The Arkansas Packet Network Page

Click on a nodesite for more about that node!

Welcome to the APN page... I will try to post current network status and news here, as well as guidelines for Sysops and Users alike. If you have any information or documentation that would be suitable for this page, by all means send it to us.

TelPac Node paths:  N5XFW-2 nearest node SPA, KB5WBH-10 nearest node MON495, KC5TEL-10 nearest node NEA495, WB5HXB-2 nearest nodes: SWA and SPA,  KE5NZY-10 nearest node IND495,

KB5FJX-2 nearest node ASH, N5JBJ-2 nearest node LIT59, WY5AR-2 nearest node FSC59,  KC5LVW-10 nearest node NEBO,

Winlink PMBO W5AUU nearest node ARLINK

ARES/RACES District TelPac program- RED=Not Online,Green=Online.

District A,District B,District C,District D,District E,District F,District G,District H,District I,District J,District K,District L
 

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Last updated 10/22/08

Current News and Happenings

Sept 2008 - The APRS digi at Harrisburg was put back online, KB5WBH-9 is now working again. The 6M radio at the Harrisburg site is still out, hopefully it can be repaired. There is a new Winlink RMS Packet node up around Batesville, John KE5NZY has the node KE5NZY-10 up and running for about 3 months now. Thanks John for putting a new RMS Packet node up. Its nice to see the new hams taking an interest in packet.

August 18, 2008 - Just an update on the NEA site. The power supply and 6m radio did suffer a lightning strike. The power supply has been replaced thanks to Kenny KG5KS. Hopefully the 6m radio and original power supply can be repaired. The NEA495 node seems to be working. Also the IND site is undergoing some changes. There are new antennas to be installed so each radio will have its own antenna and the APRS digi there is back online at the IND site.

Summer 08 - The CONWAY site was taken off the air when ADEM moved at the end of 2007. There are plans for the CON495 and CON50 nodes to return to service when a new site in Conway can be found for them. We appreciate the Faulkner Co. Amateur Radio Club for taking on this task of getting this back on the air.

January 19, 2008 -  Sometime ago the NEA site at Harrisburg was broken into and the waspers I had there gaurding the place took care of them. It appears that sometime in December  they came back. Nothing appears to be missing but they did look around the place. My guess is they were probably looking for copper?. The NEA 9600 baud link radio is dead, the power supply for the whole site is also dead. Maybe the place took a lightning hit? I didn't have anything to check it out but will return there later this month to see about getting the 147.495 and 50.615 nodes back online - Mike KB5WBH

Year 2007 diary of events. Year 2006 diary of the events. Year 2005 diary of the events. Year 2004 diary of the events. Year 2003 diary of the events. Year 2002 diary of the events.  Year 2001 diary of the events. Year 2000 diary of the events.


Current projects underway: NCA50 and MALVRN

The equipment for NCA50 is sitting in place, awaiting an antenna and lightning protection to be installed.

The club in Malvern is in the process of putting up a 2m node (MALVRN) on the city water tower.



Projects awaiting completion or modification - PBF and ECA50.

The Pine Bluff site was plagued with interference from a broadcast translator and when the club's voice repeater lost it's home, it was moved and took over the intended packet antenna. Now the search is on for another packet site.

The Des Arc 6m node (ECA50) just needs it's antenna installed.

 

Some Thoughts On Packet

Some people say to me, "Why packet?", or, "I thought packet was dead?" Well, packet grew very fast before the internet came along. The infrastructure didn't grow with the user base and the networks and BBSes couldn't handle the load. User's got frustrated, and when the internet came along, they left packet. Well, there are a lot of folks around who still appreciate packet for it's basic capabilities and a lot of new hams who never got to try it. Add to that the fact that most disaster support agencies such as the Red Cross, the Salvation Army, SHARES and MARS are all going digital on both a local and national level, and I see that packet should have a future in ham radio.

A government official once said to me, "What do I need ham radio for? I have a dozen satellite cellular telephones if I need communication." After we discussed the capabilities of a statewide, "wireless" digital network and the experienced volunteer operators to man it, he said, "Now THAT we could use." And repeatedly at demonstrations and tours, I have seen keen interest from disaster agency officials, asking who is doing this in 'their' area...

What we are doing different this time is twofold. Administratively, we have tried to gather a core of packet folks to advise and construct the system. But we have recruited help from both individuals and clubs in the areas served to help with cost, equipment and manpower. This gives the network a wider support base and gives the various groups a vested interest in the network's success. Technically, we are incorporating multiple frequencies to prevent the interference that inherently slowed down the old system in Arkansas. And the placing of the BBSes at the nodesites helps facilitate speed of message handling; the new software that has been developed since the old network existed lets us accomplish this.

I have been very pleased at the support this project has gotten from the ARES/RACES leadership; even those that do not use packet are promoting it, and can see it's worth. The response I have gotten from area clubs has been fantastic; most are more than willing to get on board and help, all they ask for is some help with the technical end of it, which I and the other packet "guru's" do our best to provide. I appreciate the efforts of the ever expanding base of ARES/RACES members that want to help us build a viable network to serve both the ham community and the general public.

 

The Plan

The purpose of the Arkansas Packet Network is twofold. To establish a working emergency digital network to serve local and state amateur radio groups in their efforts to provide communications to government and relief agencies in times of disaster. And to have a viable packet network for the use of the average amateur radio digital enthusiast. One purpose supports the other; an unused network is a non-working network and a hobby with a benevolent goal is a worthwhile and fulfilling hobby. Here are the steps towards these goals:

1. Place 6m nodes in strategic locations across the state with 2m companions. They will be spread out enough so that any area can hit a "network" site with an average base packet station or intermediary 2m node if necessary. There should be few enough 6m nodes so as to not clutter up the frequency too much.

2. "Establish a few good BBSs, strategically placed around the state. One for every region." -- This was the original plan, but with the falloff in BBS traffic, lack of sysops and aging computer equipment, the common sense thing to do seems to be to have one central BBS for the state. An additional BBS for the Bootheel and Memphis areas will probably also be maintained.

3. Establish mailboxes at each participating county that can intiate traffic to the BBS. The BBS can be configured so that private mail for these mailboxes is automatically forwarded to them when received at the BBS.

4. Try to find a few key stations willing to accept messages over packet from a disaster area that has lost phone/internet and forward them to Internet e-mail with possibly a 'return' service during an emergency. -- A gateway specifically to communicate with the state ADEM has been established and other automated gateways are being looked into.

5. Set up training for county level operators to utilize such a system.

 

Reference Materials

Sysops (Node Operators):

The Node Op's Guide - (in pdf format) - A guide for setting and adjusting parameters of network nodes.

Node Op's Quick Reference - (in pdf format) - The most needed information for programming a node.

I suggest that Sysops print out the Nodeop's Guide (11 pages) and put it into a 3 clasp folder with pockets (about 25 cents or less). Then print out the Quick Reference (3 pages) and keep it handy in the front pocket. In the back pocket, keep copies of your parameters; both EPROM default and current, along with routes and text messages. Also a good place to keep any documentation on modifying TNCs for the EPROMs and other hardware information.

Users and Emergency Communicators:

Abbreviated BBS Command List - (in pdf format) - For those who are used to the MSYS style BBS, the new FBB is a lot to get used to. Here is a list of the most often used commands with brief explanations. A more comprehensive list can be obtained at the F6FBB website.

Using packet for ARES/RACES- (in pdf format) - A one page handout explaining the when, how and why of using packet during the annual Simulated Emergency Test or during a real emergency.

Sending packet messages to ADEM - (in pdf format) - A three page handout explaining the use of the new packet to e-mail gateway at ADEM during the annual Simulated Emergency Test; with step by step instructions and example.


 

CLICK HERE to go to the Arkansas ARRL site.