Working with NBEMS

paNBEMS.org is a working group for training in the use of the NBEMS (Narrow Band Emergency Massage System) software which is available for free from www.w1hkj.com. paNBEMS has been active now for about 4 years. We have helped train hundreds of radio operators in the use of NBEMS, many of whom have moved on to train many more.

The NBEMS software provides a digital radio sound card modem and a form-based messaging program in two separate applications that work together to form a perfect software suite for emergency radio digital communications for use on HF and VHF/UHF. The software is free and multi platform... so, no matter if you run MAC, Linux or WIndows, the software runs, looks and feels the same on any OS platform.

A few of the major advantages of NBEMS are:

1) The use and purchase of proprietary, expensive and complex hardware is not necessary. We often run without even using a direct-wired interface from the computer to the transceiver. Acoustic coupling is accomplished by keying up the transceiver mic near the computer speaker and hitting send on the software. Conversely, to receive, all you need is a working computer microphone (internal or cheap plug in) that can hear the transceiver’s received audio to decode the digital audio back to text... this method works especially well with the 200 WPM MT63 2k long mode on FM simplex or over repeaters or for just receiving digital NBEMS traffic on HF.

2) Because NBEMS is so simple and fun to use, it makes it much easier to bring new volunteer amateur radio operators in to the digital radio emergency communications ranks. We regularly get new folks up and running in the course of a single UHF repeater net session. When we have someone new to NBEMS check in that says they have the software installed but haven’t tried it yet, we walk them through a few initial settings and they’re amazed when a few minutes later they’re successfully sending and receiving data. And with regards to the “fun” aspect of NBEMS, we have the huge advantage of being able to use the NBEMS software for a good deal of our recreational hamming for ragchew and DX contacts, so we’re regularly using the same software that we might be called upon to use during an emergency or disaster.

3) Although NBEMS has the capability of running ARQ based operations (one to one connection with ack/nak for error correction) we tend to use the modes with heavy forward error correction (FEC) in a broadcast type transmission, with one amateur radio operator sending (i.e. NCS) and an unlimited number of amateur radio stations receiving from the single transmission. The FLMSG application allows form-based data entry with several of the ICS, HICS, MARS, American Red Cross and the NTS/ARRL Radiogram forms. There are also generic email type forms and a blank form option and the forms can be further customized with savable text templates for common reports. The FLMSG messages include an embedded checksum calculation and all receiving stations can independently and automatically confirm 100% accurate receipt. So, we can guarantee to our served agencies that the message was received exactly as it was sent without error.

NBEMS nets are popping up all across the country.... some run on 6m or 2m SSB, some on 2m FM (simplex and repeaters like we do here in Pittsburgh) and many regional and local nets are running on 80m and 40m. Just within the last month or so, we have been learing about many upcoming drills where NBEMS will at least play some part. In several other drills, NBEMS has been chosen by the served agencies as a primary means of communications due to its reliability, simplicity, portability and ability to handle detailed messages and spread sheet data such as logistical spread sheet files or needed or available resource lists.

Please visit our website if you would like to learn more about NBEMS. All are welcome to join us on our net schedules. If you would like some help and suggestions in getting your own NBEMS net up and running, just drop us a line. We’ll be glad to try to help.

www.paBNEMS.org

 

"...NBEMS (Narrow Band Emergency Massage System) software..." Think you wanted to say Message System there. Vy 73...

 

The URL should be www.paNBEMS.org

 

Thanks for the corrections!

 

I think the idea of an emergency massage system is long over due. Too many times it's dificult to get an appointment with the chiropractor especially on Fridays or over the wekend. A lot of people to outdoor home projects on the weekend and an emergency massage system would sur come in handy. Nice idea.

 

I'm glad you agree. Wait till you learn about the emergency message system software... that's even better.
-Dave, KB3FXI
www.paNBEMS.org

 

Got a link to any other groups in the country doing it. PA is a bit far to work reliably from TX, even on HF.

 

Here's an NBEMS net list from our email list from a few weeks back. I'm guessing the NM 40m or So. Terr 20m SATERN nets would be your best bets.

There are many more NBEMS nets going on out there that have not been compiled on this list. Some of which are HF but there are TONS of VHF/UHF nets popping up all across the country.

-Dave, KB3FXI
www.paNBEMS.org


NM NBEMS, Sunday, 1700 MDT (2300 UTC) on 7,103.5 KHz, USB, Center Cursor Freq. is 1.5 KHz. RSID on, NCS: AG5S, Alden.
AG5S at Winlink dot ORG for the WL2K check in messages.

Virginia Digital Net (VDN) Nightly 7:15pm local 3.578.5 mhz 1.3kz Olivia 4/500

NY NBEMS Saturday 10am eastern 7.036 mhz 1kz Olivia 8/500 MT63-1k n2nov@nyc-arecs.org

Southern Territory SATERN Net Saturday 12PM Central 14.065 mHz 1khz Olivia 8/500 ad5xj@comcast.net

paNBEMS 80m Net Sunday 10am ET 3.5835mhz USB 1kz Olivia 8/500 MT63-1K kb3fxi@yahoo.com
paNBEMS 40m Net Sunday 11am ET 7.073mhz USB 1kz Olivia 8/500 MT63-1K kb3fxi@yahoo.com

MI Digital Traffic Net Tuesday 7:00pm local 3.5830 mhz 1kz Olivia 8/500

North America Quick NBEMS Net Tuesday 9.45 to 10:00PM eastern 60M , any free channel 1.5 Khz Phone USB PSK31 K3UK k3ukandy@gmail.com

MN ARES Digital Net Thursday 8 p.m. local time (Minnesota) on 3583.5. We will at least start on Olivia 16/500 and play with other modes wfosler@gmail.com

 

Nope, 8/500

K2WH

 

We are starting a NBEMS net for the Dallas, TX area - Richardson Wireless Klub repeater 147.12+ (No PL) Thursdays, 8:00pm local using MT63-2K. This repeater is accessible from some areas of Ft. Worth. Check in if you can.

We have started a Yahoo group dalNBEMS.

Our plans are to use NBEMS over UHF repeater for logistics for the Wild Ride Bike Rally on May 19. We are in a training mode now learning how to set up the computers and radios.

Doug KD5OUG

 

I tried to visit your site and get the message, "Server Can Not Be Found." Been trying for 2 days and on 3 different computers.

 

The website http://www.panbems.org/ just worked for me. Give it another shot.

 

I just checked in tonight... 4/500, 2 times the speed as 8/500 but not quite as good under poor conditions. We had w1hkj add 4/500 olivia to the standard settings of FLDIGI, primarily because of the VDN net.

 

Great news, Doug... good luck with the event. Make sure your folks always side toward lower volume levels (for both mic/record and for tx/speaker). MT63 2k long will do amazingly well as long as you don't subject the software to hot audio levels. Let us know how you make out.
-Dave, KB3FXI
www.paNBEMS.org

 

I got a correction from the MIDTN NCS:
Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturday at 8:00 PM Local 3.5830 mhz 1kz Olivia 8/500