Date: 2025/10/27 04:02  (UTC)
From: N3MEL@N3MEL.#EPA.PA.USA.NOAM
Subject: October PKTNET Results
To: PKTNET@USA

R:251027/0402Z 9643@KN4LQN.#RICH.VA.USA.NOAM BPQ6.0.25
R:251027/0215Z 6419@N3MEL.#EPA.PA.USA.NOAM LinBPQ6.0.24

Good Evening,

Please follow the link below to see both the check-in log and the 
corresponding Google Maps:

https://www.tprfn.net/pktnet-instructions-results/october-2025-pktnet-results

I started tracking everyones comments about how they were originally 
sent their check-in. I wanted to see how many of you were using RF. I 
was pleasantly surprised how many of you are! The spreadsheet I was 
using somehow got corrupted and I have not had time to start over. I 
will try to complete it this week.

We received 134 check-ins this month which is fantastic and very much 
appreciated. We will be competing with the upcoming holiday season for 
both Nov & Dec so most likely the nets will be just general check-ins.

I have received a special request to gather Node & BBS info for the 
update of the node map maintained by WW2BSA, so I am thinking of doing 
that for the Jan 2026 net.

Again thank you to everyone who took the time to check in this month!

--
73 de Glenn N3MEL

(View as PDF)

Packet Bulletin Net - PKTNET@USA
October, 2025

Net Control:
   Glenn N3MEL
   n3mel@n3mel.#epa.pa.usa.noam

View net reminder bulletin from N3MEL

WHO: All amateur radio operators
WHAT: Packet Bulletin Net - PKTNET@USA
WHEN: Sunday, October 19, 2025 - 0000 UTC
              Saturday, October 25, 2025 - 2359 UTC
HOW: This net will accept check-ins via BBS Bulletins only. Send a check-in via any participating BBS, with active forwarding, any time during the week.

 
This month, net control has asked participants to use the packet HTML Bulletin Message form, available at:

https://vden.org/pktnet/bulletin.html

In the message section of the form, describe how you sent the message over RF (band, mode, connected station, etc).

The net will continue with taking check-ins via Packet, Winlink & APRS, each mode will count as one check-in each, and check-in format is shown below.

 
SB PKTNET@USA
Subject: Your Name, Your Call, Your Town, Your State
Message: (Form contents from the above link with comments)
 

PKTNET INSTRUCTIONS:

PACKET:
Message Format:
Address Bulletin to: PKTNET@USA
(Net Check-in Form Requested) Form Link here: https://vden.org/pktnet/bulletin.html
Subject: Your Name, Your Call, Your Town, Your State
Message: Form data..

NET QUESTION:
If you are using RF of any kind to check-in this month please describe in the comment section of the Check-in form. Example: Band, Mode, Station you connected with?

WINLINK:
We will accept check-ins from Winlink but only if the check-in is sent are to:
Address to: tprfn@winlink.org
Subject: Your Name, Your Call, Your Town, Your State
Message: Use this form for your check-in: https://vden.org/pktnet/check_in.html

NET QUESTION:
If you are using RF of any kind to check-in this month please describe in the comment section of the Check-in form. Example: Band, Mode, Station you connected with?

APRS: (NEW ADDRESS THIS MONTH)
We will also take APRS check-ins see format below:
Send Message To: N3MEL-6
Message Text: your name, your town, your state.

You will receive credit for each mode used!

Thank You for your continued support of the PKTNET each month, it is very much appreciated.

All check-in will be mapped on the tprfn.net website at: https://www.qsomap.com/QSOmapProduction/qsomapforQRZ.php?call=n3mel

All check-in will be mapped on the tprfn.net website at: https://www.tprfn.net/pktnet-check-ins

Don't feel obligated to enter a detailed message if it's difficult; the important part is the Subject line!

The VDEN website (https://vden.org) includes information about the Central Virginia BBSes, how to send personal mail and bulletins, and methods for connecting over RF (Packet / Vara via Terminal / Winlink / Outpost).

Bulletins created on the N4VEM BBS will be forwarded over Vara FM to the KN4LQN BBS, which will then forward over Vara HF to the N3MEL BBS and the wider regional packet network.

Reach out if you have any questions!
 
73,
David KN4LQN
kn4lqn@arrl.net
kn4lqn@kn4lqn.#rich.va.usa.noam

(View as PDF)

Table of Contents:

1. Central Virginia BBSes with active forwarding
2. WIP Quick run-down on RF methods
• Radio (getting audio and PTT)
• TNC (hardware vs software)
• Application (Keyboard Terminal, WLE, Outpost)
• Special note, if wanting to use Winlink Express and receive bulletins, need BBS forwarding config
3. Quick example using Keyboard Terminal
4. BPQ BBS commands
5. WIP Connecting via Packet Terminal (EasyTerm, AGWTerminal, etc)
6. Connecting via Vara Terminal (FM, HF)
7. WIP Connecting via Winlink Express (packet, vara fm, vara hf)
8. WIP Connecting via Outpost Packet Message Manager (packet, and ??)
9. Additional resources

Central Virginia BBSes with active forwarding:

Quick example using Keyboard Terminal:

CONNECT N4VEM-1
*** Connected to N4VEM-1
[BPQ-6.0.23.1-B1FWIHJM$]
Hello David. Latest Message is 419, Last listed is 323
de N4VEM>

:> SB PKTNET@USA
Enter Title (only):
:> KN4LQN, David, Virginia, N4VEM
Enter Message Text (end with /ex or ctrl/z)
:> 1. Various Packet/VaraFM Winlink gateways are in the area, with one well-positioned central standalone digipeater
:> 2. Regular daily HF NTS voice nets but not much on VHF in Central VA
:> 3. Still using mainline UZ7HO Soundmodem but will give QtSoundModem a try for IL2P
:> /ex
Message: 420 Bid: 420_N4VEM Size: 232
de N4VEM>

:> BYE
*** Disconnected Fm N4VEM-1

In this example, the lines in bold are typed in by the operator and ":>" is the BBS prompt.

Practice by sending private messages to other local operators or bulletins to ALL@N4VEM, ALL@KN4LQN, etc!

BPQ BBS commands:

Connecting via Vara Terminal using Vara FM / HF

Vara is a newer mode that is robust and fast, using scaling speeds with OFDM modulation.

Vara FM can use WIDE audio bandwidth signals for faster speeds, depending on hardware setup, and includes digipeating functionality similar to AX.25 Packet.

Vara offers an optional $69 license for the use of faster speeds and FM digipeating.

The Vara Terminal application uses either TNC to connect to a remote BBS to give keyboard terminal access.

Download Vara FM and HF TNCs and Vara Terminal:
https://rosmodem.wordpress.com/

Click here for full instructions

Additional resources:

PKTNET Packet Radio Forms:
https://vden.org/pktnet/

BBS spec:
https://www.scc-ares-races.org/data/packet/docs/BBS_Specification.pdf

AX.25 Packet spec:
https://www.ax25.net/AX25.2.2-Jul%2098-2.pdf

Automated Packet Reporting System (APRS) spec:
http://www.aprs.org/doc/APRS101.PDF

Improved Layer-2 Protocol (IL2P):
https://tarpn.net/t/il2p/il2p.html
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Improved_Layer_2_Protocol

BPQ mail user commands:
https://www.cantab.net/users/john.wiseman/Documents/BBSUserCommands.html

Kenwood-style TNC commands:
https://www.manualslib.com/manual/424067/Kenwood-Tm-D710a.html?page=33

Kantronics-style TNC manual:
https://kantronics.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/KAM-XL-Manual-RevE.pdf