[FADCA] LAN and BBS in Ft. Myers/Lee County

[fadca@mailman.qth.net]

HI,

ED IS IN CHARLOTTE, NOT LEE COUNTY.  HE NEVER MENTIONED ANY CONVERSATIONS
WITH YOU TO ME.  HE HAS LEFT THE PACKET SCENE.  BOB NOW IS THE SYSOP FOR
KF4HFR IN CHARLOTTE.

AT A LATER DATE I WILL BE INTERESTED IN TALKING WITH YOU ABOUT SOME HELP.
 THANKS.

HOW COULD I GET A COPY OF AA4RE AND THE DOCUMENTATION?  I WOULD REALLY
APPRECIATE THIS AS MOST OF THE LOCAL PACKETEERS LIKED THE PROGRAM AND
HAVE EXPRESSED A DESIRE TO RETURN TO IT.  I WILL NEED HELP WITH SETUP AND
CONFIGURATION.  

WE ARE WORKING ON OBJECTIVES FOR THE LOCAL GROUP AND WHAT THEY WISH TO BE
DONE WITH THE BBS/NODE.
A MEETING IS PLANNED FOR SOON.

THE SUDDEN INTEREST IN FORT MYERS IS SURPRISING!

I HAVE TALKED TO SOME OF THE GUYS IN THE COLLIER CLUB TO SEE IF PACKET
COULD RETURN AFTER THE DEATH OF GARY.  THERE SEEMS TO BE NO INTEREST.  

73,
TOM, KF4UTH



On Sun, 08 Feb 2004 20:11:55 -0500 "John H. Green" <wb4moz@adelphia.net>
writes:
> 
> 
> 
>   
>   
> 
> 
> Hi All
> 
>     Boy, this is a busy day for the reflector!!
> Tom, kf4uth, The Palm Beach Packet Group has offered several times 
> in
> the past years to help set up a fpac switch in Ft. Meyers. We still
> have the offer open. We were talking to Ed, n9awp, about all this.
> 
> 
> 
> Just for info, the Ft Meyers bbs used to be aa4re, the same as I run
> here.
> 
> 
> 
> The La Belle digi was installed last year to bridge the gap from
> Clewiston to Ft Meyers. It is nothing but a radio and a tnc  set to 
> act
> as a digi. The call is w9vds-8. Eventually we plan to install a full
> fpac switch, time is the essential element.  Unfortunately, it has 
> not
> worked as well as we would like. The problem lies not in the digi, 
> but
> in the w4lx-2. When we were over there at a hamfest several years 
> ago
> we visited the eoc and discovered that the radios are separate from 
> the
> pc. There was and still is a 120 hz hum on the 441 signal and it has
> gotten worse - to the point where we can't get any info from w4lx-2 
> ( I
> just tried). 
> 
> 
> 
>  So probably the first thing is to clean up the signal so it is 
> useable.
> 
> 
> If you decide to setup a fpac switch let me know and I will prepare 
> an
> install package that will make it easier..
> 
> If you make it to Orlando stop by the trailer and we can discuss 
> more..
> We will be out in the swap area somewhere.
> 
> If not we can meet in Clewiston and have a get together. Frank, 
> wa4pam,
> heads the ec operations there and would be someone you might want to
> meet.
> 
> 73  John
> 
> 
> 
> 
> bud thompson wrote:
> 
> 
>   NOTE: I've moved this thread to the FADCA e-mail reflector as (1) 
> there are
> folks there more familiar with the lay of the land in the SW part of 
> the
> state and (2) getting a LAN and BBS up and running should be of 
> general
> interest and there may be some help within the group.
> 
> Deltona
> Sunday Feb 8 1750E
> NOTE: Not certain- I may have sent this one earlier this AM! It's 
> hell
> getting old!
> 
> TOM: KF4UTH...  Here are some response to your note below - hope it 
> helps.
> 
> I assume "DRSEY" is a DRSI two-port ISA TNC card with one port 
> inoperable
> and one port working 1200b packet on the UHF frequency to KF4HFR .  
> Is the
> inoperable DRSI port a TNC or an RS-232 port?
> 
> Is the computer running MS DOS and therefore FBBDOS?
> 
> Is the link to KF4HFR in Charlotte to a ROSE or FPAC switch, or to a 
> BPQ
> node?
> 
> There is no generic problem with KPC3+ TNCs not staying in KISS 
> mode.
> However, this can be caused by an old internal battery and temporary 
> power
> failures.
> 
> 'FBB' is the BBS program, not something you 'keep on the BBS'
> 
> Basics...
> 
> The assumption we start with is there are two or more packet users 
> in the
> local ham community, and that once a packet LAN is set up interest 
> will
> grow.  Users on the LAN want to be able to send and receive messages 
> over
> long distances using the network or to pass messages locally for fun 
> or in
> preparation for emergencies.  They may also want to do keyboard 
> 'chat' with
> each other locally or over longer distances with users on other 
> LANs.  In
> the case of NTS support there must be one or more local packet users 
> who are
> familiar with NTS nets and procedures and who will generally 
> baby-sit the
> LAN for NTS traffic.
> 
> A quick basic review:  A switch (FPAC in this case) simply supports
> automatically passing packets from one radio port to another radio 
> port.
> FPAC does not permanently store messages for later transfer.  A BBS 
> takes
> messages in, stores them on disk, and later sends them off to where 
> they
> should go by a routing scheme based on how the messages have been 
> addressed
> by the sender.
> 
> Typically an FPAC switch has a 2M Local Area Network (LAN) that 
> local packet
> stations use to access the network and to work each other.  Antennas 
> at
> switches are generally more highly elevated than packet stations at 
> hams
> houses, so the LAN helps locals work each other much as a repeater 
> does on
> voice.  Users access the switch through the 2M LAN to get to the 
> local
> community BBS which not all packet users can reach directly, or to 
> have
> keyboard QSOs with other stations on the LAN or on the network 
> through the
> FPAC switch function (which is automatic).
> 
> Typically a local community BBS is located at the sysop's house/QTH. 
>  That
> way the sysop can keep it configured and running w/o making trips to 
> a
> remote site where the switch may be located.  Where possible, and 
> the BBS
> has been configured and is stable, BBS may be located at the switch 
> site,
> but with FPAC switches, the BBS must be in a separate computer from 
> the FPAC
> computer. This is called a co-located BBS.
> 
> All local users access the BBS and the FPAC switch from home or 
> elsewhere.
> No need to physically go to the switch or the BBS just to use the 
> system.
> Typically, all an NTS users needs to do is post the NTS message to 
> the BBS
> and all else is automatic.  When an NTS message comes in from 
> out-of-area,
> it appears on the BBS and the locals read it and deliver/relay it.
> 
> Keeping in mind I don't know the lay of the land there - here is an 
> idea for
> Ft. Myers/Lee County.  Two Major steps - you already have the 
> gear...
> 
> 1.  Use the current computer (DOS?) at the EOC to run FPAC switch 
> software.
> (This will require someone from the outside to give you some help to 
> set
> up - but it may not come from very far away).  This computer and all 
> the
> gear you have now will be at the EOC- the switch site.  Once working 
> right,
> no one need to go to the site unless something breaks.
> 
> This FPAC switch will use the existing 2M radio on the LAN for your 
> local
> users (right now on 145.03 I believe).
> This FPAC switch will use the existing UHF radio either to Charlotte 
> or
> LaBell to link to the Florida Layered Packet Network
> This FPAC switch will support a 220 packet port to another network 
> link if
> desired/when available. (TNCs are almost free these days.)
> 
> This will put  Lee County on the Florida Layered Packet network, and 
> greatly
> extend the overall network coverage into a highly populated area.
> 
> Even though you may not have anyone locally there who has had enough 
> packet
> experience to manage the FPAC switch that is no problem.  Once set 
> up, the
> switch can be managed/configured remotely over the network.  Right 
> now
> needed changes to the Melbourne switch are being made from W. Palm 
> Beach.. I
> expect that WB4MOZ in W. Palm might take care of the Ft. Myers 
> switch
> remotely until someone there learns how.
> 
> 2.  Now you need a LAN BBS available so users can send, store, and 
> receive
> messages.  If you have someone locally who is reasonably familiar 
> with
> packet and computers he/she can learn about how to manage an FBB BBS
> (Windows or DOS) or any FBB-compatible BBS software that they want 
> to use.
> Actually once configured for local operations, the BBS can be 
> managed
> remotely by someone at a distance over the radio network, or even 
> over the
> telephone or internet. (At the sysop's house there would be a phone 
> line or
> internet connection.)  I can guarantee you that after a year, the 
> sysop will
> know all needed to know and will no longer need the remote help.)
> 
> If there is no one there who wants to take on the sysop job for the 
> BBS,
> then local Lee County packet users can simply use the closest BBS on 
> the
> network! (This would likely be the BBS in W. Palm Beach).  The 
> drawback to
> this is that if the network goes down, then Lee County doesn't have 
> a BBS
> during an emergency. Likewise if the W. Palm Beach BBS goes down.)
> 
> NOTE: There may be a concern using the DRSI card and the KAM+ on the 
> FPAC
> switch.  These are details we'll have to check that out.  Do not let 
> this
> dissuade you from considering  the above as the solution is to 
> replace those
> TNCs with more generic TNCs (used MFJS, etc,) which are super cheap.
> Trades
> might be made- in fact, the KPC3+ could be used by the sysop of the 
> FBB BBS
> at home and the DRSI card could also be used by an FBB BBS at home.
> (Slightly harder to configure, but we have folks who can do all 
> that.)
> 
> Hope this helps.
> 
> bud N0IA
> 
> 
> 
> 
> ----- Original Message ----- 
> From: <kf4uth@juno.com>
> To: <budt@cfl.rr.com>
> Sent: Sunday, February 08, 2004 01:22
> Subject: Re: [FADCA] Re: BBSs on Layered Network
> 
> 
>   
>   
>     BUD,
> 
> ON W4LX/-2 WE HAVE RADIOS FOR 2 METERS, 220, AND 440.
> THERE IS A DIRSEY CARD (ONLY ONE PORT STILL WORKING) ON THE 441 AND 
> A
> KAM3+ ON THE 2 METERS. (WE WISH TO REPLACE THE KAM AS IT WILL NOT 
> HOLD
> KISS, A COMMONLY DOCUMENTED FAULT.  A PROBLEM WITH MEMORY 
> MANAGEMENT.)
> 
> THERE IS NO 220 USE AS WE DO NOT HAVE A PORT ON THE COMPUTER AND WE 
> HAVE
> NOT OBTAINED A TNC.
> THERE DOES NOT SEEM TO BE ANYONE WHO DESIRES TO USE 220.
> 
> THE 441 IS USED FOR THE 'BACKBONE' RADIO AND FOR SYSOP USE.
> WE ARE RUNNING BPQ FOR INTERBBS TRANSFERS.
> 
> FBB IS THE SYSTEM USED NOW, BUT NONE OF THE LOCAL OPS SEEM TO LIKE 
> IT.
> IT IS NOT A MATTER OF EDUCATION, JUST FBB IS NOT SOMETHING THEY WISH 
> KEPT
> ON THE BBS.
> 
> OUR ANTENNAS ARE ON THE TOWER AT THE EOC.
> 
> WE ARE CONNECTED TO KF4HFR IN CHARLOTTE COUNTY FOR MESSAGE TRANSFER.
> 
> DOESN'T THIS CONSTITUTE A LAN?
> WHAT MORE IS NEEDED TO BE AN FPAC SWITCH?
> WE DO NOT HAVE ACCESS TO A PHONE LINE WHICH COULD BE USED FOR 
> TELENET.
> 
> THERE IS NO LOCAL CLUB THAT WOULD SPONSOR PACKET ACTIVITIES.
> 
> WE HAVE THE ONLY TOWER LOCATION WITH RELIABLE EMERGENCY POWER OF 
> WHICH I
> AM AWARE LOCALLY.
> THERE IS NO CHANCE OF GETTING A SPOT ON THE CHANNEL 20 TOWER WHERE 
> OUR
> NEW VOICE REPEATER IS LOCATED.  THE REPEATER CLUB HAS THE OTHER 
> LOCAL
> SITES OCCUPIED.
> 
> I HAD NEVER BEEN ADVISED THAT THERE WAS ANY PACKET ACTIVITY IN 
> LABELLE.
> WHAT ARE THE FREQ AND THE CALLSIGN?  I HAVE BEEN USING THE FORT 
> MYERS
> BBS/NODE FOR THE LAST FIVE+ YEARS.  AT NO TIME HAS THERE BEEN ANY 
> CONTACT
> WITH LABELLE OF WHICH I AM AWARE.
> 
> NOW THAT I HAVE FINISHED MY THREE YEARS AS CLUB PRESIDENT, I WILL 
> HAVE
> MORE TIME TO DEVOTE TO OTHER RADIO ACTIVITIES, LIKE PACKET.
> 
> I HAVE ASKED SOME OF THE LOCAL OPERATORS TO MAKE A LIST OF DESIRED
> FEATURES AND ITEMS NOT WANTED IN OUR NEW SOFTWARE.  THIS SHOULD BE
> DISCUSSED SOON.
> 
> PLEASE HAVE SOMEONE CONTACT ME ABOUT THE LABELLE INSTALLATION AS A 
> GROUP
> OF US WOULD LIKE TO VISIT IT AND LEARN WHAT WE CAN TO HELP KEEP OUR
> BBS/NODE UP AND RUNNING.  WE ARE INTERESTED IN LEARNING WHAT WE CAN 
> ABOUT
> FBB AT THAT  TIME.  I WOULD LIKE TO HAVE A TRAINED 
> ASSISTANT/REPLACEMENT
> ON BOARD AS WE NEVER KNOW WHAT IS GOING TO HAPPEN AND WHEN.
> 
> IS THAT THE SAME DIRECTOR WHO WAS GONE FOR A WHILE?  IS HE BACK?  
> PERHAPS
> HE COULD CALL ME AND BE OF HELP, ALSO.
> 
> THIS IS A THUMBNAIL SKETCH OF THE LOCAL INSTALLATION.
> 
> 73,
> TOM, KF4UTH
>     
>   
>   
> 
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