Tuesday night net

[Nan and Sandy Sanders]

For Tuesday the technical net we will continue discussion on SDR.

Here are some questions to get the discussion going:

(Two part tech net first part is an SDR experiment, second part is a 
discussion.)

1. Exploring 
the 
<http://websdr.ewi.utwente.nl:8901/>http://websdr.ewi.utwente.nl:8901/ 
SDR.   For the first
part of the Tuesday net we will explore this on-line SDR as a group.
The system is located in the Netherlands but can be controlled locally
through each person's PC.

2. When the net begins we will continue to use echo link and the W4CIA-R
conference point with additional check-in via local repeaters.  Using a second
PC window open a browser and go to the above URL.  Page down to the bottom
of the screen where the SDR controls are located.

3. Familiarize yourself with the controls.  We will also have a "talk through"
of the more important controls. Feel free to ask questions on the net.
As the net proceeds you may wish to tune around and see what you can
hear.  This SDR includes a very interesting waterfall display which can
"zoom-in" or "zoom-out" to look at individual signals or entire bands. Select
a signal that is interesting to you and write down its frequency .  As we take
turns speaking tell the other net members the frequency and signal you have
found and we will all tune to it.

4. You will also find a "group feature" on the display which shows what other
users around the world are tuning to.  A box is available for you to 
put a unique
identifier which show what you are tuned to.  This is useful for the 
group to see
what you tuned in.  However, because this is seen worldwide you should avoid
choosing an ID such as your call signs.  A name like hank1 should suffice.

5. In the second part of the Tuesday Tech net will be a discussion on 
amateur packet
radio.  Have you used amateur packet and is so, what were your experiences?

6. What did you learn by using packet radio.  Were you familiar with 
the concepts
before you used it?

7. Did you know about the two different network approaches  based on 
X.25 and TCP/IP?
If you choose one of these to network with then which one?  Did you 
do so based on any technical
factors or because it was available?

8. Amateur Packet on HF worked but had problems, what can you say 
about it.  Are there
fixes that would have made it even better?

9. Did you ever operate a X.25 or TCP/IP repeater as part of a 
amateur packet network?  What where your
experiences?   Did you have ideas on how to make it operate even 
better? Do you think long
haul amateur packet networks were viable?  Whats the farthest you 
communicated on one of these?

10. Amateur packet was a success story, but, it vanished 
quickly.  What do you attribute this to?
Do you know of any remaining applications of amateur packet?  Do you 
think it can make
a comeback and if so what would you change to help that happen.
Tech Net meets every Tuesday (so far) at 8 PM  EST via 21/81 repeater 
in the NVA area or on echo link using the W4CIA-R conference point.
Sandy WB5MMB is conference facilitator