[net.ham-radio.packet] Gateway Vol 2, #6

wheatley@inuxi.UUCP (Steven Wheatley) (11/15/85)

Gateway: The ARRL Packet-Radio Newsletter
Volume 2, Issue 6
November 11, 1985

Published by:
ARRL
225 Main Street
Newington, CT 06111
203-666-1541

Editor:
Jeffrey W. Ward, K8KA



GATEWAY TO CHANGE EDITORS

This will be the last issue of Gateway that I edit.  In mid-
November, I will begin a two-year leave of absence from the ARRL. 
I will spend the two years working and studying with the UoSat 
project at the University of Surrey, in England.  Since I will be 
working on the UO-11 Data Communications Experiment (DCE) and on 
PACSAT, I hope to remain involved in amateur packet radio and to 
provide you with packet-radio news from Europe.

The new editor of Gateway will be Ed Raso, WA2FTC.  In the past, 
Ed was editor of the ARRL Radio Club News, and he is now sysop of 
the Ham Radio Net BBS and chairman of a new Amateur-Radio 
information service called HAMLINK (see the "HAMLINK" item in 
this issue).  Ed is enthusiastically involved in packet radio and 
in distribution of packet-radio information.  I am sure that you 
will enjoy his tenure as Gateway editor.  You can help him get 
started by sending news items to Gateway at ARRL headquarters.  
Thanks for taking over, Ed.

I have enjoyed editing Gateway, and would like to thank you all 
for supporting our effort to keep the packet-radio community 
informed.

    Jeffrey W. Ward, K8KA.


PACKET ON SHUTTLE?

AMSAT and the ARRL have sent a proposal to NASA requesting 
permission to develop a second Shuttle Amateur Radio Experiment 
(SAREX).  SAREX I was the well-received W0ORE SSTV experiment, 
and the proposed SAREX II would be a packet-radio experiment 
conducted by Dr. Ron Parise, WA4SIR.  Ron, who will be a payload 
specialist on STS 61-E, has expressed a great desire to use 
packet radio from the shuttle.

SAREX II, if approved,  will use a modified TAPR TNC-2, the 
Motorola 2-meter HT used by Drs. Garriott and England,  and a 
lap-top microcomputer.  The following "wish list" of operation 
modes is from in the AMSAT/ARRL proposal:

"The   SAREX II experiment  will have the  capability to   
operate in several  modes.   Actual  selection will depend on  a  
number  of factors including power considerations, operator 
availability, Shuttle location and other mission activities.  The 
modes available are as follows:

"BEACON:  (Unattended)   Periodic transmission of an  identifying  
text sequence.    This  sequence  can be used by  all ground  
stations  for tracking  and  identification.     Depending   on 
configuration,  this text  can be from one line to several lines  
in length and may consist of a mission status report entered by 
the operator.

"KEYBOARD TO KEYBOARD EXCHANGE (Attended):  This involves two-way 
real-time  communication between the SAREX II operator and 
specific  ground stations...

"STORE AND FORWARD MESSAGE DELIVERY  (Unattended):     This mode 
allows designated ground  stations  to  access  the SAREX II 
computer to post and  retrieve stored messages.  Such messages 
might be either for  the SAREX II operator or another ground 
station, perhaps on the other  side of  the  earth.   (It  is 
envisioned that this mode might be  used  to demonstrate the 
PACSAT concept...

"REAL-TIME RELAY (Unattended):     This   allows the use of the   
SAREX II  to  relay   data between ground stations,  just as  
Packet  ground stations customarily do.  This  mode  allows  the 
SAREX II computer to be powered  down to conserve power.

"ROBOT  (Unattended):    This mode allows ground stations to  
establish contact  with  SAREX  II and  receive  a  customized,  
but  automated, acknowledgment.   The  rapid  handling  of  such  
automatic  contacts permits a large number of stations to 
participate in the experiment."

The SAREX II proposal has just been submitted to NASA, and the 
AMSAT Board of Directors will be discussing financing for the 
project at their general meeting (November 8 and 9).  If SAREX II 
is approved, it will be up to packet radio clubs to make good use 
of the mission.  It will be a good opportunity to show high-
technology Amateur Radio in action.

    Via DRNET.


PACKET TRAFFIC DURING EARTHQUAKE

During the recent Mexico City earthquake, Syl Gookin, N1DKF, used 
packet radio to forward health and welfare messages to NTS 
stations in Texas.   The messages were stored on Syl's MailBox in 
Rhode Island, went from there to  W0RLI on 2 meters, and then on 
to the W5XO MailBox on 20 meters.  Syl says that most of the 
messages made the trip in less than 24 hours, and some replies 
reached his MailBox in as little as 36 hours.  The messages were 
written as standard NTS radiograms, so that the Texas stations 
would have no trouble introducing them to NTS voice nets.  Syl 
summarizes that "this method required minimal operator time, used 
alternatives to otherwise busy traffic channels, is error free, 
fast, and it works...because packet folks have exerted a large 
effort to put the packet network in place prior to the emergency 
and the folks at both ends of the link made the effort to handle 
the traffic."

    From N1DKF and NEPRA PacketEar.


HAMLINK

For several years, CompuServe HAMNET has been providing an 
electronic conference addressing all aspects of Amateur Radio.  
The packet-radio section on HAMNET has been a vital meeting place 
for those interested in computers and Amateur Radio.  Now, there 
is another on-line Amateur Radio conference.  The conference is 
called HAMLINK, and it is a part of PLINK, a new low-priced time-
sharing service.  HAMLINK's chairman is Ed Raso, WA2FTC, who is 
soon to be the editor of Gateway.  Ed has been running a dial-up 
BBS called Ham Radio Net for more than a year, and the popularity 
of this BBS convinced Ed to become part of the PLINK time-sharing 
system.  All of the programs that have been mentioned in Gateway 
as being available on Ham Radio Net are now available on HAMLINK, 
including  the W0RLI MailBox, the KE3Z Multiport Digipeater and 
the WDCG PBBS-PC.  For more information on PLINK call 800-524-
0100.  Mention HAMLINK to receive a special bonus.

    From WA2FTC.


CANADIANS WORK ON PRESENTATION LAYER

We received the following from Syd Horne, VE3EGO:

"At the Radio Society of Ontario / CRRL Convention in London, 
Ontario in September, Syd Horne, VE3EGO, and members of the 
Belleville TELIPAK group presented a paper on TELIPAK -- a system 
which provides the capability for amateurs to exchange high-
resolution, error-free, digital color images, text and speech.  
We expect that such a system will be of interest to all 
packeteers.

"TELIPAK is an acronym derived from TELIDON and packet radio.  
TELIDON is the Canadian version of VIDEOTEXT, and is based on 
NAPLPS, the North American Presentation Level Protocol Syntax, 
which is an ISO layer-6 protocol.

"The TELIPAK software package is easy to use and runs on an IBM 
PC or compatible...The software package includes page creation 
software together with the ability to remotely control the ROBOT 
1200C scan converter (used as a digitizer), a TNC and a text-to-
speech convertor."

Syd reports that the group will be transmitting their first 
pictures this month.  The software will be customized for each 
user and should be available early in 1986.  For more 
information, contact:
    
     Syd Horne, VE3EGO
     531 Victoria Ave.
     Belleville, ONT, K8N 2G6

    From VE3EGO.


TNC-2 UPDATE

With 1200 TNC-2 kits sold and two commercial manufacturers 
marketing TNC-2 clones, TAPR is "basically done" with TNC-2 
production.  The TNC-2 has been another success for TAPR, and 
software enhancements introduced in the TNC-2 are already 
appearing in commercial TNCs.

People who bought TNC-2s early on (before serial number 501) 
should watch the next issue of the TAPR PSR Quarterly.  This 
newsletter will provide details on how to upgrade TNC-2 Rev-1 pc 
boards to TNC-2 Rev-2 boards.  Rev-2 boards have extra RAM, a 
better heat sink for the power supply, less RFI, enhanced 
software and a few other nice additions.

If you still want to build a TNC-2 kit, don't despair.  GLB, 
manufacturer of the PK-1 and PK-1L TNCs, is introducing a TNC-2 
clone called the TNC-2A.  The TNC-2A kit uses the same 
documentation, software and hardware (including the low-profile 
cabinet) as the TAPR TNC-2.  Although standard TNC-2As will use 
some NMOS parts, a low-power, all-CMOS version will also be 
available.  TNC-2A is priced at $170, and should be  available 
before Christmas.  To place an order, contact:

     GLB Electronics
     151 Commerce Parkway
     Buffalo, NY 14224 
     716-675-6740.

    From WB9FLW and GLB.


TUNING INDICATOR FOR HF PACKET

If you are looking for a commercial tuning indicator for use with 
packet, an item in the October issue of the NEPRA PacketEar 
describes how to modify the AEA TI-1 for packet.  According to 
the article "AEA would be pleased to modify and calibrate the TI-
1 for a small charge (plus return shipping).  Performing the 
modification yourself does not alter the warranty in any way."  
For more information, contact:

     Advanced Electronic Applications, Inc.
     P.O. Box C-2160
     Lynnwood, WA 98036.

    From the NEPRA PacketEar.


NEW MISSISSIPPI CLUB ADDRESS

The address of the Mississippi Amateur Radio Digital Association 
(MARDA) has been changed to:

     MARDA
     c/o Patrick J. Fagan, WA5DVV
     2412 E. Birch Drive
     Gulfport, MS 39503.

    From WA5DVV.


PACKET REPORT FROM IOWA

The Central Iowa Technical Society (CITS) meeting in late October 
generated a couple of newsworthy items.  First, CITS members 
voted to move to the recognized national packet frequencies: 
145.01 through 145.09 MHz.  This will help Iowa link to 
surrounding states.  At least until the end of this year, the 
WA0JFS MailBox will provide service to both 147.555 MHz and 
145.01 MHz, easing the transition to 145-MHz bandplan.  
Packeteers in eastern Iowa will be moving down to 145.01 MHz by 
the end of the year, helping complete links from Iowa to Illinois 
and Minnesota.  A second item of interest is that the CITS Link 
Management Unit (LMU) project is slowly moving forward, with two 
K9NG 9600-bit/s modems and two FM-5 transceivers on hand.  The 
LMU is a network controller that will be used to pass traffic 
between a 2-meter network and a 220-MHz backbone system.

    Via WA0JFS, DRNET.


LONG ISLAND PACKET CLUB

Packeteers of Long Island (POLI) is a new packet radio club that 
covers all of New York's Long Island.  Long Island is in an 
interesting position, in that those on the east end of the island 
can get into Boston, Massachusetts, and those on the western end 
of the island communicate easily with New York City and the 
population centers in New Jersey.  The "POLINET" on Long Island 
will connect two of the busiest parts of EASTNET.  For more 
information on POLI, contact:

     POLI
     c/o L. Jacobs, KA2EYW
     3 Jet Lane
     Holbrook, NY 11741.

    From POLI Newsletter.


PACKET RADIO ON THE MOVE -- THE CLUB CONNECTION

(Third in a series by Steve Place, WB1EYI, Manager, ARRL 
Volunteer Resources Office.)

The long-anticipated harvest has arrived.  You and your 
packeteering cohorts have plowed the local ham radio soil deeply 
and sowed the seeds of the packet mystique on fertile ground.  
The result?  A bumper crop of potential packet radio novitiates.

What if You Threw a Party and EVERYONE Showed Up?

The gang is here.  Your Section Manager and a number of his 
appointees: STM, TC, ATCs, PIOs and ACC.  A few techno-klutzes, a 
few techno-whizzes and a skeptical bunch from the local computer 
club. And rounding out the team is the usual crowd of curious 
thrill seekers.  They mumble softly in restless clusters around 
the meeting room, eager to be initiated into the loudly heralded 
wonders of packet radio.  Hmmm . . .

Obviously, your club's first official meeting is the key event in 
getting packet radio rolling locally.  Now what?  The answer lies 
in knowing what you want to accomplish.  The typical reasons for 
holding a "kick-off" meeting (and for originally forming the 
club) can be summarized as follows:
*  expanding the local packet radio user base (the Numbers and 
   Nodes game, not to be confused with Dungeons and Dragons)
*  getting more people to participate actively in cooperative, 
   local packet radio projects

What must you accomplish at the kick-off meeting to begin gnawing 
away at skepticism, cynicism and all the other "-isms" that sap 
enthusiasm and get in the way of progress?  All you have to do 
is:
*  conduct your meeting so that every person in your widely 
   varied audience feels you're talking to him -- command his 
   attention and fire his enthusiasm;
*  convince each person in attendance that packet radio meets a 
   personal need and is an essential addition to his shack;
*  convince each participant that your club offers 
   a variety of irresistible opportunities for his 
   active  involvement  -- chances to  make  truly 
   meaningful contributions to the local community 
   through the club.

If you can accomplish all that in one meeting and walk away with 
sincere commitments from everyone, put down this issue of Gateway 
immediately, run (don't walk) to your wordprocessor and write to 
ARRL, Personnel Office, 225 Main St., Newington CT, 06111.  The 
rest of us mere mortals, however, will be faced with an ongoing 
task and the need to persevere.  Though you won't conquer all 
your visitors at the kick-off meeting, you can stack the deck to 
improve your chances.

The Welcome

The gang must be made to feel welcome.  If you want them to 
listen (let alone show up again), your "inner core" of diehard 
packeteers must become an "outgoing corps" of packet radio 
evangelists.  No hand can go unshaken; no nervous smile can go 
ignored; no question, however obvious, can go unanswered.  
Placing a stack of stick-on name tags and marking pens at the 
door and writing your guests' first names, callsigns and 
organizations boldly and legibly on the non-sticky side (just 
checking...) will help as the night progresses.  A table or two 
of complimentary refreshments can give people something to do 
while they're trying to figure out what to do.  All of your 
preparation and all of your rehearsing should long since have 
been done, and each of your founding packeteers should be 
"working the crowd." 

Startup and Reading Your Audience

Within a few minutes of the scheduled starting time, your 
warmest, most personable and well-spoken packeteer should call 
the meeting to order -- informally and with a broad smile.  Keep 
it light and loose.  He should extend a formal welcome on behalf 
of the club and work his way (conversationally) around the room.  
Who's there?  Where are they from?  Are they equipped for packet 
radio?  What are their ham radio and/or computer interests?  In 
fifteen minutes or so, you and everyone else will have a pretty 
good idea of how the group stacks up and where your focus should 
be -- and latecomers won't have missed anything essential.

Packet Radio Overview and Tutorial

When everyone has settled in comfortably, note aloud that the 
assemblage is surely a mixed bag: Extra Class through Novice 
licensees, non-ham computer hobbyists, experienced packeteers and 
neophytes, and representatives of a diverse wealth of amateur 
radio expertise and experience.  The one thing they all have in 
common is an interest in exploring the world of packet radio.

It would make sense, therefore, to briefly go over what packet 
radio is, how it works, what its advantages are over other modes 
or techniques and the state of the local packet scene is.  If 
your gang of packeteers is blessed with more than one warm, 
outgoing, well-spoken member, have your welcomer hand the ball 
off to him.  No successful club is a one-man show; this is a 
great chance for your guests to meet several of those who are 
already members of the club.

At this point, your meeting will be running under full 
steam...just as this installment at this point is running out of 
steam (i.e. space).  

What remains?  The menu for the next installment includes the 
introduction to packet radio, a multistation hands-on 
demonstration, special-interest working groups, study assignments 
for the following meeting, and most important in getting the real 
work of the club done, adjournment to a local eatery/bistro for 
creative brainstorming and -- the cornerstone of any successful 
club -- having fun!

    From WB1EYI.


REPRODUCTION OF GATEWAY MATERIAL

Material may be exerpted from Gateway without prior permission, 
provided that the original contributor is credited and Gateway is 
identified as the source.