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
What is Packet Radio?
A fledgling packet radio network is being re-established across Ireland.
You will find activity on the following frequencies:
Frequencies
| Centre Frequency | Mode / Baud rate |
|---|---|
| 7.050.30 | USB AFSK IL2P 300 |
| 50.50 | FM AFSK IL2P 1200 |
| 70.325 | FM AFSK IL2P 3600 |
| 144.950 | FM AFSK IL2P 3600 |
| 439.950 | FM GFSK IL2P 9600 |
The majority of traffic is on 2M at the moment, but we are hoping to switch using 6M and 4M for the longer backhaul links between areas and partition the 2M access into a group of frequencies geographically where bubbles might overlap in an attempt to mitigate the hidden node problem.
e.g. from West to East.
- 144.925 - Islands, Galway, Clare, Mayo
- 144.950 - Midlands
- 144.975 - East Coast
However, at the time of writing this is not necessary - find traffic on 144.950 and get involved.
Getting started
Strictly speaking, to get started, you need nothing more than a computer, a soundcard and a radio.
The very first thing to do would be to tune to one of the frequencies listed above and see if you can pick up traffic. 3k6 has a distinctive high pitched chirp that is quite different sounding to the usual 1200 AFSK tones you’d expect if you are a legacy packet or APRS user.
If you can pick up the squawks, fantastic. On the next step. We are standardising around NinoTNCs, as they have a wide range of modes that are supported, new and most importantly cheap.
Fear not though, you don’t need one to be able to decode - every ten minutes they will broadcast their parameters at 1200 baud AFSK just like APRS, so you can determine what station you’re hearing and what mode their own with an APRS capable H/T or even an SDR and software such as Direwolf.
Applications
WhatsPac
http://whatspac.m0ahn.co.uk:88/
Finding other stations
https://nodes.ukpacketradio.network/packet-network-map.html
More reading
https://ukpacketradio.network/
FAQ
Q - I’m on an RF Island, how can I get involved?
A - There’s a VPN available to bridge the gap, contact Ben and get a certificate cut and start your own local cluster with your nearest club.
Q - I’d like to get my club interested, can you help?
A - Ben or Vic would be happy to talk at a club meeting to discuss the network, demonstrate it’s use and help prospective users get started.
If you would like to run a node at your club shack, there is a pool of computers available that can be donated to your club to host the node. All you need to do is provide the radio and purchase a TNC.
Node Hardware
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).