I administer the NM5PB Node and BBS in the Albuquerque (Bernalillo County) area on 145.010MHz. I have line of sight access to the SCREST and LAMOSC digipeaters.

The BBS provides for essentially an unlimited amount of message storage capabilities as well as a convenient central location to send/retrieve messages from the packet network.

Configuration files, messages and log files are backed up in real-time to secure NAS storage.

Redundant power is provided by UPS, solar, and generator.

Redundant Internet is provided by Comcast, Verizon Wireless, and perhaps Starlink towards the end of the year.

The BBS will soon provide National Traffic System-Digital services to the Bernalillo County zip codes once Pactor forwarding tests are complete. This will allow local packet operators to experience ARRL National Traffic System/Radio Relay International Radiogram messages and be able to participate in sending & receiving messages through the BBS.

NMABQ:NM5PB-5 NODE

The node features the following abilities:

•  A “Full Service” BBS
• Chat Server
• DX Spider Spotting Network (in the works)

It is configured with the following ports that can be added as hardware and antenna space allow.

ABQBBS:NM5PB-1 BBS

Uses hierarchical addressing (HA) for routing messages. State/Country/Continent

nm5pb at nm5pb.nm.us.noam

You can create a new private or bulletin message to anyone without having to worry about an individuals TNC mailbox filling up.

Example: SP NM5PB  Will only send a private message to me.

Example: SB ARES@LOCAL Would generate a bulletin message to identify a  topic specific to local ARES members, yet readable by all. You’ll find other bulletin messages addressed to other topics when listing messages.

You can also send a message via the Winlink network by crafting a new message to

Example: SP RMS:<email@address.com>

This will then place a message on the BBS that will be automatically forwarded to the Winlink CMS servers for processing. You must have an existing Winlink account for this to work correctly as the FROM address on the BBS has to come from a valid Winlink account. The receiving end will have a new message from Winlink with your callsign listed as the from. They can then reply if desired and the reply will go to your Winlink Inbox.

Different categories can be used for TO to delineate messages to interested groups.

Examples: 

• ABQ
• ARES
• QST
• DX
• WX
• SAT
• KEPS
• EQUAKE

The @ would be used for distribution groups.

Examples:

• ARES@LOCAL stays here
• ARES@NM might forward to all NM BBS

ABQQSO:NM5PB-4 CHAT SERVER

The node also supports the ABQQSO:NM5PB-4 chat room server. This server will allow for 10 simultaneous connections to enjoy keyboard-to-keyboard chat functions over the packet network. Having tested capacity on this computer, we could easily bump this up to 20 or so but would prefer to split it up to between different chat nodes linked together.

At anytime in the chat you can type a /? and retrieve a list of commands that are available to you.

/B TO LEAVE CHAT AND RETURN TO THE THE NODE

/QUIT TO QUIT CHAT AND DISCONNECT FROM NODE

If there are any problems, questions or comments to report, please feel free to send me an email via Winlink at NM5PB.

PBMBL1:NM5PB-6 MOBILE “SNAP” NODE/RMS GATEWAY

This node is an emergency “snap” node and RMS gateway that can be brought online in a rapid response fashion (example: in a vehicle) and driven to a temporary location to provide interlinking with an existing packet network. This node has WiFi capabilities and can interface with the cellular network via mobile hotspot or join an existing WiFi network.

Redundant power can be provided by vehicle, solar, and generator.