Date: 2024/09/23 00:52  (UTC)
From: N3MEL@N3MEL.#EPA.PA.USA.NOAM
Subject: The Sept Winlink Check-ins
To: PKTNET@USA

R:240923/0052Z 6832@KN4LQN.#RICH.VA.USA.NOAM BPQ6.0.24
R:240922/2343Z 110@N4SD.#TIDE.VA.USA.NOAM BPQ6.0.24
R:240922/2337Z 49635@N3MEL.#EPA.PA.USA.NOAM LinBPQ6.0.24


Here is the list Winlink check-ins for Sept, there where a total of 53.

Check out the map at this link:

https://www.google.com/maps/d/u/0/edit?mid=193QLueNEPtYGHQTnYDTdyXR6YBCboXg&usp=sharing

N9NMR  KU0HN  KA3VSP K3CLM  K1YMI
NI2O   KB3PCY NY3J   K5GEO  K0WAV
KM6CQ  K6RKY  KB3KOW KA3BVJ NS2B
KD2YCK WG3K   NC8Q   N2MH/4 KX4AC
KE4QCM KF8I   N2GWK  KA1VSC WB2CMF
K4JTT  N8WQ   KD4WLE K4JTT  K5DAT
N3MEL  K1AJD  KP3FT  W1LEM  KN4LQN
N3SW   N4VEM  W5PWS  W3PVX  WD3O
KD4LEM KQ4CUX KX4EF  W1DTX  N4SD
KK6HWN WW6Q   KO4UOQ

-- 
73 de Glenn N3MEL

-----

Date: 2024/09/23 00:54  (UTC)
From: N3MEL@N3MEL.#EPA.PA.USA.NOAM
Subject: The Sept Packet Check-ins
To: PKTNET@USA

R:240923/0054Z 6833@KN4LQN.#RICH.VA.USA.NOAM BPQ6.0.24
R:240922/2344Z 111@N4SD.#TIDE.VA.USA.NOAM BPQ6.0.24
R:240922/2337Z 49636@N3MEL.#EPA.PA.USA.NOAM LinBPQ6.0.24


Here the list Packet check-ins for Sept, there where a total of 48.

Check out the map at this link:

https://www.google.com/maps/d/u/0/edit?mid=193QLueNEPtYGHQTnYDTdyXR6YBCboXg&usp=sharing

N9NMR  KU0HN  KA3VSP K3CLM  K1YMI
NI2O   KB3PCY NY3J   K5GEO  K0WAV
KM6CQ  K6RKY  KB3KOW KA3BVJ NS2B
KD2YCK WG3K   NC8Q   N2MH/4 KX4AC
KE4QCM KF8I   N2GWK  KA1VSC WB2CMF
K4JTT  N8WQ   KD4WLE K4JTT  K5DAT
N3MEL  K1AJD  KP3FT  W1LEM  KN4LQN
N3SW   N4VEM  W5PWS  W3PVX  WD3O
KD4LEM KQ4CUX KX4EF  W1DTX  N4SD
KK6HWN WW6Q   KO4UOQ

-- 
73 de Glenn N3MEL

(View as PDF)

Packet Bulletin Net - PKTNET@USA
September, 2024

Net Control:
   Glenn N3MEL
   n3mel.epa@gmail.com
   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, September 15, 2024 - 0000 UTC
              Saturday, September 21, 2024 - 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 send a normal PKTNET message with or without a form. Additionally, participants are asked to send the same message through Winlink to the address n3mel@winlink.org. See the "NCS INSTRUCTIONS" below for more information.

PKTNET forms:
https://vden.org/pktnet/
https://vden.org/pktnet/pktnet-forms.zip

 
SB PKTNET@USA
Subject: Your Call, Your Name, Your Town & Your State
Message: (Enter home BBS and complete packet address, or form contents)
           E.g. N4VEM, n4vem@n4vem.#rich.va.usa.noam  

 
NCS INSTRUCTIONS:

PLEASE NOTE: There is extra credit for this net this month please read the instructions completely before sending your check-in Thank You

For Sept, we would like to demonstrate the interoperability of both Packet Radio and Winlink, and how the two networks can work together to make sure any EMCOMM traffic can be moved around the country with or with out the internet. See below for check-in details.

 
CHECK-IN INSTRUCTIONS:

1. Send a regular PKTNET check-in this with or without a form.
   

   To: SB PKTNET@USA
   Subject: Call Sign, Name, City, St, 
   Message: What is your home bbs and your complete packet address?
            example: N3MEL, n3mel@n3mel.#epa.pa.usa.noam
   

2. Extra Credit: Send same message text from above via a Winlink message address to n3mel@winlink.org. You will get credit for a 2nd check-in.

 
FL WL NET:

What else is different this month, we have setup with the Fl WL Net to have their participants interact with the PKTNET by simply adding n3mel@winlink.org to just one of the normal check-ins. We plan to share those check-in over packet as well and log them on our check-in map.

 
WHY:

With inception of The Packet Radio Forwarding Network I have been working to make as many connections as possible in & out of my BBS RF only. Other then a few packet links I have taking most of my RMS services to RF as well. I am sending and receiving all local RMS traffic using VARA FM with VARA HF backup. This process is working very well, so this months collaboration is also a test of my system to handle the additional traffic load.

 
ADDITIONAL CONNECTION

I have added a 20M 300 bd AX25 connection on 14.105 LSB. Feel free to connect to N3MEL-2 and leave your bulletin check-in that way if you would like. The more RF check-ins the better!
 

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