Wondering what would pop up I put in a YouTube search using the word "radio" and scrolled at first through a bunch of music related choices but came upon something new to me called "packet radio", about which I knew nothing, so I clicked and watched a Zoom call among four or five HAMs, none of whom explained what packet radio is, they themselves knowing what it is, so I went to my new best friend, ChatGPT, which answered back:
>Packet radio is a method of transmitting digital data over radio waves, primarily used in amateur radio communications. It involves breaking up data into smaller packets and transmitting each packet individually over the air. These packets are then reassembled at the receiving end. Packet radio allows for efficient, error-resistant communication, especially when sending messages or files in environments where traditional voice communication is not feasible or practical.
The key components of packet radio include:
-
Data Packets: Information is broken down into small chunks (packets) containing the data, address information, and error-checking codes.
-
TNC (Terminal Node Controller): A device or interface that converts digital data from a computer or other device into an audio signal that can be transmitted via radio. It also decodes the received radio signals back into data.
-
Frequency Bands: Packet radio typically uses specific frequency bands allocated for amateur radio use, though it can operate on various bands depending on the equipment and region.
-
AX.25 Protocol: This is a standard communication protocol for packet radio, which defines how the data is framed, addressed, and transmitted.
Packet radio is commonly used in situations where reliable communication is required, such as in emergencies, remote locations, or in areas where traditional cellular or internet infrastructure is unavailable. It can also be used for digital modes like email, file transfer, and even internet access through gateways that link packet radio systems to the internet.<
Oh, well that's interesting, I thought, and naturally began wondering whether there was any use for packet radio over a part 15 radio station, and not knowing the answer, I decided to ask you what ideas you might have(?)
Over.
Oh, well that's interesting, I thought, and naturally began wondering whether there was any use for packet radio over a part 15 radio station, and not knowing the answer, I decided to ask you what ideas you might have(?)
Over.
I recently asked the same thing a couple weeks ago only called it Mesh Network radio, which as my post had pointed out they were already using for FM radio Nigerea or some where.
No one seemed interested because no one replied. https://www.part15.org/community/broadcast-equipment/mesh-network-stl/
@richardpowers Mr. Powers sez:
No one seemed interested because no one replied.
Which I remember reading but had no reply because I am not sure what a mesh network is.
@carl-blare Well you know me, I'm an idiot in regard to technological issues, but I think Packet radio and Mesh radio operate by essentially the same basic principles.
I recently asked the same thing a couple weeks ago only called it Mesh Network radio, which as my post had pointed out they were already using for FM radio Nigerea or some where.
No one seemed interested because no one replied. https://www.part15.org/community/broadcast-equipment/mesh-network-stl/
The only use that comes to mind is using Part 15 radio and mesh for some kind of data dead drop. Spook - tradecraft. According to ham "rules" you can't use ciphers, however, you could use them in Part 15.
Break out your one time pad, gentlemen.
Data dead drop. Spook - tradecraft, ciphers... I'm sure many know what your talking about but... not me.
Data dead drop. Spook - tradecraft, ciphers... I'm sure many know what your talking about but... not me.
"Tradecraft" is the art and means of espionage. A dead drop is where you drop a package or letter for another spy (spook) to retrieve it. Dead drops are more commonly used (now) in the criminal underworld for dropping drugs for distribution. But they were common in places like Ft Marcy Park in Washington DC, or Gorky Park in Moscow during the Cold War. The crime world operates much like the spook world, because, there is [cough, cough] a bit of overlap.
@centinel Ahhh.. I thought they were technical terms related to radio electronics or something! - I was perplexed!🤔