"Bob Nielsen" wrote in message
...
The Kantronics TNCs aren't really TNC-2 clones. Much of the command
set is compatible, however. As Howard said, the MFJ-1270C is as close
as you can get (in a new unit). The Paccomm Tiny-2 is probably next.

Proprietary gear like Kantronics and Timewave will get you into trouble as a
BBS operator, as it puts severe limits on the types of software you can use.
The stuff you are using now might be able to work with them, but what about
new stuff, down the line? - A good example of this would be PC FlexNet, the
most advanced VHF/UHF networking system available. The FlexNet folks cannot
create drivers for proprietary gear ( Those outfits will not share the
proprietary code the FlexNet people would need to work with.) so for
FlexNet, the TNC clone does what no Kantronics or Timewave gear can do.

PC FlexNet is just one example out of many where it pays networkers to avoid
proprietary gear, as a general policy. - You don't want to get stuck running
obsolete software, or have one or two packages to choose from, as opposed to
twenty or thirty.

You can get by with propriety gear - but why just "get by" when you can be
ready for just about anything?

Charles Brabham, N5PVL
http://www.uspacket.org