Amateur Radio Wiki - User contributions [en]

Packet radio

2019-07-29T01:36:18Z

N6FAV: /* See also */

''Main article: [[Wikipedia:Packet radio]]''

Packet Radio is essentially the fore-runner of wireless computer networks as we know them now. It enables communication and transfer of information between operators using a computer and a ham radio station.

Packet radio is a form of packet switching technology used to transmit digital data via radio or wireless communications links. It uses the same concepts of data transmission via Datagram that are fundamental to communications via the Internet, as opposed to the older techniques used by dedicated or switched circuits.

The most common use of packet radio today is in amateur radio, to construct wireless computer networks. Its name is a reference to the use of packet switching between network nodes. Packet radio networks use the AX.25 data link layer protocol, derived from the X.25 protocol suite and adapted for amateur radio use.

==History of Packet Radio==

Amateur radio operators began experimenting with packet radio in 1978, when - after obtaining authorization from the Canadian government - Robert Rouleau, VE2PY and The Western Quebec VHF/UHF Amateur Radio Club in Montreal, Canada began experimenting with transmitting ASCII encoded data over VHF amateur radio frequencies using homebuilt equipment.[2] In 1980, Doug Lockhart VE7APU, and the Vancouver Area Digital Communications Group (VADCG) in Vancouver, Canada began producing standardized equipment (Terminal Node Controllers) in quantity for use in amateur packet radio networks. In 2003, Rouleau was inducted into CQ Amateur Radio magazine's hall of fame for his work on the Montreal Protocol in 1978.[3]

Not long after this activity began in Canada, amateurs in the US became interested in packet radio. In 1980, the U.S. Federal Communications Commission (FCC) granted authorization for U.S. amateurs to transmit ASCII codes via amateur radio.[4] The first known amateur packet radio activity in the US occurred in San Francisco during December of 1980, when a packet repeater was put into operation on 2 meters by Hank Magnuski KA6M, and the Pacific Packet Radio Society (PPRS).[5] In keeping with the dominance of DARPA and ARPANET at the time, the nascent amateur packet radio network was dubbed the AMPRNet in DARPA style. Magnuski obtained IP address allocations in the 44.0.0.0 network for amateur radio use worldwide.

Many groups of amateur radio operators interested in packet radio soon formed throughout the country including the Pacific Packet Radio Society (PPRS) in California, the Tucson Amateur Packet Radio Corporation (TAPR) in Arizona and the Amateur Radio Research and Development Corporation (AMRAD) in Washington, D.C.[6]

By 1983, TAPR was offering the first TNC available in kit form. Packet radio started becoming more and more popular across North America and by 1984 the first packet based bulletin board systems began to appear. Packet radio proved its value for emergency operations following the crash of an Aeromexico airliner in a neighborhood in Cerritos, California Labor Day weekend, 1986. Volunteers linked several key sites to pass text traffic via packet radio which kept voice frequencies clear.

== See also ==

* [[APRS]] - Automatic Packet Reporting System
* [[Echolink]]
* [[IRLP]] - Internet Radio Linking Project
* [[SSTV]] - Amateur Radio Slow-Scan Tele-Vision
* [[Terminal Node Controller | TNC]] - Terminal Node Controller

== External links ==

* [http://www.choisser.com/packet/ choisser.com] - excellent introduction
* [[Wikipedia:Packet_radio]] - description and links
* [http://tarpn.net/t/packet_radio_networking.html TARPN.net] - Terrestrial Amateur Radio Packet Network
* [https://www.tapr.org/pr_intro.html Tuscon Amateur Packet Radio - Introduction to Packet Radio]

{{modes}}

Terminal Node Controller

2019-07-29T01:35:20Z

N6FAV: fixed formatting

A '''T'''erminal '''N'''ode '''C'''ontroller (TNC) is a device used in [[packet radio]]. The TNC is analogous to a MODEM in wired communications. The TNC converts analog audio signals that have been received over the radio into digital bytes to be sent to a computer, and also converts digital bytes from the computer into analog audio signals that can be transmitted over radio.

[https://tnc-x.com/TNCPi.htm Costal ChipWorks] sells a TNC kit that is designed to connects to a Raspberry Pi computer, in 1200 baud and 9600 baud version, the [http://www.tnc-x.com/TNCPi9k6.htm TNCPi9k6]. There is also a specific version of the TNC-Pi compatible with the [http://tarpn.net/t/tncpi/tncpi_assembly.html Terrestrial Amateur Radio Packet Network (TARPN)]

[https://github.com/wb2osz/direwolf/blob/dev/doc/README.md Direwolf] is a TNC implemented as open-source software, rather than hardware.

Terminal Node Controller

2019-07-29T01:34:44Z

N6FAV: Added link to Packet radio article

A '''T'''erminal '''N'''ode '''C'''ontroller (TNC) is a device used in [packet radio]. The TNC is analogous to a MODEM in wired communications. The TNC converts analog audio signals that have been received over the radio into digital bytes to be sent to a computer, and also converts digital bytes from the computer into analog audio signals that can be transmitted over radio.

[https://tnc-x.com/TNCPi.htm Costal ChipWorks] sells a TNC kit that is designed to connects to a Raspberry Pi computer, in 1200 baud and 9600 baud version, the [http://www.tnc-x.com/TNCPi9k6.htm TNCPi9k6]. There is also a specific version of the TNC-Pi compatible with the [http://tarpn.net/t/tncpi/tncpi_assembly.html Terrestrial Amateur Radio Packet Network (TARPN)]

[https://github.com/wb2osz/direwolf/blob/dev/doc/README.md Direwolf] is a TNC implemented as open-source software, rather than hardware.

Packet radio

2019-07-29T01:33:31Z

N6FAV: Added TAPR link

''Main article: [[Wikipedia:Packet radio]]''

Packet Radio is essentially the fore-runner of wireless computer networks as we know them now. It enables communication and transfer of information between operators using a computer and a ham radio station.

Packet radio is a form of packet switching technology used to transmit digital data via radio or wireless communications links. It uses the same concepts of data transmission via Datagram that are fundamental to communications via the Internet, as opposed to the older techniques used by dedicated or switched circuits.

The most common use of packet radio today is in amateur radio, to construct wireless computer networks. Its name is a reference to the use of packet switching between network nodes. Packet radio networks use the AX.25 data link layer protocol, derived from the X.25 protocol suite and adapted for amateur radio use.

==History of Packet Radio==

Amateur radio operators began experimenting with packet radio in 1978, when - after obtaining authorization from the Canadian government - Robert Rouleau, VE2PY and The Western Quebec VHF/UHF Amateur Radio Club in Montreal, Canada began experimenting with transmitting ASCII encoded data over VHF amateur radio frequencies using homebuilt equipment.[2] In 1980, Doug Lockhart VE7APU, and the Vancouver Area Digital Communications Group (VADCG) in Vancouver, Canada began producing standardized equipment (Terminal Node Controllers) in quantity for use in amateur packet radio networks. In 2003, Rouleau was inducted into CQ Amateur Radio magazine's hall of fame for his work on the Montreal Protocol in 1978.[3]

Not long after this activity began in Canada, amateurs in the US became interested in packet radio. In 1980, the U.S. Federal Communications Commission (FCC) granted authorization for U.S. amateurs to transmit ASCII codes via amateur radio.[4] The first known amateur packet radio activity in the US occurred in San Francisco during December of 1980, when a packet repeater was put into operation on 2 meters by Hank Magnuski KA6M, and the Pacific Packet Radio Society (PPRS).[5] In keeping with the dominance of DARPA and ARPANET at the time, the nascent amateur packet radio network was dubbed the AMPRNet in DARPA style. Magnuski obtained IP address allocations in the 44.0.0.0 network for amateur radio use worldwide.

Many groups of amateur radio operators interested in packet radio soon formed throughout the country including the Pacific Packet Radio Society (PPRS) in California, the Tucson Amateur Packet Radio Corporation (TAPR) in Arizona and the Amateur Radio Research and Development Corporation (AMRAD) in Washington, D.C.[6]

By 1983, TAPR was offering the first TNC available in kit form. Packet radio started becoming more and more popular across North America and by 1984 the first packet based bulletin board systems began to appear. Packet radio proved its value for emergency operations following the crash of an Aeromexico airliner in a neighborhood in Cerritos, California Labor Day weekend, 1986. Volunteers linked several key sites to pass text traffic via packet radio which kept voice frequencies clear.

== See also ==

* [[APRS]] - Automatic Packet Reporting System
* [[Echolink]]
* [[IRLP]] - Internet Radio Linking Project
* [[SSTV]] - Amateur Radio Slow-Scan Tele-Vision

== External links ==

* [http://www.choisser.com/packet/ choisser.com] - excellent introduction
* [[Wikipedia:Packet_radio]] - description and links
* [http://tarpn.net/t/packet_radio_networking.html TARPN.net] - Terrestrial Amateur Radio Packet Network
* [https://www.tapr.org/pr_intro.html Tuscon Amateur Packet Radio - Introduction to Packet Radio]

{{modes}}

Terminal Node Controller

2019-07-29T01:25:07Z

N6FAV: Added link to Direwolf

A '''T'''erminal '''N'''ode '''C'''ontroller (TNC) is a device used in packet radio. The TNC is analogous to a MODEM in wired communications. The TNC converts analog audio signals that have been received over the radio into digital bytes to be sent to a computer, and also converts digital bytes from the computer into analog audio signals that can be transmitted over radio.

[https://tnc-x.com/TNCPi.htm Costal ChipWorks] sells a TNC kit that is designed to connects to a Raspberry Pi computer, in 1200 baud and 9600 baud version, the [http://www.tnc-x.com/TNCPi9k6.htm TNCPi9k6]. There is also a specific version of the TNC-Pi compatible with the [http://tarpn.net/t/tncpi/tncpi_assembly.html Terrestrial Amateur Radio Packet Network (TARPN)]

[https://github.com/wb2osz/direwolf/blob/dev/doc/README.md Direwolf] is a TNC implemented as open-source software, rather than hardware.

Terminal Node Controller

2019-07-29T01:17:56Z

N6FAV: Added link to TNCPi9k6

Terminal Node Controller

2019-07-29T01:15:22Z

N6FAV: fixed formatting

A '''T'''erminal '''N'''ode '''C'''ontroller (TNC) is a device used in packet radio. The TNC is analogous to a MODEM in wired communications. The TNC converts analog audio signals that have been received over the radio into digital bytes to be sent to a computer, and also converts digital bytes from the computer into analog audio signals that can be transmitted over radio.

[https://tnc-x.com/TNCPi.htm Costal ChipWorks] sells a TNC kit that is designed to connects to a Raspberry Pi computer, in 1200 baud and 9600 baud version. There is also a specific version of the TNC-Pi compatible with the [http://tarpn.net/t/tncpi/tncpi_assembly.html Terrestrial Amateur Radio Packet Network (TARPN)]

Terminal Node Controller

2019-07-29T01:14:33Z

N6FAV: Added Coastal ChipWorks link

A '''T'''erminal '''N'''ode '''C'''ontroller (TNC) is a device used in packet radio. The TNC is analogous to a MODEM in wired communications. The TNC converts analog audio signals that have been received over the radio into digital bytes to be sent to a computer, and also converts digital bytes from the computer into analog audio signals that can be transmitted over radio.

[[https://tnc-x.com/TNCPi.htm Costal ChipWorks]] sells a TNC kit that is designed to connects to a Raspberry Pi computer, in 1200 baud and 9600 baud version. There is also a specific version of the TNC-Pi compatible with the [[http://tarpn.net/t/tncpi/tncpi_assembly.html Terrestrial Amateur Radio Packet Network (TARPN)]]

Terminal Node Controller

2019-07-29T01:08:51Z

N6FAV: Added TARPN link

Terminal Node Controller

2019-07-29T01:06:26Z

N6FAV: New article

T

2019-07-29T00:57:38Z

N6FAV: /* T */

{{glossary}}

==T==

'''Telegraphy''' ; text based [[Modes |modes]]. Includes morse and RTTY.

'''[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vacuum_tube Thermionic Valve]''' : (Also known as an '''Electron Tube''' or a '''Vacuum Tube'''). A device that creates or modifies an electrical signal through the movement of electrons in a low pressure (vacuum) space.

'''THROB''' : An MFSK digital mode based on tone pairs.

'''TNC''' : [[Terminal Node Controller]] - a device used in packet radio that disassembles and re-assembles packets of data.

'''TOR''' ('''T'''eleprinting '''O'''ver '''R'''adio): Used in three digital modes; AMTOR, PACTOR and G-TOR.

'''Toroid''' : A donut-shaped solid usually constructed of ferrite, used as the former for transformers and inductors'

'''[[Attenuators | T pad]] ''' : one of the possible configurations used in [[Attenuators]]

'''Transceiver''' : A radio that has both a transmitter and a receiver, which either share common circuitry or a common housing or both.

'''Transient''' : A short spike or trough on a power line, usually lasting for a few microseconds.

'''[[Feedlines | Transmission Line]]''' : Also known as [[Feedlines |feedline]].

'''Tuned Circuit''' : A capacitor and an inductor, usually in parallel. The circuit responds strongly at its resonant frequency and is used to select or tune in wanted signals.

'''[[TVI]]''' : Interference to television reception.

'''TX''' : Abbreviation for transmit or transmission

T

2019-07-29T00:56:59Z

N6FAV: /* T */

{{glossary}}

==T==

'''Telegraphy''' ; text based [[Modes |modes]]. Includes morse and RTTY.

'''[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vacuum_tube Thermionic Valve]''' : (Also known as an '''Electron Tube''' or a '''Vacuum Tube'''). A device that creates or modifies an electrical signal through the movement of electrons in a low pressure (vacuum) space.

'''THROB''' : An MFSK digital mode based on tone pairs.

'''TNC''' : [['''T'''erminal '''N'''ode '''C'''ontroller]] - a device used in packet radio that disassembles and re-assembles packets of data.

'''TOR''' ('''T'''eleprinting '''O'''ver '''R'''adio): Used in three digital modes; AMTOR, PACTOR and G-TOR.

'''Toroid''' : A donut-shaped solid usually constructed of ferrite, used as the former for transformers and inductors'

'''[[Attenuators | T pad]] ''' : one of the possible configurations used in [[Attenuators]]

'''Transceiver''' : A radio that has both a transmitter and a receiver, which either share common circuitry or a common housing or both.

'''Transient''' : A short spike or trough on a power line, usually lasting for a few microseconds.

'''[[Feedlines | Transmission Line]]''' : Also known as [[Feedlines |feedline]].

'''Tuned Circuit''' : A capacitor and an inductor, usually in parallel. The circuit responds strongly at its resonant frequency and is used to select or tune in wanted signals.

'''[[TVI]]''' : Interference to television reception.

'''TX''' : Abbreviation for transmit or transmission

T

2019-07-29T00:52:29Z

N6FAV: /* T */

{{glossary}}

==T==

'''Telegraphy''' ; text based [[Modes |modes]]. Includes morse and RTTY.

'''[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vacuum_tube Thermionic Valve]''' : (Also known as an '''Electron Tube''' or a '''Vacuum Tube'''). A device that creates or modifies an electrical signal through the movement of electrons in a low pressure (vacuum) space.

'''THROB''' : An MFSK digital mode based on tone pairs.

'''[[TNC]]''' : '''T'''erminal '''N'''ode '''C'''ontroller - a device used in packet radio that disassembles and re-assembles packets of data.

'''TOR''' ('''T'''eleprinting '''O'''ver '''R'''adio): Used in three digital modes; AMTOR, PACTOR and G-TOR.

'''Toroid''' : A donut-shaped solid usually constructed of ferrite, used as the former for transformers and inductors'

'''[[Attenuators | T pad]] ''' : one of the possible configurations used in [[Attenuators]]

'''Transceiver''' : A radio that has both a transmitter and a receiver, which either share common circuitry or a common housing or both.

'''Transient''' : A short spike or trough on a power line, usually lasting for a few microseconds.

'''[[Feedlines | Transmission Line]]''' : Also known as [[Feedlines |feedline]].

'''Tuned Circuit''' : A capacitor and an inductor, usually in parallel. The circuit responds strongly at its resonant frequency and is used to select or tune in wanted signals.

'''[[TVI]]''' : Interference to television reception.

'''TX''' : Abbreviation for transmit or transmission

Packet radio

2019-05-09T21:21:05Z

N6FAV: /* External links */ removed extra bracket

''Main article: [[Wikipedia:Packet radio]]''

Packet Radio is essentially the fore-runner of wireless computer networks as we know them now. It enables communication and transfer of information between operators using a computer and a ham radio station.

Packet radio is a form of packet switching technology used to transmit digital data via radio or wireless communications links. It uses the same concepts of data transmission via Datagram that are fundamental to communications via the Internet, as opposed to the older techniques used by dedicated or switched circuits.

The most common use of packet radio today is in amateur radio, to construct wireless computer networks. Its name is a reference to the use of packet switching between network nodes. Packet radio networks use the AX.25 data link layer protocol, derived from the X.25 protocol suite and adapted for amateur radio use.

==History of Packet Radio==

Amateur radio operators began experimenting with packet radio in 1978, when - after obtaining authorization from the Canadian government - Robert Rouleau, VE2PY and The Western Quebec VHF/UHF Amateur Radio Club in Montreal, Canada began experimenting with transmitting ASCII encoded data over VHF amateur radio frequencies using homebuilt equipment.[2] In 1980, Doug Lockhart VE7APU, and the Vancouver Area Digital Communications Group (VADCG) in Vancouver, Canada began producing standardized equipment (Terminal Node Controllers) in quantity for use in amateur packet radio networks. In 2003, Rouleau was inducted into CQ Amateur Radio magazine's hall of fame for his work on the Montreal Protocol in 1978.[3]

Not long after this activity began in Canada, amateurs in the US became interested in packet radio. In 1980, the U.S. Federal Communications Commission (FCC) granted authorization for U.S. amateurs to transmit ASCII codes via amateur radio.[4] The first known amateur packet radio activity in the US occurred in San Francisco during December of 1980, when a packet repeater was put into operation on 2 meters by Hank Magnuski KA6M, and the Pacific Packet Radio Society (PPRS).[5] In keeping with the dominance of DARPA and ARPANET at the time, the nascent amateur packet radio network was dubbed the AMPRNet in DARPA style. Magnuski obtained IP address allocations in the 44.0.0.0 network for amateur radio use worldwide.

Many groups of amateur radio operators interested in packet radio soon formed throughout the country including the Pacific Packet Radio Society (PPRS) in California, the Tucson Amateur Packet Radio Corporation (TAPR) in Arizona and the Amateur Radio Research and Development Corporation (AMRAD) in Washington, D.C.[6]

By 1983, TAPR was offering the first TNC available in kit form. Packet radio started becoming more and more popular across North America and by 1984 the first packet based bulletin board systems began to appear. Packet radio proved its value for emergency operations following the crash of an Aeromexico airliner in a neighborhood in Cerritos, California Labor Day weekend, 1986. Volunteers linked several key sites to pass text traffic via packet radio which kept voice frequencies clear.

== See also ==

* [[APRS]] - Automatic Packet Reporting System
* [[Echolink]]
* [[IRLP]] - Internet Radio Linking Project
* [[SSTV]] - Amateur Radio Slow-Scan Tele-Vision

== External links ==

* [http://www.choisser.com/packet/ choisser.com] - excellent introduction
* [[Wikipedia:Packet_radio]] - description and links
* [http://tarpn.net/t/packet_radio_networking.html TARPN.net] - Terrestrial Amateur Radio Packet Network

{{modes}}

Packet radio

2019-05-09T21:20:33Z

N6FAV: Moved TARPN.net to external links

''Main article: [[Wikipedia:Packet radio]]''

Packet Radio is essentially the fore-runner of wireless computer networks as we know them now. It enables communication and transfer of information between operators using a computer and a ham radio station.

Packet radio is a form of packet switching technology used to transmit digital data via radio or wireless communications links. It uses the same concepts of data transmission via Datagram that are fundamental to communications via the Internet, as opposed to the older techniques used by dedicated or switched circuits.

The most common use of packet radio today is in amateur radio, to construct wireless computer networks. Its name is a reference to the use of packet switching between network nodes. Packet radio networks use the AX.25 data link layer protocol, derived from the X.25 protocol suite and adapted for amateur radio use.

==History of Packet Radio==

Amateur radio operators began experimenting with packet radio in 1978, when - after obtaining authorization from the Canadian government - Robert Rouleau, VE2PY and The Western Quebec VHF/UHF Amateur Radio Club in Montreal, Canada began experimenting with transmitting ASCII encoded data over VHF amateur radio frequencies using homebuilt equipment.[2] In 1980, Doug Lockhart VE7APU, and the Vancouver Area Digital Communications Group (VADCG) in Vancouver, Canada began producing standardized equipment (Terminal Node Controllers) in quantity for use in amateur packet radio networks. In 2003, Rouleau was inducted into CQ Amateur Radio magazine's hall of fame for his work on the Montreal Protocol in 1978.[3]

Not long after this activity began in Canada, amateurs in the US became interested in packet radio. In 1980, the U.S. Federal Communications Commission (FCC) granted authorization for U.S. amateurs to transmit ASCII codes via amateur radio.[4] The first known amateur packet radio activity in the US occurred in San Francisco during December of 1980, when a packet repeater was put into operation on 2 meters by Hank Magnuski KA6M, and the Pacific Packet Radio Society (PPRS).[5] In keeping with the dominance of DARPA and ARPANET at the time, the nascent amateur packet radio network was dubbed the AMPRNet in DARPA style. Magnuski obtained IP address allocations in the 44.0.0.0 network for amateur radio use worldwide.

Many groups of amateur radio operators interested in packet radio soon formed throughout the country including the Pacific Packet Radio Society (PPRS) in California, the Tucson Amateur Packet Radio Corporation (TAPR) in Arizona and the Amateur Radio Research and Development Corporation (AMRAD) in Washington, D.C.[6]

By 1983, TAPR was offering the first TNC available in kit form. Packet radio started becoming more and more popular across North America and by 1984 the first packet based bulletin board systems began to appear. Packet radio proved its value for emergency operations following the crash of an Aeromexico airliner in a neighborhood in Cerritos, California Labor Day weekend, 1986. Volunteers linked several key sites to pass text traffic via packet radio which kept voice frequencies clear.

== See also ==

* [[APRS]] - Automatic Packet Reporting System
* [[Echolink]]
* [[IRLP]] - Internet Radio Linking Project
* [[SSTV]] - Amateur Radio Slow-Scan Tele-Vision

== External links ==

* [http://www.choisser.com/packet/ choisser.com] - excellent introduction
* [[Wikipedia:Packet_radio]] - description and links
* [http://tarpn.net/t/packet_radio_networking.html TARPN.net]] - Terrestrial Amateur Radio Packet Network

{{modes}}

Packet radio

2019-05-09T21:15:43Z

N6FAV: /* See also */ Added TARPN and descriptions

''Main article: [[Wikipedia:Packet radio]]''

Packet Radio is essentially the fore-runner of wireless computer networks as we know them now. It enables communication and transfer of information between operators using a computer and a ham radio station.

Packet radio is a form of packet switching technology used to transmit digital data via radio or wireless communications links. It uses the same concepts of data transmission via Datagram that are fundamental to communications via the Internet, as opposed to the older techniques used by dedicated or switched circuits.

The most common use of packet radio today is in amateur radio, to construct wireless computer networks. Its name is a reference to the use of packet switching between network nodes. Packet radio networks use the AX.25 data link layer protocol, derived from the X.25 protocol suite and adapted for amateur radio use.

==History of Packet Radio==

Amateur radio operators began experimenting with packet radio in 1978, when - after obtaining authorization from the Canadian government - Robert Rouleau, VE2PY and The Western Quebec VHF/UHF Amateur Radio Club in Montreal, Canada began experimenting with transmitting ASCII encoded data over VHF amateur radio frequencies using homebuilt equipment.[2] In 1980, Doug Lockhart VE7APU, and the Vancouver Area Digital Communications Group (VADCG) in Vancouver, Canada began producing standardized equipment (Terminal Node Controllers) in quantity for use in amateur packet radio networks. In 2003, Rouleau was inducted into CQ Amateur Radio magazine's hall of fame for his work on the Montreal Protocol in 1978.[3]

Not long after this activity began in Canada, amateurs in the US became interested in packet radio. In 1980, the U.S. Federal Communications Commission (FCC) granted authorization for U.S. amateurs to transmit ASCII codes via amateur radio.[4] The first known amateur packet radio activity in the US occurred in San Francisco during December of 1980, when a packet repeater was put into operation on 2 meters by Hank Magnuski KA6M, and the Pacific Packet Radio Society (PPRS).[5] In keeping with the dominance of DARPA and ARPANET at the time, the nascent amateur packet radio network was dubbed the AMPRNet in DARPA style. Magnuski obtained IP address allocations in the 44.0.0.0 network for amateur radio use worldwide.

Many groups of amateur radio operators interested in packet radio soon formed throughout the country including the Pacific Packet Radio Society (PPRS) in California, the Tucson Amateur Packet Radio Corporation (TAPR) in Arizona and the Amateur Radio Research and Development Corporation (AMRAD) in Washington, D.C.[6]

By 1983, TAPR was offering the first TNC available in kit form. Packet radio started becoming more and more popular across North America and by 1984 the first packet based bulletin board systems began to appear. Packet radio proved its value for emergency operations following the crash of an Aeromexico airliner in a neighborhood in Cerritos, California Labor Day weekend, 1986. Volunteers linked several key sites to pass text traffic via packet radio which kept voice frequencies clear.

== See also ==

* [[APRS]] - Automatic Packet Reporting System
* [[Echolink]]
* [[IRLP]] - Internet Radio Linking Project
* [[SSTV]] - Amateur Radio Slow-Scan Tele-Vision
* [[TARPN]] - Terrestrial Amateur Radio Packet Network

== External links ==

* [http://www.choisser.com/packet/ choisser.com] - excellent introduction
* [[Wikipedia:Packet_radio]] - description and links

{{modes}}

Packet radio

2019-05-09T21:10:42Z

N6FAV: Moved sentence out of History section

''Main article: [[Wikipedia:Packet radio]]''

Packet Radio is essentially the fore-runner of wireless computer networks as we know them now. It enables communication and transfer of information between operators using a computer and a ham radio station.

Packet radio is a form of packet switching technology used to transmit digital data via radio or wireless communications links. It uses the same concepts of data transmission via Datagram that are fundamental to communications via the Internet, as opposed to the older techniques used by dedicated or switched circuits.

The most common use of packet radio today is in amateur radio, to construct wireless computer networks. Its name is a reference to the use of packet switching between network nodes. Packet radio networks use the AX.25 data link layer protocol, derived from the X.25 protocol suite and adapted for amateur radio use.

==History of Packet Radio==

Amateur radio operators began experimenting with packet radio in 1978, when - after obtaining authorization from the Canadian government - Robert Rouleau, VE2PY and The Western Quebec VHF/UHF Amateur Radio Club in Montreal, Canada began experimenting with transmitting ASCII encoded data over VHF amateur radio frequencies using homebuilt equipment.[2] In 1980, Doug Lockhart VE7APU, and the Vancouver Area Digital Communications Group (VADCG) in Vancouver, Canada began producing standardized equipment (Terminal Node Controllers) in quantity for use in amateur packet radio networks. In 2003, Rouleau was inducted into CQ Amateur Radio magazine's hall of fame for his work on the Montreal Protocol in 1978.[3]

Not long after this activity began in Canada, amateurs in the US became interested in packet radio. In 1980, the U.S. Federal Communications Commission (FCC) granted authorization for U.S. amateurs to transmit ASCII codes via amateur radio.[4] The first known amateur packet radio activity in the US occurred in San Francisco during December of 1980, when a packet repeater was put into operation on 2 meters by Hank Magnuski KA6M, and the Pacific Packet Radio Society (PPRS).[5] In keeping with the dominance of DARPA and ARPANET at the time, the nascent amateur packet radio network was dubbed the AMPRNet in DARPA style. Magnuski obtained IP address allocations in the 44.0.0.0 network for amateur radio use worldwide.

Many groups of amateur radio operators interested in packet radio soon formed throughout the country including the Pacific Packet Radio Society (PPRS) in California, the Tucson Amateur Packet Radio Corporation (TAPR) in Arizona and the Amateur Radio Research and Development Corporation (AMRAD) in Washington, D.C.[6]

By 1983, TAPR was offering the first TNC available in kit form. Packet radio started becoming more and more popular across North America and by 1984 the first packet based bulletin board systems began to appear. Packet radio proved its value for emergency operations following the crash of an Aeromexico airliner in a neighborhood in Cerritos, California Labor Day weekend, 1986. Volunteers linked several key sites to pass text traffic via packet radio which kept voice frequencies clear.

== See also ==

* [[APRS]]
* [[Echolink]]
* [[IRLP]]
* [[SSTV]]

== External links ==

* [http://www.choisser.com/packet/ choisser.com] - excellent introduction
* [[Wikipedia:Packet_radio]] - description and links

{{modes}}

Packet radio

2019-05-09T21:09:46Z

N6FAV: Copy edit - added section title

''Main article: [[Wikipedia:Packet radio]]''

Packet Radio is essentially the fore-runner of wireless computer networks as we know them now. It enables communication and transfer of information between operators using a computer and a ham radio station.

Packet radio is a form of packet switching technology used to transmit digital data via radio or wireless communications links. It uses the same concepts of data transmission via Datagram that are fundamental to communications via the Internet, as opposed to the older techniques used by dedicated or switched circuits.

==History of Packet Radio==

Amateur radio operators began experimenting with packet radio in 1978, when - after obtaining authorization from the Canadian government - Robert Rouleau, VE2PY and The Western Quebec VHF/UHF Amateur Radio Club in Montreal, Canada began experimenting with transmitting ASCII encoded data over VHF amateur radio frequencies using homebuilt equipment.[2] In 1980, Doug Lockhart VE7APU, and the Vancouver Area Digital Communications Group (VADCG) in Vancouver, Canada began producing standardized equipment (Terminal Node Controllers) in quantity for use in amateur packet radio networks. In 2003, Rouleau was inducted into CQ Amateur Radio magazine's hall of fame for his work on the Montreal Protocol in 1978.[3]

Not long after this activity began in Canada, amateurs in the US became interested in packet radio. In 1980, the U.S. Federal Communications Commission (FCC) granted authorization for U.S. amateurs to transmit ASCII codes via amateur radio.[4] The first known amateur packet radio activity in the US occurred in San Francisco during December of 1980, when a packet repeater was put into operation on 2 meters by Hank Magnuski KA6M, and the Pacific Packet Radio Society (PPRS).[5] In keeping with the dominance of DARPA and ARPANET at the time, the nascent amateur packet radio network was dubbed the AMPRNet in DARPA style. Magnuski obtained IP address allocations in the 44.0.0.0 network for amateur radio use worldwide.

Many groups of amateur radio operators interested in packet radio soon formed throughout the country including the Pacific Packet Radio Society (PPRS) in California, the Tucson Amateur Packet Radio Corporation (TAPR) in Arizona and the Amateur Radio Research and Development Corporation (AMRAD) in Washington, D.C.[6]

By 1983, TAPR was offering the first TNC available in kit form. Packet radio started becoming more and more popular across North America and by 1984 the first packet based bulletin board systems began to appear. Packet radio proved its value for emergency operations following the crash of an Aeromexico airliner in a neighborhood in Cerritos, California Labor Day weekend, 1986. Volunteers linked several key sites to pass text traffic via packet radio which kept voice frequencies clear.

The most common use of packet radio today is in amateur radio, to construct wireless computer networks. Its name is a reference to the use of packet switching between network nodes. Packet radio networks use the AX.25 data link layer protocol, derived from the X.25 protocol suite and adapted for amateur radio use.

== See also ==

* [[APRS]]
* [[Echolink]]
* [[IRLP]]
* [[SSTV]]

== External links ==

* [http://www.choisser.com/packet/ choisser.com] - excellent introduction
* [[Wikipedia:Packet_radio]] - description and links

{{modes}}

Modes

2019-05-09T19:20:07Z

N6FAV: Copy edit /* Packet */

The term mode has varying meanings, according to the context, but the most common are permitted modes in amateur licensing.

Waves have three characteristics that can be changed, Amplitude, Frequency and Phase. A mode is the way of changing electromagnetic waves, '''modulating''' them so that transmission of information is possible. Modulating signals can be either analogue, for example sound or digital, for example simple binary on-off.

= Analogue Modulation methods =

There are two main '''analogue''' modes, or methods of modulation: Amplitude Modulation (AM), in which the phasor amplitude changes, and Angle Modulation, in which the phasor angle changes.

Double Sideband (DSB), Single Sideband (SSB) and Vestigal Sideband (VSB) are all forms of AM.
Frequency Modulation (FM) and Phase Modulation (PM) are all forms of Angle modulation.

== Amplitude Modulation (AM) ==

The transceiver produces a carrier wave at the frequency of transmission. Voice is superimposed on the carrier wave, and alters its shape by changing the '''Amplitude''' or height of the wave. Hence the frequency and wavelength of the carrier do not change with this form of modulation.

See [[Wikipedia:Amplitude_modulation|Amplitude Modulation on Wikipedia]] for more information.

== Double-Sideband Modulation (DSB) ==

Double Sideband is what's usually meant when people talk about AM. In DSB transmissions, the message signal is transmitted in two sidebands, one being the mirror image of the other. The carrier may be either transmitted at full power (DSB-FC), at reduced power (DSB-RC), or completely eliminated (DSB-SC).

Conceptually, the power level at the carrier frequency, equates to the DC bias in the input signal. Mathematically, it looks something like this:

<math>x(t) = (A + m(t))\cos( 2 \pi f_c t + \phi )</math>

== Single-Sideband Modulation (SSB) ==

Single sideband is what you get if you take a DSB-SC signal, and pass it through a sharp high-pass or low-pass filter to reject the offending sideband. It may be generated through high-pass/low-pass filter, or it may be done using a Harley Modulator, which cancels out the unwanted sideband through the use of a Hilbert Transform.

== Frequency Modulation (FM) ==

The transceiver produces a carrier wave, in the same way as for Amplitude Modulation. In this case however, voice is added to the carrier so that is '''frequency''' changes. This in turn affects the wavelength of the carrier, but the amplitude remains constant.

See [[Wikipedia:Frequency_modulation|Frequency Modulation on Wikipedia]] for more information.

<math>x(t) = \cos( 2 \pi ( f_c + \Delta f m(t) t + \phi ) )</math>

== Phase Modulation (PM) ==

This mode is seldom used in amateur radio. It's very similar to FM, but rather than the frequency changing, it's the phase of the signal that changes according to the modulating signal.

<math>x(t) = \cos( 2 \pi ( f_c t + \Delta \phi m(t) ) )</math>

The well-known [[Modes#Phase Shift Keying (PSK)|PSK31]] digital mode is a form of phase modulation.

In analogue radio, phase modulation differs only vary slightly from frequency modulation as mathematically frequency is the rate of change of phase. In FM, output frequency deviation is directly proportional to input signal amplitude only. A PM signal looks much like an FM signal except that output frequency deviation is directly proportional to both input signal amplitude and input frequency. An FM receiver would therefore receive a PM signal, but high frequencies in the audio would be pre-emphasised by 3dB/octave.

== Lesser known modes ==

* Quadrature amplitude modulation (QAM). In this mode, two carrier waves, 90° out of phase with each other are produced. QAM is a variant of AM, in which each of these two carriers is modulated by a separate audio signal. QAM or a variant thereof had been used in many AM Stereo broadcast radio systems as well as for the colour subcarrier on analogue fast-scan TV transmissions.

= Digital modulation =

Technically, whenever a signal is turned on and off to enable transmission of information, it can be considered to be a digital mode. Under this definition, CW is certainly a digital mode. This section refers to methods of transmitting and receiving (rather than modulating) that are digital, or that require digital processing in part of the transmission or receiving process.

[[RTTY_TOR_PSK_and_other_Digital_Modes | Wiki page for digital mode software]]

== Amplitude Shift keying (ASK) ==

Also known as '''O'''ff/'''O'''n Keying, ('''OOK''')

Amplitude-shift keying (ASK) is a form of modulation in which digital data is sent as variations in the amplitude of a carrier wave. In this mode there are two states, carrier on and carrier off, hence the name off/on keying.

ASK is sensitive to atmospheric noise, distortions and propagation conditions. Because light can be controlled to have two states, on and off, ASK is also commonly used to transmit digital data over optical fiber.

See [[Wikipedia:Amplitude-shift_keying|Wikipedia Amplitude Shift Keying]] for more information.

== Continuous Wave (CW) ==

Related wiki page: [[ What is the best way to learn Morse?]], [http://amateur-radio-wiki.net/index.php?title=Codes_and_Alphabets#Morse_Code Morse Code]

A continuous wave is an electromagnetic wave of constant amplitude and frequency, a pure carrier, and information is carried by turning the wave on and off, and measuring the interval. Morse code is often transmitted using CW.

=== QRSS - Slow Morse ===

The term QRSS comes from the Morse Code [[Codes_and_Alphabets |Q-Code]] QRS which means either "Shall I send more slowly?" or "Please send more slowly"

In practice QRSS has a dot time-length of 3 seconds or more, and occupies a very narrow bandwidth - as low as 1Hz.

QRSS signals are monitored by "grabbers" such as those listed on [http://digilander.libero.it/i2ndt/grabber/grabber-compendium.htm this site] from I2NDT.

Grabber software can be obtained from the[http://www.swharden.com/blog/qrss_vd/ QRSS VD] site, and instructions on how to set up a grabber site can be obtained [http://knightsqrss.blogspot.com/2010/11/howto-setup-qrss-grabber.html here].

This [http://on5ex.be/clipboard_view_unreg.php clipboard] has probably the most up to date information about qrss beacons and grabbers.

Kits can be obtained [http://www.hanssummers.com/qrsskit here].

See [[Wikipedia:Continuous_wave|Wikipedia Continuous Wave]] for more information.

== Frequency Shift Keying (FSK)==

The frequency of the carrier is varied according to a digital signal.

See [[Wikipedia:Frequency-shift_keying|Wikipedia Frequency Shift Keying]] for more information.

===MFSK - '''M'''ultiple '''F'''requency '''S'''hift '''K'''eying===

In MFSK data is sent using many different tones. MFSK is used by several digital modes including MFSK16, Throb, Olivia and Ale and Domino. The advantages of MFSK compared to other FSK modes are:
*good noise rejection
*low propagation distortion
*less effects from multi-pathing
*low error rates

Some limitations of MFSK are:
*high stability transceivers are required for effective transmission and reception. Exception: Olivia and Domino which are very drift tolerant.
*some interference effects from ionospheric multipathing
*some interference from constant carrier signals

External Links to MFSK sites:

* [http://www.qsl.net/zl1bpu/MFSK/ General information about MFSK]

* [http://hflink.com/ ALE] Automatic Link establishment. Information and downloads.

* [http://www.qsl.net/zl1bpu/DOMINO/Index.htm Domino EX] has plenty of info and download links.

* [http://hflink.com/olivia/ Olivia ] includes information, download links and frequencies used.

* [http://rosmodem.wordpress.com/ ROS digital] Download the latest version and contribute to the blog.

* [http://www.dl5swb.de/html/throb_2_5x3_3.htm Throb ] screenshot and download link.

===AMTOR===

'''Am'''ateur '''T'''eleprinting '''O'''ver '''R'''adio

Also known as SITOR in its commercial form.

AMTOR comes in two types, Type A and Type B.

Type A: information is repeated if requested by the receiving station. This is known as ARG (Automatic ReQuest)

Type B: AMTOR B uses FEC (Forward Error Correction)to ensure data is transmitted with as little loss as possible. This is accomplished by sending each character twice, with three seconds between each end.

The frequency of the carrier is varied according to a digital signal.

Wikipedia article [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/AMTOR]

===CLOVER===

CLOVER is a PSK mode which provides a full duplex. There are two CLOVER variants, CLOVER I and CLOVER II. Perhaps the most interesting characteristics of Clover is that it adapts to conditions by constantly monitoring the received signal and changes modulation scheme in response.

[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/CLOVER2000 Wikipedia clover article]

===G-TOR===

Invented by M Golay, G-TOR (Golay-TOR) was used to transmit the early Jupter and saturn space mission pictures back to earth. Is an FSK mode that has faster transfer rate than Pactor. To minimize the effects of atmospheric noise, a data interleaving process is employed. This has the added advantage that garbled data can be decoded. GTOR is a proprietary mode developed by Kantronics and is rarely used by radio amateurs. Some features:
* a 16 bit CRC (Cyclic Redundancy Check). This process involves the transmitting station sending a checksum with the data. The receiving station compares the checksum with the recieved data, andf can request either new data, a resend of data or a change of baud rate.
* Baud rates of 100, 200 or 300 to suit varying conditions.

===PACTOR===

PACTOR is a hybrid of Packet and AMTOR

Designed by Peter, DL6MAA and Ulrich, DF4KV asa an alternative to both AMTOR and packet. It has three incarnations, PACTOR I, PACTOR II and PACTOR III. These are effective under weak signaql and high noise conditions. PACTOR is not commonly sed by amateurs.

[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/PACTOR Wikipedia PACTOR article]

=== Radio Teletype (RTTY) ===

RTTY or "Radio Teletype" is an FSK mode that has been in use longer than any other digital mode except for morse code.

In its original form, RTTY was a very simple technique which used a five-bit [[Baudot]] code to represent all the letters of the alphabet, the numbers, some punctuation and some control characters. Transmissions were at approximately 60 wpm (words per minute). More recent implementations operate at higher bitrates using the same [[ASCII]] code used for standard computer data.

Because there is no error correction provided in RTTY, noise and interference can have a serious impact on transmissions. RTTY is still popular with many radio amateurs.

====RTTY frequencies ====

As a general general rule of thumb RTTY is usually found between 80kHz and 100kHz up from the lower edge of each band, except for 160M and 80M.

* 160M - 1800 to 1820 (RTTY is rare on this band)
* 80M - 3580 to 3650
* 40M - 7080 to 7100 (differs from region to region)*
* 30M - 10110 to 10150
* 20M - 14080 to 14099
* 17M - 18095 to 18109
* 15M - 21080 to 21100
* 12m - 24915 to 24929
* 10M - 28080 to 28100
* 6m - 50300 AFSK and 50600 = FSK

A listing of RTTY frequencies used for weather, ham radio bulletins and for other purposes can be found [http://www.g4nsj.co.uk/rtty.shtml here]

==[[Packet]]==

Data is transferred from transceiver to receiver in ''packets'' or groups of data bits. Typically, this involves connection of transceiver audio to a [[terminal node controller]], which handles demodulated [[modem]] signals and provides some level of automated [[error correction]]. [[APRS]] (automated packet reporting system, automated position reporting system) is one example of a [[packet]] radio system; it is commonly used to provide weather beacons and GPS tracking for unmanned craft such as weather balloons.

This mode was popular in the late 1970's and early 1980's, but has decreased in use since then.

See main amateur-radio-wiki article: [[Packet]]

[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Packet_radio Or Wikipedia article on Packet]

== Phase Shift Keying (PSK) ==

The '''phase''' of the carrier is modulated by a digital signal. In its simplest terms, this could mean for example that the phase of the carrier is turned through 180° with each change in the digital signal. In practical terms, PSK allows long distance communication even when noise level are high.

[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phase-shift_keying Wikipedia PSK article]

[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/PSK31 Wikipedia PSK31 article]

[http://www.pskreporter.info/pskmapn.html PSK reporter] reports who has been seen using psk.

===Common PSK frequencies===

(subject to [[Propagation | propagation]] characteristics.)

{| border="2"
! BAND
| 160M
| 80M
| 40M
| 40M
| 30M
| 30M
| 20M
| 17M
| 15M
| 15M
| 12M
| 10M
| 6M
| 2M
| 1.25M
| 70cm
| 33cm
|-
! FREQ MHz
| 1.838
| 3.580
| 7.035 DX
| 7.070 US
| 10.140 DX
| 10.142 US
| 14.070
| 18.100
| 21.070
| 21.080
| 24.920
| 28.120
| 50.290
| 144.150
| 222.070
| 432.200
| 909.000
|}

See [[Wikipedia:Phase-shift_keying|Wikipedia Phase Shift Keying]]
[[Wikipedia: PSK31]], [[Wikipedia: PSK63]],
[http://www.circuitcellar.com/microchip2007/winners/MT2267.html "NUE-PSK Digital Modem"].

== Digital modes in practice ==

The licensing regime defines digital modes as those modulation techniques that require digital data processing. In Australia refer to the [http://www.acma.gov.au/WEB/STANDARD/pc=PC_1256 ACMA LCD] ( Licence Conditions Determination) for exact details. You will need to scroll down the page to find the link.

To get on air in digital modes normally an SSB transceiver is used which is coupled to a computer via a so called [[Radio/PC_Interfaces|interface]].

As a minimum the interface requires 4 signals from the transceiver:
# Audio in - where you would connect the microphone for SSB.
# Audio out - for the loudspeaker.
# PTT.
# Ground.

On the computer side you need corresponding signals from the computers sound-card or integrated sound system:
# Audio out - the audio generated by a digital modes program on transmit.
# Audio in - either the "microphone-in" or the "line-in" connector of the sound-card.
# PTT - often the RTS or DTR signal of a serial port is used for this. PTT can also be generated within the "interface" by a VOX like circuit.
# Ground.

The computer has to run a digital modes program - see [[RTTY_TOR_PSK_and_other_Digital_Modes|the digimodes software page]].

'''What do digital modes sound like?''' [http://www.kb9ukd.com/digital/ Click here to find out.]
* G4UCJ has a useful site with screenshots of digital modes here at [http://www.hfradio.org.uk/html/digital_modes.html G4UCJ's Radio Website]

=VOIP (Voice Over IP) Modes=

VOIP is not considered by some hams as being a "true" ham mode. These modes are reliant to some extent on using the internet to transfer voice from one station to another. For example, [[IRLP]] users transmit from radio into a "node" - their voice is transferred via the internet to another node, from where it is transmitted from another radio to the receiving station. The link between radios is therefore via the internet.

One advantage of these modes is that hams in restricted communities can have contacts with hams in far distant lands with basic equipment.

Some VOIP modes, for example [[CQ100]] do not require a radio at all as the "rig" is software created and driven.

All VOIP modes require some ham radio certification

* [[CQ100]]
* [[IRLP]]
* [[Echolink]]
* [[eQSO]]

= See also =

* [[Repeater listings]]
* [[APRS]]
* [[D-Star]]
* [[Emission Classification]]
* [[Packet]]
* [[Slow-Scan Television (SSTV)]]
* [[Fast-Scan Television (ATV)]]
* [[Optical communications]]
* [[WSPR]]
* [[WSJT]]
* [[Software]]
* [[QRP]]

= External links =

* [[Wikipedia:Modulation]]

{{modes}}

Amateur Radio Wiki:Contributing

2019-05-09T19:13:02Z

N6FAV: copy edit, more encyclopedic

Contributing to this wiki is both easy and important!

It's easy because it's a wiki that anybody can edit (powered by [http://www.mediawiki.org/ Mediawiki], the same engine that runs [http://www.wikipedia.org/ Wikipedia]). If you have trouble editing the site, see the [[Help:Contents|help system]] or the [http://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/MediaWiki_User's_Guide Mediawiki User's Guide].

Also note that you can keep an offline copy of this wiki using [https://github.com/moy/Git-Mediawiki/wiki/ git-mediawiki support]. You can even make edits offline and then synchronize your changes when you get back on the internet, ideal for mobile stations!

== Why is contributing here important ==

Contributing here is important because there's too many sources of information for amateur radio out there. It's hard both for new people and experienced operators to find the right source and the correct answers to too many questions when you have a problem. We need to build an authoritative documentation of all the spectrum (no pun intended) of knowledge that has gathered on the internet over the years, dusting in old 20th century web pages with turqoise backgrounds and blinking text.

As a newcomer, you need to tell us what's missing here. Feel free to edit pages to ask questions or to outline places you don't understand. You should use discussion pages to ask questions, but feel free to [[Wikipedia:WP:BOLD|be bold]] and just edit the wiki, everything will settle in the end, trust us.

As a new, established or experience operator, sharing your experience here is invaluable. We need sound documentation on everything. A lot of information about ham out there is dispersed or in old books, we need to take it out of there and take it to the world.

When you contribute, do think about [[Project:Copyrights|copyrights issues]]. We need the content here to be free of rights so that it can be reused and edited by other people.

See also the [[Project:Posting guidelines|the posting guidelines]].

== Admin help ==

If you wish to help with the development of this site as a sysop, then please contact Tim at admin1@amateur-radio-wiki.net (Note: The admin1 email address is not working, but you can contact [[User:Hardaker|Wes Hardaker]] through his personal web page)

Amateur Radio Wiki:Contributing

2019-05-09T19:11:22Z

N6FAV: Added link to Hardaker page

Amateur Radio Wiki:Contributing

2019-05-09T19:02:39Z

N6FAV: Note regarding bouncing email address

Contributing to this wiki is both easy and important!

It's easy because it's a wiki that anybody can edit (powered by [http://www.mediawiki.org/ Mediawiki], the same engine that runs [http://www.wikipedia.org/ Wikipedia]). If you have trouble editing the site, see the [[Help:Contents|help system]] or the [http://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/MediaWiki_User's_Guide Mediawiki User's Guide].

Also note that you can keep an offline copy of this wiki using [https://github.com/moy/Git-Mediawiki/wiki/ git-mediawiki support]. You can even make edits offline and then synchronize your changes when you get back on the internet, ideal for mobile stations!

== Why is contributing here important ==

Contributing here is important because there's too many sources of information for amateur radio out there. It's hard both for new people and experienced operators to find the right source and the correct answers to too many questions when you have a problem. We need to build an authoritative documentation of all the spectrum (no pun intended) of knowledge that has gathered on the internet over the years, dusting in old 20th century web pages with turqoise backgrounds and blinking text.

As a newcomer, you need to tell us what's missing here. Feel free to edit pages to ask questions or to outline places you don't understand. You should use discussion pages to ask questions, but feel free to [[Wikipedia:WP:BOLD|be bold]] and just edit the wiki, everything will settle in the end, trust us.

As a new, established or experience operator, sharing your experience here is invaluable. We need sound documentation on everything. A lot of information about ham out there is dispersed or in old books, we need to take it out of there and take it to the world.

When you contribute, do think about [[Project:Copyrights|copyrights issues]]. We need the content here to be free of rights so that it can be reused and edited by other people.

See also the [[Project:Posting guidelines|the posting guidelines]].

== Admin help ==

If you wish to help with the development of this site as a sysop, then please contact Tim at admin1@amateur-radio-wiki.net (Editors note: The admin1 email address listed here is currently not working, as a temporary work-around, contact Wes WS6Z)