I am wondering if anyone done any ftn packet transfers via ham radio before?

wcTaglines:My reality check just bounced.
--- Platinum Xpress/Win/WINServer v10.0
* Origin: Inland Utopia BBS * Ontario, California (21:4/108)

Hey Matthew,

Great question - this is actually on our project list.

We're working on bridging BBS with Meshtastic/LoRa mesh
networks and eventually APRS and Winlink. The idea is
FTN echomail packets over ham radio for emergency
communications and off-grid BBS access.

Haven't done it yet, but we've got the Meshtastic
hardware (T-Beam, Heltec V3) and a plan. Would love
to compare notes if you've been looking into this too.

What's your thinking - traditional packet radio (AX.25)
or something more modern like Meshtastic?

73 de VA2RFC,
Philippe Gauthier
PhotoRM BBS - Les Mechins, QC
FidoNet 1:229/114 | FSXNet 21:1/235

+---+ +---+ +---+
| C |---| R |---| S |
+-+-+ +-+-+ +-+-+
| | |
====+=======+=======+====
Canada Remote Systems
Zone 79:1/1 * Since 1986

--- Mystic BBS/NNTP v1.12 A49 2024/05/29 (Linux/64)
* Origin: New Mystic BBS (21:1/235)

Pgauthier wrote to All <=-

Hey Matthew,

Great question - this is actually on our project list.

We're working on bridging BBS with Meshtastic/LoRa mesh
networks and eventually APRS and Winlink. The idea is
FTN echomail packets over ham radio for emergency
communications and off-grid BBS access.

I heard about this idea way before I got a ham licence 2 years ago.
I would need to find someone with a BBS locally who would like to try to transfer packets with.

Matt - KO6GVD



... 2 + 2 = 5 for extremely large values of 2.
--- MultiMail/Win v0.52
* Origin: Inland Utopia BBS * Ontario, California (21:4/108)

FTN echomail packets over ham radio for emergency
communications and off-grid BBS access.

Did you ever see some of the Pages people host on their Reticulum Nodes? I saw some the other day that looked just like a BBS, but
maybe without the full interactivity of a BBS. Maybe that would be possible but I'm not sure. Some people have hosted message boards too, so for sure _some_ degree of interactivity is possible.

I was mulling over how BBSes could be implemented over Reticilum. For slow links, it might be better if the BBS interface was in the client software directly (similar to NomadNetwork), and then the Link layer (Lora...) would only be used to transport the underlying data, not the interface.

I'm also brainstorming with AI a newish protocol to transport messages and data over USB key in a decentralized way, in a disastor scenario: treadwell.network. I'm still fleshing out the design details. The idea is that in a disastor scenario, a network of "runners" would carry USB keys across the region, from node to node, in no particular order, to help synchronize the state of the network and share messages and files. I think this could also make a good novel...

-BH

--- Mystic BBS v1.12 A49 2023/04/30 (Linux/64)
* Origin: The Bottomless Abyss BBS * bbs.bottomlessabyss.net (21:1/172)

Hey bithaven,

Really interesting stuff. Reticulum and NomadNetwork are
exactly the kind of thing we've been looking at. The idea
of keeping the BBS interface in the client software and
only using the link layer for data transport makes a lot
of sense for slow links -- that's something we're thinking
about too for our mesh network experiments.

Your treadwell.network concept is fascinating. USB key
runners for disaster scenarios -- that's a whole different
approach to resilience. We've noted it in our project ideas
as something worth exploring further.

We're working on bridging BBS with Meshtastic/LoRa here
in Les Mechins and looking at all the ways to move messages
when traditional infrastructure is down. Your ideas fit
right into that vision.

Keep us posted on treadwell -- would love to see how it
develops.

Philippe Gauthier, VA2RFC
PhotoRM BBS - Les Mechins, QC
FSXNet 21:1/235 | FidoNet 1:229/114

--- Mystic BBS/NNTP v1.12 A49 2024/05/29 (Linux/64)
* Origin: PhotoRM BBS (21:1/235)

--- Mystic BBS/NNTP v1.12 A49 2024/05/29 (Linux/64)
* Origin: New Mystic BBS (21:1/235)

Hey bithaven,

Really interesting stuff. Reticulum and NomadNetwork are
exactly the kind of thing we've been looking at. The idea
of keeping the BBS interface in the client software and
only using the link layer for data transport makes a lot
of sense for slow links.

Your treadwell.network concept is fascinating. USB key
runners for disaster scenarios -- that's a whole different
approach to resilience. We've noted it in our project ideas
as something worth exploring further.

We're working on bridging BBS with Meshtastic/LoRa here
in Les Mechins and looking at all the ways to move messages
when traditional infrastructure is down. Your ideas fit
right into that vision.

Keep us posted on treadwell -- would love to see how it
develops.

Philippe Gauthier, VA2RFC
PhotoRM BBS - Les Mechins, QC
FSXNet 21:1/235 | FidoNet 1:229/114

--- Mystic BBS/NNTP v1.12 A49 2024/05/29 (Linux/64)
* Origin: PhotoRM BBS (21:1/235)

--- Mystic BBS/NNTP v1.12 A49 2024/05/29 (Linux/64)
* Origin: New Mystic BBS (21:1/235)

Hey bithaven,

Really interesting stuff. Reticulum and NomadNetwork are
exactly the kind of thing we have been looking at.

Your treadwell.network concept is fascinating. USB key
runners for disaster scenarios -- we have noted it in our
project ideas as something worth exploring further.

We are working on bridging BBS with Meshtastic/LoRa here
in Les Mechins. Your ideas fit right into that vision.

Keep us posted on treadwell.

Philippe Gauthier, VA2RFC
PhotoRM BBS - Les Mechins, QC
FSXNet 21:1/235 | FidoNet 1:229/114

--- Mystic BBS/NNTP v1.12 A49 2024/05/29 (Linux/64)
* Origin: PhotoRM BBS (21:1/235)

--- Mystic BBS/NNTP v1.12 A49 2024/05/29 (Linux/64)
* Origin: New Mystic BBS (21:1/235)

pgauthier around Tuesday, April 7th...

We're working on bridging BBS with Meshtastic/LoRa mesh networks and eventually APRS and Winlink. The idea is FTN echomail packets over ham radio for emergency communications and off-grid BBS access.

Do you have a project page for this or anthing? I did some similar experiments I want to get back to at some point. Using ESP32 LoRa devices as one avenue - works quite well. There are also some LoRa RPi hats that work via Hayes modem commands (ATDT, etc..) which is quite interesting.

--
|08 ■ |12NuSkooler |06// |12Xibalba |08- |07"|06The place of fear|07"
|08 ■ |03xibalba|08.|03vip |08(|0344510|08/|03telnet|08, |0344511|08/|03ssh|08)
|08 ■ |03ENiGMA 1/2 WHQ |08| |03Phenom |08| |0367 |08| |03iMPURE |08| |03ACiDic
--- ENiGMA 1/2 v0.1.1-beta (linux; x64; 22.22.2)
* Origin: Xibalba -+- xibalba.vip:44510 (21:1/121)

Hello Matthew!

04 Apr 26 14:13, you wrote to all:

I am wondering if anyone done any ftn packet transfers via ham radio before?

I've not done it with FTN, but I am currently transferring packet "floods" or bulletins from one of my packet BBSes running JNOS, which also has a NNTP server, to a FTN using Synchronet's NNTP Newslink. Synchronet then creates the FTN packets. My current issue is that messages sent from FTN to the packet doesn't have the proper formatting for the packet network, including inserting the call sign.

The JNOS BBS is internet only (Amateur Packet Radio Network-AMPR). The other is running LinBPQ, which is accessible via Internet, 6m, 2m, 70cm 1200 bps AFSK packet and VARA HF on 40m. Both are running on the same computer.

(One of the Synchronet contributors may write something just for this.)

I am also receiving and sending/forwarding these messages via HF on 40 meters from using VARA HF. One station is in Grand Terrace, CA (Riverside County near I-215, I-10 and CA 60) and the other is in Crescent Valley, NV. The AFSK nodes have a very large coverage area; being at 7500 feet they cover from the Grapevine to Modesto here in the San Joaquin Valley. The HF is here in Visalia.


... A Smith and Wesson beats four aces.
--- GoldED+/W64-MSVC 1.1.5-b20250409
* Origin: "Ray's Road Node | Somewhere in California! "! (21:3/209)

Matthew Munson wrote to Pgauthier <=-

Pgauthier wrote to All <=-

Hey Matthew,

Great question - this is actually on our project list.

We're working on bridging BBS with Meshtastic/LoRa mesh
networks and eventually APRS and Winlink. The idea is
FTN echomail packets over ham radio for emergency
communications and off-grid BBS access.

I heard about this idea way before I got a ham licence 2 years ago.
I would need to find someone with a BBS locally who would like to try
to transfer packets with.

Matt - KO6GVD

A couple of things.
One is that sending bbs messages over ham bands may cause you some
issues for two reasons.
1 You don't know if there are any of the reserved words that you can't
use over the air with out getting you in trouble.
2 Messages from non hams might be considered as hird party traffic and
when it comes to the international world this may be an issue.

If you try to use other communications methods you can include non ham
friends in the loop with few restrictions of any kind.

Tom KF4YEY


=== MultiMail/Linux v0.52
--- SBBSecho 3.37-Linux
* Origin: telnet://cwshack.ddns.net:2330 (21:2/153)

Bonjour Philippe,

Glad I could offer some inspiration. :)

Keep us posted on treadwell -- would love to see how it
develops.

I'll let you know if it congeals into something more tangible. I have a tendency to come up with many ideas and not implement them. I think I just get a kick from designing things in my head. If it does materialize though, perhaps we could establish a peer-to-peer network of "runners" across the province to carry FTN Echomail. All by foot! Well, at least, without Internet.

-BH

--- Mystic BBS v1.12 A49 2023/04/30 (Linux/64)
* Origin: The Bottomless Abyss BBS * bbs.bottomlessabyss.net (21:1/172)

We're working on bridging BBS with Meshtastic/LoRa mesh networks and eventually APRS and Winlink. The idea is FTN echomail packets over ha radio for emergency communications and off-grid BBS access.

Do you have a project page for this or anthing? I did some similar experiments I want to get back to at some point. Using ESP32 LoRa
devices as one avenue - works quite well. There are also some LoRa RPi hats that work via Hayes modem commands (ATDT, etc..) which is quite interesting.

AI, baby... Openclaw and Paperclip in 2026!



|07p|15AULIE|1142|07o
|08.........

--- Mystic BBS v1.12 A49 2024/05/29 (Linux/64)
* Origin: 2o fOr beeRS bbs>>>20ForBeers.com:1337 (21:2/150)

paulie420 around Wednesday, April 8th...

AI, baby... Openclaw and Paperclip in 2026!

Haha, oh for sure! Claude is now my driver lmao

--
|08 ■ |12NuSkooler |06// |12Xibalba |08- |07"|06The place of fear|07"
|08 ■ |03xibalba|08.|03vip |08(|0344510|08/|03telnet|08, |0344511|08/|03ssh|08)
|08 ■ |03ENiGMA 1/2 WHQ |08| |03Phenom |08| |0367 |08| |03iMPURE |08| |03ACiDic
--- ENiGMA 1/2 v0.1.1-beta (linux; x64; 22.22.2)
* Origin: Xibalba -+- xibalba.vip:44510 (21:1/121)

AI, baby... Openclaw and Paperclip in 2026!

Haha, oh for sure! Claude is now my driver lmao

Rapidly, claude.ai is taking over all my stuffs. I don't find myself needing Openclaw anymore - especially now that OAuth is officially cancelled, lol. Paperclip.ing was pretty fun tho; seems like Anthropic is steering all the power users to API/extra usage - but I can't NOT afford the $100/plan at this point... we've hit the point of no return, IMO.

Uh oh!

I need to find FREE TOKENS already... this sucks.



|07p|15AULIE|1142|07o
|08.........

--- Mystic BBS v1.12 A49 2024/05/29 (Linux/64)
* Origin: 2o fOr beeRS bbs>>>20ForBeers.com:1337 (21:2/150)

Re: Re: packet transfer
By: paulie420 to NuSkooler on Thu Apr 09 2026 20:11:55

I need to find FREE TOKENS already... this sucks.

Yeah, you might actually have to think for yourself. That's a good thing, BTW. --- SBBSecho 3.37-Linux
* Origin: End Of The Line BBS - endofthelinebbs.com (21:2/101)