Packet Station Computer

Characteristics of a standard packet station computer:

Laptop: Laptops are portable and resilient to loss of external power. (So are tablets, but they lack the screen size and physical keyboard needed for effective packet operations.)
Windows 10 or Later: The laptop must run a supported version of Microsoft Windows. (Our packet software, Outpost, only runs on Windows.) Run Windows natively, not in an emulator (e.g., Wine) or a virtual machine (e.g., Virtual Box).
15″ Display: For fixed stations, use an external monitor, the larger the better. For field stations, the sweet spot is a laptop with a 15″ display. Any larger and the laptop is unwieldy; any smaller than 13″ is too small for the data. In either case, use as high a display resolution as possible.
Big Processor, RAM, and Storage: Packet software requires only minimal processor, RAM, and storage. But the operating system itself, and other applications you use, have ever-increasing needs. It’s always a good idea to get a computer with more processor, RAM, and storage than you think you will need.
Battery: The laptop should have a battery that will last at least an hour, to allow operation while a generator is being started or refueled.
External Mouse: An external mouse is recommended. Many people have trouble working with trackpads such as those built into most laptops.
Ethernet: You may need to connect to a hard-wired network. An Ethernet port is recommended; failing that, get a USB-to-Ethernet adapter. Plug that adapter into the laptop’s highest-speed USB port (they’re often not all the same).
Serial Port: The computer must have a serial port to connect to the TNC. Most modern laptops don’t have serial ports anymore, but they have USB, in which case, get a USB-to-Serial adapter or cable.
Multiple USB Ports: Besides the external mouse, USB-to-Ethernet adapter, and USB-to-Serial adapter, you may also want to plug in a local printer and/or a flash drive. The more native USB ports your laptop has, the better. If it doesn’t have at least three native ports, you’ll probably want to get a small USB hub.
USB Flash Drive: Keep a USB flash drive handy, for non-networked file transfers.
Security Software: All computers should be configured with anti-X (anti-virus, anti-malware, anti-…) and firewall software. Use the Windows Defender built-in software unless you (or your IT department) have a different preference.

Administrative Control

The following provisions apply to packet stations in fixed station environments with centrally managed IT infrastructure. They are not applicable to home or field stations.

User Account: The Windows user account used for packet operations should not have Windows Administrator permissions.
Independent Operation: The packet computer must be usable in a disaster even when the rest of the enterprise IT domain is down. It must not be dependent on domain controllers or other central servers.
Local Administrative Access: The amateur radio operators must have administrative access to the packet computer. They will be installing or updating packet software and drivers during disasters, or on nights or weekends, when IT assistance will not be available. Therefore, the computer should be outside of (and firewalled from) the enterprise IT domain.