MSG # TR  SIZE TO     FROM   @BBS   DATE    TITLE
 4268 B$  4921 ALL    NO8M   ALLOH  900904 OARC Talks of Cabbages and Kings
Forwarding path: NO8M 

WHY OHIO PACKET DOES NOT WANT TO BE COORDINATED BY A REPEATER COORDINATOR
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      In recent publications, Mr. George Waldie, W8JRL, indicated that current
repeater organizations have the potential to govern the coordination of packet
radio activity.  (N8XX@KC8TW circulated a bulletin to QEX@OKIPN, entitled
"QEX-Gateway-Aug 90-P 4 of 5" that contains Mr. Waldie's comments.)
      There are many reasons packet radio in Ohio does not want to become
involved in this type of association.  This bulletin attempts to describe
them.  Some reasons are based on the structure of the Ohio Area Repeater
Council (OARC).  Others are based on the fact that OARC is not technically
capable of understanding packet radio.

PARTICIPATION IS LIMITED DUE TO MEETINGS
      The OARC does no business outside of their regular meetings.  These
meetings are held only in Columbus.  Because they start at 0900 local time,
those wishing to attend from (say) the Cleveland area would have to get up at
0500 to leave at 0600.
      The meeting location and time limits participation to those in the
Columbus area.

THERE IS NO FEEDBACK
      Unless you go to an OARC meeting, you will not know what goes on in the
meeting.  A record is published but the organization feels that there is no
need to publish everything.  Discussions and decisions about matters that may
be too sensitive are left out.
      The minutes are not published and published records are altered.

THERE IS NO VOICE
      On two meters, the organization makes decisions (enforced with the
authority of the FCC) based on input from a minute fraction of the amateur
community.  Only the repeater trustees have a vote.  Packet would have no vote
other than their local two meter repeater trustee, should you know one ... one
who goes to the meetings.
      A change here would (probably) be to add node-ops and full-forwarding
sysops as representatives (assuming they pay up ... and go to the meetings). 
This would only perpetuate the lack of representation that now exists.

THE ORGANIZATION DOES NOT HAVE THE EXPERTISE
      The organization, outside of perhaps one or two members, does not have
the expertise to understand or competently change or alter packet radio
networks.  It has been observed that most of those now in control of the
organization are not on packet.  Most that are active do not participate in a
way that would allow them to competently comment on network activity.

IN THESE TROUBLED TIMES
      The packet networks are quite a mess in the summer propagation.  Due to
the limited frequencies that are available, we hear our networks overtaxed by
stations far, far away.  The nodes become cluttered with information far from
their intended sphere.
      However, as I sit here listening to the local repeater, I have heard no
less than four (or was that five) other repeaters who are quite strong and
workable.
      Obviously the problem can be attributed more to propagation than to the
lack of coordination.  The lack of adequate frequencies is a major problem.

CONCLUSION
      Packet radio has no organized and strong statewide coordination voice
because it realizes that REPRESENTATIVE COORDINATION IS IMPOSSIBLE TO DO ON A
STATEWIDE LEVEL.
      It is understood that as more and more amateurs become involved in this
aspect of the hobby, it will require more spectrum space.  That space must
come from the other areas.  It looks to national representation, the ARRL, to
provide that space in the ARRL bandplan.  It advises that without a move to
provide this space, packet will branch off without coordination.
      Further, it is understood that renegade networks will grow and dissolve
now and in the future.  Should this affect the coordinated REPEATERS, then the
REPEATER organization would act to shut the activity down.
      OARC has provided us with a (fairly) interference-free repeater band
based on its power to prohibit more repeaters from going into operation.  
Now it approaches us with its same tool.  Prohibition ... without
representation.

NOW, LET'S GET REAL
      The current Ohio Area Repeater Council is one of the best that we have
ever seen.  I have been through five coordinations (one of my own, two with
the local club, both of those requiring a recoordination).  The Council was
prompt, polite, responsive and professional.  I trust them and acknowledge
their thankless position protecting our repeater bands from interference.
      Perhaps if OARC had fairer representation without the secrecy, packet
would be more open to their approach and advise.  I trust them with my
repeater.  I do not trust them with my packet.

*** END OF MSG # 4268 from NO8M @ NO8M.OH.USA.NA

Via WA8BXN BBS & WD8SCH - 09/04/90