CO:Growing the Communications Group/Proposal
From The Collaboratory
Contents |
Introduction
Abstract
The Communications Group, one of the primary areas identified in the newly formed Integrated Projects Curriculum (IPC), seeks to strengthen its services and expand its membership by helping students become licensed, active Amateur Radio operators, enabling them to gain experience in a range of practical, technical and competitive aspects. Over the past few years, students of the Antennas, Communications and Telemetry Services (ACTS) group have served Mission Aviation Fellowship (MAF), Mission Safety International (MSI) and UIM International, as clients, by developing inexpensive tracking and messaging technology between the pilot and home-base. To sustain these partnerships and enhance creative solutions in the area of communications, students will benefit from a broader background in Amateur Radio, and may even require a license to conduct legal testing. To become active Amateur Radio operators, students need resources including radio equipment, relevant references, and other calculation/test tools. Such resources will enable students to more fully engage in Amateur Radio activities and stimulate them to upgrade their licenses. As radio amateurs, students will meet others with a service-oriented spirit, engaging in volunteer, non-profit, educational activities such as emergency message handling, educational training events, and contests including long-distance contacts (DX), low-power contacts (QRP) and fox (transmitter) hunts. Such contests develop skills also useful during crisis situations.
Sponsors
- Group - Communications
- Client -
Applicants
- Team advisor - Harold Underwood
- Team leader -
- Additional advisors -
- Additional students -
Narrative
Statement of need
As the Engineering Department begins to implement IPC in Spring 2007, it introduces a Group Orientation course as a first phase, identifying Communications as one of its primary group areas. Communications absorbs the recently formed ACTS group that has served MAF, MSI and UIM by finding low cost solutions for aviation communications, including messaging and GPS tracking, using High Frequency (HF) radio and satellite links. For ACTS students to be fully trained and qualified, they should pursue Amateur Radio Licenses at the Technician, General and Extra levels. Amateur (Ham) radio operators, officially represented by the ARRL, remain on the forefront of many innovations in wireless communication modes. Furthermore, ARRL enjoys a longstanding reputation as a volunteer, non-profit, service and education-oriented organization. Hams also engage in many popular contests such as DX, QRP and Fox Hunts. To educate, train and enable students in Communications for service, research and other applications in this area, a need exists to develop a resource base of relevant texts, local contacts, facilities, software tools and equipment. The texts provide references on technical (engineering) aspects and operational (practice) aspects of Amateur Radio. The software and equipment tools enable calculation, measurement and test capabilities needed to develop/maintain a functioning Amateur Radio Station and other applications such as WiFi, Satellite and V-Sat links.
State of the art
Of Christian higher education institutions that offer a program in electrical engineering, LeTourneau University appears to be the only one on their website that cites a specialization in Communications [1] as supported by an Advanced Communications Lab, including DSP and lasers. However, this does not appear to include a focus on Amateur Radio, Wi-Fi and Satellite links, as proposed here.
Related experience
Please see past projects and current projects by ACTS. The author has previously done graduate coursework and research in the area of RF & Microwaves, taught undergraduate students in the areas of Electromagnetics and Communications for 14 years, held a Summer Faculty Fellowship with NASA in the Microwave Systems Branch (2000/01), completed a VSAT installation training program including field work with PACTEC (2005) and in February 2007 passed the test to become an Amateur Radio operator at the Technician level (KB3OOM).
Proposed work
This proposal seeks to develop resources and equipment that enables students to become licensed and trained as Amateur Radio operators, at the Technician, General and Extra levels, to be better qualified with the knowledge and skills that meet the needs addressed in our communications service projects involving our clients: MAF, PACTEC, MSI, UIM & DRASTIC. More broadly, becoming radio amateurs will prepare students to serve as messengers during civil emergency situations, discover and try new state-of-the-art communications modes, experience learning by designing/constructing their own equipment, and participate in a wide variety of contest opportunities to test and sharpen their skills, including long distance (DX), low power (QRP) and fox hunts. The funding will also cover costs of guest speakers such as experienced amateur radio operators and/or an experts from the local electrical power company, a trip for students to a license examination site, a visit to a local electric power generator, and/or a tour of the National Radio Astronomy Observatory (NRAO) in Green Bank, West Virginia.
Partnerships
MAF, PACTEC, MSI, UIM & DRASTIC. The author spent the month of January 2005 partnering with Partners in Technology International (PACTEC). The experience began with a Global VSAT Forum VSAT Installation & Training course at PACTEC's home office, including hands-on installation of a VSAT on the premises for training and test purposes, followed by 11 days of field work in Kabul, Afghanistan, where PACTEC has now installed over 100 VSATs to assist in economic and humanitarian development. While in Kabul, the author personally consulted with PACTEC pilots, one of whom shared the desire and need for better tracking of PACTEC flights on the ground, through state-of-the-art APRS technology. Out of this request came the work of the 2005/06 Alternative Aviation Solutions (AAS) senior project group who successfully developed a prototype HF radio device to initiate a request from the ground-based unit to the airborne radio unit, and based on the response, display the GPS location report on a computer map display. Mission Aviation Fellowship (MAF) personnel now hope to develop this prototype into a field-ready version for use in Sentani, and perhaps elsewhere. ACTS also served, during the spring of 2006, to successfully demonstrate the compatibility of the Automatic Flight Following System (AFFS) used by the Jungle Aviation and Radio Service (JAARS) and the CODAN radios used by MAF and PACTEC. The current (2006/07) AAS senior project group, working in consultation with Mission Safety International (MSI) has decided to focus on a satellite link solution to the messaging needs of UIM International pilots in Mexico, prohibited from using HF radios.
Mission fit
The clients that ACTS, and now the Communications Group, continues to serve, are dedicated to causes such as disaster relief, humanitarian aid, economic development, serving as a witness to the love of God, and spreading good news of new life by trusting in the Lord Jesus Christ. Thus, to serve these clients futhers both their own mission as well as the mission of the Messiah College Collaboratory. Becoming licensed and involved in Amateur Radio provides a wealth of challenge and opportunity within the field of electrical engineering to focus on an extremely practical and service-oriented application. Integrity consistent with a Christian faith commitment is needed in operation, management, maintenance and engineering of such radio station activities. Amateur Radio licensure will enable student leaders and the group advisor to share the responsibility for administrative decisions. The resources and equipment funded by this proposal will enable students to complete hands-on projects involving design, construction, test and measurements. The broad scope of radio communication will help students become more internationally aware, including the unique needs of clients in remote locations of the world. Prior to more in-depth coursework in electrical engineering, students will become exposed to the practical elements of communications, including terminology, concepts, skills, and a working knowledge of the application, preparing them to assist upper-level students on more advanced projects. Amateur Radio activities will help students recognize the need for multidisciplinary involvement, due to its social, scientific, legal, economic and technical aspects. The resources and equipment afforded by funding this proposal will increase the potential for a sustainable on-going project group. Furthermore, activities facilitated by these resources will introduce and support the learning of students in courses throughout the electrical concentration of engineering.
Summary
Goals
- By May 2007, develop a library (one set) of published resources (located in Frey 226) for the Communications Group that enables students to become licensed as a Radio Amateur at the Technician, General and/or Extra levels, and supports their activity both as radio amateur operators and as radio engineers with relevant technical references.
- By May 2007, acquire equipment to set up one fixed licensed amateur radio station as a home-base at Messiah College (in Frey 226), two portable units for licensed amateur operation in the field at a distance, and four Family Radio Service (FRS) mobile units for unlicensed radio demonstration, training and practice during Group Orientation.
- By May 2007, acquire portable measurement equipment for developing, testing and maintaining amateur radio stations, experimental Wi-Fi networks, or VSAT links either at the home-base, or on the field.
- By the end of the Spring 2007 semester, as a result of the first Communications Group Orientation course, have two students licensed as radio amateurs at the Technician level, and the Group Advisor licensed at the Technician and/or General level, after completing the necessary applications and tests at an official amateur radio examination site.
Specifications
- One set of references (~12) considered essential or primary for getting started with amateur radio, mostly published by ARRL, by the end of February 2007.
- One set of sources (~24) considered second level priority, for radio amateurs with some experience in the field, by the end of May 2007.
- One amateur radio station capable of operating within the legal limits of bands and frequencies and up to the maximum power level allowed, for use as a home-base in Frey 226, by May 2007, with an optional cable connection to antenna on the roof of Frey Hall; students test by December 2007.
- Acquire one additional portable Kenwood (TH-D7) FM Dual Bander with TNC capable of AX.25 Protocol, by May 2007, to match the one unit ACTS already has; students test with home-base and other portable unit by December 2007.
- Acquire two pairs of FRS radio with charger and rechargeable batteries, by February 2007; test operation in Group Orientation by May 2007.
- By May 2007, acquire various radio test equipment to: check the match of an antenna to the transciever with related characteristics, position a directional high gain antenna such as a VSAT, measure the output power and frequency of an amateur transmitter or Wi-Fi signal, identify a satellite signal, test an automatic position recording system (APRS) with an additional GPS unit associated with the additional portable Kenwood unit above, enable student to participate in low power and/or foxhunting contests; students and/or advisor tests by December 2007.
- Acquire sufficient wire, cables, connectors, 3 log books, and other office supplies to support the activies proposed here.
- Two students and the Group Advisor will travel to, complete applications for and pass the Amateur Radio License exam for the Technician level, at least, administered by Volunteer Exam Coordinators (VECs) at an official site by the end of the Spring 2007 semester.
- By December 2007, schedule a guest speaker on Amateur Radio, electrical power generation and safety issues, and trips to a local electric power generation station and/or to NRAO in Green Banks, West Virginia.
Deliverables
- Completion of the Group Orientation course by two students and one faculty Advisor to prepare students for Communications project work, by May 2007.
- Two students and one faculty member as licensed Technician level Amateur Radio operators, by May 2007.
- Successful implementation of the home-based radio station and tests that verify it can communicate with the two mobile units, and the mobile units with each other, as documented by December 2007.
- A syllabus that shows how the FRS radios, and other Amateur Radio equipment has been integrated into Group Orientation (ENGR 201CO).
- A project narrative that documents the functionality and usefullness of the measurement and test equipment acquired.
- A proposal for additional funding to at least one external source, such as ARRL or HP.
- A list of opportunities for student amateur radio activities, either for service, contest participation and/or internships such as at NRAO.
Time line
- Start Date: February 2007.
- End Date: December 2007.
- February 10: Group Advisor takes Technicial level License Exam.
- End of February 2007: acquire 12 primary references & two pairs of FRS radios, for use in Group Orientation, Spring 2007.
- April 14: two students take Technician level License Exam, Advisor to take General level License Exam, if ready.
- May 2007: acquire 24 secondary references, for radio amateurs with some experience, two students and advisor complete Group Orientation (ENGR 201CO); two students prepared for project work.
- End of May 2007: Have acquired all equipment specified in proposal.
- End of December 2007: Advisor and students have completed all testing of equipment with an associated project report summary; advisor has completed a proposal to at least one external source for additional funding; a list of potential student activities has been compiled.
Resources
Personnel and facilities
- The minimum academic knowledge and skill needed to participate is that which is required to pass the Technician level Amateur Radio License Exam, as developed during Group Orientation. Although students from any discipline that can pass the test would be welcome, engineering major students will be able to pursue more advanced technical and design activities as they complete the upper level courses of their electrical concentration curriculum.
- In addition to the faculty group advisor (1), students required are those enrolled in Group Orientation for Spring 2007 (presently 2). Other students involved in Communications Group activities include the AAS seniors (3) and supporting ACTS members (2), but their participation would be optional, not required for this proposed work.
- Space needed would be that which is provided in Frey 226, including some unused table, desk and shelf areas. However, since ACTS shares that space with a partner, some reconfiguration and negotation may be necessary in order to more effectively utilize the space. Some equipment could also be stored in the Electrical equipment room, but should be clearly labeled as Messiah College ACTS property. Also, some further negotiation will be necessary to pursue the option of a cable connection to an antenna on the roof of Frey.
- The Communications Group will rely on the Collaboratory for accounting of the funds.
Budget
| Budget Category | Detail Description of Items | Expense |
|---|---|---|
| Project supplies | Books, videos, software, etc. | $1000 |
| Office supplies | General | $100 |
| Equipment | FRS radios, SWR meter, Antenna Impedance Analyzer, Digital Compass, GPS Unit, Digital Inclinometer, Portable Spectrum Analyzer, wire, cable, connectors, etc. | $5000 |
| Travel | License Exam & Fees, NRAO, Contest sites, etc. | $400 |
| Hospitality | Guest speaker expenses | $200 |
| Printing | General | $100 |
| Shipping | Equipment items, etc. | $200 |
| Total | Growing the Communications Group (2007) | $7000 |
| Funding Category | Detail Description of Source | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Project Supplies | W. M. Keck Foundation | $7000 |
For more information about this template, please read Help:Project proposal article and Help:Template.
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Approved on 2007 04-18 |
| Leaders Committee: 2007 03-15 | |
| Directors Committee: 2007 04-02 | |
| Executive Committee: 2007 04-18 |
