[Pactor] PACTOR BBS

Sun, 31 Aug 2003 06:45:40 -0400

John/AA0NN

I am using two KAM version  8.0 and a KPC 9612 in a 24/7 USAF MARS BBS here
in the Washington DC Metro area.
The BBS software is MSYS version. Beta4. It is running on a Pentium 166 with
Windows 98 SE.

Each KAM is running one HF frequency. Since the KAM has only one port when
running PACTOR the KPC 9612 is used
as a VHF port. A KPC 3 would do just as well. I have used a MFJ 1270C but
had trouble keeping it in KISS mode which is required for MSYS.

This setup has been running very successfully for over a year and I am no
longer running HF PACKET at all.

If you would like to try MSYS I can send you the required KAM/MSYS PACTOR
initialization file which is a bit long and tricky.

73,

Ed WC4TT/AFA2ZS

-----Original Message-----
From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]]On
Behalf Of [email protected]
Sent: Sunday, August 31, 2003 4:06 AM
To: [email protected]
Subject: PACTOR digest, Vol 1 #26 - 4 msgs

Send PACTOR mailing list submissions to
        [email protected]

To subscribe or unsubscribe via the World Wide Web, visit
        http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/pactor
or, via email, send a message with subject or body 'help' to
        [email protected]

You can reach the person managing the list at
        [email protected]

When replying, please edit your Subject line so it is more specific
than "Re: Contents of PACTOR digest..."

Today's Topics:

   1. Pactor BBSs? (John Wolfe)
   2. Re: Pactor BBSs? (Jay Coote)
   3. RE: Pactor BBSs? (John Wolfe)
   4. Re: Pactor BBSs? (Jay Coote)

--__--__--

Message: 1
From: "John Wolfe" <[email protected]>
To: <[email protected]>
Date: Sat, 30 Aug 2003 13:02:23 -0500
Subject: [Pactor] Pactor BBSs?
Reply-To: [email protected]

Guys,

I want to get back into the digital modes, and I especially like Pactor, but
don't want to box myself into one mode.  I live in the digital black hole of
Columbus, Mississippi, and I'd like to put up a station of my own here.  Not
much interest in digital modes locally, and I'm okay with that.  I can use
the "build it and they will come" approach, and if nobody uses it, at least
I can be a relay in the HF world, and have a backup to Internet traffic when
it dies here.

So my questions are:

1.  What's the popular software for pactor stations right now?  I'd like to
put a BBS on the air.  I'd also like to stick to an OS I know, like DOS or
Windows.  I have a 350 MHz laptop computer that I currently use on EchoLink,
an HF rig, a VHF mobile.  My TNCs are a Kam Plus V7.0 firmware for
G-Tor/AMTOR/PacTOR, and an MFJ-1270C.  I don't have PSK-31 but might be
interested in exploring it.  I don't want WinLink.  I want something more
independent of the Internet.  I could use the Internet as one path, but I
would like to stay over the air as much as possible.

2.  What are some of the popular frequencies on 40 and 20 meters for moving
traffic?  How about some callsigns of the stations?

3.  Any other modes folks are using for moving traffic?  I also like G-tor,
but haven't heard of many folks using it.  Admittedly, I've been out of the
game for awhile so instead of spending lots of time listening around, I'd
like to get a head start on it by seeing what you folks know.

Back home up in Alaska, I used MSYS in the mid 90's and had great luck with
it, with one port operating on 80 meter pactor and another on VHF packet.  I
was forwarding traffic from Anchorage, to a station in Whitehorse, Yukon
Territory, Canada.  But then they got the Internet and I was no longer
needed.

Right now Alaska is in a black hole too.  They were using an Internet
gateway to inject traffic into their packet network.  Now their gateway is
down and they are without outside traffic.  My end goal is to have a
functioning station here, work out the kinks, then eventually move take it
back home to provide an over-the-air solution to bringing traffic back into
the state.  Single point of failures are not good.  More paths are better.

Looking forward to your comments.

73,
John/AA0NN

-----Original Message-----
From: [email protected]
[mailto:[email protected]]On Behalf Of Ed Tanton
Sent: Friday, August 29, 2003 7:24 PM
To: PACTOR Reflector
Subject: [Pactor] YAHOO email addresses

I have once again been forced to place YAHOO.COM in my TOTAL REJECT
category within my SPAM program.

(snip)

--__--__--

Message: 2
To: [email protected]
From: "Jay Coote" <[email protected]>
Subject: Re: [Pactor] Pactor BBSs?
Date: (No, or invalid, date.)
Reply-To: [email protected]

I've operated a PACTOR/AMTOR/GTOR BBS by using only a dedicated KAM, HF =
radio and VHF radio.  I did not use BBS software on mine, and just set =
up the KAM to act as the BBS.  This worked adequately for my needs.  The =
KAM VHF packet port could be set up for forwarding/reverse and an agreeme=
nt made with local BBS sysops.  The VHF packet port would then forward/re=
ceive/send messages which could be sent/received by those on the TOR mode=
s.
Of course a KAM can be set up so the HF port will take all incoming conne=
ct requests; AMTOR/PACTOR or GTOR though most hams seem to use PACTOR.

If you wanted to be part of a network, and use full forwarding, then I =
would suggest coordinating with other HF and VHF  forwarding BBS sysops =
and using BBS software they suggest.

Choice of frequency is important.  For emergency communications, and soli=
d "local" coverage withing a few counties or a state, you would use 4 or =
7 Mhz.  For wider coverage 7, 10 or 14 MHz.
As you go to the higher bands, you may lose reliable, 24-hour local or =
regional coverage. Horizontal or NVIS antennas on 2, 4, 7 or 10 MHz fill =
in local coverage holes or "skip zones"

Jay
AAR9QM/W6CJ

----------

Message: 3
From: "John Wolfe" <[email protected]>
To: <[email protected]>
Subject: RE: [Pactor] Pactor BBSs?
Date: Sat, 30 Aug 2003 14:45:31 -0500
Reply-To: [email protected]

Thanks Jay.  I've done what you've described in the past.  It worked well
for me too, and that's probably the way I will go at least at the start.  I
really like that "TOR" mode.

On your Kam, did you go with the standard 100K mailbox, or did you beef it
up?

I guess the frequency will be dependent on what I can hear.  I'm thinking 7
MHz, initially.  I have a vertical antenna due to my space restrictions.  I
live on an Air Force base, so I am restricted to what I can put up, chiefly
for aesthetic reasons.  When I go home, the sky's the limit.

73,
John/AA0NN

Message: 4
To: [email protected]
From: "Jay Coote" <[email protected]>
Subject: Re: [Pactor] Pactor BBSs?
Date: (No, or invalid, date.)
Reply-To: [email protected]

John,
Mine was a KAM with the 7.0 or 8.0 upgrades.  I did not add to the BBS =
memory.
I have been meaning to go over my 2 KAMs and maybe dedicate one of them =
as
a HF-VHF connect between packet (VHF) and tor (HF) for MARS...
73
Jay

_______________________________________________
PACTOR mailing list
[email protected]
http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/pactor

End of PACTOR Digest