KI6UKZ Packet Station

The KI6UKZ packet station is located in Berkeley California. It is a Kantronics KPC-9612+ TNC running the 9.1 firmware. The system operates at 1200 baud on 145.050 MHz. The KI6UKZ node is available for remote access by all licensed operators in the amateur radio service.

Please note that the KI6UKZ packet station is being refurbished and is presently out of service.

Packet BBS

The PBBS software provides basic BBS features allowing amateur radio operators the ability to send local bulletins, traffic and messages to other amateur radio call signs. Connect to KI6UKZ-1 for access. The PBBS will send a welcome banner and menu. Type "help" for more help.

The BBS clock is set to UTC time and all messages will have UTC time stamps in their headers. Due to limited space for bulletins, traffic and messages, please download, then delete messages from the BBS that are no longer necessary. I reserve the right to purge messages when necessary to restore BBS operation. The PBBS on KI6UKZ-1 does not route traffic to other full service PBBS systems. For full PBBS services see the Northern California Packet Association web page for a list of available full service PBBS systems, their locations and frequency assignments.

As a final note on the PBBS, I have to say that I'm pretty fond of its functionality. Assuming power is available, it provides asyncronous messaging and runs 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. If someone wants to contact me, the PBBS will accept the traffic, even when I'm away from my radios. Like email, messages will wait until they can be acted on. Clearly, this isn't usually suitable for emergency or priority messages, but is very helpful for routine amateur radio traffic.

Network Facilities

The KPC-9612+ also offers networking services in addition to the BBS function. The KI6UKZ node provides KA-Node and K-Net functionality. KA-Node and K-Net provide enhanced routing over the basic digipeater functionality of packet radio.

KA-Node

KA-Node: To use KA-Node connect to the KNBERK alias. KA-Node provides enhanced routing and performance when used with other KA-Nodes systems. It increases performance by eliminating end to end acknowledgments. Type "help" at the KA-Node prompt for more information on using KA-Node.

K-Net

K-Net: To use the K-Net node functions, connect to the NBERK alias. K-Net provides automatic routing between peer nodes. Press the return key to get a menu. Enter the "help" command for more help.

Central California Packet Network

The KI6UKZ packet node participates in the Central California Packet Network. The network consists of 1200 baud packet stations on 145.05 MHz, covering an area from Modesto to Redding and further afield. The member packet stations provide a variety of services including digipeating, KA-Node networking, node networking and BBS access. If you have access to this network, you can reach the KI6UKZ packet node via the N6ZX (WBAY) or WA6TOW (PAC) packet nodes. The KI6UKZ packet station is an outlier on the network due it's geographic location and equipment limitations. More information about the network can be found on Varmint Al's Amateur Packet Radio Page.