Worldwide Amateur Radio ALE High-Frequency Network marks Four Years Non-Stop Service
The Global ALE High Frequency Network (HFN) sets a new up-time record by operating 100% continuously on all international amateur radio shortwave bands simultaneously 24/7/365 for 4 years straight.
Relying on HF (High Frequency) ionospheric communications, all radio stations in this worldwide system scan the ham bands every 10 seconds, rapidly maintaining contact through short digital bursts of signals using a system known as ALE (Automatic Link Establishment). With about 2000 registered operators, the HFN covers a vast area of the planet.
HFN International Coordinator Bonnie Crystal KQ6XA comments, “The ALE network was founded to foster HF Interoperability between all types of organizations, agencies, individual ham operators and nets. While its main focus is on international EMCOMM, this far-reaching service has ample capacity for radio operators everywhere to use for ordinary calling and QSOs… including some DXing. The huge success of this network, during such low solar cycle conditions, has shown the true strength of ALE to find and use unpredictable HF band openings that we see all the time.”
ALE was originally an expensive system for government services, but recent innovations in digital technology have brought the cost way down. The first organized amateur radio ALE nets began in 2001, corresponding with the release of the free PC-ALE software controller for ham radios. Several years of development by the 4000-member HFLINK organization adapted ALE to be a ham-friendly, interference-free system. In 2007, the internet- connected HFN network went into full scale 24-hour service. HFN rapidly expanded to cover large areas of the earth, and it has become the prime framework for ham radio operations using the global standard ALE system. In keeping with its roots, ham radio ALE still maintains compatibility and interoperability with government ALE radios, many of which are also available now on the surplus market and being used by hams. Nearly every major HF SSB radio manufacturer in the world is now marketing an ALE radio.
Worldwide Amateur Radio ALE High-Frequency Network marks four years of non-stop service.
HFN Network Manager, Alan Barrow KM4BA, said “The recent addition of real-time maps of network connectivity HF paths, combined with features such as ALE-integrated WINMOR/WINLINK, provides a versatile platform for fast and reliable interoperable communications. The website HFLINK.NET has literally been turned into a virtual communications center at the fingertips of every ham.”
All ham operators are encouraged to participate in ALE, especially during ALE On The Air Week (AOTAW) from 5 to 15 August 2011, to practice techniques and emergency preparedness. All modes of operation will be used in AOTAW, including SSB (Single Sideband) voice communications, digital modes, HF relay, HF email, and mobile texting messages in the field. Info and free ALE software is available for ham rigs at http://hflink.com
To follow the operations of the Global ALE High Frequency Network, please see the HFLINK.NET website. Data activity is primarily on the following frequencies (kHz) Upper Sideband: 3596, 7102, 10145.5, 14109, 18106, 21096, 24926, and 28146. Selective calling SSB Voice activity is on Upper Sideband frequencies: 3791, 3996, 7185.5, 7296, 14346, 18117.5, 21332.5, 24932, and 28312.5 kHz.
Global ALE High Frequency Network (HFN) is an international ham radio service organization of volunteer operators in various countries of the world, dedicated to interoperability and emergency/relief communications.
HFN website: http://hflink.net
Contact: Bonnie Crystal, KQ6XA, VR2KQ6XA (HFN International ALE Coordinator)
Contact email: hfn2011@hflink.net
If you couldn't you find what you were looking for, search here to find it using Google!
Incoming search terms:
No related posts.