Question
How do you join a contact between two stations using the PACTOR protocol?
Answer Options
- A) Send broadcast packets containing your call sign while in MONITOR mode
- B) Transmit a steady carrier until the PACTOR protocol times out and disconnects
- C) Joining an existing contact is not possible, PACTOR connections are limited to two stations
- D) Send a NAK code
Correct Answer: C
Explanation
PACTOR is a robust, peer-to-peer digital communication protocol designed for file and message transfer. It is a handshake-based protocol that establishes a dedicated, two-way link between only two stations, one acting as the master (channel request) and the other as the slave (channel response).
Due to this design, joining an existing contact is not possible. A third station must wait until the current PACTOR connection is terminated by the two stations, at which point the frequency becomes free for them to attempt a new connection.
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