(View as PDF)

Packet Bulletin Net - PKTNET@USA
July, 2026

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, July 19, 2026 - 0000 UTC
              Saturday, July 25, 2026 - 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 Check-in form, available at:

https://vden.org/pktnet/check_in.html

The net will continue with taking check-ins via Packet, Winlink, APRS, and VarAC.

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

PKTNET INSTRUCTIONS:

NET SCHEDULE:

STARTS: Sunday, July 19th @ 00:00 UTC* ENDS: Saturday, July 25th @ 23:59 UTC

Form:
https://vden.org/pktnet/check_in.html (Use "Net Check-in")

Map:
https://www.google.com/maps/d/u/0/edit?mid=1ZrtB3pv8QW9LrRhBKRmOHE-MHykuoWs&usp=sharing

INSTRUCTIONS BY MODE (You receive credit for each mode you use!)

****
PACKET:
To:(Send Bulletin) PKTNET@USA
Subject: [Name], [Call], [Town], [State]
Message: Paste HTML form data

****
WINLINK:
To: TPRFN
Subject: [Name], [Call], [Town], [State]
Message: Paste HTML form data

*EXTRA CREDIT (Packet via Winlink):
To: WLGATE
Subject: N3MEL
Message: Paste the PACKET Net Check-in data (NO Winlink forms!)

****
APRS:
To: N3MEL-6
Message: [Name], [Town], [State]

****
VarAC (Email):
To: TPRFN@WINLINK.ORG
Subject: //WL2K [Name], [Call], [Town], [State] <-- Must include //WL2K
Message: Paste HTML form data (NO Winlink forms!)

* VarAC EXTRA CREDIT (Vmail):
To: Create and send a Vmail to N3MEL
Subject: packet:n3mel <-- Must be exact (no spaces, include colon)
Message: Paste your check-in form

How-To: Use "Path Finder" in VarAC to see who heard N3MEL. Leave Vmail with the station showing the best SNR. Relay will notify N3MEL.

STATION INFORMATION & LINKS

N3MEL VarAC Operating Schedule:
14.105 MHz: 13:00 to 22:59 UTC daily* 7.105 MHz: 23:00 to 12:59 UTC daily

Note:
N3MEL's TPRFN station now supports bidirectional messaging between VarAC & Packet Radio.

RESOURCES:
Local Forms: https://vden.org/pktnet/ (Download full suite to PC)
Become a Hub: https://www.tprfn.net/contact-us

Thank you for supporting the network!

All check-in will be mapped on the tprfn.net website at: https://www.google.com/maps/d/u/0/edit?mid=1ZrtB3pv8QW9LrRhBKRmOHE-MHykuoWs&usp=sharing

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).

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 KN4LQN-2
*** Connected to KN4LQN-2
[BPQ-6.0.23.1-B1FWIHJM$]
Hello David. Latest Message is 419, Last listed is 323
de KN4LQN>

:> SB PKTNET@USA
Enter Title (only):
:> KN4LQN, David, Virginia, KN4LQN
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_KN4LQN Size: 232
de KN4LQN>

:> BYE
*** Disconnected Fm KN4LQN-2

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@KN4LQN!

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