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Packet Radio
This group seems as dead as the 2 Meter Packet Frequencies around here
but I'll ask here anyway. Is packet radio dead? Has the proliferation of Internet and Cell Phones made it so meaningless that no one is doing anything anymore? I have been pretty much out of Ham Radio for a long time but now that retirement has reared it's ugly(?) head I find myself with time and a renewed interest. I am monitoring all the 2 Meter Packet Freqs here (in the home of K3RLI) and hearing nothing. Not even the dubious DX Cluster traffic that used to go on around here!! Is there any interest in old fashined packet radio any more or should I just put it all back in a box and relegate it to the cellar once more? Oh yeah, Is Howie Goldstein, N2WX around here by any chance? I would still like to get a copy of the source for the "Howie Code" that ran in my DR-200's back in my digi-peating days. And a copy for the TNC-2 as well if there ever was one. I have always wanted to experiment with it and if packet is pretty much dead then there is probably no problem with me doing some stuff on two meters around here. Especially if I could find some kindred spirits who shared some of my interests. bill KB3YV -- Bill Gunshannon | de-moc-ra-cy (di mok' ra see) n. Three wolves | and a sheep voting on what's for dinner. University of Scranton | Scranton, Pennsylvania | #include std.disclaimer.h |
Packet Radio
Bill Gunshannon wrote:
This group seems as dead as the 2 Meter Packet Frequencies around here but I'll ask here anyway. Is packet radio dead? Has the proliferation of Internet and Cell Phones made it so meaningless that no one is doing anything anymore? Over here, classic packet radio and TCP/IP over packet radio are completely dead. The only thing left is APRS on a single channel on 2m and 70cm. There still are digipeaters optimized for APRS and often with a connection to Internet, but all the NET/ROM nodes, BBS systems, DX-clusters etc seem to be turned off. Oh yeah, Is Howie Goldstein, N2WX around here by any chance? I would still like to get a copy of the source for the "Howie Code" that ran in my DR-200's back in my digi-peating days. And a copy for the TNC-2 as well if there ever was one. I have always wanted to experiment with it and if packet is pretty much dead then there is probably no problem with me doing some stuff on two meters around here. Especially if I could find some kindred spirits who shared some of my interests. Is that the KISS code or the original TNC2 firmware? I should have the source for the KISS code somewhere, but I am not sure if I can still get at it. (it may be on backupmedia for which I no longer have a drive connected) |
Packet Radio
In article ,
Rob writes: Bill Gunshannon wrote: This group seems as dead as the 2 Meter Packet Frequencies around here but I'll ask here anyway. Is packet radio dead? Has the proliferation of Internet and Cell Phones made it so meaningless that no one is doing anything anymore? Over here, classic packet radio and TCP/IP over packet radio are completely dead. The only thing left is APRS on a single channel on 2m and 70cm. There still are digipeaters optimized for APRS and often with a connection to Internet, but all the NET/ROM nodes, BBS systems, DX-clusters etc seem to be turned off. By "over here" I assume you Europe, yes? Oh yeah, Is Howie Goldstein, N2WX around here by any chance? I would still like to get a copy of the source for the "Howie Code" that ran in my DR-200's back in my digi-peating days. And a copy for the TNC-2 as well if there ever was one. I have always wanted to experiment with it and if packet is pretty much dead then there is probably no problem with me doing some stuff on two meters around here. Especially if I could find some kindred spirits who shared some of my interests. Is that the KISS code or the original TNC2 firmware? Actually, neither, althought I wouldn't mind having the original TNC2 source as well as what I want to play with will require changes to that code as well. The "Howie Code" was a different kind of connection code much like NETROM but it actually preserved the originators callsign from end to end. It is what ran in the DR100 and DR200 digipeaters from PACCOMM. I ran a couple of them doing dual band gatewaying and providing rather extensive coverage from a mountaintop in New York (north of NYC) for several years in the early 80's. I always thought that it was never given a real chance to show its capabilities or develop. I should have the source for the KISS code somewhere, but I am not sure if I can still get at it. (it may be on backupmedia for which I no longer have a drive connected) I imagine everyone has a copy of the KISS source. :-) My desire is to use software that already existed at the time the packet BBS's were coming into being. These other methods were never given any consideration either although I had some luck with my early experimentation. BUt ham radio has always suffered from a bad case of NIH syndrome which frequently results in a lot of effort being directed away from what might have been a very good solution to a problem. Of course, at this point it is all academic and little more than "proof of concept" experimentation. I see little liklihood that anything would revive packet radio even if it still has practical uses. bill KB3YV -- Bill Gunshannon | de-moc-ra-cy (di mok' ra see) n. Three wolves | and a sheep voting on what's for dinner. University of Scranton | Scranton, Pennsylvania | #include std.disclaimer.h |
Packet Radio
Bill Gunshannon wrote:
In article , Rob writes: Bill Gunshannon wrote: This group seems as dead as the 2 Meter Packet Frequencies around here but I'll ask here anyway. Is packet radio dead? Has the proliferation of Internet and Cell Phones made it so meaningless that no one is doing anything anymore? Over here, classic packet radio and TCP/IP over packet radio are completely dead. The only thing left is APRS on a single channel on 2m and 70cm. There still are digipeaters optimized for APRS and often with a connection to Internet, but all the NET/ROM nodes, BBS systems, DX-clusters etc seem to be turned off. By "over here" I assume you Europe, yes? Yes, in particular the Netherlands. In Germany I think there is something left. Is that the KISS code or the original TNC2 firmware? Actually, neither, althought I wouldn't mind having the original TNC2 source as well as what I want to play with will require changes to that code as well. The "Howie Code" was a different kind of connection code much like NETROM but it actually preserved the originators callsign from end to end. It is what ran in the DR100 and DR200 digipeaters from PACCOMM. I ran a couple of them doing dual band gatewaying and providing rather extensive coverage from a mountaintop in New York (north of NYC) for several years in the early 80's. I always thought that it was never given a real chance to show its capabilities or develop. Ok, I played with some TNC clones but as my main interest was with TCP/IP which had to use KISS mode, and KISS mode performed very poorly on busy channels (which we had in those days), we quickly formed a group and designed an SCC card with external modems, plus modem that worked with it. This meant the PC had full control over the radio and the TNC was no longer required. So I have little expertise on TNC firmware. My desire is to use software that already existed at the time the packet BBS's were coming into being. These other methods were never given any consideration either although I had some luck with my early experimentation. In those days I wrote software that emulated a TNC on a virtual COM port, so it was possible to run an early BBS (W0RLI, AA4RE) on our SCC cards. Later I wrote an emulator for the G8BPQ hostmode, allowing newer BBSes like F6FBB to run in multiuser mode. All the software ran on a single PC with DOS, Desqview (multitasker), QEMM (memory management) and performed as a NET/ROM node, IP router, BBS and DX cluster. |
Packet Radio
In article ,
Rob writes: Bill Gunshannon wrote: In article , Rob writes: Bill Gunshannon wrote: This group seems as dead as the 2 Meter Packet Frequencies around here but I'll ask here anyway. Is packet radio dead? Has the proliferation of Internet and Cell Phones made it so meaningless that no one is doing anything anymore? Over here, classic packet radio and TCP/IP over packet radio are completely dead. The only thing left is APRS on a single channel on 2m and 70cm. There still are digipeaters optimized for APRS and often with a connection to Internet, but all the NET/ROM nodes, BBS systems, DX-clusters etc seem to be turned off. By "over here" I assume you Europe, yes? Yes, in particular the Netherlands. In Germany I think there is something left. Is PA0VRZ still around? :-) Is that the KISS code or the original TNC2 firmware? Actually, neither, althought I wouldn't mind having the original TNC2 source as well as what I want to play with will require changes to that code as well. The "Howie Code" was a different kind of connection code much like NETROM but it actually preserved the originators callsign from end to end. It is what ran in the DR100 and DR200 digipeaters from PACCOMM. I ran a couple of them doing dual band gatewaying and providing rather extensive coverage from a mountaintop in New York (north of NYC) for several years in the early 80's. I always thought that it was never given a real chance to show its capabilities or develop. Ok, I played with some TNC clones but as my main interest was with TCP/IP which had to use KISS mode, and KISS mode performed very poorly on busy channels (which we had in those days), we quickly formed a group and designed an SCC card with external modems, plus modem that worked with it. This meant the PC had full control over the radio and the TNC was no longer required. So I have little expertise on TNC firmware. I did digipeating and played with IP quite a bit but it saw much resistance around here and I wasn't interested in playing politics. When I first moved back to Northeastern Pennsylvania my job was to put the first University (actually, the first anything) on the Internet. Gave me a lot of leeway. I had a connection between my house and the University that provided Internet access in the late 80's before was even one ISP. I used to love going to ham club meetingsd and listening to all the people discussing why it was technically impossible when I was already doing it. :-) My desire is to use software that already existed at the time the packet BBS's were coming into being. These other methods were never given any consideration either although I had some luck with my early experimentation. In those days I wrote software that emulated a TNC on a virtual COM port, so it was possible to run an early BBS (W0RLI, AA4RE) on our SCC cards. Later I wrote an emulator for the G8BPQ hostmode, allowing newer BBSes like F6FBB to run in multiuser mode. All the software ran on a single PC with DOS, Desqview (multitasker), QEMM (memory management) and performed as a NET/ROM node, IP router, BBS and DX cluster. Yeah, there really were good old days. I always enjoyed ham radio more over there than here. And other than wanting to experiment with packet again I think I will be brushing up on my CW and will probably not even hook a microphone up to any of my rigs. bill KB3YV formerly DA1WO (1978-1979 just east of Venlo) -- Bill Gunshannon | de-moc-ra-cy (di mok' ra see) n. Three wolves | and a sheep voting on what's for dinner. University of Scranton | Scranton, Pennsylvania | #include std.disclaimer.h |
Packet Radio
Bill Gunshannon wrote:
Yes, in particular the Netherlands. In Germany I think there is something left. Is PA0VRZ still around? :-) I think you mean PIxVRZ (PI1VRZ/PI8VRZ etc). They have remained active very long but I think they are off the air. Or you mean PA0VRC, a local amateur that has moved to another part of the country but is still alive and kicking. He built the local 2M repeater PI3PYR in 1977 or 1978 with some friends. I did digipeating and played with IP quite a bit but it saw much resistance around here and I wasn't interested in playing politics. We had so many channels allocated to packet that it was possible to separate the traffic. A channel for local chat, one for the BBS, one or two for the access of the local node, and then separate channels for the interlinking of all the nodes. This was part of the reasons why TNC's were no way to go and we needed those SCC cards. Larger systems typically had between 8 and 12 channels. When I first moved back to Northeastern Pennsylvania my job was to put the first University (actually, the first anything) on the Internet. Gave me a lot of leeway. I had a connection between my house and the University that provided Internet access in the late 80's before was even one ISP. I used to love going to ham club meetingsd and listening to all the people discussing why it was technically impossible when I was already doing it. :-) I had UUCP at work, and later when Linux became available also at home. Internet came later (1994 or so) and was time-tariff so it was not so attractive for radio related applications. Not to mention that it was strictly forbidden to make a connection between amateur radio and the telephone network. bill KB3YV formerly DA1WO (1978-1979 just east of Venlo) Ah, probably stationed in Germany. We had a local airbase (Soesterberg) here but it is now closed. I worked next to it for a couple of years and remember the overflying F15s. Rob PE1CHL |
Packet Radio
In article ,
Rob writes: Bill Gunshannon wrote: Yes, in particular the Netherlands. In Germany I think there is something left. Is PA0VRZ still around? :-) I think you mean PIxVRZ (PI1VRZ/PI8VRZ etc). They have remained active very long but I think they are off the air. Or you mean PA0VRC, a local amateur that has moved to another part of the country but is still alive and kicking. He built the local 2M repeater PI3PYR in 1977 or 1978 with some friends. Nope, PA0VRZ from Apeldoorn. Bulletin station for "vereniging van radio-zend-amateurs". I used to copy the bulletins on RTTY and even talk with them once in a while. I did digipeating and played with IP quite a bit but it saw much resistance around here and I wasn't interested in playing politics. We had so many channels allocated to packet that it was possible to separate the traffic. A channel for local chat, one for the BBS, one or two for the access of the local node, and then separate channels for the interlinking of all the nodes. This was part of the reasons why TNC's were no way to go and we needed those SCC cards. Larger systems typically had between 8 and 12 channels. Yeah, we had plenty of channels, too. But that never got in the way of politics. I started running IP on an unused frequency and still got complaints about it not belonging on ham radio. (And I probably shouldn't even go into the local Army MARS fiasco. :-) When I first moved back to Northeastern Pennsylvania my job was to put the first University (actually, the first anything) on the Internet. Gave me a lot of leeway. I had a connection between my house and the University that provided Internet access in the late 80's before was even one ISP. I used to love going to ham club meetingsd and listening to all the people discussing why it was technically impossible when I was already doing it. :-) I had UUCP at work, and later when Linux became available also at home. Internet came later (1994 or so) and was time-tariff so it was not so attractive for radio related applications. Not to mention that it was strictly forbidden to make a connection between amateur radio and the telephone network. UUCP is exactly what I was talking about. I was doing UUCP long before the Internet opened up to the public. I once ran UUCP between a couple TNC's to see how it would work and it wasn't bad. Basicly it already had email and Netnews so I had a hard time seeing what was accomplished by writing yet another BBS system (we had dozens of them on the phone as well, but they were never as well connected as UUCP.) bill KB3YV formerly DA1WO (1978-1979 just east of Venlo) Ah, probably stationed in Germany. We had a local airbase (Soesterberg) Moenchen-Gladbach (actually, Rheindahlen) but went into Holland a lot. here but it is now closed. I worked next to it for a couple of years and remember the overflying F15s. Rob PE1CHL When I saw your call I had to run and take a quick look at my logbook. But it was PE1CHS that I worked. But, you never know!!! bill KB3YV -- Bill Gunshannon | de-moc-ra-cy (di mok' ra see) n. Three wolves | and a sheep voting on what's for dinner. University of Scranton | Scranton, Pennsylvania | #include std.disclaimer.h |
Packet Radio
Bill Gunshannon wrote:
I think you mean PIxVRZ (PI1VRZ/PI8VRZ etc). They have remained active very long but I think they are off the air. Or you mean PA0VRC, a local amateur that has moved to another part of the country but is still alive and kicking. He built the local 2M repeater PI3PYR in 1977 or 1978 with some friends. Nope, PA0VRZ from Apeldoorn. Bulletin station for "vereniging van radio-zend-amateurs". I used to copy the bulletins on RTTY and even talk with them once in a while. Ok the VRZA clubstation. It is now called PI4VRZ. They are active weekly on saturdays (after the holiday break) 0900 UTC. The main operator Ron PB0ANL was also active in the packet group that ran PI1VRZ/PI8VRZ. I listen to their bulletins weekly on 2M. You can also listen on Internet at www.pi4vrz.nl UUCP is exactly what I was talking about. I was doing UUCP long before the Internet opened up to the public. I once ran UUCP between a couple TNC's to see how it would work and it wasn't bad. Basicly it already had email and Netnews so I had a hard time seeing what was accomplished by writing yet another BBS system (we had dozens of them on the phone as well, but they were never as well connected as UUCP.) The problem was that UUCP ran on Unix, and Unix was an expensive system requiring a high-end machine that only some lucky people had. The average HAM had at most a 286 PC, and that was already in the later years (1990), before that it was an 8088 system. In those days I had an Atari ST (68000 system) and many packet users had a Commodore 64. In december 1992 I assembled a 386 system with 16MB memory, 800MB disk, 1024x768 graphics card and 17" monitor, paying about $3500 for it. I installed Linux on it. Then I could run UUCP from home! When I saw your call I had to run and take a quick look at my logbook. But it was PE1CHS that I worked. But, you never know!!! He lived very close to here but I think he is no longer active. PE1 calls are "technicians license" (no morse code) and originally that meant "VHF-UHF only". PE1CHS was a DX-er, maybe you worked him while in Europe. However, after 2002 or so (don't remember exactly) the morse code requirement was dropped and all PE1 calls are now allowed to use HF as well. I have never been active on HF, but I have used amateur satellites before I moved in 1995 and had to take down the yagi antennas. Both SSB and packet satellites. |
Packet Radio
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Up in the north, they pass traffic on two meters, at least as far as Bingimton NY to Erie via Ridgeway PA, and they pass it as far south as Pittsburgh PA - via the national traffic system. The only person I know personally that is involved in Pete Carr - WW3O You might have read one or more of his articles in QST Magazine. I think Pete says they do it in the morning. Not enough traffic anymore to sit there and do it all day. I don't even know what kind of traffic they pass. I think they only do it to keep the system up and running in case of a emergency. If you want people to participate with - I would tone down the attitude... There is still some good guys out there, but most of the old HAMS - pre No Code - are DEAD, and the ones that still has the radios on are not the same hams you remember from 20 - 30 years ago. 2 meters / 70 CM is unique band. It is the first place you go when you get your license and the last place you go before they take you to the rest home or the cemetary. Most real hams won't even use any band that is channeltized... You are going to find that the kids on the radio today are mostly the walkie talkie crowd, who are not real hams, just want to be's. Who refuses to put up antenna's or buy transceivers or stand up to their old lady to be able to put something in or on or outside of the house. Sounds like you have been delegated into that crowd. Your Advanced license tells volumes. You knew about communications but didn't see any need to go beyond Advanced and probably got mad when they eliminated Advanced and got rid of the code... That is the consensus of the population here.... Find yourself a Amateur Radio Club and get involved in Amateur Radio - not just the walkie talkie crowd on the 565 simplex or the repeater retards... Get out the books and study and get your Amateur Extra license and become a VE and give back to Amateur Radio - don't just take! You will find, if you get involved - you will not feel so jilted and will be less apt to retreat to the 75 and 160 meters, with the other buddy clubs, where all they do is sit and cuss and not use their call signs and act like they are still on the CB radio... |
I think that what you might need to do is change the chip or have your TNC updated, because the mode of Packet that is being used around here is different then what it was 10 - 20 years ago and the older TNC is not compatable with the newer version.
APRS is a form of Packet and there is APRS digipeaters all over the place.. http://www.aprs.org/ |
Packet Radio
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Packet Radio
In article ,
Rob writes: Bill Gunshannon wrote: I think you mean PIxVRZ (PI1VRZ/PI8VRZ etc). They have remained active very long but I think they are off the air. Or you mean PA0VRC, a local amateur that has moved to another part of the country but is still alive and kicking. He built the local 2M repeater PI3PYR in 1977 or 1978 with some friends. Nope, PA0VRZ from Apeldoorn. Bulletin station for "vereniging van radio-zend-amateurs". I used to copy the bulletins on RTTY and even talk with them once in a while. Ok the VRZA clubstation. It is now called PI4VRZ. I wonder why the callsign change? They are active weekly on saturdays (after the holiday break) 0900 UTC. The main operator Ron PB0ANL was also active in the packet group that ran PI1VRZ/PI8VRZ. I listen to their bulletins weekly on 2M. You can also listen on Internet at www.pi4vrz.nl I'll have to give that listen for old times sake. UUCP is exactly what I was talking about. I was doing UUCP long before the Internet opened up to the public. I once ran UUCP between a couple TNC's to see how it would work and it wasn't bad. Basicly it already had email and Netnews so I had a hard time seeing what was accomplished by writing yet another BBS system (we had dozens of them on the phone as well, but they were never as well connected as UUCP.) The problem was that UUCP ran on Unix, and Unix was an expensive system requiring a high-end machine that only some lucky people had. I guess I was lucky, then. I had Unix (XENIX actually) on a M68K at home from about 1984. Added more as time went on. We won'r even go into what I have at home now but it ain't all PC's. :-) The average HAM had at most a 286 PC, and that was already in the later years (1990), before that it was an 8088 system. In those days I had an Atari ST (68000 system) and many packet users had a Commodore 64. In december 1992 I assembled a 386 system with 16MB memory, 800MB disk, 1024x768 graphics card and 17" monitor, paying about $3500 for it. I installed Linux on it. Then I could run UUCP from home! And, of course, there were versions of UUCP for a lot of non-unix computers in those days, too. MIght have even been one for CP/M. When I saw your call I had to run and take a quick look at my logbook. But it was PE1CHS that I worked. But, you never know!!! He lived very close to here but I think he is no longer active. PE1 calls are "technicians license" (no morse code) and originally that meant "VHF-UHF only". PE1CHS was a DX-er, maybe you worked him while in Europe. I did. On 2 meters during one of the many VHF contests. However, after 2002 or so (don't remember exactly) the morse code requirement was dropped and all PE1 calls are now allowed to use HF as well. I have never been active on HF, but I have used amateur satellites before I moved in 1995 and had to take down the yagi antennas. Both SSB and packet satellites. I used to do satellites, too. Might get back into that as well, but it takes a lot more gear and a lot more money today. I worked mostly the HF satellites inb those days especially the russian ones. Great nostalgia. Talking with you brings back a lot of memories. All the best. bill KB3YV -- Bill Gunshannon | de-moc-ra-cy (di mok' ra see) n. Three wolves | and a sheep voting on what's for dinner. University of Scranton | Scranton, Pennsylvania | #include std.disclaimer.h |
Packet Radio
In article ,
Fred McKenzie writes: In article , (Bill Gunshannon) wrote: This group seems as dead as the 2 Meter Packet Frequencies around here but I'll ask here anyway. Is packet radio dead? Has the proliferation of Internet and Cell Phones made it so meaningless that no one is doing anything anymore? I have been pretty much out of Ham Radio for a long time but now that retirement has reared it's ugly(?) head I find myself with time and a renewed interest. I am monitoring all the 2 Meter Packet Freqs here (in the home of K3RLI) and hearing nothing. Not even the dubious DX Cluster traffic that used to go on around here!! Is there any interest in old fashined packet radio any more or should I just put it all back in a box and relegate it to the cellar once more? Oh yeah, Is Howie Goldstein, N2WX around here by any chance? I would still like to get a copy of the source for the "Howie Code" that ran in my DR-200's back in my digi-peating days. And a copy for the TNC-2 as well if there ever was one. I have always wanted to experiment with it and if packet is pretty much dead then there is probably no problem with me doing some stuff on two meters around here. Especially if I could find some kindred spirits who shared some of my interests. Bill- I am over seven years into retirement, and my memory is getting a bit dim. I have an old PK-232 stashed somewhere. Many times I have thought about firing it up, but haven't found time yet. I would need to build some adapter cables first! At one time I had 2 PacComm TNCs with "The Net" firmware, connected back-to-back between the 144 and 220 MHz bands. Let's see, I have a TNC-1, a couple of TNC-2's, a KAM, a newer version KAM, a PACCOMM 220, a couple DR-200's and even one of those early VE-something or others that didn't do AX.25 because it hadn't been invented yet. :-) I recently reprogrammed an old FM rig that had 441.000 MHz in it from back in the 90s. My notes indicate that was a Packet Backbone frequency. Sure enough, I can hear a steady chatter of packet signals there. I'm listening through a magnet mount antenna stuck to the top of some metal shelves, here in central Florida. Like I said, I programmed all the 2 meter packet freqs into a scanner and let it run all day yesterday and heard nothing. I guess if everything has moved to vhf maybe the locals won't mind if I experiment on 2 meters again. Hmmmmmm.... What ever happend to ROSE. There was another system that showed promise but lost out to politics. According to the FCC, N2WX renewed in May, and is living in Sarasota, FL. You might take a look at http://www.tapr.org. If you search their archives for N2WX, you will find several related articles. Their software library is at http://www.tapr.org/software_library.php. I have tried a couple of email addresses but never got an answer. I really don't plan on calling his house. I have asked this question before in NetNews and other places. I would have thought he would have seen one of these requests or had someone mention that I was looking for him. Maybe he just dfoesn't want anyone to work with his old code any more. I don't know if PacComm is still in business, but their website is on line at http://www.paccomm.com. A note at the bottom of the home page says "Last updated 7/19/2004". Yeah, PACCOMM is still there. I have asked them three times now and my reply each time was, "let me look and see if we still have a copy of the code around anywhere." That is usually the last I hear. I fear this is yet another piece of computing histoy that may have been lost. bill KB3YV -- Bill Gunshannon | de-moc-ra-cy (di mok' ra see) n. Three wolves | and a sheep voting on what's for dinner. University of Scranton | Scranton, Pennsylvania | #include std.disclaimer.h |
Packet Radio
In article ,
Channel Jumper writes: Bill Gunshannon;794977 Wrote: This group seems as dead as the 2 Meter Packet Frequencies around here but I'll ask here anyway. Is packet radio dead? Has the proliferation of Internet and Cell Phones made it so meaningless that no one is doing anything anymore? I have been pretty much out of Ham Radio for a long time but now that retirement has reared it's ugly(?) head I find myself with time and a renewed interest. I am monitoring all the 2 Meter Packet Freqs here (in the home of K3RLI) and hearing nothing. Not even the dubious DX Cluster traffic that used to go on around here!! Is there any interest in old fashined packet radio any more or should I just put it all back in a box and relegate it to the cellar once more? Oh yeah, Is Howie Goldstein, N2WX around here by any chance? I would still like to get a copy of the source for the "Howie Code" that ran in my DR-200's back in my digi-peating days. And a copy for the TNC-2 as well if there ever was one. I have always wanted to experiment with it and if packet is pretty much dead then there is probably no problem with me doing some stuff on two meters around here. Especially if I could find some kindred spirits who shared some of my interests. bill KB3YV -- Bill Gunshannon | de-moc-ra-cy (di mok' ra see) n. Three wolves | and a sheep voting on what's for dinner. University of Scranton | Scranton, Pennsylvania | #include std.disclaimer.h I think Bill - what your problem is - is that you have walked away from something and all of a sudden, you turn the radio on and you expect to hear traffic, just like you did 10 - 20 years ago... Well, yes.... If there is no traffic wouldn't that mean it is dead? Up in the north, they pass traffic on two meters, at least as far as Bingimton NY to Erie via Ridgeway PA, and they pass it as far south as Pittsburgh PA - via the national traffic system. OK, on what frequencies? I'm in Scranton/Wilkes-Barre. When K3RLI was still active this place was a hot-bed of NTS traffic. The only person I know personally that is involved in Pete Carr - WW3O You might have read one or more of his articles in QST Magazine. I haven't seen a QST in 20 years. I think Pete says they do it in the morning. Not enough traffic anymore to sit there and do it all day. Oh, wait. You are talking about voice or CW. I would have thought that automated packet systems would have replaced that decades ago. But then maybe that's what "Not enough traffic anymore to sit there and do it all day." really means. :-) I don't even know what kind of traffic they pass. I think they only do it to keep the system up and running in case of a emergency. If you want people to participate with - I would tone down the attitude... Attitude? All I have said so far was 25 years ago politics kept any attempts at improving the system out and that ham radio suffered from NIH syndrome. Historical facts, not attitude. There is still some good guys out there, but most of the old HAMS - pre No Code - are DEAD, and the ones that still has the radios on are not the same hams you remember from 20 - 30 years ago. 2 meters / 70 CM is unique band. It is the first place you go when you get your license and the last place you go before they take you to the rest home or the cemetary. Most real hams won't even use any band that is channeltized... You are going to find that the kids on the radio today are mostly the walkie talkie crowd, who are not real hams, just want to be's. Who refuses to put up antenna's or buy transceivers or stand up to their old lady to be able to put something in or on or outside of the house. And you accused me of having an attitude!!! Sounds like you have been delegated into that crowd. What are you talking about? I use mostly tube type HF equipment that I build myself or at laest maintain myself. (When my father died he left a bunch of "newer" semiconductor and microprocessor based rigs behind. None of them still work.) i build antennas for the fun of it. Especially HF antennas. (Ever built a Sterba Curtain?) I alwys have ropes and wires hanging from trees around my property. I may have been out a long time, but I'm not dead. Your Advanced license tells volumes. What is that supposed to mean? That was the level I had attained when I stopped using ham radio. Since getting interested I have started working on my Extra. Took the test once just to see what it was like and only missed it by 2 questions (on all the space stuff that didn't even exist when I was still active.) I expect to pass it before the summer is over. You knew about communications but didn't see any need to go beyond Advanced and probably got mad when they eliminated Advanced and got rid of the code... Talk about being blinded by attitude. I was one of the advocates of eliminating the code over 20 years ago. Just because I do it doesn't mean I expect everyone to do it. I actually did 20WPM code for 10 years before I even had a ham licence. With the Army. That was also where I got my interest in RTTY, again long before becoming a ham. That is the consensus of the population here.... Find yourself a Amateur Radio Club and get involved in Amateur Radio - not just the walkie talkie crowd on the 565 simplex or the repeater retards... Get out the books and study and get your Amateur Extra license and become a VE and give back to Amateur Radio - don't just take! You will find, if you get involved - you will not feel so jilted and will be less apt to retreat to the 75 and 160 meters, with the other buddy clubs, where all they do is sit and cuss and not use their call signs and act like they are still on the CB radio... I guess you totally missed the fact that what I wanted to do was get back into digital experimentation. Or the fact that I was doing wireless networking (both ham and non-ham) 30 years ago. bill KB3YV -- Bill Gunshannon | de-moc-ra-cy (di mok' ra see) n. Three wolves | and a sheep voting on what's for dinner. University of Scranton | Scranton, Pennsylvania | #include std.disclaimer.h |
Packet Radio
Bill Gunshannon wrote:
Is Phil, KA9Q still active out that way or is he too deep into the commercial stuff anymore? He's pretty much retired these days; I believe he's mostly into science education (speaking at high schools and junior colleges) these days. Last time we had dinner a few months ago he was real excited by near-space balloon flights and using ham radio to relay video and telemetry. One of his high-school groups had just had a rather successful flight and collected some interesting data and video. The HSMM folk have found that some brands of WAP can be told to operate in the ham bands (2.4 and 5.8 GHz) at increased power and are using them for high speed data links, both digital voice and data. And of course there are the D-Star folk with their medium-speed digital links. There is interest in Internet linking in both groups. A Google search on "HSMM" will probably yield some informative info. I regret to say that the www.ampr.org site is rather sparse right now, as we just rebuilt it, but I hope to add more to it as the months go on. Best wishes! - Brian |
Packet Radio
In article ,
(Brian Kantor) writes: Bill Gunshannon wrote: Is Phil, KA9Q still active out that way or is he too deep into the commercial stuff anymore? He's pretty much retired these days; I believe he's mostly into science education (speaking at high schools and junior colleges) these days. Last time we had dinner a few months ago he was real excited by near-space balloon flights and using ham radio to relay video and telemetry. One of his high-school groups had just had a rather successful flight and collected some interesting data and video. The HSMM folk have found that some brands of WAP can be told to operate in the ham bands (2.4 and 5.8 GHz) at increased power and are using them for high speed data links, both digital voice and data. And of course there are the D-Star folk with their medium-speed digital links. There is interest in Internet linking in both groups. A Google search on "HSMM" will probably yield some informative info. I regret to say that the www.ampr.org site is rather sparse right now, as we just rebuilt it, but I hope to add more to it as the months go on. Best wishes! - Brian Thanks for the info. I will definitely look into some of this, especially the WAP stuff as I have a bunch and really like playing with them. If you see Phil again tell him I said "Hi" although I doubt he will even remember who I am. (Not sayinghis memory is bad, just that I tend to be that guy no one remembers. :-) All the best to everyone on the left coast. It's been 25 years since I was last that far west. bill -- Bill Gunshannon | de-moc-ra-cy (di mok' ra see) n. Three wolves | and a sheep voting on what's for dinner. University of Scranton | Scranton, Pennsylvania | #include std.disclaimer.h |
Packet Radio
Bill Gunshannon wrote:
In article , Rob writes: Bill Gunshannon wrote: I think you mean PIxVRZ (PI1VRZ/PI8VRZ etc). They have remained active very long but I think they are off the air. Or you mean PA0VRC, a local amateur that has moved to another part of the country but is still alive and kicking. He built the local 2M repeater PI3PYR in 1977 or 1978 with some friends. Nope, PA0VRZ from Apeldoorn. Bulletin station for "vereniging van radio-zend-amateurs". I used to copy the bulletins on RTTY and even talk with them once in a while. Ok the VRZA clubstation. It is now called PI4VRZ. I wonder why the callsign change? At some point it was decided that all club stations would have a PI4 prefix, and the existing PA0 calls were changed to PI4. PI prefixes with other digits are/were used for repeaters, nodes, bbses and other special applications. Later a vanity callsign system was introduced and now all prefixes from PA to PH are used by radio amateurs, and PI for special stations. I used to do satellites, too. Might get back into that as well, but it takes a lot more gear and a lot more money today. I worked mostly the HF satellites inb those days especially the russian ones. Not having a HF license, I set up a azimuth/elevation controlled set of crossed yagis and later added computer control. Convenient for the low orbiting packet satellites (that no longer exist). My station could completely automatically find the next satellite that would pass (out of 6 or so that were active), turn the yagis, set the frequencies of the transceivers, watch for the corresponding callsign to appear on packet, and upload/download the files that were queued. It was like satellite UUCP :-) Neat to build it and to watch when it was all running... but boring after a while. Great nostalgia. Talking with you brings back a lot of memories. All the best. bill KB3YV Yes, great! It was a nice time and good memories remain. 73/55, Rob |
Packet Radio
Bill, good to have you back involved with Ham Radio. You'll find that things have changed, but there is a lot of exciting new things to have fun with.
Unlike some others, I don't sense any attitude other than "where are we now"? And that's a reasonable question. In PA and South NJ, APRS is the what's hot now. There is some DSTAR activity, but in general, Packet Radio in any given area is very sporadic and usually club-oriented. Unlike the early 90's when we were all playing with Phil Karn's KA9Q, full-time connectivity to the Internet is the basis for support communications. DX cluster are mostly web-based, although you can connect to quite a few vie Telnet. The biggest reason for the Internet is to write logging data to sites like HRDlog.net or to map digital propogation via pskreporter or wsprnet. So Ham Radio is a bit different with HF digital being the thing most highly developed now with modes like JT65-HF, PSK31 and Olivia. Even RTTY has experienced a resurgence in interest. Amsat is suffering with most of it's mainstay birds being off the air. QRP CW on the WARC bands like 30 and 17 is a hot area, one that I enjoy quite a bit. SSB is the usual collection of what-have-you. Sometimes great, sometimes decidedly not. But the main point being, there is a lot of digital activity being enjoyed on HF these days. It seems to be in sync with the connected, digital media world that we live in, so no real surprise. As for age? Yes the older Hams who got their starts in the late 50s are into retirement now and have moved into homes that may not support large antennas, so QRP and digital or CW are their realm. Is there a reason to connect with a TNC on VHF anymore? Not really. Anyway, welcome back into the hobby. It may not be the same as you remember, but if you bought a Yaesu 817ND, ran it into a random wire via an LDG automatic tuner, and connected it to your PC via a West Mountain Rigblaster, you can have as much fun as I do on PSK31, JT65-HF or CW as I do. 73 |
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