Can anyone point me to the recommended TNC for adding to an FT-847 for digital satellite work? Are there special modifications needed? What connector does it use on the FT-847?
Thanks, Mike kb8zgl
On 02/02/2010 11:12 AM, Michael Wolthuis wrote:
Can anyone point me to the recommended TNC for adding to an FT-847 for digital satellite work? Are there special modifications needed? What connector does it use on the FT-847?
Thanks, Mike kb8zgl
I can't speak to any specific "recommended TNC", but I've been using my old PacComm Tiny-2 MK2 for years. It uses a 5-pin DIN (think ancient AT-style keyboard connector) and I connected it the packet port on my FT-847 (6-pin mini-din, like the slightly newer PS/2 keyboards) and have copied the ISS using this. The connections were fairly trivial to make following the manuals for the radio and TNC.
Years ago I used the same TNC with my old radio shack HTX-242 to post messages to the BBS on the Mir.
With a different TNC, I could also do 9600, but I don't have that capability at the moment. I'd think most any TNC should work.
-- Sean - VA5LF
Hi Mike,
You probably should specify which type of packet you are interested in working; an answer to your question depends on that.
For 1200 baud packet, you can use just about anything, including some software solutions (MixW, for example). Or, one of many MFJ TNCs you find at hamsfest or on eBay.
For 9600 baud packet, you'll need to be more careful in your search. For 38k4, you need to be even MORE selective, as there aren't many.
If you want a TNC that does all three--1200, 9600, and 38k4-- you might consider a KPC-9612+ TNC. Never owned one myself, so I can't comment.
For 9600 and 38k4, my personal choice is the Paccomm Spirit-2 satellite model.
I've never owned or operated the FT-847, so I can't comment on that part of your question, either. But one thing's for sure--38k4 packet requires modification of any radio currently in (or out!) of production (well, except for the Icom PCR-1500/2500).
73,
Mark N8MH
On Tue, Feb 2, 2010 at 1:37 PM, Sean Cavanaugh [email protected] wrote:
On 02/02/2010 11:12 AM, Michael Wolthuis wrote:
Can anyone point me to the recommended TNC for adding to an FT-847 for digital satellite work? Are there special modifications needed? What connector does it use on the FT-847?
Thanks, Mike kb8zgl
I can't speak to any specific "recommended TNC", but I've been using my old PacComm Tiny-2 MK2 for years. It uses a 5-pin DIN (think ancient AT-style keyboard connector) and I connected it the packet port on my FT-847 (6-pin mini-din, like the slightly newer PS/2 keyboards) and have copied the ISS using this. The connections were fairly trivial to make following the manuals for the radio and TNC.
Years ago I used the same TNC with my old radio shack HTX-242 to post messages to the BBS on the Mir.
With a different TNC, I could also do 9600, but I don't have that capability at the moment. I'd think most any TNC should work.
-- Sean - VA5LF _______________________________________________ Sent via [email protected]. Opinions expressed are those of the author. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb
Mike,
I have used my FT-847 with both sound cards and TNCs for years. There is nothing special about the TNC needed. It does 1200 and 9600 baud out of the box, but as Mark mentioned, going faster requires some modifications. The connector is a standard computer type 6 pin connector, as others have mentioned. I think Yaesu still has them, but cutting the end off an old PS/2 mouse or keyboard extention is cheaper. Note that some of those cables only have 5 wires, even though they have 6 pins. There is a very good FAQ to be found here:
http://www.supercontrol.de/cat/ft847faq/ft847faq.htm
Look down a the Digital Operations section. The manual has some good info as well.
73s,
Alan WA4SCA
Normal TNC protocol is commonly called AX.25. The most common speed for satellite AX.25 is 1200 baud. Occasionally 9600 baud.
A quick look at the Amsat page list 6 satellites currently running ax.25 Castor, Stars, KKS-1, Oscar-66, Oscar-65, and ISS. There may be more, that was just a quick look.
I have had great luck with Kantronics, KPC-3 and KPC-9612. I even installed a KPC-9612 on board the Russian space station Mir. http://www.marexmg.org/marexmirweb/fileshtml/pmsupgrade.html
The KPC-9612 was also used in PC-Sat1 http://www.aprs.org/pcsat.html
ISS does have packet, unfortunately the software loaded in December 2003 enabled the criss-cross radio mode on the TM-D700. This mode caused a significant performance hit and has rendered Packet Mail virtually useless. And causes the Digi-repeater mode to have a 1-2 second delay and other issues.
http://www.marexmg.org/fileshtml/ISSPacketD700.html
WF1F www.marexmg.org
--- On Tue, 2/2/10, Sean Cavanaugh <[email protected]> wrote:
From: Sean Cavanaugh [email protected] Subject: [amsat-bb] Re: Recommended TNC To: [email protected] Date: Tuesday, February 2, 2010, 1:37 PM On 02/02/2010 11:12 AM, Michael Wolthuis wrote:
Can anyone point me to the recommended TNC for adding
to an FT-847 for
digital satellite work? Are there special
modifications needed? What
connector does it use on the FT-847?
Thanks, Mike kb8zgl
Mike
I'am currently using a Symek TNC3S 1200/9600 duel port with my FT847 and works great with APRS, UISS, Packet Engine Pro and Wisp. Having the right data cable between the TNC and FT847 is the key to making it all work. The data cable end for the FT847 uses a male 6-pin mini din connector. Other TNC's I use PK96, KPC-9612+, Paccomm Spirit-2 96/38k4, Symek TNC31S 96/96 and 96/38k4 and if you purchase any I have MS Word files I wrote as to how to complete their setups.
73 Bruce KG4YEV
----- Original Message ----- From: "Michael Wolthuis" [email protected] To: [email protected] Sent: Tuesday, February 02, 2010 12:12 PM Subject: [amsat-bb] Recommended TNC
Can anyone point me to the recommended TNC for adding to an FT-847 for digital satellite work? Are there special modifications needed? What connector does it use on the FT-847?
Thanks, Mike kb8zgl
Sent via [email protected]. Opinions expressed are those of the author. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb
Hi Folks,
Please note that the dates for our Colloquium in 2010 are Sat 31 Jul/ Sun 1 Aug, with a 'foregathering' on Fri 30 Jul afternoon/evening.
This next event for us will be our 25th Colloquium, so please expect some special events, and also news/info on FUNcube.
If you would like to contribute a presentation (or anything else for that matter!) please contact our programme manager, Dave Johnson at [email protected]
73 Jim G3WGM Hon Sec AMSAT-UK
participants (7)
-
Alan P. Biddle -
Bruce -
Jim List -
Mark L. Hammond -
Michael Wolthuis -
MM -
Sean Cavanaugh