Packet radio is so named because it sends the data in small bursts, or packets. The current TNC standard grew from a discussion in October of 1981 at a meeting of the Tucson Chapter of the IEEE Computer Society. A week later, six of the attendees gathered and discussed the feasibility of developing a TNC that would be available to amateurs at a modest cost. On June 26th 1982, Lyle Johnson, WA7GXD, and Den Connors, KD2S, initiated a packet contact with the first TAPR unit. While receiving packets, the TNC automatically decodes, checks for errors, and displays the received messages.
Packet radio provides error free communications because of built-in error detection schemes.
If a packet is received, it is checked for errors and will be displayed only if it is correct. In addition, any packet TNC can be used as a packet relay station, sometimes called a digipeater. This allows for greater range by stringing several packet stations together. Users can connect to their friends' TNCs at any time they wish, to see if they are at home. Another advantage of packet over other modes is the ability for many users to be able to use the same frequency channel simultaneously.