Just a note with a new subject line - the WILMAR packet radio node is on line and open to ALL licensed Ham users.
It's frequency is 145.670 MHz simplex. The packet data rate is 1200 baud.
WILMAR is the node's alias and it has to conform to callsign max length of 6 characters.
That's why it's spelled wrong :)
A node's job is to act as a relay with good ears and a powerful "voice" due to it's antenna being on a commercial tower.
This lets it connect weaker or more distant stations to each other, who normally don't hear each other well, much like a repeater does for voice comms.
The WILMAR node responds to three different callsigns which have different purposes.
To use the "relay"? feature you connect to the alias WILMAR by typing c wilmar then press enter. Once connected, typing c and the call of the station you want initiates a connect attempt.
To use the mailbox feature you instead connect to W0SW-1 by typing c w0sw-1 then enter.? Once connected you will get a short menu of choices and typing h for a help menu.
The main thing to remember is you really can't break anything beyond your own station and if you get frustrated, take a break.
The 3rd callsign is last because it does nothing if you connect to it. W0SW is for connecting to a person sitting at the node. Normally it is unattended.
This link is broken up into easy to digest parts and covers packet radio end to end. Even if it's 25 yrs old!
Also, I'm looking for a contact with the StCloud club who would know about their node on 145.67 MHz. We need it working!
73
Mike N0QBH
N0QBH Mike Berg