PacketCluster is a
sophisticated, multi-user packet information system
designed and oriented for DXers. It was developed by
Dick Newell, AK1A, of Pavillion Software for the Yankee
Clipper Contest Club, but is in use today by over 400
contest and DX groups in the US, Japan, Korea and
Europe. PacketCluster is an innovative software package
providing DX and contest multiplier announcements and
logging capabilities. Traditionally, such systems have
utilized FM voice repeaters, with the inherent problems
of missed announcements, repeated information and no
capability for retrieval of announcement history.
PacketCluster solves these problems by using packet
radio with the following features:
- Servicing of multiple users on each serving node
- Networking of multiple PacketCluster nodes
- DX/contest multiplier spotting functions
- WWV propagation logging
- User-to-user talk functions across the network
PacketCluster allows any user with a home packet
system to log into the network, retrieve information
from the system databases, enter DX of interest to other
users, be alerted to any DX information that may be
entered by other users, or announce items of general
interest to all users of the network. It also provides
real-time conversational capability with any other user
who is on line at the time. The PacketCluster also
contains a sophisticated integral Bulletin Board system
which supports both local and internode mail, along with
support of several file areas for on-line retrieval of
DX bulletins and information, articles, surveys, etc. We
also maintain an on-line QSL Manager's Directory, an
on-line Amateur Callbook, a North Alabama DX Club member
roster, and various files for beam headings, propagation
prediction, sunrise tables, contest calendar and contest
rules information, lists of dealer telephone and
FAXnumbers, product catalog information, on-line DX
bulletins and other informational databases.
The system we have has several computers in over 30
different cities (called NODES), and each node is like a
little local network. The nodes are linked to each other
through a system of private digital repeaters, and the
network is established on its own coordinated
frequencies independent of other packet networking
traffic. Any user in the system has access to the same
DX information, user lists, etc. as any other user, and
all users anywhere in the system have conversational
capability with each other. Use of the network for
ragchewing is definitely discouraged. The purpose of
utilizing nodes in this manner is that each geographical
area is served by its own computer for purposes of quick
response, yet conversational capability and sharing of DX
information is such that all users in the system can
communicate with each other. Typically, we have 100-150
users on all the time--24 hours a day, ranging from
Kentucky south to southern Alabama, east to the
Carolinas and north to the Virginia border. Quite often
our user list extends upwards of 300 simultaneous users.
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North
Alabama DX Club
