Radio Amateur’s Call for Help Relayed from across the Atlantic

This is an interesting story that involves 2 different modes of digital radio, DMR (Digital Mobile Radio) and Yaesu System Fusion (C4FM). It is an example of the evolving capability we have as amateur radio operators as a result of the amateur radio community experimimenting with technology. It also shows how linking radios/repeaters using internet connecctions and servers work together.

 
06/25/2020
http://www.arrl.org/news/radio-amateur-s-call-for-help-relayed-from-acro...

When Richard Tashner, N2EO, of Massapequa, New York, suffered a medical emergency on May 18, his DMR radio was closer than his phone. His call for help was answered by Maxis Johnston, GM0MRJ, who put out a call for “anyone in the states.”

Kent County Amateur Radio Club member Ken Dix, KB2KBD, in Delaware heard the call on the local 146.91 MHz repeater, which was linked to the North American talk group. Dix called authorities in Tashner’s vicinity, and help was dispatched.

Dix said the dispatcher in New York was able to hear part of the call and was amazed at how an amateur radio communication had gone from New York to Scotland to Delaware and then back to New York. The dispatcher expressed surprise at how quickly the information had been relayed across the Atlantic. The Delaware repeater, at the Delaware State Communications complex, is set on C4FM Fusion and linked to DMR on “America's Net.” — Thanks to the ARES E-Letter via Jerry Palmer, N3KRX