James Newton wrote:
>
> I want to jump in here as a non-ham who has looked into a few times and
> backed away each time and ask for some feedback....
>
> I have been interested for a long time in digital comms via ham frequencies;
> packet IOW. Each time I have started to collect the equipment required to
> set up a digi-peater at my home and a small HT / radio modem (? can't
> remember what you guys call that) / laptop for mobile use, I've been put off
> by operators telling me that I can't use such a link for my wife to send me
> an updated shopping list or other personal use. I can only use it to
> (basically) BS with other operators or practice for an emergency or
> something else that isn't getting any value out of the equipment. Now, see,
> I have to cost justify this stuff to my wife somehow <GRIN>

Whoever told you that is full of manure.  As long as both you and your wife
are licensed hams the use you describe is perfectly legit, whether you are
doing it via packet or by voice.  I hear conversations along those lines just
about every single day on the local repeaters.

For what you are describing, a set of basic HT's would probably suffice,
though the ability of your wife just sending a text file with the shopping
list would be a good thing.

Oh yeah, the radio modem is generally called a TNC - stands for Terminal Node
Controller.  There's also software out there that will let you dispense with
the TNC and use a sound card instead.

> They are policing the system to prevent people from replacing $$$ 2-way
> alphapagers, wireless internet, etc.. with a ham packet rig. Ok, I can
> respect that but I also wonder if the fact that I can figure out the
> technology and operate the rig where as the average digital wireless user
> can't shouldn't count for something. Also, isn't a digi-peater valuable for
> all the packet users?

Generally it is, though there are certain conditions where it can actually be
detrimental (a situation where what's called a "hidden station" exists is what
I'm thinking of - basically a station that can't be heard by all other local
stations that keeps trying to repeat packets causing a jam-up of the local net
(yes this is an *extremely* condensed version - it's a bit more complicated
than that but you should get the idea)).  However as long as the digipeater is
set up in a rational manner it is a benefit.

For more info, take a look at http://www.tapr.org/  That's the home of the
Tucson Amateur Packet Radio - pretty much *the* packet folks.
--
Mike Werner  KA8YSD           |  "Where do you want to go today?"
ICQ# 12934898                 |  "As far from Redmond as possible!"
'91 GS500E                    |
Morgantown WV                 |  Only dead fish go with the flow.