Packet radio

Packet radio is the application of packet switching techniques to digital radio communications.

Packet radio is frequently used by amateur radio operators. The AX.25 (Amateur X.25) protocol was derived from the X.25 protocol and adapted for amateur radio use. Every AX.25 packet includes the sender's amateur radio callsign, which satisfies the United States Federal Communications Commission (FCC) requirements for amateur radio station identification. Using AX.25, it is possible for any packet station to act as a digipeater, linking distant stations with each other through ad hoc networks. This makes packet radio especially useful for emergency communications.