Packet Ops

Packet Ops - Appendix D

Packet Operations

Printed versions of this Packet Ops - Appendix D are issued yearly to those agencies requiring a copy. Contact the Emergency Coordinator if you need printed copies.

Table of Contents

Paragraph	Title
1.	Arkansas Packet Network Node Map
2.	Node Commands
3.	BBS Commands
4.	Sending Messages on Packet
5.	Sending Emergency Messages to ADEM
6.	Sending Radiograms using Packet

1.0 The Arkansas Packet Network Node Map

An updated version of the Arkansas Packet Network (APN) is available on the Arkansas Section website, http://www.arkansashams.org/packet. The APN Map contained herein was the latest version when this appendix was last revised.

2.0 Node Commands

To use the Arkansas Packet Network, first you must “Connect” to a Node. To connect, type in C followed by the node name. In Baxter County you would normally connect to the BAXTER Node. The command would be:

C BAXTER

The node will acknowledge your connection at which time you may enter any of the following node commands:

Node Command	Function
Info	Gives information about this node.
Nodes	Gives information about the nodes which can be connected.
Routes	Gives the quality of distant node routes.
Users	Shows who is using this node.
Talk	Connects you to local conference.
CQ	Used to broadcast a CQ message.
BBS	Connects you to the Arkansas Bulletin Board in Conway
Host	Connects you to a designated station.
MHeard	Shows the last few stations heard by the node.
Bye	Disconnects you from the node.
Quit	Disconnects

Node commands can be given by typing the whole command word or by typing in just the bold letters, usually only the first letter of the command.

Currently the APN maintains only one Bulletin Board (BBS) which is located at ADEM headquarters in Conway, AR. Any BBS command from any node in the network connects you to the Conway BBS.

To connect to distant nodes, first connect to a local node, and then connect to the distant node. For example, if you wish to connect to Ash Flat, first connect to Baxter:

C BAXTER

After the system acknowledges your connection to BAXTER, then connect to Ash Flat (ASH):

C ASH

The system will then acknowledge your connection to ASH.

3.0 BBS Commands

To access the local BBS, connect to your local node (Example C BAXTER) and type the command BBS and hit ENTER. This will connect you to the BBS at ADEM in Conway. After you tell the BBS Bye, don't forget to tell the node Bye AFTER it welcomes you back.

 Here is an overview of what the BBS commands do:

BBS Command

Function

?

Reading the help file. Type ?[COMMAND] to obtain help on a basic command.

!

Provide a short and minimal information on the BBS usage.

A

Abort the BBS output at any time. When reading messages with paging, the response N and C are available, too. Use N to skip the reading of the rest of current message, and start on the next message. Use C to read the rest of the message(s) without paging.

B or Bye

Disconnects the BBS. Note that the "last listed" parameter is updated. When the user does a "hard disconnect", the last-listed parameter is NOT updated.

C

Enters the conference mode.

CW

Shows a list of the call signs involved in the current conference.

H

Shows short help. For help with specific commands, see the ? command.

I

Information about this BBS.

I call sign

Gives the information on call sign taken from the white pages database. Call sign can include wildcards.

JK

Shows the last 20 call signs connected to the BBS

K #

Deletes a message identified by its number #.

KM

Deletes all the messages addressed to you, that have been read. The messages not read will not be deleted.

L

Lists the new messages since the last usage of this command.

LB

Lists bulletins.

LC [category]

List the messages which "TO" field matches category.

* (star) allows listing all the messages and should be the default value. Type "LC *" to see all messages. LC alone gives the current category. Category is recorded for each user while disconnecting. LC ? lists all the current categories.

LD> YYMMDD

Lists the messages received after the specified date.

LD< YYMMDD

Lists the messages received before the specified date.

LE

List messages that could not be forwarded.

LF

List FORWARDED messages.

LH

List HELD messages.

LK

List KILLED messages.

LM

Lists the messages TO YOU.

LN

Lists the NEW messages TO YOU.

LP

List PRIVATE messages.

LU

Lists all unread messages to/from the user.

LL 10

Lists the last 10 messages.

LR

Equivalent to L but the messages are listed in reverse order.

LS text

Searches for a text in the messages titles. (wildcards OK)

LT

List Traffic (for NTS-messages).

L< Call sign

Lists messages originated from [Call sign]. (wildcards OK)

L> Call sign

Lists messages destinated to [Call sign]. (wildcards OK)

L@ [BBS] :

Lists the messages VIA BBS if specified. L@ alone lists the message without route. (wildcards OK)

L msg#-

Lists all messages, starting from msg#

L msg#-msg#

Lists messages between the given numbers.

N

Enters or modifies the name (max 12 characters allowed).

NH

Enters or modifies the Home BBS.

NL

Enters or modifies the QRA locator.

NP

Modifies the password for the access via telephone modem.

NQ

Enters or modifies the city (QTH).

NZ

Enters or modifies the Zip Code.

O

Displays the setting of various options.

ON

Shows the number-base for messages. See also ON number below.

ON number

Defines the number of the thousand base for the messages.

Example: ON 37 defines number 37000 as being the base for numbering the messages. Then the command R 25 will cause the message 37025 to be read, although R 36025 will actually read the message number 36025.

OP

Validates or disables the scrolling of pages.

OP nbr of lines

Initializes the page scrolling

OR

Validates or disables the ability to list all messages, if the user has access to the whole list of messages by default.

R msg# msg#

Reads the messages by their numbers.

RM

Reads all the messages to you.

RN

Reads all the NEW messages to you.

RU

Read all unread messages to/from you.

R> call sign

Read all messages to a call sign.

R< call sign

Read all messages from a call sign.

S call sign @ BBSCALLSIGN

Sends a message to a station AT another BBS.

BBSCALLSIGN can be an address of hierarchical type, for example W1ABC.NH.USA. The message must be terminated by a Ctrl-Z or /EX followed by a return. Warning: the /EX must be in the first column.

SB category @ area

Sends a message as a bulletin to the 'category'.

The bulletin will be distributed to all BBSes that subscribe to the 'area' name listed. Examples of area: ALLMO, BBSAR, SMONAR, ALLUS.

SC Msg# Call sign @ BBSCALLSIGN

Copies a message or bulletin to the specified call sign. Such a copy will always be of the "personal" type. This is a way to send a message to more than one person.

SP call sign

Sends a private message. (Same format as S above.)

SR [Msg# [title]]

Replies to a message already read or formerly suppressed, or to a message matching the specified number. If the title is not stated, it will be the title of the read message, with the mention "Re:" placed ahead.

X

Toggles "normal" or "expert" status. "Normal" grants the extended menus, "expert" provides only minimal information.

4.0       Sending messages on Packet

Sending a message on packet is accomplished by either direct connection to a private mailbox, by posting the message on the BBS, or by direct connection between stations (keyboard to keyboard).

Keyboard to Keyboard communication is accomplished by connecting directly to the station’s keyboard call sign.

Example: C K5JFG connects you to K5JFG’s portable station keyboard

To connect to a distant private mailbox, or the ARES/RACES community mailbox, first connect to the BAXTER node. Then connect to the desired mailbox. The alternate is to connect directly to the station’s mailbox if it is within radio range.

Example: C BAXTER followed by C K5BAX-1 connects you to the ARES Community Mailbox.

To connect to the BBS, first connect to the local node. Then either enter the node command BBS or connect to CONWAY then enter the BBS command.

Example: C BAXTER

The Baxter node will acknowledge your connection

BBS

Conway will acknowledge your connection to the W5AUU BBS

C BAXTER

The Baxter node will acknowledge your connection

C CONWAY

Conway will acknowledge your connection

BBS

Conway will acknowledge your connection to the W5AUU BBS

To send a message, enter the SP (Send Personal) command followed by the call sign or alias of the station you wish to send the message to.

After sending the ‘SP call sign’ command, the BBS or mailbox will ask you for a title of the message. Enter a title.

The system will then ask you to enter the text followed by Ctrl-Z or a /EX on a blank line.

After the node or station receives the Ctrl-Z or /EX, it will acknowledge your message.

There is a much more detailed treatise on using Packet was written by Larry Kenney, WB9LOZ, and available on his website at http://www.choisser.com/packet.

The following is a list of some of the mailbox and keyboard call signs used in the Baxter County area:

Location	Call Sign	Frequency
ARES Baxter County Community Mailbox	K5BAX-1	145.01 MHz
ARES Portable Station One (Keyboard)	K5BAX-7	145.01 MHz
ARES Portable Station One (Mailbox)	K5BAX-8	145.01 MHz
ARES Portable Station Two (Keyboard)	K5BAX-9	145.01 MHz
ARES Portable Station Two (Mailbox)	K5BAX-10	145.01 MHz
ADEM Conway, AR (BBS)	W5AUU-1	145.01 MHz
N5LH Portable Station (Keyboard)	N5LH-3	145.01 MHz
N5LH Portable Station (Mailbox)	N5LH-4	145.01 MHz
Bud Hall, N5LH (Home mailbox)	N5LH-1	145.01 MHz
K5JFG Portable Station (Keyboard)	K5JFG	145.01 MHz
K5JFG Portable Station (mailbox)	K5JFG-1	145.01 MHz
Kevin Manzer, AC5DK (Home mailbox)	AC5DK-1	145.01 MHz
Paul Rasmussen, KA6VAN (Home mailbox)	KA6VAN-1	145.01 MHz

5.0 SENDING EMERGENCY MESSAGES TO ADEM

Emergency messages or SET exercise messages are entered into the CONWAY BBS the same way you would send a personal message. The difference is that emergency messages (or SET messages) are sent to an alias rather than a call sign.

When messages are sent to an alias, the system copies the message to the W5AUU JNOS Gateway. Once there, the message is sent to a few email addresses. For SET exercises, the emails are sent to David Huddleston at ADEM. For emergency messages, the traffic will be forwarded to the ADEM bunker at Conway.

Set Exercises Alias:

The alias to be used during a SET exercise is the letters SET followed by the last two numbers of the year. During the year 2004 use the alias SET04, the next year use SET05, and so on.

Emergency Alias:

During an actual emergency, a secret alias will be provided by the Baxter County Judge. In the past if you sent any traffic (Voice or Packet) to W5AUU there would have to be a ham operator there to receive it. Emergency traffic would go unnoticed until a ham operator checked the BBS. With the current system emergency messages can be automatically sent to the ADEM bunker. The bunker is manned by ADEM personnel 24 hours a day. There is only one alias (the secret alias) that will automatically send messages to the bunker. This alias is known by only to county emergency management officials. The message is automatically validated as authentic since it came in via the secret alias. ADEM will react accordingly.

Once you enter the message you can continue to enter traffic the same way until you are asked to do so differently. Users will be notified by an announcement on the HF net or in a reply message over packet.

Specific Instructions

To send traffic to ADEM via regular packet:

1. Connect to your local node

2. Connect to the CONWAY node

3. Once there type BBS

4. Begin message SP alias (SET + Year or secret alias)

5. Enter title when prompted

6. Once prompted enter the message.

- Include statement that this is a test message if it is a test

- Message can be formal or informal

- Make sure to include signature of sending official (judge or director)

- Include a return packet address/route if applicable

- End message by typing /ex on a line by itself

7. Wait for BBS to reply with a message number stating it's been sent

8. You can make sure it is entered by reading it back: R #####

9. Disconnect from BBS by typing: Bye

10. Disconnect from Conway node by typing: Bye

11. Disconnect from your local node by typing: Bye

Example

The following is an example of a typical exchange during a SET exercise. The process is identical for actual emergency traffic except the alias will be different. Bold characters are what might be sent by the various nodes.

Start by telling you TNC to Connect to your local node. It should give you a CONNECTED TO message. Then:

C CONWAY

BAXTER:K5BAX-4} Connected to: CONWAY:W5AUU-8

BBS

CONWAY:W5AUU-8} Please wait, trying W5AUU

CONWAY:W5AUU-8} Connected to #ADEM:W5AUU

[FBB-7.00g-AB1FHMRX$]

W5AUU BBS, QTH EM44.

Hello Kevin, you are now on channel 1.

Here are 84 active messages, 10551 is last message and

10545 is the last you have listed.

Assigned channels:

Ch. 1 (NETWORK) : AC5DK-15 - Mon 01/10/01 20:28

Hello Kevin, thank you for connecting to W5AUU's Packet BBS,

at 20:30 01-Oct-01. Sysop: KB5WBH.

(Arkansas Dept. of Emergency Management in Conway)

(1) W5AUU BBS (H for help) >

SP SET01

Enter the title for this message to SET01 :

2001 ARK SET message

Enter the text for the message, end with Ctrl-Z or /EX on a blank line):

THIS IS A SIMULATED TEST MESSAGE

To ADEM Conway,

Baxter County has experienced a disaster from an earthquake and is officially requesting ADEM support in the form of amateur radio communications and disaster support. We have many buildings destroyed and commercial power is out. More details to follow once communications established.

Joe Bodenhammer

County Judge

Reply to K5BAX <= BAXTER via packet radio or 3987.5 MHz voice.

/ex

Mid: 10552_W5AUU Size: 18 bytes

(1) W5AUU BBS (H for help) >

W5AUU has assigned message number 10552 to this message. To read the message as posted on the alias BBS, proceed as follows:

R 10552

From : AC5DK

To : SET01

Type/status : PN

Date/time : 01-Oct 20:40

BID (MID) : 10552_W5AUU

Message # : 10552

Title : 2001 ARK SET message

(This message has been read 1 times so far in this BBS.)

THIS IS A SIMULATED TEST MESSAGE

To ADEM Conway,

Baxter County has experienced a disaster from an earthquake and is

officially requesting ADEM support in the form of amateur radio communications

and disaster support. We have many buildings destroyed and commercial power

is out. More details to follow once communciations established.

Joe Bodenhammer

County Judge

Reply to K5BAX <= BAXTER via packet radio or 3987.5 Mhz voice.

--- End of messsage #10552 to SET01 from AC5DK ---

(1) W5AUU BBS (H for help) >

BYE (to disconnect from the BBS)

You have been connected 3mn 13s - Computer-time: 3s

Bye, Kevin, and welcome back.

CONWAY:W5AUU-8} Welcome back.

BYE (to disconnect from CONWAY node)

CONWAY:W5AUU-8} Goodbye.

BAXTER:K5BAX-4} Welcome back.

BYE (to disconnect from the BAXTER node)

BAXTER:K5BAX-4} Goodbye.

You will then be disconnected from the node.

6.0 SENDING RADIOGRAMS USING PACKET

On the Arkansas Packet Network, Packet Radiograms are simply packet mail messages whose text contains the full preamble, address, text, and signature of the ARRL radiogram. Anytime a message might have to be transmitted outside the packet network, it is desirable to use the Radiogram format. While there is no direct link between the APN and the National Traffic System, a packet station may have to enter the message into the NTS to affect delivery. Having the message in an ARRL format eases that task.

The subject line of the packet message should contain the message precedence followed by a short description of the message content.

The radiogram itself should be typed into the text section of the message IN CAPITAL LETTERS.

Example:

Subject: Priority – Request for sand trucks

NR 21 P K5BAX 14 MOUNTAIN HOME, AR SEP 28

JOHN SUPPLY CHIEF

DEPARTMENT OF EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT

SOME CITY, OUTSIDE ARKANSAS

501-999-999

URGENTLY NEED THREE SUPER SANDER

TRUCKS TO KEEP CRITICAL ROAD

OPEN FOR RELIEF SUPPLIES

CHARLIE NEWTON, OEM BAXTER COUNTY ARKANSAS

/EX

Note: The closing /EX tells the mailbox the message is complete.

BBS Command	Function
?	Reading the help file. Type ?[COMMAND] to obtain help on a basic command.
!	Provide a short and minimal information on the BBS usage.
A	Abort the BBS output at any time. When reading messages with paging, the response N and C are available, too. Use N to skip the reading of the rest of current message, and start on the next message. Use C to read the rest of the message(s) without paging.
B or Bye	Disconnects the BBS. Note that the "last listed" parameter is updated. When the user does a "hard disconnect", the last-listed parameter is NOT updated.
C	Enters the conference mode.
CW	Shows a list of the call signs involved in the current conference.
H	Shows short help. For help with specific commands, see the ? command.
I	Information about this BBS.
I call sign	Gives the information on call sign taken from the white pages database. Call sign can include wildcards.
JK	Shows the last 20 call signs connected to the BBS
K #	Deletes a message identified by its number #.
KM	Deletes all the messages addressed to you, that have been read. The messages not read will not be deleted.
L	Lists the new messages since the last usage of this command.
LB	Lists bulletins.
LC [category]	List the messages which "TO" field matches category. * (star) allows listing all the messages and should be the default value. Type "LC *" to see all messages. LC alone gives the current category. Category is recorded for each user while disconnecting. LC ? lists all the current categories.
LD> YYMMDD	Lists the messages received after the specified date.
LD< YYMMDD	Lists the messages received before the specified date.
LE	List messages that could not be forwarded.
LF	List FORWARDED messages.
LH	List HELD messages.
LK	List KILLED messages.
LM	Lists the messages TO YOU.
LN	Lists the NEW messages TO YOU.
LP	List PRIVATE messages.
LU	Lists all unread messages to/from the user.
LL 10	Lists the last 10 messages.
LR	Equivalent to L but the messages are listed in reverse order.
LS text	Searches for a text in the messages titles. (wildcards OK)
LT	List Traffic (for NTS-messages).
L< Call sign	Lists messages originated from [Call sign]. (wildcards OK)
L> Call sign	Lists messages destinated to [Call sign]. (wildcards OK)
L@ [BBS] :	Lists the messages VIA BBS if specified. L@ alone lists the message without route. (wildcards OK)
L msg#-	Lists all messages, starting from msg#
L msg#-msg#	Lists messages between the given numbers.
N	Enters or modifies the name (max 12 characters allowed).
NH	Enters or modifies the Home BBS.
NL	Enters or modifies the QRA locator.
NP	Modifies the password for the access via telephone modem.
NQ	Enters or modifies the city (QTH).
NZ	Enters or modifies the Zip Code.
O	Displays the setting of various options.
ON	Shows the number-base for messages. See also ON number below.
ON number	Defines the number of the thousand base for the messages. Example: ON 37 defines number 37000 as being the base for numbering the messages. Then the command R 25 will cause the message 37025 to be read, although R 36025 will actually read the message number 36025.
OP	Validates or disables the scrolling of pages.
OP nbr of lines	Initializes the page scrolling
OR	Validates or disables the ability to list all messages, if the user has access to the whole list of messages by default.
R msg# msg#	Reads the messages by their numbers.
RM	Reads all the messages to you.
RN	Reads all the NEW messages to you.
RU	Read all unread messages to/from you.
R> call sign	Read all messages to a call sign.
R< call sign	Read all messages from a call sign.
S call sign @ BBSCALLSIGN	Sends a message to a station AT another BBS. BBSCALLSIGN can be an address of hierarchical type, for example W1ABC.NH.USA. The message must be terminated by a Ctrl-Z or /EX followed by a return. Warning: the /EX must be in the first column.
SB category @ area	Sends a message as a bulletin to the 'category'. The bulletin will be distributed to all BBSes that subscribe to the 'area' name listed. Examples of area: ALLMO, BBSAR, SMONAR, ALLUS.
SC Msg# Call sign @ BBSCALLSIGN	Copies a message or bulletin to the specified call sign. Such a copy will always be of the "personal" type. This is a way to send a message to more than one person.
SP call sign	Sends a private message. (Same format as S above.)
SR [Msg# [title]]	Replies to a message already read or formerly suppressed, or to a message matching the specified number. If the title is not stated, it will be the title of the read message, with the mention "Re:" placed ahead.
X	Toggles "normal" or "expert" status. "Normal" grants the extended menus, "expert" provides only minimal information.