Packet Radio

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(No Transcript)
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Packet Radio Basics For EPCRACES Rob Roller N7LV
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What is Packet Radio?
10010100100110100101010010110101000010111010010110
10010010010101101001110101010101100101100101011010
01011010011010101010110001110101011001101010110001
01100101010100101010010101011100101001101001110101

• Data communications via radio

"Packet radio is a communications technique in
which information is transferred from one
computer to another by breaking down the
information into smaller chunks
called packets, transmitting those packets
individually using radio as the medium, and
reassembling the packets into the original
information at the receiving computer."
4
What Can You Do With It?
10010100100110100101010010110101000010111010010110
10010010010101101001110101010101100101100101011010
01011010011010101010110001110101011001101010110001
01100101010100101010010101011100101001101001110101

• Real-time keyboard-to-keyboard conversations

5
What Else Can You Do With It?
10010100100110100101010010110101000010111010010110
10010010010101101001110101010101100101100101011010
01011010011010101010110001110101011001101010110001
01100101010100101010010101011100101001101001110101

• Store messages, including NTS traffic, for later
  retrieval

6
What Else Can You Do With It?
10010100100110100101010010110101000010111010010110
10010010010101101001110101010101100101100101011010
01011010011010101010110001110101011001101010110001
01100101010100101010010101011100101001101001110101

• Transfer files, messages, reports, from computer
  to computer

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What Can EPCRACES Do With It?
10010100100110100101010010110101000010111010010110
10010010010101101001110101010101100101100101011010
01011010011010101010110001110101011001101010110001
01100101010100101010010101011100101001101001110101

• Shelter information
• Damage assessment reports
• Any other important information that can be sent
  as text or data
• Move sensitive information privately
• Encryption isnt allowed on amateur bands, but we
  dont have to tell the media or anyone else where
  we are in the bands

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A Living Network .
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A Living Network .
10
A Computer (Packet) Network .
Linear Network A realistic type of packet
network if multiple relay stations are necessary
when end points are not within line-of-sight of
each other.
Nodes
Branches
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A Computer (Packet) Network .
Star or Hub Network Typical of an emergency
network, with OEM station at center, and portable
packet stations at various shelters.
Nodes
Branches
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A Computer (Packet) Network .
Mesh Network Typical of an emergency network
when there is no central point, and each station
may need to communicate with more than one
station, or may require more than one path.
Nodes
Branches
13
A Computer (Packet) Network .
Fully Connected Network Possible for packet
radio, but not practical unless all stations are
within line-of-sight of each other.
Nodes
Branches
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A Fictitious Nationwide Network for Routine NTS
Traffic (circa 1992)
Each node (aka Full Service BBS) is capable of
storing messages and NTS traffic
Each is a node
This is not the kind of network in which EPCRACES
will be participating
15
Not as likely as a local net, but it may be
necessary to communicate via packet with the
state OEM or the state RACES Officer in Grand
Junction.
16
The Simplest of Networks Two nodes, one branch
17
Hybrid Linear/Star Network 7 nodes, 6 branches
18
Packet Radio Terminology Applied to Network
19
Our Portable Packet Stations
10010100100110100101010010110101000010111010010110
10010010010101101001110101010101100101100101011010
01011010011010101010110001110101011001101010110001
01100101010100101010010101011100101001101001110101

• Three complete portable packet stations owned by
  EPC OEM

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Our Portable Packet Stations
10010100100110100101010010110101000010111010010110
10010010010101101001110101010101100101100101011010
01011010011010101010110001110101011001101010110001
01100101010100101010010101011100101001101001110101
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Packet Radio Terminology Applied to Network
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My Portable Packet Station
10010100100110100101010010110101000010111010010110
10010010010101101001110101010101100101100101011010
01011010011010101010110001110101011001101010110001
01100101010100101010010101011100101001101001110101

• Mobile xcvr, Kantronics TNC as pictured, can be
  a portable digipeater

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My Portable Packet Station
10010100100110100101010010110101000010111010010110
10010010010101101001110101010101100101100101011010
01011010011010101010110001110101011001101010110001
01100101010100101010010101011100101001101001110101

• Add a portable computer, and I have a complete
  portable packet station

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Packet Radio Terminology Applied to Network
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The EPCRACES BBS
10010100100110100101010010110101000010111010010110
10010010010101101001110101010101100101100101011010
01011010011010101010110001110101011001101010110001
01100101010100101010010101011100101001101001110101

• Computer w/F6FBB BBS, G8BPQ node switch, KPC-4
  TNC, Uniden VHF xcvr

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The EPCRACES Packet Network
10010100100110100101010010110101000010111010010110
10010010010101101001110101010101100101100101011010
01011010011010101010110001110101011001101010110001
01100101010100101010010101011100101001101001110101

• Two or more stations, any combination of
• A home station, or
• A portable station in the field, or
• the EPCRACES bulletin board system (BBS) at the
  OEM

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Keyboard To Keyboard Chat
10010100100110100101010010110101000010111010010110
10010010010101101001110101010101100101100101011010
01011010011010101010110001110101011001101010110001
01100101010100101010010101011100101001101001110101
cmd c n7lv-2
cmd CONNECTED TO N7LV-2
cmd d
cmd DISCONNECTED
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EPCRACES Bulletin Board System
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Bulletin Board System
10010100100110100101010010110101000010111010010110
10010010010101101001110101010101100101100101011010
01011010011010101010110001110101011001101010110001
01100101010100101010010101011100101001101001110101

• Available for packet connections 24 hrs per day,
  7 days a week
• Operates on 145.090 MHz
• Hardware
• IBM compatible PC
• Radio Uniden transceiver
• TNC Kantronics KPC-4
• Antenna ?

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Bulletin Board System
10010100100110100101010010110101000010111010010110
10010010010101101001110101010101100101100101011010
01011010011010101010110001110101011001101010110001
01100101010100101010010101011100101001101001110101

• Two ways to use
• Connecting from the field
• Operator sitting at the console
• Uses include
• Storing and retrieving messages, files
• Chatting keyboard-to-keyboard
• BPQ node switch, to extend range

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Connecting to the BBS
10010100100110100101010010110101000010111010010110
10010010010101101001110101010101100101100101011010
01011010011010101010110001110101011001101010110001
01100101010100101010010101011100101001101001110101

• Connection details
• Frequency 145.090 MHz
• Connect to KCØMWQ or alias OEMBBS

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Simple BBS Commands
10010100100110100101010010110101000010111010010110
10010010010101101001110101010101100101100101011010
01011010011010101010110001110101011001101010110001
01100101010100101010010101011100101001101001110101
S Send a message L Display a
listing of messages on the BBS R Read a
message K Kill, or delete, a message B
Bye!
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Connecting to the BBS
10010100100110100101010010110101000010111010010110
10010010010101101001110101010101100101100101011010
01011010011010101010110001110101011001101010110001
01100101010100101010010101011100101001101001110101
c kc0mwq
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Connecting to the BBS
10010100100110100101010010110101000010111010010110
10010010010101101001110101010101100101100101011010
01011010011010101010110001110101011001101010110001
01100101010100101010010101011100101001101001110101
c kc0mwq
cmd CONNECTED to KC0MWQ
FBB-7.00g-AB1FHMRX KC0MWQ Mailbox, QTH
DM78PW. (1) KC0MWQ BBS
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Connecting to the BBS
10010100100110100101010010110101000010111010010110
10010010010101101001110101010101100101100101011010
01011010011010101010110001110101011001101010110001
01100101010100101010010101011100101001101001110101
S Send a message
s w0mhp Routing (from H) to KC0MWQ.SECO.CO.USA.NO
AM. Enter the title for this message to W0MHP
Test from portable station Enter the text for
the message, end with Ctrl-Z or /EX on a blank
line) Hi, Doug. I'm just sending a test
message from the portable packet station, using
my home station as a node to relay the message to
the OEM. The Icom HT inside my basement here
can't hear the OEM directly, so I'm relaying
through the KA-node in my personal BBS. 73,
Rob /ex Mid 174_KC0MWQ Size 276 bytes (1)
KC0MWQ BBS
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Connecting to the BBS
10010100100110100101010010110101000010111010010110
10010010010101101001110101010101100101100101011010
01011010011010101010110001110101011001101010110001
01100101010100101010010101011100101001101001110101
c kc0mwq cmd CONNECTED to KC0MWQ FBB-7.00g-AB
1FHMRX KC0MWQ Mailbox, QTH DM78PW. (1) KC0MWQ
BBS l Msg TSLD Dim To _at_ BBS From
Date/Time Title 174 PNL 276 W0MHP
N7LV 1003/1930 Test (1) KC0MWQ BBS
L Display a listing of messages on the BBS
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Connecting to the BBS
10010100100110100101010010110101000010111010010110
10010010010101101001110101010101100101100101011010
01011010011010101010110001110101011001101010110001
01100101010100101010010101011100101001101001110101
c kc0mwq cmd CONNECTED to KC0MWQ FBB-7.00g-AB
1FHMRX KC0MWQ Mailbox, QTH DM78PW. (1) KC0MWQ
BBS l Msg TSLD Dim To _at_ BBS From
Date/Time Title 174 PNL 276 W0MHP
N7LV 1003/1930 Test (1) KC0MWQ BBS b
38
Connecting to the BBS
10010100100110100101010010110101000010111010010110
10010010010101101001110101010101100101100101011010
01011010011010101010110001110101011001101010110001
01100101010100101010010101011100101001101001110101
c kc0mwq cmd CONNECTED to KC0MWQ FBB-7.00g-AB
1FHMRX KC0MWQ Mailbox, QTH DM78PW. (1) KC0MWQ
BBS l Msg TSLD Dim To _at_ BBS From
Date/Time Title 174 PNL 276 W0MHP
N7LV 1003/1930 Test (1) KC0MWQ BBS b
DISCONNECTED
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Why Use A Relay Station?
10010100100110100101010010110101000010111010010110
10010010010101101001110101010101100101100101011010
01011010011010101010110001110101011001101010110001
01100101010100101010010101011100101001101001110101

• No line-of-sight path to destination
• Too low of power, or low gain antenna
• Destination is beyond range of your equipment

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Digipeaters (a.k.a. Digis)
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Digipeaters
10010100100110100101010010110101000010111010010110
10010010010101101001110101010101100101100101011010
01011010011010101010110001110101011001101010110001
01100101010100101010010101011100101001101001110101

• AX.25 packet radio protocol defines technical
  standard for digipeaters
• Up to eight repeaters (digis)
• Callsigns or aliases can be used
• Entered in the order to be encountered
• End-to-end acknowledgment

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Connecting to the BBS via a Digi
10010100100110100101010010110101000010111010010110
10010010010101101001110101010101100101100101011010
01011010011010101010110001110101011001101010110001
01100101010100101010010101011100101001101001110101

• Connection example using a digipeater

c kc0mwq via r942,r941 cmd CONNECTED to
KC0MWQ V R942,R941 FBB-7.00g-AB1FHMRX KC0MWQ
Mailbox, QTH DM78PW. (1) KC0MWQ BBS

• Callsign or alias MUST be known in advance

43
Linear network with TEN nodes (Demonstrating
maximum of eight digipeaters in a path)
44
Jeff K0RM wants to connect to the EPC OEM, but
needs to use digipeaters to get around obstacles.
How would Jeff know how to build a connection
using digipeaters? What does he need to know?
1. He needs to know all the digipeaters in the
path, and their callsigns.
2. He needs to know the correct order in which
to connect to them.
3. He needs to know that the packet protocols
allow for up to eight digipeaters in the path.
4. He needs to know that he would probably NEVER
have to create a connection this confusing!
45
Connect request from K0RM C KC0MWQ VIA
N0UVR,N7LV, KB0VGX,W0MCT,W0MHP,KD0JU, KC0FRM,KC0NC
46
TNC at N0UVR automatically requests next path to
N7LV
47
TNC at N7LV automatically requests next path to
KB0VGX
48
TNC at KB0VGX automatically requests next path to
W0MCT
49
TNC at W0MCT automatically requests next path to
W0MHP
50
TNC at W0MHP automatically requests next path to
KD0JU
51
TNC at KD0JU automatically requests next path to
KC0FRM
52
TNC at KC0FRM automatically requests next path to
KC0NC
53
TNC at KC0NC automatically requests next path to
KC0MWQ
54
Is connection established?
55
Is connection established? NOPE - Still need to
send packet acknowledgement back to K0RM
56
TNC acks first to KC0NC ...
57
... then to KC0FRM ...
58
... then to KD0JU ...
59
... then to W0MHP ...
60
... then to W0MCT ...
61
... then to KB0VGX ...
62
... then to N7LV ...
63
... then to N0UVR ...
64
... finally to K0RM ... and we now have a network
(or connection) established!
65
Aliases
10010100100110100101010010110101000010111010010110
10010010010101101001110101010101100101100101011010
01011010011010101010110001110101011001101010110001
01100101010100101010010101011100101001101001110101

• Easy-to-remember alternate name, like a nickname
  up to 6 characters
• Can be used in place of a callsign
• Can use tactical names in an emergency plan
• Examples
• OEMBBS Main BBS at OEM
• ARC Portable packet at Red Cross
• FALCON Port packet at Falcon VFD

66
KA-Nodes
67
KA-Nodes
10010100100110100101010010110101000010111010010110
10010010010101101001110101010101100101100101011010
01011010011010101010110001110101011001101010110001
01100101010100101010010101011100101001101001110101

• A smart way to relay signals
• Smart software in the Kantronics TNC performs
  the relaying functions
• Additional functions available, such as looking
  to see what call signs the KA-Node has
  monitored
• Call signs or aliases can be used
• of nodes limited only by memory in TNC
• Node-to-node acknowledgment

68
Connecting to a KA-Node
10010100100110100101010010110101000010111010010110
10010010010101101001110101010101100101100101011010
01011010011010101010110001110101011001101010110001
01100101010100101010010101011100101001101001110101
c n7lv-7
69
Connecting to a KA-Node
10010100100110100101010010110101000010111010010110
10010010010101101001110101010101100101100101011010
01011010011010101010110001110101011001101010110001
01100101010100101010010101011100101001101001110101
c n7lv-7
cmd CONNECTED to N7LV-7
CONNECTED TO NODE N7LV-7 (N7LV) CHANNEL
A ENTER COMMAND B,C,J,N, or HELP ?

• B Bye Disconnect from the node
• C Connect connect to next station in path
• J List stations heard by TNC
• N List other KA-Nodes heard by TNC

70
Jeff K0RM wants to connect to the EPC OEM, but
will have to use KA-Nodes instead of digipeaters
due to a busy channel. What does he need to know?
1. He doesnt necessarily need to know all the
stations in the path and their callsigns.
2. He doesnt need to know the order in which
hell connect to them.
3. He can use as many relays as he needs with
the KA-Nodes.
4. He will probably never have to create a
connection this confusing either!
71
Connect request from K0RM C N0UVR Jeff knows
that he can reach the KA-Node at Daves house,
but isnt sure of the path after that.
72
N0UVR TNC sends ack. Connection established to
Daves TNC. Next, Jeff issues J or N command to
see who might be next.
73
Connecting to a KA-Node
10010100100110100101010010110101000010111010010110
10010010010101101001110101010101100101100101011010
01011010011010101010110001110101011001101010110001
01100101010100101010010101011100101001101001110101
ENTER COMMAND B,C,J,N, or Help ? n KD6FLM-7
(KD6FLM) 05/25/2003 191929 KA0WUC-7
(KA0WUC) 07/15/2003 205923 K4ARM-7 (PBBS)
08/02/2003 124341 KA0PII-7 (KA0PII-6)
08/19/2003 111118 K0HBZ-7 (K0HBZ)
09/02/2003 135639 N7LV-7 (N7LV-7)
09/13/2003 201424 ND0Q-1 (ND0Q)
09/15/2003 072339 K0QED-7 (K0QED)
09/20/2003 205811 KC5QNK-7 (KC5QNK)
09/22/2003 144551 K4ARM-7 (K4ARM)
10/04/2003 123145 KA0PII-7 (KA0PII)
10/04/2003 170700 NX0G-7 (NX0G)
10/04/2003 182340 ENTER COMMAND B,C,J,N, or
Help ?
74
Sends connect to N7LV-7 C N7LV-7 Receives ack
from N7LV-7. Again, Jeff issues J or N command to
see who might be next.
75
Connecting to a KA-Node
10010100100110100101010010110101000010111010010110
10010010010101101001110101010101100101100101011010
01011010011010101010110001110101011001101010110001
01100101010100101010010101011100101001101001110101
ENTER COMMAND B,C,J,N, or Help ? n K4ARM-7
(PBBS) 08/02/2003 124341 W0MHP
(W0MHP) 09/13/2003 201424 KB0VGX
(KB0VGX) 09/10/2003 054703 ENTER COMMAND
B,C,J,N, or Help ?
76
Determines that N7LV can see W0MHP, and knows
that W0MHP is closer to OEM. Sends connect to
W0MHP C W0MHP Receives ack from W0MHP. Again,
Jeff issues J or N command to see who might be
next.
77
Connecting to a KA-Node
10010100100110100101010010110101000010111010010110
10010010010101101001110101010101100101100101011010
01011010011010101010110001110101011001101010110001
01100101010100101010010101011100101001101001110101
ENTER COMMAND B,C,J,N, or Help ? n N7LV-7
(N7LV-7) 08/02/2003 124341 KB0VGX
(KB0VGX) 09/10/2003 054703 KC0MWQ
(KC0MWQ) 09/10/2003 070854 ENTER COMMAND
B,C,J,N, or Help ?
78
Determines that W0MHP can see OEM. Sends connect
to KC0MWQ C KC0MWQ Receives ack from
OEM. Connected! No end-to-end ack necessary, as
each stage in the relay has acked.
79
BPQ Node Switch (G8BPQ John Wiseman)
80
Connecting to a BPQ Node Switch
10010100100110100101010010110101000010111010010110
10010010010101101001110101010101100101100101011010
01011010011010101010110001110101011001101010110001
01100101010100101010010101011100101001101001110101
c n7lv-7
cmd CONNECTED to N7LV-7
CONNECTED TO NODE N7LV-7 (N7LV) CHANNEL
A ENTER COMMAND B,C,J,N, or HELP ?
c kc0mwq-2
LINK MADE Welcome to the EPCRACES network node
in Colorado Springs. Type ? For list of
commands. ? EPCOEMKC0MWQ-2 BBS BYE CONNECT
INFO NODES PORTS ROUTES USERS MHEARD
81
Connecting to a BPQ Node Switch
10010100100110100101010010110101000010111010010110
10010010010101101001110101010101100101100101011010
01011010011010101010110001110101011001101010110001
01100101010100101010010101011100101001101001110101
c 1 wb4nwc-1
EPCOEMKC0MWQ-2 Connected to WB4NWC-1
KAM-3.05-H 1000 BYTES AVAILABLE Welcome to the
WB4NWC mailbox. ENTER COMMAND B,J,K
,L,LM,R,RM,S, or help
82
Comparison of Digipeaters, KA-Nodes, G8BPQ Node
Switch
83
Digipeater or KA-Node?
10010100100110100101010010110101000010111010010110
10010010010101101001110101010101100101100101011010
01011010011010101010110001110101011001101010110001
01100101010100101010010101011100101001101001110101
Digipeater KA or BPQ Node Limit of 8
relays No limit No lookup of stations Can look
up heard, must know path to see stations
heard Type in single request Type in
multiple requests More effective on More
effective on quiet channel busy channel
Bottom line Use whats available understand
how to use each kind of system
84
Other Features of the EPCRACES BBS
85
Conferencing
86
Conferencing
10010100100110100101010010110101000010111010010110
10010010010101101001110101010101100101100101011010
01011010011010101010110001110101011001101010110001
01100101010100101010010101011100101001101001110101

• Purpose To connect multiple packet stations
  together, using the BBS as the host
• Allows one station to transmit text which will be
  received by all other stations in the conference

87
Conferencing
10010100100110100101010010110101000010111010010110
10010010010101101001110101010101100101100101011010
01011010011010101010110001110101011001101010110001
01100101010100101010010101011100101001101001110101

• Prior to joining the conference
• Determine who else is in the conference
• BBS command is CW to see list then C to enter
  the conference.

FBB-7.00g-AB1FHMRX KC0MWQ Mailbox, QTH
DM78PW. (1) KC0MWQ BBS CW 0507. Stations in the
conference Nobody else in the conference. (1)
KC0MWQ BBS C You are now in the conference (Help
.H).

• From this point on, everything you type is
  transmitted to all other conferencees.

88
Conference Commands
10010100100110100101010010110101000010111010010110
10010010010101101001110101010101100101100101011010
01011010011010101010110001110101011001101010110001
01100101010100101010010101011100101001101001110101

• All are preceded with a period (.)
• .Q Quits the conference
• .D Disconnects from
  conference
• .H BBS sends a brief help file to you
• .W Show list of participants

89
File Transfers
90
Uploading a File
10010100100110100101010010110101000010111010010110
10010010010101101001110101010101100101100101011010
01011010011010101010110001110101011001101010110001
01100101010100101010010101011100101001101001110101

• Allows you to transmit a file to the BBS
• Others can later download that file
• Requires your packet software to have the YAPP
  file transfer protocol
• File can be binary, ASCII text, basically any
  file (e.g., Excel spreadsheet, Word document,
  executable program)
• Consider its size, as large files may take a very
  long time

91
What is YAPP?
10010100100110100101010010110101000010111010010110
10010010010101101001110101010101100101100101011010
01011010011010101010110001110101011001101010110001
01100101010100101010010101011100101001101001110101

• YAPP stands for Yet Another Packet Protocol
• Allows extended ASCII characters to be
  transmitted. These are the bytes that dont
  represent letters or numbers but are part of
  binary files

92
Uploading a File
10010100100110100101010010110101000010111010010110
10010010010101101001110101010101100101100101011010
01011010011010101010110001110101011001101010110001
01100101010100101010010101011100101001101001110101

• Files are stored on the BBS hard drive I the YAPP
  directory
• Command is YU followed by a space, followed by
  the file name
• Note that file name format cannot exceed 8
  characters in the file name, and 3 characters in
  the file extension
• Example RACES.LOG is okay
• Example RACES TEST FILE.1234 is not okay

93
Uploading a File
10010100100110100101010010110101000010111010010110
10010010010101101001110101010101100101100101011010
01011010011010101010110001110101011001101010110001
01100101010100101010010101011100101001101001110101

• Files are stored on the BBS hard drive in the
  YAPP directory

FBB-7.00g-AB1FHMRX KC0MWQ Mailbox, QTH
DM78PW. (1) KC0MWQ BBS YU test.zip Describe the
file, max 40 characters Test file Ready to
receive TEST.ZIP with YAPP-protocol.

• Now, initiate your YAPP transfer mechanism in
  your packet software to begin the file transfer.

94
Viewing Directory Contents
10010100100110100101010010110101000010111010010110
10010010010101101001110101010101100101100101011010
01011010011010101010110001110101011001101010110001
01100101010100101010010101011100101001101001110101

• Files are stored on the BBS hard drive in the
  YAPP directory

• FBB-7.00g-AB1FHMRX
• KC0MWQ Mailbox, QTH DM78PW.
• (1) KC0MWQ BBS
• W
• YAPP 25-03-03 031005.LOG
  4372 06-10-03
• 2027618304 bytes free.
• W YAPP
• FBBMUX.DOC 2190 05-03-93 EDIT.COM
  413 11-18-03
• TEST.ZIP 1024 11-18-03
• 2027618304 bytes free.
• KC0MWQ BBS

95
Downloading a File
10010100100110100101010010110101000010111010010110
10010010010101101001110101010101100101100101011010
01011010011010101010110001110101011001101010110001
01100101010100101010010101011100101001101001110101
FBB-7.00g-AB1FHMRX KC0MWQ Mailbox, QTH
DM78PW. (1) KC0MWQ BBS YD test.zip Ready to send
TEST.ZIP with YAPP-protocol.

• Now, initiate your YAPP transfer mechanism in
  your packet software to begin the file transfer.
• Depending on your software you may be able to
  specify where to store the file on your computer.

96
Summary of BBS Features
10010100100110100101010010110101000010111010010110
10010010010101101001110101010101100101100101011010
01011010011010101010110001110101011001101010110001
01100101010100101010010101011100101001101001110101

• Messages
• File transfers
• Conferencing
• BPQ switch (range extension)

97
Miscellaneous Topics
98
Beacons
99
Beacons
10010100100110100101010010110101000010111010010110
10010010010101101001110101010101100101100101011010
01011010011010101010110001110101011001101010110001
01100101010100101010010101011100101001101001110101

• Purpose To let others know your station is on
  the air, and identify callsign, SSIDs, BBS,
  KA-node capability, etc
• Not recommended in emergency nets all
  participants should know callsigns/aliases of
  emergency stations
• In non-emergency times helps others determine
  whos on the frequency
• Beacons should be set to long period of time
  between transmissions (e.g., 3 hours, not 5 or 10
  minutes)

100
Beacons
10010100100110100101010010110101000010111010010110
10010010010101101001110101010101100101100101011010
01011010011010101010110001110101011001101010110001
01100101010100101010010101011100101001101001110101

• To find stations on a frequency, turn on logging
  function, capture traffic for 24 hours
• Empty screen? No stations beaconing whos
  there?

101
Beacons
10010100100110100101010010110101000010111010010110
10010010010101101001110101010101100101100101011010
01011010011010101010110001110101011001101010110001
01100101010100101010010101011100101001101001110101

• Beacons visible? Now you know what stations are
  on the air. Use callbook to find locations

N7LVBEACON N7LV / NE Colo Springs / N7LV-1 PBBS
/ NodeLV KC0MWQID EPCRACES BBS (OEMBBS) Mail
ALL W0MHP KC0MWQ-2ID Network Node
(EPCOEM) W0MHPBEACON de W0MHP WB4NWCBEACON,
RELAY,RELAY WB4NWC Tom Peyton, CO.
102
145.090 Packet Map
103
144.930 Packet Map
104
145.010 Packet Map
105
Common Packet Radio Frequencies
106
Packet Radio Frequencies
10010100100110100101010010110101000010111010010110
10010010010101101001110101010101100101100101011010
01011010011010101010110001110101011001101010110001
01100101010100101010010101011100101001101001110101

• 145.09 MHz EPCRACES
• 144.93 MHz PPARES
• 144.39 MHz APRS
• 144.91 145.09 in 20 kHz steps
• Other activity found on
• 144.91, 145.01, 145.03, others

107
SSIDs
108
SSIDs
10010100100110100101010010110101000010111010010110
10010010010101101001110101010101100101100101011010
01011010011010101010110001110101011001101010110001
01100101010100101010010101011100101001101001110101

• SSID Secondary Station Identifier
• Purpose To allow one amateur licensee to have
  more than one packet station in use
• Indicated by dash followed by a number
• -0 is default SSID N7LV-0 is same as N7LV
• TNCs can differentiate between SSIDs for TNC
  functions
• Personal BBS N7LV-1
• KA-Node N7LV-7

109
SSIDs
10010100100110100101010010110101000010111010010110
10010010010101101001110101010101100101100101011010
01011010011010101010110001110101011001101010110001
01100101010100101010010101011100101001101001110101

• Suggestions for SSIDs quasi-standardization

Base Primary Call N7LV-0 Personal BBS
N7LV-1 KA-Node N7LV-7
Portable Primary Call N7LV-2 Personal BBS
N7LV-3 KA-Node N7LV-9
110
Critique of EPC Portable Packet Stations
111
Portable Packet Station Critique
10010100100110100101010010110101000010111010010110
10010010010101101001110101010101100101100101011010
01011010011010101010110001110101011001101010110001
01100101010100101010010101011100101001101001110101

• Computer is old, difficult to use (requires
  knowledge of DOS commands)
• Software (Packcom) not documented
• Gel cell battery not always charged no obvious
  way to charge it (battery should not be part of
  case)
• Documentation is outdated
• TNC-to-computer settings not documented
• Big, cumbersome (should be repackaged)

112
Summary
113
Summary
10010100100110100101010010110101000010111010010110
10010010010101101001110101010101100101100101011010
01011010011010101010110001110101011001101010110001
01100101010100101010010101011100101001101001110101

• Digital communications via radio
• EPCRACES portable packet stations
• Bulletin Board Systems
• Digipeaters, KA-Nodes, BPQ Node Switch
• Beacons
• SSIDs
• Packet frequencies

114
Fini