Packet Racket by Larry Gorman VE3LGN

Is Packet Dead?    We hear occasional comments that e-mail is replacing packet, that cell phones are replacing everything else!  "It's easier. It's faster.  It's more efficient.  I can get on-line assistance." With the plethora of hi-tech electronic devices on the market it is sometimes overlooked that amateur radio was/still is the for-runner in developing new communications concepts .  We often forget that ham radio began as, and continues to be, an opportunity for amateurs experimenters to test out new ideas, and to push the envelope a little further.

Old timers often regale listeners with their early successes in assembling home-brew devices or Heath Kits.  A high level of satisfaction was realized when a contact was made.  Not unexpectedly, someone ultimately found a way to commercialize successful amateur innovations.  And thus we have arrived at the point where it is easier and cheaper to buy a commercial product than to try to make it.  In fact, with silicon chips and Computer Assisted Design and Manufacturing (CAD/CAM) it is now unrealistic to compete with most commercial products.

And so we go back to the Packet counter points.  Packet still has its niche in Amateur radio, just as Amateur radio still has its place in the communications spectrum   One needs of course to decide, "What is it that I want to get out of my amateur licence capability?".  Will I use the fast easy alternative, or an interesting and more challenging form of "making contact".

Packet may not be the answer for all your needs, In some cases commercial systems are more practical.  But that does not exclude its potential for adventure!  Do you browse the for sale columns in the newspaper?  Do you read the flyers from amateur radio suppliers?  Packet has its own world wide "for sale" and "wanted" columns, if you are interested in, or just curious about,  pre owned amateur equipment, manuals, etc.  It's all there for instant call up, at no additional cost. Chat lines are available, or you can surf the nodes to a distant BBS, as outlined on VA3SED

Want to make a "HF" contact with a Ham in a far off land?  But you have only a Basic license and a VHF radio?  Packet is your venue.  No need to worry about sun spot degraded audio connections, or an expensive antenna system.

We have our resident experts Ted VE3TJD and Gord VE3EOS, for those who would like some assistance.  At our monthly Packet group meeting you can pick up help and new ideas in a casual setting.

Packet does have some limitations.  You can only contact an Amateur who is packet equipped.  And if you have e-mail capability it may be more convenient, and colourful to log onto your server.  Of course there are ongoing fees associated with this commercial version of packet.  One of the latest developments of packet is APRS, the Automated Packet Reporting System.  This also is becoming available in a commercial version on selected new automobiles.  But we were there first!

 "Could be, you are missing some fun".  Call up the web site www.tapr.org/tapr/html/pktf.html  and see for yourself.

73 
Larry Gorman VE3LGN