This page serves as an introduction, with these other pages discussing setting up Direwolf and QtTermTCP as a client and then setting up a BBS with LinBPQ (or WinBPQ).

We've primarily been focused on HF, but local packet networks are still on the air, and can be done with a VHF FM transceiver and a sound card interface, following the same process outlined here.

To get connected on HF:

1. a HF transceiver
2. USB audio to transceiver interface such as:
   1. These are built into many recent HF transceiver models (examples: the Icom IC-7300, Yaesu FTDX10, and others), but if you have a radio without one, they are commonly available as accessories such as the:
      1. digirig
      2. Yaesu SCU-17
      3. Signalink
      4. Rigblaster Plug-and-Play
3. Computer
4. Software Modem (Hardware modems or TNCs work as well, but we recommend software)
   1. Direwolf (Windows/Linux/MacOS) – our first choice
   2. SoundModem (Windows)
   3. QtSoundModem (Windows/Linux)
5. Terminal emulator for Packet (KISS TNC or AGW frame compatible)
   1. EasyTerm (Windows)
   2. QtTermTCP (Windows/Linux/MacOS)
   3. LinPac (Linux) ncurses 😎

1. Fx.25 (AX.25 + backwards compatible FEC)
2. IL2P (next gen AX.25 + FEC, not backwards compatible)

We're primarily active on “Network 105” - (14.105 LSB, yes, LSB) and Net40, (7.104 LSB) local VHF channels. FARPN may move to another channel in the future if we become active enough.

The best way is to tune to the Net105 frequency and start up your AFSK modem of choice. We like Direwolf, as it includes the FX.25 and IL2P modes, and cover configuring it on another page. On your radio, make sure to use the most appropriate mode available (if possible, DATA, DIGI, etc., if those are not an option, FM or SSB) and set the appropriate sideband. If your radio has an offset setting for the digital mode, make sure to set it to 0Hz. To start, we recommend setting your AGC to fast and the radio wide open.

For TX volume, we want to set the levels just under the point that ALC would be triggered and in general, you don’t want to amplify a signal more than is necessary as it introduces unnecessary noise. Then, test your transmissions into a dummy load, or lower power off channel first. You'll want to make sure that the ALC is not, or barely engaged, by adjusting the volume on your computer or external sound card.

Next, you’ll need to connect a terminal emulator like QtTermTCP or EasyTerm to your TNC via the telnet port the software exposes. Once you’re connected, you’ll be able to tell your TNC to connect to a station you’ve decoded messages from as well as call CQ if you’d like in ‘Listen’ mode.

If you have a little time, we highly recommend first reading this packet radio primer by Larry Kenney, WB9LOZ. While not new, nothing has really changed other than the TNC’s being implemented in software

Depending on the type of station you’re connecting to, you may have access to a BBS, multiuser chat, file transfer, and potentially internet connected services. Commands will vary depending on the TNC software/hardware of the station you are connected to. Sending ‘?’, ‘h’, ‘/h’, or ‘help’ will usually get you the list of commands available. Often the SSID or lack therof will tell you a little about the station. In the most basic of TNC to TNC connections, you’re left with just a direct serial or telnet connection to the sysop.

Common HF Packet SSIDs:

1. 0/R (or no SSID) = Direct sysop K2K chat
2. 1/B = BBS
3. 4/C = Chat
4. 7/N = Node
5. 15,-14,-13 = OP is connecting through other station(s). The SSID decrements by one for each hop. The base SSID of 0 loops back to 15 on the first connection out.

There are others but these are the most common you’ll see on Net105 as it was designed to be a place for live K2K chats.

Otherwise, these are the preferred or priority Automatic Controlled Data Station (ACDS) segments per the IARU R2 Band Plan

  10m
      28120-28150 – 500Hz BW
      28300-28320 – 2700Hz BW
      29200-29300 – 6000Hz BW
  12m
      24925-24929 – 500Hz BW
      24931-24940 – 2700Hz BW
  15m
      21090-21110kHz – 500Hz BW
      21110-21120kHz – 2700Hz BW
  17m
      18105-18109kHz – 500Hz BW
      18111-18120kHz – 2700Hz BW
  20m
      14089-14099kHz – 500Hz BW
      14101-14112kHz – 2700Hz BW
      Net105 – 14105kHz LSB
  30m
      10130 – 10140kHz – 500Hz BW
      Net30 – 10144kHz LSB
  40m
      7047-7050kHz – 500Hz BW
      7050-7053kHz – 2700Hz BW
  80m
      3590-3600kHz – 500Hz BW
      3600-3625kHz – 2700Hz BW
  160m
      1839-1840kHz – 200Hz BW

The short answer is, it depends:

  The automatically controlled station either must be connected to another station that is under manual control, or the automatically controlled station must transmit only within a subband designated for communications between automatically controlled stations.
  https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-1995-05-16/pdf/95-11978.pdf

The way this has been interpreted for US amateur stations is that a OP↔BBS is okay anywhere digital is allowed but BBS↔BBS (forwarding) needs to be in the ACDS subband defined below.

To make matters more complicated, the ARRL has not lobbied the FCC to enact laws that conform to the regionally agreed upon ACDS segments.

  § 97.221 Automatically controlled digital station.
  (a) This rule section does not apply to an auxiliary station, a beacon station, a repeater station, an earth station, a space station, or a space telecommand station. 
  (b) A station may be automatically controlled while transmitting a RTTY or data emission on the 6 m or shorter wavelength bands, and on the 28.120–28.189 MHz, 24.925–24.930 MHz, 21.090–21.100 MHz, 18.105–18.110 MHz, 14.0950–14.0995 MHz, 14.1005–14.112 MHz, 10.140–10.150 MHz, 7.100–7.105 MHz, or 3.585–3.600 MHz segments. 
  (c) Except for channels specified in § 97.303(h), a station may be automatically controlled while transmitting a RTTY or data emission on any other frequency authorized for such emission types provided that: 
  (1) The station is responding to interrogation by a station under local or remote control; and 
  (2) No transmission from the automatically controlled station occupies a bandwidth of more than 500 Hz. 
  [60 FR 26001, May 16, 1995, as amended at 72 FR 3082, Jan. 24, 2007; 77 FR 5412, Feb. 3, 2012]
  https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-47/chapter-I/subchapter-D/part-97/subpart-C/section-97.221
  § 97.221 Automatically controlled digital station.
  (a) This rule section does not apply to an auxiliary station, a beacon station, a repeater station, an earth station, a space station, or a space telecommand station. 
  (b) A station may be automatically controlled while transmitting a RTTY or data emission on the 6 m or shorter wavelength bands, and on the 28.120–28.189 MHz, 24.925–24.930 MHz, 21.090–21.100 MHz, 18.105–18.110 MHz, 14.0950–14.0995 MHz, 14.1005–14.112 MHz, 10.140–10.150 MHz, 7.100–7.105 MHz, or 3.585–3.600 MHz segments. 
  (c) Except for channels specified in § 97.303(h), a station may be automatically controlled while transmitting a RTTY or data emission on any other frequency authorized for such emission types provided that: 
  (1) The station is responding to interrogation by a station under local or remote control; and 
  (2) No transmission from the automatically controlled station occupies a bandwidth of more than 500 Hz. 
  [60 FR 26001, May 16, 1995, as amended at 72 FR 3082, Jan. 24, 2007; 77 FR 5412, Feb. 3, 2012]
  https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-47/chapter-I/subchapter-D/part-97/subpart-C/section-97.221
  

  10m
      28120–28189 kHz – 500Hz BW
  12m
      24.925–24.930 kHz – 500Hz BW
  15m
      21090–21100 kHz – 500Hz BW
  17m
      18105–18110 kHz – 500Hz BW
  20m
      140950–140995 kHz – 500Hz BW
      141005–141120 kHz – 500Hz BW
      Net105 – 14105kHz LSB
  30m
      10140–10150 kHz – 500Hz BW
      Net30 – 10144kHz LSB
  40m
      7100–7105 kHz – 500Hz BW
      Net40 – 7104 kHz LSB
  80m
      3585–3600 kHz – 500Hz BW