SulCom Backbone Communications Protocols
	Download/Read and Understand These Documents Before Proceeding On-Air Guidance - Most (If Not All) Programs Other Programs Consult the appropriate program documentation for additional guidance. Essential Communications Protocols for programs/support tasks will be determined as the needs arise.
A Note on Activation of Volunteer Personnel at Sullivan Weather In all cases the need for internal support at Sullivan Weather is determined by the meteorologist staff. Volunteer personnel working at Sullivan Weather do not self-activate under any circumstances. This means that the field teams may be “ready to go” before Sullivan Weather is active for a given incident. While not optimal, this is a valid scenario. Sullivan Weather will show presence on all involved backbone repeater systems as soon as possible. In this regard relay stations are encouraged to monitor the backbone repeater systems as soon as their team is active in order to promote a quick check-in process.
Backbone Net Types for All Programs (unless otherwise indicated) Information Net · Sullivan Weather provides synopsis on the appropriate repeater(s) every 15 minutes (max.) unless conditions dictate otherwise · Sullivan Weather maintains a visible, but not restrictive, presence on the appropriate backbone repeater(s) · SulCom field team relay stations can check-in on the backbone repeater(s) at any time · No restrictions for regular backbone repeater users except for request to keep transmissions short in case break-in is needed · Items/incidents of concern (if any) are out of the Sullivan Weather CWA by more than 20 minutes/20 miles Standby Net · Items of concern are within the 20 minute / 20 mile cutoff and will be entering the Sullivan Weather CWA · Sullivan Weather continues providing synopsis on the appropriate backbone repeater(s) specific to the upcoming event every 15 minutes (max.) unless inbound data volume dictates otherwise · SulCom field team relay stations can check-in on the backbone repeater(s) at any time · Sullivan Weather allows calls to move off frequency on backbone repeater(s) Full Net · Items of concern are at the border of or within the Sullivan Weather CWA · Sullivan Weather has on-air control of the necessary backbone repeater(s) · Highly structured communications with dialogue between Sullivan Weather and SulCom field team relay stations only - other non-emergency traffic is diverted to other channels · Program-specific criteria or meteorologist-requested information only · SulCom field team relay stations can check-in on the backbone repeater(s) at any time
SulCom Backbone Frequency List (NOT FOR GENERAL DISTRIBUTION) East (MKX E) – Primary and Backup The MKX E primary repeater is the 145.13 (T127.3) (N9LKH) repeater owned and maintained by the Milwaukee Area Amateur Repeater Society (MAARS.) The MKX E backup repeater is the 146.82 (T127.3) (W9TJK) repeater owned and maintained by the Southeastern Wisconsin FM Amateur Repeater Society (SEWFARS.) Central (MKX C) – Primary and Backup The MKX C primary repeater is the 145.45 (T123.0) (WB9SHS) repeater owned and maintained by the Rock County Repeater Association (RCRA.) The MKX C Backup frequency is 146.58 (T156.7), a VHF FM voice channel. West (MKX W) – Primary and Backup The MKX W primary repeater is the 147.315 (T123.0) (WB9FDZ) repeater owned and maintained by the Yellow Thunder Amateur Radio Club (YTARC.) The MKX W backup repeater is the 145.37 (T123.0) (KC9FNM) repeater owned and maintained by a private party. Other Frequencies and Modes/Tools Used Backup Direct/Tac Frequency Two HF SSB comms frequencies are used as a backup for backbone repeater operations in case of widespread repeater malfunction and other regional communications needs. The backup frequencies for SulCom backbone operations is TBD Social Media and Other Electronic Tools Social Media Per agency guidance, Social Media tools have been adopted as a primary means of collecting data from a number of sources in SulCom programs. Other Electronic Tools As a contingency, Sullivan Weather maintains a Winlink (e-mail over Amateur Radio) capable workstation at the comms desk. Several datasets can be batched into one message and that message can then be forwarded directly to Sullivan Weather. Please see the appropriate program guidance for details on proper use of all tools.