[Packet] Tigertronics SignaLink

[packet@mailman.qth.net]

Any opinions, experience, or advice to offer regarding the Tigertronics 
SignaLink sound card interface?  While the price is nice, I am most 
attracted by the use of the computer's audio in/audio out jacks rather 
than tying up a COM port.  Any other SCI's with similar connections that 
you can recommend?

MY EXPERIENCE WITH SOUND CARD SOFTWARE IS THAT MANY OF THE 
PROGRAMMERS ARE USING THE SERIAL PORT TO SEND COMMANDS / 
ACTIVATE THE RADIO / SEND SIGNALS ETC... I HAVE BEEN USING THE 
RIGBLASTER M8 SINCE IT CAME OUT AND HAVE NOT HAD ANY PROBLEMS.

I've been an inactive Ham for over 10 years, and my last dive into 
digital was the Kantronics KAM.  What's the latest and greatest rage for 
VHF/UHF FM digital modes (other than APRS...if I want somebody to know 
where I am, I'll tell them)?

NOT MUCH, PACKET IS STILL AROUND. THE NEW RAGE IS GETTING THE 
802.11 WIRELES COMPUTER COMMUNICATION SYSTEM (AKA. AIRPORT) TO 
WORK ON THE HAM BANDS AND HAVE BETTER DIGITAL COMMUNICATIONS 
WITH COMPUTERS (AUDIO, VIDEO, DATA)

Is packet radio and IRLP moving toward a merging of technology?

NO IT IS NOT (MY OPINION, I MAY BE WRONG)

Are the PBBS's still around, or did we move on to more exotic things 
like servers?

THERE ARE PBBS STILL AROUND. SOME ARE GAINING NEW USERS DUE TO 
THE ARRL EMERGENCY COMMUNICATION COURSES THAT ARE 
PROMOTING THE USE OF PACKET.

Can we now transceiver HTML and graphics and other goodies, or is 
everything still carved in ASCII?

NOT YET, MAYBE WITH THE 802.11

73
Bob WP4YJ