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BUT FIRST and without putting the horse before the cart................

WHAT IS A TNC?

In very simple terms and without baffling the reader with a lotta BS... A "Terminal Node Controller" (TNC) is similar to the modem you use when connecting to the internet.   One difference is that the TNC is used to interface our terminal or computer into the "RF" or radio (wireless) medium.   There is one other, very significant difference; Inside the TNC we have added some internal firmware called a "PAD."    The pad or "Packet assembler/disassembler" captures incoming and out-going data and assembles it into "packets" of data that can be sent to and from a data radio or transceiver.

   In addition to the data stream conversion to and from packets, the PAD also enables the Push-To-Talk (PTT) circuits of the radio transceiver. When you press the enter key of your computer keyboard, the typed in data is sent out over the air to the target station or a nearby "store-and-forward" device known as a "node."

   Incoming (received) data from the transceiver is also converted within the PAD, from Packets of data into a stream of usable data and sent to the TNC/modem.   Here the data stream is sent to the serial comport of the computer for display on the screen, or manipulated by a resident terminal program into on-screen text, pictures, or save-to-disk processing.

SHOW ME THE ........ TNCees!

   The photos displayed on this page are placed here to allow the newcomer to PacketRadio their first view of what a PacketRadio controller (TNC) looks like.     By placing these TNC here,  the WebMaster in no way endorses one PacketRadio product over the other.    The progression of the display is in alphabetical order.

The AEA/TimeWave 1200 Baud PacketRadio controller.



This AEA/TimeWave PacketRadio controller operates dual-speed at 1200 or 9600 Baud. The PK-96 is TheNET PKX-1J4 EPROM compatible.


The AEA/TimeWave DSP-2232 Multi-Mode Digital controller operates Packet< PacTOR, RTTY, and many other digital modes.

The Kantronics Packet Communicator 3 (KPC-3) is a 1200 Baud TNC.


The Kantronics Packet Communicator 9612 (KPC-9612) is as the model number implies. It operates at both 9600 and 1200 bauds. The KPC-9612 can operate both speeds at the same time. It has dual radio ports.


The Kantronics All Mode, thus the name/model "KAM." This top level member of the Kantronics family is a dual port controller that can operate (gateway) between HF (@ 300 baud) to VHF (@ 1200 Bauds. It operates Packet, G-TOR, PacTOR, RTTY and other digital modes.

The MFJ-1270C/CQ/Turbo TNC-2 Clone comes ready to operate 300 and 1200 bauds. An internal MoDem disconnect header enables it to be outfitted with either a 2400 or 9600 baud MoDem to enable faster baud rates. The MFJ-1270C/CQ is TheNET X-1J4 EPROM compatible.


Similar to the MFJ-1270C, the MFJ-1276 has the added capability to operate PacTOR in addition to 300 and 1200 baud Packet. The MFJ-1276 is equipped with a tuning indicator for ease of tuning in HF Packet and PacTOR. The MFJ-1276 is TheNET X-1J4 EPROM compatible.


The MFJ-1278B is a top level Multi-Mode Digital controller. With full options it is capable of operation at 300, 1200, 2400, and 9600 baud Packet. Other modes include; PacTOR, RTTY, HF Packet, SSTV, WeFax and more.

The TINY-2 Mark II is a TNC-2 Clone comes ready to operate 300 and 1200 bauds. An internal MoDem disconnect header to enable faster baud rates. The TINY-2 is TheNET X-1J4 EPROM compatible.



Cables for PicoPacket connections are supplied with the PicoPacket (radio connectors not included). Personal Message System. A Battery Pack Option; The all battery pack models fit a quick-change 6VDC slide-on/slide-off battery pack which allows continuous operation. The PicoPacket contains a built-in battery charging circuit.

A truly portable packet controller that is palm-sized and is ideal for portable or mobile operation. A self-powered packet controller can be used with a handheld GPS receiver and APRS software for an automatic position reporting system. A self contained Nickel-Cadmium battery pack provides up to 10 hours on a single charge.


The PSK-1 converts a standard 1200 baud AFSK TNC which has an accessory modem header to operate with packet satellites. It provides 1200 baud Manchester encoded AFSK output for satellite uplink and decodes 1200 baud PSK signals downlink signals. Also decodes 400 baud telemetry from Oscar 10 and 13. Transmits and receives 1200 baud PSK for terrestrial HF use.


The PacComm '320' series consists of two dual-modem HF/VHF packet controller models. The units share many features, including HF (300 baud) packet performance. The PC-320 is configured as a 3/4 size plug-in (internal) card for PCs and compatibles. The TNC-320 is also configured as a conventional stand-alone TNC.


The SPIRIT-2 is a modern (9600 BPS & faster) packet station & for BBS, satellite and Network use. It uses (G3RUH modem, TNC-2 CPU) architecture with large-scale programmable logic circuits. PacComm firmware includes KISS and Personal Message System. EPROM with bank-switching circuit for TheNet or ROSE network firmware. No modifications required, just set jumpers. TNC-2 compatible design works with any TNC-2 EPROM. Radio (on-the-air) baud rates from 4.8 kb up to 57.6 kb are supported.

Buck Rogers K4ABT

© 0110 1995-2005 by G. E. "Buck" Rogers Sr K4ABT - All Rights Reserved