Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP Posting-Version: version B 2.10.1 6/24/83; site mit-eddie.UUCP Path: utzoo!watmath!clyde!burl!ulysses!mhuxr!mhuxt!houxm!vax135!cornell!uw-beaver!tektronix!hplabs!intelca!qantel!dual!lll-lcc!lll-crg!seismo!cmcl2!harvard!think!mit-eddie!clements@bbnccq From: clements@bbnccq Newsgroups: net.ham-radio.packet Subject: Non-callsigns as addresses Message-ID: <727@mit-eddie.UUCP> Date: Thu, 12-Dec-85 22:47:34 EST Article-I.D.: mit-eddi.727 Posted: Thu Dec 12 22:47:34 1985 Date-Received: Thu, 19-Dec-85 04:03:41 EST Sender: bcn@mit-eddi.UUCP Organization: MIT, Cambridge, MA Lines: 32 From: Bob Clements Dave, K2LYV, asked about connecting to stations with non-callsigns as their addresses, while using the WA8DED TNC-1 code. Well, there has been serious abuse of the address field in parts of the country. Stations signing "GOD" and "PIZZA" and other strange things have been seen. We are using a new mode which the FCC regulations just don't cover very well. Lots of what we do is simply illegal under the rules, like beaconing on frequencies that are not allowed for beacons, and beaconing for purposes other than what the rules say a beacon is. What we are doing is "broadcasting", and it's illegal. My point is that the FCC is consciously letting us experiment because experimenting is a good thing. They haven't dumped on us yet because we are mostly trying to do good things. I can't believe that using the address field of an AX.25 frame for something other than a callsign is a "good thing". It's the one common point which tells anyone who is responsible for the transmission, regardless of what else we may pack into the frame. Sure, maybe the "ATTICA" station is beaconing (broadcasting) with a real callsign. I don't know, since I am not in that area. But I would vote against this practice. Having said all that, and though I don't recommend doing it, I will reveal the following secret datum: If you put a zero in the byte at C025 hex in the V1.0 WA8DED code, it will NOT check for valid callsigns. But think about the issues involved before you do it, please. 73, Bob, K1BC