If you get something like this when you connect to another station,
try typing an "H" or a "?" to get a help list as shown below:
A(bort) Stop Read or List
B(ye) Log off
H(elp) Display this message
J(log) Display stations heard
K(ill) K #: Kill message number #
KM : Kill messages you have read
L(ist) L : List message titles
LM : List messages to you
R(ead) R #: Read message number #
RM : Read all your unread messages
S(end) S : Send a message to SYSOP
S n: Send a message to station n
V(ersion) Display TNC firmware version
? Same as H(elp)
[AEA PK-232M] 18480 free (A,B,H,J,K,L,R,S,V,?) >
There are quite a few options available on the MailDrop, but the most
commonly used commands are L(ist), R(ead), S(end) and K(ill) message.
For example, you may first want to LIST all the messages that are
available on a mailbox that you connect to. This is done by simply
sending "L" or "LIST" command to the system you have just connected.
If you are interested in any of the message subjects that appear, you
may then READ the messages that interest you. To read a message,
simply send the command "R (message number)", where (message number)
is the number of the message you are interested in.
After you are finished reading messages, you may want to SEND a
message to the SYSOP (short for System Operator) or to another user.
To send a message simply enter "S (callsign)" where (callsign) is the
call of the station you are sending the message to.
When you are finished listing, reading and sending messages, you will
want to send the Bye command to log-off (disconnect) from the Mailbox.
Feel free to experiment with Mailboxes and other packet systems.
Remember that most automatic systems will send you help on commands if
you send an "H" or "?". For more information on setting up and using
your own PK-232 Maildrop, see Chapter 5 on MailDrop Operation.
4.3.3.3 Packet Switches and "Nodes"
When Amateur Packet radio was first beginning there were not many
stations on the air. Amateurs at that time "digipeated" through many
stations (up to 8) to connect to others over long distances. As more
users became active on packet, digipeating quickly proved to be an
inefficient way of relaying packets through even a very few stations.
To solve this problem, Amateurs began working on more efficient
"higher level" ways of routing packets over long distances.
NET/ROM (tm), ROSE, TCP/IP and TEXNET are some of the higher level
protocols that emerged and are currently in use around the world.
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