digipeated

Digipeated is a term used in amateur radio (ham radio) to describe the function of a digipeater. A digipeater is a digital repeater, similar in concept to an analog FM repeater but for digital packets of data. When a digipeater receives a digital packet, it can store it and then retransmit it, often on a different frequency or at a different time. This allows amateur radio operators to extend the range of their digital communications.

The primary purpose of a digipeater is to overcome geographical limitations, such as mountains or long distances, that would otherwise prevent direct communication between two digital stations. By relaying the digital packets, the digipeater effectively acts as a stepping stone in a communication path. The term "digipeated" refers to the action of the digipeater itself, i.e., the packet has been digipeated.

Digipeaters are commonly used in packet radio networks, including those for emergency communications and data transfer. They are also a fundamental component of systems like the Automatic Packet Reporting System (APRS), which uses digipeaters to relay location data, messages, and other telemetry information. The digipeater's role is to ensure that the digital information reaches its intended destination, even if the originating station cannot reach it directly.