[CQ-Contest] Original application of "spotting" network

[Kenneth Wolff]

In the late 80's I started experimenting with an ad hoc network of VHF
digipeaters to pass multiplier announcements around New England. I worked
with K1AJ, K1GQ, KB1H, K1TTT, K2TR and a few others, but it wasn't very
reliable.

Around the same time Dick, AK1A, was working on PacketCluster as a way to
pass calls and QRGs more efficiently. His prototype was the first
PacketCluster node, and soon he installed it at K1GQ, then K1EA. The intent
was to use it in contests and regular day to day DXing. The K1EA node
covered most of eastern Massachusetts and a lot of southern New Hampshire.

In the early 90's I started selling my CT Logging program and used the
revenue to install computers, VHF radios and PacketCluster around New
England. Our "backbone" consisted of bleeding edge 9600 baud connections on
432, while 144 and 220 were for local users. I built it out as far as
Eastern New York (K2EK), but failed when trying to get it connected into
FRC territory.

Dick sold many copies of PacketCluster to contest clubs and other groups.
PacketCluster was the only communications that survived *Hurricane Iniki
<https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hurricane_Iniki>* on Hawaii, September 11,
1992. At least, that's what the emcom managers told us later.

 - Ken, K1EA

On Mon, Dec 6, 2021 at 1:51 PM Douglas Zwiebel <dougzzz at gmail.com> wrote:

> To the best of my recollection....
>
> The original digital "spotting network"was done using 2m packet.  It was
> making use of packet radio.  DXing had nothing to do with it.  It was ALL
> contest driven.
>
> My understanding was that YCCC tried to develop an approach to increase the
> mult count for W2PV.  I would like to think that our operation at K2GL
> using the call N2AA was at least part of that motivation.  It might have
> been in 1985.  Our best guess was that the idea was to feed mult to W2PV.
>
> It was very primitive.  At K2GL, we aimed a bunch of 2m boomers north to
> intercept the traffic  originating from Mt Greylock.  It was a shaky
> connection and we had to reconnect every couple of minutes.  We had one guy
> (a WB2 whose call I do not remember) who sat at the 2m radio.  I don't
> think we gained much, if anything.  It was interesting.
>
> But in December 1986, K2GL went SK and that was the end of that.
>
> Even later, it was still a concept for contesters who also liked to DX.
> When others started to post spots, us original guys (snobs?) sould often
> comment on "another useless spot."  Is that right AR?  LOL
>
> As for the above statements, YMMV
>
> de Doug KR2Q
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