Linking does not need a connect. You can send a link request to a server with ctrl-L. When connect, you are linked to that server until you link somewhere else. If a client is not linked it tries to do so automatically. When the client chooses another server it tries to link automatically. A link packet looks like <SOH>00uPA0R><S54FAA-0 4A62<EOT>, a link ack looks like <US><SOH>00uS54FAA-0<>PA0R CF4D<EOT>. Every server has a link table, you can look at it locally in .pskmail/routes, or by connecting to any server and issuing a ~ROUTES command. There you can see what client is linked to which server. 73, Rein PA0R > -----Ursprüngliche Nachricht----- > Von: "Andy obrien" <k3ukandy@xxxxxxxxx> > Gesendet: 24.10.09 13:55:32 > An: pskmail@xxxxxxxxxxxxx > Betreff: [pskmail] Understanding LINK > "APRS messages sent to your call will be transmitted by the server you > are linked to. The linking concept makes sure there is only one server > transmitting. As all servers know where you are (which qrg, which > server), the link concept allows a very effective level 3 routing > scheme which does not use HF channels for network topology changes. > The messages can be generated anywhere on the APRS net." > > Today, I tried a connect to the WB5CON server (WB5COn should get an > award for having a superb station) . The 30M band was in poor shape > and I heard no reply. About 20 or 30 seconds later I heard a weak > PSK250 signal and at the second attempt that signal linked with my > client. Was that WB5CON responding to my earlier CONNECT request? > Also, if linking for the reasons described above (APRS messages) , > should you stay linked for a long period ? > > Andy K3UK > > -- http://pa0r.blogspirit.com