While we are not there yet, things have improved over the past year or so. You could use packet, but it is a mode that requires very good signals to work. The only sound card packet program without an expected cost is Multipsk. It supports 300 and 1200 baud packet. Multipsk also has the FAE/FAE400 modes that can work with much weaker signals in a full ARQ mode. Not as fast as packet with good signals, but moderate speed is better than zero throughput when conditions get more difficult. Supports both peer to peer chat and messaging, but no e-mail.
The NBEMS system (fldigi + flarq) will provide ARQ messaging with several modes but will not support ARQ peer to peer chat which may be important when involved in public service/emergency communications. Their philosophy does not support e-mail. The PSKmail system can provide e-mail (limited number of servers at this time if you are in the U.S.) but if using the Linux client, can also provide ARQ peer to peer. This is planned to be added to the Windows version. I don't know of any other interest from developers who are planning to add peer to peer digital communication in one software program. Winlink 2000 is developing a sound card mode to work with their e-mail system but their philosophy does not support HF peer to peer connections, so the software will have very limited use for practical public service/emergency communication where you need to send messages between peers since you may not have the infrastructure remaining for mail systems. The ideal from my perspective would be to have an easily understandable sound card software program that works on HF or VHF, handles peer to peer traffic as well as e-mail, and adapts to the conditions with appropriate protocols. We are beginning to have the pieces, but no one has bolted them together into one system, HI. Easy to say, but not easy to do. The closest thing that I can see is PSKmail using WINMOR or something similar as the adaptive protocol. That would be a "killer" digital program for public service/emergency use. 73, Rick, KV9U Lee wrote: > Hello Folks, > > I am looking for what you have used or have read about. I have been using > TNCs for my packet operations and now need to know other options using a > sound card. This is for VHF/UHF and HF. > > The software has to be error correcting. Can be used to connect peer to peer > (station to station) and / or to a BBS and / or email Ie:winlink. > > Why I need this. I have ask by my DEC to make a presentation for methods of > using "packet" to send messages for his Area. I have a pretty good handle on > the TNC methods but not using a soundcard. > > So what you got. I will be making my presentation May 30th. > > Thank you and 73 > > > > ---
