What is Packet Radio?

Packet radio is digital communications via radio. It first started back in 1978 in Canada, and it was introduced into UK in the 1980's. Packet radio mailboxes (BBS's) were first licensed in UK in about 1988, and the numbers have continued to grow ever since.

As well as the large number of mailboxes in UK there are a large number of packet nodes, these help to link the mailboxes, and together they form the packet radio network that covers most of the UK.

What Can I do on Packet Radio?

Live Contacts.

Like RTTY, packet radio can be used to talk to other amateurs, chatting keyboard to keyboard. Some mailboxes also have a conference mode, so people can log on and chat with many people at once just like an HF net.

Mailboxes.

Mailboxes allow amateurs to connect their local mailbox and send and receive text messages. These messages can be sent as personal messages to another amateur anywhere in the World (or Space!!). Alternatively, messages can be sent as a bulletin for any amateur to read.

Within the UK your messages will normally be relayed via other mailboxes and nodes on VHF and UHF frequencies. There also exist a limited number of HF and Satellite mail forwarding gateways, these are used to forward mail to more distant continental mailboxes.

So it is possible to exchange mail with amateurs on the other side of the world by simply logging into your local mailbox using a low power VHF transceiver and a simple aerial system, as well as a TNC and computer.

File Transfer.

Packet radio also allows you to be able to transfer files between amateur packet stations in both text and binary format.

DXCluster.

There are several DXCluster stations around the UK. These allow DXers to exchange valuable DX information on a close to real time network. This information on band conditions and stations heard, is valuable to HF and VHF and above DX operators.

What will I need?

As well as a VHF or UHF FM radio transceiver, you will also need a Terminal Node Controller (know as a TNC), a terminal or computer with some form of terminal software program or a specialist packet radio software program, and finally a great deal of patience and willingness to learn!

Packet Radio User Groups.

There are a large number of User Groups throughout the UK. Some of these groups are specific to a particular mailbox whilst others cover all the mailboxes and nodes in an entire county or region. These user groups have been generally setup to help new users and to help fund mailboxes and nodes. Some nodes are located on remote sites, so the cost of maintaining them can be considerable. All packet radio users are encouraged to join and support their local group.

The premier packet radio support group in the Channel Islands is Totally Independent Packet, or 'TIP' for short. TIP maintains several nodes and links from the Islands to the mainland, France and the UK. These links are the only working links out of Guernsey. These cost money, so any donations are especially welcome. You can join TIP and show your support that way if you wish. TIP membership costs a mere 10 pounds per annum. Please email us for details.

Where will I find my nearest Mailbox or Node?

As the packet radio network is a very dynamic network, it changes quite frequently to meet changing needs, new mailboxes and nodes open up, or existing ones expand their number of access ports. Lists of Mailboxes and Nodes are also published on packet radio, and may be available in the files area of your local mailbox. GB7GUR or GB7DIY