Digital Communications

This page is dedicated to providing the most current information on digital communications in use in Connecticut.  Packet radio is a vital communication technique for digital communication.  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.  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.


There are some recommendations on digital voice for VHF, UHF and up.  Read more about it on the recommendations page.

Recommendations for hardware and software and more

Information on Packet Radio

Information on Winlink 2000 (Winlink2k)

Winlink  VHF packet coverage charts

Call SSID User Notes Area Location
K1YON 2-4 145.07 -4=BBS CT East Hartland, Hartford County
" 3-3   IGate NCT via K1YON-2    
"     Services:  Flex via K1YON-2, BBS via K1YON-4, RMSGW via K1YON-10    
KD1RY 2-4 145.03 -4=BBS CT Bethel, Fairfield County
" 0-0 ------ via KD1RY-4.  F6FBB HF Pactor on HF bands.    
KD1ZD 3-3 145.01 -4=BBS CT Enfield, Hartford County
"     -7=NetRom Gate to CT NR Network    
W1EDH 0-4 145.09 -4=BBS CT Glastonbury, Hartford County
W1HAD 0-7 145.05 -4=BBS CT Shelton, Fairfield County
W1WCG 2-5 145.05 -4=BBS CT North Haven, New Haven County
" 0-0 ------ via W1WCG-2, Winlink Classic  HF Pactor Gateway    


Winlink2k
Call Freq. Location
K1VSC-10 145.030 Pomfret, CT
KB1AEV-10 145.530 Vernon, CT **
KX1EOC-10 145.030 Danbury, CT
N1BDF-10 145.050 Shelton, CT ##
N1EZT-10 145.030 Stamford, CT
W1AW-10 145.510 Newington, CT
W1GTT-10 145.030 East Lyme, CT
W1OEM-10 145.030 East Lyme, CT
KB1NUM-10 145.030 Colchester, CT ++
** Very wide coverage
## Also via W1HAD-2 digi
++ Temporarily off the air