This page is not intended to be a tutorial for setting up your FARPN station, but to cover some considerations as you select equipment for a FARPN node. An existing HF station with a soundcard interface to a computer is adequate for connecting to FARPN.

HF packet generally requires a transceiver capable of 100W CW output as it is a high duty-cycle mode requiring a minimum of 30-50W to a reasonably efficient antenna for reliable day-to-day operation. VHF FM packet operation is much less expensive as any mobile radio is typically okay and should be run at half the rated maximum output unless designed for continuous duty such as data radios.

See troubleshooting audio for information on adjusting your receiver and transmitter for packet.

Some specific radios have additional settings that need to be adjusted

The pages below include radios we know have been used for FARPN, with some additional details about configuring them for packet radio use. These are supplemental to the other guides, not a complete configuration tutorial.

• IC-7300
• IC-706 series / IC-703 / IC-7000

• FTDX10
• FTDX3000
• FT-817/818 (not recommended without amplifier)

• TH-D72
• TH-D75

The FARPN tutorials are written with the assumption that a soundcard interface is being used with a software modem such as Direwolf. Hardware TNCs exist but are generally less effective at decoding packets over marginal conditions, and often do not support more modern error correcting protocols.

Any HF antenna that works well for other purposes is appropriate for FARPN but an ideal antenna does not require a tuner, automatic or otherwise. Multi-band resonant antennas, such as trapped dipoles, fan dipoles, or certain off-center fed dipoles (OCFDs) are ideal for this purpose, and allow bandswitching without the addeded complexity of re-tuning your antenna system.

Linear power supplies with a significant margin of derating are highly recommended for full time packet nodes.

• 50W Mobile VHF/UHF FM Transceiver @ ⇐25W - Astron RS-20A
• 100W HF SSB Transceiver @ ⇐80W - Astron RS-35A

Operating an always on RF node like many of us in FARPN do, it is important to be aware of antenna coupling if you intend to run other radios simultaneously. Coupling effects can be tested with a nanoVNA connected to both antennas. You'd measure the loss between your FARPN transmitting antenna and each other antenna used by your station. Disconnecting other antennas while your packet station is enabled is wise, but if you plan to run a receiver at the same time as FARPN, receiver protection devices are widely available.