WB9LOZ Home Page
Intro To Packet series - An excellent online introduction to amateur packet radio.

QTH Net
Ham Radio Lists - Internet E-Mail discussion Lists for all aspects of Amateur Radio.
QTH Net's menu-driven interface makes joining the lists easy. Join the PACKET list for packet radio information and discussion. A good place to ask questions.

---------- Packet Radio Organizations ----------

TPRS HomePage
Texas Packet Radio Society - One of the largest packet radio organizations and creator of the TexNet high-speed networking system. TPRS offers several publications related to packet radio, and kits related to the TexNet nodes. Check out the TexNet network map, and links to more info on Packet Radio, and Amateur Radio.

NEDA
North East Digital Association - A great source for information on running a useful, powerful packet radio network.

Regional Digital Groups
Links to many of the regional amateur packet radio digital associations. These groups offer many different packet networking ideas and solutions, and some of the best published information on packet radio available anywhere.

SEDAN
Southeastern Emergency Digital Association Networks - SEDAN has solutions for packet radio emergency communications. For the Network Node System Node OPs, there is a page devoted entirely to node schematics, mods, and TNC conversions. Also, check out K4ABT's Radio-TNC wiring diagrams!

TAPR HomePage
Tuscon Amateur Packet Radio has roots deep in packet radio's history, and continues as a major influence in packet radio's development. A good place to look for packet radio info and links.

---------- Packet Radio Network Software and Info ----------

Ham-Web
Packet Radio Multicast Software - WA0PTV's Ham-Web is intended for use at 1.2kb (and faster) for VHF/UHF, but may be operated on 10 meters at 1.2kb, and slowed down to 300bd for the low bands. Both Server and Client software are included in this package, which runs under Win95, using a regular TNC.
( TNC2, KPC-3, KPC-9612, PK-232, PK-88 ) Note: Server's transmitter must be rated for continuous duty.

ROSE
RATS Open System Environment - ROSE is a very efficient networking system developed in the U.S. . The software is free, and can be installed in a TNC2 by replacing the EPROM. The ROSE networking system is in many respects comparable to TexNet and FlexNet, but has special features and abilities of it's own. ROSE will probably be the first amateur radio packet networking system to introduce Q-bit AX25 extension support. (AX29)

Q-Bit
AX.25 Extentions for Q-Bit Support - This paper by Thomas A. Moulton, W2VY and Brian Lantz, KO4KS describes extensions to the AX.25 protocol that will provide a technique for sending Q bit data which will allow for a standard method for signaling Network or TNC messages independent of the application that is using the connection. It can also provide a technique to negotiate additional capabilities such as compression.

AX.29
AX.29 Protocol Specification (Q-Bit Data) - This paper by Thomas A. Moulton, W2VY and Brian Lantz, KO4KS defines an extendible format for Q bit data which references other documents that will define the upper layer protocols, such as Compression Negotiation.

FLEXNET
FlexNet Links - This networking system features innovative and effective routing, and has drivers for a variety of equipment, including DSP software to enable a 16-bit sound card to act as a sophisticated ( and inexpensive ) TNC. FlexNet also includes optional DAMA access, which works to overcome "hidden transmitter syndrome" problems. It has become very popular in Europe, works well there, and is now seeing increased use in the U.S. - Check it out! These Links are the best starting place for US hams interested in FlexNet.

Data Radio Standards Test Methods
The Data Radio Standards Test Methods Manual - The Radio side of Packet Radio has been sadly neglected and largely ignored by the users and experts alike, to the detriment of the field. Many radio characteristics, especially timing characteristics, greatly affect the usage capacity of a shared radio environment. If we are to maximize the efficiency of this shared environment, then we must have a better understanding of the significant characteristics of the radios appropriate for that environment. There must be some standard for the procedures used if different people having different resources and understanding around the world are to test radios for these characteristics. This manual is an attempt to provide such a standard.

MailBox- W0RLI Packet BBS
"RLI" runs under DesqView on either DOS or OS/2 operating systems, in conjunction with G8BPQ packet node/switch software. Besides the wide equipment compatability which 'BPQ offers, "RLI" is unique in providing support for the CLOVER HF digital mode, which is currently the fastest, best way to go for HF forwarding.
Besides the W0RLI MailBox program, this site also offers several really excellent utilities for both "RLI" and "BPQ", and information concerning BBS specifications which W0RLI was instrumental in developing.

CLUSSE - DX Cluster/Conference Software
Finnish freeware cluster program works with either a G8BPQ packet switch or with FlexNet.

F6FBB Packet BBS
"FBB" is now available in DOS, Win3.x, and Linux versions. This multiconnect, multitasking BBS program has proved to be very popular, and there are dozens of special "server" programs available which expand FBB's capabilities.

G1NNA Packet BBS
"NNABBS" requires G8BPQ packet node/switch software to run. It is easy to set up and operate, and features advanced "block forwarding" with other NNABBS's, as well as FBB compressed forwarding compatability.
NPFPMS is a G1NNA-specific client PMS program which utilizes NNA block-forwarding, and the G1NNA BBS Page offers this software as well.

Download G8BPQ version 4.08a
G8BPQ packet node/switch software.

Ham_Radio FTP site list
Ham Radio Shareware and Freeware links.