Charles --

Thanks for the pointers to FlexNet and the PICTNC. I started looking over
your tutorial and I think I'll give it a try. I've been working on getting
soundmodem set up up a RedHat 9 system (unsuccessfully) and am in the
process of upgrading the system to Fedora Core 3. Getting soundmodem to
work on that system (along with FBB) was going to be tonight's project, but
I think I'll take a little detour and check out Flex32.

Sorry about the comment on never seeing FlexNet anywhere. After doing a
little research this morning I realized that wasn't an accurate statement.
Put things in perspective, though. I live in Nebraska and you don't see too
much of any kind of packet out here. The FlexNet web sites I had visited
before were a little stale and didn't have any references to Flex32, so my
assumption was that it didn't exist yet.

Thanks again and 73,
Jeff
N0WJP



"Charles Brabham" wrote in message
om...
Howdy, Jeff!

"Jeff Camp" wrote in message
newsnFKd.4712$HZ.4116@okepread07...
Thanks for the advice, but I'm just looking for something that will do
kiss, so the device doesn't need lots of smarts. The only thing that was
keeping me away from Kantronics for this install was the price. I didn't
want to lay out $200-300 on a nice tnc and then not use any of its
features besides kiss mode.

RGR, you have pointed out another good reason to give the proprietary gear
a pass.

By the way, A good, inexpensive KISS TNC can be found at:
http://www.coastalchipworks.com/PICTNC.htm

For 45 bucks it's hard to go wrong, and the units have a good reputation.


Will FlexNet run on XP or linux or is it just limited to obsolete
versions of Windows and DOS 3.1 or later? If it won't run on a newer
operating system maybe that's the reason you never see it anywhere. As
you said, I don't want to get stuck running obsolete software.

At home you can use versions for DOS, Win95, and the Flex32 version which
is good for all Windows versions since Win95. This includes 98, 98SE, XP,
2000, ME etc. etc... I use Flex32 (
http://www.uspacket.org/flex32/flx_32.htm ) with the excellent terminal
program Paxon ( http://www.uspacket.org/paxon/paxon.htm ) ...

Flex32's soundmodem driver, written by Thomas Sailor HB9JNX is especially
nice, as 1.2kb afsk is but one of many options this driver gives you to
choose from. You can also operate afsk, fsk, Q15x25 mode, and packet at
1.2kb, 2.4kb, 4.8kb and of course 9.6kb. There is more, but my point has
been made and I'm too lazy to bring up the soundmodem driver onscreen to
see what the other options are. If you are interested, you will find out
for yourself and I wouldn't want to spoil that for you.

The two links above are to setup tutorials, step by step with screen shots
all the way.

The node option is only available for the DOS version. I suppose they
figured that very few hams would want to tie up a Windows computer in
order to operate a node, and who would see the GUI interface anyway, eh?

FlexNet is ( from a technical standpoint ) around a decade or so ahead of
any other available package. This includes the two FlexNet knock-offs,
XNET and AGW which have managed to mimic some but not all of FlexNets
advanced features.

So ( strictly speaking ) if you are already using something else besides
FlexNet, then you are already using obsolete software.

There's nothing wrong with the older stuff, it works just fine. - But
FlexNet will work noticeably better so if performance is a big deal with
you, that's your best way to go.

Having said that, I will mention that the last shred of performance is not
always your best choice. If the packet net in your area is all X1J for
example, then there is a lot to be said for fitting in well and becoming a
seamless part of the network by using X1J as well.

As always, these decisions are best made by the ham on the spot. It's hard
to tell you what's best for your situation from here at the southern tip
of Texas.

As for FlexNet "never being seen anywhere", well gee... It covers all of
Europe and a big chunk of the northeastern USA.

http://www.northeastflexnet.org/

Charles Brabham, N5PVL

Director: USPacket http://www.uspacket.org
Admin: HamBlog.Com http://www.hamblog.com
Weblog: http://www.hamblog.com/blog_n5pvl.php

One last point Jeff

I had problems with the soundmodem/Linux PTT via the serial port and
looking in NG's so did some others. I ended up using the printer port.

I *think* there is a fix for this but havent investigated. My problem
was that the PTT asserted whenever the soundmodem process was started.
It wasnt reversed either. (ie the PTT didnt drop when I tried to TX!)

Cheers Bob

Jeff Camp wrote:
Charles --

Thanks for the pointers to FlexNet and the PICTNC. I started looking over
your tutorial and I think I'll give it a try. I've been working on getting
soundmodem set up up a RedHat 9 system (unsuccessfully) and am in the
process of upgrading the system to Fedora Core 3. Getting soundmodem to
work on that system (along with FBB) was going to be tonight's project, but
I think I'll take a little detour and check out Flex32.

Sorry about the comment on never seeing FlexNet anywhere. After doing a
little research this morning I realized that wasn't an accurate statement.
Put things in perspective, though. I live in Nebraska and you don't see too
much of any kind of packet out here. The FlexNet web sites I had visited
before were a little stale and didn't have any references to Flex32, so my
assumption was that it didn't exist yet.

Thanks again and 73,
Jeff
N0WJP

That's good to know. I've used the MFJ-1275 before with RedHat 8.0 and it
seemed to work well, but I'll watch for the PTT problem you have described.

Thanks,
Jeff

"Bob Bob" wrote in message
...
One last point Jeff

I had problems with the soundmodem/Linux PTT via the serial port and
looking in NG's so did some others. I ended up using the printer port.

I *think* there is a fix for this but havent investigated. My problem was
that the PTT asserted whenever the soundmodem process was started. It
wasnt reversed either. (ie the PTT didnt drop when I tried to TX!)

Cheers Bob

Jeff Camp wrote:
Charles --

Thanks for the pointers to FlexNet and the PICTNC. I started looking
over your tutorial and I think I'll give it a try. I've been working on
getting soundmodem set up up a RedHat 9 system (unsuccessfully) and am in
the process of upgrading the system to Fedora Core 3. Getting soundmodem
to work on that system (along with FBB) was going to be tonight's
project, but I think I'll take a little detour and check out Flex32.

Sorry about the comment on never seeing FlexNet anywhere. After doing a
little research this morning I realized that wasn't an accurate
statement. Put things in perspective, though. I live in Nebraska and you
don't see too much of any kind of packet out here. The FlexNet web sites
I had visited before were a little stale and didn't have any references
to Flex32, so my assumption was that it didn't exist yet.

Thanks again and 73,
Jeff
N0WJP