packet radio

[snow dog]

Anybody out there using packet radio ?

[dds]

i havn't yet but starting to look into it

[Melensdad]

In reasonably simple terms, can someone please explain Packet Radio to those of us who are members of the ignorant and unwashed masses, but are curious about the various different types of amature radio protocols.

[JEV]

Originally Posted by Melensdad

In reasonably simple terms, can someone please explain Packet Radio to those of us who are members of the ignorant and unwashed masses, but are curious about the various different types of amature radio protocols.

I bought this a couple of days ago and have already gone through the entire book. It has every question and all the answers for the Technician Class license, along with explanations, formulas, pictures and schematics so you are fully prepared for the test. It also comes with an audio CD about one hour long that answers questions that you have not even thought of yet, and does it so anyone can understand it. Actually, it's a little goofy because they dumbed it down so anyone with a pulse could understand it, but it does the job intended. If you buy this book, be sure to get the 2010-2014 edition so you have the current questions for the test. The previous book is all over Amazon for pennies, so don't get caught in that trap. Here is one source to buy it, unless you can get it locally.

Packet radio

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Terminal Node Controller 2400 packet radio modem


Packet radio is a form of packet switching technology used to transmit digital data via radio or wireless communications links. It uses the same concepts of data transmission via Datagram that are fundamental to communications via the Internet, as opposed to the older techniques used by dedicated or switched circuits.

[snow dog]

simpley, it uses the ham 2 meter radio and a computer connected to the radio via a modem. Packet repeaters enable messages to be forward beyond the range of one radio. Users send text messages to each other, much like it, except the3 backbone is ham radio rather than buying internet services.

[loboloco]

Originally Posted by snow dog

simpley, it uses the ham 2 meter radio and a computer connected to the radio via a modem. Packet repeaters enable messages to be forward beyond the range of one radio. Users send text messages to each other, much like it, except the3 backbone is ham radio rather than buying internet services.

I was reading this and had a thought. You can, via your computer link into both voice and data nets for a remote location. This was a common occurrence though we weren't using the HAM bands. Mostly FM to modem, branching into voice and data nets. But, the radios we used had a etherport so you could hook a modem in directly.

[JEV]

OOPS! I forgot to include this picture in my last post. Senility is setting in.

[fubar]

There are many form of packet radio, on a wide spectrum of frequencies...

When you or I speak to each other we make sounds that the other person hears in real time, one sylable at a time. When we key a mike we speak and the other person hears you, linear, the same way.
But when we send an e-mail, we compose our thought, regardless of how many words, smile, nod our heads and push "enter". The whole "packet" of information is then transmitted to the other party. (over simplified, and not TOTALLY technically correct, but serves our purpose for right now).

Packets of information can be sent to convey thoughts or images, Slow Scan TV is an example of images sent in packets.

One of the many common uses is called PACTOR, if you are interested, it is a great place to start.
There are at least three 'versions', Pactor l, Pactor ll and of course Pactor lll. Most commonly used is PACTOR ll. (Pactor lll is an expensive software, I would check out Pactor ll, if you like or need, you will be able to search out info on Pactor lll)

I use a modem (Pakrat 232, PK-232MBX, about $150.00 on EBAY), that connects to my radio via a usb port, I run a software called Winlink 2000 and/or Airmail 3.3.

This is what is looks like on the surface...
I tune into a frequency of a station that can translate Pactor l, or ll,
These are volunteers that have dedicated computers on dedicated frequencies with a specific dedicated purpose, their radios are connected to the internet.....
then I light off my computer and run winlink, in that program I compose an e-mail. When I am ready, I punch a transmit button in the software and the computer triggers the modem to make the most god awful screechin and scrawlin, which transmits over my poor radio,
there is a handshake between my modem and the receiving station,and then my message is sent in a packet. The receiving station is connected to the internet which sends my message to the email address that I have identified in my message over the internet.
Last message was to my wife who is not a ham. She then replies via e-mail. The e-mail is then transmitted via Ham radio back to me.
(they will not allow photos, attchments or foul language at all!!)

You will find many many sailors using airmail on their Yachts to communicate back home, or remotes in the sticks in Alaska.
Useful for communicating with Non-hams.

Free Winlink software.....www.winlink.org/software

For accurate and complete description of what I just confused you with go to www.winlink.org

I apologize for anything that is technically incorrect. as my intent is to stir interest.

73

[EastTexFrank]

Originally Posted by fubar

Last message was to my wife who is not a ham. She then replies via e-mail. The e-mail is then transmitted via Ham radio back to me.
(they will not allow photos, attchments or foul language at all!!)

Seems like the perfect way to communicate with a wife, especially the "no foul language" part. It would keep our conversations short, sweet and civilized.

[loboloco]

As an exercise, we once pulled this stunt(with approval). Field computer to FM radio(frequency hopper) to FM radio. Transfer to AM net(not really meant for this) to a mobile switch system, to a troposcatter, over to a Single channel satellite,back to a mobile switch, to a multi channel sat, back to an FM radio linked to a computer. We sent a 5 page document and it arrived threee quarters of the way around the world without any loss of data or scrambling of words. Also, this was thru encrypted gear.