CCAR Limerick '07 Operating FAQ

Please add Questions by editing this page.

What is the CCAR communications plan for Limerick '07?

Click here to see the ICS-205 Communications Plan in your browser.

Please print a copy for yourself and one for your partner.

How do I connect using D-Star DD mode?

Start by checking all necessary cable connections:

1) Ethernet cable between the radio and your computer's Ethernet port.

2) Antenna and Power cables with appropriate fuse and battery backup.

3) Control head OR USB cable to computer with ID-1 Control software.

4) Turn on your radio, then your computer.

Next, configure your ID-1 radio:

1) Tune to the right frequency. Bucktown W3EOC A is on 1297.800. Pocopson W3EOC A is on 1299.400.

2) Make sure TX inhibit is ON.

3) Set mode to DD (digital data)

4) Set repeater function to RPS (simplex).

5) Set call signs: MYCALL= your own call sign. URCALL= W3EOC. RPT1=W3EOC__A. RPT2= not used.

Set up your computer properly:

1) Configure your Ethernet port used for the radio:

       If you are connecting at Bucktown:

            IP 10.0.0.x (you will be assigned a unique 'x' to use, see the Comm Plan)

            Mask 255.0.0.0

            Gateway 10.0.0.3

            DNS 10.0.0.3

       If you are connecting at Pocopson:

            IP 10.0.0.x (you will be assigned a unique 'x' to use, see the Comm Plan)

            Mask 255.0.0.0

            Gateway 10.0.0.10

            DNS 10.0.0.10

2) Start Airmail or Paclink software.

3) If you are connecting at Bucktown, configure a TELNET connection to host station W3EOC, host address 10.0.0.4, port 12001, password WL2KTELNETCLIENT.

    If you are connecting at Pocopson, configure a TELNET connection to host station W3EOC, host address w3eoc.no-ip.com, port 12001, password WL2KTELNETCLIENT.

On your ID-1, press TX Inhibit to OFF (start transmitting). You should see a response from W3EOC A if you have a connection. Try pinging 10.0.0.4 to verify a connection from Bucktown, or ping w3eoc.no-ip.com to confirm a connection from Pocopson.

Run your software as usual to send and receive radio email using the TELNET connection.

How do I connect to the high-speed network with HSMM (High Speed Multi-Media)?

The following assumes you are using a WiFi card in your computer with an exernal antenna. If not, you will need to set up your bridge hardware using the settings given, and then set up communications on the wired connection between your computer and external bridge radio. Consult your bridge device manual.

First, configure your computer Ethernet port. Set the IP to Automatic (use DHCP). Set the DNS to Automatic.

Then connect your antenna and aim it carefully at the access point on Bucktown or Pocopson towers. You should be able to detect W3EOC Bucktown 2 or W3EOC Pocopson 2 on channel 11 in the 2.4 GHz band 802.11b/g. If you are using 802.11a, connect to either W3EOC Bucktown 1 or W3EOC Pocopson 1 on channel 157 of the 5.8 GHz band 802.11a.

Start Airmail or Paclink software. Configure a TELNET connection to host station W3EOC, host address 10.0.0.4 (or w3eoc.no-ip.com from Pocopson), port 12001, password WL2KTELNETCLIENT. Run your software as usual to send and receive radio email using the TELNET connection.

How do I make a connection using packet radio to send radio email?

answer goes here

How do I tell which Telpac Gateway stations are on the air, right now?

Several ways... If you have an internet connection and the web handy, go to

http://winlink.org/status

click on "Telpac map" and zoom into your locality. Stations presently on the air are shown, and if you click on them, frequency and additional information is shown.

If you are without an internet connection, you can use Airmail and a special query to get an email with all Telpacs operating near your location.

Those of you familiar with the bulletin on demand system (Catalog) available through AirMail will be able to use that process to use this tool. Here are the basic steps:

1) To use this you must have a recent update of the WL2K catalog. You can do a list update or a full list in AirMail. Once the list is updated you will find a new bulletin called WL2K_PACKET under the category WL2K_USERS.

2) To use the new WL2K_PACKET function you will need to have posted a position report. This can be done with AirMail using the position report menu. If you have posted a report recently (within 30 days) and have not moved substantially that will be sufficient.

3) Now request bulletin WL2K_PACKET using AirMail’s catalog feature. This will send the request out and it should be available for pickup with another connection in a few minutes. The request will have all Active Telpac gateways and all RMS Packet servers within 100 miles (statute miles) of your posted position. The call sign, Grid Square, distance and bearing, Frequency and Baud rate will be in the list. Only those Telpac or RMS Packet stations that have reported in the last 30 days will be listed. Normally stations report about once per hour or so.

Please add any questions by editing this page, or send your questions to the editor at lor@w3qa.net. Thanks.