What is Packet?
In amateur radio, a packet is a small piece of data that is sent and received using packet radio, a digital mode that’s similar to the internet. Packet radio uses packet switching protocols to transmit data over a radio link, rather than circuit switching or message switching protocols. The data is sent in packets with error correction and address information.
Packet radio is similar to computer telecommunications, replacing the telephone modem with a terminal node controller (TNC), the telephone with an amateur radio transceiver, and the phone system with radio waves. Packet radio protocols allow multiple subscribers to share a channel for transmitting data packets, using random access techniques like ALOHA.
Amateur radio operators continue to use and develop packet radio today. Some of its capabilities include:
- Mail, chat, and TCP/IP: Using a Linux packet station
- Tracking nearby stations: A unique capability of packet radio
- Sending short messages to the International Space Station (ISS): Using digipeating to relay packets from one station to another, which extends the range of APRS
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