Transcript Packet Radio

Using It!
John H. Green WB4MOZ
[email protected]
wb4moz.mooo.com
(wb4moz.home.comcast.net/~wb4moz/)
Now that we have things set up let’s see what can be done.
Internet Access
In our area there are two Internet access points that can be used to access the packet network or conference
with other packeteers. Both N4JOA and WB4MOZ systems have these features. There are three methods
to access these systems – Telnet , Web page and tcpip.
TELNET:
•First you need a Telnet program – Putty or Puttytel are free and easy to use.
Puttytel is the simpler version and will suffice for most users. Search for puttytel, download (<300k) and
install (create folder, move puttytel.exe and create shortcut).
•Starting Puttytel should produce a screen similar to figure 1. Only the default setting should be available.
Figure 1 – Puttytel with no session loaded
To create a saved sessions, enter the host name or ip address and port number for each session using the
following info:
Saved session
N4JOA node
WB4MOZ Node
host name
n4joa.no-ip.info
wb4moz.com
port
8010
8010
Before saving each session click on terminal (in the left panel) and check auto under local echo. Click on
telnet and check passive. There are many other options that can be played with, such as font under
appearance.
When all entries are complete click on session, be sure that telnet is checked and then click on save to save
the session.
To open a session Bring up Puttytel - see figure 2
Highlight the desired session
Click on Load
Click on Open
A new window should open with a user: prompt.
Figure 2 – Puttytel with wb4moz node session loaded
WEB page:
1 - Using a Web Browser (IE, Firefox, etc.) enter the same url as above using port 8012
N4JOA node
WB4MOZ Node
n4joa.no-ip.info:8012
wb4moz.com:8012
2 – When the web page is loaded click on one of the selection to access parts of the node. Some areas
can be viewed while others will require a login to access the packet network. Click on Terminal, and
log - a terminal window will open and you can check messages, chat, browse the packet network, etc.
3 – The sysop functions are reserved for the sysop of the node.
BPQtermtcp:
BPQtermtcp is John's (g8bpq) latest program for accessing the packet network via the internet. Once
you acquire the program install it (create folder, move bpqtermtcp.exe and create shortcut).
Open the program. Click on setting / host and host x (whichever host you want to use) . Enter the host
per the following:
N4JOA node
n4joa.no-ip.info
port 8011
WB4MOZ Node
wb4moz.com
port 8011
Enter the user (your callsign) and password that you registered with the sysop and save. Repeat for each
additional node access.
Now click on connect and select the node you want to connect to. If all goes well the middle window
will show Connected to TelnetServer
The bottom (small) window is for entering text.
The top window can be used to monitor port(s) on the node. Click on monitor and select the desired port.
A filter can be set to provide an alarm on select word(s).
RMS Express
RMS Express is a Terminal Program provided by the Winlink Development Team
Works with the internet (direct access to a CMS) or RF
Supports attachments, multiple addresses and tactical addresses
See www.winlink.org/RMSExpress for more info.
Once everything is set up you can send / receive email via the internet or by connecting to a packet
radio BBS
There are several other programs such as Airmail, Outpost., etc.
See http://www.winlink.org/ClientSoftware for a table comparing program features.
Note:
It should be noted that 2 things are required to use any of these programs:
First (obviously) an amateur radio license!
Second – register with the sysop of the system you want to access.
•At this point amateur rules start – you must enter your call and password.
In order for the system to accept your call you will have to register with the sysop. To register
contact the sysop.
Once registered you can enter your call at the user prompt and password at the password prompt or in
the case of bpqtermtcp enter in setup. If all goes well you should see the node prompt or in the case of
web page access - a terminal window should open. On the wb4moz node you will be logged on with
your call-12.
RF Access
Make sure the antenna is connected to the radio!
At the cmd prompt enter c wb4moz-3 or well3 OR c n4joa-3 or c joabpq
If all goes well you should receive:
*** Local Connected ***
Welcome to WB4MOZ's Packet Switch in Wellington, FL.
Type I for Information.
OR if your signal can’t reach wb4moz or n4joa try k4pkt-8
At the cmd prompt enter c k4pkt-8 You should receive:
Connected to K4PKT-8
connection in progress...NODE -0
Connected to NODE-0 @ 3100561655
[DWJ-2.0r5-C]
NODE : K4PKT-9
Position: !08012.50W/2648.43NxF145.030
Type <ENTER> or ? for COMMAND help.
K4PKT-9 @ 19:58:32
: (A,B,C,H,H(num),HL,I,L,M,R,RX,S,T,U,UX,?) >
At this point you should be connected with a working packet station. If not, Murphy must have been
helping so you need to find out where he was. Sometimes antenna location is the culprit..
If not already connected to a node enter c wb4moz-3 or c well3 for wb4moz bpq node OR c n4joa-3 or
c joabpq for n4joa bpq node.
Now that you are logged on what can you do?? Actually, quite a bit depending on where you logged in
and what you want to do.
For wb4moz BPQ Node
-You are logged into the node - enter i for info which shows ports available, or ? for available
commands.
-Entering wl2k connects to RMS Packet (Winlink) , this is in a keyboard mode.
-n for a nodes list, etc. If you see an interesting node in the node list then c node name or call should get
you there, i.e. c joabpq will connect to n4joa-3.
-Entering bbs will connect you to the associated bbs where you can send and receive messages as well
as normal bbs stuff.
-Chat for world wide chat
-pbc for local chat (restricted to n4joa and wb4moz nodes)
-wpb to connect to k4pkt-8 (w/o entering c script)
-There’s more – again enter ? For available commands
-If you want to go out to the packet network then enter c x destination where c tells the node you want
to connect, x is the port to use and destination is who or what you want to connect to.
For example: (On the WB4MOZ node)
c 2 k4pkt-8 (or wpb)
connects to Palm Beach FPAC Switch.
c 2 node k4pkt-8 561994 (or boca)
connects to the Boca FPAC switch.
c 2 n4joa k4pkt-8 561655
connects to the n4joa bbs.
As you can see in the last 2 examples the destination contains:
- who or what you want to connect to.
- the entry point into the network (the FPAC switch nearest your location)
- the exit point from the packet network (the FPAC switch that will connect you to who or what you
are trying to connect to).
On the wb4moz node there are 3 ports available for general use:
Port 1 (1200b)
145.030 mhz
Port 2 (9600b)
145.630 mhz
Port 9 (axip (udp))
On the n4joa node there are 2 ports available for general use:
Port 1 (1200b)
145.030 mhz
Port 3 (axip (udp))
To connect to k4pkt-8 (Palm Beach FPAC Switch)
Enter c 2 k4pkt-8
You should receive:
(this uses port 2 (9600b) on the wb4moz bpq node)
WELL3:WB4MOZ-3} Connected to K4PKT-8
connection in progress...NODE -0
Connected to NODE-0 @ 3100561655
[DWJ-2.0r5-C]
NODE : K4PKT-9
Position: !08012.50W/2648.43NxF145.030
Type <ENTER> or ? for COMMAND help.
K4PKT-9 @ 19:29:19
: (A,B,C,H,H(num),HL,I,L,M,R,RX,S,T,U,UX,?) >
– enter ? for a list of commands
– enter i9 for info menu, then ix to see the info.
– to connect to another station enter c callsign-ssid This will attempt to connect on the default port 1
(145.030).
To use a different port enter
c 2:callsign-ssid (note the colon (:)). This will attempt to connect on port 2 (145.630 - 9600b). Good
for keyboard to keyboard..
– enter the letter a to see a list of quick connects.
To use a quick connect enter b to disconnect from k4pkt-8.
Now enter k4pkt-1 to connect to wb4moz bbs or k4pkt-5 to connect to wl2k via wb4moz-10 , k4pkt-6
connects to wl2k via kd4lxb-10
Screenshot of a connection to k4pkt-8 and requesting a (h)eard list.
Screenshot of the WB4MOZ Packet Radio Computer.
This is not an all-inclusive list of things one can do with packet, so play with it and enjoy
while learning!!
There are apps that can be used in smart phones and sound card tnc's that can be used also..
Have Fun, 73 John, wb4moz