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.

The next few pages discuss setting up Direwolf and QtTermTCP as a client and then setting up a BBS with LinBPQ (or WinBPQ).

To get connected on HF:

1. a HF transceiver
2. USB audio to transceiver interface
   1. built into current HF models (such as the IC-7300 or Yaesu FTDX10
   2. digirig
   3. Yaesu SCU-17
   4. Signalink
   5. 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.

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