WELCOME

WELCOMEFEBRUARY 18, 2012Packet Workshop

Thanks to our host, Subaru of Indiana Automotive (SIA) for the generous use of their facilities, and to Dan, WA9DDI, for helping make it all happen.

• Housekeeping Issues• Smoking Location• Restroom Locations• Comments and Questions

Etiquette

Amateur RadioPacket

“The Relevance of

30-Year Old Technologyin the 21st Century”

Cessna 150 Lockheed F-117

Packet Workshop 3 Modules

Basics of Packet & TNC Setup

Using Terminal Mode

Configuring & Using Outpost

Tools Needed Computer with Outpost TNC (KPC-3 or other already working model) Serial port cable (w/adapter, if needed) Power source for computer & TNC 2M transceiver, antenna (dummy load) Connecting cable for TNC-to-Radio Power source for transceiver

Why are we here ?… and, why are we talking about packet ?

Emergency Management, Police, Fire, EMS Hospitals, Nursing Homes, Schools Red Cross, Salvation Army

INFORMATION -- DATA

Amateur Radio Volunteerism! - a desire to help Communications Structure

Why are we here ?… and, why are we talking about packet ?

What is Packet Radio ?… in a nutshell

One of many digital modes that hams can use to build wireless computer networks

Built on the AX.25 protocol, a mature extension of the industry standard X.25 Transparency Error correction Automatic control

Data transfer speeds from 300 baud up to 19.2 kb frequency dependent; higher speeds = wider bandwidth

What is Packet Radio ?… the advantages

Error free Date/time stamp messages Can provide a message hard copy Single frequency - “store & forward” Relatively low cost Reliable Scalable Self-building infrastructure

What is Packet Radio ?… the advantages

Long Messages We know to keep it under 25 words; served agencies

often don’t/won’t Complex Messages

“Need to swap 22 20-gallon drums of acetalethelhexabadstuff for 4 4-gallon drums of phenylbromotetragoodstuff”

Lists of names, addresses, phone numbers, call signs, etc.

High Volume Messages Transmit, log, and print much faster than by voice

What is Packet Radio ?… the disadvantages

Requires operator training Specialized hardware needed Minimum number of stations required for an

effective network Duplication of radio equipment required to

maintain 2M voice operations for nets May interfere with co-located 2M voice operation Single frequency reduced throughput Slow speeds compared to Internet

What is Packet Radio ?… the components

Power supply


Power supply TNC Radio


Power supply TNC Radio Laptop


Power supply TNC Radio Laptop Printer


Power supply TNC Radio Laptop Printer Task Lighting


Power supply TNC Radio Laptop Printer Task Lighting “Comfort” considerations

(fan, heater, etc.)


Power supply Computer


Power supply Computer TNC

Terminal NodeController Modem Packet Assembler/Disassembler (PAD)

AGW Packet Engine(AGWPE)


Power supply Computer TNC Radio

Mobilepreferred

Don’t forgetthe cable!


Power supply Computer TNC Radio Antenna

PDI Size (height) Matters Height vs. Power

Friends don’tlet friendsuse RG-58…or cheap,

“hamfest special”connectors


Power supply Computer TNC Radio Antenna Operator

• A Windows-based packet messaging client• Supports ARES, RACES, and other 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.

What is Outpost ?

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

• 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.

Installing Outpost… to communicate with your TNC

Desktop Icons

Ipserial

OutpostPMM

Installing Outpost… to communicate with your TNC

No serial port on your computer? Converters with FTDI

chipsets work best Get latest drivers for your OS

USB-to-Serial Port Converter… to communicate with your TNC

USB-to-serial port converter installed – now what? Determine what

COM port Windowsassigned to it

USB-to-Serial Port Converter… to communicate with your TNC

4 connections between radio and TNC

Connecting TNC to Radio… difficult part #2

Radio TNCAudio out Audio in

Audio in Audio out

PTT PTT

Ground Ground

6-pin mini-DIN “data” or “packet” connector Industry standard adopted by all Japanese manufacturers Less expensive radios do not have it


“Roll your own” or buy pre-made Must be built for your specific radio and specific TNC


Audio levels are critical for proper operation Radios with mini-DIN connectors make it easy Using speaker jack requires careful volume

adjustment (usually about 1/3 up) Unsquelch radio when using KPC-3 with “CD software”

Set squelch just above threshold when using other TNC


Relax Believe it or not, the hard part is over.

Have fun while you learn “Playing” on packet actually develops your skills

The Packet Station… ready for action

Digipeater Node (TCARES, CYCLON, INHOWA, NOIRAM) PBBS (W9TCA-1, AB9LE-1, WR9A-1, etc.) “Full service” BBS (aka: cluster)

BBS Conference room Multiple ports Backbone access / Internet access

Backbone

The Packet Network… what is it exactly?

What is Packet Radio… what can we connect to ?

Why use Packet Radio ?… the case for packet

BBS Message “Store and Forward” Message storage, retrieval, and forwarding Messages stored for retrieval at any time


Home stations with Internet access can greatly enhance the local packet network’s capabilities


Full-service BBSs and nodes often use another frequency to exchange large amounts of data

This is known as the “backbone” Internet can also be used to link BBSs & nodes

Why use Packet Radio ?… interoperability

What if I …… can’t access the local BBS directly ?

WELCOME

Documents

Transcript of WELCOME