Msg: 4100 *Conference*

03-13-93 08:17:29

From: CRAIG HALLMAN

To : M100 HAMS

Subj: PACKET RADIO

I just got my ham radio license about a month ago (I'm KD6RWW) and I now want
to get into Packet.  There has been some conversation here about Packet
already.  It was noted the a Terminal Node Controller (TNC) is needed.  If I
understand correctly, a TNC is a stand-alone microprocessor and modem unit with
a serial port. Since the M100 has a standard port and a terminal program, it
works well with a TNC.
        I have also learned that there is another kind of TNC that is basically
just a modem and it uses a computer (typically a MSDOS or C64) as the
microprocessor.  It too attaches to the serial port but requires specific TNC
emulating software -- not just a terminal program like full-featured TNC.  The
advantace of these types of TNC are price --about $50--  and size -- about the
size of a serial adaptor.
      Has anyone written a program for the M100 to run one of these TNCs? I
would LOVE to give new life to my beloved M102 which is seeing less and less
use these days.
        If a program hasn't been written and somewhat is up to the challenge,
I'd be glad to tell them more specifics!  Packet radio is revolutionizing Ham
radio and it would be great to see Hams adopt the M100 as their pet comptuter.
        I'll check back here in about a week. 
        Craig A. Hallman