[KYHAM] Looking for info on packet radio systems in Kentucky - attn Sysops

[Jeffrey Thomas]

I've started a project to attempt creation of a simple and centralized 
"repository" of data on various packet radio systems in Kentucky and I'm 
hoping some of the folks on this list can help me out on it.

Since the ARRL repeater directory doesn't contain packet radio listings 
anymore and there is either little or no coordination of packet radio in 
most areas, finding info on systems out there is pretty hit and miss.  I've 
looked high and low for such a list for Kentucky and found about nothing out 
there.  What little info I've come across is usually pretty well outdated, 
most stuff showing "last updated" back in the early 1990's.

Many would say that APRS is about the only thing saving packet radio 
currently and I'm not saying that to start any "flame wars" or the like.  
I'm involved in both APRS and conventional packet radio myself, both have 
their place, their pro's, their con's and the like.  APRS has seen 
tremendous growth in the last few years here in Kentucky....that's a good 
thing.  I also know there has to be a lot of "die hards" out there still 
doing work with non-APRS packet radio, it just happens that most of the 
attention is on APRS anymore.

I hope to create an informal "one stop shop" for basic info on packet radio 
systems in Kentucky on a website I "tinker around with" at:

http://www.ntmax.com/nkdxe/packet/

Considering the threats facing some of our bands, having consolidated 
sources of activity on the bands is a good thing.  I've heard the comment 
that there is only APRS left in Kentucky, some brief checks of various 
channels as I've traveled around tell me this is not the case, granted I 
don't hear any hotbeds of activity in KY other than 144.3900, grin.  Many 
have gone to 220 or 430/440 to escape the crowd and/or severe intermod on 
2m.  While still scarce, interest in the 220 band seems to be on the rise, 
that's a good thing considering we already lost part of this band years 
back.  We have a lot more prime radio spectrum than just 2m, as they say 
"use it or loose it."

Basically I'm looking for info on Operating, Under Construction, or 
Temporarily Off the Air packet radio systems located in Kentucky.  I would 
appreciate and welcome info on BOTH APRS and non-APRS packet systems in 
Kentucky.  I'm not out to replace the many fine sources of info on APRS out 
there and I may even be unknowingly duplicating previously done work out 
there...I just can't find it on the web.  This will be a rather informal 
project I'll work on in my spare time and hopefully it will be a good 
resource for all.  If the interest is there I'll do my best to keep it 
reasonably up to date.

If you would like to submit info, I'd appreciate as much details as possible 
since the usefulness of the site will obviously be dependent upon the 
quality of info submitted.  If you don't have a particular bit of 
information, don't worry just submit what you can the best you 
can...beggars's can't be choosers, grin.  Here's a good idea of the data I'm 
looking for on each entry:

Location:  (City & State, non-Kentucky based systems with considerable 
coverage into Kentucky will be considered based upon info provided)

Frequency:  (self explanatory)

Callsign:  (SIDs and so forth as applicable)

Alias:  (as applicable/known)

Sponsor:  Individual, Group, Club name/call?  Most systems seem to be 
individual or small informal group efforts.

Baud Rate:  (e.g. 1200, 2400, 9600, 19,200 and so forth)

What is it:  PBBS, TheNET node, FLexNet, ROSE, TexNet, APRS digi, DXcluster, 
Gateway, APRS I-Gate, point to point, and so on.

Use(s):  Tell me a bit about what it's for? User connects allowed?  Backbone 
only?  Experimental?  LAN?  Keyboard to Keyboard?  Many systems are used in 
more than one way, describe the best you can. I think you see what I'm 
looking for.

Antenna:  The basics.  Gain?  Omni?  Directional?

TX Power:  Transmitter power, not ERP.

Antenna Height:  Feet above ground level.

AMSL:  Ground elevation in feet at the site (Above Mean Sea Level).  This is 
better than antenna height alone if known.  Big difference between systems 
with an antenna at 40' up on a tower on a 900' AMSL hill and an antenna 100' 
up on a tower at 700' AMSL.

Your Contact info:  callsign and e-mail is fine.  Anonymous info doesn't do 
much good.  E-mail addresses WILL NOT be put on the site, just in case I 
need to verify or get clarification on something.

Misc:  Anything else you feel may be relevant?


While I don't expect a deluge of info, a lot of how I format it for the web 
page will be depended upon the quality of info I get.  For those of you that 
take the time to submit info on your systems, I thank you in advance.  I 
hope the web page will prove a valuable resource for those of us interested 
in this facet of amateur radio in Kentucky.  Again this is just a "spare 
time" project so don't expect anything super fancy with daily updates, 
although I think it'll be very usable when finished.

Thanks Again!


73 de Jeff, KD4EVB
kd4evb@hotmail.com







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