5. Packet Radio

Software for use in conjunction with, or for facilitating packet radio.

5.1 F6FBB Packet BBS

Author

Jean-Paul Roubelat, F6FBB, jpr@f6fbb.org

Description

Fully Features Packet Radio BBS system with X11 Windows interface

Status

Version 7.00b45 is Beta.

Updated

01 Apr 97

System Requirements

Kernel based AX.25/NetRom/Rose network configuration. X11 windowing system for the X11 version.

Detail

This is a port of the well known F6FBB Packet Bulletin Board system to Linux. The BBS supports connections from AX.25, NetRom, Rose and TCP/IP and offers all of the features you'd expect from the product. The optional X11 interface provides a nicely presented sysop interface.

A mailing list for F6FBB is available. To subscribe send a mail message to: majordomo@f6fbb.org with the line `subscribe xfbb' in the body of the message. The mailing list is archived at zone.pspt.fi.

Where and how to obtain it

You can obtain the F6FBB package from its home site at: F6FBB Home Page.

Licensing/Copyright etc.

The F6FBB software is frelly available for non-commercial use.

5.2 DX Cluster Watcher

Author

Pierluigi Guerzoni, IZ4AKO, iz4ako@ing49.unife.it

Description

Displays DX information passively received from a DX Cluster Node.

Status

Version 4, stable.

Updated

01 Apr 97

System Requirements

Requires Kernel based AX.25 configuration.

Detail

The DX Cluster watchers listens to the DX Cluster traffic on your frequency, captures it and displays it in a coloured text window. It conserves traffic on the frequency by not requiring you to actually connect to the cluster node.

Where and how to obtain it

You can obtain the DX Cluster Watcher from the: DX Cluster Watcher Home Page.

Licensing/Copyright etc.

GNU GPL

Contributed by

Pierluigi Guerzoni, IZ4AKO, iz4ako@ing49.unife.it

5.3 Digiinfo

Author

Ported by Mario Lorenz, DL5MLO, dl5mlo@vdazone.org

Description

A database of packet radio network information.

Status

Version 2.5.1 is stable.

Updated

01 Apr 97

System Requirements

No special requirements.

Detail

digiinfo was a program initially written for the Atari by Karsten DC7OS. Digiinfo is a database program for displaying information about the packet radio networks.

Where and how to obtain it

You can obtain the digiinfo package and database from its home site at: www.vdazone.org.

Licensing/Copyright etc.

ALAS, Amateur only license

Contributed by

Mario Lorenz, DL5MLO, dl5mlo@vdazone.org

5.4 BayBox BBS

Author

Flori Radlherr, DL8MBT, flori@t-online.de

Description

A Packet Bulleting Board System for Linux.

Status

Version 1.38, stable.

Updated

01 Apr 97

System Requirements

Recommended hardware is 80486/33Mhz with 8MB RAM

Detail

Unfortunately the documentation is in German and I'm unable to understand most of it. I get the impression though that this is a BBS that supports all of the usual features on a packet radio bbs, forwarding etc, but the documentation seems to suggest that the Linux version supports telnet access only. This isn't really a big constraint, as you can easily configure a session under the Linux ax25d program to accept AX.25/NetRom/Rose connections and connect the BBS via telnet.

If you're able to help by giving a better description, I'd appreciate it.

Where and how to obtain it

You can obtain the BayBOX from its home sites at: members.aol.com

Licensing/Copyright etc.

The BayCom-Mailbox software is intended for usage in amateur radio context only. Any usage outside of the amateur radio AX.25 network, especially commercial usage or distribution is prohibited. Within the scope of this limitation, usage and copying of the BayCom-Mailbox without fee is hereby granted. In any case of usage, the software is provided "as is" and comes with absolutely no warranty, neither implied nor expressed.

Contributed by

Iztok Saje, S52D, s52d@s55tcp.ampr.org

5.5 JNET

Author

Takeshi Shoji, JF2CEX, taka@myk.ilc.or.jp

Description

An enhanced version of KA9Q NOS for Linux and other platforms.

Status

Version 961210, Stable, released.

Updated

01 Apr 97

System Requirements

No special system requirements, requires KISS TNC.

Detail

This another actively maintained derivative of the KA9Q NOS package. This version has been ported to a wide range of alternative platforms and offers some enhancements not available in other NOS derivatives. A small catch is that most of the documentation is in Japanese.

Where and how to obtain it

You can obtain the latest version of JNET from its home site at: www.myk.ilc.or.jp.

Licensing/Copyright etc.

I'm actually not sure. I suspect though that as a NOS derivative it is freely usable by amateur radio operators.

Contributed by

Isao SEKI, http://www.prug.or.jp/people/jm1wbb

5.6 XNet

Author

Richard R. Parry, W9IF, rparry@qualcomm.com

Description

A traffic analyser for AX.25 networks.

Status

Stable, released.

Updated

01 Apr 97

System Requirements

TCL-7.5/Tk-4.1, KISS TNC.

Detail

The XNet software provides a variety of tools that an AX.25 lan manager could use to analyze and manage traffic. The tools present a graphical view of all of the traffic received at the monitoring node allowing the observer to easily see where the traffic flows normally and other information such as:

The network is displayed with icons representing hosts and lines between them representing the traffic flow. The graphical display provides an instantly absorbable view of the traffic on the network being monitored. Richard has more information and sample displays at: www.qualcomm.com.

Where and how to obtain it

You can obtain the software from: www.qualcomm.com

Licensing/Copyright etc.

XNET is a freeware program. It may be freely distributed.

Contributed by

Richard Parry, W9IF

5.7 monax25

Author

Skip Hansen, WB6YMH and Harold Price, NK6K.

Maintained by

Jonathon Naylor, jsn@cs.nott.ac.uk

Description

The monax25 provides a number of utilities for collecting statistics on AX.25 channel usage.

Status

Version 1.11, Stable

Updated

01 Apr 97

System Requirements

KISS TNC.

Detail

The original ax25mon programs were written for MSDOS. This package is a port of that software to Linux.

Where and how to obtain it

The `monax25' package may be obtained from: sunsite.unc.edu ham applications directory.

Licensing/Copyright etc.

Freely copyable, not GPL though.

5.8 splitscreen

Author

Dave Brown, N2RJT, dcb@vectorbd.com

Description

Split screen `ttylink' style program with scroll back and log to file.

Status

Version 1.4.1, stable.

Updated

01 Apr 97

System Requirements

Requires the `ncurses' package.

Detail

The splitscreen is a unix implementation of the NOS ttylink command. It provides a splitscreen display that makes user to user chats much easier than the usual telnet interface. The scroll back buffer and log to file features are useful when you use the splitscreen program to access services like convers.

Where and how to obtain it

The `splitscreen' package is available from: sunsite.unc.edu ham applications directory

Licensing/Copyright etc.

Public Domain

5.9 talk-ax25

Author

Dave Brown, N2RJT, dcb@vectorbd.com

Description

Berkeley `talk' client modified to support Linux AX.25

Status

Version 960426, working.

System Requirements

Requires the `ncurses' package.

Detail

The `talk-ax25' program is a modifed version of the conventional Berkeley `talk' program to support Linux AX.25 operation.

Where and how to obtain it

The `talk-ax25' program is available from: sunsite.unc.edu ham applications directory or from: ftp.ucsd.edu.

Licensing/Copyright etc.

Berkeley style. Freely distributable, copyright messages must be retained.

5.10 7Plus for Linux

Author

Axel Bauda, DG1BBQ, DG1BBQ@DB0CL.#HB.DEU.EU

Description

Uuencode-like file coder for BBS Send and Forward of binary files.

System Requirements

none special

Detail

Provides the ability to 7Plus encode binary files to allow them to be transmitted within AX.25 BBS messages.

Where and how to obtain it

The `7pl217sr' encoder package is available from: sunsite.unc.edu ham applications directory.

Licensing/Copyright etc.

Hamware - Free for use by amateur radio use.

5.11 TNOS

Author

Brian A. Lantz, brian@lantz.com

Description

TNOS is a NOS derivative that is being actively supported and which is available for both DOS and Linux. It features many enhancements not found in other NOS versions.

Status

Version 2.21. Stable.

Updated

01 Apr 97

System Requirements

Kernel networking slip support if you want to link the normal Linux network facilities with TNOS. A kiss tnc.

Detail

Brian maintains a World Wide Web server which contains up to date information on TNOS, you can find it at www.lantz.com.

Where and how to obtain it

The current version of TNOS is always available from: ftp.lantz.com, sunsite.unc.edu, or ftp.ucsd.edu.

Licensing/Copyright etc.

Free for use by amateur radio operators and educational oraganisations

5.12 N0ARY Packet BBS for UN*X

Author

Bob Arasmith, N0ARY, ported to Linux (and others) by Bob Proulx, KF0UW, rwp@fc.hp.com

Description

A packet bbs implemented under UN*X.

Status

ALPHA. Bob is running version ARY-0.9 on both Linux and HP-UX. The next version from N0ARY which is called 4.0 is in alpha test/development release. Bob has not been able to bring this online yet and is still running 0.9+kf0uw mods. Bob has about half it working with Alan Cox's AX.25 kernel which would be the desirable combination.

Updated

01 Apr 97

System Requirements.

Linux installation, C Compiler, plus HAM radio TNC hardware.

Detail

This bbs has an excellent packet user interface. It has a compatible set of commands with the RLI bbs so users will be familiar with it immediately. It then extends the command set to be a very nice natural language style interface (e.g "list at allus about KPC-3"). Many csh style bang commands are supported. Also included is a mail interface to provide a packet to internet gateway.

Currently you need to customize the source code for your installation so you need some C programming proficiency.

Where and How to obtain it.

For a Linux version or for Linux information send mail to rwp@fc.hp.com. For a SunOS version contact bob@arasmith.com. This code is not packaged for distribution yet since it is not past the alpha stage of development.

A version of the software is available from ftp.funet.fi

Licensing/Copyright

Copyright by Bob Arasmith, N0ARY, but freely redistributable.

Contributed by:

Bob Proulx, KF0UW

5.13 LBBS - Linux BBS message gateway

Author

Daryl L Miles, G7LED, dlm@frink.demon.co.uk

Description

A BBS package designed to operate with either the native AX.25 kernel code or with the Wampes package.

Status

In development, working.

Updated

01 Apr 97

System requirements

Kernel AX.25 support or the Wampes package. sendmail, CNEWS.

Detail

Daryl's aim was to build a platform on which amateurs could build a Packet BBS to smtp gateway for Linux. I'm not sure what the current status is as the last version I could find was dated 30 Jun 1995. The latest binary version supports:

To install, I did the following:
# cd /usr/src
# mkdir LBBS
# tar xvfz LBBS-0.1.6A.tar.gz
# cd LBBS
# ./Install.sh
This created a /usr/lbbs directory. The README.Setup file suggest an order in which to configure the BBS.

Where and How to obtain it.

You can obtain the `LBBS' package from: ftp.ucsd.edu.

Licensing/Copyright

Freely distributable for any non-commercial Amateur Radio use only. No warranty. Will be changed to GPL when software is stable.

5.14 MBL/RLI message to NNTP and email converter.

Author

SM0OHI, pme@it.kth.se

Description

Software that will convert incoming MBL/RLI messages into either NNTP or RFC-822 formatted mail messages.

Status

Development, not yet released.

Updated

01 Apr 97

System requirements

Unknown.

Detail

This software would be ideally suited to those who want to establish a mail and news gateway between conventional tcp/ip networks and the amateur radio mail network.

Where and How to obtain it.

Not yet availale.

Licensing/Copyright

Unknown.

Contributed by:

SM0OHI

5.15 CLX Packet DX Cluster Program

Author

Franta Bendl, DJ0ZY, and Bernhard ("Ben") Buettner, DL6RAI, root@dl6rai.muc.de

Description

A PacketCluster like system running on Linux.

Status

Current version 2.07

Updated

01 Apr 97

System Requirements

Linux Kernel version 2.0 or greater, TCP/IP networking, SysV IPC. Also requires Perl and optionally Expect.

Detail

PacketCluster nodes have been available for about seven years. The original software was written by Dick Newell, AK1A, and is running under DOS. CLX is a system which clones a PacketCluster node. To the outside user commands and features are mostly identical. Remote PacketCluster nodes, which can be networked, don't see the difference between a generic PacketCluster node and CLX. So it fits well into an established network of PacketCluster nodes.

CLX is not a user application, it is network node software. As such it is not of much use for the individual amateur. SysOPs of PacketCluster nodes with some experience on both PacketCluster and Linux will find this application interesting.

Here are some of the features of CLX:

Where and How to obtain it

You can obtain the software from ftp.funet.fi

There are five files that make up the package:

00Index
clx_206.tgz
clx.txt
README

Licensing/Copyright

CLX (c) by Franta Bendl (DJ0ZY) and is available for non-commercial use, but the authors want to keep track of who is using their product, so before you can actually use the software you have to ask for an encrypted callsign string to be placed in the configuration file. You must send mail to clx_us@dl6rai.muc.de to organise this.

Contributed by

Bernhard ("Ben") Buettner, DL6RAI

5.16 DPTNT Terminal and DPBOX BBS package.

Author

Mark Wahl, DL4YBG, DL4YBG@DB0GR.#BLN.DEU.EU, wahlm@berlin.snafu.de and Joachim Schurig, DL8HBS, DL8HBS@DB0GR.#BLN.DEU.EU, h0187akk@rz.hu-berlin.de

Description

A suite of programs that provide BBS and Terminal programs for Linux.

Status

Stable and working.

Updated

01 Apr 97

System requirements

TNC supporting WA8DED hostmode or KISS protocols.

Detail

TNT is a full featured hostmode terminal program. Compiling it on Linux is as difficult as untarring the source and typing `make'. It provides both a `dumb' terminal and X11 version. It comes with some comprehensive documentation which describes its features in some detail. Its main features are:

Multiple sessions:

TNT supports multiple packet radio connections on virtual screens that you can switch between. Each session window provides split screen (seperate transmit and receive text) operation with a status line. Commands can be entered in either a command session, or in any terminal session using a command key. Each of the virtual screens can be larger than the physical screen and can be scrolled around.

Data capture, file transfer and logging:

A number of options are available for logging received text to files. You can log transmit, receive or both to a log file. You can overwrite or append received data to existing files. You can use the `autobin' protocol to transmit or receive binary files.

Remote Shell operation:

You can provide a shell to remote users so that they can access other programs on your computer. You can also run a program and direct its input/output to a channel so that users can use it.

Redirection of devices to a channel:

TNT allows you to redirect input/output from a channel to a device, a modem for example.

Umlaut conversion:

TNT provides umlaut conversion if necessary.

Remote mode:

Remote users can issue command themselves if allowed to do so.

Socket mode:

You can configure tnt so that it opens a socket for users to telnet to that allows them operation just as you have from the console. This is useful where your linux machine is on an ethernet and you want other terminal on the net to have use of your radio.

New versions will support the Linux kernel AX.25 code.

DPBOX is a full featured BBS supporting the following features:

Where and How to obtain it.

The `dptnt' package may be found at: ftp.funet.fi, or ftp.tapr.org, or ftp.ucsd.edu.

The Home Pages of the developers are at: DL4YBG and DL8HBS

Licensing/Copyright

The TNT and DPBOXT programs are covered by the GNU Public License. The TFKISS program is covered by ALAS (a german license for Amateur Radio use), and the DPBOX program is freely distributable for Amateur Radio use.

5.17 IPIP encapsulation daemon.

Name

Mike Westerhof's IPIP encapsulation daemon.

Author

Mike Westerhof KA9WSB (original code), then Bdale Garbee N3EUA (port to BSD), then Ron Atkinson N8FOW and John Paul Morrison (port to Linux), then Bdale rolled it all back together again.

Description

A daemon that will allow you to use your linux machine as an IPIP encapsulating gateway. Note, this probably isn't necessary any more in most installations because recent kernel support a kernel device to perform encapsulation.

Status

Ron is running this code himself, and the other version have been run quite successfully.

Updated

01 Apr 97

System requirements

KISS TNC, any version of Linux supporting RAW sockets.

Detail

If you've ever used an internet gateway from your amateur packet radio you have probably been connected by an encapsulation gateway of some descpription. Most run KA9Q's NOS and DOS, but others run Unix and this daemon. It allows you to encapsulate IP within IP, so that you can 'tunnel' IP connections over the Internet. The software allows you to connect a KISS TNC to your linux machine and to have all datagrams received on it carried across the Internet to a similar gateway. Bdale has installation instructions in the package.

Where and How to obtain it.

This software is available from the col.hp.com ftp site.

Licensing/Copyright etc.

Freely distributable, though Bdale asks that if you use the code and like it you might send him a QSL card or a postcard.

Contributed by:

Ron Atkinson, N8FOW, and Bdale Garbee, N3EUA

Note:

You may want to consider using kernel based tunnel daemon now instead.

5.18 AXIP encapsulation daemon.

Name

Mike Westerhof's AXIP encapsulation daemon.

Author

Mike Westerhof KA9WSB, ported to Linux by Ron Atkinson N8FOW.

Description

A daemon that will allow you to use your linux machine as an AXIP encapsulating gateway.

Status

Not properly tested, but assumed to work ok.

Updated

01 Apr 97

System requirements

KISS TNC, any version of Linux supporting RAW sockets.

Detail

This daemon is the partner to the IPIP encapsulation daemon. It allows you to encapsulate AX.25 frames in IP to carry them across the Internet. This is useful for linking AX.25 networks in remote areas. Ron has supplied a Makefile for linux, and with it the software compiled without errors on my system running a recent version kernel. Ron has also written some README files which give you the detail necessary to compile the system and the original documentation describes how to configure it.

Where and How to obtain it.

This software is available in the sunsite.unc.edu ham apps directory. An enhanced version of this software is included in recent versions of the Linux AX.25 utilities. Refer to the AX25-HOWTO for more information.

Licensing/Copyright etc.

Freely distributable so long as the original copyright notice is not removed.

Contributed by:

Ron Atkinson, N8FOW

5.19 Ping-Pong Convers Server

Name

Fred Baumgartens Convers Server for Linux.

Author

Fred Baumgarten, DC6IQ, dc6iq@insu1.etec.uni-karlsruhe.de, and Brian Lantz brian@lantz.com.

Description

This is a version of the convers server that allows multiple users to simultaneously chat with each other in a round-table style conversation. It is compatible with the NOS convers servers, but provides extra facilities such as saving/restoring of Personal Text and Chanel Topics. Brian Lantz has further enhanced the software with additional features.

Status

In use of a number of popular convers servers, appears very stable.

Updated

01 Apr 97

System requirements.

Linux, GNU make, C compiler.

Detail.

Complete installation instructions are included in the INSTALL file that is included in the distribution.

Where and How to obtain it.

A distribution of this software is available at sunsite.unc.edu. The home of the software is at insu1.etec.uni-karlsruhe.de ftp server

Licensing/Copyright etc.

Presumably copyright Fred Baumgarten (not specifically stated), but some portions appear to be free for non-commercial use and copying provided the copyright notices stay intact.

5.20 RSPF Daemon

Name

RSPF - Radio Shortest Path First routing daemon for Linux

Author

Craig Small vk2xlz csmall@triode.apana.org.au

Description

An implementation of the Radio Shortest path First routing protocol for linux. The daemon supports version 2.2 of the protocol which corrects a lot of bugs and problems that were present in version 2.1.

Status

Alpha - running, needs testing and bug reports. Current version is 0.08

Updated

01 Apr 97

System requirements.

Requires Alan Cox's kernel based AX.25 code.

Detail

This program will allow Linux to become an RSPF router. It addresses some of the quirks of RSPF v2.1, the version in NOS which means that it is incompatible with the NOS version. It will also allows remote/local queries via a tcp session for debugging and diagnostic purposes.

Where and How to obtain it.

Current versions are always available from sunsite.unc.edu or ftp.ucsd.edu or from the author.

Licensing/Copyright

GNU Public License vers 2.0

Contributed by:

Craig Small, VK2XLZ

5.21 Michael Westfall's TTYLINK Daemon

Name

ttylinkd - a ttylink daemon for Linux.

Author

Michael Westfall, N6KUY, mwestfal@.csci.csusb.edu

Description

A split screen terminal program that listens on the ttylink port and accepts incoming connection requests.

Status

Seems to work fine.

Updated

01 Apr 97

System requirements

none special.

Detail

This is a standalone program that does require you to change the configuration of your system at all. If you have root access on your machine then you run the program in a VT or in an XTerm and it will clear the screen and wait for an incoming connection on port 87 (ttylink). When a connection is received it will provide you with a split screen display with which to communicate with the calling person.

Where and How to obtain it.

You can obtain ttylinkd from: sunsite.unc.edu or ftp.ucsd.edu.

Licensing/Copyright

Unknown, presumed freely distributable.

5.22 Craig Small's TTYLINK Daemon

Name

ttylinkd - a ttylink daemon for Linux.

Author

Craig Small, VK2XLZ, csmall@triode.apana.org.au

Description

A daemon to accept a ttylink (port 87) tcp/ip connection and convert it into a talk request for a user on the host machine. This may also be configured for use with the ax25d program so that AX.25 users may also make use of it to connect to you.

Status

Alpha, but working.

Updated

01 Apr 97

System requirements.

Kernel networking support with AX.25 support if desired.

Detail

Because the talk protocol is a non-standard, that is it isn't actually defined anywhere (except the source), the ttylink protocol from NOS has become the defacto standard, at least for amateurs, to provide keyboard to keyboard communication over tcp/ip. This daemon fills the need for something to answer ttylink requests to linux machines.

Where and How to obtain it.

You can obtain the latest version of ttylinkd from: sunsite.unc.edu or ftp.ucsd.edu.

An slightly enhanced version of this software is now included in the Linux AX25 utilities package.

Licensing/Copyright

GNU Public License vers 2.0