Now that there is a BLE TNC available for robust packet (LiNK500 TNC – DiY599), I'm looking to make Robust Packet a first-class citizen in RadioMail.
My current thinking is to treat it as a new mode distinct from packet. Essentially segmenting it the same way VARA FM and HF are distinct from each other. Specifically, that would mean:
1) Robust Packet mode in the station filter
2) Download Robust Packet from Winlink in the station directory
3) Robust Packet tab in the favorites connection window
4) A separate Robust Packet KISS TNC Modem entry under Settings > Device
Even though the upper part of the protocol is all AX.25, it feels like distinguishing between packet on FM and robust packet on HF would be beneficial and prevent confusion.
I have zero experience with robust packet (okay, 0.25), so please enlighten me if I'm missing something important.
Lastly, is "Robust Packet" the preferred terminology? I've seen RPR used as well.
Not really sure this is worth the effort. There are only about 10 gateways worldwide that support Robust Packet. Over the past 2 months, there have been 9 connections using this mode.
The lack of use, and the relatively high price for a modem makes me wonder why you think this is needed.
Very interesting piece of equipment. A bit expensive but probably worth it.
Compared to the Mobilinkd this can also do Vara. I am interested in having
all the options available. I have an Rms station at home that can do packet
on 2m and Vara on 70cm. There are other stations I can use that work with
packet and Vara. Robust packet is new to me. Had never heard of it. It
would be nice to see a link to information on this protocol and how it
compares to regular packet and Vara. Infirmation on setting it up would
also be welcome. If Vara could be setup in the Teensy that this modem uses,
that would be great!
This is not a native Vara modem. It supports Vara as a "secondary purpose". In other words, it has a sound card interface which can be used by a Windows computer to run Vara. Vara will not, and likely never will run on a Teensy processor or any other embedded device. The author has no interest in porting it to any other platform than Windows. With a bit of effort, you can get it to run under Wine on an x86 Linux computer. Some have managed to get it to run on a RasPi 4/5, but not it is not very stable.
Robust Packet is an AX.25 implementation using OFDM and FEC for HF use. It has a maximum data rate of 600bps. It is significantly better than 300b AFSK packet on HF, but it is still really slow. It has never been very popular, and I don't think this new modem is going to change that.
Btw . I have about 60 Winlink connections on DB0BES per week via Robust packet . This is about 10% of all connections per week. And it’s is increasing quite fast…
Because of the hugh range e.g. on 30m, only few gateways are needed to cover a whole country.
It is definitely worth , also because of the convenience of iOS Bluetooth support and also about the combination with the integrated audio interface which supports e.g. VARA and others like FT8 JS8call too….
Scott, thanks for your perspective. I agree that the low number of gateway stations and slow bit rate make this mode less appealing.
However, adding support for this mode in RadioMail won't be a significant undertaking. It primarily involves retrieving station information from the directory since the connection will reuse the AX.25 logic from regular packets. I like the idea of providing an option in RadioMail for HF communication that doesn’t require an additional computer, so I’m happy to support that. I would love nothing more than doing it for VARA and I’ve offered my assistance in creating a port of VARA for iOS, but since that project never materialized, I contribute in places I can.
Incidentally, I have a prototype that enables direct wireless connection to the IC-705 from RadioMail. I plan to connect the internal packet modem to it. At that point you'll be able to get on the air with just an iPhone and the IC-705. From there, the only limitation will be the ability to create additional software modem version for the mode of interest, possibly Robust Packet and ARDOP.
I totally agree with you, to have this option either it is a device or later it is a software modem to have an access to HF frequencies with all modes and options.
The LiNK500 is also made with an ulterior motive in mind. To have long range communication options in case of Emergency situations. This is very important from my point of view. RadioMail, WoAD, APRS.fi, APRSDroid and other clients enable amateur radio operators on iOS and Android based systems a very convenient access to these important shortwave communication modes.
a few days ago I wrote that your number in the RPR-Winlink dashboard are not correct. From time to time within a month the counter is set to zero - so for me it looks like there could be a problem.
I don‘t know where you get the information. Only in December I had about 8-9 Winlink successful connections on RPR mainly through DB0BES.
In my opinion it is a useful addition to the other modes.
73 Erwin, OE1EKG
Thanks for your effort, I appreciate this and your development. Your proposal sounds good to me. I still run the LiNK500 on my QTH OE1EKG-10 on APRS at the moment.
To implement the possibility in your software would be a great step forward for me in using this on my tablet without my PC.
I have a beta test build with support for Robust Packet. If you have access to a LiNK500 and are interested in testing, please contact me directly with your email address and I will add you to TestFlight. Note that I have yet to establish a successful connection so it's possible that you'll encounter issue.
