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VK2TV > USERS 13.06.09 09:52l 141 Lines 6350 Bytes #999 (0) @ WW
BID : A50002VK2TV
Read: GUEST
Subj: Re: Last men standing
Path: IZ3LSV<IK2XDE<DB0RES<ON0AR<UA6ADV<GB7CIP<GB7LDI<N9PMO<VE9MPF<N4ZKF<
KD4YAL<VK2TV
Sent: 090613/0714Z @:VK2TV.#MNC.NSW.AUS.OC #:205 [Kempsey, QF68JX] $:A50002VK2T
From: VK2TV@VK2TV.#MNC.NSW.AUS.OC
To : USERS@WW
ZL1ABS wrote:-
> From : ZL1ABS
> To : USERS@WW
> Type/status : B$
> Date/time : 13-Jun 14:59
> BID (MID) : BD2740ZL1ABS
> Message # : 199
> Title : Re: Last men standing
>
> Path: !VK2AAB!VK2WI!VK2IO!VK2TGB!VK7AX!CX2SA!ZL2BAU!ZL1AB!
>
> From: ZL1ABS@ZL1AB.#06.NZL.OC
> To : USERS@WW
>
>
> Hi Dave & Pete,
>
> So you are suggesting that some people might set up a NODE or Packet
> gateway over the internet?
>
> Eddie ZL2AQY does this in Auckland. He runs an Xrouter node, a DX Packet
> Cluster and forwards traffic to the local RF only BBS. He accepts TELNET
> connections from those out of RF range of the BBS.
>
> I asked my local BBS for the latest WP figures:
> 2925 total, 1592 Users & 1333 BBS
> I'm not sure how correct these figures are, but the 1333 BBS is
> surprisingly large?
>
> I wonder if someone did a similar query on a VK/GB BBS would they get the
> same numbers?
>
> 73 - Michael, ZL1ABS @ ZL1AB
>
> Message timed: 22:40 on 2009-Jun-10
>
> --- End of messsage #199 to USERS from ZL1ABS ---
>
Hi All,
I'm going to comment on the content of a number of bulletins in this
reply.
Michael, there's less than ten BBS's in VK2 and maybe only twenty or so
across the country. I can't provide WP figure because today I reinstalled
FBB from scratch because I simply didn't have the time to investigate an
issue I was having. The BBS was down for three days because of my lack of
time.
The method of connection that I avoided for a very long time, before
giving in is telnet. It is insecure and open to abuse. I maintain an
extremely small number of telnet BBS/user connections. However, I happily
use the internet for links for ax25 over udp (or IP) links which are much
more secure, being a one on one configuration with the remote station.
Unless the link is configured for the remote IP address it doesn't work.
Those udp links provide me with BBS, Netrom and Rose node connectivity
around the world. FWIW, I would prefer my internet users to use udp rather
than telnet. Popular programs such as TSTHWIN and Winpack+AGW can use ax25
over udp with the addition of the LU7DID udp driver. That method provides
link speed and link security. For someone running an isolated BBS computer
where security is not an issue, telnet is fine. For someone running other
important applications on a networked BBS computer such as I do, telnet is
not fine. This is my opinion as the person who has to restore a
compromised system.
If anyone is interested in the ax25 over udp option I can provide
assistance with advice and configuration.
Moving to points raised in other bulletins.
I don't ever see users as "takers" or, in the Australian vernacular,
Bludgers. I chose to be a BBS sysop, nobody forced me. There was a need in
this town due to the closest BBS's being 75km in each direction, with
direct RF links being impossible due to the terrain, and I had the
computer and radio equipment available. I was able to access the UHF
backbone digis.
Being out of town on 25 acres solves the "you can't erect antennas"
problem. If I want another antenna or tower I just erect it, no permission
sought, no questions asked, job done.
I object to users being considered as takers. There must, after all, be
some sort of minimum ratio of users to BBS's but I wouldn't attempt to
define that number. These days one for one is not uncommon but in the
heyday of packet it would have been absurd.
The cost of electricity to run the BBS/Node/APRS system isn't a serious
consideration to me, but it might head that way with an expected 18%
increase in electricity from July 1st. Anyone who gambles, smokes or
drinks will spend many times more a year than I do to run the system. I
don't do any of the above, and running the system returns the pleasure of
helping others. The money isn't gone after a sure-thing nag ran last. a
few puffs, or a quick gargle.
We don't have a NoV in Australia, and never have. If someone want to set
up a BBS, they just do it. Our regulations permit unattended operation of
packet stations. Remote nodes and repeaters, however, require a licence
for each site. Mulitple frequencies are included in a single licence fee
for that site, that fee being $64 which includes the original licence
application cost. That fee is considerably lower than commercial rates due
to initial site engineering being carried out by The Wireless Institute of
Australia who have a repeater officer/repeater committee to handle
applications.
What has been an impediment to the establishment of new systems, and saw
the demise of old systems, was the change from peppercorn rent to
commercial rates for many sites. The state government and state owned
corporations now charge the new rates. It was this fee increase that
started the demise of the northern New South Wales packet backbone
network. A busy site in Newcastle, to the north of Sydney, was a hub for
two northen NSW routes. It's closure essentially killed packet north of
Sydney.
If not for my HF links I would have closed the BBS years ago. I would
close it today if I had internet only connectivity. I still have HF links
and, local VHF and UHF links.
The demise of packet is a bit like the chicken and egg question. After
packet began to decline, after the decline in the original bunrush for the
new mode, some clubs decided to remove nodes, or not repair them when thay
failed. The reduction in nodes hastened the demise of the backbone which
also hastened the rate of users deserting the mode. You can't expect to
have users if there are no facilities, and that's one reason why I still
persist with multiple RF links. Call me an optimist, even a stupid
optimist, that's fine.
I mentioned closing the bbs if I had internet only. The VK2TV bbs will be
closing after thirteen years (this month). However, I am establishing
another bbs at the local community radio studio under the callsign of
VK2WET. I spend more time there than at home so it makes sense to have the
bbs up there where I'll have more chance to maintain it. After tha system
is installed there will be a short changeover period, after which VK2TV
bbs will close. VK2WET will provide a BBS, Node and APRS facility. I will
continue providing the multiport node and APRS facility from home.
Cheers ... Ray vk2tv
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