YRARC Members Forum

This was posted in the winlink programs group. The mesh network was 1800x faster than 1200 bps packet, 199x faster than 9600 bps packet, and 144x faster than VARA FM. Chris VE3NRT AJ7C and I did some throughput testing (He did the heavy lifting; I just crunched the numbers). I think you'll find this illuminating. Throughput sending a 94.4 KByte message: 1200 BAUD PACKET WINLINK (direct; no digipeats) = .4 kbps (400 bps) 9600 BAUD PACKET WINLINK (direct; no digipeats) = 3.7 kbps VARA FM WINLINK (direct; no digipeats) = 5.1 kbps TELNET POST OFFICE (AREDN MESH NETWORK - three network hops) = 737.4k kbps Orv W6BI

Interested in making use of that old Packet Radio TNC that you have shut away in a cupboard? Then find the PSU, find those cables and get it fired up and let's build out packet radio around the GTA again. If you don't have a TNC, then there is free software available that works identically. ​ There has been a resurgence of interest, especially for use with Winlink . ​ Contact us to find who is working on this project and how far we have got.

With the club heavily invested in D-STAR repeaters, and mobile and handheld go kits for use in the public service and ARES groups. it had become apparent that we were not making the best use of this technology. ​ A small group of volunteers set up some D-RATS testing to use data over D-STAR. D-RATS is a computer program created by an Australian ham for computer to computer communications primarily using D-STAR data transmission, but it can also use AX.25 packet radio and wired/wi-fi Internet communications when available. It has a single user interface for chat, email, mapping, formal and information messaging and file transfer. It is also open source and runs on Windows, Linux and other platforms. ​ In a early test, several of the volunteers set up in various locations around York Region. Some direct communications were possible, but the mountainous area we live in did cause issues for some, but communications is possible all around the region. An important finding was that D-RATS data messages run through the repeater with no further work on the repeater site/software, so that certainly provides increased coverage. ​ More recently, several members have been testing D-RATS from their home stations both direct and through the repeater. It looks like it will be a useful tool for point-to-point communications when there is no other supporting infrastructure. ​ Latest code is being developed here https://github.com/maurizioandreotti/D-Rats ​ ​ Contact our emergency communications director, Mike VA3MCT , if you'd like to be involved in the trials.