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.

Every registered node in Illinois Last time I checked, this directory was no longer available. Please bring it back!

Visit www.aprs.net for the latest positions of APRS stations in your area.

I have recently been doing a lot of work with APRS. I use WinAPRS that is available as shareware from the TAPR site. On a day of good band conditions, I can receive stations from all over Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Missouri and Ohio. I have even had stations on the map from Canada. I really enjoy APRS. I hope to use it during storm spotting.

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.