Packet software for ham radio

Hams freely contribute their expertise in any number of ways, and developing software is a very popular activity. Operation on most of the digital modes is rapidly converging on the sound card as the standard device to send and receive data.

With a simple data and radio control interface, your computer and radio form a powerful data terminal. Radios have an RS or USB control interface through which you can monitor and control nearly every radio function. Icom uses a proprietary interface called CI-V that requires a converter. Because of that flexibility, some control programs put the front panel on a computer. Some radio manufacturers have a radio control package that you can purchase or download.

Third-party programs such as Ham Radio Deluxe integrate radio control with logging software. More and more hams are setting up stations and operating them by remote control. The most common way is to use the Internet with a PC at each location running a station control program. The remote station is typically configured something like this. The additional DTMF controller connected to the phone line is needed in case the computer loses control of the radio and you need to shut everything down and start over.

Why go to the trouble? Many subdivisions have restrictions against outside antennas, which means that you have to use indoor antennas in an attic, perhaps, or try to sneak in a thin wire around the yard.

Apartment and condo dwellers have similar problems. In addition, you can cause interference for your neighbors, and their electronic devices emit all kinds of noise, too. Also, if you set up your station at home but operate it away from home, the controlling software can run on a laptop so you can fire up the rig from a hotel room or coffee shop.

A smartphone or tablet computer can be quite enough. The remote-control software developed by Pignologyruns on an iPhone and even includes logging software so that everything fits in the palm of your hand. Regardless of how you do it, there are some rules about remote control operation, such as being able to shut down the station if necessary, being licensed in the location of the station, and identifying your station properly.

Remote operating are likely to become widespread in the next few years. The technology to make it work is available, radios themselves are easier to control over the Internet, and commercial products are appearing that provide plug-and-play operation.

Mine did not come with any manual or software. Information is readily available online via YouTube and a Yahoo Group. There are several versions of firmware and programming software available. Packet Radio is a digital form of communications. All you need to start in packet radio is a 2 meter FM radio which you probably already have.

This same data protocol is also used in commercial applications. I have been involved in packet radio in the Spokane, WA since it began in the area in the early 80's. Then went to the PK, PK Packet Software. Here are some links to multiple packet software sites: Instant links to recommended programs. This is a Disaster Victim tracking system. It aims to make a distributed database for both onsite tracking and tracking via the web.

It will utilize the Amateur Radio packet radio technology with X. AGWPE is widely accepted in the amateur radio packet software community and is a tool that provides a standard interface between packet radio software and associated hardware. Packet radio started becoming more and more popular across North America and by the first packet based bulletin board systems began to appear.

Packet radio proved its value for emergency operations following the crash of an Aeromexico airliner in a neighborhood in Cerritos, California Labor Day weekend, File Name: ax25mail-utils