Services
From Ohio Packet
Ohio Packet Services
Assembling a packet system involves a lot of pieces. Sometimes there are parts which are challenging to accomplish alone. Whether it's a lack of equipment or an unfamiliar piece of software, we aim to bridge any gaps that exist between the desire to put up a packet system and having it on the air. As a result, we are happy to offer the following services free of charge:
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[edit] Eprom Programming
There are several different choices when it comes to running a packet node or APRS digipeater. Some of the best suited for remote locations require an eprom to be programmed and inserted into a TNC2 clone. If you have an MFJ-1270b, 1270c or 1274, the addition of a programmed eprom can turn it into a powerful node or digipeater. We can gladly program any 27c256 or 27c512 eproms for:
TheNet Plus
TheNex X1J4
UIDigi
[edit] Midland Radio Programming
Midland LMR radios are an extremely cost effective means to establish packet systems on 6m, 2m and 70cm.
Please see http://www.repeater-builder.com/midland/midland-model-table.html for more information regarding different model types. In general, if the band split is near the ham band, it can likely be converted.
We do not presently have facilities to do proper receive tuning, so if we do get the entire radio, we will program, adjust the VCO and peak the transmitter output only.
Please note: the Syntech I and XTR radios have preamplifier circuits in their microphones. If you wish to use them for packet duty, standard TNCs lack high enough audio drive level to produce usable tones. You must either transplant the preamplifier circuit into the radio, or add a preamplifier circuit to the TNC to radio cable.
We will also reprogram any of these radios for any public service agency free of charge.
[edit] Syntech I
The older style radios, called Syntech I or simply Syntech are readily available at hamfests as well as online auction sites. They do offer a challenge in that their programming is handled via a small detachable daughter board called a Z-273. It takes a UV eraser and special programmer to reprogram these radios. Due to the scarcity and expense of these programmers, the price of these radios are relatively low. Foreseeing a large return on investment, we've invested in the programmer and to date have converted dozens of these radios for amateur radio use. If you have or want to buy one of these radios to be converted, we will gladly reprogram it as desired. Please note that not all Syntech I radios may be readily converted. To date, we've been able to successfully convert:
70-050C -> 6M (Dash mount)
70-052C -> 6M (Dash mount)
70-340B -> 2M (Dash mount)
70-342B/BXL -> 2M (Dash mount)
70-440B -> 2M (Trunk mount)
70-530B -> 70CM (Dash mount)
[edit] XTR
The intermediate model between Syntech I and Syntech II is the XTR line. These are easier to program in that they do not require a UV eraser, their eproms are programmed electronically only. These are also readily available at hamfests and online auction sites. To date we've been able to successfully convert:
70-0351C -> 6M (Dash mount)
70-0375C -> 6M (Trunk mount)
70-1336B -> 2M (Dash mount)
70-1340B -> 2M (Dash mount)
70-1342B -> 2M (Dash mount)
70-1395B -> 2M (Dash mount)
70-1440B -> 2M (Trunk mount)
70-1442B -> 2M (Trunk mount)
70-1526B -> 70CM (Dash mount)
70-1530B -> 70CM (Dash mount)
70-1532B -> 70CM (Dash mount)
70-1632B -> 70CM (Trunk mount)
[edit] Syntech II
The last easily modified line is Syntech II. While we do have programming facilities for these radios, to date, we have not had any to try and modify. There will be a best effort in doing so.
[edit] Computer troubleshooting/configuration
[edit] Hardware
If you have an old or spare computer that you would like to turn into a dedicated packet system, but need hardware to do so, we will gladly help bring it up to speed with it's hardware to enter it into packet services.
[edit] Software
[edit] DOS
Sometimes the older, legacy systems lend themselves best for dedicated packet services. If you have an older 386, 486 or Pentium class system you want to run a packet switch, packet BBS or APRS digipeater, getting everything up and running can be challenging. We can gladly assist in the configuration of the OS to allow things to run as desired.
[edit] Windows
By far the most popular platform to run on, we can aid in the configuration of Windows 9x, 2000, XP and Vista. There are several powerful programs which run on top of Windows for many aspects of packet.
[edit] Linux
The most powerful OS for packet operation is Linux. If you have an older system that is just too slow to run Windows, but you want to have a more modern OS, Linux is the answer. We've deployed Linux systems in some higher profile installations and it works wonderfully. It naively supports a wide range of packet hardware (DRSI boards, Baycom modems (BP-1), Soundcard packet (Soundmodem) as well as standard KISS TNCs). Once you have the interfaces in place, you can run a full featured packet switch, BBS, DX Cluster, RMS gateway, APRS digipeater, APRS I-Gate all at the same time. This versatility comes at the price of sometimes unfamiliar and confusing setup. We will gladly bridge this gap to get you on the air.
[edit] Virtual Linux
If you are curious about running Linux but do not have a dedicated computer, it is possible to leverage software called VMware to have a "Virtual" computer running on your existing Windows system. This will allow all the benefits of Linux to be realized without dedicating a system to it. We have premade Virtual Machines available which can be copied onto a DVD or USB drive for rapid deployment.
[edit] Packet cable construction
If you have a radio and TNC you want to use for packet, but just don't have the facilities or ability to make the cables, we will gladly do so. We house a fairly detailed list of wiring diagrams and can help get cables made. Please be aware that we are not able to test all cables we make without having the appropriate radio model and TNC type. To date we have the following radio styles and TNCs to test with:
TNCs
MFJ-1270b/c, 1274, 1276, 1278, Paccomm Tiny-2 (TAPR TNC2 Clone) [5 pin DIN]
Kantronics KPC-3/4/9612 (1200 Baud), KAM (1200 Baud) [DB-9]
DRSI PC*PA [ DB-9]
Radios
ADI/Alinco/Kenwood 8 pin
Azden 8 pin
Icom 8 pin
Kenwood RJ-45 Modular
Kenwood 4 pin
Midland 4 pin
Radio Shack 6 pin (HTX-10)
[edit] TNC Tone Calibration
Having your TNC output the proper tones can make or break a successful connection, especially on HF. If you own any of the following TNCs and want to ensure your tones are properly calibrated, we can make sure they are on frequency.
MFJ-1270B
MFJ-1270C
MFJ-1274
MFJ-1276
Most of the time, proper tones for 1200 baud operation are 1200hz and 2200hz. On HF, there is no standard split, but in our experiences, a 200hz split using 1600hz and 1800hz is the most widely adopted. If you are planning on running any HF packet, it will save a lot of trial and error to have the tones properly calibrated ahead of time.
If you need any of the above services, please feel free to contact us:
kb8uvn@ohiopacket.org