[WARC] Mobilinkd NucleoTNC and TNC3/TNC4

[Elisamuel Resto]

Hello,

Tonight we held a show & tell during the club's monthly meeting where 
we talked in more detail about the two TNCs that Ben KU0HN showed 
during his presentation last month: the NucleoTNC[1] and the 
TNC3[2]/TNC4[3]. We discussed applications of the TNC in APRS, M17, 
Winlink, and packet.

On the subject of the non-Bluetooth unit, the Mobilinkd NucleoTNC[1], 
if I where to buy the components from DigiKey[4], those components cost 
about $34 (w/estimated shipping and tax). The PCB by itself, offered by 
Mobilinkd[5], is being sold for $7 (w/o shipping or tax). The 
enclosure, also from Mobilinkd themselves[6], is $20 (w/o shipping and 
tax). On the enclosure, I do believe there are alternatives, and Ben 
KU0HN was the one that bought them when I was putting mine together, so 
I hope he sees this and expands on this.

All in all, this is a pretty capable TNC that does APRS and packet, as 
well as M17.

While talking about APRS, we discussed that for example during an 
emergency where communications (internet) would be non-operational you 
could listen on RF for APRS packets using various programs that vary 
between OS to see everything your rig hears independently of the 
internet (aprs-is network[7]). You can use it to send messages to other 
stations via APRS network as well.

On the subject of packet, you can use it for Winlink as Ben discussed 
in our last general club meeting, and for general packet use like BBS. 
I tested the packet node myself a while back to talk to the packet node 
up there from my QTH (outside) on the west end of Winona with no issue. 
For what it is, and the low cost in comparison to other similarly 
featured TNCs, it is remarkably affordable. To connect either the 
NucleoTNC, the TNC3, or the TNC4, is quite simple... you can buy a 
ready-made cable[8], or make your own interface to the rig. All you 
need is a TRRS (3.5mm Tip, Ring, Ring, Sleeve male end) for the TNC 
end. I built one for the Kenwood TM-261A and for an older Yaesu 
FT-2600RH.

One curious mode (to me) was M17[9]. M17 is supported by the latest 
firmware (has been for a while, actually) of the TNC and works reliably 
as well! For those of you wondering, M17 is a data/voice protocol that 
is open source[10] and uses an open source audio codec[11] for voice 
communication. I have played a little with this mode and it seems 
interesting, but then Ben KU0HN would like to talk to you about NPR[12] 
(and no, not National Public Radio, but New Packet Radio).

73,
-Sam, KF0ACN


[1] <http://www.mobilinkd.com/2019/06/24/nucleotnc/>
[2] <https://www.eham.net/reviews/view-product?id=15231>
[3] <https://store.mobilinkd.com/products/mobilinkd-tnc4>
[4] <https://www.digikey.com/short/phmpd4>
[5] <https://store.mobilinkd.com/products/nucleotnc-pcb>
[6] 
<https://store.mobilinkd.com/collections/kits/products/nucleotnc-pcb-enclosure>
[7] <https://aprs-is.net/>
[8] <https://store.mobilinkd.com/collections/tnc-cables>
[9] <https://m17project.org/>
[10] <https://github.com/M17-Project/M17_education>
[11] <https://www.rowetel.com/wordpress/?page_id=452>
[12] <https://hackaday.io/project/164092-npr-new-packet-radio>

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