Outpost supports all 3 modes of navigating to a BBS… direct connect, connection through a digipeater station, and now access by KA-Nodes and Netrom (BPQ Packet Switch) nodes.

INTRODUCTION
Outpost will manage the sequential connecting to each KA or Netrom node along the network chain to the BBS. For this to work, Outpost needs to know 4 things:

1. Intermediate Station Node Name: This is the station name of a node in the chain.  It could be a Call Sign, Call Sign with SSID, or Alias.
    
2. Successful Connect Message: This is some or all of the text string that the KA or Netrom node will return when a successful connect is made to this node.
    
3. Port Number: Some nodes have the ability to access several ports, usually on different frequencies or bands.  This parameter indicates the port that Outpost should use to get to the NEXT node or BBS from this node.
    
4. Unsuccessful Connect Message: This is some or all of the text string that the KA or NET/ROM node will return when a connect attempt to the next node is unsuccessful.

HOW TO
See the Application Note on Setting up KA and Netrom network access for a more detailed discussion on this topic.

1. Do not even try to implement this without manually verifying the path to the BBS.  Using the Outpost Interactive Packet Window (Tools > Interactive Packet), manually connect to the BBS through each node.  Record the node name, what the node returns indicating a successful connect, and the port number for the next node.  It may be difficult to determine the unsuccessful connect message; use the default message described above, or force an error by putting in a non-existent next node station name.
    
2. Once you have confirmed the path, in Outpost, go to Setup > BBS.  Set up the BBS name as usual.
    
3. On the 4th tab (BBS Path), select KA-Node/Netrom access.  Press the "Create/Update Path" button.
    
4. Enter the first node's information in the fields provided.
    
5. For the second node, press the "Add" button.  All fields are cleared and you should enter the next node.
    
6. When done, press OK.
    
7. When ready, press the Send/Receive button from the Outpost Main Menu.  Verify Outpost connects to the nodes in the order they are listed, and then connects to the BBS.

NOTES
Again, see the Application Note on Setting up KA and Netrom network access for a more detailed discussion on this topic. 

As with all key-stroke automation, carefully executing and recording the steps to the remote BBS is critical to a successful implementation, and ensures you have confirmed the Path integrity.

In short, it is imperative that you verify that the path really exists.  The best way to do this is to manually perform the connection process (Outpost's Interactive Packet Window programs, Hyperterm, etc) to confirm that all stations are there.  Record their return messages during this process.