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VK2TV > PACKET 10.05.08 06:52l 70 Lines 3034 Bytes #999 (0) @ WW
BID : 41049_VK2TV
Read: GUEST
Subj: Re:Time to switch it all off?
Path: IZ3LSV<IQ0LT<IK2XDE<DB0RES<DK0WUE<7M3TJZ<F6CDD<F6BVP<VK2TV
Sent: 080510/0448Z @:VK2TV.#MNC.NSW.AUS.OC #:37471 [Kempsey, QF68JX] $:41049_VK
From: VK2TV@VK2TV.#MNC.NSW.AUS.OC
To : PACKET@WW
# Generated by: TstHWin v2.21b - Registered to VK2TV
# On : 5/10/2008 14:48:53
# UTC: 5/10/2008 4:48:53 A
>From: VK7HSE@VK2TV.#MNC.NSW.AUS.OC
>To : PACKET@WW
>
>
Hi Scott and all,
>
>Firstly I have to say I agree with Ray (VK2TV) that over the years packet has
>dropped off compared to 10+ years ago but its one of those things where you
>can jump of the merry-go-round at any point and get back when "You" like!
It's interesting that despite the decline in packet activity over the last
10 years, there are still groups and individuals maintaining and even
improving some aspects of packet applications and networking.
Some would question Bernard, F6BVP, for delving into both xfbb and fpac
code to make it better. Those who use the Linux version of fbb and fpac
(Rose in a PC) are very grateful for Bernard's efforts.
Barry, VK2AAB, informed me that work is ongoing with regard to the ability
of ax25 to handle longer callsigns.
Ongoing development is also taking place with other applications -
certainly in the case of Linux. I can't speak for other O/S's because I
don't use them for AR, except for TSTHWIN and UIView as a convenience
thing. Development of both those applications is dead in the water. Mario
has just disappeared and Roger is SK.
APRS is, for some, flavour of the month but it is still packet. The most
significant differences between APRS and conventional packet are that the
latter uses predominantly connected mode, the former uses unconnected mode.
That is, all frames are UI frames. APRS digipeaters mostly use a common
ALIAS. Why, you ask? So that stations don't have to know the callsign of
every digi they are likely to be using. The digis still have a unique
callsign to satisfy licencing requirements and that callsign is substituted
for the ALIAS when a packet is repeated.
There is considerable ongoing development of some aprs clients.
If we can draw comfort from the migration to aprs it's from the fact that
all those TNC's/modems are still in service, making a return to packet by
some a possibility when the aprs novelty wears off.
I have the attitude that both "modes" are worth supporting and run not only
the bbs with 6 radio ports, but also HF and VHF internet gateways for aprs.
The shack is the warmest room in the house in winter :-)
>Hey maybe we could all start sending out what projects we're working on, also
>complaining about the weather! also share what problems you had when sitting
>for your licence (and how you worked through it) just make a noise so that the
>links that are via RF keep the bands active!
Scott is doing his bit to keep the ether warm, his home bbs is 1400km away
and he accesses it on 40m (mostly) or 20m occasionally. This is with garden
variety 0k3 packet.
For the last couple of years or so the bulletin count on the bbs here has
been around 1200/1300 but at the moment its 1800. If that rate of increase
keeps up I'll reach the figures of 10 years ago - 2500/2600.
Cheers ... Ray vk2tv
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