hey tom I'm using rms express and that program is similar to outlook express 
in terms of its feel.  It can be used for packet on vhf and winmor/wl2k on 
hf.  It works fine with window-eyes7.5.1 the latest version here.  It's free 
and can be obtained from the winlink.org website.  I'm going to be acquiring 
a couple of old non apco25 5-channel commercial ger which is all you need. 
I'm going to be setting up an antenna which isn't going to be nearly high as 
my regular antenna which is at 70 feet.  73- pat kk3f

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From: "tom behler" <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Thursday, July 07, 2011 11:06 PM
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Subject: packet radio

> Hi, all.
>
> I recently have been re-appointed as Emergency Co-ordinator and RACES
> Officer for my county in Michigan.
>
> One of the things our section leadership would like us to work on is
> improving our capabilities in the packet radio area.
>
> Apparently, our section leadership likes the idea of getting certain 
> printed
> material in times of emergency, and they also like the idea that packet 
> can
> work when all other communications systems are down.
>
> I would like to pursue the possibility of getting a packet system up and
> running here at the home QTH, but don't want to spend money unnecessarily,
> especially if the resulting system will not be blind friendly.
>
> Here's what I have so far:
>
> 1.  I have an old TMV7A that I can dedicate to packet if needed;
>
> 2.  I have an outdoor antenna for 2 meters that is ready to go;  and
>
> 3.  I have a computer that I can load any needed packet software onto.
>
> My questions are these:
>
> 1.  What kind of packet softwre works best with Jaws?  Outpost, Windows
> Hyperterm, or something else?
> 2.  What kind of TNC would be relatively inexpensive to acquire, and would
> be blind friendly?
>
> Any help with these questions would be appreciated.
>
> I'll collect all responses, and put them into a folder for future 
> reference.
>
> 73 from Tom Behler: KB8TYJ
>