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Packet Radio Black River Radio Ops KM8V and AB8M Cuyahoga County ARES Meeting - June 7, 2020
Packet RadioBlack River Radio Ops
KM8V and AB8M
Cuyahoga County ARES Meeting - June 7, 2020
WinlinkWhat is it, anyways?
● Worldwide radio e-mail network utilizing both RF and the internet.
● System is built and operated by amateur radio operators.
● Volunteers can provide RF to Winlink gateways around the world both via VHF and HF
● Clients use the Winlink Express desktop client for sending and receiving email.
● VHF Gateways are primarily Packet, HF are mostly ARDOP, Vara or Pactor.
Packet RadioYou mean that stuff from the
80s?
● Digital communications mode using AX.25 - a derivative of X.25 data link protocol adapted for amateur radio use.
● Any station may be able to act as a digipeter - allowing the creation of both permanent and ad-hoc networks in a region.
● Common applications:○ Digipeter / Node○ Bulletin Board System○ Chat○ Winlink Gateway
Winlink ExpressPrimary Windows Desktop Client
Can be used for both Winlink and Packet BBS
Why?● Store and Forward messaging● Winlink email capability● Forms support for emergency
communications● Simple and robust to set up and
use with minimal infrastructure● Can link over HF if the internet
is down● Can originate NTS traffic from
Winlink
Packet BBS Messaging● Message is delivered to the BBS.● Can be delivered to a local user’s
inbox, can also be directed to another BBS.
● Links between BBS are peer-to-peer either RF or AXIP.
● Bulletins can be delivered to groups of people who want to consume them.○ ARES@CLE○ SKYWARN@CLE
● Decentralized Infrastructure
Winklink Messaging● Direct person to person messaging.● Message is ingested at an RF to
Winlink Gateway.● Winlink directs it to the appropriate
mailbox.● Message is downloaded at an RF to
Winlink Gateway.● Centralized Infrastructure
Telnet can also be used to send/receive Winlink messages.
What do I need?
● Radio● Modem● Software
RadioRight now our packet network is primarily on 145.01 Mhz. Any 2 meter radio that can be connected to a hardware TNC or a soundcard interface will work.
If you can do fldigi on 2m, you can do packet.
ModemEither a hardware TNC or a sound card software modem.
If you can do fldigi on 2m, you can do packet.
SoftwareTerminal software, or Winlink Express to send Winlink emails and packet messages.
Cleveland Area Packet Network● 145.01 and 223.7 Mhz● 3 BPQ BBSes on the air
○ KM8V-1, AB8M-1, W8EDU-1● KA-Nodes & Digis
○ N8OND-7, N8LXY-7, N8MPF, KC8NZJ*● 3 Winlink RMS Gateways
○ KM8V-10, AB8M-10, W8EDU-10● BBSes are connected to the worldwide
packet network via internet wormholes● HF links coming soon
Looking for:
● More users!● Sites to place nodes to increase coverage!
More information at: km8v.com/packetVisit Black River Radio Ops: nw8s.com
Monday Packet Practice Net
● Meets every Monday● 6am-9pm local● Send a message to Doug AB8M
via packet and / or Winlink○ AB8M@AB8M.#CLE.OH.USA.NOAM○ [email protected]
● Every check-in via RF in June is an entry to win an ARRL Handbook
More info at: nw8s.com
Demos Q&A
