karn@eagle.UUCP (06/14/83)
A N N O U N C E M E N T TNC AVAILABILITY Tucson Amateur Packet Radio Corporation has conducted extensive testing of a Terminal Node Controller (TNC) design over the last several months. 172 TAPR TNCs are in the field, and the "Beta" design has been in continuous testing since early November, 1982. In order to more fully discharge our charter in developing and refining packet radio communications, TAPR is on the brink of releasing the TAPR TNC to the general Amateur community. The TNC will be provided as a kit that includes all parts; comprehensive manual including detailed kit assembly instructions; custom power transformer with multitap primary for those in low- or high-voltage areas; electrically pre-tested printed circuit board with silk screened parts locations; built-in modem, power supply, RS232 interface and radio interface. REFINED DESIGN For those familiar with the Beta design, the following improvements have been implemented in the hardware design: 1) 32 k bytes of EPROM (vs Beta's 24 k). 2) 8k bytes of RAM (vs Beta's 6 k). 3) Two 512-bit banks of NOVRAM (vs Beta's single 256-bits). 4) Modem disconnect, with all applicable HDLC connections. 5) Improved modem design, with lower noise floor, greater input signal range, greater mic audio adjustment range, improved signal level indicator circuitry, LED monitoring of additional signal lines (such as Data Carrier Detect), configuration of modem parameters via DIP carrier. 6) Serial I/O port access is via a right angle pc mount DB25S connector at the edge of the board. 7) Parallel port access is via a right angle pc mount DB25P connecter at the edge of the board. 8) Radio I/O port access is via a right angle pc mount DB9S connector at the ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- edge of the board. 9) Power connection is via an 8-pin "Molex" style power connector. 10) The +5 volt supply uses 3 amp diodes instead of the 1N4001s found on the Beta board. 11) The +5 volt supply has a jumper, along with additional power supply connector pins, to support an off-board 5 volt regulator. 12) The power transformer has been redesigned with 105/115/125 volt ac primary taps and corrected secondary windings. 13) The serial I/O port uses pullup resistors so no jumpers are needed to support partial RS232 interfaces (such as "three-wire" terminals). 14) Revised circuitry for calibrating the 1700 Hz PLL demodulator. TAPR is currently generating the updated manual and the board layout is being revised. At the conclusion of board layout, a trial run of 25 kits will be supplied to a limited number of Beta sites for testing. This is anticipated in the late-July to mid-August time frame. We are limiting this initial release to a few boards per selected existing site to ensure a rapid turnaround in the testing. It is not our intent during this initial test to bring more sites up. Once we have determined that the revised design is working properly and the documentation is adequate for a reasonably adept Amateur to properly assemble, calibrate, interface and place the TNC into operation, the kits will be made available to all on a more-or-less first-come, first-served basis. DISTRIBUTION, SCHEDULING and COST The mechanism for distribution is simple. The orders will be handled based on the order in which they are received. TAPR members will have a degree of priority. Orders for multiple units will be spaced out somewhat so no one can order a huge block and tie up distribution. How do you get on the list? Send your order to: Tucson Amateur Packet Radio Corporation PO Box 22888 Tucson AZ 85734-2888 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- and include your name, shipping address, etc., along with a deposit of $25. Upon receipt of your deposit (including 16 days for clearing of non-cashier's checks), you will be placed in the queue. You will be advised by return mail of your expected shipping date. Balance of payment is due at least one week before scheduled ship date (or you may get bumped!). TAPR will attempt to have a daytime telephone number where Visa/MasterCard orders can be placed (with an approximate 3% adder for such orders). The price of the complete kit is $240 plus $7 shipping and handling. This is $29 more than the Beta boards, and the increase is for the following reasons: 1) There is more memory on the board. 2) We are having the pc boards electrically tested. 3) There is a 30 days-after-shipment warranty on the parts (and we have to make this good, not the chip manufacturer). 4) We lost thousands of dollars on Beta. 5) We need money to launch our R & D effort for high-speed UHF linking systems. 6) We are having a commercial firm do the kitting for us to conserve our time for technical work. Since many of the parts on the TNC are now on allocation, we have taken the steps to schedule a number of kits. However, we need IMMEDIATE feedback on your expected needs, as well as deposits, so we can better plan. Our present schedule calls for general kit deliveries starting in late August/early September. We are planning on 25 kits the first month, followed by 50 kits for each of the following three months. That is only 175 kits, so if you are interested, act promptly! If we get sufficient orders, we will modify the schedule to take care of things as expeditiously as possible. PRODUCT SUPPORT Please note that support of the TNC, including such things as service bulletins, modifications for improved performance, announcements of software and hardware updates, etc., will be done via the Packet Status Register, TAPR's official newsletter. Thus, it is suggested that purchasers of the TNC consider becoming members of TAPR. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Thank you for your interest... Lyle Johnson, WA7GXD President - TAPR