Radio Messenger 

Chat software for enhanced text chat using 'Packet Radio'.

Download the program and help files:

Radio Messenger  0.1.1 Beta (6.3meg ZIP)

Radio Messenger
Readme 

RadioMessenger.exe file 303k 
For those who have already installed the program and want a fast update from 0.1.0Beta.

The Radio Messenger online support page

Updated 5/5/05 JM

Radio Messenger is a text chat client that has been customized for use via AX.25 packet radio amongst Amateur Radio operators.

The goal of Radio Messenger is to provide a convenient and useful chat client for keyboard-to-keyboard packet conversations using a user interface similar to that found in the commonly available internet text chat software (MSN Messenger, Windows Messenger, Yahoo Messenger, AOL Instant Messaging). 

In addition to the usual text chat, Radio Messenger provides for visual and aural enhancements by use of 'tokens' that are sent along with the text within the communications message.  These 'tokens' trigger the display of emoticons or the playing of sound files on the corresponding users computer.  When both parties of a conversation are running Radio Messenger, these enhancements add some extra 'zing' to the communications.  It is NOT required for both parties to be using Radio Messenger in order to communicate using plain text.

Radio Messenger is NOT designed to be a full service packet communications program.  There are many other fine programs available for general packet radio use.   The focus of Radio Messenger is narrow-- and specific to providing convenient chat functionality amongst small groups of nearby ham radio operators who enjoy text chat as an adjunct to their other uses of their computers.

Radio Messenger does provide some unusual features that may prove useful for hams with limited, or no, vision.   The user can select to have incoming data played in CW, or spoken in voice using the built in text-to-speech functionality in certain versions of Microsoft Windows.

The user interface for Radio Messenger is also quite configurable.  There is provisions for ten people to be added to a 'Friends' list, with icons and sounds associated with each friend. Notification when a 'Friend' comes online is also provided.  The colors and background images used by the program are also configurable ('skins'), as are the various sounds played that signal certain events.

Radio Messenger does come with a built in HELP file, along with a README file and some online support (via this page).

With the second Beta release will be a 'server module' that will allow the Radio Messenger chat client to communicate across a LAN to a  separate computer that has the TNC and radio connected to it.  This will greatly enhance the usefulness of the program for those of us who have our 'shack' in a place that's not all that convenient to our other computer uses.

REQUIREMENTS:

Radio Messenger was written to run on Windows95 and newer computers that have their packet TNC connected via a serial port.  TNC's that appear to the Windows operating system as if they are virtual serial ports should also work, as the program is simply looking to send and receive data via a serial port.    Support for the AGW Packet engine is unknown-- as I've been devoting my time to making the program and have not yet ventured down the AGW route yet. Surely, there should be an interface for the AGW Packet engine at some point in the future.

Radio Messenger was written using Visual Basic 6, and therefore will want to install the run time files for Visual Basic 6 on installation (if they are not already there). It was NOT written to run well on that old crappy 486 that was gathering dust in your closet.  How well the program performs on the older systems is debatable.  Radio Messenger runs just dandy on the more robust modern machines, however.

The download of Radio Messenger contains a significant amount of graphics and sound files. There are 80 emoticons, 100 sound-icons, and roughly 100 other ancillary graphic items that are instrumental in creating a rich environment for those using the program.  The large size (6.3meg presently) expands to near 10meg when unzipped.  Most of these files will not have to be downloaded again with later updates to the software.  The files do, however, have to maintain a certain directory structure on your hard drive in order to properly function.

At the current time only a handful of TNC's have been tested with Radio Messenger.  While the program doesn't require too many custom settings to operate, it may require certain parameters be setup in order to function.  Provision is made for the program to send up to ten configuration parameters when it starts, and then another ten when it exits. Default configuration files for popular TNC's are provided to aid in this.

Freeware

Currently, Radio Messenger is freely available for the individual use of anyone who admits that they smile when they see a rubber ducky.    The legal mumbo-jumbo is that DuckTronics maintains ownership of the program but grants the user the rights to use it, indefinitely, for free.  Users cannot legally redistribute the program or to reverse-engineer it.   An exception is granted for a user to make copies of the program for members of their chat group.  All other rights are retained by DuckTronics and the Get Odd Company.

Thanks for trying Radio Messenger.

For more information please write to:

73
John Martin KF8KK