Posted: 11/27/2013 4:22:28 AM EDT
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OK some one talk to me about Packet radio. I'm thinking about getting into packet and have seen some of the stations other local club members have set-up....and the issues they have! I have a couple of questions I really would like answered. 1st is there a program out there that is usable on a Windows 7 machine or higher. I have a laptop with 7 but I've been unable to find a program that will run on that level of windows. 2nd if I do set up ,a station I'll probably get a Kantronics TNC of some sort and I'll need a cable to go from the TNC to my computer. Again m laptop has no serial port only USB. Where might I get that cable? Same deal from the TNC to the radio (probably a TM 271A or 281A)
Thanks every one for your patience and help! Sarge |
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One of these should work. I use similar to the serial from my radio to USB of my PC. http://www.amazon.com/New-Trulink-Serial-Adapter-Cable/dp/B0088BYW70/ref=sr_1_1?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1385560003&sr=1-1&keywords=serial+to+usb+adapter ETA: above is an example...surf around for best one for you |
| The new beta version of FLDIGI v3.22.xx (I think) does VHF packet. You can join the beta testers at http://developer.berlios.de/projects/fldigi/ |
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i have to confess i have a soft spot for packet, since that was my entry point into ham radio. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/KA9Q http://www.ka9q.net/code/ka9qnos/ late in 1990 i went to a "packet radio" talk given by Phil at (then) Bellcore and i was hooked. a few months later in april 1991 i was a ham, and reading netnews over RF... 
ar-jedi |
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i have to confess i have a soft spot for packet, since that was my entry point into ham radio. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/KA9Q http://www.ka9q.net/code/ka9qnos/ late in 1990 i went to a "packet radio" talk given by Phil at (then) Bellcore and i was hooked. a few months later in april 1991 i was a ham, and reading netnews over RF...
ar-jedi Same here, same time frame. I still have a packet station and hope we can establish the ARFNET. |
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Same here, same time frame. I still have a packet station and hope we can establish the ARFNET. Quoted:
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i have to confess i have a soft spot for packet, since that was my entry point into ham radio. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/KA9Q http://www.ka9q.net/code/ka9qnos/ late in 1990 i went to a "packet radio" talk given by Phil at (then) Bellcore and i was hooked. a few months later in april 1991 i was a ham, and reading netnews over RF...
ar-jedi Same here, same time frame. I still have a packet station and hope we can establish the ARFNET. I'm glad to see I am not the only one I was first licensed in 1987, and when I got involved in packet I was hooked. |
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Same here, same time frame. I still have a packet station and hope we can establish the ARFNET. Last year iirc I put together a JNOS system and then figured out that the local guys didn't want to work that hard to configure their machines to run Winlink or whatever it was they were going to use to send email over packet. Let me know if there's anything I can do to help with an arfcom packet network. |
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Last year iirc I put together a JNOS system and then figured out that the local guys didn't want to work that hard to configure their machines to run Winlink or whatever it was they were going to use to send email over packet. Let me know if there's anything I can do to help with an arfcom packet network. Quoted:
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Same here, same time frame. I still have a packet station and hope we can establish the ARFNET. Last year iirc I put together a JNOS system and then figured out that the local guys didn't want to work that hard to configure their machines to run Winlink or whatever it was they were going to use to send email over packet. Let me know if there's anything I can do to help with an arfcom packet network. People go numb when I mention Linux. Try packet on Linux, ax25 built in it's trivial. |
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People go numb when I mention Linux. Try packet on Linux, ax25 built in it's trivial. This was on linux. I used the kernel ax.25 stack, and soundmodem at first with a Signalink USB. Later I used the packet specific firmware on a Byonics TT4 and it was a lot more robust. Outpost was what the ARES guys were going to use for passing messages, that and AGWPE. It worked but I think they had too many guys who didn't want to mess with it. |
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Aside from a pretty vague idea of what packet is, can someone tell me a bit more about what it is, and more importantly, how much is this going to cost me.  Packet is the old school text message and e-mail. It can be used station to station as a messenger/IM or as e-mail if there are stations set up and dedicated to store and forward messages. Packet is easy to get into and requires just some soundcard software to get started. If you have digital capability (PSK, Olivia etc..) you can do packet with the right software. I'm in the old school though and have an AEA PK-232MBX dedicated Terminal Node Controller (TNC). I made some vids a while back that might muddy things up for you.
Pt. 2
In the vids I am using an MFJ TNC on one end and MixW software on the other end. |
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Last year iirc I put together a JNOS system and then figured out that the local guys didn't want to work that hard to configure their machines to run Winlink or whatever it was they were going to use to send email over packet. Let me know if there's anything I can do to help with an arfcom packet network. Quoted:
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Same here, same time frame. I still have a packet station and hope we can establish the ARFNET. Last year iirc I put together a JNOS system and then figured out that the local guys didn't want to work that hard to configure their machines to run Winlink or whatever it was they were going to use to send email over packet. Let me know if there's anything I can do to help with an arfcom packet network. I'm a software idiot and can barely figure out DOS.
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I guess the question is: What do you want to do on Packet?
About three years ago I had a running thread. I had BPQ32 up and running with a pretty good footprint. I had links to several BBSs around the country and you could link from a local BBS (if there was one) and bounce around until you got to mine. (Someone managed to do it, and got a nice reward if I remember right) Is that the kind of packet you want to do? There's also WinLink etc, which allows you do send emails from a packet enabled station. I made that work. *yawn* Then there's APRS type functionality. That's a different thread. As for what you need, even with Win7: VHF radio, a sound card packet interface and the AGW Packet engine or a TNC. Computer.  and possibly a serial to USB interface. You should have the packet interface and a USB converter anyway. Get them. I'd skip the TNC, they have their uses, but really there are better ways.
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This was on linux. I used the kernel ax.25 stack, and soundmodem at first with a Signalink USB. Later I used the packet specific firmware on a Byonics TT4 and it was a lot more robust. Outpost was what the ARES guys were going to use for passing messages, that and AGWPE. It worked but I think they had too many guys who didn't want to mess with it. Quoted:
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People go numb when I mention Linux. Try packet on Linux, ax25 built in it's trivial. This was on linux. I used the kernel ax.25 stack, and soundmodem at first with a Signalink USB. Later I used the packet specific firmware on a Byonics TT4 and it was a lot more robust. Outpost was what the ARES guys were going to use for passing messages, that and AGWPE. It worked but I think they had too many guys who didn't want to mess with it. I wasn't saying it was you. Most windows users ditch it due to the lack of support |
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The new beta version of FLDIGI v3.22.xx (I think) does VHF packet. You can join the beta testers at http://developer.berlios.de/projects/fldigi/ I can't find it, do you have a better link? That will be neat. OP I haven't had much luck with soundcard based packet like soundmodem or agwpe. A hardware TNC is deffenanlt the way to go. KAMs are nice but if you are starting out on 1200 baud VHF (TM-281) then look at the tons of APRS TNCs that are out. If it can support KISS mode you can use kissattach in linux and have a full featured TNC To everyone else lets try to get the net up this week 
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73, Rob
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Linux 
I was on net105 today  Quoted:
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No comments on the Win7 issue? Or does this fall into the category of finding an old IBM or some such laptop with XP and go from there? Sarge Linux
I was on net105 today LOL, I have no idea what it runs, this was discarded/ sold as outdated back in the early 90's. It has an 8 line LCD screen and can be used to program in BASIC, write text files, and has a dumb terminal program to connect to other computers via a phone line. I use the dumb terminal to connect to the PK-232 via the RS 232 port and have to run the thing in command mode. look up PK-232 command mode for more info. Go Here for more info and a pic. 73, Rob |
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Quoted: No comments on the Win7 issue? Or does this fall into the category of finding an old IBM or some such laptop with XP and go from there? Sarge What exactly are you trying to do? It seems like much of the APRS software out there is rather dated and difficult to configure, and other stuff can be hit or miss. Winlink is more recent and works fine on current Windows boxes. Are you looking at using a TNC for logging into packet BBS's or doing keyboard-to-keyboard QSO's? All you need to do is hook up the TNC and use Hyperterminal, or some other serial port capable terminal emulator software. Off the top of my head, there isn't much else out there that you need special software for when doing VHF packet. As far as hooking up the TNC, most of that info will be in the manual. Serial cable and a USB-RS232 dongle with appropriate drivers for the computer side, and you can buy or build the cable for TNC to radio connections. |
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I'm primarily looking at this for ECOMM, this is one of the main goals for our State ECOMM this year to get more packet stations on the air. Yes a TNC will be used if/when I get everything figured out. I like to do all my research before I lay out money! Also there is a VERY active packet network throughout the state of New Mexico.
So those are my goals and the direction I want to go. Sarge |
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I'm primarily looking at this for ECOMM, this is one of the main goals for our State ECOMM this year to get more packet stations on the air. Yes a TNC will be used if/when I get everything figured out. I like to do all my research before I lay out money! Also there is a VERY active packet network throughout the state of New Mexico. So those are my goals and the direction I want to go. Sarge Tell me more about the NM packet network please. My station "makeover" is almost complete and the PK-232 has a prominate place in the rack.
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OK these are the NM stations that are available. I'm absolutely horrible at posting links but I'll give this a try:
http://files.groupspaces.com.s3.amazonaws.com/files/45474/922007/NM%20PKT%20NODES%2011%20Nov%202013.pdf?AWSAccessKeyId=0A8Z1WYDADBF2DZEBCG2&Expires=1385837136&Signature=ZrVDI4izxy5naPUaccUdU8TqVLk%3D There are 9 pages of maps here that show how to access the system and what stations you can use to get wherever you want to end. Hope this helps! Sarge |
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What kind of radio do I need for this? I have a bunch of older Icom HTs lying around that I was planning to sell. Can I use an HT with a brick amplifier to try this out? Can I connect an HT to a TNC? Yes they will work. You may not need the amp, just depends on how close the station you want to connect to is. HT to TNC is very possible. In fact back in the day it's all I used on packet. |
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OK these are the NM stations that are available. I'm absolutely horrible at posting links but I'll give this a try: http://files.groupspaces.com.s3.amazonaws.com/files/45474/922007/NM%20PKT%20NODES%2011%20Nov%202013.pdf?AWSAccessKeyId=0A8Z1WYDADBF2DZEBCG2&Expires=1385837136&Signature=ZrVDI4izxy5naPUaccUdU8TqVLk%3D There are 9 pages of maps here that show how to access the system and what stations you can use to get wherever you want to end. Hope this helps! Sarge  I'll do some digging to see if there's a station close to my BOL up in N. AZ.
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A HT will work great for packet and in fact my backup 220 port for years was a IC-3AT with a C22 brick amp.. It was always on and worked when needed but the main backend link was a blistering 9600 bps through a MFJ 8631 DataRadio. Who remembers those?
Packet was a fun mode for me for a long time going way back to about 1984, but I pulled the plug on all of it in the middle of 2000. The mode has a lot of promise but it takes a lot of cooperation to have it actually deliver, and it was about then the whackers (in my area) discovered packet and the whole thing became a lot less fun. I still have recurring nightmares about a BBS computer forever trying to boot and fixing broken links and all of those things I did day in & day out for so long. I guess though, in those final months it was a sort of nightmare and sometimes I think if I ever get involved in packet again it'll be too soon. Then again, sometimes I don't. Sarge if you can produce a good link to those NM packet system diagrams I would sure like to see it. |
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Looked a little closer at that link, it should be from a groupspaces.com group. OK, may have found one - it's an ARES group in NM, but you have to be a member of the group(and a local ARES member to get into the online group) to get into the file section. And being ARES, that particular file may not be meant for public distribution. This is the only thing I could find for NM packet... http://pages.swcp.com/~n5zgt/packet.htm |