Athens Co. OH Experimental Prototype
VHF Packet Radio Network
Active Stations as of February 27, 2024

The following callsigns are available for connections: About the N8VZ-7 "Node": In the packet radio world, the term 'node' generally refers to a radio network switch/router designed to more effectively manage connections and data flow. If you can connect to N8VZ-7, you are encouraged to do this first before connecting to other local Athens stations. The exception is a connection to N8VZ-3, which should be done directly,...not through the Node. (Note: Some of this will change after the Peach Ridge equipment migration.)

To connect to the Node, make sure your radio modem is in 'command' mode (often 'cmd:' Prompt), then input "C N8VZ-7" (without the quotes) + ENTER. Node will respond with: 

*** CONNECTED to N8VZ-7
###CONNECTED TO NODE N8VZ-7(N8VZ-5) CHANNEL A
ENTER COMMAND: B,C,J,N, or Help ?

(Available commands: First letter is sufficient)

ABORT           STOP A CONNECTION IN PROGRESS
B(ye)           NODE WILL DISCONNECT
C(onnect) call  CONNECT TO callsign
C call S(tay)   STAY CONNECTED TO NODE WHEN END DISCONNECTS
J(heard)        CALLSIGNS HEARD WITH DAYSTAMP
J S(hort)       HEARD CALLSIGNS ONLY
J L(ong)        CALLSIGNS WITH DAYSTAMP AND VIAS
N(odes)         HEARD NODE CALLSIGNS WITH DAYSTAMP
N S(hort)       NODE CALLSIGNS ONLY
N L(ong)        NODE CALLSIGNS WITH DAYSTAMP AND VIAS

About the 'dash-numbers' after these callsigns:
These so-called "Supplemental Station ID's" (SSID) are used to allow multiple services to operate on the same frequency under the same legal callsign, without conflicting with each other. For example, N8VZ operates a Keyboard (N8VZ-5); a mailbox (N8VZ-3), and a node (N8VZ-7). There are 15 SSID's (1-15) allowed for each individual callsign, plus the callsign only without any SSID.

Nodes on a given frequency will also manipulate the SSID's as they manage the channel traffic. So you may also see odd SSID's from time to time. The most common situation involves a node subtracting one digit from a SSID as a station relays through the node. Example: KC3EKE-5 connects to a node,... and KC3EKE-4 leaves that same node. This is normal channel management behavior, so don't be concerned if you see it applied to your own callsign.