Outpost Packet Message Manager
Version 2.5 Release
- Most Recent Version: Outpost v2.5.0 c033
- Recent Date:
Welcome to the Outpost Project Page. Here's what you will find here.
- What's New (News, Notes, and Updates)
- About Outpost
- About Interactive Packet
- About Outpost Scripting
- About Release v2.5
- Downloads
- Documentation (Docs, Application Notes, Training, Presentations)
- Platform Support (TNCs, O/S, BBS's, Troubleshooting)
- HOW-TOs (on-line help files)
- Terms of Use
- Release Information
- Feedback
- Outpost User Group
About Outpost
Outpost is a Windows-based packet message client that lets you send and receive packet messages with almost any Amateur Radio Bulletin Board System (BBS) or TNC Personal Mail Box.
Outpost was designed for the ARES/RACES packet user community. The thinking behind it was to create an intuitive, easy-to-use program that lets ARES/RACES organizations focus on the "message," not the "medium," as they pass digital message traffic to and from an Operational Area BBS. So, what are the overall design goals?
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Hide the complexity of the native packet environment and shorten the learning curve
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Provide an MS Windows-based packet messaging client
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Automate the packet message handling environment
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Create a program that behaves like your email client that you have at work or home…
…create, send, receive, read, delete, reply to, or forward messages -
Support the response efforts and requirements of our local municipalities and served agencies
Outpost has a similar look and feel to other contemporary mail clients. It features Windows-driven forms and screens that handle creating, sending, receiving, storing, and printing packet messages from your PC. It also can run automatically where it periodically checks for out-going and in-coming messages.
Outpost does not yet support any packet message forwarding protocol or SMTP. Instead, it interprets the information sent from the TNC and BBS, then generates the TNC and BBS commands needed to send, list, and retrieve messages from the BBS. It essentially automates the keyboard entry and interpretation performed by the user.
Outpost uses BBSs and PBBSs as mail drops where a user can leave a packet message for someone without the other person needing to be on line at that point in time. Support for many BBS and PBBSs has been built into Outpost with new ones being added as they are identified.
Outpost has undergone several releases of functionality identified by the Outpost user community. Find information on the last few Outpost releases here...
Downloads and Updates
Version 2.5
See the Readme250.txt file for NEW USER and EXISTING USER Installation instructions.
To download the v2.5 installation program, double-click on the link below to run it from the website, or right mouse-click on the file, select "Save Target As...", and choose or create your download directory.
| File/Package |
Date |
Version | Description |
| 14-Aug-11 |
2.5c033 |
Outpost v2.5
for Windows 98/NT/2000/Me/XP/Vista/W7 6.0 Mb, This program installs all programs, documents, sample, and setup files needed to get Outpost up and running on the latest release. See the Readme250.txt file for other information. See the Release Info for changes in this version. This is a single distribution for all supported windows operating systems that you use. MD5 Key: C8640F6000FDDB55F736861A2C5BF70E (what is this?)
|
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| opfloppy250i033.zip | 14-Aug-11 |
2.5c033 |
Outpost v2.5 for Windows 98/NT/2000/Me/XP/Vista/W7, Floppy Install, 4.8 Mb, Same as above, but a zip file that contains the instructions and files for creating a Floppy Installation set. Five (5) floppies are required. See the Readme250floppy.txt file for other information. MD5 Key: 25BEB46EED8744ADC52388306207F4D9 (what is this?)
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| MD5.zip | 25-May-05 | MD5.exe is a freeware program from DiamondCS System and Security Software for Windows that implements the MD5 algorithm. Why is it here? | |
Documentation, App Notes, Training, Presentations
Current Documentation
The Outpost v2.5, Outpost Scripting, and ICS 213 Messaging User Guides are all available. Check out the 13 tutorials for a hands-on introduction to Scripting. The Ics309clb.exe program guide is pending. To download, right mouse-click on the file, select "Save Target As...", and choose or create your download directory.
| File/Package | Date | Version | Description |
| Outpost260RCD.pdf | 12-Mar-12 | 2.6 | 65Kb, v2.6 Release Content Description. Describes the contents of the v2.6 release. |
| Outpost250UG.pdf | 21-Dec-10 | 2.5 | 3.0Mb, Outpost User Guide for v2.5 release. Includes updates to all sections. |
| Opscripts250UG.pdf | 10-Feb-11 | 2.5 | 722Kb, Outpost Scripting User Guide. Includes changes to command and control methods around tighter integration with Outpost. |
| Ics213250UG.pdf | 26-Dec-10 | 2.5 | 1.2Mb, ICS 213 Messaging User Guide. Includes information on the form and fields, and describes the end-to-end / round-tip nature of an ICS message and reply. |
| Outpost250RCD.pdf | 21-Nov-10 | 2.5 | v2.5.0 Release Content Description. |
| Outpost240RCD.pdf | 28-Dec-09 | 2.4r3 | v2.4.0 Release Content Description. |
| Outpost230RCD.pdf | 21-Sep-08 | 2.3 | v2.3.0 Release Content Description. |
| Outpost222RCD.pdf | 1-Jun-08 | 2.2.2 | v2.2.2 Release Content Description. |
| Outpost221RCD.pdf | 16-Dec-07 | 2.2.1 | v2.2.1 Release Content Description. |
| NTS-14.pdf | 10-Apr-06 | 1.4 | 300Kb. Introduction to the NTS Traffic System for Packet, a good reference to NTS operations on packet. |
The more I play with it, the more I discover what Outpost can do. The following application notes go beyond the user guide and looks at trying to solve practical problems with Outpost.
If you have a specific topic that fits this category, please pass it on and we'll include it here.
| File/Package | Date | Version | Description |
| Spell checker for Outpost | 14-Jan-12 | 93Kb. Describes how to add a spell checker to Outpost or any other application that takes text input. | |
| TNC Settings for Santa Clara County Packet | 3-May- 10 | 500Kb, this paper describes how to set up Outpost TNCs to reduce packet channel traffic. Through these settings, County reduced their packet traffic by 80% (the series of sends and Acks between 2 stations). | |
| Setting up KA-Node, Netrom network access | 9-Jan-10 | 2.4 | 318Kb. Revision 1. Updated v2.4 description on how to configure a BBS to be accessible using KA-Nodes and Netrom nodes. Three examples are discussed with descriptions on how to identify, define, and configure your own nodes. |
| KPC-3P BBS-in-a-Box | 19-Jan-09 | 496Kb, This describes how a KPC-3P could be used as a standard alone PBBS. This is possible by using the latest KPC firmware (with concurrent access capability) and a 512Kb memory upgrade. Firmware and memory upgrades are also described. | |
| Outpost QST Article | April-08 | 653Kb. This article that was published in the April 2008 issue of QST, page 35. Note that the AGWPE links referenced in the article subsequently were changed. See the AGWPE HOW-TO for updated links. | |
| Outpost Implementation Guide for Santa Clara County RACES | 16-Apr-07 | 2.2 | 158Kb. This is a packet implementation recommendation that describes not only the policies that Santa Clara County RACES will adopt, but also the steps needed to set up Outpost to implement the policies. |
| FBB Implementation Guide | Dec-06 | 2.1 | 121Kb, F6FBB Implementation Guide, introduction and description on how I brought up an F6FBB Bulletin Board System was to support our local county hospital packet infrastructure. |
| Getting Outpost to work on Windows 95 | 19-Feb-06 | 52Kb. A summary of the work performed by Bruce KC6VHR on getting Outpost to run on Windows 95. This Windows Version has been problematic for many users since W'95 is out of support and update files are no longer available from Microsoft for download. | |
| Sending Spreadsheet data | 24-Mar-04 | 231Kb, Describes how to send spreadsheet data by Outpost. | |
A version of the formal (PDF'ed) slides is also available in Microsoft PowerPoint for localization. The screen shots are a lot cleaner in this file, and may make a good starting point for customizing any local training. Note that the slide's "Speaker Notes" are INCOMPLETE, and are just my initial thoughts on some key points. Also, if there are other ideas for presentations (different audiences, materials, etc), please send me your suggestions.
| File/Package | Date | Version | Description |
| Outpost v2.2 Training Handout | 26-Apr-07 | 2.2 | 1.7Mb. Outpost 2.2 training and Tour. This is a pdf version of the slides that can be used for training, or just as a plan overview (instead of reading the user doc). |
| Outpost v2.2 Training PowerPoint | 26-Apr-07 | 2.2 | 1.6Mb, This is a PowerPoint version of the training that can be further customized or integrated into your local training. It includes screen shots of the different forms, and a reasonable explanation of what is going on. |
| LAARES Outpost Training | 25-Mar-07 | 2.1.2 | 1.0Mb, This is customized training material developed by Jim N6JRC used in several classes put on by Los Altos ARC for its members and members of Santa Clara County RACES. See the slide+notes version for the narrative for each slide. |
Here are .pdf versions of several presentations. If you would like the original PowerPoint slide set, please contact KN6PE.
| Title/Package |
Date |
Description |
| Amateur Packet Radio Overview | 27-Mar-11 | 2.5Mb, Santa Clara County RACES, this is a good overview on how Santa Clara County set up their Packet System. |
| Update -- Packet Changes at Santa Clara County | 30-Jan-10 | 8.2Mb, SPECS, CA. Update to the below presentation describing the changes to the County's Packet environment with a networked JNOS implementation. |
| Packet Changes at Santa Clara County | 24-Oct-09 | 808Kb, SVECS, Santa Clara, CA. Presentation describing the changes to the County's Packet environment with a networked JNOS implementation. |
| Packet Radio and Emergency Communications with Outpost | 2-May-09 | 1.33Mb, EMCOMMWEST09, Reno NV. Presentation covers (i) a Quick Intro to Outpost, (ii) What's new since 2007, and (iii) What's next (highlights). |
| 14-Mar-09 | 747Kb, 1 Mb, EMCOMM University, Two presentations were delivered to this event; The first presentation (748Kb) introduces Outpost and shows how Outpost aligns with packet policy. The second (1Mb) is a discussion on how Outpost could further enable EOC operations. | |
| Getting Started with Outpost | 7-Jan-09 | 651Kb, Alameda County Sheriff's Communications Team, Introduction to Packet, Outpost, and a brief overview of the hardware that is required. |
| Amateur Packet Radio and the Emergency Response | 10-Sep-08 | 736Kb, California Emergency Services Association, Coastal Chapter September Conference, San Jose, CA. Introduces Amateur packet radio, describes why we would use Packet, and some examples on how Packet has been deployed. |
| Packet Radio and Emergency Communications - SVARES | 8-Mar-08 | 733Kb, Sacramento Valley Section ARES Conference, Yuba City, CA. How Outpost can support an organization's packet policy and operational mission. |
| Packet Radio and Emergency Communications - ECWest07 | 5-May-07 | EmCommWest07, Reno NV. Includes an Outpost overview, highlight of changes in v2.1 and v2.2, a survey of PBBS and BBSs, and Outpost futures. |
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999Kb, Two similar presentations made to the Sunnyvale CA ARES and Mountain View CA ARES organizations. |
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An Enabler for Packet Radio Emergency Communications - ECWest06 |
4-May-06 |
766Kb, EmCommWest06. The approach for this presentation was less on Outpost training and more on introducing the notion of Outpost as a tool to enable emergency packet communications policies. See the follow-on Santa Clara County RACES App Note on this topic. |
Previous Releases
The following downloads are for reference only.
| File/Package | Version | Description |
|
2.4c099 |
Outpost v2.4
for Windows 98/NT/2000/Me/XP/Vista 4.8 Mb, This is the final update to the Outpost v2.4 release series. This is the installation program that will install all programs, documents, sample, and setup files needed to get Outpost up and running on the latest release. See the Readme240.txt file for other information. See the Release Info for changes in this version. This is a single distribution for all supported windows operating systems that you use. |
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Outpost v2.3 Full Install (opsetup230i13.exe) |
2.3c024 |
Outpost v2.3,
4.17 Mb, Previous Version. Replaced by Outpost v2.3c028.
MD5 Key: F3B4EFDB560C14642A88B7F6B85EA0BA (what is this?) |
| Outpost v2.2.1 Update | 2.2.1c085 | Application Update, 465Kb. This contains the latest release of all Outpost programs. Requires Outpost v2.2.0 to be installed first. |
| Outpost v2.2 Install |
2.2.0c194 |
Outpost
v2.2.0 for Windows 98/NT/2000/Me/XP/Vista 2.5 Mb. This download file contains all programs and setup files needed to get Outpost up and running on the latest release. See the Readme220.txt file for installation instructions and a list of what's changed since the last release. This is a single distribution for all supported windows operating systems that you use. NOTE: Please read through the entire installation process before preceding, and note step 3.7 in the install process for preserving any existing message and BBS data files. |
| Outpost v2.2.2 update | 2.2.2c027 | Application Update, 478Kb. This is an executable-only update to the main installation package listed above for Outpost.exe, all Interactive Packet Programs, and Opdirect.exe. Several user-requested enhancements and bug fixes are included. See the README222 file for installation information and the Release Information section for a list of changes included in this and past releases. |
| Outpost v2.2.0 sample Configuration Files | 2.2 | Outpost Configuration File sample, 4 Kb. For first-time users, a zip file of the key configuration data files with samples. A good place to start if you are new to Outpost. |
| Outpost 2.1 Install | 2.1.2 | v2.1 was introduced in November 2006 and delivered Tactical Calls and KA- and Netrom support. This was a full release. |
| outpost204u.zip | 2.0.4 | Upgrade files to bring Outpost up to release 2.0.4. This was not a full release, and relied on Outpost 2.0 to be previously installed. This zip file contained only program and configuration files; the setup process required manual movement of files into the Outpost program directory. |
| op200.zip | 2.0.0 | The 2.0 release introduced Telnet and AGWPE capabilities. This is a full release of Outpost; previous releases should be uninstalled prior to beginning |
| op130.zip | 1.3.0 | v1.3 release included aspects of collaborative messaging (receipts, etc) and other usability enhancements. This is a full release of Outpost; previous releases should be uninstalled prior to beginning |
General Feedback
Please send any feedback to
updated: March 12, 2012