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  • WSOT604 - Packet Radio BBS Question(s)

    From Ozz Nixon@1:1/100 to All on Saturday, October 31, 2026 12:04:00
    I have run BBSes since 1983. Now, I would like to do it on my GMRS equipment.

    What do I need to buy to put a Packet Radio BBS online?

    Thanks for your time and information!
    -- Ozz (WSOT604)

    ... I recently took a pole. And found that 100% of the people in the tent were angry when it collapsed.
    --- ONiX MSGED 1.0
    * Origin: Celerity/LX Dev Chambers (1:1/100)
  • From Sean Dennis@1:18/200 to Ozz Nixon on Saturday, October 31, 2026 14:47:31
    Hello Ozz,

    31 Oct 26 12:04, you wrote to All:

    I have run BBSes since 1983. Now, I would like to do it on my GMRS equipment.

    Traditional packet radio is not legal on GMRS in the United States. Under FCC regulations (47 CFR 95.1731 and 47 CFR 95.1787), GMRS is primarily a voice service, and digital data transmissions are strictly restricted.

    On GMRS, digital data transmissions are limited exclusively to location information (GPS coordinates), requests for location information, and brief text messages addressed to a specific GMRS or FRS unit.

    Broad digital networking, general text/data messaging, bulletin board traffic, APRS-style un-addressed beaconing, or arbitrary digital modes (such as AX.25 packet radio protocols) violate GMRS rules.

    If you want to use packet radio, you need to be a ham.

    -- Sean KS4TD/WSBW961

    ... Cookies have very few vitamins so you need to eat a lot of them.
    --- GoldED+/LNX 1.1.5-b20240309
    * Origin: Outpost BBS * Johnson City, TN (1:18/200)
  • From Ozz Nixon@1:1/100 to Sean Dennis on Saturday, October 31, 2026 14:27:00
    Hello Sean!

    On 31 Oct 2026, Sean Dennis wrote to Ozz Nixon:

    Broad digital networking, general text/data messaging, bulletin
    board traffic,
    APRS-style un-addressed beaconing, or arbitrary digital modes
    (such as AX.25
    packet radio protocols) violate GMRS rules.

    If you want to use packet radio, you need to be a ham.

    -- Sean KS4TD/WSBW961

    ... Cookies have very few vitamins so you need to eat a lot of
    them.


    Thanks Sean!!

    I just started taking an online course for General and Extra. Can you point me to the equipment I will need once I get out of GMRS to HAM-BONE?

    -*- Trump is the best US President, in Russian History!
    ... I recently took a pole. And found that 100% of the people in the tent were angry when it collapsed.
    --- ONiX MSGED 1.0 (Linux-x86_64-ßeta)
    * Origin: Celerity/LX Dev Chambers (1:1/100)
  • From Sean Dennis@1:18/200 to Ozz Nixon on Saturday, October 31, 2026 23:22:37
    Ozz Nixon wrote to Sean Dennis:

    I just started taking an online course for General and Extra. Can you point me to the equipment I will need once I get out of GMRS to HAM-BONE?

    Usually, packet radio is used on the lower end of 2 meter VHF (144-145
    mhz).

    Take a look at FBB; it's a modern open-source packet radio software
    package. https://www.f6fbb.org/

    The Extra tesat is not easy but it's worth it (I'm an Extra class m'self).

    -- Sean KS4TD/WSBW961

    --- MBSE BBS v1.1.7.2 (Linux-x86_64)
    * Origin: Outpost BBS * Johnson City, TN (1:18/200)