I agree that this is vital to any large-scale regional network - don't
shut out the current packet infrastructure. I know there are TCP/IP
nodes that also support AX.25 connections so this should be possible.

As to why this hasn't been done on a large scale - it would require
quite a bit of cooperation. A star topology would require several
sites with line-of-sight. Imagine a situation where four ham clubs
happen to have repeater sites that had line-of-sight, and your task was
to "sell" the backbone network concept to every club, and arrange the
logisitics of getting it all built. Besides raising funds there would
be issues of ownership and administration.



quote:
Another common networking task
that has gone unreported is linking packet nets in two cities via
WIFI/SHF
links. Nobody has stepped forward to even claim to have accomplished
that
basic task.

Why? - My explanation for this is that the same amateurs who tend to
be
interested in WIFI also tend to disparage the idea of established
amateur
radio digital networking