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TNC

Posted: Sat Jan 03, 2009 11:15 am
by robbage
Where would be a good place to start looking for a TNC? I don't care if it's a ready-made or kit, new or second-hand but preferably not from O.S. unless that's the only option?

Re: TNC

Posted: Sat Jan 03, 2009 11:21 am
by vk6hgr
robbage wrote:Where would be a good place to start looking for a TNC? I don't care if it's a ready-made or kit, new or second-hand but preferably not from O.S. unless that's the only option?
Do you need a TNC? Can you get away with a soundcard interface?

New hardware TNCs are not cheap! :(

Re: TNC

Posted: Sat Jan 03, 2009 11:33 am
by robbage
vk6hgr wrote:
robbage wrote:Where would be a good place to start looking for a TNC? I don't care if it's a ready-made or kit, new or second-hand but preferably not from O.S. unless that's the only option?
Do you need a TNC? Can you get away with a soundcard interface?

New hardware TNCs are not cheap! :(
I'm using a soundcard interface (on receive-only) at the moment, but I would like to see what hardware is available (window shopping I guess.) I found a KISS mode unit for $US45 but freight will probably double that.

Re: TNC

Posted: Sat Jan 03, 2009 12:17 pm
by Nick
I use a sound card interface (homebrew) for both tx and rx in the digital modes. Mine has 600 ohm tranformers for audio (tx and rx) and optocoupler isolation for Ptt control. There are plenty of designs on the net and all the parts are usually available from Jaycar or Altronics.
I use "Multipsk" and find it quite reliable on all bands.
Regards,
Nick

Re: TNC

Posted: Sat Jan 03, 2009 1:27 pm
by VK6ZMS
I just use the VOX to TX.

Re: TNC

Posted: Sat Jan 03, 2009 2:48 pm
by robbage
Doesn't the VOX clip the start of the data?

Re: TNC

Posted: Sat Jan 03, 2009 3:10 pm
by VK6ZMS
It hasn't been an issue so far with SSTV or PSK31.

Re: TNC

Posted: Sat Jan 03, 2009 3:47 pm
by vk6hgr
You can get a professional grade DSP TNC from companies like SCS (US$217) http://www.scs-ptc.com/datasheets/scs_d ... nglish.pdf Kantronics TNCs start from US$200 and go up from there...

The cheapest TNC I know of that'll do 1200 baud packet is the Byonics TinyTrak 4: http://www.byonics.com/tinytrak4/

Re: TNC

Posted: Sat Jan 03, 2009 3:59 pm
by robbage
vk6hgr wrote:You can get a professional grade DSP TNC from companies like SCS (US$217) http://www.scs-ptc.com/datasheets/scs_d ... nglish.pdf Kantronics TNCs start from US$200 and go up from there...

The cheapest TNC I know of that'll do 1200 baud packet is the Byonics TinyTrak 4: http://www.byonics.com/tinytrak4/
Nah, this would be just for fooling around with. This is the one I mentioned

http://www.tnc-x.com

Re: TNC

Posted: Sat Jan 03, 2009 4:06 pm
by vk6hgr
Wow. Nice!