network uses dedicated bandwidth that is separate from the internet. Statewide connectivity is achieved without the use of any commercial telecommunications services. SARnet does not use the internet, cellular telephones, or land lines.

DOWNLOAD THE PRESENTATION ON SARNET GIVEN AT A 2015 HAMCATION FORUM: HERE.

Why was SARnet Started?

The state of Florida Department of Transportation is continually investigating new IP technologies for use in improving its own voice radio network and to meet its mandate to provide interoperable communications with other state agencies and public safety entities. Instead of using their live voice radio network as an ongoing test bed for these new IP technologies, the FDOT has partnered with the amateur radio community to use their radio systems throughout the state as part of a test bed to support the FDOT's research. The benefit for the FDOT is that they gain valuable knowledge about how to install, operate, troubleshoot, expand, upgrade, and maintain a sophisticated IP radio network. With SARnet, the FDOT can conduct their research without jeopardizing their live voice radio system and creating potentially unsafe and counter productive conditions for the FDOT personnel who work on the state's highways every day. In exchange for supporting this research, the amateur radio community can talk across the state using the same amateur radio equipment they use everyday. The fact that the FDOT network that connects these amateur radio repeaters together is a stand-alone carrier class microwave network means that SARnet is using dedicated bandwidth on a network that is much more likely to remain operational during a severe weather event like a hurricane.

Is SARnet only for EmComm?

SARnet is a network of amateur repeaters owned mostly by non-emcomm affliated hams. So no, it is not just for emergency communciations. That being said, the creators of the network behind SARnet are active in public safety communications, both commercial and amateur, so they have an understanding of what SARnet can do for emergency communciations in the state of Florida. Currently, the Duval County EOC conducts a brief check-in net on Friday mornings starting at approximately 0900 on SARnet and any amateur that can access SARnet is encouraged to check in (late check-ins are ok too).

During a significant emergency event, the SARnet may be called upon for support and radio traffic in and out of an affected area may become heavy. Under such a scenario, It is hoped that all of the local repeater trustees in the affected area will agree to let their repeaters continue to be used as part of SARnet.

Can I add my repeater on SARnet?

SARnet has had great success recruiting local repeaters in locations that the FDOT wanted to test the technology behind the network. To date we have identified more than 25 repeater sites that are already part of SARnet or will be in the near future. The FDOT believes this number of current and planned repeaters is representative of the network size they would likely deploy. As a result, the SARnet team has cut back on active recruiting of additional candidate amateur repeaters. While there may be one or two strategic additional sites going forward, it is safe to say that the majority of the planned SARnet sites have been identified.

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