[FADCA] USB to Com Port

[bud Thompson]

See my bottom posting . . .

----- Original Message ----- 
From: <wd4sen at bellsouth.net>
To: "Florida Amateur Digital Communication Association" 
<fadca at mailman.qth.net>
Sent: Friday, September 08, 2006 10:39
Subject: Re: Re: [FADCA] USB to Com Port


> Bud, some good thoughts.....and I agree a standard would be the most 
> reliable route to go....
>

* * *

The problem is this - we don't have very many (OLD!) experienced packetteers 
from the late 80's /early 90's coming back into packet now that packet is 
back . . . As users, the (OLD) guys are no longer interested.

We also have absolutely zero US-based TNC suppliers offering anything NEW in 
the way of firmware-based TNC-2 clone/compliant TNCs.  (The standard is from 
the early 80's!)  Kantronics, PacComm, TimeWaver, MFJ - NADA new stuff.

In some cases the latest update in firmware is earlier than 1999!  Some 
Kantronics hardware is no longer supported at all with upgraded firmware, 
and DRSI, a  leader in the late 80's,  has absolutely disappeared! MFJ no 
longer offers technical support/hardware repair - having delegated that to 
PacComm! AES has turned into Timewave -

So, what we have are newbees to packet (most of who are accustomed to and 
expect  Plug-'n-Play - who innocently pick up a 10-15 year old TNC at a swap 
fest for $25-$100 and go home expecting it to work.

Those legacy TNCs were designed for the RS-232 standards of the early 80s - 
and who knows what abuse they've been put through since! ( A TNC now 15 
years old with an original battery is a problem ready to happen! Remove the 
batter!)

I hate TNCs - mostly because from 1985-1995 there were 15 bizzillion 
hardware methods for implementing "RS-232!"

Unless these Old Timer TNCs can be proven to work 'as advertised' with a 
'standard RS-232' link to a commuter - there is no guarantee they will work 
with a firmware-based ROSE, or LINUX- or DOS-based controlling program as we 
are presently using on the Florida Layered Packet Network.

My recommendation: When you pick up a brand new or a used firmware-based 
TNC - be certain it works as advertised using a DOS- or Windows-based 
terminal program and a "standard" comport.  If so, it is almost assuredly 
capably of working with a firmware-based ROSE, or LINUX-based FPAC system 
and likely with a USB/Serial adaptor.

Then purchase the USB/Serial adaptor of your choice!

bud N0IA