EIRPAK

Node Building

Mon, 01 Sep 2025 21:55:40 +0100

Assembling your own node

There are a few capable pieces of software out there that will handle the business of runnning your node:

BPQ
XRouter
TARPN
LinFBB
For the truly brave, the built in AX.25 stack in the Linux Kernel

Node Hardware

Fri, 01 Aug 2025 21:00:40 +0100

Node Hardware

Most nodes are built using ex-taxi or transport Mobile Radios. They’re desirable as they’re built to run for long periods, high duty cycles and are (usually) designed for data use with easily access accessory ports and flat audio input/output.

Keep an eye out on ebay and other sources, but prices seem to be inflated lately owing to resurgance of the network in the UK.

You can get started with other radios, best performance will be those that support 9600 baud packet natively, like the Yaesu FT-8xx series with mini-DIN 8 DATA ports (and remembering to set the radio for PKT MODE 9600 accordingly).

Known good radios

Tait 8010
Tait 2000
Motorola GM340/360
Motorola GM350
Kenwood TK-76x, TK-78x

Programming

Ben has programming hardware and software for all of the above, contact him if you source a radio and need a hand getting set up.

Coax

Why is coax being brought up? Simple.

Data modes like Packet need a good SNR to work reliably. Don’t skimp on the coax, keep the runs short and if you can, run hardline for the best performance.

Hardware available from EIRPAK

Vertex VX2000 x 1 - Programmed for Packet use, with an accessory port. Cable will need to be made up for it.
Tait 2000 (4M) x 2 - Both with DE-9 ports fitted that map to the TNC pinout for convenience.
Ascom SE550 (4M) x 1 - Should be good for 1200 at least.

About

Mon, 09 Sep 2024 21:59:07 +0100

Welcome to EirPak

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“I can’t believe it’s not Packet!”

EirPak is intended to be a network catering for packet-radio users within Ireland, and other adjacent technologies - see Viewdata

Please be aware that this site is very much under construction.

Who are we?

EI9IUB

Ben has been a licenced amateur since 2022, and has been interested in packet networks since reading about them on Wikipedia as a teen. Since joining OARC in 2023 he has been working to rebuild a network in Ireland (largely as a form of protest about the state of the internet these days!) but is also into retro-computing & telephony, a former software engineer and sysadmin.

A member of Tog Hackerspace and Secretary for TOG-ARC (EI0TOG) in Dublin, where a node will be hosted soon

Keeper of EI2HLP, a full-time packet node hosted almost at the centre of the country.

EI5IYB

Vic is a committee member for OARC-IE (EI2OARC) and OARC. He has been involved in the project as node #2 and is perfectly shaded by a hill from EI2HLP, meaning that getting a good link between his node and HLP means that it’s likely to work for others!

EI4FNB

Mark has recently gotten involved with EIRPAK, and has set up both 4M and 2M access from his QTH. His link to HLP is quite likely the longest single 2M link in the existing OARC network across EI and the UK, standing at 87KM with good performance.

Where are we?

EI2HLP

EI2HLP is the primary node for EirPak at the moment, with an automatic station licence and running 24/7, WX permitting. In cases of extreme weather, the mast is lowered and the node is unavailable on RF on a temporary basis but stays online via IP and VPN as long as the power stays on.

EI2HLP is comprised of:

Diamond X510 @ 12M AGL
Tait 8010 (2M)
Tait 2000 (4M)
Yaesu FT-857 (40M) // Part Time

EI0TOG

A Node is being assembled for installation at the Tog Hackerspace in Dublin to provide 2M and 70cm coverage of the city, hopefully with a 4M backhaul link to HLP with IP as a backup.

more to come when it’s installed

Contacting Us

You can find us on Discord as part of OARC or email Ben using his callsign at eirpak.ie

Viewdata

Sun, 08 Sep 2024 21:55:40 +0100

Mock title

Drafting, authoring content.