What are the proper procedures for packet contacts with Mirs BBS?
The most important thing to remember before transmitting *any* packet to Mir is to listen and make sure that Mir is *NOT* operating in voice mode. Most of the cosmonauts have complained about having their QSOs interrupted by uncourteous hams on the ground who transmitted packet before first listening to the downlink frequency. For this and other reasons automated packet contacts (e.g. computer-controlled attempts without a control operator present) are highly discouraged. The packet system was put aboard Mir solely for the purpose of communications to and from the cosmonauts. It should *NOT* be used as a packet E-mail box for other hams, for digipeating of any kind, APRS, or any other purpose. The U.S. MIREX team allow unproto packet (non APRS) when the mailbox is in a timeout loop. The Mir packet radios is a standard off-the-shelf AFSK 1200 bps AX.25 packet modem., the same packet protocol used for normal VHF terrestrial packet nets. So any inexpensive TNC can be used to communicate w
