Packet Radio What is it? What can you do with it? John H. Green WB4MOZ

Packet Radio – What is it? Introduction Packet Radio had its beginnings back in 1978 when the Canadians authorized ASCII transmissions by Amateur Radio operators. The US followed in Several Organizations were formed - including: - AMRAD - The Amateur Radio Research and Development Corporation (1975). - TAPR - Tucson Amateur Packet Radio Corporation ( 1981 ). - PPRS - Pacific Packet Radio Society (1982). The commercial protocol X.25 was modified for Amateur Radio use – resulting in what we know as AX.25.

Packet Radio – What is it? Hardware Various versions of the TNC were developed starting with the early unit from Canada in TAPR released a kit called the TNC1 (based on the Z80) in 1983, In the following years many clones followed. Several companies produced TNC’s – some based on the TAPR TNC and some were entirely new designs. Some companies that produced TNC’s are AEA (now Timewave), DRSI (out of business), Kantronics, MFJ, PacComm - There are many more! Software (soundcard) defined TNC’s were developed. Speeds are 300b and up - with 1200b used for most lans, 300b used mainly on HF.

Packet Radio – What is it? Firmware / Software With the introduction of AX.25 development of BBS, Network and Terminal software followed. BBS – AA4RE, F6FBB, MSYS, W0RLI to name a few. Newest and still under development – BPQMail. Network – Many variations of Node Software / Firmware (BPQ, Flexnet, Texnet, Thenet, Rose, Fpac, to name a few). Some reside in firmware and some in a PC. Terminal Software / User interface – Many programs were developed, some specific to a TNC type and some very generic.

Packet Radio – What is it? Typical Configurations BBS – The most common BBS’s are operated as Personal or Full Service. - Personal BBS (PBBS) are used for sending / receiving personal messages and usually reside in a TNC. Some Full Service BBS sw will function as a Personal BBS. - Full Service BBS’s are PC based and provide many features, such as routing of messages / bulletins, special handling, have multiple ports, compressed forwarding, etc. World wide the F6FBB & BPQ sw are the most common. - Most Full Service BBS software is dormant - little or no development. The exception to this is BPQMail still under development and expansion by G8BPQ.

Packet Radio – What is it? Typical Configurations Network – A typical network consists of Node(s) / Switch(s) connected together to facilitate passing traffic within and between Lans. Node or Switch – There are generally two configurations used – one without a PC and one with a PC. - Non PC consists of a number of TNC’s (stack) with the RS-232 ports connected together via either an active or passive matrix. The diode matrix was more common.. - PC based node or switch has a PC to handle all the switching, routing, info, etc. functions. The TNC (usually operating KISS) mainly interfaces the PC to the radio.

A Typical Node or Switch COMPUTER or MATRIX TNC VHF RADIOUHF RADIO ANTENNA Supporting Power Equipment

Network diagram for Palm Beach Co. and nearby areas. This is a FPAC Network using 2m for Lans, 223 and 440 for Network connections. Most Lans are 1200b - West Palm Beach (K4PKT) also has a 9600b Lan port.

Packet Radio – What can you do with it? There are many applications that Packet supports – some of which are: - APRS, This is by far the most popular mode today. - WINLINK, over ham radio has both HF and VHF/UHF modes. - Sedan - DX Cluster - BBS, Send / receive personal messages and read bulletins from all over the world. - Keyboard to Keyboard (KtK).

Packet Radio – What can you do with it? APRS – Probably the most used aspect of Packet Radio. - There are two basic modes of operation in APRS: 1 – A sender of location data where one uses a radio / antenna, a TNC and, optionally a GPS to transmit their location, stationary or mobile. 2 – A receiver of location data which displays the location as a text string or on a map. Reception can be RF or internet using web sites such as aprs.fi or findu.com There are many different uses for APRS – tracking people / things, simple messages – google it and enoy.

Packet Radio – What can you do with it? Winlink – Developed as a message handling system early in the 1980’s and evolved to over ham radio. -Today’s users include Boating, RV’ing, general and EMCOMM – lots of emphasis here. - A MARS version is in use also. - Large attachments can be sent / received. - Winlink uses a combination of RF and Internet. - For more info check out the winlink.org website and / or view the Winlink presentations, you can get some of them on the fadca.org website.

VIA AMATEUR RADIO Packet Network User Port (LAN) Backbone Ports Users, RMS Packet Typical Neighboring FPAC Nodes To neighbor LAN = Radio Links

Packet Radio – What can you do with it? Sedan – Sedan was developed for use in a Keyboard to Keyboard mode of operation for EMCOMM with simple messages sent / received. Generally speaking: Sedan allows nearly instant communications. Is a low traffic network. Will not handle attachments.

Packet Radio – What can you do with it? BBS, DX Cluster, KtK BBS – Allows one to send / receive messages / bulletins. DX Cluster – Provides near instant alerts to DX’ers of that rare DX station with frequency(s). KtK – Allowed KtK activity, both locally and on distant nodes. Due to the availability of Internet and Cell Phones these modes have seen decreased activity over the years.

References: Palm beach Packet Group, Inc FADCA Intro to Packet Radio AMRAD PPRS TAPR Winlink There are many, many more – use Google!