World of Ham Radio 1994 January/AMSOFT_1994.iso/packet/docs/pd198902.doc

Text File | 1993-12-31 | 29.6 KB | 675 lines

1-Feb-89 01:52:23-MST,3095;000000000000
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Date: Wed,  1 Feb 89 01:31:16 MST
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Subject: PACKET-RADIO Digest V89 #31
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PACKET-RADIO Digest         Wed,  1 Feb 89       Volume 89 : Issue  31

Today's Topics:
               Packet on 29.050
              World Wide Packet Listings
----------------------------------------------------------------------

Date: 30 Jan 89 18:35:43 GMT
From: tektronix!tekecs![e-mail]  (Mikey)
Subject: Packet on 29.050

>I seem to remember an FCC rule stating 1200 baud packet is legal at 28 MHz
>and above.  Could someone confirm this?

I guess I'll answer it myself :)

From the FCC Rules, subpart C, section 97.69:

"(a)  The use of the digital codes specified in paragraph (b) of this section
is permitted on any amateur frequency where F1B emission is permitted, subject
to the following requirements:

"(1)  The sending speed shall not exceed the following:

    1) 300 baud on frequencies below 28 MHz;
    2) 1200 baud on frequencies between 28 and 50 MHz;
    .
    .
    .

"(2)  When type A2B, F1B, F2B emissions are used on frequencies below 50 MHz,
the radio or audio frequency shift...shall not exceed 1000 Hz...

Now this tends to imply that 1200 bps packet is legal on the 28 - 28.3 MHz
subband as long as the frequency shift is <= 1KHz.  Since Bell 202 uses a
1200-2200 Hz pair, the use of "standard" 1200 baud packet on 10M is legal,
correct?  Can anyone provide sufficient evidence to counter this argument?

Mike

Michael T. Horne - KA7AXD    Interactive Technologies Division, Tektronix, Inc.
[e-mail]                                          [phone]

------------------------------

Date: Tue, 31 Jan 89 20:05:29 EST
From: D H Bennett AMCRM-FTM  <[e-mail]>
Subject: World Wide Packet Listings

I have had some complain that the stats listing I have been putting out is
wrong. You are correct. As long as people do not provide me with information
then the listings will be either outdated or wrong.  If you want your
Country included PLEASE send the information to me on the Digi or PBBS`s
callsign, city, country, freq, etc etc. I will make sure that its included
in the database file.  If you want a copy of the files its available on
Compserve, SIMTEL20, my land line BBS (703-680-5970), or by sending me
a disk, mailer and postage. I have been sending lots of copies overseas
and stateside. A large number of these persons dont even acknowledge
that they received the disks or help with the updates. Of course those
who do help out I extend my thanks for helping make the listing one of
the most accurate and up-to-date listings of Digipeaters and PBBS`s in
the World.

73`s Don Bennett
     15016 Carlsbad Road
     Woodbridge, Va 22193 USA

------------------------------

End of PACKET-RADIO Digest
******************************
 1-Feb-89 09:58:32-MST,16948;000000000000
Mail-From: KPETERSEN created at  1-Feb-89 09:53:11
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Date: Wed,  1 Feb 89 09:53:10 MST
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Subject: PACKET-RADIO Digest V89 #32
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PACKET-RADIO Digest         Wed,  1 Feb 89       Volume 89 : Issue  32

Today's Topics:
                gateway 1/6/89
----------------------------------------------------------------------

Date: 1 Feb 89 08:47:46 GMT
From: osu-cis!n8emr![e-mail]  (Gary Sanders )
Subject: gateway 1/6/89

==============================================================
|               Relayed from packet radio via                |
| N8EMR's Ham BBS, 614-457-4227 (1200/2400/19.2 telebit,8N1) |
==============================================================

Gateway: The ARRL Packet Radio Newsletter

Stan Horzepa, WA1LOU, Editor

Volume 5, Number 8                           January 6, 1989

PORTABLE PACKET-RADIO STATIONS SENT TO ASSIST USSR EARTHQUAKE RELIEF EFFORT

On December 9, the ARRL telexed the president of the Radio Sports
Federation of the USSR (RSF), Yuri Zubarev, to express the League's
condolences concerning the Armenian earthquake and to offer assistance.
A direct reply was not immediately received, which was hardly surprising
given the situation; however, on the following Monday, the ARRL learned
from QST columnist Vern Riportella, WA2LQQ, that he had an electronic mail
link through San Francisco-Moscow Teleport, Inc, with Leonid Labutin,
UA3CR, in Moscow who was responsi- ble for radio communications in support
of the the relief effort under the aegis of the Young Communist League.
Leo is known to North Americans by virtue of his involvement in the joint
Canadian-Soviet SKITREK earlier this year and his long involvement in the
amateur satellite program (including attendance at the AMSAT Space
Symposium held in Atlanta in November; see Gateway, Volume 5, Number 6).
Through Rip, Leo requested assistance in the form of portable packet- radio
stations and technical experts who could help the Soviets develop their
fledgling packet-radio network on a crash basis in response to the
emergency.

Rip immediately set to work, maintaining close coordination with ARRL
Headquarters at every step of the way.  Donations of equipment were lined
up from the Tandy Corporation (six Model 102 laptop computers), Yaesu USA
(six FT-23R 2-meter transceivers) and AEA (six PK-88 TNCs, a PK-232 data
controller and six HotRod antennas).  The donations were shipped to ARRL
Headquarters and our lab crew spent much of December 15-16 making up cables
to integrate the donated equipment into six complete, separate packet-radio
stations.  A supply of batteries and some other accessories were added to
the shipment.

On December 17, ARRL Executive Vice President Dave Sumner, K1ZZ, met Rip
halfway between Newington and Kennedy Airport to turn the gear over to him.
It appeared it might be carried to Moscow as checked baggage that afternoon
by some Soviet scientists, however, that opportunity did not occur until
December 23, when it was put aboard Pan Am flight 74.

The equipment arrived in Moscow the morning of Christmas Eve and it was
deployed immediately.  Leo conveyed his heartfelt thanks to ARRL and
everyone involved.

In response to the request for packet-radio technical experts, the ARRL was
able to identify two well-qualified volunteers who were willing to donate
their time to make the trek and who were young and healthy enough to endure
whatever hardship might await them.  However, as time went on (and as often
happens in disaster situations), the apparent need for their assistance
diminished, the League suspended its efforts to obtain visas for them.
Through Leo, the ARRL assured the RSF that it would be pleased to send such
a team to the USSR to assist with packet-radio development at their
invitation in the future.

Telephone, telex and electronic mail communications has been available to
both Moscow and Armenia throughout this period and the League has used
these communications channels extensively.  Rip's electronic mail
connection is being used for volumes of outbound traffic to concerned
relatives in the US and its delivery is being handled by Armenian- American
organizations (the NTS is available if required).

Earlier this week, ARRL President Larry Price, W4RA, received a reply from
Mr. Zubarev thanking the ARRL for its concern and indicating that there was
a continuing need for portable and fixed VHF-FM equipment.  The ARRL is
seeing what can be done in the way of further response.

by Luck Hurder, KY1T @ KY1T, Deputy Manager, Field Services Dept, ARRL

          PORTABLE UOSAT OSCAR-11 STATION TESTED

The Digital Communication Experiment (DCE) aboard the University of Surrey
UO-11 satellite was designed to be a demonstration of the store-and-forward
concept utilizing low earth orbiting satellites.  This experiment is the
forerunner to the MicroSat/UoSAT satellites to be launched late next year.
The concept of storing messages and then having another station on the
other side of the world retrieve them has been successfully demonstrated
with UO-11 and the various DCE sta- tions around the world.

Jeff Ward, K8KA/G0, has reported that a new experiment using the DCE has
shown that a completely portable station, free from commercial power and
fixed antenna structures, has further demonstrated the usefulness of the
DCE and future MicroSat/PACSAT satellites.  This portable station was built
by University of Surrey engineer Victor van der Zel and has been operated
successfully on several occasions.  The station consists of a Kenwood 721,
transmitting on 2 meters and receiving on 70 cm, and a G3RUH demodulator.
With the built in digital EIA RS-232-C interface on the 721, Victor has
been able to interface it with a Toshiba 1100 laptop computer to control
frequency to compensate for Doppler shift.  The antennas are homebrewed 3-
element quads which are manually pointed and are designed to be easily
assembled.  With this station it is now possible to investigate the
emergency communications possibilities of the future series of
MicroSat/PACSAT/UoSAT satellites from remote locations.  The information
learned from this experimental station and the DCE experiment will help
designers of future Amateur Radio satellites.

from AMSAT News Service


       HEATH'S POCKET PACKET TNCS DONATED FOR USE IN SHUTTLE

Two representatives from Heath Company recently presented three HK-21
Pocket Packet TNCs to the NASA Johnson Space Center Amateur Radio Club in
Houston for use in a proposed experiment on a future space shuttle flight.

Wayne Wilson, WB8TSO, product line manager for Heath's Amateur Radio
products, and Ron Linczer, manager of marketing communications, attended
the November 17 meeting of the Johnson Space Center Amateur Radio Club.  At
the meeting, WB8TSO discussed the products Heath has introduced over the
last year and described the DXpedition that he and Heath Manager, Denton
Bramwell, K7OWJ, recently made to Taipei, Taiwan (see Gateway, Volume 5,
Number 4).

The primary purpose of the presentation was the donation of three Heath
HK-21 Pocket Packet TNCs for use on the Shuttle Amateur Radio Experiment
(SAREX) proposed for a flight in March 1990.  If the project is approved,
NASA will mount one of the TNCs into the SAREX casing unit to meet the
rigors of space travel and will modify it slightly for use in zero gravity.

"We enjoyed meeting the club members and were treated to an impressive tour
of the center and the club's recently renovated ham shack," Linczer said.
"We at Heath are excited by the advances in space and see the exposure
Amateur Radio received through SAREX and OSCAR as a means of attracting
new, young amateurs."

            PC*PACKET TCP/IP SOFTWARE AVAILABLE

Digital Radio Systems, Inc (DRSI) has announced the availability of TCP/IP
for its PC*Packet Adapter.  It is based on Version 122587.33 of KA9Q's
TCP/IP software and has been enhanced with AX.25 mailbox and NET/ROM
support by Daniel Frank, W9NK.  It also includes "Bdale's Messy Mailer" by
Bdale Garbee, N3EUA.

TCP/IP is available free on request to all PC*Packet owners and will be
included at no charge with all new units shipped starting December 19. An
archive file containing the software and preconfigured support files has
been uploaded to CompuServe's HamNet and will also be available from
various landline BBSs.

from Andy Demartini, KC2FF, via CompuServe's HamNet

               TERM.EXE VERSION 1.0B17 READY

Version 1.0B17 of the shareware packet-radio terminal program, TERM.EXE, is
now available from CompuServe's HamNet and from its author Lynn Taylor,
WB6UUT (463 Myrtle St, Laguna Beach, CA 92651).  This program runs on IBM
PCs, XTs, ATs, PS/2s and compatibles and is intended for use with AEA's
PK-87, PK-88 and PK-232 TNCs.  The new version provides improved support of
the PK-88.

          XEROX PBBS SOFTWARE VERSION 12.4 READY

Version 12.4 of the Xerox PBBS code is now available.  The main enhancement
of this version is a multiuser configuration allowing several Xerox 820
computers to be linked together over the printer serial ports.  The system
may also be configured as it was originally, if so desired.  The release
also contains a fix for a nasty bug in BID forwarding which, under certain
conditions, would forward previously flagged-as-forwarded BID items.  As in
the past, due to the customized CBIOS used, this code will only run on
Xerox machines, not on other CP/M machines.

If you would like a copy of the code which includes the December 1988 W9ZRX
PBBS list, please send two 8-inch disks with a self-addressed, stamped
disk-mailer to:

   John Bennett, N4XI
   5805 Whitethorne Dr
   Evansville, IN 47710

Those of you who want EPROMs blasted for the auto-boot code should send
them to N4XI as well.

Please note that Michael Anderson, KA9LQM, is no longer handling any
distributions for N4XI.

(It has been discovered that some early releases of Version 12.4 have a bug
in the source code of BIOSVID.INC.  At the label CRTBEL, the following
appears in the buggy releases of the software:

   crtbel:      cmpm       lancon,true
          call         z,pu2no

It should read as follows:

   crtbel:   if    pislan
           cmpm        lancon,true
           call        z,pu2no
           endif

The fatal error will occur if anything other than PISLAN is set to true
under the printer port options.  If the long menu comes up with Version
12.3 displayed at the top, it is that release that has the problem.)

from John Bennett, N4XI @ N4XI

              TEXAS PACKET RADIO MEETING HELD

On November 19-20, the Heart of Texas Ham Operating Group hosted the Brady
II packet-radio meeting in Brady, Texas, which was attended by the major
owners, operators and SYSOPs of networking nodes and mailboxes/PBBSs in
Texas.  Packet-radio meetings at Brady are unstructured, open-ended and
unaffiliated and the following topics were discussed.

145.01 MHz Network - One major area of concern was that the existing single
frequency network on 145.01 MHz is overworked.  This is the result of
demanding more from a single frequency network than it can provide.  With
the growth in span of the '01' network and the number of PBBSs operating
over it, the only palatable choice is to further limit the traffic flow
over the network.  This is not a solution to the problem - only multiport,
multifrequency networks will do that - but a treatment of the symptom.

The following items were adopted by the mailbox/PBBS operators that were
present :

1. That bulletins would be forwarded only between 2400-0600 Central Time.

2. Quiet time will continue between 1800-2400 Central Time.

3. No polled reverse-forwarding is permitted.

4. PACLEN and MAXFRAME should be adjusted so as to not overload the path in
   use.

5. Forwarding times should be better coordinated to eliminate multiple
   forwardings.

6. Assist in identifying and discouraging habitual "PBBS DXers." This is an
   area that all need to participate in and solve by education.

7. No direct PBBS-PBBS connects should be permitted on node frequencies
   except during a node failure.

Networking - One big news item since Brady I is the activation of TexNet
from Rockport to Dallas.  It is believed to be the longest dedicated
9600-baud RF backbone (over 600 miles) and it would appear that expansion
of the 145.01-MHz network has been completed except to "plug" the
occasional hole.  A commitment was made to meet Houston Area Packet Radio
Society efforts to backbone the existing 446.1-MHz nodes into San Antonio
and Seguin, Texas.  There is wide support for going to 4800 bauds using the
HAPN modems for the NET/ROM 440-MHz backbones.  No decision was made,
pending the arrival of several test units.  The Texas Packet Radio Society
(TPRS) 9600-baud modem will probably not be used since virtually all the
440-MHz radios in use are PLL-based and the 9600-baud modems provide for
direct FSK of crystals.

NET/ROM Parameters - As experience grows, so do the methods and manner of
setting parameters.  The consensus at this point is to leave routing open,
but to fix neighbor routes and set the first seven parameters as
75(50)-100-100-255-5-4-3600 with some adjusting to be done on parameters
5-6-7.

TexNet - Some discussion on possibly modifying TexNet software to provide
better interfacing to NET/ROM nodes, accommodating TCP/IP and relieving the
problem of non-multiconnects for the DX clusters, was made and deserves
study by the TPRS TexNet Support Group.

TPRS - Brady I expressed a consensus on widening the TPRS role in all
aspects of packet radio in Texas and the ensuing months have certainly
shown a major shift in that direction, most notably in the TPRS Quarterly
Report and the action to change the number of TPRS directors from three to
five, providing the opportunity for wider representation of the
packet-radio community in general and the membership (over 300) of TPRS, in
particular.

by Harry Ridenour, N0CCW, via Greg Jones, WD5IVD


            NORD><LINK ASSOCIATION ESTABLISHED

The NORD><LINK association was established as a nonprofit organization to
promote digital communication techniques and digital networks when 21
members signed an agreement of association on November 26-27.  The latest
NORD><LINK developments are TheNet networking software Version 1.05 and
TheFirmware Version 2.1d for the dual-port Pac-Comm TNC-220.  Questions or
comments concerning NORD><LINK should be sent with an SASE and/or IRCs to:

   NORD><LINK
   c/o Hans Georg Giese, DF2AU
   Hinter dem Berge 5
   D-3300 Braunschweig
   Federal Republic of Germany

  from AMSAT News Service


              TEN-METER PACKET RADIO

Recently, the Gateway desk has received messages indicating that a lot of
hams are having a great time using packet radio on 10 meters.  Every day
the sunspot count becomes more favorable for propagation on 10 meters and
DX is easy with only a peanut whistle for a transmitter and a 16-foot hunk
of wire cut in half for an antenna.  Some folks have admitted using packet
radio up in the 29-MHz segment of the band and some have also admitted to
10-meter packeting in the FM mode.  Problem is that such activity is
illegal.  According to FCC regulations, packet radio is only permissible in
the 28.000-28.300-MHz subband of 10 meters and F1B (FSK) is the only
permissible mode for packet radio at those frequencies [refer to sections
97.69(a) and 97.61(a) of the FCC regulations.] See you on 28.105!

               GATEWAY CONTRIBUTIONS

Submissions for publication in Gateway are welcome.  You may submit
material via the US mail to:

   Gateway
   Stan Horzepa, WA1LOU
   75 Kreger Drive
   Wolcott, CT 06716-2702

or electronically, via CompuServe to user ID 70645,247.  Via telephone,
your editor can be reached on evenings and weekends at 203- 879-1348 and he
can switch a modem on line to receive text at 300, 1200 or 2400 bauds.

The deadline for each issue of Gateway is the Saturday preceding the issue
date (which is typically a Friday).

             REPRODUCTION OF GATEWAY MATERIAL

Material may be excerpted from Gateway without prior permission, provided
that the original contributor is credited and Gateway is identified as the
source.

------------------------------

End of PACKET-RADIO Digest
******************************
 2-Feb-89 01:57:52-MST,3921;000000000000
Return-Path: <[e-mail]>
Date: Thu,  2 Feb 89 01:31:10 MST
From: [e-mail]
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Subject: PACKET-RADIO Digest V89 #33
To: [e-mail]

PACKET-RADIO Digest         Thu,  2 Feb 89       Volume 89 : Issue  33

Today's Topics:
                Administrivia
           AK1A and MBL/RLI on one machine
             Information Needed
            nord link and The Net
            TCP/IP Address listing needed
----------------------------------------------------------------------

Date: Thu, 2 Feb 1989  01:13 MST
From: Keith Petersen <[e-mail]>
Subject: Administrivia

There have been increasing instances of Internet readers of Packet-Radio
Digest using the "reply" function of their mail programs to post to
this mailing list.  The result is meaningless "Subject:" headers
giving the Digest name and number instead of the real subject.

Please make sure you have a meaningful subject line in the header.
If you need an "undigestify" program to break the digest down into
individual messages so you can "reply" to them, let me know.  I have
source code in "C" language available.

I have been receiving messages intended for the mailing list.  Make
sure you use [e-mail] as the address, not the
Packet-Radio-Request address.

--Keith Petersen <[e-mail]>

------------------------------

Date: Wed, 1 Feb 89 09:54 CST
From: <[e-mail]> (Steve Hicks, 845-8964/764-7924)
Subject: AK1A and MBL/RLI on one machine

Has anyone tried running AK1A DX Cluster software and a BBS like W0RLI
or WA7MBL in diferent windows in say, DESQview or DoubleDOS?

73/Steve   WD5EMG

------------------------------

Date: Wed, 1 Feb 89 13:13:13 EST
From: D H Bennett AMCRM-FTM  <dbennett@amc1>
Subject: Information Needed

I have been maintaining a World Wide Listing of Digipeaters and Packet
Bulletin Boards for over 2 years and am still in need of Overseas
information.  If you see any Digi/PBBS listing in your country PLEASE
pass it along.  This information is used by the International Community
for passing PBBS traffic between countries.  Either send it to
[e-mail] or dbennett@amc-hq. If you want to
send it to me via packet radio then send it to K4NGC @ K4NGC or
K4NGC @ K4NGC.VA.USA.NA.  Your HELP is much needed.

Don Bennett (K4NGC)

------------------------------

Date: Wed, 1 Feb 89 13:16:00 EST
From: Mark Bramwell 519 661-3714 <julian!business.uwo.ca![e-mail]>
Subject: nord link and The Net

I have read the 'independent' review of the Nord<>Link Net Rom scandal.
I found the review to be quite interesting reading.  My only question is
how you can point the finger at Nord<>Link??  All you have determined is
that the two pieces of code are identical.  Who is to say which one was
created first?  Who ever gets it to market first is not neccessarily the
'original' author.  I have no personal interest in either software package
other than the fact that I might burn my on TNC2 ROM.

Congrats on an excellant review, but please don't condemn them yet.

de VE3PZR.

------------------------------

Date: Wed, 1 Feb 89 13:02:07 EST
From: D H Bennett AMCRM-FTM  <[e-mail]>
Subject: TCP/IP Address listing needed

I have had a request from Italy asking for the assigned TCP/IP address
for Italy. Does anyone know the person in California who is maintaining
this list and could they make it available on this forum. I would be
interested in the international listing also.

73's Don (K4NGC)

------------------------------

End of PACKET-RADIO Digest
******************************
 3-Feb-89 01:58:51-MST,1137;000000000000
Return-Path: <[e-mail]>
Date: Fri,  3 Feb 89 01:30:25 MST
From: [e-mail]
Reply-To: [e-mail]
Subject: PACKET-RADIO Digest V89 #34
To: [e-mail]

PACKET-RADIO Digest         Fri,  3 Feb 89       Volume 89 : Issue  34

Today's Topics:
        PORTABLE UOSAT OSCAR-11 STATION TESTED
----------------------------------------------------------------------

Date: Thu,  2 Feb 89 08:46:53 cst
From: [e-mail]
Subject: PORTABLE UOSAT OSCAR-11 STATION TESTED

From the Gateway dated 1/6/89:

>                                  The station consists of a Kenwood 721,
>transmitting on 2 meters and receiving on 70 cm, and a G3RUH demodulator.

Since the Ken 721 is an FM rig, does this imply that the MicroSats will use
FM for up and downlinks?  Or did Mr. van der Zel significantly modify said
radio? Or is he just using FM for the experiments...?

Just curious...

Chris N0JCF

------------------------------

End of PACKET-RADIO Digest
******************************
 4-Feb-89 01:54:49-MST,6570;000000000000
Return-Path: <[e-mail]>
Date: Sat,  4 Feb 89 01:31:04 MST
From: [e-mail]
Reply-To: [e-mail]
Subject: PACKET-RADIO Digest V89 #35
To: [e-mail]

PACKET-RADIO Digest         Sat,  4 Feb 89       Volume 89 : Issue  35

Today's Topics:
     A comment on the NETROM/TheNet review by T.M. Allen
                 TNC request
----------------------------------------------------------------------

Date: Fri, 3 Feb 89 20:13:59 EST
From: [e-mail]
Subject: A comment on the NETROM/TheNet review by T.M. Allen

I have just finished reading this very comprehensive review and my
initial reaction was: "Ah oh, looks like there is no doubt about
TheNet being a direct copy of NET/ROM now". But then I read the
article over again, and then over again and I came up with some
questions. Is anyone else thinking along these lines or am I just
paranoid?

The text below contains some quotes taken from Thomas M. Allen's
(WA6IGY) review of NET/ROM and TheNet.

>During the late summer of 1988, I obtained the source files of NET/ROM 1.3
>from the author and the source files of TheNet version 1.0/1.1 from local
>sources in order to do an independent comparison in light of claims by
>Software 2000 of copyright infringement by the Northern German Packet
>Group NORD><LINK.

And then later on.....

>There is no possibility that the source programs for NET/ROM were obtained
>by NordLink as they had never left the author's house until the electronic
>version was loaned to me for review.

Interesting... How in the world did this gent manage to get the source
files from Ronald Raikes? Did Thomas just walk in the door and say
"hey I want to do a software comparison for you, how about lending me
the source code?" Ummmm, I don't think so.

Meaning no disrespect to Thomas Allen, but just what is his relationship
to Ronald Raikes? It seems that Ronald must trust Thomas very much
considering how closely guarded this source code has been until now.

>Although I am a packet enthusiast, I have no connection with Software 2000
>nor any proprietary interest in NET/ROM.

Ok, fine. What this means is that Thomas wasn't paid for this report and
that he is not in the employ of Software 2000. It kinda makes you believe
that Thomas is a completely neutral observer doesn't it?

The article goes on to describe the painstaking efforts the author went
through to do a complete analysis of the two software packages, the
results, and how long it took him to do it. Well.... I saw representatives
from Software 2000 screaming bloody murder about software piracy on
THIS NET, just DAYS after TheNet was released. How did these people come
to such a quick decision when it took Thomas so long to do this study?
It seems clear to me that either Software 2000 condemned Nord><Link and
TheNet without a careful comparison, or Thomas is just very slow and
pretty dumb. Since I happen to think that Thomas is one pretty smart
cookie with one whale of a lot of ability, I guess that only leaves
me with one answer. And again I wonder what the relationship is between
the author of this review and Ronald Raikes?


>It is my conclusion, and I believe would be the conclusion of any rational
>reviewer, that TheNet is not an original development but rather a direct
>copy of NET/ROM.  This exercise has left no question in my mind about the
>method that NordLink used to make their "original" design fully compatible
>with NET/ROM.

By now I kinda expected this would be the answer. Question: How do you get
the status to become "a rational reviewer"? I think I'm fairly rational,
can you loan me the source code Ron so that I may do an "independent
review?" For that matter, why not publish NET/ROM's source code? If TheNet
is a perfect copy anyway, why not publish NET/ROM's and allow EVERYBODY to
make a review?

>Rather than start with the description of the layer protocols and the
>routing table, and then independently design and build a compatible
>product (as the author hoped somebody would),

Sorry, I don't believe that. Based on the rhetoric I've read from reps
of Software 2000, some of the marketing techniques that I've observed,
and how violent their accusations can be (Remember Software 2000 likening
Nord><Link to sleazy characters on the streets of New York selling Rolex
watches?) I have to believe that Software 2000 desires a complete monopoly
on anything that plugs into a TNC and comes close to speaking NETROM.

Finally I have a question. How is the legal battle coming with Software
2000 and Nord><Link? Isn't that the place where this whole issue should
REALLY be decided? I haven't heard anything about that at all or if there
even is a "battle" being prepared. I just keep seeing accusations being
posted on this net, and up to now those accusations have been pretty cheap
and VERY nasty. This time at least we have a very well written report
that keeps the cheap shots to a minimum, and honestly if this was the
first thing that I had ever read on this issue I might be thinking very
differently right now, but as it is I am just a little bit suspicious.


Mark Bitterlich (WA3JPY)
[e-mail]