Michigan Emergency Packet Information Network  

                     MEPIN        

National Homeland Security Knowledgebase

GENESEE COUNTY ACCESS PORT NOW ON  145.760mhz.

BULLETIN!!! VOICE PAGING NOW AVAILABLE IN GENESEE COUNTY.  MOTOROLA MINITOR IV OR HT-1000's ARE AVAILABLE. CLICK ON THE PAGER FOR MORE INFORMATION.    

           Welcome to the MEPIN Homepage. This packet radio network is designed to serve the State of Michigan in times of EMERGENCY, for HOMELAND SECURITY, and everyday. Where do you want to be 15 minutes after the next crisis or disaster situation strikes your county?  Recent reports from disaster situations throughout the country have indicated that the public switched telephone network, cellular and PCS networks, and other public communications systems are jammed beyond capacity within 15 min of a disaster occurring, and may remain so for hours or even days depending upon the nature of the situation.  The MEPIN system stands ready to fill this void giving County E.C.'s and Emergency Management and their ARES/RACES responders the ability to communicate over a high speed packet data network along with the ability to page their ARES/RACES responders on an ALL-CALL on individual basis. The network is currently operational in Genesee County. The objective is to create a user friendly network that will provide many advanced and powerful features for Emergency service communications. The network design has been completed and the initial installation is underway. If your ARES/RACES or County Emergency Management organization would like to join this network or schedule a detailed presentation on MEPIN's powerful emergency communications capabilities please contact System Administrator-Michael R. Berry, N8RGC with your request. E-mail at mberry@power-now.biz, or call 810-691-2684.

Current Specifications:

• A 2 meter* user access port @1200bd.

• A 9600 baud backbone connection on 430.850mhz.(100khz bandwidth high speed data channel)

• A K-NET network with other features available over the network, including BBS'S, Paging Servers, Mail Forwarding, Direct Connections, Automatic Traffic Routing,  HF Gateways.

• The KPC-9612+  TNC for user access and backbone connection.  The only other things need are a 2m radio, 440mhz radio, the  Kantronics K-NET chip, and the 512k memory upgrade chip.

• Alphanumeric POCSAG paging as a local option. Paging on 441.025mhz.

* The user access frequencies should be: 145.01,145.03,145.05,145.07, or 145.09 local option. Node stacking may be used on the Non-Backbone nodes to provide access on more than one 2 meter 1200bd frequency. This may be helpful in allowing stations operating on the ARPSC packet frequency of 145.760 to access the network.

• To provide an advanced high speed digital packet network for Emergency service communications.
• To make it fairly easy to learn to use
• To use a standard hardware, firmware, and software PACTERM for Windows                 
• To be easy to set up and expand. 
• To be upgradeable for future technologies.
• To be able to be built with "off the shelf" equipment.
• To offer Alphanumeric POCSAG paging as a local option.

• For Backbone Node (MASTER NODE)
  • KPC-9612+ with K-NET Option & 512k memory upgrade   http://www.kantronics.com/products/kpc9612.html
  • VHF 2 meter radio on (Port 1)* for the user access frequency
  • UHF 440mhz radio on (Port 2) 430.850mhz the backbone frequency (9600bd capable)
  • Antennas, coax, and power supply
  • A lockable cabinet and secure site location (rooftop preferable).
  • Reliable emergency back-up power (110VAC) generator source preferable.

   

• For Non-Backbone Node (PRIMARY NODE)
  • KPC-3+ with K-NET Option& 512k memory upgrade.  http://www.kantronics.com/products/kpc3.html
  • VHF 2 meter radio*
  • Computer running MS Windows 95 or greater W/ CSS Corp. "PACTERM for Windows" software. An attached printer would be most helpful to supply printed copies of messages.
  • Antenna, coax, and power supply
  • Reliable emergency back-up power (110VAC) generator source preferable.
• 2 Non-Backbone Nodes can be "stacked" to provide access to the network on other frequencies.

•   For the Alphanumeric Paging Option
•   One additional KPC-9612+ with the K-NET option, and 512k memory upgrade.
•   VHF 2 meter radio for (Port 1)*
•   UHF radio for (Port 2) capable of transmitting the POCSAG paging signal.
•   UHF amplifier (200 watt min).
•   UHF paging frequency 441.025mhz.
•   One or more Motorola "ADVISOR" pagers programmed for the MEPIN system.
•   Antenna, coax, and power supply
•   A lockable cabinet and secure site location (rooftop preferable).
•   Reliable emergency back-up power (110VAC) generator source preferable.                                                                                                              

Please email: mberry@power-now.biz  for sources of the equipment. For the KPC-3, KPC-9612+, and related K-NET equipment you can contact Kantronics sales directly by phone between 8am - 5pm CST M-F at (785) 842-7745 or E-mail sales@kantronics.com.
     

 If your ARES/RACES group would like more information on this system or would like a detailed presentation for one of your meetings please contact Michael Berry  N8RGC: mberry@power-now.biz  .

* The user access frequencies should be: 145.01,145.03,145.05,145.07, or 145.09: your choice.  NOTE: THE ARPSC PACKET FREQ. 145.760 MAY BE SELECTED.

                                         Reasons for a K-NET Network:

• Inexpensive
• Automatic routing of packet traffic between NODES on the system.
• Readily available (You can buy the EEPROM's directly and don't have to get one burned)
• The TNC retains its ability to be used as a regular TNC (network operations are in the background)
• The ability to offer Alphanumeric POCSAG paging as a local option.

The MEPIN system Alphanumeric paging option is designed with pagers using a common frequency and common "Alert" cap code.  This will allow any pager on the system to function within any area that has installed the Paging Option. In addition to the all-call "Alert" cap code an individual cap code is available to allow personal alphanumeric pages to be sent over the system. Each pager also has 2 Mail-Drop cap codes to allow local groups to publish an electronic newsletter.

The paging server can be accessed from any 2 meter 1200 baud packet station on the system. The pager can be used to receive ARES/RACES emergency alerts, including directions to disaster locations and entry points. Severe Weather "SKYWARN " information and the latest news items and reminders of up-coming events can be supplied as well as personal messages.

The MEPIN packet paging server is currently operational in Genesee county providing alphanumeric paging service 24/7. The Genesee county paging server can be accessed by connecting to "PKTPGR" on 145.760 MHz. At the command line type "D" then "enter" for a list of pager equipped amateurs. To send a message type "PAGE" followed by a call sign from the directory and your message in UPPERCASE characters.

The MEPIN system is using refurbished Motorola "ADVISOR" pagers. These units are available for a cost of $95.00ea. They will arrive fully set-up and programmed to operate on the MEPIN packet paging system. The cost includes delivery by insured U.S. Postal Priority Mail. To order your pager send an E-mail to: spectracom@power-now.biz .

Below is a sample of the alphanumeric messages that may appear on your pager screen

SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT NWS/DTX FOR GENESEE COUNTY/SPOTTER ACTIVATION IS REQUESTED

With a MEPIN packet pager you will have on the spot access to the latest NWS Weather Statements, Watches, and Warnings in addition to your local ARES/RACES emergency information bulletins.  Would you like to have this information as close as you belt?  You can by ordering your MEPIN packet pager today!!  For detailed ordering information send an E-mail to spectracom@power-now.biz .

Manuals for the "ADVISOR" pager are located here.                           

For other paging options from the MEPIN system please click  HERE.

The MEPIN system has affiliated with "StormNow". Click on the icon above for more information on how to obtain current weather updates and ALERTS!!!

  MEPIN  has affiliated with " The Emergency Email & Wireless Network".  

To get state & county specific EMERGENCY notification and ALERTS click on the icon above and follow the instructions located on their web page.

For LINKS to other amateur paging and packet radio network sites click HERE.

I would like to offer a special thanks Chris Roberts KC8GOQ for all of his work and assistance in developing this project and web site.

73 MIKE  N8RGC

SYSTEM ADMINISTRATOR

MICHIGAN EMERGENCY PACKET INFORMATION NETWORK   (MEPIN)

TO RETURN TO THE COUGAR ELECTRIC LLC HOME PAGE CLICK ON THE RADIO

 LAST EDITED @ 08/13/07 02:47:03 AM

COMMENTS?  QUESTIONS? SUGGESTIONS?  PLEASE FEEL FREE TO CONTACT ONE OF THE STAFF MEMBERS LISTED BELOW.

SYSTEM ADMINISTRATOR: MICHAEL  BERRY  P.O. BOX 537 SWARTZ CREEK, MI 48473-0537

E-MAIL: mberry@power-now.biz  

ADMINISTRATIVE ASST:  SALLY  BERRY  P.O. BOX 537 SWARTZ CREEK, MI 48473-0537

E-MAIL: sally@power-now.biz  

WEBMASTER: MICHAEL  BERRY  P.O. BOX 537 SWARTZ CREEK, MI. 48473-0537

E-MAIL: mberry@power-now-biz  

IMBE is a REG. TRADEMARK of DIGITAL VOICE SYSTEMS INC.

ADVISOR is a REG. TRADEMARK of MOTOROLA INC.

PAGE LAST UPDATED: 08/13/2007 02:47 AM