Packet Radio for Emergency Messaging - OUTPOST

Outpost creates a screen that resembles an Internet e-mail application. The user doesn't need to be overly familiar with packet radio. You just need to know how to type and click send. Outpost takes care of the rest.

Outpost was covered in the April 2008 issue of QST. It is available at www.outpostpm.org

Outpost was written by Jim Oberhofer, KN6PE. He is a member of the Cupertino, CA ARES group ( www.cupertinoares.org ).

This program provides the following:

• Supports all 3 packet message types - Private, NTS, and Bulletins.
• Create messages from imported files, from scratch, or by REPLY or FWD.
• Built-in message form maker. An NTS message form is provided.
• Supports TNCs, AGWPE, and Telnet interfaces.
• Automatic query/posting to BBS based on time.

There are actually a lot more features here than I can absorb. For example, it can use several popular PBBS and BBSs as mail drops including Winlink via Telpac.

This gives a whole different set of programs for using packet radio for emergency messaging.

...AR