Packet radio
Packet radio is a digital mode and protocol used for digital communication over amateur radio. Packet radio is connection (session) based, and supports a store and forward model of message passing.
AX.25[edit]
Based on the X.25 protocol, fine tuned for amateur radio.
Typically 300 baud SSB for HF or 1200 baud FM for UHF/VHF. 9600 is also supported using specially modified radios on UHF/SHF, although PSK31 is more common there.
Other protocols (such as APRS and TCP/IP) may be encapsulated in AX.25 packets.
Digipeaters[edit]
A digitpeater can be set up to forward packets from or to local stations. Typically, a digipeater is on a high tower (much like a voice repeater) to cover a large area, although it could be any system. A mobile radio could be used as a digipeater to relay for a near by low power handheld.
Digipeater software and setup...
Packet Radio BBS's[edit]
A packet radio BBS can store messages in mailboxes and hold messages for forwarding to
KISS mode TNC[edit]
A standard or fully implemented TNC contains protocol layers between the TNC and the serial port intended as a human interface allowing the TNC to take care of the details of formatting packets for the protocol in use. KISS mode is intended for direct TNC to computer software interface, where the software in use on the host computer will need full control of packet contents and format.
needed equipment[edit]
- Radio
- TNC
- dumb terminal
Alternately, a computer can replace the dumb terminal used with any serial communications program, or a packet specific program which might also allow file transfer, etc.
Also, the TNC can be replaced with a soundcard and software (windows AGWPE, linux soundmodem, linux kernel AX.25 driver).
Software[edit]
- AGWPE (AGW Packet Engine)
- website includes multiple Microsoft Windows packet radio programs including sound card TNC emulation
- Linux AX25 kernel driver
- built into linux, see http://en.tldp.org/HOWTO/AX25-HOWTO/
- soundmodem
- user mode soundcard TNC for all platforms (Windows, Linux, Solaris)
- mixw
- supports multiple digital modes
- LinPaK
- Linux packet radio and email system
- TNT and DPBox
- Linux full featured TNC including host mode BBS software and clients
- Airmail
- Dire Wolf is a modern software replacement for the old 1980's style TNC with specialized hardware.
Without any additional software, it can perform as:
- APRS GPS Tracker
- Digipeater
- Internet Gateway (IGate)
- APRStt gateway
It can also be used as a virtual TNC for other applications such as APRSIS32, UI-View32, Xastir, APRS-TW, YAAC, UISS, Linux AX25, SARTrack, Winlink Express (formerly known as RMS Express, formerly known as Winlink 2000 or WL2K), BPQ32, Outpost PM, and many others.
External links[edit]
- Wikipedia:Packet radio
- http://www.tapr.org/tapr/html/pktf.html
- http://ka1fsb.home.att.net/
- Linux links
- HAMSOFT Linux Software for the Hamradio Community
- Linux Amateur Radio AX.25 HOWTO]
- FBB Packet-radio BBS mini-HOWTO
- Netrom-Node mini-Howto set up AX.25 and FBB in a netrom
- Packet Radio and Similar Digital Radio Modes