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4.3.3 What Happens When You Connect<br />
If you are working with a friend who is familiar with packet, you may<br />
want to skip to section 4.4. If you are on your own, the following<br />
three sections will help you learn what to expect on VHF/UHF packet.<br />
There are three different kinds of packet stations you are likely to<br />
encounter in your first Connects; Standard TNCs, Mailbox Systems and<br />
Network Switches. The following sections discuss each station type.<br />
4.3.3.1 Standard TNCs<br />
When you first turn on your <strong>PK</strong>-<strong>232</strong>, it becomes a standard AX.25 packet<br />
TNC (Terminal Node Controller). All TNCs and Multimode controllers<br />
have this capability. When you Connect to a TNC, in most cases you<br />
will be connecting directly to someone's computer screen. If you see<br />
an automatic Connect Message (CMSG) similar to the one below, you know<br />
you have reached a TNC.<br />
Welcome to my packet station, if I don't respond, please<br />
leave a message and Disconnect.<br />
If you get a message like this when you connect to another station,<br />
usually you would type something like "Are you there?". If you do not<br />
see a response from the other station in a minute or so, simply leave<br />
a message - just like a telephone answering machine.<br />
The TNC at the other station should then hold your message until the<br />
operator returns to the computer or terminal. Later we will discuss<br />
how your <strong>PK</strong>-<strong>232</strong> can do the same for messages it receives from others.<br />
4.3.3.2 Mailbox Message Systems<br />
Although Standard TNCs allow incoming messages to be saved, there is<br />
no way for the owner to leave a message for someone who will connect<br />
at a future time. The ability to both send and receive messages<br />
without the owner being present is accomplished by a Mailbox.<br />
There are many different Packet Mailbox systems in use. Some systems<br />
are large and require the use of a dedicated computer. Other systems<br />
are small like the personal MailDrop built into your <strong>PK</strong>-<strong>232</strong> <strong>MBX</strong>.<br />
Large systems are often called Packet Bulletin Board Systems (PBBS)<br />
since they serve as electronic message centers for a local area.<br />
PBBS's are a source of information as well as a gateway for messages<br />
that can be sent to and received from other parts of the country or<br />
world. You will probably want to locate the PBBS nearest you and<br />
connect to it from time to time.<br />
Most Mailbox systems are easy to use and whether they are small or<br />
large, operate in much the same way. Another nice feature of<br />
Mailboxes and other automatic systems is that they usually have Help<br />
available by sending an "H" or "?". If you connect to a Mailbox such<br />
as a <strong>PK</strong>-<strong>232</strong> MailDrop you will see something like the following:<br />
*** CONNECTED to KD7NM<br />
[AEA <strong>PK</strong>-<strong>232</strong>M] 18480 free (A,B,H,J,K,L,R,S,V,?) ><br />
4/91 4-8<br />
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