n2aam@ky2d-2.UUCP (Paul Newland) (03/13/86)
Has anyone on line ever heard of the cactus network? It is a system of linked repeaters in the southern and western united states. If anyone has more information on this net it would be appreciated. What vhf. or uhf. bands does it use and how are the repe eaters linked? 73s......Dave n2aam
maa@ssc-bee.UUCP (Mark A Allyn) (03/19/86)
> Has anyone on line ever heard of the cactus network? > eaters linked? 73s......Dave n2aam I have not heard of the cactus network but I HAVE heard of the DRONK network when I was in San Diego, Ca. (1979-1981). The DRONK net was a series of closed private repeaters (PL) on two meters and above which were linked together like a private phone system and could be controled via touch tone codes. The network was very private. I met a couple of the people on it and they were of the type that if anyone tried to get onto any of their repeaters who did not belong to the group they would trace them down and beat them up and I mean beat them up. They are a good group to stay away from; at least back in '79. Hopefully things have changed by now. If anyone has any more info about DRONK, maybee the net would appreciate it. 73 Mark A. Allyn WA1SEY !uw-beaver!ssc-vax!ssc_bee!maa
don@oakhill.UUCP (Don Weiss) (03/20/86)
Since I haven't seen any description of the Cactus system yet, I thought I'd tell y'all what I know about it. The Cactus Intertie is a consortium of individuals and groups in California, Arizona, and New Mexico, who operate a large network of 440-MHz linked repeaters. Each site has a controller that is actuated by TouchTones [TM] and can be addressed from anywhere in the system. The system has a linear topology, which stretches from central California (near Sacramento, I believe) through about 14 stations, to El Paso. Each station has local access through a repeater (usually 440 MHz), and many stations have remote bases, most of which are 2 meters and some of which have remotely controllable beam antennas. The effort and expense of building and maintaining the network have been so immense that participation is limited to those who can put up substantial time and funds; it follows that they generally run the local access channels in closed mode (i.e., CTCSS). I have not heard any evidence of the pugnacious attitude attributed to the other California system mentioned. A friend of mine here in Austin helped to duplicate this system while living in Florida (The 'Gator' interconnect system) and is now spearheading similar efforts here in Texas (The 'Armadillo' interconnect system). 73 DE Don KB5PM