PACKET RADIO: K-Node Information
(This text from the W8IZ packet radio bulletin
board. It's formatted to fit a 80 character screen.)
Kantronics began building nodes right into their TNCs.
The idea that everyone could be a node was novel. With the
addition of an additional port, nodes could be used to
cross-band signal onto other VHF/UHF bands or even HF.
The operation of NET/ROM nodes was explained in the file
about Network Nodes. K Nodes operation is quite similar except
that the nodes do not currently learn more efficient
routes from one another. They do announce their presence
and log each other's information. To find a route past
the node is your challenge.
KA NODES
Kantronics nodes come in two flavors. Single port
jobs will allow you in band communications. Dual ports
will allow you to expand onto other bands, even HF.
As always, and "H" will let you know what you can
try. A "N" will get you the list of nodes that are
heard. Because a node hears two ports does not mean
that you can use two ports. You may find the second
port active but unwilling to accept connects.
A "C" command is used for connects on the same band.
A "X" allows connects to stations on the other port.
This is the primary difference between a KA Node and a
K Node.
K NODES
K Nodes are emulations of the Kantronics KA Node.
However, they may allow connects over a much broader
range of ports.
The MSYS PBBS software used by the NCARC PBBS allows
for up to six ports; six different frequencies. The
K Node software in the MSYS package allows the user
to make connects to these other ports, if they are
enabled.
At present, we have two ports. Port 0 (zero) is on
145.09. Port one is on 223.7. The "X" command is NOT
used by MSYS. Instead, you use a "C" and a port number.
"C0" allows a connect on 145.09. "C1" allows a connect on
223.7.
You can connect to another node, NET/ROM or K Node,
or to another station. You can see what nodes and what
stations the node has heard since it was last booted or
cleared. Under MSYS there are a number of commands that
will allow you to see what is being heard on the channel.
To use this feature, first use "?J".
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