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Manager - N2MG
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Survey Question

Question

Packet Radio - What's your status?

Results (3603 answers)

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Survey Comments

Still going strong in some areas..

I have now exceeded the number of stations
as users then what i ever had in the 90's
With the advent of soundcard modes and
free software... No Excuses to not atlease
give it a try

Get a Raspberry Pi
Soundcard
ARDOP
AND linBPQ

And go for it.. I can help.. 73 jerry
n9lya@uronode.ampr.org

Posted by N9LYA on 2015-10-02

Setting it back up again

There used to be a lot of activity here in southern IL, but not 100% sure anymore. Will be trying to get back online and see whats going on here. Sure miss working the BBS's and finding contacts when propigation was up.
Posted by KG9JZ on 2004-11-24

New software !!!

OutPost!

http://www.cupertinoares.org/projects/outpost/


73 N9lya
Posted by N9LYA on 2004-10-22

APRS

I havent played with packet generally for years, but recently got the bug for APRS, after two local hams went trekking in their 4WD vehicles across the Australian desert with their HF radios and TinyTraks, the other radio club members could login on the internet and track their positions at anytime, so from a safety point of view it was great, as we could see where they were and where they had been. Yes, gone are the days for reading news on BSS's or transfering files, when one has internet to do it faster, but using your brain, you can easily come up with new applications for an old technology, APRS is just one example.

de Steve VK2KFJ


Posted by VK2KFJ on 2004-10-19

Internet??

I like to run packet from my car!
no internet. no phone lines. gust good
old fashioned RF and LUCK!!!
Posted by KC7PAX on 2004-07-22

Too Damn Slow

I have used it for keyboard to keyboard connections, along with some file sharing. But the problem is that it is too damn slow @ 1200 baud.

I do a lot with IRLP and Linux, and on each node that I build, I compile the IP-over-Packet radio information so that a TNC and radio could be plugged in, and a RF-solution to the internet could be used in an emergency situation. Use text-only email and text-only web browsers to fill out forms for an emergency. The capability is there.

The problem is 1200 is just too damn slow, especially if more than one person is trying to access it.

What is needed is a 56kbs or faster solution on UHF (I think that is below the speed limit -- I forget now!) and some people to configure email/web solutions so that things are ready to go for a situation.

At 1200 baud @ $180 for a new TNC from AES, I feel like I am in an antique store looking at silver spoons.

Christian KC0ARF
Posted by KC0ARF on 2004-07-21

IP address on my rig

Why no IP address setting on my rig to act as router to transmit data between Internet.

I prefer to use my computer's ICQ right?
Posted by VR2VIQ on 2004-07-21

IP address on my rig

Why no IP address setting on my rig to act as router to transmit data between Internet.

I prefer to use my computer's ICQ right?
Posted by VR2VIQ on 2004-07-21

IP address on my rig

Why no IP address setting on my rig to act as router to transmit data between Internet.

I prefer to use my computer's ICQ right?
Posted by VR2VIQ on 2004-07-21

Speed Limit? What Speed limit?

None at 2.4 GHZ... Come on guys quite talking antique... And lets build a Network....We have the first 6 channels on a shared basis at 2.4 GHz with outdoor antennas (10-25 Mile range between nodes) using Access Points and network cards (Wireless of course)in Desktops and laptops.. We could build a Packet Network that works... Not just text, not just email... Not just ..........

73 Jerry N9LYA

Let prove we can build stuff ourselves again...


73 jerry N9LYA


Posted by N9LYA on 2004-07-21

Speed Limit? What Speed limit?

None at 2.4 GHZ... Come on guys quite talking antique... And lets build a Network....We have the first 6 channels on a shared basis at 2.4 GHz with outdoor antennas (10-25 Mile range between nodes) using Access Points and network cards (Wireless of course)in Desktops and laptops.. We could build a Packet Network that works... Not just text, not just email... Not just ..........

73 Jerry N9LYA

Let prove we can build stuff ourselves again...


73 jerry N9LYA


Posted by N9LYA on 2004-07-21

Gathering dust

I only ever used it for DX cluster spots (going back to 1991 or so), but since installing a wireless router in the house a few years ago, the TNC is gathering dust, along with its cousin.
Posted by AD1C on 2004-07-20

If you could follow what I was saying ... I was meaning that WE HAMS could build our own :INTERNET, or HAMNET if you will: that would make TODAYS Internet look like something ourt of the 1700 century..
73 Jerry N9LYA



"We will prepare a CD with MSYS ready to simply copy onto your harddrive for Plug N Play operation on your system. we have to ask some questions like.. Serial Card Addresses and IRQs etc.. " "I have no problem with using the internet as a tool or to augment the Ham Radio Network. But we coudl make the internet the Second Best thing since sliced Bread.." Thank you. That's the best irony I've encountered all day.
Posted by AE6IP on July 3, 2004

Posted by N9LYA on 2004-07-18

Then why bother having a license.. you absoluyly need NO LICENSE to work the Internet... Gee...
What Happened to using RF...

73 Jerry N9LYA


Don't most hams today use the internet (DX Summit or eHAM spots) instead of Packet?? I have not used packet since 1993 directly and my 2 meter radio has only been used for local simplex the past 4 or 5 years. Just wish Dx Summit would take all my posts. I get about 1 in 3 to actually post. Dave K4JRB
Posted by K4JRB on July 9, 2004

Posted by N9LYA on 2004-07-18

Used it, and will be using it /much/ more in the future!

While packet was /once upon a time/ a new frontier, it has been temporarily eclipsed by the Internet. I remember tinkering with 1200bps VHF packet around 1990 through 1994 and enjoying the technical points, but most of the implementations were limited to node-hopping and TNC BBS and mailbox systems within the techology of the 1980s. The three greatest things which seemed to reduce the packet traffic was (a) the slow throughput (1200bps on AX-25 on 2m over distance and negotiation seemed to get time-averaged throughput down to about 3 bytes per second during heavy periods), (b) the Wall Of Automation (the equipment was neat, but people want to talk to people ultimately), and (c) the opening of the Internet to the public and all the freedom and features of that New Frontier. Also, some really neat things never happened in the ham packet world because of that slow throughput, most hams in the 1970s and early to mid-'80s not being "into" digital radio ideas, and the corresponding slow, below-critical-mass adoption of newer TNC ideas and technologies. Packet TV (including stereovisual TV for example), voice-over-packet voice mail and real-time voice-over-packet, multicasting, and /many/ other fun things never happened in the ham packet world. The hams of the time wanted to ragchew mostly, and many of them were even computer averse. The ideas which had some early sparks in the ham world of the early 1980s live today in modern multimedia cell phones, the very wide general use of 802.11 "WiFi" and some of the ideas in DVB and ASTC television.

Packet and digital radio originally had a flash of interest, which seemed to wane. But I fully believe packet radio by the technical environmental ambience alone will grow, particularly with the current increase in (a) digital wireless technologies generally, (b) internet-data technology spillover, (c) computer CPU power into the tens and hundreds of GHz and software radios that CPU power will enable. (Imagine the entirety of the "old-fashioned" 2m radio and TNC of the late-80s' to mid-1990s totally in software, directly driving an antenna. Now imagine the hardware where the CPU with mimimal interfacing has enough speed to directly pump a radiator. Now imagine all the optimizations and new possibilities when you escape the limitations of the analog reflexiveness of "today's" radios. Now imagine where you can print plastic semiconductor radio circuitry like printing on a paper inkjet printer. That's possibly ham radio in 2015 to 2025.) Computer-centric (not "PC" computers, something much better) packet radio in some form will probably be a pervasive foundation technology for future amateur radio operators as a base for new forms of modulation, communication modes, and still new frontiers of radio and EM information propagation--based on ideas around the fusion of packet radio theory adapted for current and new theories of how to shoot free electrons among antennas.

Packet isn't dead. The first generation of packet on analog radios and AF modems is, in nature, receding into the past. Packet radio is obviously here, starting with the curious hams, then going into digital cellular telephony and wireless computer LANs, then television and commercial radio datacasting.

In the future packet radio will grow among the inventive natures of future hams. What exciting and fun things will it be? How do you create that amazing toy and have packet TV, voice, and DX on QRP? What will it be like? It's coming. Some of you will be bringing it.
Posted by N5NSL on 2004-07-17

Hang around too long

Good point, a week or 10 days
is plenty before a new one
comes around. Heck, I've forgotten
I'd voted on some that hung around so
long and got "dinged" for voting twice.
:-)

73 de Ronnie
Posted by WA4MJF on 2004-07-15

questions in general

In the cause of "maintaining interest" could the survey question be changed more often. I know that folks want to comment but it seems that within a week, or two at the most, there is plenty of opportunity for comment. There must be plenty of other interesting questions waiting to be asked. As far as the statistics go, usually by the time you have a couple of hundred responses the percentages will not change appreciably ( the central limit theorem in operation).
Posted by KK7WN on 2004-07-13

Cheaper than internet

Cluster access here on 144.600 in Cork is a damn sight cheaper than 1$ hr phone connection to the net (I use both) and is as good.
Cu guys double hop ES on 50.110 this summer, if u are not all tied up with echolink or the "Worked all IP addresses" dxcc award
Charles EI5FK
http://www.qsl.net/ei5fk/
Posted by EI5FK on 2004-07-09

Good one, Charles...

Craig

--
if u are not all tied up with echolink or the "Worked all IP addresses" dxcc award
Posted by N4CQR on 2004-07-09

Packet Rafio

Don't most hams today use the internet (DX Summit or eHAM spots) instead of Packet??

I have not used packet since 1993 directly
and my 2 meter radio has only been used for local simplex the past 4 or 5 years.

Just wish Dx Summit would take all my posts.
I get about 1 in 3 to actually post.

Dave K4JRB
Posted by K4JRB on 2004-07-09

Packet

I became involved in Packet in the mid 80's. I built a Taper 1, and soon after a Taper TNC 2 when it was released. Back in those days we would get on in the evening and a handful of us would ragchew through the only digipeter in the area. It was GREAT FUN.This was the days of the Color Computer, and Commodore 64. As more hams joined the fun, and more digi's and BBS's became available, it became a "Leave me a Message" mode. Sort of RF answering machine. After the BIG GUNS got involved with their high powered computers, they took over, and those of us that just wanted to use the mode to ragchew got pushed out in favor of the leave a message crowd and message forwarding crowd. The ragchewers moved over to HF, and continued to have great fun for awhile. I would say that the Internet did not kill packet, the hobby and technical advances killed packet. It could still be fun if we would all get back on and just ragchew again. Amateur radio is all about point to point communications. If I want to leave a message, I will call their answering machine.
Posted by K0AGR on 2004-07-08

Packet or PSK-31

I still use both modes, for general keyboard chit-chat We use PSK-31 but for our ARES training nets we use Packet fill out forms and send them. we have 32 hams in our area with Packet/PSK-31 and have fun to boot!
Posted by CODEBASHER on 2004-07-06

Packet

I like others who tried Packet quickly realized that Packet, unlike RTTY, Amtor, and Pactor was not a keyboard to keyboard mode.
In my opinion that is what killed packet for 90% of hams. In other words " you can't talk to anybody on packet ". Navagating thru the Digi-Peaters and BBS's was at best "trying" for most us. Too many command sets and protocols. I did like the BBS's on 20 and 40 meters. They were a store house of information and easily copyable. In defense of Packet, at least that mode used RADIO to communicate, populating our band segments.
Too much of ham "radio" is carried out on the Inter Net these days. Use 'em or lose 'em guys.

73, Jack K2JX
Posted by K2JX on 2004-07-05

PACKET IS IN............

Packet is quickly becoming the mode of choice for backup emergency communications in New York state. In particular Flex Net. FEMA, SEMO (state emergency management) and Public Health in N.Y. have adopted packet as their backup communications mode through RACES and ARES groups. Unlike the internet, IRLP, and others, packet will still be there when it is needed and not waiting for phone and utilities to come back on-line. Oh and I might add that it is transmitted over the air waves which makes it radio communications (ham radio) unlike some of the modes mentioned above....WA2NAN
Posted by WA2NAN on 2004-07-04

A long time ago...........

I used packet and also used BBSs on a very slow dial up. The BBSs have gone and so has packet. I even tried being a digipeater until the FCC said I would be responsible for messages sent thru my system, that took care of that. When they finally said that wasn't so anymore, it was too late. The Kantronics III was on the shelf and the software deleted and retired on the 3 1/2" discs it came on. Time has moved on but packet hasn't. RIP.
73,
Frank

Posted by KL7IPV on 2004-07-04

Fun can be had !!

The funny thing about this article is I recently decided to get active again in my local club and the first thing I did was to get my packet station on the air and the next was Field Day. It was fun trying to remember all those keystrokes. Well my station is on the air in Long Beach and I am having fun. Yes a few BBS’s are gone but there are a few new ones. Packet is a link for Emergency communications so I figured I would do my share. Amateur radio may only be a hobby but it is also a commitment.
73 Rick

Posted by WA6ES on 2004-07-04

Fun can be had !!

The funny thing about this article is I recently decided to get active again in my local club and the first thing I did was to get my packet station on the air and the next was Field Day. It was fun trying to remember all those keystrokes. Well my station is on the air in Long Beach and I am having fun. Yes a few BBS’s are gone but there are a few new ones. Packet is a link for Emergency communications so I figured I would do my share. Amateur radio may only be a hobby but it is also a commitment.
73 Rick

Posted by WA6ES on 2004-07-04

Plug'n'play away the day

"We will prepare a CD with MSYS ready to simply copy onto your harddrive for Plug N Play operation on your system. we have to ask some questions like.. Serial Card Addresses and IRQs etc.. "

"I have no problem with using the internet as a tool or to augment the Ham Radio Network. But we coudl make the internet the Second Best thing since sliced Bread.."

Thank you. That's the best irony I've encountered all day.

Posted by AE6IP on 2004-07-03

Just a little packet

Only 8 TNCs here. APRS at home and at work, in the work van and the car, an APRS digi with site telemetry, a regular network node at the house, a MFJ1270B for HF, and a spare for an APRS tracker. That's not counting miscellaneous AGW cables and an unassembled Tiny Trak kit modified for surface mount construction. It's not obsolete at all. That's how ham radio works - it all starts out as cutting edge technology and later becomes valuable because it's so simple and easy to use.
Posted by N3EG on 2004-07-03

Boooorrrring

I've been a ham 29 years, tried many things, but Packet is by far the most boring facet of ham radio I've found. Almost no activity, and I'd much rather talk to real people. DX cluster is handy, but that's about it - of course, that's all there is around here.

Other than DX cluster, it's going the way of phone line BBSs.
Posted by K4JF on 2004-07-01

Never was reliable, cross country

I used to be very active on 2M packet. It worked pretty well up and down the east coast. I tried to keep in touch with a couple of ham friends in Michigan but it was unreliable. A few messages would get through but the majority went into a "black hole" somewhere. Sometimes a message would get there in a few hours. Other times it would take 6-7 days or never.


Posted by AA4PB on 2004-07-01

I must be 37 going on 73

I thought packet radio was where you get a little radio, battery power, and operate portable or pedestrian mobile.
Posted by W3DCG on 2004-06-30

You ask why

Why because Packet IS Ham Radio.. Internet and chat via IP are not Ham Radio...

73
Posted by N9LYA on 2004-06-29

Pakcet Speed

Why do you say it is slow... ??? Becuase the last time you used it was 15 years ago???
I have a 2.4 Ghz 22 MBps Packet port accessable by anyone with in range using wireless network equipment. Range Approx 15 Miles. Like a Laptop with wireless network card.. ETC..

If we hams got together and excersized our brains, we could build a wireless network that could far exceed anything the Internet is doing without using the internet...

I have no problem with using the internet as a tool or to augment the Ham Radio Network. But we coudl make the internet the Second Best thing since sliced Bread..

As far as costs.. Who ever said HAM RADIO was free...

73 Jerry
Posted by N9LYA on 2004-06-29

It's dead..bury it.

When the cost of running the equipment far exceeded the self-importance of being "the owner of the node", packet died here in Maine. Computer Email and chat not only leads the "pack", but has taken over in many Ham homes. Why in the world would anyone spend the time and money that packet now costs to s l o w l y d r a g o u t a s i m p l e c o n v e r s a t i o n .
Posted by W1BAK on 2004-06-28

Packet

I still enjoy packet operation. Although not nearly as much use as in times past, I still use and enjoy it nearly every day or night. Amateur radio means different things to different people. Some have no use for packet while others say cw is completely useless. Whether you have and use a computer in your shack or not makes no difference. So long as you enjoy the mode you prefer is all that counts. Isn't it funny how there are no packet enthusiasts claiming their mode is "the best" like other modes do! Just enjoy the mode you like and forget the debate of "your" mode being better.
Posted by KE4RWS on 2004-06-28

Still useful

I use packet to submit my traffic net reports to the net manager. I also use it for the DX cluster. And when I'm not using the tnc for one of those two, it is running APRS. Would like to see more practical applications.

73 de Lee, K3GI

Posted by K3GI on 2004-06-25

WinAPRS

This seems to be growing more and in the PNW, with lots of activities, and a whole lot more weather stations coming online, NWS is also tied into the system which makes it nice to have the support.Larger area contacts are getting easier than the early days of APRS.
Posted by N7NAT on 2004-06-25

I think it was the late 80s

I had a Commodore 64 hooked up to my new AEA Pak-Ratt 64. It was the best thing since sliced bread. Over time, bread gets moldy.... I have not been on packet since 1988 (I think)...If it makes a strong comeback then more power to it! - Eric
Posted by KJ7XJ on 2004-06-25

Being a BBS Sysop..

Hi All,
I run N9LYA a Full Service Packet BBS with HF VHF and UHF ports..
for more info.
http://www.n9lya.com

Packet is not DEAD... It is just refined..

73 Jerry N9LYA
Posted by N9LYA on 2004-06-25

Anyone interested...

Me Again.. I have been and still help Hams get back into or introduced to Packet RADIO.
We have added more new SYSOPS to our nets in the last year and a half then we have since 2001 .. For some reason Hams are starting to see the advantages of having a way to send messages over long distance when disater or terror stickes and nothing else works..
I read one post where DICTATORS drove them away.. I saw a lot of this in the 1990s... Our groups welcome new users and new sysops.. We simply ask them to keep it legal.. And do not dictate anything... Other then ask them to promote Packet...
Anyone interested in gettin on with us on HF or simply wants help getting a VHF packet station so they can hit a local BBS is they have one.. Can email me.. Maybe if you have no local Node.. You can get someone interested in a BBS.. We will prepare a CD with MSYS ready to simply copy onto your harddrive for Plug N Play operation on your system. we have to ask some questions like.. Serial Card Addresses and IRQs etc.. but will assist with that as well.
We also have access to software just for the end user...
http://www.w9otr.org
We also offer free membership in our Club.,. The Hoosier Amateur Radio Digital Society.. Simply show and interest and tell us you wish to join. Only requirement is to enjoy Digital Ham Radio... We support all Digital modes..
Some of us have experice in various modes and are willing to help share the info..

I am mostly into Packet.. and Pactor but can forward your questions on to others..


73 Jerry N9LYA


Posted by N9LYA on 2004-06-25

Packet Radio

I have just started playing with APRS trackers here, and I find it pretty interesting. It's very useful for the public service stuff we do, which usually involves a ham leading and/or trailing behind a group of cyclists or runners. APRS lets us all see exactly where everybody is.

Here in MN, the ARES group has re-established a statewide packet network to tie the major cities together in the event of disaster. This network was purposely built as a big loop, so that failure of a single node would not put everyone else out of business.

I'd like to see another keyboard-to-keyboard mode become popular on 2 meters. It was fun years ago when you could link to someone two or three digipeaters away and have a nice chat. I've been part of groups trying other digital modes on VHF, and some are better than others. PSK31 seems to suffer due to multipath distortion on VHF, but MFSK is not affected that way.
Posted by K0RGR on 2004-06-25

not since 1995

I used to active on packet had a bbs up and running with tnos/linux platform with HF and VHF ports. With the BPS restrictions hams had placed upon them it made packet a rather useless dinosaur. Maybe someday the feds will ease up on restrictions and we can all get back to the business of ham radio.
Posted by EXPRO on 2004-06-25

We really should bring it back

I used packet way back when. Like once upon a time. It was pretty cool, before there was the internet.

Nowadays, it's pretty much dead.

But we really should resurrect packet. If only for the reason that it works when your ISP doesn't.

Our club still maintains some pretty high profile digipeaters in the area. They are seldom used though.

Posted by N8AUC on 2004-06-24

What are we thinking?

Here we are supposed to be cutting edge and experts. Packet has to be the best mode for VHF/UHF local digital communications. It is a shame to let it go the way it has. Think of the emergency communications potential. Detailed and lengthy reports or instructions can be sent with out error via a chain of digipeaters. You can’t do that on PSK31. Packet should be resurrected and promoted. Rich WI9NDY (formally WD9CYI)
Posted by WD9CYI on 2004-06-24

Packet on MARS?

It seems to me that 1200 baud VHF packet networks for statewide/area coverage for MARS would be very beneficial in support of mission requirements.

1. System is simpler to impliment than voice repeater linkng.

2. System is relatively inexpensive.

3. Shouldn't be any of the ego problems that were common with amateur networks.

4. Strategic sites for MARS use should be easy to obtain.

5. Being structured, longevity of the network should be better than amateur.

6. Provide a platform for digital operations,training and experimentation.

7. Reliability and speed greater than HF commo (due to variability of HF propagation).


Posted by N7OO on 2004-06-24

Packet is dead

There are a few nodes still running here - but traffic is practically nil. Other than being a novelty, packet is dead. APRS is the only practical use of packet nowadays, something that I dabble with from time to time. Otherwise, my TNC is gathering dust (as is my interest in the hobby until they drop the damn CW requirement for good).

The only viable use of packet (locally) would be to begin setting up some high-speed data networks. As it is - we have a huge chunks of spectrum from 6m and up that's going to waste with the gov't and other private interests waiting to take it from us. These bands would be perfect for use as a data network, internet gateway, for licensed hams.

Digital is the name of tha game these days. Embrace the new technology now or pay the price in lost spectrum later.

Posted by K2LES on 2004-06-23

It WAS nice.......

I really enjoyed packet radio back in the good old days before the internet killed it.
Although packet could still be very useful,
It now holds just about zero interest for most everyone. My words of "But it will still function when the internet goes down" have fallen on deaf ears.
A real shame, But that is the way it is.
APRS seems to be growing in popularity, I hope maybe it could be made a little better for message handling like the old packet system was............
Posted by K9KJM on 2004-06-22

It was great!

I was on my way to getting WAS on 2 meter packet. They had a wormhole for a while and anywhere the bird was over you could downlink and work stations keyboard to keyboard. They soon pulled the plug on the bird. Then the folks with the big egos came into play. Someone up the thread called them dictators. It got to the point you could'nt depend on any path to qso with anyone. Node owners would get ticked and shut the nodes down or take them completely off the air. Several of us locally put a few hundred bucks together and set up digipeaters at a few repeater sites. Now all that stuff just sits there gathering dust pushed aside at the repeater site. Really sad, it was a very nice keyboard to keyboard mode. Very enjoyable.
73
John WR8D
Posted by WR8D on 2004-06-22

HF Packet

Once upon a time we did have an excellent HF packet setup. Used it to interface into the I-net. With the advent of Instant Messaging and such it has fallen off from use. There was an article recently that spoke to reviving the packet networks and I believe that is a great idea. Notice how helpless you are to transact anything when you have problems on your ISP. I have cable I-net and it is fast and convenient, however when they have problems, I have problems. Locally we do use VHF packet for ARES activities and it is very useful as well as providing documentation for review afterward. Thanks for the memory jog and I am dragging out the old KAM and resetting up the system as well as invite more folks to place HF packet back in service. 73, Paul
Posted by N6PC on 2004-06-22

Internet Killed It?

I am among those who used packet in the early days, and for years after.

The internet certainly did have a negative impact on packet operations, but in my opinion it was the lack of financial support on the part of the majority of users who killed the networks.

There has always been a situation in amateur radio where the few have provided the majority with the advantages of new technologies and in this case, modes of operation.

Unlike an invention, which in many cases is the result of sheer determination and personal sacrifice, packet required money to buy equipment and to maintain it. It is my understanding that support for this was lacking to say the very least.


Posted by WA2AFD on 2004-06-22

I loved it!

Got my beginning 'puter experience thanks to packet. Loved to "rag chew" on the BBS system. That was until a bunch of angry packet cops decided what could be discussed and what could not. Basically, they were censoring anything political in discussion. And they would use the excuse that it was their equipment, so they could do what they wanted. I tried to argue that they all agreed to be part of a network, and by violating that networking agreement, they should step aside from the packet network. Didn't work.

Then there was the gripes from W0RLI about what was radio and what was phone lines/internet. That killed a bunch more activity.

So now I do my thing DSL. I can participate in everything from message boards, e-mail to DX Clusters without being hassled by packet network cops.

Yep....those packet cops just committed suicide. I always knew they eventually would.
Posted by WA8MEA on 2004-06-22

Packet?

Once upon a time.....but going....going....


73
George
K3UD
Posted by K3UD on 2004-06-22

Packet Radio

Packet radio is still active here in Southwest Missouri.There are local nodes and a few full service BBS's in this area.Hopefully packet will come back around and there will be more nodes and BBS's.Send me a message at KC0LKE @ N0KFQ.

73 KC0LKE
Posted by KC0LKE on 2004-06-21

Packet

Used it a lot in the late 80s, early 90s. The internet killed it.

73 KG5JJ (Mike)
Posted by KG5JJ on 2004-06-21

politics killed it here

I was active in packet in the late 80's. Unfortunately some local packet dictators decided to tell hams when and where they could operate packet. THEY basically killed packet; the Internet did the rest. Today hams are making lots of use of the old packet technology with APRS, but it's only a part of what packet used to be able to do. You won't see packet come back to what it was like in say 1988; too many of us got burned by the self proclaimed dictators.

Posted by AD7DB on 2004-06-21

Heard of it before

Well yes I have heard of packet radio, but no I have never used it.
Posted by KE1MB on 2004-06-21

Emergency Packet

Packet has many advantages for ARES/RACES: it does not require an emergency manager to drop a higher priority task to respond to a message; names (etc) get spelled right; and there is a record of all traffic. Our county RACES Team uses it to suppliment voice comms for intra county traffic and between our EOC and the state EOC via VDEN.
Posted by K3DWW on 2004-06-21

Packet Still Viable

Packet absolutely fell by the wayside, and as VK2GWK alluded to much of it was the haphazard way nodes were structured. Ultimately though, the speed issue was it's undoing, at least with regard to end users.

However, 1200bps is still fine for ARES/RACES use when sending routine and/or supplemental traffic. The error-checking and unattended operation capabilities can provide flexibility and an additional resource for EMCOMM work. With the availability of hardware & software at dirt cheap prices, every ARES/RACES group should at least check it out. A couple of older, cheap laptops and an EOC and field units can be equipped. In this case, older can be better - my preferred portable packet machine is an old 386 laptop running DOS. I use it either with a stand-alone KPC-3, or with a Baycom modem using the Baypac software. Works like a charm!

I have yet to experiment with APRS

-Ken N2OBY
Posted by N2OBY on 2004-06-21

PACKET

PLAYED WITH IT MANY MOONS AGO. NEVER DID TAKE THE PLACE OF CW. MOST NEW MODES DONT OR WONT OUTLAST CW..I GOT RID OF INTERNET IN RADIO ROOM, LOT HAPPIER WITH HAM RADIO. TRY TO STAY ON CW MOSTLY, BUT SSB IS FUN ALSO. INTERNET IS IN MY WIFE'S HOME OFFICE WHERE IT BELONGS.
Posted by K7NNG on 2004-06-21

Still use it on a local dx spotting network
Packet radio and tnc still on the air 24/7 for last ten years.
Posted by W6EZ on 2004-06-21

packet

I have a packet station on 2 meters I use to monitor a dx cluster. I like it because it is free data over an alternate path--no need to use the internet (nice if you have a dial-up connection as I do). I also can get propagation data such as K and A index numbers. the downside was that getting the packet station setup and working was a real pain. I would have given up and blown it off if a couple of friends had not helped me. My experience has been that getting anything involving a PC to work in the shack has involved a series of bugs that suck up 90% of my hamming time. Forget that, i'm there to do radio stuff; not fool around with a computer.
Posted by K5UJ on 2004-06-21

Packet, soon

Well, I love the idea of packet radio. I plan on building a packet radio station really soon.
Rod KD7ZRO
Posted by KD7ZRO on 2004-06-21

Soundcard Packet

I just recently got on HF Packet with HamScope free software that uses the AGWPE soundcard packet interface.

Previously I was on Packet for a few weeks to send Traffic during Desert Storm.

I use the Internet and my own software for the DX Cluster. I believe PCs and the Internet enhances Ham Radio and they can be used together.

Packet needs a boost with high speed and I think the UK Packet Update in February CQ is very interesting.

Posted by W0RY on 2004-06-21

Great experience

I hesitated between "once upon a time" and "APRS" as occasionally I experiment with APRS.
But let us not forget that long before there were ISP's or the internet as we know it today there was an almost world wide communications system in packet radio. With bulletin boards, news and private messages and links through ham-satellites. Hams were experimenting with faster modems, 300 bps, 1200 bps and up. The TCP/IP system could have been a good alternative for ham-internetting if only radio amateurs would not have been that keen on putting their own personal signature on everything they wanted. And.. technical people are not that good at organising things like nodes and switches on a world wide basis. So in some regions the TCP/IP network worked extemely well and in other parts of the world it just did not get off the ground properly.
I am pretty sure that lots of experienced radio amateurs have played a role in the development of the Internet and the other way round. Something hams can be proud of!
Posted by VK2GWK on 2004-06-20

It Was Boring!

I dabbled with packet radio for a year or two in the '89 -'90 time frame. It wasn't particularly interesting and it was no substitute for cw and being in control of my own station.
Posted by WA4DOU on 2004-06-20

Packet equipment

Have an AEA PK232. Its sitting in the shack right now, holding domn papers and looking a little dusty......
Posted by K1CJS on 2004-06-20

Wonderful experience

I used to be an avid packet user. But for now, I have put it on hiatus. Packet is just another mode of operation, just as APRS is, they come and go. When I get back into packet, it will only be 9600 to 56k and up while having a fall back to 1200 if need be.




Craig - N7UQA
Posted by N7UQA on 2004-06-20

Served a Purpose

I got into packet back in the early 80's. It was an easy way for my parents to stay in touch with me while I traveled around the world in the Air Force. My parents got their licenses (KE6GRK and KE6JHJ) when they were 73 years old - they're now 82 - just for this purpose. After the internet came along, it was easier to stay in touch through e-mail, and they lost interest in it, as did I. I sold my PK-232 about a year ago, and now use all the digital modes through a sound card and freeware. Those were the days....

73,
Joe
WDØM
Posted by WD0M on 2004-06-20

getting too slow now

During 1985-1992 I was running a various packet radio systems. Mobile operation with a laptop using 70cm HT, editing on-the-air with an UNIX account (obviously without password - no legal way to implement it), and running a TCP/IP-based gateway. I've learned a lot from the packet radio.


The problem was that most of the amateurs didn't really care about running an automatically-controlled network. Some amateurs claimed it illegal to run a network-linked distributed BBS (NetNews or USENET on the air). It was really a tough time.


I guess the packet radio in Japan is mostly dead now, except for some mobile purposes such as APRS. Hams have lost a great opportunity to achieve something on the history of Internet - though many of my packet radio friends are now working on the Internet engineering fields, using their expertise learned through the packet radio operation.


73 de Kenji JJ1BDX/3
Posted by JJ1BDX on 2004-06-20

Network 105

20 meters HF packet is alive and doing very well. Check this link for information on Network 105. http://ka1fsb.home.att.net/net105.html
Drop in and have a nice chat with new friends.
Posted by N4ZOU on 2004-06-20

Packet

I did packet back when I had a working interface between my computer and radio, that interface is indeed of repairs, but I may just go and buy a rigblaster instead.

I did RTTY, Packet, and SSTV with the interface that was made for my radio and only my radio using the pin layouts, they guy who made it charged me almost $30, and I must say, nothing against the guy, but the wires were not soldered very good.

I called the guy for pin layouts, and he could not find them, and so I am not sure if I will go back to him for repairs, or buy a rigblaster.

Posted by KD5OWO on 2004-06-20