North West Packet Group

 

Back in the 90's, I was heavily involved in the local packet network.  This was well before the Internet became a normal thing!  I dabbled briefly in AX25 packet but moved into the TCPIP Side of things quite soon after.

In the Morecambe Bay area, there were quite a few stations linked together known as the BayMAN (Metropolitan Area Network). It was great fun watching what would become normal Internet protocols working over 1200 baud via radio!  We also had a licensed station up at Lancaster University too, with a chat server (WWConvers) and links around the world.

I eventually set up GB7MBC which added a DXCluster to our list of services.  GB7MBC was the first Internet linked DXCluster in the UK and is still popular today.  Of course, it runs, like most DXClusters, over the Internet now as packet radio in general cannot handle the amount of traffic with skimmer spots etc.

Linda was talking with a friend, Matt, G7HMV who was involved with packet in the south and mentioned it to me.  Before I knew it, I was playing with AX25 packet again!

North West Packet Group was formed soon after, based around a FaceBook group, which at the time of posting has over 200 members.  I could not believe the interest!

I decided to use my NoV and put the GB7MBC BBS on the air.  It is accessible in the Morecambe and Lancaster area on 144.950MHz.

A second BBS has been set up in the Rossendale Valley area.  This is well located and is GB7ROS.

Currently, we are the only BBS's in the North West and we will have some forwarding nodes coming online soon!

I have set up a website to help enable people to get involved and to provide a central information hub for installing node software etc and this is growing nicely.  You can find it at http://www.nwpg.website

The biggest challenge for new users of packet radio is that virtually nothing has happened since the interest in the mode waned towards the end of the 90's.  The old well loved programs like Winpack simply do not work under a modern Windows system.

That said, both BPQ and FBB have linux versions which are up to date.  LinBPQ and LinFBB install nicely on a Raspberry Pi and work flawlessly.  I have documented the installation of both on the website.

It remains to be seen if this resurgence of interest continues.  It is wonderful to see people experimenting and enjoying the mode again.

73 Ian