30 Aug
2006
30 Aug
'06
1:54 p.m.
You need the license, to start with. Then a 2-meter (144-148 MHz) radio.=20
It's much easier if there's a data jack on it, like most mobile radios ha=
ve=20
now a days. Packet radio only requires a few watts output, so a mobile=20
radio set on low power is more than enough. Then you need a TNC, a termin=
al=20
node controller, which is a modem for radio. The KPC-3 by Kantronics is b=
y=20
far the most popular, though the KPC-3+ is better. Either should set you=20
back less than $100, maybe much less.
I've never seen a US amateur radio license, but the UK one says that the
license is for 'self training in wireless telegraphy'. Now, I will
happily agree there's a lot more to wireless telegraphy than making
transmitters and receivers, but I am a little curious as to what 'self
training' you get by buying a transciever, buying a TNC, plugging them
together (and presumably use the standard 'rubber duck' aerial of the
portable transceiver). Oh, and running pre-written software to talk to
the TNC.
There's nothing wrong with buying equipment, but IMHO you really should
be thinking about doing some experimentation, modifications, and so on.
Actually, one reason I've never got into packet radio is a lack of
information one the internals of the TNC. I've not found an 'open' one --
as in published schematics and ROM source listings.
-tony