clements@BBNCCQ.ARPA (Bob Clements) (04/02/86)
Some time ago, I posted Version 1.0 of Ron Raikes' (WA8DED)
replacement firmware for the TAPR TNC-1 and its clones. I just got a
copy of version 1.1, and it is now available on SIMTEL20.
Filename Type Bytes CRC
Directory PD:<CPM.PACKET>
TNCDED11.DOC.1 ASCII 34943 D17BH
TNCDED11.HEX.1 ASCII 32264 CD0BH
TNCDED11.UPD.1 ASCII 655 E233H
Here is the update information for this release:
Changes incorporated in version 1.1
1. FRMR link status messages are displayed properly
2. Monitored FRMR frames are displayed properly.
3. Handling of all supervisory frames has been improved
considerably.
4. Transmitter PTT line is not asserted if source call sign is
left blank.
5. Connect requests from invalid or blank call signs are
rejected.
6. Changing connection path from direct to via digipeaters
works properly.
7. Handling of XON/XOFF has been improved considerably.
8. Information sent to an unconnected channel 1 - 4 in HOST
mode is discarded.
Ron says that number 6 is the only one that should affect most users.
I think number 7 should help people using computers and communications
programs. I also think number 4 is a great idea. I hope other vendors
pick up on it. No more connects from "ABCDEF", "NOCALL" or "PK64"!
A quick review for those who haven't heard of this firmware before:
WA8DED, like many of us, got annoyed at the lack of a maintenance
release for the TAPR TNC-1 and clones - the Heath HD-4040, AEA model
whatever, etc. These are the ones with a 6809 microprocessor. Unlike
most of us, he sat down and did something about it. He wrote this
firmware which replaces the original TAPR V3.1, 3.2 or 3.3 firmware.
It provides many of the features of the newer TNC devices. The main
things, in my opinion, are support of AX.25 version 2, support of
multiple simultaneous connections, much improved monitoring facilities
and a mode specifically designed to interface to a local computer
rather than a terminal, thus solving the flow control and binary
transparency problems. Also, all the local parameters are in
documented locations, so you can burn them in the EPROM and not have
any problems with flakey NOVRAMs.
I highly recommend that this firmware be placed in any digipeaters
still using the TAPR code, to allow AX.25 version 2 frames to be
repeated.
The one down side of this firmware is that the command interface as
seen by the user is NOT compatible with the TAPR firmware. The command
functions are there, but the command names are different, and there is
no "command" versus "converse" mode. This makes it incompatible with
programs written to talk to a TAPR TNC, such as the W0RLI
MailBox/GateWay system.
If you cannot read these files from SIMTEL20, I will try to help out
on an "as time is available" basis:
If there is a mail path between you and me on which it is polite to
send such large files (34K for the DOC file, 31K for the HEX), I will
mail them to you.
If you want them on disk, I can write IBMPC 360K MS-DOS type 5.25"
disks or 8" SSSD CP/M type disks. Send me a blank disk in a reusable
mailer and with return postage.
I am not able to make EPROMs for you or provide the files on a dial-up
basis. Sorry.
73,
Bob Clements, K1BC
AX.25: K1BC @ K1BC [Near Boston, 145.09 and 221.11]
ARPANET: CLEMENTS@BBN.BBN.COM
Usenet: {ihnp4, decvax, linus, ...}!bbncca!clements
Snail Mail: 4 Paul Revere Road, Lexington MA 02173 [Good in the callbook]
Voice: 617-497-3612 (work)
[Note: The above files will be available as TNCDED11.LBR from RCP/M
Royal Oak (MI) which may be accessed at 300 bps (Bell 103a), 1200 bps
(Bell 212a), or 2400 bps (V.22 bis). The telephone number is (313)
759-6569. The LBR will also be available from the CPM RoundTable on
General Electric Information Services' GEnie.]