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ZL3AI > APRDIG 03.11.03 22:39l 263 Lines 10073 Bytes #999 (0) @ WW
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Subj: TAPR Digest, Nov 01, 3/5
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From: ZL3AI@ZL3VML.#80.NZL.OC
To : APRDIG@WW
Subject: Re: aprssig digest: October 31, 2003
From: "Scott Miller" <scott@3xf.com>
Date: Sat, 1 Nov 2003 10:44:21 -0800
X-Message-Number: 21
Ok... I'll have to test it myself one of these days. Right now, my
OpenTracker draws about 8 ma @ 12 volts when idle. I ought to be able to
reduce that a lot by having it switch to a slower clock speed and enter
stop mode when it's not busy doing anything. Not sure how much juice the
timebase module takes, but even in wait mode power consumption is only
about 2 ma @ 5 volts.
For your balloon flights, did you use the power control output?
Scott
N1VG
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Subject: Hardened DOS Computer?
From: "Ev Tupis (W2EV)" <w2ev@arrl.net>
Date: Sat, 01 Nov 2003 13:51:46 -0500
X-Message-Number: 22
Hi Folks,
I need to find a single-board computer that I can use in remote APRS
service. I will attempt to use a CF card rather than a hard drive. It
needs to be able to operate without an attached monitor or keyboard as once
I load it up, I'll be deploying it to a remote location where I will expect
it to run forever. :)
As for I/O...I'll need either on-board soundcard (for AGWPE) or RS-232 (for
TNC).
With any luck, I'll be starting on the "next generation" of UI-Packet
appliance.
Ev, W2EV
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Subject: RE: Hardened DOS Computer?
From: "Scott Miller" <scott@3xf.com>
Date: Sat, 1 Nov 2003 11:27:37 -0800
X-Message-Number: 24
I strongly recommend the Soekris net4501 and its relatives. See
http://www.soekris.com. I've got a 128 MB CF card in mine, running Debian
Linux at the moment. No sound card, but it's got a serial console (no
video required), two COM ports, and some generic I/O that I hope to use for
Baycom modems eventually. Max power draw is 10 watts. No moving parts,
and a nice small form factor metal case.
I too am planning to use this as a next-generation digipeater, but so far I
haven't had a lot of time to mess with it.
Scott
N1VG
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Subject: RE: KPC3+
From: "Georgette Sampson" <georgette.sampson@cox.net>
Date: Sat, 1 Nov 2003 15:41:06 -0600
X-Message-Number: 27
I'm sure that your public flogging of the company will make them all the
more excited about responding to your demands.
By the way, the 28th was three days ago!
Do you ask Sony what the difference is between their TV models?
What's in it for us to join in your hatred of Kantronics?
I do not believe Kantronics would ever tell a person to buy a new TNC,
unless what they were trying to do was beyond the capability of the TNC in
question. You must have misunderstood them.
Maybe Kantronics isn't the problem?
Jo
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Subject: RE: KPC3+
From: "Scott Miller" <scott@3xf.com>
Date: Sat, 1 Nov 2003 13:58:49 -0800
X-Message-Number: 28
My only complaint with Kantronics is that they don't even sell the firmware
for the older hardware. The only reason for not making it available is to
force users into buying new hardware. They could at the very least post
the binary image with a disclaimer that no support will be provided. But
if you've got a KPC-3 with older firmware, right now you have no legal
options except to buy a KPC-3+.
Scott
N1VG
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Subject: RE: KPC3+
From: "Shanon Lee Herron" <ka8spw@comcast.net>
Date: Sat, 1 Nov 2003 17:18:17 -0500
X-Message-Number: 29
Jo,
Criticism is good, if the company can't take it and improve, then they
should get out of business. This is America and free speech is a right. I
am not the only one that is unhappy, read the other emails. I am not the
only one to be told to buy a new one, again, read the emails.
As a matter of fact, Sony has a comparison of their models on line. And
explains what the features do.
Hatred? no, dissatisfaction would be a better term. Hatred is better
reserved for people who talk to hear themselves with no benefit to others
in what was said. You are the one that has misunderstood. Time for you to
get off your high horse. There was no misunderstanding being told EPROM's
are no longer available, just buy a new TNC.
While your email serves absolutely no benefit to anyone but yourself, mine
explains that they were no help and asks for help from the group. SO if
you can't help with an answer, which is obvious, I suggest you keep your
useless comments to yourself..... By the way, you don't sign your emails
with your full name, address and call sign, I did, are you ashamed to? Or
do you work for the company? Sure would explain your position....
Obviously you don't know what your talking about. I have been in packet
since the beginning. You?
Sorry group, she deserved the flame.... Now anybody have any answers to my
questions? Any other useless comments will not be answered, just
deleted....
Shanon
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Subject: Inverter Blues
From: "Frank Ingle" <command@ilnk.com>
Date: Sat, 1 Nov 2003 17:38:00 -0500
X-Message-Number: 30
Hello all,
I have been experimenting with a Compaq Armada 7730 Laptop in my car to run
APRS with my D7. Running the laptop on its own battery has worked quite
well, but obviously I can't leave it on very long. The Armada does not
have the usual Wall-wart and DC input. The AC cord plugs directly into the
back of the laptop, so a DC power supply is not trivial. I happened to
have a 400 W Inverter handy, so I hooked it up and gave it a try with the
laptop. The inverter has a DC-to-DC converter (up to 145 VDC) and uses
MOSFETS to generate what it calls a "modified sine wave". (actually a
square wave with less than 100% duty cycle).
When hooked it up, the laptop worked great, but I noticed that about 10
minutes later the "charge light" for the battery went out. (It should have
taken 1 hr + to charge). After I stopped, I discovered that the laptop
battery was completely dead. This is a major problem since the battery
lists for almost $200. I assumed that it had died of natural causes, but
just now I spotted the following wording in the manual for the Inverter:
"Certain rechargeable devices are designed to be recharged by plugging them
directly into an AC receptacle. These devices may damage the inverter. Do
not use the inverter to recharge items that can be plugged directly into an
AC receptacle."
I now suspect the warning and the battery failure are related, though the
inverter and the laptop do not seem to have sustained any damage. Can
anyone enlighten me on what the theory behind the conflict is, and whether
there is a risk to the laptop as well? Would an isolation transformer be
likely to help improve the AC waveform (into a true sine-wave), or would I
be better off just getting the recommended Compaq 12 VDC power supply?
Any suggestions would be appreciated.
BTW, I found a used laptop battery on e-bay for $30.
de KG4CQK
Frank Ingle
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Subject: RE: KPC3+
From: Reid Crowe <kc0idi@yahoo.com>
Date: Sat, 1 Nov 2003 14:44:28 -0800 (PST)
X-Message-Number: 31
I was able to buy new firmware for a regular KPC9612 (not plus) three days
ago. I went from 5.2 to 8.2. Yah there is the new 9.0 but when did they
stop makeing the 9612 regular and go to the plus? When you think about it
when a product is discontinued wouldn't the rest of the upgrades be
discontiued too? I think thats how most places do it, but I may be wrong.
73 -Reid KC0IDI (Proud owner of Kantronics products)
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Subject: RE: KPC3+
From: Bob Bruninga <bruninga@usna.edu>
Date: Sat, 1 Nov 2003 17:43:03 -0500 (EST)
X-Message-Number: 32
>I am not the only one that is unhappy, read the other emails. I am not
>the only one to be told to buy a new one, again, read the emails.
>
> As a matter of fact, Sony has a comparison of their models on line. And
>explains what the features do.
It doesnt take much thought to understand the difference between an outfit
trying to sell a product to HAMS that maybe has 5 employees, compared to an
outfit that has about 200,000 employees and deals in BILLIONS of dollars
worldwide.
>Hatred? no, dissatisfaction would be a better term. Hatred is better
>reserved for people who talk to hear themselves with no benefit to
>others in what was said. You are the one that has misunderstood. Time
>for you to get off your high horse. There was no misunderstanding being
>told EPROM's are no longer available, just buy a new TNC.
Maybe you should go buy your TNC from SONY...
>Obviously you don't know what your talking about. I have been in packet
>since the beginning. You?
What does that have to do with trying to stay in business producing TNC's
which has suffered a FACTOR of 100 drop in sales in the last 10 years?
There was a WORLD of difference 10 years ago when PACKET peaked. Now they
are lucky to be in business. Remember PC's and soundcards and SOFTWARE
TNC's? I dont think I'd invest in the longevity of any TNC MFR...
especially if they have to staff a customer relations departement to
handle all the bitching that HAMs do.
>Sorry group, she deserved the flame.... Now anybody have any answers to
>my questions? Any other useless comments will not be answered, just
>deleted....
I'd recommend you take a course in business 101..
....then go into business making TNC's and I think you
would find a great position in charge of customer service...
Nothing personal, but from what I saw in your email, it just needed a
response...
Bob
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