4.3.3 What Happens When You Connect
If you are working with a friend who is familiar with packet, you may
want to skip to section 4.4. If you are on your own, the following
three sections will help you learn what to expect on VHF/UHF packet.
There are three different kinds of packet stations you are likely to
encounter in your first Connects; Standard TNCs, Mailbox Systems and
Network Switches. The following sections discuss each station type.
4.3.3.1 Standard TNCs
When you first turn on your PK-232, it becomes a standard AX.25 packet
TNC (Terminal Node Controller). All TNCs and Multimode controllers
have this capability. When you Connect to a TNC, in most cases you
will be connecting directly to someone's computer screen. If you see
an automatic Connect Message (CMSG) similar to the one below, you know
you have reached a TNC.
Welcome to my packet station, if I don't respond, please
leave a message and Disconnect.
If you get a message like this when you connect to another station,
usually you would type something like "Are you there?". If you do not
see a response from the other station in a minute or so, simply leave
a message - just like a telephone answering machine.
The TNC at the other station should then hold your message until the
operator returns to the computer or terminal. Later we will discuss
how your PK-232 can do the same for messages it receives from others.
4.3.3.2 Mailbox Message Systems
Although Standard TNCs allow incoming messages to be saved, there is
no way for the owner to leave a message for someone who will connect
at a future time. The ability to both send and receive messages
without the owner being present is accomplished by a Mailbox.
There are many different Packet Mailbox systems in use. Some systems
are large and require the use of a dedicated computer. Other systems
are small like the personal MailDrop built into your PK-232 MBX.
Large systems are often called Packet Bulletin Board Systems (PBBS)
since they serve as electronic message centers for a local area.
PBBS's are a source of information as well as a gateway for messages
that can be sent to and received from other parts of the country or
world. You will probably want to locate the PBBS nearest you and
connect to it from time to time.
Most Mailbox systems are easy to use and whether they are small or
large, operate in much the same way. Another nice feature of
Mailboxes and other automatic systems is that they usually have Help
available by sending an "H" or "?". If you connect to a Mailbox such
as a PK-232 MailDrop you will see something like the following:
*** CONNECTED to KD7NM
[AEA PK-232M] 18480 free (A,B,H,J,K,L,R,S,V,?) >
4/91 4-8
