Steve Homer (EI2GYB): 2018

Sunday, November 25, 2018

Donegal Packet Network (Part 5)

The Packet Network

Part 5

The next step in the BPQ32 setup is starting to add other nodes to the mix by way of adding a port to the BPQ.cfg file.

I added an AX/IP/UDP port definition.

This will then allow me to add other nodes via the internet, so users can connect to other countries and systems outside of Ireland.

I have not managed to MAP a node link to GB7CIP-5 to give me more nodes & bbs’s on the system.

I am also looking to map to VE1JOT’s system as well.

NETWORK 105 (HF Packet)

If like me, you find yourself in an area where there is low or no packet radio users there is always HF!

I have been using HF for packet for a couple of years now and have met & made some amazing friends that I often chat to.

Here is some more info on Network 105 (Net105) :-

Group Description (network105@groups.io)

Network 105 is a group of packet ham radio operators who enjoy chatting over the HF 20 meter band on 14.105 MHz LSB.
Most "conversations" are point-to-point, that is, one ham "talking" to another. However, at times, there can be groups
of operators communicating together on a converse channel, a place where multi-chats may take place!

Keeping packet alive on "NETWORK 105"
Packet is a sharing mode .. it shares info/data, ... and it shares the frequency.
In memory of Bernard Joseph "Burt" Amero, VE1AMA 1942 - 2010

This system being on HF things run at a slower pace, 300 Baud.

This is not a problem as it is mostly just chat. Keyboard to Keyboard conversations.

There are nodes & BBS systems on the frequency if people wish to send & receive Bulls & their mail etc

The best way to get onto HF packet is with a Signalink (Sound Card) as it is a bit more sensitive than using a TNC.

That said a TNC does not require a PC to be on all the time & can have mail / node functions.

Looking at Sound Card software, I have personally been using UZ7HO’s Sound Modem & His Terminal software.

These work great on modern Windows systems (Win 7,8 & 10) and is still being developed as I write this.

Also, the tones that the UZ7HO software produce are a little more robust on the HF bands compared to other software like AGW for example.

Never the less these tones are still compatible with TNC’s and other software like AGW.

Here's a list of HF Packet parameters we find most successful:

HB: 300
PACLEN: 60
MAXFRAME: 1
FRACK: 5
DWAIT: 0

If you have a more advanced TNC then also set these: -

PPERSIST: ON
SLOTTIME: 10
PERSIST: 63

If you are using sound card packet (e.g. AGWPE, MultiPSK, MixW) then
definitely check the parameters as most are at the default values for
1200 baud packet.

We use the following SSID convention:

-1: Personal Maildrops (PBBS)
-2: Cross-port digipeater (known as a "gateway" on Kantronics TNCs)
-7: Node e.g. NetRom, KA-Node, K-Net, AEA Gateway Node e.t.c.,

Thursday, November 15, 2018

Donegal Packet Network (Part 4)

The Packet Network

Part 4

Now that the basics have been setup and there is something for people to connect to, I think now is the time to start promoting the system and to get people involved.

Users are the heart and soul of a packet network, without them there is no network after all

I have found over the years that there are many Hams that don’t use the radio that much & Packet Radio is a great way for them to still be in touch with people & have a bit of fun at the same time.

Common misconceptions about Packet Radio…

Its Slow

HF Packet is 300 Baud and is designed as a “Chat” mode for typing to other users much like PSK.

VHF Packet is 1200 Baud but with a modern radio with a data port 9600 Baud is available.

UHF Packet is 9600 Baud and faster is common due to large amounts of bandwidth.

Its Old

Packet has been around since the late 70’s but it works very well, it’s a Ham network designed by Hams for Hams.

You need expensive equipment like a TNC

Most Hams already have what is needed to get onto Packet, A sound card interface like a Signalink.

Sound card packet works very well to 1200 Baud & does not cost a lot at all!

TNC’s are very cheap now but they are starting to increase in value as more Hams see the value in our own network over using the internet. You can pick up a TNC-2 on Ebay for about 40 Euros at the time of writing this.

I can’t hear any packet in my area or no local BBS

All the more reason to setup a packet station!! - You are part of the network by allowing people to use you as a node or digipeater.

The old software no long runs on modern computers (Windows 10)

There is a lot of new software for Packet Radio that people do not know about, Software like UZ7HO’s Packet Engine & Easyterm software for use with a sound card!

N.B – I will be doing a thread on Packet Software Soon…

I can just send mail via the internet

You can send Internet mail via your local node in most cases, but packet is “our” network and does not rely on the internet or any other services.

Current aims:

· Educate Users

· Packet Demo’s & Presentations

· Support New Users

· Setup More Nodes & Digi’s

· Add Nodes & Users to a Google Map https://tinyurl.com/ybgmgr7o

Saturday, November 10, 2018

Donegal Packet Network (Part 3)

The Packet Network

Part 3

The Journey continues with my Packet Radio adventure.

The Amateur Radio Emergency Network (AREN) in Northern Ireland seems to be using 144.650MHz

And that was the frequency I was going to keep the Node & BBS on.

So I thought a change was in order…

I have settled on the following frequencies:

HF: 14.105 - 300 Baud (Live)

VHF: 144.950 - 1200 Baud (Live)

UHF: 432.650 - 9600 Baud (Planned)

As yet I have not got the UHF port setup on BPQ nor do I even have the hardware like the radios setup.

I was thinking I could use my Kenwood TS-2000 to use as the radio system as this has 2 bands on it so I could use UHF & VHF on the same radio.

I am still undecided if the UHF port should be 9k6 or 1k2.

Id like to run 9k6 on UHF as this would give a faster connection to local users and I could also

use this port for forwarding to other systems via RF. – (Let me know your thoughts)

I was chatting with Paul G4APL on packet today to sort out my forwarding issue and we managed to work out the issues.

I had to add a list to the Hierarchical Routes (Flood Bulls) on the BPQ32 setup.

So far, I have added:

WW GBR IRL EU ARRL AMSAT ARL RSGB IRTS DATV ANT EVENT RALLY TECH PACKET NEWS

I’m sure there will be many more to add to the list, so these will be forwarded onto the system.

E.G if you type: SB PACKET@WW this will now send onto the system and be forwarded.

Anything not on the list will stay “local” on my bbs.

So, if I wanted to send a newsletter out to the club I could type: SB CARC@WW

This would then stay on my system and not be forwarded.

(N.B CARC = Carndonagh Amateur Radio Club)

I now need to start thinking on how to promote the system & get more people involved……

Friday, November 2, 2018

Donegal Packet Radio Network (Part 2)

The Packet Network

Part 2

It’s been a few weeks since I wrote Part 1 of this Packet Radio adventure and I have made a small amount of progress.

I was talking to a good packet radio friend Andy UZ7HO, who you may know as he writes the UZ7HO Packet Engine & Easy Term Software.

Andy and I were talking, and I settled on BPQ32, a Windows program that will run on Windows 10.

He sent me a config file to get me started that included ports on HF 14.105 lsb (Net105) and a port on 144.650Mhz.

Here is a list of the services that were added:

EI2GYB-3 / GYBBBS – BBS (Bulletin Board System)

EI2GYB-4 / GYBCHT – CHAT (Chat Server)

EI2GYB-5 – CMS (Email / Winlink)

EI2GYB-7 / GYBNOD – Node

It was then just a matter of playing with the config file to add connect texts & customise other messages to the users along with the beacons.

EI2GYB-7>NODE:

~~~~ ____|~~~~~~~~~~~~~|

Y_,___|[]| | EI2GYB-7 |

{|_|_|_| |_,_|_____________|

//oo---OO=OO OOO OOO

Once that was all setup it was then onto the BBS side of things.

For this I had a huge amount of help from Paul G4APL the sysop of GB7CIP.

We both managed to get my system talking to his & forwarding mail & bulletins.

It took a while to get the Hierarchical Routes & Address’s correct, However I still have not been able to send a Bulletin message or a message to go out onto the system so still some more tweaking to be done.

I have the HF Radio & the 2 Meter radio all setup and running now.

See you guys in the next part....

Donegal Packet Radio Network

The Packet Network

I love Packet Radio! Like with a passion.

It’s what got me into Ham Radio, so I do have quite a soft spot for it.

The sad thing is that Packet has been in decline for many years or, so people keep telling me.

Packet Radio “was / is” our network, A totally Ham Radio network that does not rely on anyone or anything else.

A great tool for use in emergency situations for passing messages, traffic & bulletins.

I know most hams today now use the Internet for sending & receiving emails/messages but that's not radio, that’s relying on another network that is not ham controlled & run.

I moved from Birmingham (UK) to Donegal, Ireland in 2005, Going from an area filled with VHF & UHF packet to one that is none existent was very hard.

All I have now is HF to play with in terms of packet. (Net105) on 14.105mhz lsb.

From the information I could find or rather not find; I have not found any Irish packet systems left ?!?

Where did they all go? & Why?

I did find a handful of APRS stations in Northern Ireland & the south of Ireland but they are very far away and there would be no chance of me hearing them.

So, with this in mind I've set myself a sort of challenge.

• To Promote Packet Radio anywhere I can

• Setup a Node

• Setup a Messaging System / BBS or link to one

• Setup an APRS Node or IGate

For the last year I have been gathering up equipment to start building a network here in north

Donegal with the hope more people will join in.

Well... they do say after all “If you build it they will come”

Now I’m not saying that this network is going to be anything like packet's hay day in the 1980's or 1990's but at least it will be a start...

Sunday, October 14, 2018

The new Radio / Computer Room (Part 3)

This will be the final part in this project and what a great project it has been!

I’m still moving my equipment in but by and large its completed.

It’s great to have the room to spread out like never before & to be able to sort my room into areas.

My main computer area with the 3 screens – My Radio Area – and a Workstation for repairs & kits.

Not forgetting to the far left of the room I have setup a work table & computer for my girlfriend Caitlin to do her University work on.

I have not yet started on the cable management as I’m still moving equipment about and it would seem silly to start using cable ties etc to bunch all the cables together until I am finished.

The room is far from finished as its always evolving as my requirements change over the months, but one thing is for sure, it looks great & is a great place to play radio 😊

Friday, October 12, 2018

The new Radio / Computer Room (Part 2)

It’s been a few days and the project is going well.

I have been moving all my “stuff” into the room so I can sort it and throw out items I really don’t need and put other bits away.

I have to say it’s nice to have such a good amount of room to play with in terms of storage & room to move, given I was in a 4’ x 8’ cupboard!

With the computer & radio equipment now moved in I will need to sort out some type of cable management as there is such a mass of cables behind the units that as I write this are just dropped behind all the units and believe me when I tell you it’s a mess!!

Andy ideas on cable management?? let me know!

Tuesday, October 9, 2018

The new Radio / Computer Room

The new Radio / Computer Room

Over the past four or so years I have been using a converted walk in wardrobe as a computer / radio room for all my equipment, as you can imagine it was quite small and cramped.

It was only 4 foot wide by 8 foot long.

This led to stacking equipment instead of laying it out like I have always done in the past.

I also had to keep a lot of valuable equipment and leads packed away and stored in stacker boxes and had to search endlessly through them to find the one lead or adaptor I needed to complete the latest task or project.

Well here is the start of the new radio / computer room!!

As you can see I have gone with just cheap units that I have had for years and a sturdy kitchen worktop made into an L shape that has worked great in the past and has given me access to all that I need.

I will be over the next few weeks be adding book cases etc but it’s a start to a wonderful project.

Check back soon for more updates through the week as I get more done…