AM>I'm very interested in ham radio, bbs, and emergency communications. I'm
AM>wondering if I can merge these topics together -- is it possible to run a BB
AM>server over amateur radio frequencies? How would you set it up? Would you ne
AM>to configure a duplex system, or would a simplex AX.25 system work? Are ther
AM>any examples of this working already?
First and foremost, you would obviously need to be a licensed amateur
radio operator of the appropriate class. If you plan to operate in the
VHF bands, you need at minimum, the Technician Class license. But, to
operate HF, you need a General or Amateur Extra Class license.
Local groups of ham radio operators give the exams now...and usually
once a month in or near you. The FCC used to do that a long time ago,
when they came to the State Capitol Federal Building maybe 3 times a
year. You had to pass the Morse Code Test FIRST, or you were sent home.
There is no longer a Morse Code Requirement for any ham radio license in
the United States. You can still learn it and use it, but you no longer
have to prove that you know it.
An overview of ham radio, plus 10 study options, what to expect at a
license exam session, etc. (for the U.S. and its territories) is located
at http://www.theweatherwonder.com/hamradio.htm
Second, there are several options for an RF system. You can run a true
packet BBS, with software such as MSYS (an older one), F6BB, and
software by W0RLI and W2XO. There are several other packages out
there now. Go to www.tapr.org/pr_links.html for more info. These all
require a rig and a TNC.
Third, if you are running Synchronet BBS software, and if you have an
older MFJ 1270 series TNC (preferably an MFJ 1270C), you can use some of
the ham radio doors, done by the late Dave Perry, W4KGU (he became a
Silent Key in 2011. The doors he did included:
1) ARPD - Amateur Radio Packet Door. Works best with the MFJ 1270 series
TNC's...but NOT with the newer MFJ TNC's. It basically allows your
computer bulletin board system (BBS) users (landline, telnet, or
FTelnet) that are Technician Class or higher ham radio operators to
access the area packet network, courtesy of your TNC. There is also a
mailbox where folks can leave you messages from another packet node. If
the TNC is being used by you, or is offline, users are told such, and
asked to try again later.
2) WASPORT - Worked All States. I require users to have an amateur radio license
(Novice or higher) to use it. One tracks their progress in the
ARRL Worked All States Award competion in several preset modes...but
there is a special additional mode that is Sysop configurable. Mine is
for Internet (VoIP, Echolink, IRLP, D-Star, D-Rats, Packet Via Telnet,
etc.). While that doesn't actually "count" toward the award, it's fun to
see how many states you have worked.
3) QRZDOOR - QRZ Callsign Search Door. This one is basically useless
now, as QRZ no longer makes callsign data CD's, and no longer posts
updates for download. On my BBS, I've replaced it with the Buckmaster
Callsign Search Door (yearly subscription fee, but worth it). I require
users to have an amateur radio license (Novice or higher) to use it.
4) BULLET - Bulletins Door. 26 Sysop defined categories for whatever
topic you desire...ham radio, weather, BBS related, cooking, religious,
etc. No amateur radio license required to use it.
5) REGSCAN - Part 97 of the Ham Radio FCC Rules. I had to download a
file of it, then reformat it for ASCII text for the door. No amateur
radio license required to use it.
On my BBS, I don't use the ARPD door, as for some reason, it doesn't
work right under Windows 7, and the QRZ door was replaced by the
Buckmaster callsign door. The other 3 though, are online. Of note, the
doors REQUIRE a DORINFO1.DEF BBS dropfile...and do NOT have a fossil
driver. So, the best BBS package to run them under is Synchronet for
Windows or Linux. There is a variable where you can enable a comport I/O console
feature, which fools the door, and allows you to set it up like
any other BBS door, where it will run under telnet.
Good luck with your efforts.
Daryl, WX1DER
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