I’ve been discussing HF packet radio with Alan, G0WDA, for a month or two. Alan would like to get active with it as an alternative route for bringing Packet BBS bulletins and messages into the UK via his BBS (GB7ESC). Neither of us have ever used HF packet before so we’ve had to do some research into how to set it up.

Alan has an Icom 7300 that he’d like to use, and I have one too. Having the same rig will make it easier to set up tests. I’ve just finished building two NinoTNC N9600A’s that have 300 baud capability. They still need to be boxed but we’ve already proven that boxes aren’t a technological necessity for packet to work ;-)

My next job is to make up cables from the TNC (9-pin D-plug) to the 7300’s (13-pin DIN plug). It’s a simple cable, TxAudio, RxAudio, PTT and ground and I’ve got all the required parts - I just need to sit down with the soldering iron and wiring diagram.

Alan has applied for, and been granted, a HF NoV for 20m, so that’s our target band for now. I’m not intending to be active on HF packet other than to help Alan setup and configure his station though. If we can get a 20m signal to cross the couple of km between us then Alan should be able to work other BBSs at a longer distance. At least that’s our current thoughts on the subject.

Watch this space for more news of how our experiments go.