| |
W6KWF > PACKET 06.10.26 22:33l 45 Lines 2037 Bytes #999 (0) @ WW
BID : 55151_N0ARY
Read: GUEST DJ6UX
Subj: WFDIGI: APRS DIGIPEATER FW FOR PK-88 TNC
Path: DB0FHN<DB0RKB<DK0WUE<PD0LPM<VE3CGR<VE3QBZ<VE2PKT<N2MH<N0ARY
Sent: 261006/2019z @:N0ARY.#NCA.CA.USA.NOAM [San Jose, CA] #:55151 $:55151_N0AR
Announcing the new release of an open source firmware replacement for
the AEA PK-88 TNC to convert it into a dedicated APRS digipeater with
full n-N alias support, packet deduplication, and telemetry for
monitoring local radio channel usage.
This software targets a similar use case to the classic UIDIGI firmware
where the desired defaults can be baked into the TNC, allowing digi
operation without relying on a computer to configure the digipeater
or battery backup to retain settings long term.
This is the very first public release of WFDIGI for consumption by
others. This firmware has survived several days of testing on my dev
digi at home, but I strongly suspect that others will be able to find
faults in it, so I would not recommend deploying this at remote radio
sites until we get more time under its belt not misbehaving.
The clean v0.1 firmware build comes up with generic defaults and will
refuse to transmit until you configure MYCALL via the serial port at
9600-8n1. The CMOS battery inside the PK-88 will preserve any edits
made to the settings across power cycles, but for remote deployments
it is also recommended to use a custom build of WFDIGI with the desired
settings baked in as the power on defaults by editing /include/config.h
and building your own image.
Installing this firmware on a PK-88 TNC will require a ROM burner (such
as a TL866) and a blank 27C256 or equivalent PROM. If you don't happen
to have these capabilities yourself, this is a good thing to ask around
for at local radio clubs.
I am considering adding support for other TNC platforms in addition to
the PK-88, with the TAPR TNC-2 already on the list of platforms worth
targetting. If you have any thoughts or feedback on other TNCs which
would be worth considering, please let me know.
Source code and pre-built binary of the v0.1 release:
https://github.com/PhirePhly/wfdigi
https://github.com/PhirePhly/wfdigi/releases/tag/v0.1
Support via the APRS Foundation Discord Group:
https://discord.com/invite/7GKEuQfX
Kenneth, W6KWF
Read previous mail | Read next mail
| |
