[Xastir] multiport KISS?

[Jason Winningham]

I'm thinking about ways to simplify the connection of multiple  
devices (TNCs, GPS, etc) - the old "one (or no) serial port and 5  
devices" scenario.

Does xastir have full multiport KISS support _without_ ax.25 kernel  
support?  Not all of us run linux...

It would be feasible to use a microcontroller to multiplex several  
devices onto one serial port, assuming the host application knows  
what to do with the data.

It would be nice if this could be done for non-KISS devices, like GPS  
units, non-KISS TNCs, electronic compasses, DF units, etc.  I suppose  
one cold use the microcontroller to convert everything to KISS. Some  
scheme for converting a GPS string to a KISS packet (APRS report with  
a special FROM call?) could probably be done, but that complicates  
the application for extracting the data.

I realize this could be done elsewhere (ie, daemon to handle the de- 
muxing), but if xastir multiport KISS works or is close, that may be  
the easiest route.

Yes, I know about the HASP hack, but I'm talking about something a  
bit more generic, handling multiple TNCs in both directions, etc.

I'm getting ready for the next balloon chase and my USB hub is dead.   
Instead of spending $10 on a new hub, this is what I started thinking  
about. |:

-Jason
kg4wsv