SEEN NEWS

Update August 23, 2025

Why SEEN Should Focus on Health and Welfare Traffic

When disasters strike, radio operators have long played a vital role in keeping people connected. Amateur radio has proven itself time and again—from hurricanes to ice storms, wildfires to floods. Many groups exist within the amateur and emergency communications space, each with their own focus. Organizations like ARES (Amateur Radio Emergency Service), RACES (Radio Amateur Civil Emergency Service), and SHARES (SHAred RESources) High Frequency (HF) Radio Program) are primarily geared toward supporting government continuity, while FEMA, and the Red Cross are primarily geared toward supporting government relief agencies, and humanitarian aid operations.

But where does that leave SEEN, the SouthEast Emergency Network?

SEEN’s greatest contribution lies not in duplicating the work of these groups but in providing a focused service that is often overlooked: Health and Welfare (H&W) traffic.

The Overlap Problem

ARES and RACES exist specifically to augment government and agency communications during emergencies. They work closely with local emergency management offices, state-level response agencies, and even federal bodies. Their job is, in large part, to ensure that critical infrastructure and government operations continue to function.

The Red Cross, along with FEMA and similar organizations, naturally focuses on humanitarian aid—food, water, shelter, medical triage, and coordination of large-scale relief efforts. Amateur operators working alongside these agencies are often tasked with message handling, logistics reports, and agency-specific traffic.

This is valuable work. But it doesn’t necessarily address the most pressing need for ordinary people caught in the chaos:

"Is my family safe? Do they know I’m okay?"

The Forgotten Lane: Health and Welfare Traffic

In the rush to support official operations, Health and Welfare traffic often takes a back seat. Yet history shows that in every disaster, the number one concern of the public is reconnecting with loved ones.

H&W traffic is not about logistics, supply chain requests, or tactical field reports. It’s about:

• Letting a mother know her son made it through the storm.

• Confirming to distant family members that their elderly relatives are safe.

• Passing short, vital updates when cell towers, internet, and landlines are down.

These simple messages may not seem “mission-critical” to government agencies, but to families in crisis, they are everything.

Why SEEN is Uniquely Positioned

Unlike ARES, RACES, or other groups tied directly to government and humanitarian relief, SEEN is an independent, regional network. This independence is a strength. It allows SEEN to:

• Avoid duplication of effort. Instead of competing with ARES or the Red Cross, SEEN can complement them by focusing on an area many agencies leave behind.

• Bridge the gap between official response and the public’s needs. Families often can’t get through to relief organizations. SEEN operators can be their voice.

• Provide resiliency through diversity. By not being locked into government priorities, SEEN can scale across counties, states, and regions, passing H&W traffic where others may not prioritize it.

In short: SEEN can be the trusted conduit for families and communities, ensuring that in times of uncertainty, loved ones are not left in the dark.

Staying in Our Lane

If SEEN tries to mirror what ARES, RACES, FEMA, or the Red Cross do, two things will happen:

1. We’ll always be “second best” because those groups already have the agency ties and structures in place.

2. We’ll lose sight of the unique niche that makes SEEN valuable—connecting people when it matters most.

By focusing on H&W traffic, SEEN avoids mission creep and instead builds depth, trust, and reliability in a service no one else is prioritizing.

The Mission Moving Forward

SEEN’s mission should be clear:

• Health and Welfare first. Prioritize connecting families and loved ones.

• Support, not compete. Work alongside other agencies but do not duplicate their roles.

• Build a culture of reliability. Train, drill, and prepare to pass H&W traffic with efficiency, accuracy, and compassion.

When disaster hits, governments will worry about logistics and infrastructure. Relief agencies will focus on shelter and supplies. But SEEN can give people the one thing none of those agencies can guarantee:

Peace of mind.

Partnering with AmRRON: Local Meets National

This is also where AmRRON (American Redoubt Radio Operators Network) comes into play. AmRRON operates on a national scale, with trained operators and systems designed for long-haul message handling. By working in tandem with AmRRON, SEEN’s local and regional focus gains a national reach.

The flow is simple:

• A SEEN operator collects a Health and Welfare message from a neighbor.

• SEEN relays it through the local and regional network across the Southeast.

• If the recipient is out of region, the traffic seamlessly hands off to AmRRON for delivery anywhere in the U.S.

This partnership ensures that no message is too small, too far, or too isolated to reach its destination. Families can know that even if normal communications collapse, SEEN and AmRRON together provide a local-to-national safety net for H&W traffic.

Bookmark us:
www.senetwork.us

Visit AmRRON at
www.amrron.com

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Update July 29, 2025

Meshtastic: A Powerful Tool for EmComm in the SEEN Network

I served many years as a NAVY/Marine Corp Mars operator (NAVMARCORPMARS) and loved every minute of it. Today I serve with the American Redoubt Radio Operators Network  (AmRRON), SHAred RESources High Frequency HF Radio Program (SHARES),
and am one of the founders of the SouthEast Emergency Network (SEEN).

I was recently thinking about how wonderful technology is today as compared to the time I spent in MARS in an era where communications technology was little to nothing. Morse Code was king but was starting to die. Then came RTTY and new modes such as VHF/HF Packet, FEC AMTOR, with Pactor soon to follow. As a matter of fact SEEN operates a pretty elaborate VHF Packet and HF Vara BBS system. Did I say VHF Packet? Yes, I really am that old hi hi. Now we are in a new era with really great digital modes such as FLDIGI, Js8Call, Winlink, VarAC and a number of others. I am excited every day to see the new modes and technologies that are emerging.

However…

…In the world of emergency communications, reliability, decentralization, and resilience are critical. Traditional systems often fail when disaster strikes. That’s where the new kid on the block, Meshtastic, comes into play—a flexible, low-cost, and scalable LoRa-based peer to peer protocol mesh messaging system that can be a game changer for groups like SEEN (SouthEast Emergency Network) working in EmComm (Emergency Communications).

What Is Meshtastic?

Meshtastic is an open-source, peer-to-peer messaging platform built on LoRa (Long Range) radio technology. Unlike cellular or internet-based systems, Meshtastic does not require centralized infrastructure like towers, satellites, or servers. Instead, it operates as a mesh network, where each node (device) relays messages to nearby nodes, extending communication reach organically.

Think of it like digital carrier pigeons hopping messages across town, county lines, or even regions—without relying on commercial networks.

How Meshtastic can be used in SEEN and all EmComm groups

1. Off-Grid Messaging
Meshtastic allows short text messages to be sent node-to-node—even if the internet and power grid go down. This makes it ideal for relaying situational reports, requests for assistance, and logistical updates in disaster scenarios.

2. Neighborhood Watch or CERT Support
Meshtastic can be used to connect Community Emergency Response Teams (CERT) or neighborhood volunteers during drills or real emergencies. Each member can carry a lightweight LoRa device to maintain connection across a town or county.

3. Tactical Field Deployments
During search and rescue, shelters-in-place, or convoy operations, Meshtastic can keep teams in touch even in rough terrain or remote areas where other forms of communication fail.

4. Redundant Backbone for SEEN Nets
Meshtastic can serve as a redundant communication layer, relaying status checks, check-ins, or critical health and welfare messages alongside voice or Winlink systems.

Public vs. Ham Band: Choosing the Right Frequency

Meshtastic supports operation on both license-free ISM (Industrial, Scientific, and Medical) as well as amateur radio bands, each with pros and cons. Consider:

Public (ISM) Bands (like 915 MHz in the US):

• No license required
  Great for non-hams, CERT teams, neighborhood responders, and volunteers.

• More inclusive
  Allows broader community adoption beyond the ham radio circle.

• Limited power & duty cycle
  Regulations cap transmission power and how long you can transmit.

Ham Bands:

• Higher power limits
  Longer range and more robust communications in challenging terrain.

• Fewer restrictions on duty cycle
  Makes relaying and automated messaging more effective.

• License required
  Only licensed amateur radio operators can use these frequencies legally.

• Content limitations
  No encryption or business use allowed on ham bands.

Best Practice for SEEN:
I think the best practice for SEEN is to use the public bands for community-wide initiatives and CERT-style use. This gives Tier One operators the ability to send traffic to Tier Two and above Ham Operators for forwarding on. We are currently doing this on a low scale with a private SEEN channel. It is very promising.

How Meshtastic Fits into SEEN’s EmComm Strategy

SEEN has always been about staying connected, informed, and ready during real-world events. Meshtastic fits perfectly into that vision:

• Adds Redundancy: Meshtastic can complement Winlink, voice nets, and digital HF/VHF tools by creating a localized, off-grid alternative when other systems are jammed, down, or overloaded.

• Encourages Community Participation: With ISM-band support, Meshtastic brings non-hams into the communications loop during training and disasters—bridging the gap between amateur radio and the public.

• Easy to Deploy: Small LoRa nodes can be solar-powered, battery-operated, or placed strategically at shelters, staging areas, or homes to extend the mesh.

• Scales Regionally: As more SEEN members deploy Meshtastic nodes, the regional mesh grows stronger—whether across towns, counties, or multi-state areas.

Conclusion: Future-Proofing SEEN with Meshtastic

The future of EmComm isn’t just radios—it’s resilience. Meshtastic helps SEEN stay nimble, inclusive, and off-grid capable. By integrating it into our toolbox alongside HF, VHF, Winlink, and voice nets, we’re building a layered, modern communications network that can operate in any condition.

Whether the grid is up or down, Meshtastic ensures the message still gets through.

In closing let me mention the SEEN members that have worked so hard to build a Mesh network in Central Alabama. It started with SEEN member Robert (N8QB) and with the help of other SEEN members Ross (W4RKJ, Doug (K8DDD), and Mark (K4ZYP) Birmingham Mesh became a reality. I am sure many others have been and are involved.

There is a public channel that anyone can use ham or not and then there is the SEEN channel that was set up for the group fully secure and for SEEN members only. SEEN thanks these men for their dedication and hard work.

Visit Birmingham Mesh when you can
https://birminghammesh.org/

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T-REX is an annual nationwide emergency communications and preparedness drill organized by AmRRON (American Redoubt Radio Operators Network). Designed for individuals, families, and groups, T-REX simulates a grid-down scenario to test and enhance participants' readiness in the face of widespread infrastructure failures. There are numerous preparedness groups that participate in this exercise every year. 

What Is T-REX?

T-REX is a 48-hour exercise that immerses participants in a simulated national emergency, such as a cyberattack or natural disaster, leading to the loss of power, internet, and telecommunications. Participants are encouraged to operate without these utilities, relying instead on alternative methods for communication, cooking, lighting, and other daily needs. The primary goal is to practice emergency communications using amateur radio and other non-conventional means, ensuring information can still flow during real-world crises.

Who Can Participate?

Participation in T-REX is open to everyone, regardless of experience level. Whether you're a seasoned ham radio operator or new to emergency preparedness, the exercise offers valuable hands-on experience. Groups such as families, church congregations, preparedness teams, and community organizations are especially encouraged to join, tailoring the exercise to their specific needs and scenarios .

Why It Matters

In an era where cyber threats and infrastructure vulnerabilities are increasingly prevalent, T-REX provides a practical platform to assess and improve your emergency response capabilities. By participating, you can identify gaps in your preparedness plan, enhance your communication skills, and build resilience within your community.

The official T-REX 2025 page is posted at https://amrron.com/t-rex-2025-annual-exercise-page/
Operators from the SEEN group (SouthEast Emergency Network) participate every year and we encourage our members to participate to whatever level that they feel comfortable.

More information and videos are being worked on and will be added in the coming days and weeks, so stay tuned!