PACKET RADIO
Welcome to my packet radio page.
Here you will find a list of local nodes. You will also find the definitions
of basic packet terms and commands. Thank you for visiting.
SO WHAT IS PACKET RADIO ANYWAY???
Packet Radio is a mode of Amateur Radio that uses terminals (TNCs) to pass
data in packets from station to station. You'll need to get a computer,
a TNC, and a transmitter. That's it. You're set! You'll probably want
to read some books and contact the links below for more information.
BEGINNING IN 2003, I STARTED USING MY
SOUNDCARD INSTEAD OF A TNC TO WORK PACKET. This setup is very cost
effective as it is virtually free to setup. You do need an interface
between your radio and soundcard. I use the
Rascal. You can build one from junk
that you already have.
For more
information:
>Tucson Amateur Packet
Radio
LOCAL NODES (CENTRAL ILLINOIS)
The map above shows the current active packet stations as of May 30, 2005.
NAME OF NODE | FREQUENCY | LOCATION | OFFICIAL CALL | STATUS |
MARK | 144.95 | Near Sullivan, IL | W9BIL-1 | GONE |
ILVER | 147.555 | Danville, IL | WF9S-2 | GONE |
SHELBY | 144.05 | Shelbyville, IL | WB9QPM | OPERATIONAL |
URB | 145.05 | Arcola, IL | WA9WOB-1 | OPERATIONAL |
ILCMI | 145.01 | Champaign, IL | KA9CAP-1 | ? |
WVARA | 145.01 | Terre Haute, IN | W9UUU-2 | SHOULD RE-EMERGE ON 145.05 |
ILSPI | 145.05 | Springfield, IL | W9YCI | ? |
ILEFF | 145.05 | Effingham, IL | KA9SIU-1 | ? |
EMAIL ME IF YOU HAVE NODE INFO. |
Visit www.aprs.net for the
latest positions of APRS stations in your area.
BASIC PACKET COMMANDS:
C-Connect
D-Disconnect
S-Send (Callsign or email address must follow.)
B-Bye (Disconnect)
TALK- Also known as CONF. Will allow you to talk to several stations at
once.
BEACON- Sets your beacon up by the number of minutes that you want
it to wait before sending.
BTEXT- The text that you type will be sent with your beacon.
PTEXT- The text that will appear when someone connects to your PBBS.
NTEXT- The text that will appear when someone connects to your node.
MHEARD- Also JHEARD, lists the stations that have connected to that node.
FRAMES
<I> INFORMATION FRAME.
<RR> RECEIVE READY.
<RNR> RECEIVE NOT READY.
<REJ> REJECT.
<SABM> A CONNECT REQUEST.
<DISC> DISCONNECTED.
<UA> UNNUMBERED ACKNOWLEDGEMENT.
<DM> DISCONNECTED MODE.
<FRMR> FRAME REJECT.
<UI> UNNUMBERED INFORMATION.
For more information on these terms, read the user's manual that came with
your TNC, or read Steve Ford's book Your Packet Companion.
LET ME KNOW IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS.
LOCAL AMATEURS ARE INVITED TO A PACKET NET TUESDAY NIGHTS AT 8PM CENTRAL
ON THE MARK NODE ON 144.950. AFTER YOU ENTER MARK,
TYPE "TALK" AND YOU SHOULD JOIN ME,
KB9MJV. SEE YOU TUESDAY!
Updated on May 20, 2000 and again on May 30, 2005.