Packet Radio

Mar 24 06:31 UTC 1998

Packet radio is an error-free digital mode in which data are sent in small
"bursts", or packets, implemented by a computer program interfacing with a
radio transceiver. The packets contain both the information to be sent and
also "overhead" information used to route the packet and reassemble them
into their original continuous whole. The "web" operates as packet radio,
but it was invented for computer communication by radio amateurs many
years ago. 

response 2 of 97:

Jul 7 10:30 UTC 1998

Packet Radio is s Very PowerFull to be "INVISIBLE" on The NET !.
 




                                              73 de LZ5XK

response 4 of 97:

Jul 15 19:39 UTC 1998

Check out http://www.cyberspace.org/~arrow/ - Actually, the club does not
have a "HQ", unless you mean the city, which is Ann Arbor.  They have a
station (radio room )in the basement of the Red Cross building (not yet
refurbished and operable since the collapsw of the radio tower and the
flood). The club will have its next meeting in September...watch the web
site for info in about mid August. 

response 6 of 97:

Jan 25 18:49 UTC 1999

I managed to enable the AX.25 support on my Linux system, but I didn't
do much with it.  I was able to monitor traffic in the neighborhood, and
initiate connections, but I never figured out how to answer when someone
else requested a connection.  I also didn't get TCP/IP over packet
configured.   Now I've re-installed a new release of Linux, so I have to
start over.

response 8 of 97:

Feb 15 10:06 UTC 1999

Hi, does anyone here know how to use tcp/ip over packet?
Sorry. I am attempting to get used to this.

response 10 of 97:

Nov 20 22:07 UTC 1999

No, I've logged into the internet via a "gateway", although since you
are transmitting your password over the air it is not very secure.

Packet radio provides fast and *accurate* communications. For message
handling over short distances it is excellent - much better than by voice
or code, with operators having to write down what they hear. It is a very
useful mode for emergency communications. I used it once at a remote rest
station during a local bicycle race to transmit participant messages and
requests for provisions, etc: the data do not get garbled in transmission. 

Packet is also adaptable to what is called the Amateur Packet Radio
System, which can be used to transmit information from mobile operators
about location (determined by GPS) and other parameters. It has been used
in road rallys (even bicycle rallies) for keeping track on a map of the
location of all the participants. (I have not used this yet, but it is on
my lift of projects....)

response 12 of 97:

Nov 22 22:31 UTC 1999

resp#10: I believe it's actually "Amateur Position Reporting System", and
it's also been used on balloon launches for tracking & recovery of the
payload.

response 14 of 97:

Nov 24 20:38 UTC 1999

I need to learn more about packet...I keep hearing bursts of noise from
a local repeater (I forget the freq.)

If I got a terminal, a TNC, and a radio, how would I communicate with other
hams?  Do you give a digital CQ or do you really have to have something
setup ahead of time?

response 16 of 97:

Nov 24 21:55 UTC 1999

   All you really need is a TNC, a radio and a terminal.

   The TNC has firmware which is set prior to you going on the air, callsign
usually goes in first, and stays there. There are all sorts of settings you
have to do before you start, and each of the settings is determined by where
you live and how well you hear and are heard.

   Ideally, the radio should be a 25 to 50 watt output to ensure transmitting
capability. You should also have a good outdoor antenna, about 25 to 50 feet
off the ground so that you are heard as well as seen. There is nothing worse
than a packet station that is all mouth and no ears. I personally use my HT
but I always go through a friend's stronger powered station to make m,yself
heard. You will also learn what digipeating is.

   If you want Chris, I can show you my packet station and help take some of
the mystery out of it. Packet is really a fun mode and more people should do
it. Send me an e-mail.

response 18 of 97:

Nov 25 03:35 UTC 1999

Whether you need much power or not depends a lot on what the local packet
network is like.  I used to do fine with 5 watts from an HT, into a 5/8 wave
antenna on the roof.

There is some software now that lets you bypass the need for a TNC, if you
have a fairly modern computer with a sound card.  (You still have to wire
a circuit so the computer can trigger the radio's push-to-talk line,
though.)  I haven't played with any of this "software TNC" stuff, but it
looks interesting.

response 20 of 97:

Dec 1 19:05 UTC 1999

Jim, I'd like to see your packet setup sometime, thanks

David, I'm going to poke around the net for the 'software TNC' stuff, thanks.

Klaus, I may be interested in your friends gear, thanks.

response 22 of 97:

Mar 7 21:47 UTC 2000

Packet is dead, the 'net saw to that. 
\
at least here in detroit it is...

response 24 of 97:

Mar 8 05:25 UTC 2000

Yeah, the local packet network here in da UP fell apart because everyone
lost interest.  Now the only way to forward mail or bulletins in or out is
via the Internet, so what's the point?