[FADCA] SWFDG Packet Update N4WFH

[Stacey & Bob H.]

The attached file is a duplicate.


Hello everyone,

    My name is Bob N4WFH located in North Port EL87vb one of the=20
three sysop who maintain the KF4HFR packet BBS in Port Charlotte.

    As I mentioned a few months back to some of you, I've added a=20
few folks since then, Ed N9AWP and I went down to the Fort Myers=20
ARES/RACES meeting to learn how they do things and their long range=20
plans. No sooner did we step through the door we met Len KC4GOA and Tom=20
KF4UTH. After greetings Len asked if we would like to reinstall their=20
Packet BBS using FBB, their system having been down since spring of=20
this year without a sysop, this being great news, no politics, sysops=20
egos to hamper with we took the invite and ran.
    Ed N9AWP checked out the computer which was dead. Ed also=20
checked the type II DRSI card and KPC-3+ on another computer. I stopped=20
by later that month, picked up the TNC's. Installed them into a=20
computer from the SWFDG's inventory, donated by Resty W4FFP's wife's=20
business. After a few weekends of being busy and Beau on vacation, I=20
met with Beau N9MFK at his house where we finalized using his own=20
version of a quick install of DOSFBB, this worked slick. We proceeded=20
to edit some of the files that are specific to W4LX PBBS. W4LX is the=20
New call for the Fort Myers Club Packet station located at the FMYEOC,=20
which I need to update at FADCA and other sites and listings.=20
    I took the unit home and installed Procom and some others=20
programs. Made some changes per Beau, updated the installation disk=20
and was somewhat prepared to install the PBBS, not knowing what TNC's=20
were connected to what ports during the previous AE4IG PBBS.=20
    I set up a Saturday afternoon with Len KC4GOA and spent four=20
plus hours, being a newbie and with little documentation, tried to=20
figure out the TNC to radio setup for the DRSI. My brain felt like an=20
air traffic controller's might feel after a four hour shift. But I did=20
come away with more than when I arrived. Went home, re-grouped, talked=20
to Beau, and arranged next weekend with Beau. I found a DRSI manual I=20
had for a Type I. Took it to work where I studied enough to pass a test=20
with a B+. I was ready as far as setting the DRSI up, even to the point=20
of rewiring the connections.=20
    Arranged another attempt with Len on the following Saturday.=20
After some testing I was ready to fire up the PBBS having Beau for=20
assistance via the Punta Gorda CARS K4IB repeater. Four hours later=20
with some editing and testing of different configurations W4LX PBBS is=20
perking along smoothly.=20
    We've made some other minor changes to include keeping W4LX=20
PBBS current via our backbone 441.000 from KF4HFR Packet BBS in Port=20
Charlotte.=20
    I would like to thank Len KC4GOA and Tom KF4UTH for offering=20
this opportunity which without Beau N9MFK's invaluable support would=20
have extended this installation for months. Thanks to ED N9AWP for=20
checking out the DRSI cards.=20
    Len KC4GOA replaced the computer from SWFDG's inventory and has=20
other computers donated by the County destined for shelters in the Fort=20
Myers area. Beau and I will set up another EOCFMY computer as a plug=20
and play backup for W4LX PBBS after we are sure W4LX checks out over=20
time.=20
    Looking forward to helping the EOCFMY group set up their=20
shelter computers. This is part of the overall communications plan=20
which will forward all Health and Welfare traffic and the supply and=20
occupancy list, to include non-Priority/Emergency traffic to EOC or out=20
of the area.=20

    KD4MZM PBBS in Sarasota is tranmitting again. Though not tied=20
into the SWFDG Network as yet. We're awaiting a coordinated schedule=20
with Eddie K4JP to visit the WA2LKI site in Sarasota. I will need some=20
assistance from the FADCA group in what to look for and in the near=20
future how to configure the station to best fit the area.


    The Extra Class Amateur Radio Club in Sarasota will support a=20
Packet BBS and is actively looking for a Club Radio Room. The radio=20
room will enable Club members to operate and test various kinds of=20
Amateur gear.=20

    As you may know Norm K4RBR is still in the hospital as of=20
earlier this week and not doing well. Norm and I were in discussion=20
about installing a PBBS in Lake Placid. Awaiting Norm's recovery we=20
will proceed.=20

    I still have much to learn and look forward to the next PBBS to=20
install. I have some Motorola Mitrek radios to setup. I've been setting=20
up a few TNC's, setting the mark, space and Demodulator tones, and=20
adjusting the audio output. I want to be familiar with all aspects of=20
preparation, installation and operation of the SWFDG Network.=20


73's Bob N4WFH=20




Hello everyone,

	My name is Bob N4WFH located in North Port EL87vb one of the 
three sysop who maintain the KF4HFR packet BBS in Port Charlotte.

	As I mentioned a few months back to some of you, I've added a 
few folks since then, Ed N9AWP and I went down to the Fort Myers 
ARES/RACES meeting to learn how they do things and their long range 
plans. No sooner did we step through the door we met Len KC4GOA and Tom 
KF4UTH. After greetings Len asked if we would like to reinstall their 
Packet BBS using FBB, their system having been down since spring of 
this year without a sysop, this being great news, no politics, sysops 
egos to hamper with we took the invite and ran.
	Ed N9AWP checked out the computer which was dead. Ed also 
checked the type II DRSI card and KPC-3+ on another computer. I stopped 
by later that month, picked up the TNC's. Installed them into a 
computer from the SWFDG's inventory, donated by Resty W4FFP's wife's 
business. After a few weekends of being busy and Beau on vacation, I 
met with Beau N9MFK at his house where we finalized using his own 
version of a quick install of DOSFBB, this worked slick. We proceeded 
to edit some of the files that are specific to W4LX PBBS. W4LX is the 
New call for the Fort Myers Club Packet station located at the FMYEOC, 
which I need to update at FADCA and other sites and listings. 
	I took the unit home and installed Procom and some others 
programs. Made some changes per Beau, updated the installation disk 
and was somewhat prepared to install the PBBS, not knowing what TNC's 
were connected to what ports during the previous AE4IG PBBS. 
	I set up a Saturday afternoon with Len KC4GOA and spent four 
plus hours, being a newbie and with little documentation, tried to 
figure out the TNC to radio setup for the DRSI. My brain felt like an 
air traffic controller's might feel after a four hour shift. But I did 
come away with more than when I arrived. Went home, re-grouped, talked 
to Beau, and arranged next weekend with Beau. I found a DRSI manual I 
had for a Type I. Took it to work where I studied enough to pass a test 
with a B+. I was ready as far as setting the DRSI up, even to the point 
of rewiring the connections. 
	Arranged another attempt with Len on the following Saturday. 
After some testing I was ready to fire up the PBBS having Beau for 
assistance via the Punta Gorda CARS K4IB repeater. Four hours later 
with some editing and testing of different configurations W4LX PBBS is 
perking along smoothly. 
	We've made some other minor changes to include keeping W4LX 
PBBS current via our backbone 441.000 from KF4HFR Packet BBS in Port 
Charlotte. 
	I would like to thank Len KC4GOA and Tom KF4UTH for offering 
this opportunity which without Beau N9MFK's invaluable support would 
have extended this installation for months. Thanks to ED N9AWP for 
checking out the DRSI cards. 
	Len KC4GOA replaced the computer from SWFDG's inventory and has 
other computers donated by the County destined for shelters in the Fort 
Myers area. Beau and I will set up another EOCFMY computer as a plug 
and play backup for W4LX PBBS after we are sure W4LX checks out over 
time. 
	Looking forward to helping the EOCFMY group set up their 
shelter computers. This is part of the overall communications plan 
which will forward all Health and Welfare traffic and the supply and 
occupancy list, to include non-Priority/Emergency traffic to EOC or out 
of the area. 

	KD4MZM PBBS in Sarasota is tranmitting again. Though not tied 
into the SWFDG Network as yet. We're awaiting a coordinated schedule 
with Eddie K4JP to visit the WA2LKI site in Sarasota. I will need some 
assistance from the FADCA group in what to look for and in the near 
future how to configure the station to best fit the area.


	The Extra Class Amateur Radio Club in Sarasota will support a 
Packet BBS and is actively looking for a Club Radio Room. The radio 
room will enable Club members to operate and test various kinds of 
Amateur gear. 

	As you may know Norm K4RBR is still in the hospital as of 
earlier this week and not doing well. Norm and I were in discussion 
about installing a PBBS in Lake Placid. Awaiting Norm's recovery we 
will proceed. 

	I still have much to learn and look forward to the next PBBS to 
install. I have some Motorola Mitrek radios to setup. I've been setting 
up a few TNC's, setting the mark, space and Demodulator tones, and 
adjusting the audio output. I want to be familiar with all aspects of 
preparation, installation and operation of the SWFDG Network. 


73's Bob N4WFH 

	

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