[Xastir] KISS Firmware and further testing

[Ray Wells]

John,

A bit off topic but since you mentioned a KISS TNC .....

The procedure for setting up KISS in the TT4 appears vastly different to 
setting up a TNC.

I've been using KISS TNC's for around 20 years (with kernel ax25 in 
Linux for about 18 years)  - mostly TNC2 compatibles (MFJ1270B, e.g.) 
and a Paccom TNC220 (Grrr).

For a TNC, put the TNC into KISS mode and set a few channel access 
parameters in the application** - txd, slottime, persistence, txtail (if 
it exists) - and set the TNC for correct tx deviation. If the TNC worked 
in Native Mode with a particular radio , it will be fine in KISS, with 
one proviso. The KISS timing parameters in a standard TNC2 EPROM are all 
over the shop (I consider it useless^^) - it's probably what gave KISS a 
bad name for timing issues. Fit a KISS only EPROM and those problems are 
resolved.

I'm sure there are very good reasons for the TT4 having different set up 
procedures but, having never used one I can't make further comment.

** The KISS TNC is a fairly dumb device. All parameters are set in the 
application, except tx deviation. You might like to peruse this  1987 
document by Phil Karn, KA9Q and Mike Chepponis, K3MC  ....

http://www.ka9q.net/papers/kiss.html

This page references other documents by Phil Karn .....

http://www.ka9q.net/papers/

^^ Things observed with the KISS implementation in a standard TNC2 EPROM 
include data not being passed (or very large delays) from TNC to radio, 
data not being passed to the computer from the TNC and, radio 
transmitting over incoming data. Not good.

The TNC220 makes a handy paper weight!

Ray vk2tv


On 15/10/10 23:41, John Wilson wrote:
> I wasn't able to make it work with the Alpha firmware but after the most
> recent testing, I am going to give the Alpha firmware another try, now
> that I have it working. Yes, finally, I have it up and running in KISS
> Mode with Xastir.
>
> I thought maybe getting Michael's settings (KB1QXO) from his working TT4
> and KISS and that didn't pan out. Talked with several local hams and it
> was all supposed to be pretty straight forward but to no avail.
>
> After much frustration and confusion, I pulled back and tried from the
> perspective of a newly received TT4.
>
> I uploaded the KISS firmware to the TT4. Looking at Scott's page on
> KISS, it didn't jump out at me at first on settings because I never
> loaded the KISS firmware. I wondered where he was getting these settings
> that I was seeing on his help page.
> (http://www.vk7hse.hobby-site.org/wiki/index.php/Kiss_TNC )
>
> With the firmware, I found that you have to set the receive
> amplification. You have three settings. 0, 1 and 2. In conjunction with
> the audio input and typing "A" to monitor the received packet (best to
> have a second radio listening to the traffic so when you hear a packet,
> you can press "A" in Terra Term and see what the TT4 is seeing when the
> packet is heard), you will see a one liner of percentages. As I
> understand it, you want a percentage about middle range. Mine ended up
> being about 52%. Initially, I adjusted the radio speaker to a
> comfortable listening level and then backed off a bit, plugged the cable
> and waited for a burst of packet. Once heard, pressed "A" and it read
> the input, thus displaying a percentage. Further on, I am to understand
> that if you have a 0-99% reading, it is over its limit and will not
> decode. Someone can correct me on that one.
>
> This is presented because even though I have been a ham for over 20
> years, I have never dealt with KISS. In all of my reading, searching and
> asking, I was not able to get clear instructions from the baby bottle
> perspective on what to do. I know that you have to take the leash off
> and learn some on your own or else you won't learn it but there is just
> no simple instruction on how to set up KISS mode. That's not just with
> this TNC. I even checked my old AEA 232 and found nothing in the book
> about KISS, other than it was a mode you could put the TNC in and to get
> out of it you press Ctrl - C three times to get out of it.
>
> I am working on an html help file which provides step by step procedures
> for setting up in KISS using the KISS firmware. Again, I do plan on
> trying the Alpha firmware and have high hopes for it, now that I
> understand a whole lot more about what is needed to make the computer
> decode in conjunction with the TNC. I hope this helps other hams down
> the road who want to try their luck at Xastir and KISS.
>
> 73
> John
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