NetNews Usenet Archive 1992 #20/NN_1992_20.iso/spool/comp/bbs/misc/907

Internet Message Format | 1992-09-09 | 9.6 KB

Path: sparky!uunet!zaphod.mps.ohio-state.edu!rpi!usenet.coe.montana.edu!news.u.washington.edu!uw-beaver!rice!lub001.lamar.edu!lairdpg
From: [e-mail]
Newsgroups: comp.bbs.misc
Subject: Re: Info Post on Packet Radio.
Message-ID: <[e-mail]>
Date: 8 Sep 92 21:27:16 +1700
References: <[e-mail]>
Organization: Lamar University - Beaumont
Lines: 168

In article <[e-mail]>, [e-mail] writes:
>
>
> Posted by Xyzzy Markany Tesseract Plugh on 08.10.92: 15.19
> [e-mail] or DanielD@(vax2.)hofstra.edu
> Mind Itself > /dev/null == A Mind Itself goes nowhere
>
> Packet Radio
>
> Packet radio is a form of amateur radio communications combining radios with
> modems. Packet radio uses the features of TCP/IP or AX.25, but using RF signals
> instead of telephone or dedicated wires.
>
> To use packet radio, you must have a valid amateur radio license or an
> excellent forgery <grin>. In all seriousness, however, the FCC
   ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
Very illegal!  Don't even think of this, you could be one who recieves the
20,000.00 fine and go to prison in the U.S. operating packet without a
license...

> _does_crack_down_ on people who obviously don't know what they are doing.  Once
> you have a radio license, you must get a VHF radio. Some radios are well suited
> for this purpose; others are not. Usually, because people are really starting
> to get into packet radio a lot because of the new NO-CODE radio class, many
> radios proudly bear the label 'good for packet radio'. Don't worry,
> you _can_ believe that. <:-)>.
>
> You will also need a device called a TNC (terminal node controller). The best
> one is PK-232 (a good one is made by AEA); two other standards are the TNC1 and
> TNC2.  It connects directly to the 232 port and your radio. The TNC is used to
> control the input and output to and from the radio waves. It is in charge of
> assembling the actual frames of data. Another item you may or may not need is
> a packet radio terminal program. Although you may use a regular program such as
> Smartcom or Procomm, this will put you through the needless pain of learning
> all of the TNC system commands. The alternative is getting a packet terminal
> program that acts as a front end to the TNC. Many good shareware programs have
> been written for this purpose. If you get a PK-232, there is a shareware
> program called PK232com, which is what I use and it supports packet, morse,
> baudot, RTTY, etc. (Morse, baudot, and RTTY are other forms of non-vocal
> communication; you don't have to know Morse code to converse in it!)

The PK-232 is very outdated.  There are many multi-modTNC's on the market
today.  Research before you buy...

>
> How Packet Works
>
> Packet radio originated in the late 1970s, when radio amateurs in Canada
> decided that the marriage of the radio and the computer would be a Good Thing.
> At that time, a standard for communications was decided on, but it was soon
> seen that this format was too limiting to be supportive of many people in the
> long term. As hams in the United States got involved in this aspect of radio,
> amateurs got togehter and decided on a new, improved format. It was decided
> that the new protocol should take after the popular X.25 format. The new format
> for radio was named AX.25. This format, still in use, defines the way TNCs
> pass information between them. Each TNC, when it sends a block of information,
> sends first a header block (sometimes called a supervisory block), then a data
> block, then an end block.

He doesn't mention KA9Q, does he? (contributions to X.25 Driver and TCPIP)

>
> Header Block
> The header block is used only when on a frequency being used by many people.
> (This will usually be the case. However, if you have found a certain person
> with whom you wish to chat or exchange files without being in contact with the
> rest of the radio network, it is consindered good equiette to move off
> frequency so as not to clog the airwaves. When off frequency, header blocks are
> not needed as there is only one place where your files are going.) This header
> block contains, among other items, your call sign, supervisory information such
> as error codes, and addressing information (where you are talking to).
>
> Data Block
> The data block contains the actual data that you are sending.
>
> End Block
> The end block tells the other computers that you are done. Sometimes, the end
> block is not used because the data block contains a fixed amount of
> information. However, it is good because it can contain a checksum to make sure
> everything was sent correctly.
>
> The header block serves a very important purpose; in most cases many hundreds
> of stations will be using the same frequency. This is good. Each and every of
> those stations, if configured properly, can act as an intelligent digipeater.
> When you send a packet of information to a certain address, you send it out in
> all directions. Then, when another station recieves it, it compares the address
> with a list in memory and, if it is closer to the target address than others
> in the vicinity, it will rebroadcast this packet. (These lists are updated on
> powerup by checking what signs are being transmitted.) You yourself will also
> be acting as a digipeater for others. (This can be disabled, but there is no
> real advantage to doing so.) In this manner, you can transmit around the world,
> although if the frequency is crowded, there can be so many packets bouncing
> around that it may take almost a second for your packet to reach its target.
>
> Use
> Packet radio is a great way to communicate with other radio operators. Like
> morse and RTTY, there is a better chance of your message getting through than
> with voice, because it is a completely binary format. However, it is better
> than others because if there is a single mistake made in transmitting your
> packet, the recieving station will ask for a retransmittance. In this way, no
> matter how bad the conditions eventually a error-free packet will get through.
> There are many people out there using Packet, (150000+) and each wants to talk
> to you. There are even computers out there called PBBSs, which are the radio
> equivelent of telephone BBSs, and the packet equivelent of radio repeater clubs.
>
> Beyond (before?) Packet
> Many TNCs are also capable of transmitting and recieving morse, baudot, and
> RTTY. The TNC will detect the speed and copy code to normal characters on your
> screen and vice versa; you don't need to know a letter of code. This will
> usually work perfectly as many others will also be transmitting and recieving
> morse with a computer, so there will be no timing errors. You can also
> transmit baudot and RTTY, although these are not as popular.
>
> The New Standard
> Although AX.25 is still widely used, an emerging standard in the packet radio
> networks is the TCP/IP protocol used in the Internet (THE net). The TCP/IP is
> considerably more complex (and accurate) than the AX.25 standard, and will
> probably be the standard in a few years. It is important to buy a TNC that
> supports this.
>
> Bad Idea
> There are many programs going around called things like "Poor Man's TNC" and
> "SofTNC". These are supposidly software TNCs. They work, but very slowly, and
> you will soon be seen as an impediment to the network because your link will
> slow every packet sent through you to a crawl. Get a REAL TNC.
>
> Radio and Phones; what's the link?
> Some PBBSs, for a fee, will patch through your transmission to a telephone
> line, enabling your radio to be connected to various services. This is very
> useful if you need to access an online service while in the middle of nowhere.
>

No fees may be charged for any service in the Part 97 regulations I have and
have read.  You may not use a telephone under any conditions where you can
complete the call by toll. Long distance calls may not be made by phone patch.

> Conclusion
> Packet Radio is good.
>
> d8-<
> --
>
>     Again this was posted on my bbs, I do not use packet and don't think I
> will.  2 technical at the moment. Hope this is informative to all who read it.
> I made sure his addresses were in the header.
>

It is very enlightening and somewhat true in respect to license, how it
transfers data, but looks a little old with mention of the PK232.

>
>   /\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\
>  <    Disclaimer: per usual, all opinions are my own and not neccesarily      >
>  <    those of an employer or any other person or thing, living or dead.      >
>  <---------------------------------------------------------------------------->
>  <   Michael R. Pierre       [e-mail]                             >
>  <---------------------------------------------------------------------------->
>  <                           Culture for service;                             >
>  <                           service for humanity.                            >
>   \/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/

------------------------------------------------------------------------------
| INTERNET: [e-mail] | Interstellar thought - Build a widget  |
| FIDONET:  1:3811/[e-mail]  | while tickling Mickey mouses' ears     |
| The HAM Connection 1-409-833-1795 |----------------------------------------|
| 14.4K V.42BIS/V.32BIS - DEDICATED TO AMATEUR RADIO/   73's es cul de N5UYH |
------------------------------------------------------------------------------