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.