U.S. Packet Net

The terrorist attacks of September 11th, 2001 and subsequent events have highlighted the need for more advanced, more comprehensive amateur radio emergency communications. Hams have enjoyed increased cooperation and respect from many government agencies and officials in the wake of 9-11, including a special message of praise and encouragement to U.S. amateurs from president George W. Bush.

At the same time, significant advances have been made in the equipment and software availble to digital amateur radio networkers, making it possible to build network we could only dream about in years past. Amateurs not only have a clear mandate to develop our capability to provide communications in times of emergency or disaster, but we also have the means to do so in a meaningful fashion.

Packet radio (in conjunction with other digital modes) has enormous potential to provide fast, accurate emergency/disaster communications. With the recent resurge of interest, several of our large-scale VHF/UHF networks have begun to expand and upgrade, and new packet networks are again springing up around the nation.

By building and developing independent, amateur radio network that does not depend upon standard, non-ham methods of communicating such as the Internet, amateurs arrainge to be there when they are needed the very most - when communication utilities have broken down or become overloaded during the course of an emergency. Our mandate is to provide independent, alternate emergency communications and only networked amateur radio is relevant to that purpose.

Soon, we can reasonably expect to begin tying our regional networks together into a cohesive, national digital communications network, completely seperate and independent, through the participation of thousands of American hams. It is a large, ongoing task, not something we can expect to "finish", as our networks must not only grow, they must also be maintained and upgraded as we go along.

Now is the time for amateur packet radio networkers to share information, get to know each other and work together more closely than they ever have before. We will be addressing a challenge, answering to a mandate and having a good deal of fun while we are at it. It is this spirit within the hobby that USPN is here to facilitate. We dedicate our efforts to the many amateurs who participate in this fine aspect of amateur radio, and to the people of the United States of America.

If you are a packet radio networker, node-op, SYSOP or even if you are just curious about how to get the packet net going in your area, then USPN is especially for you. Make yourself at home there, say howdy and get to know everybody.

You can join in one one of the discussion topics in the FORUM, or use our CHAT for more personal, less formal discussion. By pooling our knowlege, we can progress more rapidly and by getting to know other networkers, we can develop working relationships that will be of great importance when linking our systems together for a cohesive, independent United States Packet Network.

There is currently a need for Elmers at USPN, particularly those with expertise in Digital HF modes, as well as the ROSE/FPAC and NetRom/BPQ systems for VHF/UHF...

There is also a need for hams who are willing to participate in upcoming experiments with HF multicast.

http://www.uspacket.net

Charles Brabham,  N5PVL  
webmaster@uspacket.net