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<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Dan,</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>First of all, let me congratulate you on all the
hard work you've put into D-RATS. We're using it as the "official" software of
choice for D-Star Slow Speed data during this year's Simulated Emergency Test
here in Alabama. I'm hoping that many of our ARES volunteers will take advantage
of it's "forms" function to send NTS formatted message containing situation
reports and requests. </FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Prior to using D-RATS, many here had been
experimenting with D-Star COMMS, another software product for slow speed data.
One feature that it contained that I thought had critical importance for EMCOMM
was the ability send and receive short e-mail messages, and allowing stations
connected to the Internet to function as "gateways" for this type of traffic.
</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>During a disaster, the impacted area and it's EMA
might well lose Internet connectivity. In theory, amateurs could use D-Star with
it's slow speed data capability to send and receive e-mail by linking to a
station outside the area who still had connectivity to the Internet. I
personally saw Winlink 2K used to fill this need in Gulfport, MS after Katrina.
</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Would it be possible to add this or a similar
feature to D-Rats? I think it would go a long way towards making it a complete
EMCOMM tool. Again, my thanks! </FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>73,</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Les Rayburn, N1LF<BR>ARES Alabama Section Emergency
Coordinator<BR>NCS-SHARES
NCS-047<BR>---------------------------------------------<BR>121 Mayfair
Park<BR>Maylene, AL 35114<BR>(205) 253-4867<BR></FONT></DIV>
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