Buck Rogers K4ABT Handbook page 6

PACKET RADIO
The Easy Way !©
by Buck Rogers K4ABT
© 1986 Updated; 1990, 1997
When I first wrote "PACKET RADIO: The Easy
Way!" in 1986, I felt that somehow the new or
prospective Packeteer would not feel comfortable with
an attempt at setting up his or her Packet station
without some means of tutorial. That was when I
decided to write this tutorial. I had to give the ham
who might be willing to give Packet Radio a try, a
head start by taking them around the pitfalls that I
had experienced when I set up my first Packet station.
When I began my Packet Radio hobby, there were no
neighbor Packeteers, Packet books or tutorials that
might provide guidance for a beginning Packeteer.
Here then, is a brief and easy to understand guide for
the first time Packet Radio operator.
WHAT DO YOU NEED TO BEGIN OPERATING
PACKET?
The equipment needed to get on the air is a VHF
transceiver, a computer or terminal, and a terminal node
controller (TNC). There is packet activity on HF, but
VHF is the best place to start out in Packet Radio. The
TNC contains a modem similar to the modem used to
connect your computer to the phone lines, except that it
also contains special firmware especially designed for
Packet radio.
When you take the TNC out of the carton, most of the
time you'll find cables are provided with the TNC
connectors supplied. The other end of the cables that
attach to the transceiver and computer are not supplied.
The reason is that the TNC manufacturer has no idea
what kind of radio you might be connecting the TNC to.
The burden is on the user to purchase the correct
connector for the transceiver and computer that will be
used with the TNC. Determine the kind of microphone,
speaker jack, and computer serial comport connectors
that you're going to use.
manufacturer furnishes only the connector for the TNC.
; Packet Radio "The Basics"
Section 1
Chapter One
Packet Radio "
:
In some cases the TNC
The Easy Way !
"
This means that you must also furnish the cable that
connects the TNC to your computer or terminal. In most
cases, a 25 pin RS-232 serial cable is used between the
TNC and computer. The later models employ a 9 pin
serial connector, thus you will need a 9 pin
connector/cable.
This may vary depending on the type and make of
computer terminal being used. Check the serial comport
of your computer to be sure of the type connector that you
will need. DO THIS BEFORE GOING TO THE PARTS
SUPPLY HOUSE!
In most cases the computer will have either a 9 pin male
connector, or a 25 pin male connector as the RS-232
serial comport. If this is the case, you will have to supply
the female connector for the computer end of the cable.
Be sure to note the number of pins on the
computer/terminal connector.
The operating manuals supplied with most TNC provide
adequate directions for use of various computers. Look
for the computer to terminal node controller (TNC)
interface section in the TNC manual.
applications the cable for your TNC to computer may be
purchased "ready-made" for many computer vendors.
When all else fails read the manual and set up procedures
for your TNC very carefully. The manual that is supplied
with your TNC may have information that is specific to
the personality of your TNC.
LADIES AND
.......tee N cee's
Once you have everything wired and connected together,
turn on the computer, load a terminal program. There
are lots of terminal programs available for use with
Packet radio.
If you do not have a Packet terminal program, then send
an MS/DOS formatted disk and a self addressed and
postage paid return mailer to me and I will provide you
with a copy of BUXTERM.EXE along with the
BUXTERM manual.
A Packet Primer for the new Packeteer
GENTLEMEN, START
__ Page 6
In most
YOUR