Hello everyone,

I've finished my vp-digi TNC board (KISS enabled board, not a fully featured TNC with AGW) and I'm playing with packets.

I'm able to use the TNC just fine using e.g. QtTermTcp in linux or Tera Term on windows, but there's one computer where I'd like to run a DOS terminal app. I've read somewhere that paKet is one of the better terminals for DOS, so I wanted to give it a try.

When I run it, it displays a message saying that it can't find the TNC. But, I can send commands to the TNC just fine using the terminal and I see it's responses. And the TNC starts in KISS mode after startup. So, it should just work. However, when I tell paKet to make a call to a station using the Alt-C command -- I see only 'CONNECT' message in the output window and nothing else happens.

So, I'm not sure if I'm missing something. It seems like paKet should support KISS enabled devices. So, is there a need for some driver to make KISS work in DOS ?

73 de OK4ME aka Rotorek

... A clean desk is a sign of a cluttered mind.

Re: KISS TNC with paKet
By: Rotorek to All on Wed Apr 24 2024 04:46:00

I've finished my vp-digi TNC board (KISS enabled board, not a fully featured TNC with AGW) and I'm playing with packets.

I used AGW years ago so I may not be remembering right, but I would've thought a KISS device is all it needs. I never saw it as a TNC feature.

I'm able to use the TNC just fine using e.g. QtTermTcp in linux or Tera

But, I can send commands to the TNC just fine using the terminal and I see it's responses. And the TNC starts in KISS mode after startup. So, it

If you can send keyboard commands to the TNC and it responds to them, then it's not in KISS mode. You didn't mention, but are you taking steps to exit KISS mode prior to using QtTermTcp or TeraTerm?

So, I'm not sure if I'm missing something. It seems like paKet should support KISS enabled devices. So, is there a need for some driver to make

I'm not familiar with your TNC or paKet so can't say much more except the problem likely boils down to "TNC not in KISS mode" or "incorrect serial port configuration (in paKet, I suppose)".
echicken
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Re: KISS TNC with paKet
By: Rotorek to All on Wed Apr 24 2024 04:46 am

I'm able to use the TNC just fine using e.g. QtTermTcp in linux or Tera Term windows, but there's one computer where I'd like to run a DOS terminal app.

Those terms are new to me, so first off thanks for mentioning them.

Unfortunately I don't know the answer to your question because so far I've only used TNCs that have their own command shells and could just use Minicom or whatever terminal (Telix, Telemate, etc). Then I can put them in KISS mode and use kissattach for the ax.25 tools or run an APRS app or whatever.

Have you tried your TNC with anything like Xastir or YAAC or PinPoint (Win)?

I have questions about the three terms you listed, but I think I'll try to find them and see if I can answer them myself.

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If you can send keyboard commands to the TNC and it responds to them,
then it's not in KISS mode. You didn't mention, but are you taking steps to exit KISS mode prior to using QtTermTcp or TeraTerm?

yes, I switched the TNC to kiss mode before trying to use it in paKet

I'm not familiar with your TNC or paKet so can't say much more except the problem likely boils down to "TNC not in KISS mode" or "incorrect serial port configuration (in paKet, I suppose)".

I was able to run BPQ32 on the same computer with the TNC just fine. So, I'm not sure what's causing paKet program not to work.

Anyway, I'll continue using BPQ and stop playing with old DOS programs for now.

Thank you for your suggestions.

Rotorek

... FLORIDA: We don't just cheat in football.

use Minicom or whatever terminal (Telix, Telemate, etc). Then I can put them in KISS mode and use kissattach for the ax.25 tools or run an APRS app or whatever.

Oh well, other application like QtTermTCP or BPQ32 run just fine with the device set to KISS mode.

I'm not familiar with the kissattach command - I've read it is used to map an AX.25 network device. Why do you need that? To emulate a full TNC capability?

Have you tried your TNC with anything like Xastir or YAAC or PinPoint

Yeah, everying else works just fine.

I'll stick with linbpq32 for now, as it gives me a working terminal accessible over the net.

Thank you.

73, Rotorek

... Treknical Discussion: Science Friction.

Re: Re: KISS TNC with paKet
By: Rotorek to echicken on Mon Apr 29 2024 03:18 am

I was able to run BPQ32 on the same computer with the TNC just fine. So, I'm not sure what's causing paKet program not to work.

Similarly, I haven't been able to get Pinpoint APRS for Windows to work with some hardware TNCs in KISS mode, while they work just fine in YAAC or Xastir or any other software. Perhaps some software is "strict" about its use of KISS? Pinpoint APRS works with the Mobilinkd TNC, which is KISS-only. It doesn't have any other mode.

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Re: Re: KISS TNC with paKet
By: Rotorek to phigan on Mon Apr 29 2024 03:41 am

I'm not familiar with the kissattach command - I've read it is used to map a AX.25 network device. Why do you need that? To emulate a full TNC capability

It's just an alternate way of using the TNC, I think. When attached as an ax.25 device, I can do 'axcall <callsign>' to connect out the same way I would from a TNC that's NOT in KISS mode. And use 'axlisten' to monitor.

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