Action Plan (as of 2026-03-26)
Intent: To establish an emergency communications network (ECN) of like-minded people by helping to organize, train, support and integrate Local Networks and independent operators across Canada and beyond.
The overall network will be two-tiered (see image below). The lower tier consists of Local Networks using local comms devices (eg VHF/UHF, CB and LoRa). In the upper tier, the lower tier networks are connected through independent operators using a digital-HF platform to ensure greater connection reliability over long distances.
The overall network is standardized around preferred technology and protocol options, which each group can adapt as they see fit:
Lines of Effort (LoE):
Requirements:
• Hams / Volunteers / Teams / Systems / Resources
Next Steps:
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Current State:
2024-04-08: First Emergency Drill.
The overall network will be two-tiered (see image below). The lower tier consists of Local Networks using local comms devices (eg VHF/UHF, CB and LoRa). In the upper tier, the lower tier networks are connected through independent operators using a digital-HF platform to ensure greater connection reliability over long distances.
The overall network is standardized around preferred technology and protocol options, which each group can adapt as they see fit:
- Lower Tier - Local Comms Technology (Baofeng Option - LoRa? CB?)
- Upper Tier - Long Distance Comms Technology (SDR/JS8/???/Radio) - aka SDR Option)
- Messaging Protocols
- Local Network Protocols
Lines of Effort (LoE):
- Recruiting and Promotion
- building the network by connecting with like-minded people and groups and encouraging active membership
- Research
- investigating relevant technologies and protocols in order to identify preferred options
- Education
- providing individuals and groups with information and training so they can become active members of the network
- Procurement
- assisting individuals and groups in the acquisition of preferred device options
- Testing Drills
- conducting regular (quarterly) emergency drills so that groups will be ready if and when the need arises
- Support
- providing the relevant resources and capabilities to facilitate each LoE including website, Telegram, email, etc.
Requirements:
• Hams / Volunteers / Teams / Systems / Resources
Next Steps:
- prepare for Preppers Meet (Jul 9-12, 2026)
- standardize SDR Option
- develop Training schedule
- prepare for the next Emergency Drill (EmDrill#6 - Oct 29 2026)
- develop Local Network Protocol
- develop Messaging Protocol
- pursue LoRa test network
- pursue CB test network
- improve the Procurement process
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Current State:
2024-04-08: First Emergency Drill.
============
NOTES:
• mapping
◦ to document the network in order to facilitate the relaying of messages
• protocols
◦ to address how comms should be undertaken, security etc.
• emergency drills
◦ to plan and conduct SHTF drills
organization
• member communication
◦ website / Telegram / email / events
• recruitment
◦ to recruit and onboard groups and individuals into the network
• admin
◦ to address the back office needs of the network, meetings, etc
services
• learning
◦ to make climbing the emcomms learning curve easier
• purchasing
◦ to facilitate the purchasing and resale of products to members
• programming
◦ to establish the capability to program devices as needed
• manufacturing
◦ to develop and produce goods for the members (antenna kits, LoRa units, etc.)
• research
◦ to identify and pursue technological opportunities
NOTES:
• mapping
◦ to document the network in order to facilitate the relaying of messages
• protocols
◦ to address how comms should be undertaken, security etc.
• emergency drills
◦ to plan and conduct SHTF drills
organization
• member communication
◦ website / Telegram / email / events
• recruitment
◦ to recruit and onboard groups and individuals into the network
• admin
◦ to address the back office needs of the network, meetings, etc
services
• learning
◦ to make climbing the emcomms learning curve easier
• purchasing
◦ to facilitate the purchasing and resale of products to members
• programming
◦ to establish the capability to program devices as needed
• manufacturing
◦ to develop and produce goods for the members (antenna kits, LoRa units, etc.)
• research
◦ to identify and pursue technological opportunities