[AMRadio] You might be (and probably are) an Amateur Radio operator, if:

[rbethman]

On 3/3/2011 11:10 AM, Geoff Edmonson wrote:
> On 03/02/2011 05:33 PM, rbethman wrote:
>> APRS - The abomination "Initially" called *Packet Radio*
>>
>> Renamed to APRS, Amateur Packet Radio Service.
> Automatic Position Reporting System
>
Okay, "missed" one.
>> The purpose of which *I*
>> saw as a misplaced piece of technology when the first "TNCs" came out.
>> I had a friend that was a licensed Technician Class, whom had to rush to
>> my house and have me help him connect his 2mtr rig to the TNC and a
>> computer.
> It's another form of communication.  Digital as it may be, it is the
> successor to RTTY, AMTOR, FSK.
> A technology (packet) that emerged about the same time that acoustical
> modems were connecting computers via digital communications over
> phone-lines...
>
>> It took about 2 to 3 minutes of watching this "method" of
>> *communications* to decide I wanted NOTHING to do with it!
>>
>> If you aren't in the "loop", don't sweat it!  You didn't miss ANYTHING!
>>
> As the years and technology progressed, digital communications has
> evolved and packet radio was very much the front-runner to the very
> technology you are using NOW, Bob, for internet access.  So, in a weird,
> twisted, warped sort of way, whether you realize it or not, you -are-
> using digital modes to communicate... even email ;-)
Geoff - I had a fair bit of involvement working with the folks that 
built the *IMP*, (Internet Message Protocol).  Tied the DoE into 
Lawrence Livermore Labs, Los Alamos National Labs, Sandia, and the 103 
DoE sites.  Also brought up and got going the DNS server for DoE HQ.

We added an X.25 "system" to perform some other tests dealing with OSI.  
Was one of those that met at NIST once a quarter to develop *GOSIP*, 
FIPS-146.  The plan for implementing Government Open Systems 
Implementation ?Plan?. (Not sure exactly what the "P" was for any more.

When I began, "internet" messaging was ALL conducted on UNIX, (All of 
its variants and flavors), using the sendmail process.

Yep!  Been there done that!  It was all black screens with green 
characters, and knowing WHAT commands to use to start it, end it, (the 
message), and the Send it.

All way old ancient hysterical records and past doings.

Bob - N0DGN