[Ham-Mac] Kantronics TNC with Mac?

Thu, 14 Nov 2002 12:52:39 -0600

On Thursday, Nov 14, 2002, at 12:28 US/Central, Chuck Counselman wrote:

> 1. Did you do that with RDCP/Mac (of which I had not learned when I 
> posted my original question, assuming that I'd have to use DOS/Windoze 
> s/w under Virtual PC 5 and SoftWindows 3) ?
>
Yes.  Would imagine that just about every model of Mac has been used 
with the software.  Here have used with SE/30, IIvx, Performa, Quadras 
(68k versions) and the 5300, a G3, and a 7200 (PPC versions).  The 
MacOS X version has been used with several models.
>
>> For Mac software that supports Kantronics' TNCs - including the 
>> KAM-XL, see: <http://www.winternet.com/~nedbalek/rdcp_mac_2.html>
>
> Good news!  Looks great!
>
>
> 2. To use your RDCP/Mac application with a KAM Plus or a KAM XL TNC, 
> how must I adapt the PowerBook's serial printer/modem port to 
> Kantronics' RS-232-C port?
> In particular, will a DB-9 to 25-pin serial cable with one 
> "hardware-handshaking" line, such as we used between Macs and external 
> modem until a few years, ago do the trick?  Or does the TNC use 
> _other_ RS-232-C lines to talk to the s/w?
>
>

Yes, the cable you mentioned will work.  I just use a good quality 
modem cable. Nothing special.  On the 5300 make sure that AppleTalk is 
turned off since it only has the single port.

For the XL, I just use a mini-DIN 8 to DB-25 modem cable - the same one 
used with the KAM and then a DB25 to DB9 adaptor.  The KAM has a DB25 
connector for the computer port while the KAM-XL has a DB9.

> 3. Aside from price, why might a Mac user prefer a KAM XL over a KAM 
> Plus, or vice versa?
> Tnx.  I look forward to doing PACTOR on my Mac(s)!
>

The KAM-XL has PSK31 as well as the K-NET feature which is something 
like NET/ROM.  A few of us are "playing" with that on 14.105 packet.  
If you are mainly interested in PacTOR then the KAM will do nicely.  
Don't know if Kantronics is selling the KAM now that they developed the 
XL.

========================================================
James Nedbalek          [email protected]           Minneapolis, MN
       Macintosh/Apple Systems and Software Development since 1982
Phone (952) 934-8317                       
http://www.winternet.com/~nedbalek
========================================================