What is Packet?

An Introduction based on
a presentation prepared
by Jim Clark, N6JRC
Original Presentation, 10 November 2007

Packet A Quick Overview

Bulletin Board System

Packet Station

Outpost Packet Message Manager 2.2.0

Packet Station

Why are we here, really?

To dispel silly
myths about
packet radio!

Outpost Packet Message Manager 2.2.0

Myth #1
Sending messages via packet is difficult and
requires learning all kinds of silly commands
Nonsense!
If you can put on a set of
headphones and push a
button to talk, you will find
this easy! Just use Outpost!

Outpost Packet Message Manager 2.2.0

Overview
What is Outpost?
A Windows-based packet messaging client
Supports ARES, RACES, and other amateur radio emergency response
teams and their need to pass digital traffic
Helps automate the packet message handling environment
Manages all message handling between you and your BBS
Lets you read, delete, create, reply to, or forward messages back to the BBS

Outpost is a software layer that provides a nice user interface to

the complex world of packet operations, TNC usage and BBS
commands

Outpost Packet Message Manager 2.2.0

Overview
Why use Outpost?
Leverages the existing packet hardware, network, and BBS infrastructure
Compatible with many existing BBSs and TNC PBBSs
Uses your existing TNC and packet radio equipment
Only a packet client (end-user) change is required

Hides the complexity of the packet operating environment

Similar look and feel to contemporary email programs
Shorter learning curve for packet operations
Allows users to focus on the message, not the medium

Implements most local emergency management policies for digital

communications
Still under active development based on user requests and on-going
alignment with the Outpost mission.

Outpost Packet Message Manager 2.2.0

Overview
General Outpost Features
Message Management

Multiple message folders

Supports the three primary message types: Private, NTS, and Bulletins
Text Formatting in a free-form message window
NTS Message Maker with automated ARL message support
On-line report builder using report templates
Supports Urgent message, Delivery and Read Receipts

Send/Receive Session Management

Supports Serial, AGWPE, and Telnet interfacing to a BBS
Automatically controls the sequence for initializing the selected interface, connecting to,
and sending messages to and retrieving messages from the BBS

Configurations and Setups

BBS, TNC, and Interfaces manages a list of BBSs & Interfaces
Message Retrieval choose the message types ti be retrieved
Send/Receive automation 3 ways for automatically initiating BBS sessions

Outpost Packet Message Manager 2.2.0

Configuring the BBS system

Whats a BBS? (sounds like a bunch of bs)
A BBS (Bulletin Board System) is used as a
meeting place to store messages for others to
retrieve.
Most hardware-based TNCs (Kantronics) have a
BBS built in
Messages stored in memory
Number/size of messages

Can be on a Windows or *Linux platform

Database to store messages
Handle more concurrent connections

Outpost Packet Message Manager 2.2.0

Myth #2
Setting up a packet station takes lots of time
and way too many cables and connectors.
Rubbish!
It takes two cables! Or was that
3 cables. Maybe 4
Oh, it all fits in your Grab-nGo kit just like me!
Just take a look!

Outpost Packet Message Manager 2.2.0

TNC Terminal Node Controller

What the TNC does
Connecting the TNC to the radio and computer
Interfacing with the TNC

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Outpost Packet Message Manager 2.2.0

TNCs
What Do They Do?
Provides the interface between the computer and the
radio (digital to analog, like a modem)
Can be implemented in hardware or software
Hardware
Kantronics KPC3+, MT1200/G
Timewave
Paccomm

Software
AGWPE (with Buxcomm Rascal or SignaLink, or)

Can provide lots of functionality, or bare minimum

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Outpost Packet Message Manager 2.2.0

Kantronics

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Outpost Packet Message Manager 2.2.0

TNC A Look Inside the KPC3+

Radio
Interface
Packet
assembly/disassembly
Establish connection
Handle re-transmits
Accept incoming
connections

User
Interface
Set/check parameters
Enter control
commands
Command mode
Converse mode

Personal Mailbox (PBBS)

Memory
Config info storage,
mailbox storage,
etc.

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Outpost Packet Message Manager 2.2.0

SSID Whats That?

SSID - sub-station ID
Identifies various services inside the TNC
No SSID

The PBBS is a service

Most common SSID used is -1

Radio
Interface
Packet
assembly/disassembly

Examples:

Establish connection
Handle re-transmits
Accept incoming
connections

W6XSC-1
K6LOS-1
and so on

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Outpost Packet Message Manager 2.2.0

User
Interface
Set/check
parameters
Enter control
commands
Command mode
Converse mode

SSID = 1
Personal Mailbox (PBBS)
Memory
Config info storage,
mailbox storage,
etc.

A Simple Connect - Keyboard-to-Keyboard

K6MTV

K6LOS

cmd: c k6mtv
Connected
Hi Jerry, how are you
tonight?

connected to k6los

Hi Jerry, how are you

tonight?
Im fine, Tom, whats up?

Im fine, Tom, whats up?

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Outpost Packet Message Manager 2.2.0

<ctrl-c>
cmd: disconne

A Simple Connect - Keyboard-to-Mailbox

K6MTV

K6LOS

Radio
Interface
cmd: c k6mtv-1

Packet
assembly/disassembly
Establish connection

Connected to k6mtv-1
[KPC3p-9.0-HM$]
5000 BYTES AVAILABLE
ENTER COMMAND: B,J,K,L,R,S, or Help>

Handle re-transmits
Accept incoming
connections

User
Interface
Set/check parameters
Enter control
commands
Command mode
Converse mode

Personal Mailbox (PBBS)

sp
ENTER.

Memory
Config info storage,
mailbox storage,
etc.

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Outpost Packet Message Manager 2.2.0

Myth #3
It takes way too long to set the volumes at the
right levels. Youll never hear anything.
Hogwash!
Its just a quick flip of the wrist
and youre done! Just watch.

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Outpost Packet Message Manager 2.2.0

Setting the Volume

Setting the Correct Volume is easy
as
1. Turn on TNC
2. Turn on radio to lowest
volume setting. Turn squelch
setting to lowest setting.
3. Turn up volume until receive
light on TNC lights up. Go just a
little bit more.
4. Turn up Squelch until light
goes back out.

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Outpost Packet Message Manager 2.2.0

For more information

Visit the Outpost website
http://www.outpostpm.org
Join the Outpost Message Group
http://groups.yahoo.com and search for Outpost Packet
Send inquiries to
Jim Oberhofer, kn6pe@arrl.net
Or, Google outpost packet

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Outpost Packet Message Manager 2.2.0

Even more information

Kantronics
www.kantronics.com

Buxcomm
www.buxcomm.com or www.packetradio.com

AGWPE (AGW Packet Engine)

www.elcom.gr/sv2agw/index.html
http://www.patmedia.net/ralphmilnes/soundcardpacket/

SignaLink
www.tigertronics.com

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Outpost Packet Message Manager 2.2.0

Questions?

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Outpost Packet Message Manager 2.2.0