Sound Card Packet  with AGWPE

Translations and PDF of this site
Most recent AGWPE version is:  2013.415  15 Apr 2013

Introduction
Overview
Computer requirements
Packet Engine Pro

Configure AGWPE
Download and Install
Basic AGWPE Setup
2 Radio Setup
2 Card Setup

Sound Device Setup
Basic Device Settings
Rename Sound Device
Additional Settings
Using the Tuning Aid

Problems?
Program Behavior
Receiving
Transmitting
Connections
Firewalls

AGWPE Features
AGWPE on a Network
Baud Rates & Modes
Remote Control
TCP/IP Over Radio
Tips and Tricks
Traffic Parameters

Compatible Programs:
Setup Help

Radio Interface
Getting Started
Kits and Pre-assembled
USB SignaLink
Receive Audio Cable
Transmit Audio Cable
PTT (TX Control) Cable
2 Radio Modification

About Packet
Packet Overview
Exchange Modes
TNCs and AGWPE
What To Do with Packet
Common Frequencies
Frame Headers
Further Reading 

Introduction to AGWPE's TCP/IP Over Radio Feature

1. Overview

AGWPE's special TCP/IP Over Radio (TOR) feature (extra fee required) lets you send and receive TCP/IP data using amateur radio. It is most frequently used as a way to relay email through a ham station with internet service to a ham radio station without internet service. For this to work, both stations must be running AGWPE or PE Pro (see pricing note below).

Please note that the special TOR feature does NOT need to be activated for normal packet operations. And you can run TOR using AGWPE with TNCs and modems, not just in sound card mode. I've added information about TOR to this "sound card packet" site because questions about TOR come up frequently.

With AGWPE's TOR feature you will be able to:

• act as an internet 'gateway' letting others use your computer to get on the internet
• get internet access as a 'client' by using a 'gateway' station
• let other radio users access any FTP, SMTP, and POP servers you host on your computer
• access FTP, SMTP, and POP servers hosted at a distant station

Please note that:

• TOR does NOT have to be activated in AGWPE for normal packet operations. AGWPE does use the TCP/IP application interface to link to other programs and users, but this TCP/IP application interface should not be confused with TCP/IP Over Radio (TOR). For this reason the TOR driver does not need to be installed for normal packet use.
  
• TOR is somewhat difficult to set up, especially for those with little or no experience with networking and TCP/IP
  
• For TOR to work, both the sending and receiving radio station must be running AGWPE or PE Pro with TOR (see note below)
  
• You may use TOR for up to 45 minutes at a time without paying a fee. This gives you time to experiment. But to use TOR for longer than 45 minutes at a time, you must register and pay a US$28 fee    NOTE: If you plan to run TOR much on a Win XP system (or older), then consider purchasing the more feature enriched version of AGWPE, Packet Engine Pro.  PE Pro costs US$49, but TOR is included without additional charge and you will get to enjoy the other features and advantages PE Pro for just a few dollars more!
  
• This web site will not be able to give you very precise details about configuring applications other than AGWPE for TOR

2. How it works

A key TOR requirement is the installation of a special SV2AGW TOR network driver on both the sending and receiving station. This driver creates a virtual (software) network adapter that acts just like a physical network interface card (NIC) or the Windows dialup adapter. With your applications properly configured, TCP/IP data packets that normally go to the NIC or dialup-adapter are instead routed to the SV2AGW TOR adapter. The TOR adapter places the TCP/IP packets inside AX.25 packets, which are then sent to AGWPE to be transmitted by radio to another TOR-capable radio station. The TOR adapter at the receiving station removes the TCP/IP packets from the AX.25 packets and forwards them to the appropriate TCP/IP program.

3.How Fast is TCP/IP over Packet?

TOR is only as fast as the "on air" baud rate of AGWPE's sound card modem, your TNC and radio (minimum 300 baud, maximum 9600 baud with AGWPE). For applications needing fast transfer rates, such as high-content web browsing or audio and video streaming, this rate will be much too slow.  But for other applications where high transfer rates are not as important, such as email, ICQ, small file transfers, or simple web pages, this rate may be adequate.

4. To Pay and Register

AGWPE is free and you can use its TOR feature without a fee for up to 45 minutes at a time. But to run TOR for more than 45 minutes at a time, you will need a registration number that comes after paying a registration fee of $28 US.

If you run AGWPE with TOR for more than 45 without a registration number, you will get this notice from AGWPE:

To pay and obtain a registration number go to this secure web site: https://secure.bmtmicro.com/ECommerce-OnSite/00356/35601.aspxl 

Please include the following information in your order:
1. your name
2. your callsign
3. the way you wish to receive your registration number (Email or Postal Address).
4. your phone number (in case of a problem)

If there is a problem or delay in receiving the registration number, you can email the AGWPE author, George Rossopoulos SV2AGW

5. Steps To Implement TOR

To run TOR, you must already have AGWPE working correctly and be able to conduct normal packet exchanges with the other TOR station.

Listed below are the basic steps to then setup TOR. Links on this page will take you to other pages on this site with more details.

1. Decide on IP address for each station in your TOR network. If your network will be relatively simple and will not tie into other TCP/IP networks, you can pick your own IP addresses. Since Amateur Radio has been assigned the block of IP addresses beginning with "44.", you should begin your addresses with that (example: 44.1.1.1 and 44.1.1.2).  If your network may be heard by or tie into other ham TCP/IP networks, you should instead obtain unique addresses from AMPRNet. This will prevent the routing problems that could develop when two or more stations use the same IP address.
   
   

2. Note: Never use an IP address that begins with "192.168." for your SV2AGW IP address.  This is the  addressing scheme used on LANs and home networks. If you have another network adapter or wireless card in your computer and use a 192.168-type IP address for the SV2AGW adapter, Windows will probably not route to it correctly.

3. Download and install the special TOR driver to create the special SV2AGW "virtual" network adapter. See TOR Virtual Adapter for instructions for each version of Windows.
   
4. Activate the TOR feature in AGWPE. See TOR AGWPE Settings for further information.
   
5. Configure Windows. Some additions to Windows' IP Routing and ARP tables are needed to direct TCP/IP data to the virtual adapter, the correct radioport, and the correct station callsign. See TOR Windows Settings.

    In addition, on any computer that will act as an internet gateway for other stations, you must:

6. Configure Windows' Internet Connection Sharing feature (or run a proxy server program ). See TOR Gateway Setup for further information.

Note that you normally do not need to configure your TCP/IP client applications (browser, email reader) in any special way for TOR ( Additional notes on application setup )

Note: The MixW program is also reported to be able to send TCP/IP by packet. The MixW website says that a MixW user and an AGWPE TOR user should be able to communicate with each other using TCP/IP over radio. I have no verification of this, however.

Go to:
   TOR: Install TOR Virtual Adapter
   TOR: AGWPE Settings
   TOR: Windows Settings
   TOR: Gateway Setup
   TOR: Application Settings