Specifications

The following Beacon packet is intended as identification for a
NET/ROM level-3 packet networking switch.
p1 N7HWD-8*>ID:
NET/ROM 1.3 (SEA)
In this case, the Packet Switch is using the callsign N7HWD-8, but
also uses the alias SEA as a callsign. There are many types of Packet
Switches now in use, but NET/ROM is one of the most popular. We will
briefly discuss using a NET/ROM switch later in this chapter since
most switches operate in much the same way.
The packet below was sent by the network switch SEA to N7ML.
p1 SEA*>N7ML:
SEA:N7HWD-8> Connected to #SEA:N7HWD-7
The packet above from SEA contains the data "SEA:N7HWD-8> Connected to
#SEA:N7HWD-7". This message tells N7ML that he is now connected to
another port on the SEA Node named #SEA. Again, we will talk more
about how and why N7ML might want to do this later in the chapter.
The following packet is again from K6RFK to N7GMF and is being
digipeated through N7ALW. This packet indicates that K6RFK is
finished talking to N7GMF and wants to Disconnect. Again we see that
we are not hearing K6RFK, rather we are hearing N7ALW as indicated by
the asterisk (*) after the callsign.
p1 K6RFK>N7ALW*>N7GMF [D]
The following packet is an acknowledgment (or simply called an ACK)
that lets K6RFK know that N7GMF has acknowledged the Disconnect
request sent above. K6RFK and N7GMF are no longer Connected.
p1 N7GMF>N7ALW*>K6RFK (UA)
As can be seen, all of the above examples were heard on radio port 1
of the PK-900. If a second radio was connected to radio port 2,
we would have seen some monitored packets prefaced with a "p2" as
well. See section 4.8 for more information on controlling both
radio ports when you are ready.
NOTE: Some applications software such as PB and PG for Amateur
Satellite use have problems with the port designators "p1" and
"p2" in front of monitored packets. To disable the port
designators "p1" and "p2" from appearing turn OFF User Bit 19
(UBIT 19) by typing "UBIT 19 OFF <Enter>" at the command
prompt.
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