Introduction to Packet
Packet radio is a particular digital mode of Amateur Radio (“Ham” Radio) communications which corresponds to computer telecommunications.
The telephone modem is replaced by a “magic” box called a terminal node controller (TNC); the telephone is replaced by an amateur radio transceiver, and the phone system is replaced by the “free” amateur radio waves.
Packet radio takes any data stream sent from a computer and sends that via radio to another amateur radio station similarly equipped.
Packet radio is so named because it sends the data in small bursts, or packets.