April 1988 Amigan Beacon Issue # 4 G‚r‚e‚e‚t‚i‚n‚g‚s‚: Just when I thought things would quiet down on the Amigan Amateur front, they're getting noisier ! Most of the new folks checking in have Amiga 500s, and quite a few are now on packet or planning to get on packet this year. The current number of Amiga users who are interested in Ham radio on our mailing list is now 145. P‚u‚r‚p‚o‚s‚e‚: For the benefit of newcomers, the purpose of this group is to gather and disseminate Amiga / Radio related information and Public Domain software. There are no dues or subscription fee, like personal computing, and Ham Radio, this is for FUN. A‚m‚i‚g‚a‚N‚E‚T‚: The 75 meter AmigaNET is alive and well, thanks to a notice in QST, and the regular checkins. One evening in March we had 12 checkins. Please join us on Tuesday evenings, 7:00 PM EST (00:00 UTC) at 3882 Khz + or - for QRM. Doug - NG2G is Net Control and expected to be back soon. In the meantime listen for WA1PTC - Mike, or myself - WB3KRN filling in for Doug. When daylight savings time begins, the AmigaNET will be held at 7:00 PM EDT (23:00 UTC). The 20 meter AmigaNET begins Sunday, April 2, 1988, at 14.345 Khz and down for QRM at 6:00 PM EDT (22:00 UTC), with WA1PTC - Mike as Net Control. Many people have inquired about a 20 meter AmigaNET so here's your chance. Mike is looking for some stations around the continent to help relay and listen, if you are interested drop Mike a note (@ N1API-4 on packet). This net's time and day may be changed depending on propagation this summer. Even with the addition of a 20 meter AmigaNET, there are many people who have expressed interest in participating in an AmigaNET but are out of range of the 2 presently scheduled ones. Future AmigaNETs being considered are a West Coast 75m net, a 75m Europe net, and a 10m net in the Novice / Tech voice part of the band. NCSs needed. A‚m‚a‚t‚e‚u‚r‚ ‚R‚a‚d‚i‚o‚ ‚P‚D‚ ‚S‚o‚f‚t‚w‚a‚r‚e‚: Amiga Amateur Radio Public Domain Disks # 2 and # 3 are ready for release. Disk # 2 contains programs and information on how to send pictures via packet using GIF and RLE formats, Virus Checkers, SSTV Program Preview, and a couple of WeFAX pictures. Disk # 3 contains WA1PTC's CONNplex multi-connect Packet BBS, ACCESS! V1.29 (a wonderful terminal program), the current listing of the Amigan Amateur Data Base, N3ET's Amiga version of W3IWI's Satellite Tracker, and a nice program from VE3AGC that calculates the distance and heading from your QTH to DX locations. To get your copy of these disks, send me a blank formatted disk (or preferably one with Ham Radio related Public Domain software on it) to copy each Ham PD disk you want, a sturdy envelope, a label with your name and address, and enough postage to get the package back to you. This way, I can copy the software to your disk, put the disk back into your envelope or mailer, stick your return address and postage on the envelope, and have it back in the mail to you quickly. Those of you who sent more than one disk last time will receive your disks back soon, since I waited until these new disks were done. In case you didn't hear about Ham disk # 1, it contains programs for Morse Code training, Propagation calculation, Satellite Tracking, several Terminal Emulators, Logging, N3ETs Packet BBS, copies of the 3 previous newsletters, ACE Ham software demo's, and some Utilities. About 40 people sent in for copies of Amateur Radio Disk # 1, some sent disks which had PD software of interest to Hams, which is how I got enough stuff for Ham disks # 2 and 3. P‚a‚c‚k‚e‚t‚: I haven't heard from KA5CNK for awhile. He is converting the current version W0RLI PBBS to Amiga. Mike - WA1PTC sent in his very nice Packet BBS "CONNplex" which supports multiple connects and personal mail. He supplied both an AmigaBASIC and a compiled version. This PBBS uses a configure file to accommodate various brands of TNCs. He is now trying to make CONNplex support mail forwarding. The current version is included on Amiga Ham PD disk # 3. P‚a‚c‚k‚e‚t‚ ‚P‚i‚c‚t‚u‚r‚e‚s‚: Last newsletter, I told about sending IFF pictures via packet. Since then we have been working with the GIF (Graphics Interchange Format), a new "Standard" in Graphics file formats developed by CompuServe. By using a program "IFF-GIF", existing IFF format pictures are converted to the GIF format. These GIF files can then be viewed by other Amiga, IBM PC clone, Mac, Atari ST, Apple II, and Commodore 64 / 128 computers by using the GIF view programs available for their computers. Up to 256 colors are presently supported on machines that are capable, while older 8 bit machines convert to the best compromise of colors. Since GIF files are binary, AtoB and BtoA utilities are still used to convert the binary file to ASCII for transmission on the Packet BBS network, and convert back to binary at the receiving station. NT2M and KA2HZO are reworking N3ETs Amiga version of the AtoB / BtoA programs so that they are a bit more portable to other computers. Their programs are in "C". If we get users of other computers involved in this project, and they can compile the AtoB / BtoA utilities for their own environments, a large majority of packet stations would be able to exchange color pictures like weather maps, schematics, figures ... ect on packet. The GIF programs for Amigas are on Ham PD disk # 2. If anyone with a computer other than an Amiga is interested in details on how to get your computer running GIF packet, drop a note to WB3KRN @ K3RLI. P‚a‚c‚k‚e‚t‚ ‚D‚i‚s‚t‚r‚i‚b‚u‚t‚i‚o‚n‚: The Amigan Beacon is being sent out via packet by KB3UD. If you don't see the Amigan Beacon on your local packet BBS, and would like too, send Tom KB3UD @ KB3UD a note. F‚A‚X‚: Bob - N7CVW sent me a disk with some nice WeFAX pictures in IFF format. I've included 3 of them on Ham PD disk # 2. I don't know how he is getting these files into the IFF format. Ben - N4EJI is working on a Public Domain FAX / SSTV program. I downloaded 2 sample screen grabs of the program from CompuServe (they're on Ham PD disk # 2). The preview shots look good. Ben is planning to upload schematics for the custom converter when completed. D‚a‚y‚t‚o‚n‚ ‚A‚m‚i‚g‚a‚ ‚g‚a‚t‚h‚e‚r‚i‚n‚g‚: Mike - WA1PTC is looking for other Amigans who are going to the Dayton Hamfest and would like to meet for a "in person" Amiga chat Friday evening or Saturday. If you are going to Dayton, and would like to talk to another Amigan Amateur, contact Mike WA1PTC @ N1API. This could turn into an annual Amigan gathering. A‚m‚i‚g‚a‚n‚ ‚B‚e‚a‚c‚o‚n‚ ‚F‚r‚e‚q‚u‚e‚n‚c‚y‚: The frequency of the newsletter depends on when I have enough to write about, which comes out to 3 or 4 issues a year. Anyone who has material of interest to Amigan Amateurs for inclusion in the newsletter is welcome to send it in. I also appreciate your comments about the newsletter. Till next time, 73 & Happy Amiga-ing... Kathy Wehr - WB3KRN ( @ K3RLI for packet mail ) (CIS: 71550,3507) RD#1 Box 193, Watsontown, PA 17777