The LINKED FILE shows a basic outline of how we expect to handle the flow of traffic during the NYDOH (NYS Dept of Health) Hospital Drills from a packet radio standpoint.    We have such a drill coming up on May 17th of this year.

In anticipation of that drill, we are going to start having weekly packet radio practice nets on Wednesday nights at 8PM.   As a sidebar, we will also be using the 147.360 repeater for voice discussions and coordination of our activities during these packet radio nets.   It is our hope that most or all of the discussion will be on the packet channel.   But, if someone is having difficulties with the packet side of things, 147.360 will be monitored to offer assistance.  The first net will be this coming Wednesday night, April 4th  @ 8PM and Charlie, KA2BED has volunteered to be the net control.

The packet frequency is 145.07 and callsign for the BBS that we will be using is WB2VPY-4.

To log into the BBS, put your station in the command mode by pressing <Ctrl>-C and <Enter> on your keyboard.
After the BBS has responded with the welcome screen and "WB2VPY BBS (H for help) >", type <C>  and hit <Enter>
This will put you in Conference Mode and give you a message that reads:  "You are now in the conference (Help = ".H")."
WHILE IN CONFERENCE MODE, ALL COMMANDS MUST BE PRECEDED BY A PERIOD <.> (such as .C    .D   .H   .W   .Q)

.C[port] CALL-SIGN [V REPEAT ...] connects a call-sign on a port.  (I don't think we will be using this to chose ports).....
.D  disconnects a user from the conference.
.H  gives you this help file.
.W  lists the call signs in conference.
.Q  lets you leave the conference.

While in this Conference Mode, for the practice nets and for the NYDOH Drill in May, it important for everyone to understand that these will be DIRECTED NETS and that no transmissions are to be made without being explicitly directed to do so by the Net Control Operator.   This may seem a bit stuffy & rigid for our weekly practice nets.   But, we have to remember that we are getting ready for emergency situations where efficiency is important.   A Directed New will improve that efficiency.

After you have left the Conference Mode (by entering <.Q>),  you have to enter a <B> to exit the BBS.

I think this gives all enough to get started.   For those who have not played with the WB2VPY-4 BBS, there is a list of BBS commands available by entering <H> after logging onto the BBS.    If questions arise that are not covered here and cannot wait until the Wednesday night packet nets, feel free to contact me on 147.36 or on my home phone 739-8944 at reasonable hours.

Thanks for participating.
Bill, KA2LED