APPENDIX D

Packet Information

Columbia County ARES/RACES Packet Network

The present packet network in Columbia County, supporting ARES/RACES operations as well as individual users, is the result of several years of evolving from a single Kantronics KA-Node™ (KPC-3) on Mt. Livingston to seven K-Net™ or KA-Nodes at various locations, and ports on one wide-area network nodes (HCKNSN).

The diagram on page 2 shows the current network configuration.

For a period of time, several nodes were equipped with the new K-Net ROM that implemented a NET/ROM™ compatible network at 1200 baud.  In 2009, a gateway to HF PACTOR has been implemented. The State of Oregon, through RACES, provided the equipment so Columbia County Emergency Coordination Center (ECC) can communicate with the state Emergency Operations Center (EOC) Salem, Oregon. They encourage packet users (especially ARES/RACES members) here in Columbia County to make use the gateway and gain experience in its use. An addendum to this document describes how to connect and use this gateway.

Although this document focuses on the use of packet to support ARES/RACES in Columbia County, this is an open network for all packet enthusiasts to use.

PACTOR Gateway Node Operation

The PACTOR station used by Columbia County ARES/RACES consists of the following equipment supplied by Oregon State RACES:

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Steps to connect to PACTOR:

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The Columbia County Oregon packet network consists of a number of Digipeaters as well as many packet stations. To communicate to some packet stations, a station has to connect via one or more nodes to gain access to a Keyboard to Keyboard or Mail Box. The chart below identifies the nodes available for use within the area.