AM>I'm very interested in ham radio, bbs, and emergency communications. I'm   
   AM>wondering if I can merge these topics together -- is it possible to run a BB   
   AM>server over amateur radio frequencies? How would you set it up? Would you ne   
   AM>to configure a duplex system, or would a simplex AX.25 system work? Are ther   
   AM>any examples of this working already?   
      
     First and foremost, you would obviously need to be a licensed amateur   
   radio operator of the appropriate class. If you plan to operate in the   
   VHF bands, you need at minimum, the Technician Class license. But, to   
   operate HF, you need a General or Amateur Extra Class license.   
      
     Local groups of ham radio operators give the exams now...and usually   
   once a month in or near you. The FCC used to do that a long time ago,   
   when they came to the State Capitol Federal Building maybe 3 times a   
   year. You had to pass the Morse Code Test FIRST, or you were sent home.   
   There is no longer a Morse Code Requirement for any ham radio license in   
   the United States. You can still learn it and use it, but you no longer   
   have to prove that you know it.   
      
     An overview of ham radio, plus 10 study options, what to expect at a   
   license exam session, etc. (for the U.S. and its territories) is located   
   at http://www.theweatherwonder.com/hamradio.htm   
      
     Second, there are several options for an RF system. You can run a true   
   packet BBS, with software such as MSYS (an older one), F6BB, and   
   software by W0RLI and W2XO. There are several other packages out   
   there now. Go to www.tapr.org/pr_links.html for more info. These all   
   require a rig and a TNC.   
      
     Third, if you are running Synchronet BBS software, and if you have an   
   older MFJ 1270 series TNC (preferably an MFJ 1270C), you can use some of   
   the ham radio doors, done by the late Dave Perry, W4KGU (he became a   
   Silent Key in 2011. The doors he did included:   
      
   1) ARPD - Amateur Radio Packet Door. Works best with the MFJ 1270 series   
   TNC's...but NOT with the newer MFJ TNC's. It basically allows your   
   computer bulletin board system (BBS) users (landline, telnet, or   
   FTelnet) that are Technician Class or higher ham radio operators to   
   access the area packet network, courtesy of your TNC. There is also a   
   mailbox where folks can leave you messages from another packet node. If   
   the TNC is being used by you, or is offline, users are told such, and   
   asked to try again later.   
      
   2) WASPORT - Worked All States. I require users to have an amateur radio   
   license (Novice or higher) to use it. One tracks their progress in the   
   ARRL Worked All States Award competion in several preset modes...but   
   there is a special additional mode that is Sysop configurable. Mine is   
   for Internet (VoIP, Echolink, IRLP, D-Star, D-Rats, Packet Via Telnet,   
   etc.). While that doesn't actually "count" toward the award, it's fun to   
   see how many states you have worked.   
      
   3) QRZDOOR - QRZ Callsign Search Door. This one is basically useless   
   now, as QRZ no longer makes callsign data CD's, and no longer posts   
   updates for download. On my BBS, I've replaced it with the Buckmaster   
   Callsign Search Door (yearly subscription fee, but worth it). I require   
   users to have an amateur radio license (Novice or higher) to use it.   
      
   4) BULLET - Bulletins Door. 26 Sysop defined categories for whatever   
   topic you desire...ham radio, weather, BBS related, cooking, religious,   
   etc. No amateur radio license required to use it.   
      
   5) REGSCAN - Part 97 of the Ham Radio FCC Rules. I had to download a   
   file of it, then reformat it for ASCII text for the door. No amateur   
   radio license required to use it.   
      
     On my BBS, I don't use the ARPD door, as for some reason, it doesn't   
   work right under Windows 7, and the QRZ door was replaced by the   
   Buckmaster callsign door. The other 3 though, are online. Of note, the   
   doors REQUIRE a DORINFO1.DEF BBS dropfile...and do NOT have a fossil   
   driver. So, the best BBS package to run them under is Synchronet for   
   Windows or Linux. There is a variable where you can enable a comport I/O   
   console feature, which fools the door, and allows you to set it up like   
   any other BBS door, where it will run under telnet.   
      
     Good luck with your efforts.   
      
   Daryl, WX1DER   
      
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