Hi David,
First, welcome to the group! Well, lot's of questions! That's good! Let's see how I can help.
Packet is a digital mode mode - AX.25 to be exact. It was one of the first digital modes and very popular in the 1980's. When attention turned to the internet, packet popularity decreased. I call this the Packet Apocalypse. Small groups survived the fall out and packet continued. Years went by and a new breed of hams entered the scene. Instead of DOS and Windows, we now have Linux. Instead of a TNCs, you have sound cards. Instead of a PC you have a Pi. Both flavors are still used, but many of the new hams don't know what packet is. One bright, young ham thought VARA was Packet! LOL. In any case, packet popularity has been increasing by leaps and bounds!
There are many new, digital modes - all are fun and exciting. But packet is one of the few modes with error correction and simultaneous connects. Packet is great for keyboard to keyboard QSOs (like here on Network105), BBS, nodes, packet satellite, mailboxes, chat, email, file transfers, ECOMM, remote control via packet and you can even send POCSAG pages via packet! This past February I hosted a packet contest with more to come!
APRS is what I call a subdivision of packet and is an exciting aspect in itself. Just Google APRS. You will not be short on info!
There are no restrictions that I am aware of, when making a direct QSO via packet on any band you are authorized for for Field Day, SOTA or POTA.
I recommend the following:
1. Learn more about packet. There is some great beginner packet info in the files section on ? This group is primarily an RF-only packet network from Maine to Florida.
2. Visit The Delaware Packet Network (DEPN) objective is to promote and document the development of Community-Based RF-Linked Amateur Radio AX.25 and VARA Terrestrial Packet Network within the State of Delaware and surrounding areas.
3. Setup your station: Either use your soundcard or external hardware such as a TNC (Terminal node controller). Packet works on DOS (Yes - we still use DOS!), Windows (32 or 64 bit), Linux and I recently saw some APRS software for MAC.
4. Become a user. Once your station is set up for packet, make connections. I host the Nationwide Amateur Radio Packet Directory which can be found on my home page: Here, you can find other packet stations to connect to. The map has over 100,000 hits is less than 3 years.
You'll learn this in the tutorials: Most packet uses a speed, called baud rate, at 1200. Some "backbone" frequencies used to pass traffic operate at 9600 baud. Here on Network105, HF packet uses 300 baud. Please visit and get familiar with our operating policies so your experience can be an enjoyable one.
5. Once you get a feel for packet, you can expand to hosting a mailbox (Kantronics KPC-3+), a BBS (BPQ) or add to building a network by hosting a node (FlexNet32, JNOS, (X)Net, XRouter, etc.)
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6. Join packet Groups.io communities where you can learn and ask questions. Each of the groups listed above have Groups.io communities.
Most importantly - Have Fun!
73 de Prof. Chris Lance
Moderator
Chris Lance WW2BSA