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

Wed Aug 26 22:06:30 EDT 2009

That's right.   It is  only the kpc3+.  The older non "+" models work  fine.
I have also tried both the versions 7.0 & 9.1 in the "+" (same box) and 
they both exhibit he same problem.
Also the 9612's do not have a problem either.

Hopefully Kantronics will come up with the fix.

Propagation Knows No Boundaries
73 de Tom,  ve7did

Patrick Domack wrote:
> 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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