OutpostPMX
v2026.08.3-beta
Introducing OutpostPMX
OutpostPMX is free software developed for the Amateur Radio packet community. It is a complete rewrite of Outpost Packet Message Manager (PMM) that is designed to provide a modern, cross-platform foundation (PMX) for packet message handling while preserving the familiar workflow that Outpost users have relied on for years.
Why a rewrite?
I can’t really talk about OutpostPMX without touching on Outpost "Classic". The original Outpost PMM was first released in 2003 using Microsoft Visual Basic 6 (VB6). It served the Amateur Radio packet community well for more than two decades, but both the development environment and the application architecture eventually reached the limits of what they could reasonably support.
Even though Microsoft's VB6 Mainstream Support ended in 2005, the Windows operating system continued to evolve making maintaining and enhancing the original code increasingly difficult. This did not stop Outpost users from suggesting new capabilities such as enhanced terminal emulation, scripting, forms, reporting, and other packet messaging functions. What began as a single application gradually evolved into a family of programs commonly referred to as the Outpost Suite.
OutpostPMX — Next generation
OutpostPMX continues that philosophy. Rather than being a single application, it is a suite of closely integrated Amateur Radio packet applications, with two programs making up the initial release (other capabilities are planned):
- OutpostX – similar to the original Outpost, it is the main program that interacts with the BBS for exchanging messages. As you give it a try, you should see a lot of similarities with Outpost.
- OptermX – this is a terminal emulator that provides Serial, Telnet, and AGWPE communications through a common interface. Think of it as the Ipserial, Iptelnet, and Ipagwpe programs rolled into one program.
What does OutpostPMX deliver?
• Familiar Outpost operating workflow
• Native support for Windows, Linux, and macOS
• Cross-platform architecture for future growth
• SQLite-based message storage
• Modern Python and Qt technology
• Stand-alone executables with no Python installation required
• Improved long-term maintainability
• Foundation for future enhancements
If you've used Outpost before, then you'll feel right at home:
• Configure your station ID
• Configure your interface
• Configure your BBS
• Connect
• Download messages
• Read and compose messages
• Send and receive
The Bottom Line
Although the software has been completely rewritten from the ground up, the design goal has remained the same: to make packet messaging as simple and reliable as possible. Experienced Outpost users should find the workflow very familiar, while new users can begin using the programs with only a short learning curve.
OutpostPMX is intended for both long-time Outpost users and operators who are new to packet radio. Whether you are checking into a weekly packet net, supporting emergency communications, experimenting with a local BBS, or simply learning how packet messaging works, OutpostPMX is designed to make the process straightforward and reliable.
Current Beta Status
Yes, this is a Beta release with plenty of capabilities already in place. However, this is the starting point for further enhancements and functionality adds. Here's whats available today:O/S Platforms Tested
• Windows 10 and Windows 11
• Linux x86 64bit, Ubuntu (22.04 and newer)
• Linux arm 64bit, Pi OS (previously called Raspbian)
• macOS Intel x86 64bit
• macOS ARM 64bit (Mx, works, but not delivered)
NOTE: This list of operating systems includes those to which I actually have acccess. It is very likely that other O/S versions will work; they just need to be tried.
See the Installation Guide for details.
Current Supported Interface Types
• Serial-connected TNCs (TAPR/KISS style operation)
• Telnet connections
• AGWPE-compatible interfaces (AGWPE, Dire Wolf, etc.)
Current Tested BBS Types
• JNOS
• BPQMailChat
• Winlink CMS packet gateways
• Kantronics PBBS (KPC-2/KPC-3/KPC-4 family)
Features Currently Available
• Message creating, editing, sending, and receiving
• Fixed and user-defined message folders
• Send/Receive session
• Station and Tactical ID profiles
• BBS profiles
• Interface profiles
• Delivery receipts
• Multi-destination message support (native support by the BBS)
• Plus too many more to list
Available Documentation
• OutpostPMX Installation Guide
• OutpostPMX Quick Start Guide
NOTE: The next planned document will include the OutpostPMX Build Guide. This will outline how to retrieve the OutpostPMX source, create the development environment, test the programs, and build a release. Just getting through testing the programs will be tremendously helpful!
Planned Additions
Several familiar features and BBS/PBBSs are still pending and will be added in future releases. The immediate goal is to ensure that core packet messaging functions are stable and reliable across a broad range of real-world stations. The BIG outstanding features include:
• ICS 213 Message Maker
• NTS Message Maker
• Scripting
• Other TNC PBBSs that were previously supported AND in demand
• A bunch of stubbed menu items such as Message Export & Import, links to OptermX, etc.
Feedback is Encouraged
OutpostPMX is currently in public beta. If you try it, I'd appreciate hearing about...
• What O/S, interface, and BBS type were you using• What worked well
• What didn't work
• Feature requests
• BBS compatibility reports
• Operating system reports
Real-world testing from the Amateur Radio community will help guide future development. Thanks for your help!