I have not heard of the cactus network but I HAVE heard of the DRONK
network when I was in San Diego, Ca. (1979-1981). The DRONK net was a
series of closed private repeaters (PL) on two meters and above which
were linked together like a private phone system and could be controled
via touch tone codes.
The network was very private. I met a couple of the people on it and they
were of the type that if anyone tried to get onto any of their repeaters
who did not belong to the group they would trace them down and beat them
up and I mean beat them up. They are a good group to stay away from; at
least back in '79. Hopefully things have changed by now.
If anyone has any more info about DRONK, maybee the net would appreciate it.
73
Mark A. Allyn WA1SEY
!uw-beaver!ssc-vax!ssc_bee!maa
The Cactus Intertie is a consortium of individuals and groups in California,
Arizona, and New Mexico, who operate a large network of 440-MHz linked
repeaters. Each site has a controller that is actuated by TouchTones [TM]
and can be addressed from anywhere in the system.
The system has a linear topology, which stretches from central California
(near Sacramento, I believe) through about 14 stations, to El Paso.
Each station has local access through a repeater (usually 440 MHz), and many
stations have remote bases, most of which are 2 meters and some of which have
remotely controllable beam antennas.
The effort and expense of building and maintaining the network have been so
immense that participation is limited to those who can put up substantial time
and funds; it follows that they generally run the local access channels in
closed mode (i.e., CTCSS). I have not heard any evidence of the pugnacious
attitude attributed to the other California system mentioned.
A friend of mine here in Austin helped to duplicate this system while living
in Florida (The 'Gator' interconnect system) and is now spearheading similar
efforts here in Texas (The 'Armadillo' interconnect system).
73 DE Don KB5PM