The ClackPak ‘node’

In the late 1980s and early 1990s, ClackPak (the precursor to the Martello Tower Group) ran a number of packet radio nodes to help increase AX25 coverage in the area and provide a backbone link into the main UK network.

One of our nodes was built into a large cabinet and located on the roof of the El Dorado snooker club in Jaywick which was the location of the old Clacton-on-Sea radio club.  The club callsign was G3CRC and that’s what we used for our packet stations before G0PKT was issued.

In early 2017, some old photographs of what we lovingly called “The Node” were discovered.  These have never been seen outside of the group before.

These pictures show the box, the two radios for 2m and 4m, the TNCs, PSU and CW ident generator.  The two nodes were connected together providing a very useful link in and out of the area.
CLSX22: G3CRC-3 was on 144.650 MHz

CLSX40: G3CRC-4 was on 70.4875 MHz

The ClackPak 2m and 4m AX25 packet radio node
The ClackPak 2m and 4m AX25 packet radio node
Yaesu CPU-2500R on 144.650 MHz (2m) and Daiwa PS-140II PSU
Yaesu CPU-2500R on 144.650 MHz (2m) and Daiwa PS-140II PSU
Pye Westminster on 70.4875 MHz (4m) as part of the ClackPak packet radio node
Pye Westminster on 70.4875 MHz (4m) as part of the ClackPak packet radio node
Two Tiny-2 TNCs for CLSX22: G3CRC-3 and CLSX40: G3CRC-4 along with the CW ident generator
Two Tiny-2 TNCs for CLSX22: G3CRC-3 and CLSX40: G3CRC-4 along with the CW ident generator
The rear view of the ClackPak AX25 packet radio node
The rear view of the ClackPak AX25 packet radio node