[FARC] For Prospective Packet Users

Tue Apr 21 06:38:10 EDT 2009

I agree Kirk,

73 de rolan w3fdk

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Kirk Talbott" <KirkTal7237 at msn.com>
To: "Frederick, Maryland ARC" <farc at mailman.qth.net>
Sent: April 21, 2009 02:14
Subject: Re: [FARC] For Prospective Packet Users

> Roger Joe.  I had been looking around for Packet info, tutorials, and such 
> and besides Larry Kenney's very old Packet course, this one was the best 
> and latest I had found so far.
>
> Contrary to popular opinion from most quarters in our area, it seems that 
> old Packet is not dead.  While the old Packet has the command line 
> interface, to new-fangled Windows users it probably does seem 
> intimidating.  But remember, it was Microsoft that determined we had to go 
> GUI, not users.
>
> But the bottom line is, in emergency communication situations I think 
> we're going to need all the capability we can get no matter what it is or 
> how old it is.   Software like Outpost has made old 1200 baud Packet 
> messaging user-friendly purposely for ARES/RACES groups Emcomm use.   It 
> seems disingenuous for some of these very groups to label 1200 baud Packet 
> as too old and cantankerous for Emcomm use and to laud APRS/Winlink 2000 
> as the second coming.  For Emcomm we can use it all.
>
> APRS has its place in Emcomm situations I'm sure, but it has been my 
> experience in using a fixed APRS UI-View base station that messaging isn't 
> its strong point, locating things is and the primary benefit of APRS I've 
> always understood was in its mobile application.  So there's a niche in 
> Emcomm for APRS no doubt but I don
> t necessarily agree that APRS is the be all, end all, of communication 
> modes for Emcomm, it is just capability number one.
>
> Winlink 2000 is another facet of Emcomm which uses the Internet and can 
> use old 1200 baud Packet for messaging.  And if APRS can interface with 
> Winlink 2000 then that is fine too.  This is capability number two for 
> Emcomm.
>
> Granted, the old national 1200 baud Packet network infrastructure is in 
> shambles and from the perspective of a new Packet user like myself finding 
> a still operating node or BBS is like finding archeological gold.  Finding 
> the even rarer still Packet user out there is a special treat.
>
> I like to look at old 1200 baud Packet as what it must have been like in 
> its heyday, not as a technical anachronism.  You know we're still using CW 
> and not because it is user friendly and vacuum tubes still power  our 
> linears.  But beyond that, when I use a program like Outpost to send 
> Packet E-mails, bulletins, or NTS formatted messages to another Packet 
> user's TNC, or to one of the few full-service BBS's still around, or to a 
> Winlink 2000 node and on to the Internet, then this is a blending of old 
> and new and it is capability number three for Emcomm.
>
> With Packet we can do it all, so why not?
>
> 73
> KB3ONM
> Kirk
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> ----- Original Message ----- 
>  From: Joseph M. Durnal<mailto:joseph.durnal at gmail.com>
>  To: Frederick, Maryland ARC<mailto:farc at mailman.qth.net>
>  Sent: Monday, April 20, 2009 3:27 PM
>  Subject: Re: [FARC] For Prospective Packet Users
>
>
>  Hi Kirk,
>
>  That was a pretty good presentation.  Outpost looks pretty neat.  I'll
>  have to give it a test when (well, if) I ever get around to getting my
>  packet station setup.  Right now I'm using everything to get setup for
>  the hike across Maryland.  What I hope to do use the D700 with APRS on
>  one side, and an external TNC on the other, giving me a packet node
>  and APRS on the same radio.
>
>  I do think that packet tends to intimidate people.  Even without fancy
>  software, it is easy enough to use from the keyboard and terminal
>  window.
>
>  When using APRS & Winlink, I think some people are using packet but
>  they don't even realize it!
>
>  73 de Joseph Durnal NE3R
>
>
>
>  On Sun, Apr 19, 2009 at 9:09 AM, Kirk Talbott 
> <kirktal7237 at msn.com<mailto:kirktal7237 at msn.com>> wrote:
>  > The following is a very short intro/tutorial to Packet radio, circa 
> 2007. 
> http://www.scc-ares-races.org/packet/What-is-Packet.pdf<http://www.scc-ares-races.org/packet/What-is-Packet.pdf>
>  > Only for those interested in setting up a Packet station.
>  >
>  > 73
>  > KB3ONM
>  > Kirk
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