Digital Communication

This page is dedicated to providing the most current information on digital communications in use in Connecticut. Connecticut Leaders in Digital Emcomm (CLIDE) is working diligently to bring recommendations, documentation and education to all who are interested in digital communications for general Amateur Radio operations, public service and emergency communication. CLIDE encourages all who want to become more familiar with digital communications to visit this page often, to get the latest information, software, and educational materials. Please note that none of the recommendations made here are meant to discourage experimentation. They are meant solely to provide guidance on what we will use today to ensure we can communicate well with each other. We encourage experimentation and hope you will let us know what you find out, as we will tell everyone of our experiences on this web page.

Packet radio is a vital communication technique for digital communication. While CLIDE continues to evolve the technologies available to Connecticut served agencies, we recognize that packet radio will be one of the user links into any digital data radio system for many years to come. The current Flexnet/FBB system is the only 100% RF system we have today. It provides coverage of much of Connecticut and its coverage is expanding. The Flexnet/FBB system can handle text-only messages, NTS traffic, and bulletins. The Winlink2k system is more e-mail based, allowing for attachments of status reports and other small attachments. Today, all state Regional offices can access the Winlink2k server on Box Mountain through 100% RF links. This means they can exchange messages with each other, even if all Internet connections are down. We plan to provide more 100% RF links into the Winlink system during 2007. This means that all the State offices will have two 100% RF systems for exchanging digital messages, each system providing digital communications support and serving as a backup to the other.

If a user station is configured for Flexnet/FBB they can use Winlink2k. If a user station is configured for Winlink2k they can use Flexnet/FBB. While the two systems work somewhat differently, the underlying user technology is the same. We encourage users to become familiar with both.

As CLIDE continues to work towards a goal of providing one megabit or higher data speeds for state regional offices and key Red Cross offices, we realize that even if that were in place today there will still be many people who have 1200 baud packet as their user station. Our long-term plan includes 1200 baud packet as one way of entering any digital data system. We have also been experimenting with 9600 baud packet and that mode shows promise as another technology for state regional offices, EOCs and anyone who is wants to buy 9600 compatible packet equipment. In short, the Flexnet/FBB system is vital to the plans for digital data communication in Connecticut today, and for may years to come. Newer, faster technologies such as Winlink2k are being developed to provide additional capabilities for our served agencies. Both systems will be used for many, many years.

The members of CLIDE are: AB1CR, K1EIC, KB1KIX, W1FYM, W1WCG, W1GTT, KB1AEV, N1FNE, N1TUP, K1HEJ, K1BRF

CLIDE has made a recommendation on digital voice for VHF, UHF and up. Read more about it on the recomendations page.

Recommendations for hardware and software and more

Information on Packet Radio

Information on Winlink 2000 (Winlink2k)

Winlink VHF packet coverage charts

Current list of packet sites in Connecticut:
Classic Packet (note -4 means w1had-4 is a BBS, for example)
1) W1HAD 145.05 BBS -4 Shelton; also 441.05
2) W1WCG-2 145.01 BBS -4 BBS handles thru NTS traffic; W1WCG HF classic WinLink node
Additional Information on W1WCG's system, including classic WinLink
3) N4GAA 145.09 -4 BBS (contact N4GAA for info on IP capabilities)
4) W1EDH 145.09 -4 BBS
5) KD1RY 145.03 -4 BBS

6) N1URO 145.01 -4 BBS; -3 IPnode with Axmail

7) K1YON-7 441.025 node Barkhamsted

Winlink2k
1) W1AW-10 145.51 Newington, CT
2) W1GTT-10 145.03 East Lyme, CT
3) W1HDN-10 145.53 Vernon, CT (Very wide coverage)
4) KB1PJJ-10 145.51 Bolton, CT

KB1PJJ-10 441.05 Under Construction

KB1PJJ-10 220.?? Under Construction

KB1PJJ HF Under Construction
5) KB1PJJ-15 145.51 Bolton, CT (Mobile-portable, as and where needed)
6) N1BDF-10 145.05 Shelton, CT (Also via W1HAD-2 digi
7) W1WJB-10 145.51 Ridgefield, CT (Mobile-portable, as and where needed.)
8) KR1COM-10 145.51 Ridgefield E.O.C.
9) N1MD-10 145.03 Putnam, CT
10) N1HUI-10 145.05 Branford, CT
11) N1GS-10 145.53 Danbury, CT (Off until further notice.)
12) N2FEX-10 ? Danbury, CT (Not operational yet, but coming soon.)