Chapter 5 Packet Operation
Mail for: K6RFK N7ML WO6P
...is a
BEACON
packet from KD7NM. Since the packet is addressed to “MAIL” we can assume KD7NM is a
packet Bulletin Board System (PBBS) broadcasting to the area that there’s mail waiting for these three stations to
read.
The following
BEACON
packet is an identification packet from a NET/ROM level-3 packet networking switch.
WN7ANK-8*>ID:
NET/ROM 1.3
(
SEA
)
In this example, the packet “switch” is operated by WN7ANK-8, but it uses the alias SEA as a
MYALIAS
callsign.
There are many types of packet switches now in use, but NET/ROM is one of the most popular. We will briefly
discuss using a NET/ROM switch later in this chapter since most switches operate in much the same way.
The packet below was sent by the network switch SEA to N7ML.
SEA*>N7ML:
SEA:WN7ANK-8> Connected to #SEA:N7HWD-7
This message tells N7ML that he is now connected to another port on the SEA “node” named #SEA. Again, we will
talk more about how and why N7ML might want to do this later in the chapter.
Who’s Out There?
If you don’t have a friend on packet in your local area, then you will want to choose a station you can reach.
Fortunately the DSP has a command called
MHEARD
that displays the list of the last eighteen stations it has heard.
After you’ve tuned to a packet station for half an hour or so, enter
MHEARD
prompt. You’ll see something like
this:
cmd:
MHeard
cmd:
MHeard
(
with
DAYSTAMP
ON
)
........ WO6P
21-Nov-95 13:40:35 WO6P
........ KB6IUX-1
21-Nov-95 13:40:25 KB6IUX-1
........ SEA*
21-Nov-95 13:40:01 SEA*
........ N7HWD-8*
21-Nov-95 13:39:51 N7HWD-8*
........ KD7NM*
21-Nov-95 13:39:44 KD7NM*
........ KG6ZL*
21-Nov-95 13:39:20 KG6ZL*
........ WF7A-9*
21-Nov-95 13:39:12 WF7A-9*
cmd: cmd:
Note:
DAYSTAMP is a virtual ‘postmarker’ of stations heard, displaying the dates and times stations are
heard. DAYSTAMP is not a command that is accessible with EXPERT
OFF
. The factory default for
DAYSTAMP
is
OFF
, so if you wish to see the dates and times of the stations heard you will need to set
DAYSTAMP
to
ON
.
The callsigns in the list are the stations heard by your DSP with the most recently heard station at the top of the list.
As mentioned earlier, the asterisks (*) indicate that the station was heard directly by the DSP. The callsigns without
an asterisk were relayed by another station and so cannot be connected to you directly without you connecting to a
node or digipeating.
Talking to Yourself
Most of us are a little nervous when we first get on-the-air in a new mode. In packet, fortunately, you’re able to get
a lot of practice just by talking to yourself before you send your first CQ or connect to someone else who has sent a
CQ. Once you feel comfortable with the basic operation of packet, going on-the-air is a breeze! To get some
practice, you’ll learn the important commands by talking to yourself.
Remember back in Chapter 2 the “loop-back” test where you tied together the green and white wires at the end of
the radio cable? Do this again with either the unused half of the supplied radio cable or you can use a small alligator
clip or a jumper wire to short pins 1 and 2 together in either Radio Port 1 or 2, whichever port isn’t connected right
5-6
September, 05
Summary of Contents for DSP-232
Page 120: ...Chapter 6 GPS Applications September 05 6 1...
Page 138: ...Chapter 7 Maildrop Operation 7 18 September 05...
Page 158: ......
Page 159: ...Chapter 8 ASCII and Baudot Operation September 05 8 1...
Page 185: ......
Page 186: ...Chapter 9 AMTOR Operation September 05 9 1...
Page 198: ......
Page 199: ...Chapter 10 Morse Operation September 05 10 1...
Page 207: ......
Page 208: ...Chapter 11 SIAM and NAVTEX Operation September 05 11 1...
Page 230: ......
Page 231: ...Chapter 12 PACTOR Operation September 05 12 1...
Page 240: ...Chapter 13 Troubleshooting September 05 13 9...
Page 254: ...Chapter 13 Troubleshooting 13 9...
Page 256: ...DSP 232 Manual Addendum September 05 AD 2...
Page 259: ...Appendix A Radio Connections Radio Connection Diagrams September 05 A 3...
Page 260: ...Appendix A Radio Connections A 4 September 05...
Page 261: ...Appendix A Radio Connections September 05 A 5...
Page 262: ...Appendix A Radio Connections A 6 September 05...
Page 263: ...Appendix A Radio Connections September 05 A 7...
Page 267: ...Appendix D Mailbox Upgrade September 05 D 2...
Page 268: ...Appendix E Schematics and Pictorial September 05 E 3...