Packet Operations Type III, Part B
Course Description
This is the second course in a two-part series designed to prepare an individual to assemble and operate an existing packet station. Part A covers the overall county packet network architecture and the various components of a standard packet station, with a hands-on exercise focused on configuring and using the standard packet station. Part B builds on Part A and ties general packet operations to a typical field deployment.
- Intended Audience
- Hams with experience in emergency communications who are interested in performing Packet Operator duties.
- Prerequisites
- Valid Technician class or higher Amateur Radio license
- Packet Operations Type III, Part A
NOTE: The above prerequisites are not strictly enforced. But in order to get the most out of this course, you should have previously attended the above courses. If you have not yet attended one or more of the prerequisites, you should carefully review the course materials for the missed prerequisites prior to attending this course. Then, be sure to attend any missed prerequisites at your earliest opportunity.
- Format
- In person, 3 hours
- Students should bring
- Copy of course materials (see below)
- Pen/pencil and pad of paper
- Learning Objectives
- Verify the setup of an existing packet station
- Select a BBS and connect to it
-
Create a message with Outpost and Pack-It-Forms
- Properly format the subject line
- Send a proper check-in message
- Retrieve SCCo notices and send local notices
- Conduct packet message field operations
- Topics Covered
- Packet Operations
- Diagnosing Setup Problems
- Selecting a BBS
- Creating Messages
- Event Documentation
- Productivity Hints
- Archive event documentation
- Exercises
Class Dates and Registration
This class is normally scheduled once a year, in October.
Course Materials and Pre-Work
Course materials will be updated about a week before class and those signed up will be notified via email.
Join the packet email discussion group:
Read and understand these web pages:
Install Outpost and Pack-It-Forms.
Review the Setup and Tools menus and dialog boxes.
If you have a packet station:
- Practice connecting to your primary and secondary BBS and sending yourself a message at each
- Download, save, read and understand the notices in the `XSCPERM` are>
- Check in to the Monday or Tuesday packet ne>
Complete the Packet 3A workbook exercises, if you have not already done so. These exercises cover a lot of operational details of Outpost. Some of those details involve actually sending and receiving a message. But even if you don’t have a radio and TNC, you can complete most of the exercises except for the actual Send/Receive of the message.
Bring the following on paper or in electronic form:
See
instructions
for printing multiple pages per sheet if desired.
Also bring the following packet bulletins (on paper or in electronic form):
- SCCo Packet Frequencies
- SCCo Packet Tactical Calls
- SCCo Packet Subject Line