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+ New Emcomm Software For Windows Now Available For Beta Testing

The NarrowBand Emergency Messaging System (NBEMS) development team announced that a Windows NBEMS software suite is now available for beta testing. NBEMS for Windows is a suite of programs designed for point-to-point, error-free emergency messaging.

According to developers Skip Teller, KH6TY, and Dave Freese, W1HKJ, the NBEMS system is designed primarily for use on VHF and up, or on HF with Near Vertical Incidence Skywave (NVIS) antennas. The system uses the computer soundcard as the modem. Other than a simple interface connection between the computer and transceiver, no additional hardware is needed. Composing and sending emergency messages on NBEMS is no more difficult than sending e-mail via the Internet. All forwarding is done by stations manned by live operators on both ends who can confirm that a frequency is clear locally, or negotiate a frequency change to avoid causing interference.

The NBEMS software can also be used for daily casual communications on PSK31, PSK63, RTTY or MFSK16 and is capable of sending flawless, high resolution, passport photo-sized color images in less than 10 minutes over any path that can sustain PSK250 without excessive repeats, according to program authors.

Radio amateurs are invited to participate in the beta test of the NBEMS. The NBEMS suite can be downloaded from the NBEMS Web site
http://w1hkj.com/NBEMS/ . Send comments and bug reports via e-mail <kh6ty@comcast.net>.

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The ARES E-Letter is an e-mail digest of news and information of interest to active members of the ARRL Amateur Radio Emergency Service (ARES).

Material from The ARES E-Letter may be republished or reproduced in whole or in part in any form without additional permission. Credit must be given to The ARES E-Letter and The American Radio Relay League.

Jay Musikar, AF2C, DEC for East Central District of Northern Florida, wrote this about his experience with the suite: "It can be very useful as another tool for emcomm. The software enables the user the option of using any one of six digital modes "on the fly." The modes offer the opportunity to receive and transmit everything from simple text to graphics, all in narrow banded digital modes. Some of the main advantages: intuitive installation and usage, and choice of modes - PSK 31, PSK 62, PSK 125, PSK 250, MFSK and RTTY. Digital modes work well using low power and NVIS antennas during emergencies. Modes are narrowband. A minor disadvantage is that the Macros must utilize upper-case letters for commands <COMMAND>. The software is rather Spartan, but as an emcomm program it deserves consideration. It is simple and offers many options. Oh yes, and it's free!"

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+ NEW PRODUCTS: WXSpots Software Freely Available!

WXSpots, a new tool in the tool chest for SKYWARN operations and weather enthusiasts is now available. WXSpots is a free, Internet based system designed to quickly disseminate observed reports of severe weather to all connected users. It provides the means to help monitor local severe weather as it unfolds with many more observers able to communicate what they are seeing. WXSpots features include:

- The ability to disseminate observations quickly and efficiently anywhere.
- The ability to add the eyes of SKYWARN enthusiasts who aren't Amateur Radio operators.
- The ability to instantly create message groups with other connected users on the fly.
- The ability to monitor observations from all users, or only display observations for your state or county.
- An automated, historical record of recent observations.
- The ability to keep tabs on current observations without necessarily being near a radio.

To download the software and learn more, please visit http://www.wxspots.com