Embedded Files
WHAT IS A BBS
A BBS, Bulletin Board System, is a computer server running software that allows users to connect to the system using a terminal program.
Once logged in, the user performs functions such as: uploading and downloading software and data, reading news and bulletins, exchanging messages with other users through public message boards and chatting.
I'm working on having it connect via Telnet and RF to a simplex frequency as well. So when or if the net goes down it could still be used to send and pass messages and send and read bulletins.
Send me a email if you want me to set up a login and then once you are in you can set your on password. Call signs make good Usernames. Or if you attempt to login it should allow you to access it and set your own credentials.
BBS continues to work whether it has internet or not, but it will not be able to receive messages from internet only connected forwarding partners.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
FINDING THE BBS
You can see it on the map at http://vps1.g8bpq.net/ and you can see it and access at www.hamradiohawaii.ddns.net:52895
Map of Live packet nodes in Europe: https://nodes.ukpacketradio.network/packet-network-map.html
For the WINLINK RMS Map https://winlink.org/RMSChannels and at top select the radio button for VARA FM. There are two tabs on the KH6OWL-10.
For VARA FM, Click HERE and then the radio button that says "VARA FM" and scroll to Oahu.
https://winlink.org/RMSChannels
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CONNECTING
PQ32 Node, Kapolei HI
144.940 (Approved for State Frequency Coordinator)
Vara FM Winlink Gateway KH6OWL-10
Use QTTermTCP for access to Node KH6OWL-7, BBS; KH6OWL-10 RMS; KH6OWL-11 P2P to store on BBS; KH6OWL-12 for Chat.
Anyone can connect to your RMS Gateway using Winlink Express and a Vara FM Winlink session.
They *could* use a Vara FM P2P session but a message must be addressed to KH6OWL-11 and the message will be stored in the BBS instead of sent to the winlink servers.
Winlink messages to KH6OWL should be addressed to KH6OWL. Not KH6OWL-10. Connected stations should connect to KH6OWL-10 frequency but messages should be addressed to KH6OWL if sending to that station. (or any other RMS gateway) but the message address (TO) should be KH6OWL.
This allows someone to can connect to KH6OWL-10 using Winlink Express, using a Winlink Packet Session, on 144.940. Address the message to who it needs to get to but send it via call KH6OWL-10 on 144.940.
It should answer KH6OWL-11 for access to the BBS if someone uses a packet client like Outpost PMM or a terminal.
To use Winlink Express to put a message on the BBS using Peer to Peer, you can address the message to KH6OWL-11 and connect to KH6OWL-11.
This person cannot be a BBS forwarding partner, and his/her user record must be marked as a RMS Express user.
This BBS can accept VaraFM connections to the BBS.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
If using a terminal like PuTTY contact me for details.
You will need a virtual soundcard, I’ve use Soundmodem and Direwolf.
Soundmodem can be found at:
https://uz7.ho.ua/packetradio.htm
Download the following files:
Soundmodem114.zip
Easyterm49.zip
Ptt-dll.zip
Install the Soundmodem and Easyterm49. Unzip the PTT-DLL file and move it to your Soundmodem file.
You will need one of these program files if you use Outpost PMM for access to a BBS.
https://outpostpm.org/index.php
Download the files and extract and install. You need to know the install location of either Soundmodem or Direwolf so you can link it to Outpost PMM.
QTTermTCP will do VaraFM.
A user should also be able to use Vara Terminal. (A program on the Vara site.)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
LINKED
This BBS is generally this BBS is l inked to the following BBS:
N9SEO-3 (Arkansas)
VE3CGR-7 (Canada)
KE6ONV-2 (California)
KA3VSP-7 (Delaware)
NH6SP-7 (Hawaii)
N5MDT-13 (Texas)
K5DAT-7 (Wisconsin)
N3HYM-5. (Maryland)
ZL1AF-7 (New Zealand)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SETUP
To run the BBS setup I use a Windows 11 Laptop with a DRA-36 Sound-card and a FT8800 Radio.
BPQ32 Software, Direwolf, and VARA FM.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RESOURCES
BPQ Docs: https://www.cantab.net/users/john.wiseman/Documents/index.html
BPQ Node Map: http://vps1.g8bpq.net/
M0LTE Packet Map (UK): https://nodes.ukpacketradio.network/packet-network-map.html?rfonly=0
Hierarchical Addressing: http://n5mdt.ham-radio-op.net:52852/Files/DCC1995HA.pdf
BPQ Beta Releases: https://www.cantab.net/users/john.wiseman/Downloads/Beta/
Welcome to the Hub of Texas: n5mdt.ham-radio-op.net:52852/indexnoaprs.html
Direwolf: A good site to walk you through installing Direwolf is https://themodernham.com/ultimate-direwolf-tnc-installation-guide-for-windows-and-linux/ Download the file: https://github.com/wb2osz/direwolf/releases
TPRFN: https://www.tprfn.net
Report abuse