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Packet Radio |
Packet radio concepts have been around since the mid-1960's, but was first used on the amateur bands in 1978 through research done in Montreal, Canada. The first transmissions occurred on May 31st., 1978. This was followed in 1980 by the Vancouver Amateur Digital Communication Group (VADCG) developing a Terminal Node Controller (TNC). At the time it was also known as the VADCG board.
This first development was then followed by activities of the Tucson Amateur Packet Radio (TAPR) with the creation of their TNC-1 in 1982 and their next generation TNC-2 in '84-85.
The packet radio revolution was achieved when TAPR sold over a thousand TNC-2 kits. Until that time a few experimenters were playing with packet, but the large number of Amateur radio operators were not able to partake until the kit was developed and made available to all. The arrival of the kit made packet radio a mode that could be enjoyed by all in the amateur radio community.
From those humble beginnings, where packet radio was used by a few in any city or center, to today where there are tens of thousands of operators, no other part of Amateur radio has seen such growth. Today we are fortunate to have groups like TAPR who continue to make the experimenters kits in support of packet radio and the half dozen commercial manufacturers who keep the market full of a range of commercial terminal node controllers (TNCs) at every price range and level of sophistication.
Packet Radio is a system of using Terminal Node Controllers (TNC's) and Amateur Radio transmitters and receivers to send information from place to place in a similar fashion as the telephone based Bulletin Board Systems (BBS's) or the Internet. In fact, amateur radio packet systems are a part of the Internet. As with telephone communications, a computer is an important part of packet radio, although not a strict requirement. A "dumb" could also be used to communicate with the TNC. Using a computer enhances what can be done with the TNC/radio combination. The addition of the computer allows the operation of bulletin board systems, Internet gateways and various information servers and services over packet radio.
Groups of these systems form networks that allow us to cover great distances
one hop at a time. Although these systems are basically limited to line
of site, the experimenter part of the amateur radio operator has created
very large networks of these systems around the world.
Operates on VHF at 144.910 simplex on the local LAN
Operates on VHF at 147.990 simplex on the DX/Contesting frequency.
The Regina Amateur Radio Association hosts the VE5NN Packetcluster System on packet radio in the Regina area. A Packetcluster system is an innovative software package providing DX and content multiplier announcements and logging capabilities as well as some of the more traditional bulletins board system functions such as messaging and file/information storage.
Packetcluster systems features:
additionally our local system has installed
Operates on VHF at 144.910 simplex on the local LAN
The Regina Repeater Group in co-operation with the Regina Amateur Radio Association and the Avonlea Repeater Group sponsor and maintain the VE5TH BBS System. This system is a full service BBS as well as a key distribution/hub point for the southern end of the province.
The VE5TH BBS uses the FBB software program, created by Jean Paul Roubelat - F6FBB, to provide a full service bulletin board system for the Regina city and surrounding area. This BBS system provides a link into the provincial packet system on VHF and is sometimes connected to the HF systems via other local linking.
The system provides the following types of services
The following is a list of call signs you will see on-air who are providing some form of packet radio information.
| This web page maintained by: Bart Ritchie, VE5CPU |
Last updated: Nov. 7/02
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