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- This message announces the posting of version 0.91 of the WA8DED
- firmware for the TAPR TNC-1. It is being posted on SIMTEL20
- on the ARPANET. Some Usenet guru will have to carry on from
- there for the usenet folks.
-
- This firmware runs on the TAPR TNC-1 and its clones, the AEA and the
- Heath HD-4040 TNCs. It is NOT an upgrade of the TAPR code. It is
- a completely new implementation of the AX.25 protocol, both the
- current version 2.0 and the older 1.x version supported by the normal
- TAPR code. It also supports up to four simultaneously open connections
- on one TNC. And it has a "host friendly" mode, which is intended to
- simplify the interfacing of the TNC to a Bulletin Board or other
- computer system. It has noticeably fewer protocol bugs than the
- TAPR code, and a much more informative Monitor mode.
-
- The command interface is NOT the same as the TAPR TNC code. It is
- therefore not just an improvement for your TNC, but a complete change
- of the interface. So you might not want it if you (or your computer)
- are used to the standard interface.
-
- The files being posted are: This message, TNCDED.MSG; The documentation
- file, TNCDED.DOC; and the binary of the code itself, in Intel Hex format,
- in TNCDED.HEX.
-
- The code occupies two 2764 EPROMs (actually about 1.2 EPROMs -
- plenty of space left in the second one). The EPROMs reside at
- C000 and E000 of the TNC, sockets U11 and U12 respectively. If
- you need to manipulate this file with a CP/M DDT, remember to use
- an offset with the I command so that you don't overwrite your
- DDT, BDOS and BIOS. Put C000 through DFFF into the EPROM for U11,
- and put E000 through FFFF into the EPROM for U12.
-
- The code and documentation are copyrighted 1985 by Ronald Raikes,
- WA8DED. They are submitted with his permission for non-commercial
- use by individual Radio Amateurs. All other rights reserved by
- Ronald Raikes.
-
- The program is written in 6809 assembler. The source code is not
- being posted, but is available from Ron by sending him an 8" SSSD
- CP/M format disk in a reusable mailer with return postage.
- Enclose a letter agreeing to the above personal use restriction.
- To ease the load on Ron, I will also make copies under the same ground
- rules.
-
- When I talked to him today, he sounded somewhat overwhelmed by the
- number of people contacting him about getting copies of the ROMs.
- I hope that by posting them here I will reduce that load on him, not
- increase it. Please use your discretion before adding to the crowd
- of people contacting him. But if you have to, ...
-
- You can reach Ron by packet through the forwarding mailbox network.
- Address him as WA8DED @ KD6SQ. He is not on ARPANET or Usenet.
- His US mail address is:
-
- Ronald Raikes, WA8DED
- 9211 Pico Vista Road
- Downey, CA 90240
-
- If you want to mail me a disk, as offered above, I'm good in the
- callbook.
-
- 73,
- Bob, K1BC
- ARPANET: CLEMENTS@BBN
- Usenet: {ihnp4, decvax, linus}!bbncca!clements
- Amateur Packet Radio BBS net: K1BC @ K1BC, via W0RLI
-
- [Political statement: Boycott the TNC-2 until a maintenance release
- of TNC-1 comes out!]
-
- [Usual disclaimers and trademark notices]
-
- The following message ported from the WA6OSA Packet Mailbox:
-
- *** Message from WA6OSA to ALL entered Thursday 01-Aug-85 at 8:45 PM
- *** Subject: ++NEW IMPROVED++ WA8DED FIRMWARE FEATURES
-
- Version 0.9 of the WA8DED firmware for the TAPR TNC-1 compatables is now
- available. It is written in 6809 assembly language and is contained in two
- 2764 EPROMs. Some of its outstanding features are:
-
- 1. Up to four simultaneous connects (plus unproto).
- 2. Easy to read 'monitor' frame information in unproto mode.
- 3. Simple 'On Screen' Calibration.
- 4. Digipeats version 2 protocol.
- 5. Meaningful channel status display (separate status for each channel).
- 6. Supports modem baud rates up to 9600 baud.
- 7. New-Improved Host Mode (for computer interface).
- 8. Display of link state and number of free buffers.
- 9. XON-XOFF flow control
- 10.Auto-Unattended/Beacon Mode.
-
- Version 1.0 should be available around the first of September and is contained
- in two 2764 EPROMS. The W6IXU mailbox is currently using a beta version 0.9 of
- the WA8DED firmware.
-