Ross Merlin, a well-known figure in the world of emergency communications interoperability, is now an HF radio specialist with NVIS Communications LLC after retiring from a long career in the U.S. federal government. His federal career included many aspects of LMR and HF radio communications such as: emergency response and operations, regulation, spectrum management, technical support, and program management. As Telecommunications and Information Resources Manager of the National Disaster Medical System his experience responding to major disasters led him to create the National Interoperability Field Operations Guide (NIFOG), used nationwide by public safety, military, and other emergency communications specialists. At FEMA he led the Wireless Program Management Office which included the FEMA National Radio SYSTEM (FNARS) and served as FEMA's Spectrum Manager. After a few years as DHS Spectrum Manager where his work included policy and regulatory matters, he joined the DHS Office of Emergency Communications (OEC, now Emergency Communications Division, ECD), providing technical assistance nationwide through the Interoperable Communications Technical Assistance Program (ICTAP). From 2015 through 2021 at the Dept. of Homeland Security (DHS), Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) he was the Program Manager of the SHAred RESources High Frequency Radio Program - SHARES. The SHARES program provides common radio channels and procedures, as well as a nationwide HF email system, to support interoperable emergency communications for all levels of government as well as critical infrastructure and key resources.

Presenting:

• Communications No Matter What - Best Practices for HF Radio System Development