5 November 2019
To: All Amateur Radio Emergency Coordinators throughout the United States
From: Radio Relay International
Ref: The Future of the Winlink System and PACTOR
Does your ARES, RACES or similar local emergency communications unit use Winlink, DTN or similar digital infrastructure as a component in its preparedness and response operations? Do you have plans to do so in the future? If so, you must act now to protect this valuable asset!
Winlink and the PACTOR modes on which it is based have been around for decades and have become an extremely important tool in Amateur Radio public service communications. Two important worldwide emergency communications networks built by volunteers who donated their time and energy are predicated on its continued use. These networks, one of which is the familiar Winlink system, have been good neighbors to their fellow radio amateurs for many years.
Recently, a small cadre of individuals have sought to diminish or eliminate the Winlink program as it currently exists. Their motives are unclear. However, in doing so, they have made the PACTOR mode of communications their target. In their efforts, they have made inferences and accusations that have proven quite controversial. Most recently, they have asked the Federal Communications Commission to issue a declaratory ruling that would essentially prohibit the use of PACTOR, thereby rendering many long-standing emergency communications networks inoperative.
Our goal is to communicate the importance of PACTOR and the networks built on its capabilities to the Federal Communications Commission. In particular; it is essential that we leverage the support of the local and state emergency management and public safety community to protect these networks from the agenda of a very small but well-funded minority of individuals.
Attached you will find a preformatted radiogram message. We respectfully ask that every Amateur Radio emergency coordinator contact his local, district or state emergency management directors, sheriffs, fire service officials, hospital agencies and other public safety officials in his jurisdiction and ask that they authorize its transmission on their behalf. It’s a simple matter to pick up the telephone. Our goal is to collect a minimum of 500 to 1000 of these radiograms signed by emergency services officials throughout the United States supporting the continued use of PACTOR as an essential tool in the emergency communications field. These radiograms will be collected at a central location and included as an exhibit in a filing with the Federal Communications Commission.
YOU MUST ACT NOW TO SAVE PACTOR AND THE NETWORKS THAT RELY ON IT, INCLUDING THE WINLINK SYSTEM!! There is no time to waste.
A request for declaratory ruling to eliminate PACTOR calls for a comment deadline on December 2. This gives us only a few weeks to act and prepare a response filing. Therefore, please complete the attached radiogram form and return it by no later than November 22.
Two documents are attached. One is an example form with a standard text and simulated signature provided for guidance. The second is a fillable PDF on which you can enter the name, title and agency of the official originating the message is attached. This process only requires a few phone calls on everyone’s part.
Please do NOT change the text. Simply add the required information for the signature and send the message either via a traffic net or it may be emailed directly as a completed PDF to the address shown on the form.
PLEASE ACT TODAY! THERE IS NO TIME TO WASTE!
Thank you, and 73!