[Xastir] KPC-3+ KISS problem...

[Patrick Domack]

I hope I understand you correctly, that this seems to be a KPC 3 PLUS  
only issue and not a KPC3 (non-plus) issue. I know the difference  
between the two is that the plus uses a software based decoder vs a  
hardware modem chip.

That said, my kpc3 v5.0 has worked flawless for me in kiss, using a  
9pin serial cable to a real serialport on a computer. Using linux ax25  
stack, and it receives gates around 22k packets to aprs-is per day,  
and transmits around 900 packets per day to rf.

I really wish kpc would release the source for their tnc's.

Quoting "Tom, ve7did" <ve7did at dccnet.com>:

> Hi All:  We have determined that it is only the KPC3+ which causes the
> problems in Kiss mode.  See the info below as we have now been in
> contact with Kantronics and they are trying to simulate what we and
> many others have found.  We haven't heard anything back yet, but will
> keep you posted.  It does take a "weekish" for the problem to occur, so
> it will probably a little difficult to find the problem.
>
> We have sent Kantronics more info since this posting.
>
> -- 
> Propagation Knows No Boundaries
> 73 de Tom,  ve7did
>
>
>
> Hi Ken
>
> I see that Tom VE7DID didn't get any response to his message of July 14
> 2009. I didn't get any response to my message of July 13 2009 either.
> See below for a copy of my July 13 message. I'll request a "read
> receipt" for this copy. The KISS problem in the KPC3+ is quite serious
> and needs to be addressed.
>
> Please disregard the "Icom-471A" in the subject of the original message.
>
> Thanks - Keith Powell
> VE7GDH
> ve7gdh at rac.ca
>
>
> ----- Original Message ----- From: "Keith VE7GDH" <ve7gdh at rac.ca>
> To: <service at kantronics.com>
> Cc: <dave at mynatt.biz>
> Sent: Monday, July 13, 2009 11:19 AM
> Subject: Re: KPC-3 and ICOM-471A
>
>
> Hi Ken
>
>> From: service at kantronics.com [mailto:service at kantronics.com]
>> Sent: Monday, July 13, 2009 10:39 AM
>> To: dave at mynatt.biz
>> Subject: Re: KPC-3 and ICOM-471A
>>
>> Dave:
>>
>> To my knowledge, no one has reported any type of "timing" issue in   
>> the APRS functions, to anyone here at Kantronics.
>>
>> Can you provide more detail?  Do you know the specific version of   
>> firmware in the KPC that seems to have a timing problem? Where can   
>> I see the Blog posting, and what date was it posted?
>>
>> We can't fix a problem if we don't know there is a problem.
>>
>> For some time, our service department has only one technician (me)   
>> to answer technical questions by phone, email, and otherwise. I   
>> also do product testing and repair. There are times when I may be   
>> away from my desk, or on another phone call (or just off duty) and   
>> may not be able to pick a ringing line.
>>
>> We strive to answer all received email in a timely manner. Messages  
>>  sent direct to individuals in the company may not be received   
>> (several of those persons are no longer with the company). Our   
>> posted email addresses for Sales and Service, are still valid.
>>
>> We have discontinued most support for old model TNCs (several years  
>>  ago). I can answer operational and technical questions about older  
>>  models, but repair service and updates are no longer available for  
>>  old units.
>>
>> Ken
>> Kantronics Technical Service
>
> The problem that Dave was referring to is with the KPC3+ in KISS mode.
> After it has been running for a period of time (about a week) it starts
> delaying data that it spits out the serial port by up to about a minute
> and a half.
>
> I have used KPC IIs and KPC3s for regular packet many years with no
> known problems, and in KISS mode connected to UI-View32 2.03 for about 5
> years now. About a year or so back, I kept hearing rumours about the
> KPC3+ being responsible for delays. I usually use a venerable KPC II or
> KPC3 with UI-View.
>
> To me, these reports were just anecdotal. However, some months ago, I
> changed over to a KPC3+ ver 9.1 and ran my own tests and the conclusion
> that I came to was that the KPC3+ (the same problem is reported by
> others with older versions of the KPC3+) were responsible for delays. I
> have witnessed it myself, viewing received beacons in UI-Views terminal
> window, and have worked with others sending my own APRS beacons with a
> time stamp enabled and while being in direct contact with them and
> noting the time of the original beacon and when the other station
> "received" the beacon. These tests were either direct with no digis
> involved, or via my own digi which I observed sending the digipeated
> copy immediately (fraction of a second) after receiving the original. I
> have about seven KPC3+s ver 9.1 and they work perfectly set up as an
> APRS digi. In KISS mode connected to an APRS client (not just UI-View,
> also Xastir) it is just a matter of time before it starts introducing
> delays.
>
> The reason pinning it down to a KPC3+ problem is that there is always
> the possibility of an APRS digi introducing delays... e.g. a "high" digi
> that hears too much in a busy area could end up waiting a period of time
> for a quiet period to send the digipeated copy. While that does happen,
> the major delays being reported always seemed to be caused by IGates
> running a KPC3+ in KISS mode. The casual symptoms are viewing a mobile
> station that is taking a zig-zag route with delayed reports making it
> look like it was constantly going "back in time". As mentioned above, my
> own tests ruled out delays caused by a digi.
>
> I know there are several people that are "getting ready to contact"
> Kantronics about this, but as Dave has contacted you for other reasons
> and mentioned this problem to you, it's as good as time as any to send
> you the above information.  If you don't mind, I'll pass along your name
> and email address to a few of the other people that did their own tests.
> I'm sure they will be happy to tell you of their observations and know
> that there is someone at Kantronics willing to listen and run their own
> tests.
>
> Thanks - Keith Powell
> VE7GDH
> ve7gdh at rac.ca
>
>
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