Packet Radio on the "Cheap"

Only a few crucial pieces of equipment are needed in order for you to begin sending digital "packets" of information.
1--Radio
2--TNC (Terminal Node Connector)
3--Portable computing device (laptop etc)
4--Software to control the radio and send packets.

This brief diatribe will deal mostly with numbers 2 and 3 because most of us have a radio already that can be used for packet.

In the EOC at Fire Station #1 the K6CCR packet station has been up and running 24 hours a day for over 15 years on the 2 meter frequency of 145.630 MHz. The software that has been running for all that time is Baycom 1.6. (Available for download at http://www.ccares.net/Technical%20Page.html ) Baycom runs in a DOS environment and can simultaneously connect to 7 different stations at the same time. It is a very robust Packet program.

RADIO---
As for the radio I use an older hand held. You can purchase a working 2 meter HT at TRW for around $20.00. Using an older "brick" leaves my new HT ready to monitor the CCARES emergency frequencies.

TNC--
For the TNC I recommend the TigerTronics BayPac Model BP-2 - The BayPac has been in production for over ten years, and is one of the most popular packet modems around. It supports 1200 baud Packet, TCP/IP, and APRS®. It plugs directly into your computer's 25-pin serial port (optional adapter available for 9-pin ports) and is port powered. They also offer a model that can be used for HF digital modes so you can try RTTY with your HF rig. I have seen the Model BP-2 available on Ebay and it is available at http://www.tigertronics.com/. The one at the EOC has been up and running 24/7 for 15 years with no problems. BayPac only runs in DOS using Baycom software.
There are many ways to get on Packet radio, the one explained above, using your computer sound card (no TNC needed), using a stand alone TNC like the PK-88, PK-232, PK-900 or Kantronics TNC. None of these "other" ways are in my opinion "cheap." Some require rather expensive TNC's and higher end computers.

PORTABLE COMPUTING DEVICE--
I cannot believe any of us would run out to an emergency call out with a $1000 laptop in tow. I want something cheaper--something so cheap that if I loose it, I drop it, it gets wet or gets legs and walks away I am not out big bucks. What you would like to see in an older laptop is a real 9 or 25 pin serial port, a 3 1/2" floppy drive along with a hard drive and a screen that is visible in daylight. One additional thing I look for is one that runs on 12 volts or very close to it. I have installed a 12 volt jack in mine so I can use any 12 VDC supply --battery or power supply. This jack also means I will never have to replace the expensive battery in the laptop. I paid $15.00 for my laptop at TRW.

SOFTWARE--
There are probably 50 different Packet radio programs available today. Most look prettier than Baycom--none work better. I believe there is one compelling reason for you to learn Baycom--familiarity. If everyone in CCARES has the same program we can help each other during both practice times and in a real emergency.