Date: 2025/05/27 13:44  (UTC)
From: N3MEL@N3MEL.#EPA.PA.USA.NOAM
Subject: May 2025 PKTNET The Results
To: PKTNET@USA

R:250527/1344Z 8543@KN4LQN.#RICH.VA.USA.NOAM BPQ6.0.24
R:250525/2044Z 1110@N3MEL.#EPA.PA.USA.NOAM LinBPQ6.0.24


The May PKTNET results are available at the following link:

https://www.google.com/maps/d/u/0/edit?mid=1KlyHu6o0zP7dIlqkgy5QDDYGdKjEx0o&usp=sharing

We received 90 check-ins this month and here is the breakdown:

Packet Radio = 44
         APRS = 14
         WL2K = 32
        Total = 90

Thank you again to everyone who checked in this month, looking forward 
to seeing even more check-ins in June..

Take care everyone and 73!


--
73 de Glenn N3MEL

(View as PDF)

Packet Bulletin Net - PKTNET@USA
May, 2025

Net Control:
   Glenn N3MEL
   n3mel@n3mel.#epa.pa.usa.noam

View net reminder bulletin from N3MEL

WHO: All amateur radio operators
WHAT: Packet Bulletin Net - PKTNET@USA
WHEN: Sunday, May 18, 2025 - 0000 UTC
              Saturday, May 24, 2025 - 2359 UTC
HOW: This net will accept check-ins via BBS Bulletins only. Send a check-in via any participating BBS, with active forwarding, any time during the week.

 
This month, net control has asked participants to use the packet HTML form of their choice, available at:

https://www.tprfn.net/html-to-text-packet-form

 
SB PKTNET@USA
Subject: Your Name, Your Call, Your Town, Your State
Message: (Form contents from the above link with answers)
 

PKTNET INSTRUCTIONS:

Message Format:
Address to: SB PKTNET@USA
Subject: Your Name, Your Call, Your Town, Your State
Message Test: Send a brief description of your station and what other modes do you use.

SPECIAL NOTE: We will except check-ins from Winlink but only if the check-in is sent are to Address to: tprfn@winlink.org
Subject: Your Name, Your Call, Your Town, Your State
Message: Use a form of your choice and add a brief description of your station and what other modes do you use.

We will also take APRS check-ins see format below:
Send Message To: ANSRVR
Message Text: CQ TPRFN your name, your town, your state.

You will receive credit for each mode used!

The participant map will be updated throughout the duration of the net at: https://www.qsomap.com/QSOmapProduction/qsomapforQRZ.php?call=n3mel

Don't feel obligated to enter a detailed message if it's difficult; the important part is the Subject line!

The VDEN website (https://vden.org) includes information about the Central Virginia BBSes, how to send personal mail and bulletins, and methods for connecting over RF (Packet / Vara via Terminal / Winlink / Outpost).

Bulletins created on the N4VEM BBS will be forwarded over Vara FM to the KN4LQN BBS, which will then forward over Vara HF to the N3MEL BBS and the wider regional packet network.

Reach out if you have any questions!
 
73,
David KN4LQN
kn4lqn@arrl.net
kn4lqn@kn4lqn.#rich.va.usa.noam

(View as PDF)

Table of Contents:

1. Central Virginia BBSes with active forwarding
2. WIP Quick run-down on RF methods
• Radio (getting audio and PTT)
• TNC (hardware vs software)
• Application (Keyboard Terminal, WLE, Outpost)
• Special note, if wanting to use Winlink Express and receive bulletins, need BBS forwarding config
3. Quick example using Keyboard Terminal
4. BPQ BBS commands
5. WIP Connecting via Packet Terminal (EasyTerm, AGWTerminal, etc)
6. Connecting via Vara Terminal (FM, HF)
7. WIP Connecting via Winlink Express (packet, vara fm, vara hf)
8. WIP Connecting via Outpost Packet Message Manager (packet, and ??)
9. Additional resources

Central Virginia BBSes with active forwarding:

Quick example using Keyboard Terminal:

CONNECT N4VEM-1
*** Connected to N4VEM-1
[BPQ-6.0.23.1-B1FWIHJM$]
Hello David. Latest Message is 419, Last listed is 323
de N4VEM>

:> SB PKTNET@USA
Enter Title (only):
:> KN4LQN, David, Virginia, N4VEM
Enter Message Text (end with /ex or ctrl/z)
:> 1. Various Packet/VaraFM Winlink gateways are in the area, with one well-positioned central standalone digipeater
:> 2. Regular daily HF NTS voice nets but not much on VHF in Central VA
:> 3. Still using mainline UZ7HO Soundmodem but will give QtSoundModem a try for IL2P
:> /ex
Message: 420 Bid: 420_N4VEM Size: 232
de N4VEM>

:> BYE
*** Disconnected Fm N4VEM-1

In this example, the lines in bold are typed in by the operator and ":>" is the BBS prompt.

Practice by sending private messages to other local operators or bulletins to ALL@N4VEM, ALL@KN4LQN, etc!

BPQ BBS commands:

Connecting via Vara Terminal using Vara FM / HF

Vara is a newer mode that is robust and fast, using scaling speeds with OFDM modulation.

Vara FM can use WIDE audio bandwidth signals for faster speeds, depending on hardware setup, and includes digipeating functionality similar to AX.25 Packet.

Vara offers an optional $69 license for the use of faster speeds and FM digipeating.

The Vara Terminal application uses either TNC to connect to a remote BBS to give keyboard terminal access.

Download Vara FM and HF TNCs and Vara Terminal:
https://rosmodem.wordpress.com/

Click here for full instructions

Additional resources:

PKTNET Packet Radio Forms:
https://vden.org/pktnet/

BBS spec:
https://www.scc-ares-races.org/data/packet/docs/BBS_Specification.pdf

AX.25 Packet spec:
https://www.ax25.net/AX25.2.2-Jul%2098-2.pdf

Automated Packet Reporting System (APRS) spec:
http://www.aprs.org/doc/APRS101.PDF

Improved Layer-2 Protocol (IL2P):
https://tarpn.net/t/il2p/il2p.html
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Improved_Layer_2_Protocol

BPQ mail user commands:
https://www.cantab.net/users/john.wiseman/Documents/BBSUserCommands.html

Kenwood-style TNC commands:
https://www.manualslib.com/manual/424067/Kenwood-Tm-D710a.html?page=33

Kantronics-style TNC manual:
https://kantronics.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/KAM-XL-Manual-RevE.pdf