Configuring HOME KPC3 TNC dranch@trinnet.net 09/23/23 This doc is copied from my Kenwood D710 TNC setup as a starting baseline. Generally speaking, a TNC like the KPC3 has a few general areas of configuration depending on what you want to do: +-----------------------------------------------------------+ | Standard User interactive || Standard Background services | +-----------+---------------++------------------------------+ | connected | unconnected || beacons | | sessions | sessions || pbbs (mailbox services | | -- | -- || digipeter | | connect to| send remote || basic node svcs (Ka-node) | | remote | strings || netrom routing | | nodes | via digis || full node svcs (Knet node) | | -- | -- || fetch remote pbbs msgs | | |APRS digipeater|| | +===========+===============++==============================+ | Advanced User interactive || Advanced Configuration | +---------------------------++------------------------------+ | make remote config changes|| netrom route metrics locking | | on remote TNC || netrom route locking | | -- || selective callsign blocking | | Use multiple concurrrent || -- | | "streams" connected to || kiss or host mode for | | different stations at the || computer-based packet | | same time || programs | +---------------------------++------------------------------+ To get started, connect your computer to the KPC3's serial port and power cycle the TNC. You should see something like: Circuit Board: (c) Kantronics Co. All Rights Reserved KPC-3 PLUS MX PN 003-0001-01D Chip: KPC-3P 9.1 COPYRIGHT 2003-2005 K Next. use the below configuration as a starting config while making the required callsign subsitutions, etc: #-------- # Settings should be retained across power cycles #-------- HBAUD 1200 ECHO ON MYCALL KI6ZHD MYMCALL KI6ZHD-1 #linux command to get proper string: date +%y%m%d%H%M%S DAYTIME 100516121030 BTEXT KI6ZHD / KI6ZHD-1 :: All Linux in CM97ai :: Santa Clara, CA BEACON EVERY 60 CONOK ON MONITOR ON MBOD ON MCOM ON USERS 3 MAIL ON TOUT 250 MRPT on CMSG PBBS was: ---- BTEXT KI6ZHD / KI6ZHD-1 :: 3720.613N 12159.998W - CM97ai :: Santa Clara, CA To see current settings: -------------------- "display" or display a - async / rs232 parameters display c - character / special TNC parameters display h - health (various counters, etc) display i - ID paramters display l - Link or TNC to TNC parameters display m - monitoring parameters display t - Timing parameters Details on specific settings: ------------------------------------------------------ #MYCALL or MYM # set your callsign MYCALL KI6ZHD #MYMCALL or MYM # set the callsign for the mailbox TNC2: MYMCALL KI6ZHD-1 KPC3: MYPBBS KI6ZHD-1 #MYALIAS or MYA # callsign used when using this machine as a digipeater #BEACON or BT #Set BEACON text [160 char max] BTEXT KI6ZHD / KI6ZHD-1 :: 3720.613N 12159.998W - CM97ai :: Santa Clara, CA #CONOK or CONO # Allow for remote connectionect [ on or off ] CONOK ON #MBOD or MB # Enable the mailbox feature - default:off #K-Net MYNODE KI6ZHD-7 NETALIAS SCLARA # Knet callsign netcall KI6ZHD-5 <--------This is Ka-Net node #Maximum number of simultaenous users MAXUSERS 5 #maybe set to 3 # Simultaneous connections through the KA-Node NUMNODES 3 <-------------- not enough ram #Enable KaNet node NDWILD ON #BEACON or B #change the BEACON RATE [unit is 10sec] -- set to 10min BEACON EVERY 120 #ID or I # Send a beacon #CONMODE or COMN #auto switch into converse or transparent mode once connected [C or T #DAYSTAMP or DAYS # sets the TNC date # TNC2 - YYMMDDhhmm.ss # KPC3 - YYMMDDhhmmss DAYTIME #CONSTAMP or CONS # datestamp when connections are made CONSTAMP #Monitor packets MCON ON # Up to 250 chars for sysop password RTEXT ... #Max simultaenous users USERS 3 #If someone connects to the KB2KB SSID and there isn't any DTR, # connect to the PBBS instead CMSG PBBS #Communication parameters #------------------------ #HBAUD # change teh speed [1200 or 9600] #DWAIT # Time from no carrier to TX : default is 30 [ in ms ] #TXDELAY or TX # between PTT on and start of TX - default:10 [0-120] unit is 10ms #AXDELAY or AXD #change the PTT to TX delay from default:10ms [unit is ms] #AXDELAY #DIGIPEAT or DIG # Enable digipeating :default is ON [ ON or OFF] #KISS or KISS # Enter KISS mode [ ON or OFF] - powercycling the radio disables KISS mode #MAXFRAME or MAX # max frames per Tx : default:4 [1-7] #PACLEN or P # max packet length - default:128 [ 0 -255 ] #PACTIME or PACT # send a packet after delay - default: AFTER 10 [EVERY/AFTER 0-250] #PERSIST or PE # probability of the PERIST/SLOTTIME method - default:128 [0-255] #PPERSIST or PP # ON uses PERSIST/TIMESLOT : OFF uses DWAIT - #RESPTIME or RES # ACK TX time - default:5 [0-250] #RETRY or RE # Number of packet retries - default:10 [0-15] #SENDPAC or SE # char to force a packet - default:$0D #SLOTTIME or SL # Random generation intervals for the PERSIST/SLOTTIME - default:3 [0-250] - UNIT is 10ms a=$'\x03' To tell the TNC to enter kiss mode: mon off kiss on restart to tell the TNC to exit kiss mode, you have to send the binary sequence of: ASCII 192 ASCII 255 ASCII 192 cmd:display c LCSTREAM ON SENDPAC $0D STREAMSW $01 STREAMCA ON STREAMDB OFF Operational commands -------------------- #Connect or C # Connect to a remote node - "C k6sny-1 via W6XSC-1" #UNPROTO or U # use a digipeater say "U k6sny-1 via W6XSC-1" #CONVERSE or CONV or K # Enter converse mode # -- control-c to exit to command mode #TRANS or T # Enter transparent mode - control-c,c,c to to command mode #DISCONNE or D # Disconnect #NEWMODE or NE # Once connected, TNC enters the other mode : default:OFF [OFF|ON] #LOG or LOG # Show who has connected to your mailbox #DISPLAY or DISP # Show all TNC parameters # - A :show RS232 parameters # - C :special TNC characters # - H :heath counters # - I :ID parameters # - L :TNC to TNC link status # - M :monitor parameters # - T :timing parameters #MCON or MC : default:OFF [OFF or ON] # Promisuous monitor even when we are connected to another station #MCOM or MCOM # SHOW all AX.25 or just INFO packets default:off [ OFF or ON ] #PID : default:OFF [OFF or ON] # Show all Non-AX.25 traffic including NETROM, TCP/IP, TheNet #MONITOR or M # Monitor packets coming in - default:ON [OFF or ON] #MRPT or MR # TNC to display full digipeat path - default:on #MSTAMP or MS # timestamp all packets #TRACE or T # shows HEX # display packets in their entirety - default: off [ OFF or ON] #Manually sending UNPROTO traffic - just like beacons or APRS posits #------------------------------------------------------------------- # While in command mode # # Change the path of the broadcasts : default is CQ # When digipeating, having a remote node listed even when you can't hear # it will allow that machine to accept the message from another node that's # digipeating for you. You have to know what remote TNCs will digi for # this to work. Best way to know is to manually test the paths by sending # packets in a circle, one hop farther than the last and then route the # packets back to yourself so you hear your own packets. In Norcal, # most KaNet nodes (usually have aliases that start with a "k") are digi's # U David via KLPRC3, KBERR, KRDG, KCORN, KBETH, TAH0E # or U David via WOODY,KPAC,KLIVE,KBERR,KBETH,KTUO,KMOC # alternatively unproto David via KPAC,KLIVE,KBERR,KTUO,KBETH,WOODY # # To send non-ACKed packets, you need to enter convers mode. From the "cmd: " # prompt, enter in "conv" or "K". Now ever line you type in will be sent as # an unproto packet. Use control-C or ^C^C^C to exit Converse mode and back # to command mode #In a modified 0.17pre3 Linpac (ask KI6ZHD for diffs) # # UNSRC default is "LINPAC" # UNDSST default is "INFO" :UNSRC KI6ZHD :UNDEST "DAVID WOODY KPAC KLIVE KBERR KBETH KTUO KMOC" NOTE: The first entry, BEACON is a generic entry. Seems some UNPROTO QSOs set this to the first name of the desired HAM :UNPROTO alternatively, you can use the F10 screen for all UI unproto traffic #--------------------------------------------------------------------------- # D710 specific items (to be removed) but are still mostly valid to KPC3 too #--------------------------------------------------------------------------- http://www.billdiaz.dynip.com/TNCHelp.txt -- The D7/D700/D710 radio TNC can be be placed in one of 3 modes: 1. Radio Control mode. TNC off. Commands can be sent to change freq, operating modes etc. Radio display does not show "TNC". --> see bottom of this file for examples 2. APRS mode. TNC is on, but not readily accessible via the serial port. APRS activity is shown on the D7/D700/D710 display and all radio functions are available via button presses etc. Radio display shows "TNC". 3. Packet mode. TNC is on and can be placed in COMMAND or CONVERSE Mode. APRS activity is not shown on display, but available via the serial port. Radio shows "TNC" and "Packet"; TNC MAILBOX --------- #FILE or FI # View TNC mailbox #LIST or LI # show ALL mail #READ or R # read a specific message #MINE or MI # show all of MY sent or received messages #WRITE or W # write a message. Use enter, control-c, enter to finish #KILL or KI # Delete a specific message #EXTCLR or EXTC # Empty TNC mailbox #MAIL or MAI # indicates when a message is in your mailbox - default:OFF [ ON or OFF ] #TOUT or TOUT # timeout for people connected to mailbox - default:30 [0-250] - unit is 10sec #USERS # max number of INBOUND channles to connect requests - default:1 [0-10] USERS=3 KPC3 RAM upgrades ------------ If you keep running out of PBBS message space, consider a RAM upgrade. You can learn more about that here: https://www.outpostpm.org/docs/opan0901-KPC3P-BBS-in-a-Box.pdf https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xtm8JTiKIt0 https://www.mods.dk/view.php?ArticleKey=cd755a6c6b699f3262bcc2aa46ab507e&i=Kantronics-KPC-3-Kantronics-KPC-3-RAM-upgrade-to-512K - Using a more modern RAM part and an adapter (soldering required) Research this ------------- #UISSID or UIS #When ON, cause the TNC to process received UI packets depending on included # destination SSID # default:OFF [ON or OFF] # # do some remote transmissions and see the SSID suffix Example of a PBBS session on a Kenwood D710: -- Welcome to KI6ZHD's message board System Ver 1.50 458704 Bytes free CMD(F/K/M/R/W/B/H/?)> KE6AFE-10>BEACON,LPRC2* [05/16/10 13:42:12]:!3658.17NW12200.78WaPHG2133 RMS Pacz ? Commands W(rite) = Type W (callsign) to begin message entering. Subject: = Header(max 30 characters) are entered after the prompt: "Subject:". Ending the header with a carriage return . Message: = Message are entered after the prompt: "Message:". Ending each line with . You terminate with either a /EX or to the indicate end of your message. B(ye) = Type B to DISCONNECT. F(ile) = Type F to show the latest 20 messages. L(ist) = Type L to show the all messages. M(ine) = Type M to show latest 20 messages (to or from you). Subsequent F or M command will show next 20 active messages. R(ead) = Type R n to show the number n message. A(bort) = Type A to Abort. J = Type J to show connect stations. K(ill) = Type K n to delete the number n message (only to or from you). H(elp)or ?= Type H or ? to display this. Example output: mheard From K6SNY-1 KPC3 TNC ------------------------------ W6XSC-1 05/15/2010 21:50:20 KJ6CQJ 05/15/2010 22:02:33 WG6D-7* 05/15/2010 23:15:55 WG6D-5 05/15/2010 23:25:24 WG6D-6 05/16/2010 08:09:51 AD6TL-3 05/16/2010 09:25:31 WN6I-7 05/16/2010 11:54:11 NOCALL 05/16/2010 12:44:04 K6OTT 05/16/2010 12:45:12 WB6TMS-15 05/16/2010 12:51:45 W6XSC-6 05/16/2010 13:03:46 KE6AFE-10* 05/16/2010 13:10:09 WB6TMS 05/16/2010 13:11:44 KB6YNO-10* 05/16/2010 13:12:29 K6RWG 05/16/2010 13:17:15 WR6ABD 05/16/2010 13:19:38 W6XSC-2 05/16/2010 13:21:49 KI6ZHD-1 05/16/2010 13:28:02 Example from W6XSC-1 JNOS BBS on 70cm ------------------------------------- Interface Station Time since send Pkts sent p440 W6XSC 0:03:54:40 5769 Station Time since heard Pkts rcvd : Station Time since heard Pkts rcvd K6MTV-3 0:00:00:16 5372 : K6FSH-3 0:00:24:29 540 W6XSC 0:03:54:40 4389 : K6FSH 0:03:54:40 644 K6MTV 0:03:54:49 5833 : K6FSH-1 0:03:55:29 159 N6MEF-3 0:04:29:59 2484 : N6MEF 0:04:31:33 812 FREC 1:05:37:14 2 : KA3L-3 3:09:26:13 268 KA3L 5:07:31:58 152 : K6MTV-1 6:00:03:26 41 W6XSC-3 6:00:03:30 1376 : KA3L-15 11:04:38:03 23 KV6U 11:21:32:54 285 : KV6U-3 11:21:54:31 26 LAHEOC 12:00:49:59 25 : W6LAH-1 12:01:26:48 56 W6LAH 12:01:37:25 13 : W6XRL4 14:01:30:28 12 FAKEOC 57:02:49:42 3 : N6MEF-10 75:19:24:50 1 KN6PE 80:18:32:52 81 : DAFFY 88:02:29:20 4 LOSEOC 88:02:29:48 34 : SJCEOC 89:03:25:00 14 XSCEOC 89:04:02:26 14 : W6XSC-4 94:17:05:12 122 N6MEF-15 95:16:10:34 28 : NOCALL 109:22:03:05 4 CUPEOC 114:05:09:22 1 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DVs97kb4mx4&feature=related http://forums.qrz.com/showthread.php?p=1946136&posted=1#post1946136 The generally required sequence to program Kenwood TNCs is: 1. Place the D7 in Radio Control Mode with the command: # Turn off TNC. "TNC" no longer appears on radio display. TC 1 2. Don't think this works on the R710 rs232. Needs to be the PC port on the radio Issue all commands to set D7 VFO freq, step, Data bands etc. Example command (VFO A to 145.93, VFO B to 435.225): # VFO A FQ 00145930000,0 # VFO B FQ 00435225000,1 3. Does NOT work on a D710 Reset D7 to packet mode. Causes TNC to Reset. Command: # Turn on TNC. Re-initializes. "TNC" and "Packet" appear on radio # display. TC 0 4. After a delay to allow for TNC re-initialization, the HBAUD command must be issued (does not appear to be persistant from control to Packet mode) : HBAUD 9600 or HBAUD 1200 working reset of the TNC from KISS mode #in command mode KISS ON RESTART TC 1 - puts the R710 into frequency control mode TN 2,0 - sets packet to Band-A using STTY commands doesn't allow to take into freq mode. I think this might be a lack of DTR issue as it works in Minicom. Hmmmm TC 0 - puts the R710 into command mode TN 0,0 sets to command mode TN 1,0 sets ARPS to Band-A TN 1,1 sets ARPS to Band-B TN 2,1 sets packet to Band-B #VHF packetrig serial port AX25 name VHFD710AXPORT=d710 #VHF packetrig serial port AX25 interface VHFD710AXINT=ax0 #VHF packetrig serial port Unix device VHFD710PORT="/dev/ttyS0" #VHF packetrig serial port COMM speed # Speed needs to be set in /etc/ax25/axports too VHFD710BAUD="9600" (stty -F $VHFD710PORT ispeed $VHFD710BAUD ospeed $VHFD710BAUD -ignpar cs8 -cstopb -echo; echo -e "TC 1\n"; ) <$VHFD710PORT >$VHFD710PORT (stty -F $VHFD710PORT ispeed $VHFD710BAUD ospeed $VHFD710BAUD -ignpar cs8 -cstopb -echo; echo -e "TN 2,0\n"; ) <$VHFD710PORT >$VHFD710PORT (stty -F $VHFD710PORT ispeed $VHFD710BAUD ospeed $VHFD710BAUD -ignpar cs8 -cstopb -echo; echo -e "KISS ON\n"; ) <$VHFD710PORT >$VHFD710PORT (stty -F $VHFD710PORT ispeed $VHFD710BAUD ospeed $VHFD710BAUD -ignpar cs8 -cstopb -echo; echo -e "RESTART\n"; ) <$VHFD710PORT >$VHFD710PORT [INIT_COMMANDS] ^C^C^C ;Control mode on. TC 1!TS 1 ;Select TNC PKT mode on A band. TN 2,0!TN 2,0 ;Waiting for command prompt. ^M!cmd:!5 ;Repeating the first two commands is not an error! ECHO OFF BEACON EVERY 0 ECHO OFF BEACON EVERY 0 more good details http://forums.qrz.com/archive/index.php/t-83023.html http://www.outpostpm.org/support.html -- 4. Notes on the Kenwood D710 30-Apr-09, The following is a note from Rick Muething, KN6KB, Winlink Development Team, in response to this radios' "KISS bug". As posted to the BPQ32 yahoo group, Rick writes... "The 710 “bug” is not a violation of the KISS protocol… it is the result of trying to use the same serial port for both a TNC and a Front panel control. The problem is when in KISS mode (which sends binary packets “encapsulated in the KISS protocol” it is possible to have the character sequence “TC 0” as binary or character data within the KISS encapsulation. This sequence will be interpreted by the serial port controller in the Control head of the D710 as “escape to control mode” and which will switch the serial interface from TNC mode to front panel control mode. This can have disastrous affects when trying to transfer binary files using KISS. "One solution would be to entice Kenwood to modify the firmware in the control head to having entered the KISS protocol to ignore all mode control commands including “TC 0”. This would require using the standardized escape KISS sequence {0xC0, 0xFF, 0xC0} prior to any control panel commands and then re enabling KISS to continue TNC operation…This gets tricky and is very likely to impact existing programs that now work. "The solution we used and which appears to work well and is solid is to escape the “C” character. So when any data is sent to the TNC in KISS mode, if there is an ASCII “C” it is replaced by the sequence <0xDB>”C” which essentially escapes the “TC 0” sequence. The KISS protocol (in the D710’s KISS TNC implementation) removes the <0xDB> which is the frame escape so no modification of the transmitted data stream is actually made. Thanks to Peter Woods for figuring this out." -- http://www.oausa.net/forums/viewtopic.php?p=14318&sid=3432d471afbd6417cc76c3e2553a3370 -- I have been hunting around the Yahoo TM-D710 group. It seems to be a common problem getting the D710 and UI View to work together. There are a lot of variables that need to be just right. The TM-D710 Yahoo group has three .CMD files for the TM-D710 to work with UI-View. I'm going to try them now. -- Eratta ------ 09/23/23 - dranch - Added a top level box intro of general configuration / operation config areas of a typical TNC - Show an initial bootup of a KPC3+ and added a URL on how to do RAM upgrade 09/23/19 - dranch - Added PID command to show netrom updates; restructured the doc a bit to push down non-KPC3 items lower down 01/12/14 - dranch - Updated the unproto section 12/01/12 - dranch - First version