lauren%RAND-UNIX@vortex.UUCP (08/14/84)
From: Lauren Weinstein <vortex!lauren@RAND-UNIX> By the way, my offer to provide an Internet/packet radio gateway through vortex, if someone would provide a TNC board, is still open. But until a board shows up, I'm not going to push so hard to add load to my poor IBM PC. --Lauren--
karn@mouton.UUCP (08/31/84)
GATEWAY SUBSCRIPTIONS
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GATEWAY INPUT
Is there packet activity in your area which you think would be of
interest to the readers of Gateway? If there is, send it along to ARRL
Hq, marked "Attention: Gateway Editor." This newsletter was started to
distribute information about packet radio throughout the world. Send us
a summary of activity on your packet network or tell us of any packet-
radio related R+D work going on in your area.
HF PACKET BULLETIN BOARD
You can now connect to the W0RLI packet bulletin-board system (PBBS) on
twenty meters. The PBBS is located near Boston, MA, and is run by Hank
Oredson, W0RLI. Hank has had the PBBS on 145.01 MHz for several months,
and it has become one of the major "servers" for the large Boston-area
packet network.
The W0RLI PBBS software, written by Hank in Z80 assembly language, runs
on a Xerox 820 with a TAPR TNC. The PBBS provides automatic time/date
stamps for messages, automatically deletes inactive messages, and will
even try to send you a beacon if there is mail waiting for you. Now,
with the addition of a second TAPR TNC, the bulletin board is available
on both HF and VHF.
On twenty meters you will find the PBBS as near 14.080 MHz as band
occupation permits. Use 300 bauds, and 200-Hz shift. (The same shift
and speed used by 10-MHz packet stations.) When you connect to W0RLI,
the PBBS will send you operating instructions. Via W0RLI.
NTS TRAFFIC VIA PACKET
W0RLI's PBBS is also being used to originate NTS traffic. Messages are
stored in standard NTS format, with the preamble information on the
first line of the message. The PBBS is checked each evening and
messages are then delivered to the appropriate NTS net.
Packet radio is a valuable tool for traffic handling. Of course, the
national packet network that we are working toward will be a perfect
traffic-handling tool, but what we already have can and should be
connected to NTS. The existing local networks can be used for message
origination and delivery. Two packet stations on 10 MHz or OSCAR-10
could provide TCC service. These operations could begin today if NTS
officials contacted packeteers, or packeteers contacted NTS officials.
Let's get started!
Via The NEPRA Packetear.
PACKET RADIO AND ARES
Among packeteers, it is "common knowledge" that packet radio would be a
good mode for the high-volume, error-free communications needed during
emergencies. Unfortunately, this knowledge has yet to reach the leaders
and operators in the Amateur Radio Emergency Service (ARES). To remedy
this, a new chapter has been added to the ARRL's Emergency Coordinator's
Handbook.
In July, Mike Riley, WF4R, editor of the EC Handbook, met with Terry
Fox, WB4JFI, of AMRAD. The two discussed ways in which packet radio
could aid the ARES. The new ten-page "Packet Radio" chapter in the EC
Handbook is the result of that discussion.
The EC Handbook is sent free-of-charge to all Emergency Coordinators.
The latest edition, with the packet-radio chapter, will be available
early in September. At that time, packet-radio enthusiasts should be
prepared to discuss emergency operations with their ECs.
HIGH-SPEED PACKETS
On August 23, Curtis Spangler, N6ECT, and Mike Flynn, W2FRT, exchanged
packets at 9600 bauds using quadrature amplitude modulation (QAM)
techniques. Both stations were using personal computers, 9600-bit/s
modems, homemade radio/modem interfaces, and 440-MHz radios. Special
software, written in Turbo Pascal, drove the synchronous data link
controller (SDLC) cards in the computers. Over the five-mile path
between the stations, there were no errors using 10 watts, and 60% to
70% throughput at one watt. Via KA6M
TELEPORT STA
On August 6, the ARRL and AMSAT filed a request for special temporary
authority for the operation of teleport stations. The following comes
from the text of the STA:
"The operations of the stations operating under the STA will involve
communications with terrestrial Amateur Radio Stations and Amateur Radio
stations in space operation. They will function primarily as
intermediary stations between terrestrial and space Amateur Radio
stations. We hereby designate these intermediary stations `teleports.'
"The purpose of a teleport is to relay digital messages automatically
between terrestrial Amateur Radio stations and amateur stations in space
operation (amateur satellites). This need to do so is twofold:
"(1) to obviate the need for every Amateur Radio station having a
digital communications capability to also have an earth station
capability in order to communicate with amateur satellites.
"(2) to provide a measure of traffic-flow control for the digital
channel(s) on the satellite(s)...
"There are three primary objectives of this request for STA:
"(1) to determine experimentally what equipment and techniques are
required to provide near-real-time relays between two or more
terrestrial stations using local teleports and an amateur satellite.
"(2) to determine experimentally what is required to provide reliable
store-and-forward communications wherein the teleport station buffer
stores the messages between the hours that the satellite and terrestrial
links are not available at the same time.
"(3) to gather the necessary information for permanent rule change to
permit teleport operation."
The request for STA then goes on to list the frequencies of operation,
and other administrative details. The following stations will be
authorized to operate teleports when the STA is approved: John Biro,
K1KSY; Tom Clark, W3IWI; Den Connors, KD2S; Bob Diersing, N5AHD; John
DuBois, W1HDX; David Engle, KE6ZE; Gary Garriott, WA9FMQ; Sumner Hansen,
WB6YMH; Lyle Johnson, WA7GXD; Phil Karn, KA9Q; Bob McCaffrey, K0CY;
Harold Price, NK6K; Bill Reed, WD0ETZ; Hank Magnuski, KA6M; Vern
Riportella, WA2LQQ; Jose Sancho-Dominguez, WB5YFU; Bob Stricklin, N5BRG;
ARRL club station, W1AW; and AMRAD club station, WD4IWG. Building a
teleport is a demanding task, and no one will have a teleport
immediately. Please do not bother these operators by asking when their
teleport will be on the air.
OSCAR-10 and UoSAT-OSCAR-11 are the satellites that are likely to be
used by the authorized stations. OSCAR-10, with its long access times
and great coverage, will be used to test the near-real-time links.
UoSAT-OSCAR-11, if it is made available at all, will be used for store-
and-forward teleports.
Watch Gateway for further news of the STA and the stations involved.
PACKETEERS ARE EVERYWHERE
There is a lot more packet activity out there than meets the eye! This
was brought home to me on a recent weekend while my wife Linda, KA1ZD,
daughter Deryn, and I were vacationing in New Hampshire. As we were
wandering around a computer tent sale, someone spotted Linda's HT and
said, "I bet you're a ham." He turned out to be Dave McLanahan, WA1FHB,
and we had a long and pleasant conversation about all sorts of things.
Eventually I introduced the subject of packet radio, and asked
innocently if Dave was familiar with the mode. He was not only familiar
with packet, he was on it! Living in a bit of an RF hole in the wilds
of southwestern New Hampshire, Dave goes hilltopping with a ZX81, a 5-
inch TV monitor, and a GLB TNC to connect into the Nashua, New Hampshire
area. With EASTNET growing as it is, he should soon be able to packet
without leaving his home. Via Dave Sumner, K1ZZ.
[Dave is General Manager of the ARRL -- Ed.]
PACKET RADIO IN AUSTRALIA
There are at least two active packet clubs in Australia, one in
Melbourne and one in Sydney. The newly-formed Melbourne Packet Radio
Group has four members: John Smelstorius, VK3ZVR; Ian Clark, VK3YRR;
Peter Jetson, VK3ZMB; and David Furst, VK3YDF. These four have started
a local net using the VADCG protocol. They will be attempting to link
to the larger group in Sydney.
The Sydney Amateur Digital Communications Group (SADCG) has an active
net of about twenty stations with a digipeater and a packet bulletin-
board system.
Perhaps someone will set up an HF or satellite gateway linking the U.S.
and Australia.
Via Amateur Radio.
THE PACKET ADAPTIVE MODEM
If amateurs are to construct a long-distance packet network in the near
future, some of the cross-country links are going to have to be on HF.
While HF links are not as reliable as VHF links, we simply cannot expect
to have a complete chain of VHF sites across the country as soon as we
need it. The HF links will have problems not encountered on VHF links,
such as long-term fading and multipath effects. To combat these
problems, Bob Watson, and Paul Rinaldo, W4RI, designed the Packet
Adaptive Modem (PAM).
Briefly, PAM uses a 600-Hz shift at 75, 150, 300, 600, or 1200 bauds.
Programmable switched-capacitor filters (like those used on the TAPR
TNC) keep the modem passband as narrow as possible, reducing noise and
QRM on the received signal. In operation, the stations using PAM can
determine the highest data rate that the link can support, and then use
that data rate. If the link gets worse, they can go slower. If the
link gets better, they can adapt and go faster. This should allow the
use of the best transmission rate for a given link. [For further
discussion of PAM, see Second ARRL Amateur Radio Computer Networking
Conference proceedings, published by the ARRL.]
PAM is built on an S-100 card, but only uses the S-100 power supply.
Serial I/O and filter control lines are provided through an RS-232-C
port.
Jon Bloom, KE3Z, has built two PAMs in the ARRL lab. One of these
"alpha test" modems will be sent to Ralph Wallio, W0RPK, and the other
will be set up at W1AW. Testing of the modems will then be conducted on
several HF bands.
After these units are tested, the circuit board layout will be updated
and several "beta test" modems will be made available for more
widespread testing.
RMPRA PACKET BULLETIN BOARD
The Rocky Mountain Packet Radio Association (RMPRA) is now operating
what they believe to be the most sophisticated packet bulletin board
around.
The system is a modified version of The Bread Board System (TBBS), by
Phil Becker, WB0EIV. It was donated to RMPRA and modified for packet-
radio operation by Phil and Dave Ebert, W7RH.
TBBS is a modular software system that can be easily modified by the
system operator to fit his particular needs. The RMPRA version is
accessable through the Pike's Peak digipeater or via telephone at (303)-
452-4735. If you want to call up and see the software in operation, set
your terminal to 300 bauds, half duplex, 8 data bits and no parity.
23-CM BAND PLANS AND PACKET RADIO
Although most packet-radio activity is now on the two-meter band, band
plans for the higher VHF and UHF bands will have profound effects on the
future of packet radio. The number of packet stations on the air
increases daily, and the need for high-speed, wideband links is becoming
obvious in many urban areas. Both of these factors will push packet
radio onto the higher bands, where several hundred kiloHertz of band
space should be easy to come by.
Since it is important for packet-radio enthusiasts to keep track of
VHF/UHF spectrum plans, we present here a proposed band plan for the 23
cm band.
The ARRL VHF UHF Advisory Committee will recommend a 23 cm bandplan to
the ARRL Board of Directors at the B.O.D.'s October meeting. The latest
draft of this recommendation contains the following allocations of
interest to packet-radio operators:
1240 MHz - 1258 MHz Wideband communications
1258 MHz - 1260 MHz Medium bandwidth digital duplex (with 1288-
1290 ).
1275.5 MHz - 1276 MHz Single-frequency digital
communications.
1276 MHz - 1288 MHz Wideband communications.
1288 MHz - 1290 MHz Medium-bandwidth digital
duplex (with 1258 -
1260).
1297 MHz - 1300 MHz Single-frequency
communications, eg.
digital, control links,
cross-mode and remote
base.
"Wideband communications" includes ATV, spread spectrum, and digital.
Those portions of the band allocated to wideband communications will be
coordinated by region. It is further recommended that coordination of
multiple users of a single channel in local areas can be achieved
through isolation by means of cross polarization and directional beam
antennas.
It should be remembered that the above is a draft of a recommendation
that will be presented to the ARRL Board of Directors. It is not a
currently adopted bandplan.
It is important that packet-radio enthusiasts keep in touch with
representatives of their local and national frequency-coordination
groups so that packet radio's future will be provided for. The ARRL
Board of Director's meeting will be in October, so be sure to express
your feelings on the 23-cm bandplan to your Director.
CLUB LISTING CORRECTIONS, ADDITIONS
Add to the listing of packet-radio clubs:
Oahu Packet Enthusiasts Club (OPEC)
P.O. Box 1355
Pearl City, HI 96782
Pacific Packet Radio Society (PPRS)
c/o Hank Magnuski, KA6M
311 Stanford Avenue
Menlo Park, CA 94025
Change these addresses:
Florida Amateur Digital Communications Association
(FADCA)
c/o Gwyn Reedy, W1BEL
812 Childers Loop
Brandon, FL 33511
Rocky Mountain Pakcet Radio Association (RMPRA)
c/o Andy Freeborn, N0CCZ
5222 Borrego Drive
Colorado Springs, CO 80918
TAPR GETS OFFICE
Tucson Amateur Packet Radio (TAPR), an international Amateur packet
radio research and development group based in Tucson, Arizona, is proud
to announce the opening of its office.
The office address is:
TAPR
1016 East Pennsylvania Avenue
Suite 302
Tucson, AZ 85714
Phone: (602) 746-1166
Office hours are 9:00 AM - 5:30 PM (MST) Monday through Friday.
The office staff is provided to expedite information requests, provide
spare parts support, fill orders, etc. They can NOT answer technical
questions. Technical questions should be routed to the TAPR P.O. box
(printed in the last issue of Gateway).
AEA PACKET RADIO INFORMATION
John Gates, N7BTI, of Advanced Electronic Applications is willing to
talk on the phone or correspond by mail to answer technical questions
concerning packet radio.
Contact: AEA
P.O. Box C2160
Bldg O&P 2006-196th SW
Lynnwood, WA 98036-0918
PACKET RADIO AT HAMFESTS
Several Buffalo, NY, ham radio clubs will be sponsoring the HAM-O-RAMA
at the Erie County Fairgrounds on September 7 and 8. This hamfest is of
intrest to packeteers, since the swap meet will feature computer
equipment and the presentations will address "Computers and Amateur
Radio." Jeff Ward of the ARRL will give an introduction to digital
communications at 9:30 Saturday morning, and Gil Bolke, of GLB
Electronics, will discuss packet radio later on Saturday.
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