Packet BBS, are they still a thing?

[db_gain]

Popularity of the mode might see an increase come the New Madrid letting loose. It's fun to play with legacy stuff however. Also for hf use there is some bbs for 300Bd mode, but most packet is of the psk variety these days;

Robust Packet Network

Robust Packet Network

robust-packet.st

WinRPR: Saving Robust Packet from oblivion • Virginia Packet Network

The creator of Robust Packet has graciously ported a form of TNC code to Windows making Robust Packet available as a sound card mode.

vapn.org

The manual for rpr has a good technical description of the mode;

https://privat.bahnhof.se/wb758759/Robust-Packet-Network-Manual.pdf

 

[AC9KH]

Very helpful. Thank you. You might run across me on one of the bands. I need to find some time to play around with it.

Cool! This time of year I'm usually on 30 meters at night, hardly ever on 80m. Winter time I switch to 80 at night (sometimes 160) and 30 during the day. I may not be at my station, but if you see me on the band don't be afraid to leave a message.

We've had pretty steady thunderstorms so I don't leave the station running unattended very much in the summer. I typically run it on the Flex with a MacBook Pro.

 

[juniberry]

Packet is still a thing for sure. I was running a board until I recently moved. You should check out Network105 and Net40.

Net105 QRG 14.102.30 MHz USB
Net40 QRG 7.101.30 MHz USB
Passband offsets:
AX300 @ 1000 Hz
VARA500 & ARDOP @ 1500 Hz
IL2P300 @ 2000 Hz

You'll find BPQ systems there, with BBS, Winlink and Chat. A good into to joining in would be to grab EasyTerm & Soundmodem from UZ7HO's website @ UZ7HO Personal page - Packet-Radio - English version

 

[cralt]

so, does anyone here run a packet BBS and if so, what software and radio/interface do you use, and does it allow for internet linking?

I run Linbpq on a raspi hooked to a MFJ tnc with a KISS rom. Its linked to and forwards bulletins/messages with one of the Eastnet hubs via 44net. I don't allow general internet linking but people can connect from a 44net address.

I don't see a reason to run old FlexNet anymore since BPQ is still actively developed. It has built in chat and BBS. Winlink and APRS integration too: bpq32 groups.io Group

On the east coast there is Eastnet: EastNetPacket groups.io Group
There is the HF packet forwarding network which aims to link clusters of BBS's together with real radio rather then internet: Packet Radio RF Forwarding Networt
Live map: The Packet Radio Forwarding Network