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KR0L > LINUX 06.01.11 00:46l 94 Lines 3934 Bytes #999 (0) @ WW
BID : 2005_KR0L
Read: GUEST
Subj: Re: Linux and Ham Radio....
Path: IZ3LSV<F6CDD<F6BVP<K4GBB<KA1VRF<KR0L
Sent: 110105/2225Z @:KR0L.KS.USA.NOAM #:2005 [Goessel] $:2005_KR0L
From: KR0L@KR0L.KS.USA.NOAM
To : LINUX@WW
On Wed, Jan 05, 2011 at 09:24:00AM -0600, M0DCM wrote:
> The only gripe I have is that there's no decent Packet Terminal
> application for Linux, and running WinPack in WINE and CrossOver is
> a no go. As for other Amateur Radio app's, there's tons! I run
> FLDigi, Xastir, CQRLog, GPredict and as I have soundcard issues with
> QSSTV I run MMSSTV under WINE which runs like a charm. APRS is
> catered for with Xastir, and is easy to setup, and the latest
> version uses Open Street Maps, which is awesome.
Hi Dave,
This is John, KR0L. Linux user since about 1995, ham since July. So
I probably represent the flip side of your experience ;-)
First of all, I have obviously gotten into packet fairly recently, and
I've documented my experience with running packet on Linux here:
http://wiki.complete.org/LinuxPacketRadio
it includes some links to other information, and is editable by anyone
in true wiki fashion, so you're welcome to contribute.
Now then... Linux has a full AX.25 stack integrated directly into the
kernel. Put your TNC (I'm assuming you're using a TNC) into KISS
mode, use kissattach to attach to it, and you're golden. You don't
need a front-end to the TNC now, because it becomes a first-class
network interface to Linux.
From what I can tell, Linux has the best AX.25 support available on
the planet. I even wrote an AX.25 to IM (Jabber/GoogleTalk) gateway
very quickly -- the development API is so similar to that of TCP, and
LinuxNode so accommodating in what programs it can run, that things
work great.
Did you notice that there is LinuxNode (package node) and FBB (package
fbb) already packaged up out there? On Debian, it's just apt-get
install node, a few tweaks to /etc/ax25/node.conf and you're up.
In Debian, which is my chosen distribution and what Ubuntu derives
from, there are these packages you will want:
ax25-apps
ax25-tools
Now, once you have it running, open up a terminal window and type:
axcall portname callsign
and voila! Instant communication. Note that you can open up as many
terminal windows as you like and have as many simultaneous connections
as the AX.25 protocol permits with this setup.
> Anyway, back to what I'm running.... I run a FT-817ND, which is
> totally CAT controlled through both FLDigi and FLRig. CQRLog also
I have a FT-857D and a TS-2000, and have used both with fldigi. There
is also a command-line rigctl which is helpful for automation and for
remote control.
> With the way the economy is going, Windows seems a stretch of the
> purse strings, so Open Source is the best way to go, and Linux is
> fast becoming a formidable Operating System to use, and not just for
> the Geeks!! If anyone needs any help, just drop me a message, and
> if I can't answer it straight away, I'll endevour to find out.
I'll echo that offer for my self.
I'll also add that there is something philosophically compatible
between Linux and amateur radio. Linux is Free Software (or, as some
say, Free/Libre/Open Source Software or FLOSS). That means that you
get the source code, can modify it any way you like or pay someone
else to do so, and distribute the result. To me, amateur radio seems
to take this Free Software concept and apply it to hardware.
I have been repeatedly disappointed in how much closed-source
proprietary software some segments of the community accept. Some
people would insist on a rig with a full schematic and the ability to
modify it (a "no user-servicable parts inside" sticker would be a true
sales killer), yet they accept it if the software they use to run
digital modes comes with a "no user-servicable parts inside" sticker
that is a 20-page license spelling out all the things you can't do.
I've already used the source to some of the AX.25 stuff on Linux to
enhance it or fix bugs. It is truly the spirit of amateur radio.
-- John
KR0L
jgoerzen@complete.org
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