What is the NWPUG?

That's the fancy name... but in essence it is a large group of amateur radio operators, mostly active on Packet Radio, and all basically, though not exclusively, located in the North West of England. Formed in 1988, the group has grown to be one of the largest packet user groups in the country.

Being active on "PR", you very quickly come to realise that to get anywhere at all, people have to have their radio equipment on air for other people to use, either to connect from area to area for live contacts, for the BBS to forward mail around the world, or for DX cluster systems to link with each other and users.

This is not always convenient for the private user. Of course some private users do set up their systems and form part of the "formal" linking network , for which both the packet user group and individual users are grateful for their generosity.

To be sure that links exists for major routes and areas, it is not always a good idea to lean exclusively on the individual privateers' good will. It soon became obvious that the NWPUG should try to fund links for BBS, user to user, and DX cluster plus TCP/IP operations.

To this end, the North West Packet Users Group, through its committee of volunteers and with the aid and funding from its large users base and sales of kits and PCB's, does as much as is possible to supply ideas and, in many cases, actual equipment to help BBS's and Nodes set up good, well planned links throughout our area and into neighbouring areas.

Indeed, BBS's and nodes are using about £13,500 worth of NWPUG equipment to support the inter-district forwarding network mostly on 23/24 cms.

This is not unusual. There are many BBS and node sites throughout the North West that are operating on NWPUG loaned equipment.

All this equipment cost money. That is why the North West Packet Users Group tirelessly strive to make the best use/pound of the funds and equipment available to it through the members subscriptions and fund raising ventures such as TNC kit supplies and other kit type ventures.

If you are a North West packet user every time you send a message to your mate "down south" or "up north", it is highly likely that links funded by the N.W.P.U.G. and its members that are transporting YOUR mail !!

In the true spirit of amateur radio, as a licensed radio amateur in the North West you are more than welcome to use the facilities provided by NWPUG as much as you like totally free of any charge or obligation.

It is simply a moral issue if you find you want to help the network you are using improve and expand. If you feel you want to help fund the system you are using, then please, consider joining the group.

We hope you will think carefully about joining the group. We hope you do become one of our valued members and have the satisfaction of knowing that you are part of the network, and not just another user.

Membership is £7.50 per year, a relatively small amount to contribute to the development and upkeep to the North West packet network.

Application form to join NWPUG (ASCII)

Application form in WORD6 format