[Packet] No Packet in Columbus, MS

Tue, 10 Jun 2003 10:47:01 -0400

At 01:31 AM 6/10/2003, John asked:
>I like that idea, Ralph.  Do you have a link you could steer me toward so I
>can do some more reading?

I'd do a web search on APRS. I think you'll find lot of sites to explore. 
Here's two to start:
http://www.arrl.org/tis/info/HTML/aprs/
http://www.tawg.org/tawg3.htm

For an APRS program, I'd start with UI-View. By setting up its internet 
feed, you could get packet reports from around the world.
http://www.packetradio.org.uk/

An interesting internet-related application is FINDU. http://www.findu.com/

>Also, on the messenging service, since I'm in it
>for me too, would I be able to send regular packet messages and see
>bulletins?

Not in the traditional 'store and forward' ,BBS sense. APRS messages are 
really UI beacons typically used for short, real-time chats via RF packet 
or the internet feed. 144.39 is the national APRS packet frequency. There 
are also HF APRS frequencies, too.

73

Ralph KC2RLM

>-----Original Message-----
>From: [email protected]
>[mailto:[email protected]]On Behalf Of Ralph Milnes
>Sent: Monday, June 09, 2003 11:57 PM
>To: [email protected]
>Subject: Re: [Packet] No Packet in Columbus, MS
>
>
>John,
>
>1. You *could* try the ' build it and they will come' approach, but it's
>possible they won't be interested in what you build. So, you might first
>ask some of the local clubs or operators if they would be interested in any
>packet services, such as a BBS, node, BBS, or APRS digipeater.
>
>2. If I lived there, I'd want you build an APRS digipeater/I-gate
>link.  It's a service which might have the best chance to attract users --
>if you go with the ' build it and they will come' approach. APRS seems to
>have the most packet growth and practitioners nationally. And your link to
>the internet could bring in APRS stations from around the world, Natl WX
>service reports and warnings, and a simple messaging service. But even if
>the locals weren't too interested, you'd be providing a service to APRS
>travelers.
>
>73,
>
>Ralph KC2RLM
>
>At 11:48 PM 6/9/2003, you wrote:
> >Howdy,
> >
> >Last October I moved to Mississippi, and I discovered there was no packet
> >locally.
> >
> >Since I'm in a virtual black hole here for packet, I need some guidance on
> >how to bring it to the area.
> >
> >I have the following equipment to bring to the table:
> >
> >Broadband connection with a hard wire/wireless router
> >350 MHz laptop that I'm currently using for an EchoLink node
> >2-M radios
> >MFJ and Kam Plus TNCs
> >
> >What would be the best way to go as far as BBS software, etc. to bring
> >packet here?  I sucessfully ran an MSYS BBS in Alaska during '95-'96
> >timeframe, running a VHF Packet to 80M Pactor link into the Yukon, but my
> >the BBS I was forwarding to went to the Internet for linking and my
> >usefulness went away.
> >
> >73,
> >John/AA0NN
> >Columbus, MS