New Zealand Association of Radio Transmitters (NZART) Web: NZART Online

The DX PacketCluster is a packet BBS provided especially for DX operators. While it has the normal bulletins and mail facilities normally associated with a packet BBS, it also has many other features of interest to DX operators.

For example, if anyone logged on to the DX PacketCluster hears some interesting DX, this ‘DX spot’ can be put up on the Cluster for the benefit of any others who may be logged on. The others will see the DX spot in real time, and anyone interested can tune up and work the DX station. This is the prime purpose of the DX PacketCluster.

There are also other features such as WWV sunspot information which can be put up, a list of current DXCC countries with prefixes, headings and distances from your QTH, and sunrise and sunset information for each country.

Various DX bulletins are put up on the Clusters from time to time.

The following is the information for those interested in connecting to a DX PacketCluster::

ZL1BN Auckland
Access through the Klondyke node, 1200 baud on 145.625 MHz with negative split, or 9600 baud on 438.350 MHz with negative split.

ZL1HY–10 Walton
Access through the Klondyke node, 1200 baud on 145.625 with negative split, or 9600 baud on 438.350 MHz with negative split, or on the local port 144.725 MHz simplex.

ZL2NX Martinborough
Access through 6625 Wellington Data repeater, 7075 Wellington 2400 baud repeater, 5725 Manawatu Data repeater, 860 Mt Climie 70 cm Data repeater, 5425 Mt Climie, 144.6 MHz local port, 7035.5 kHz HF 300 baud packet access.

ZL3DXC Christchurch Access through 144.650 MHz
The ZL1BN and ZL1HY–10 Clusters are linked through the Klondyke node. These two are linked to ZL2NX through ZL2AQY at Stratford, however, the link is somewhat tenuous because of propagation variations on 2 metres. It is hoped that this link will be made more reliable in the near future, and that a link can be provided to ZL3DXC. Efforts will also be made to extend the network further, depending on the availability of resources.

If you are keen on DX on any band, including VHF and UHF, then the DX PacketCluster is for you. Even if you have no experience at packet, you will benefit from connecting to a Cluster, and staying connected while you are tuning the band – you will even be able to put up spots yourself for the benefit of others.

Further information is available from the sysops, Murray ZL1CN, Mike ZL1HY, Chris ZL2DX and Graham ZL3NZ.

By Murray Woodfield ZL1CN and Chris Hannigan ZL2DX