What is the PacketCluster?
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:
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 FAX numbers, product catalog information, on-line DX bulletins and other informational databases.
The system we have has several computers in twenty-eight 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.
Here is a list of the callsigns of the nodes currently in the Southeast Cluster network. A map of the network is shown on the following page.
Southeast PacketCluster System Map