INTRODUCTION TO PACKET RADIO - PART 16

by Larry Kenney, WB9LOZ

PACKET RADIO REVIEW - QUIZ

In this part of the series, let's do some reviewing. I'm going to present a short quiz on packet radio covering the basics that I've presented in the past 15 parts of this series. Let's see how well you can answer the following questions without looking back for the answers. In part 17 I'll discuss each question and give you the correct answers.

  1. What are the three TNC modes of communication?
    1. Connect, Converse, Terminal
    2. Command, Converse, Terminal
    3. Command, Converse, Transparent
    4. Command, Connect, Transparent
  2. What TNC command is used to set the transmit path for beacons and CQs?
  3. What is the TNC command CHECK used for?
  4. While you're connected to another station, what command is used to monitor other traffic on the frequency?
  5. If you saw one of the following lines on your screen when in monitor mode, what would the asterisk indicate?
    • W6ABC-3>N6XYZ,W6PW-1*: Hi Bob
    • W6ABC-3>W6PW-1*>N6XYZ: Hi Bob
     (Displays vary with various TNCs, so both common types are shown.)
  6. Why does the packet node network improve communications compared to the use of digipeaters?
  7. If you're connected to a station in New Mexico using the node network, how do you disconnect?
  8. If N6ZYX-2 connected to you via a node, what would the SSID of the station become at your end of the connection?
  9. When you're connected to another station, what are the two most probable causes for packets to NOT be received by the other station?
  10. There are several basic commands used on a packet bulletin board system. Indicate what you would enter to perform the following:
    1. Receive a list of messages.
    2. Read message 47134.
    3. Download a file in the General (ID G) directory called FCCEXAMS.LST.
    4. Enter a personal message to Jim, WA6DDM, who uses the W6PW BBS in San Francisco, California.
    5. Change your home BBS from W9ABC to W7XYZ.
  11. To send an NTS message via packet addressed to Tom Smith, 123 Main Street, Keene, NH 03431, telephone (603) 555-4321, what would you enter at the BBS prompt?
  12. If a message has a STATUS of BF, what does that indicate?
  13. When sending a bulletin, what is the most important thing to remember when entering the SUBJECT?
  14. If you wanted to send a message to your friend John, W4IP, but you didn't know what the call of his home BBS was, what could you do to try to find out what the call is?
  15. What is the maximum value for MAXFRAME? If you're working a station on 30 meters and are sending a lot of retries, should you increase or decrease MAXFRAME?

Well, how did you think you did? We'll take a look at the answers to these questions and more in part 17.

Part 16 last revised June 10, 1998.

Part 17

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