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KF4LLF > ALL 09.09.19 21:02l 31 Lines 4784 Bytes #999 (0) @ WW
BID : 48367_W4BFB
Read: GUEST
Subj: CQ ALL Android App Developers
Path: IW8PGT<HB9ON<IW2OHX<IR2UBX<DB0RES<DB0OVN<DB0GOS<ON0AR<OZ5BBS<CX2SA<
ZL2BAU<N9PMO<W4BFB
Sent: 190820/2048Z 48367@W4BFB.#CLT.NC.USA.NOAM BPQ6.0.18
Greetings!
NOTICE: With all respect given - this message request is for an expert in Android and iOS development and is NOT for APRS, but strictly for the advancement of packet radio software. Please understand that such applications for APRS exist already, so if you are searching for a mobile packet radio solution that works with BBS's, Nodes, Digi's, and Keyboards... This is for you! The intention of this message is NOT to use the cellular portion of any device for connectivity, but to harness the power of a mobile device's operating system and its Serial/RS-232 connection ports to attach our TNC's and Radios! Please refrain from commentary that may detour or sidetrack the intent of this mission. 73!
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Many of you around the world have heard of the Mobilinkd Bluetooth TNC by now. If not, check out http://www.mobilinkd.com/ and read all about it. This device is a Bluetooth enabled KISS TNC capable of 1200 baud AFSK signals using KISS mode. It's initial design was based on access to APRS, but somehow further development towards using it for packet radio has fallen somewhat to the side for end-users that wish for something more.
Also the TNC-X in similar fashion has made it's way into the marketplace for all those who are able to use it as a KISS TNC. https://www.tnc-x.com/ Similarly, the TNC-X has many of the same features as the Mobilinkd TNC2 when it comes to KISS mode, but does not include Bluetooth or battery power.
As technology continues to become more mobile, the Smart IoT devices that we are using (mainly phones and tablets) are able to interface to TNCs and radios via Bluetooth or USB ports. Since Android and iOS devices are becoming more readily available, amateur operators are beginning to learn to use them with packet radio as an all-in-one OS/display device, rather than a large desktop, laptop, or Raspberry Pi. They are more compact, mobile and perfect for those who wish to GOTA on-the-go. There have been multiple posts on many websites in search of ANDROID or iOS apps that could be designed to emulate a TAPR TNC2 terminal with similar end-user commands and show the traditional cmd: prompt. To say it better, a KISS to TNC2 Emulator App is a need for Amateur Packet Radio. Is there anyone working on developing such a thing?
Some time ago, source code was written for Linux that included an application called TF-KISS. This could be installed on a Linux computer and be executed through the terminal screen to emulate a TAPR TNC2 cmd structure, but talk to a KISS TNC. From what I can gather, the project was a success! However, after much reading and research regaring this TF-KISS project, to my dismay it is not recommended that one port the Linux code over to Android, due to the resources required by the application while run in an ARM-based processor environment. I would imagine that if someone who were a bit more tech savvy than me were able to access the TF-KISS source code and extract the KISS structure for TAPR TNC2 commands from the code, the information could be rebuilt into an Android APK, including a GUI for monitoring packets and a command line to enter commands on screen. Of course, the app would need to be built to recognize any RS-232 ports attached to the device, whether by USB Serial or Bluetooth Serial in order to communicate to the desired TNC.
References here:
http://hamradio.ping.net.au/index.php?mode=tfkiss
http://www.wspse.de/WSPse/Packet.php3?lang=de\
"TFkiss simulates a hostmode TNC and can be connected to TNT via a named pipe or socket. TFkiss is equipped with TheFirmware 2.7 and can provide any number of channels. The input for TFkiss is a Kiss mode, which is provided by linuXnet or TNN, for example. But even the Linux kernel can deliver the kiss mode, for which then TFkiss is also suitable for addressing TNT.
In addition, TFkiss can also directly address the AX25 kernel.
TFkiss runs on Linux, NetBSD and Solaris."
Download TFkiss V1.2.4 (142 KB, TGZ), Updated: 1.9.2001
ftp://ftp.wspse.de/packet_radio/misc/tfkiss-1.2.4.tar.gz
Is there anyone out there that knows someone who would be up to the challenge for the Amateur Radio World? If only we could find such a person with the knowledge to port this information over to Android and/or iOS. This would enable an Amateur Radio Operator to use their portable device (such as a phone or tablet) to connect to the rest of the world via packet radio! BBS's could be accessed from a tablet or cell phone connected directly to your radio. BBS's, DX Clusters, Nodes, Digi's, Keyboard Chat and more all from the palm of your hands... Please pass this on to someone you think might be willing to contribute to the Amateur Radio world!
Very 73,
Seth O'Neal
KF4LLF - Concord, NC USA EM95qi
http://KF4LLF.no-ip.org
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