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--- national_packet_update_draft [2023/06/06 19:14] – 2e0sip
+++ national_packet_update_draft [2023/09/26 20:08] (current) – 2e0sip
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+====== National Packet Update - September 2023 ======
 ===== Introduction =====
 Welcome to the latest edition of the National Packet Update, where we strive to collate updates on our endeavors to increase packet radio usage and expand its coverage in the United Kingdom, Ireland, and beyond.
-It's been another busy month for packet with new NoVs being granted and the better weather giving people a chance to get outside and erect new or modify existing antennas to add new links. The recent Online Amateur Radio Community (OARC) NinoTNC Group Buy closed at the end of May with a staggering 148 NinoTNCs ordered and 25 extras held in reserve. That potentially adds 150 more radio amateurs who can start experimenting with Packet Radio. A huge thank you to everyone involved in ordering and assembling the kits.
+I think its fair to say that packet has well and truly taken off and is seeing some exponential growth, with almost 50 NoV'd packet nodes online. Whilst this is great news and an incredible effort from all those involved, it does making these updates a little more challenging to put together. If I've missed a node going live or some other update this month apologies.
+Going forward I'd request that people submit their updates via this [[https://forms.gle/b7et3B2724D1i3JH8|Google Form]]. These could be updates on new nodes, new links, software updates, and general progress or success stories that you want included in the update. These can then be collated into the update rather than trying to manually keep track of everything!
 ===== Progress =====
-In Scotland, Hibby MM0RFN has been granted an NoV for GB7HIB in Aberdeen, operating at 9600 baud on 432.625MHz. The node utilizes a Motorola GM340 and runs the native Linux stack, with Uronode on GB7HIB and an FBB-based BBS running on GB7HIB-2.
+==== Packet Network ====
-In Ireland, Vic EI5IYB near Rathangan and Ben EI9IUB near Kilbeggan have both installed new antennas and successfully established a reliable 2-meter link between them. Other local stations are eager to join in soon.
+The network continues to grow with lots of new nodes and links going up this month.
-In Wales, Marc M0NXT recently demonstrated Packet Radio at the BARS Amateur Radio Rally, running 10 sessions to promote packet and inspire local radio amateurs to get involved.
+In Scotland Andy GM7GDE	has put up MB7UAH near East Kilbride
-In the South West of England, Kevin M0AHN has been granted an NoV for GB7PEW in Pewsey, operating at 1200 baud on 144.925MHz. GB7PEW is currently linked to GB7RDG via AXUDP until more RF links become available. Kevin has also been exploring the installation of a node in Swindon, with hopes of connecting the South West to the activity in Oxfordshire. Kevin also plans to set up a node in Exmouth, Devon when time permits. Marc MW0NXT and John G4OTJ have gathered the necessary hardware for a 70cm link between GB7NXT in Wenvoe, Wales and John's nodes near Farmborough. They will begin experimenting in the coming weeks.
+In the North East of England, Robin M0JQQ is now operating GB7CNR near Cramlington, and Gregory M0ODZ has put GB7ODZ into service in the nearby Houghton Le Spring. These two nodes are now operational and exchanging packets with one another. Scott M0RWV has also put up MB7UWV near Scarborough.
-In London, Simon M0GZP now runs an attended node on 144.9375 in Sudbury, with a reliable 70cm link to GB7CIP in Caterham. Tom M0LTE has also migrated MB7NGP to BPQ, and it is now linked to the rest of the network.
+In the North West, Neil M0NFI has put MB7NFI into service near Prescot, Merseyside. Neil's also running some custom apps on the node, which are well worth checking out.
-On the Isle of Wight, Eoin M0NVK has recently established packet mail forwarding between GB7IOW and Red PE1RRR in the Netherlands on 40m. Eoin is eager to set up more forwarding arrangements over HF so If you're interested, please reach out to him.
+In the Midlands, Dave G1ZEK has put up GB7NWL near Castle Donnington and Jon G7RUP GB7LCN in Lincoln. Andy M1NER has also put up MB7NER near Peterborough.
-In the software world, John G8BPQ recently released a new Beta version of BPQ that resolves a connection issue that could cause a node to become stuck, especially with a weak link. It is recommended to upgrade when possible. More information on the bug and how to replicate it can be found here: [[https://groups.io/g/bpq32/message/38109]].
+In London, Szymon M0GZP has been granted GB7WEM for his Node in Sudbury, and has reliable RF connectivity into GB7CIP in Caterham - one of, if not the oldest packet node still operating and the gateway into the international packet network. GB7WEM also has a good link to GB7NHA in Harpenden, which in turn can reach Milton Keynes and beyond.
+In the west of England, M0ZEN has put up MB7NCD near Coleford in Gloucestershire
-===== Upcoming Events =====
+Last but not least, GB7IOW has had a flurry of activity with some 50 users connecting to the BBS from Holland, Russia, Germany and Portugal.
-==== Packet Radio in the 21st Century [11/06/2023 15:00 BST] ====
+==== Software ====
-Simon M0GZP and Matthew 2E0SIP will be giving a talk on Packet Radio and hopefully a demonstration!
+The software world has also been incredibly busy this month. Paula has released Xrouter v502x, available on the [[https://groups.io/g/xrouter/files/|XRouter groups.io]]. It's currently for upgrading existing systems but she's currently working on a new installer and documentation for fresh installs.
-The talk will be given at Harrow Amateur Radio Societies Shack in Bushey, Watford. More details on their [[https://www.g3efx.org.uk/event/97/|website]]
+Hibby MM0RFN has also been putting in some hard work to build packages and host packet related software so it's as simple as `apt-get install`. For a list of instructions and available packages see this [[https://online-amateur-radio-club-m0ouk.github.io/oarc-packages/|page]]
-==== Adventures in New Packet Radio - Running 330kbps on 146Mhz [15/06/2023 20:00 BST] ====
+==== Hardware ====
-Kevin - M0AHN presents:
+Jonathan G4KLX and Nino KK4HEJ have been working to add new C4FSK based modes to the MMDVM and NinoTNC respectively, with the hope of squeezing 9600 baud or more out of a 12.5kHz channel, which could also pave the way to similarly increased speeds over a 25kHz channel in future. Nino and Jonathan have also been discussing extending the IL2P protocol to include a checksum to further improve its accuracy.
-In 2020 I was live with a 330kbps New Packet Radio (NPR) link on 146Mhz. The journey involved the ETCC, RSGB, interactions with the inventor F4HDK, new firmware, hardware modifications, testing, fixes and a load of lessons learned. In this talk, I'll give an intro to NPR, demo it live, share the journey in more detail and discuss the current barriers to getting NPR live once again
-The talk will be hosted on Zoom. Jump on the Discord on the day of the event to get the link.
+You may recall that last month Nino also added some experimental  [[https://wiki.oarc.uk/packet:ninotnc|BPSK/QPSK  modulations]] to the NinoTNC, intended for use over HF. John G8BPQ has since added these to [[https://www.cantab.net/users/john.wiseman/Documents/QtSoundModem.html|QtSoundModem]] so NinoTNC and QTSM users can test them out.