KPC3, KPC3+, KPC4+, KPC9612+, KWM9612+ PBBS



General Information 18-July-2012: Outpost support added for the KWM9612+. Kantronics bills this as a radio modem, with support for AX.25.

NOTE: The KWM1200+ is not currently configured to work with Outpost. If someone needs this, please follow the instructions here to get this PBBS supported.

27-Mar-2007: The KPC-3 was discontinued in 1996 with the KPC-3+ as the recommended replacement. See the Kantronics links below for specifications, information on these TNCs. The KPC-4 is also no longer offered for sale.

Some emergency communications teams who are researching using the KPC3+ as a BBS in a Box for backup packet communications in the event of the loss of their full-up PC-based BBS. This particular TNC supports multiple concurrent connects. See the BBS Notes below for details.
References Kantronics KPC-3 Plus
Kantronics 9612XE
Kantronics Legacy Products
Kantronics Legacy Products
BBS in a Box Application Note
User Settings None Identified.
Outpost Notes
IMPLEMENTATION
SID = [KPC3-5.1-HM$]
SID = [KPC3P-8.2-HM$]
SID = [KPC4-5.0-HM$]
SID = [KPC9612-7.0-HM$]
SID = [KWM9612P-4.0-HM$]

Outpost looks for the "[KPC3", "[KPC4", "[KPC9", and "[KWM9" phrases of the SID as the means for identifying these TNCs. Once identified, all BBSs are handled identically.

The KPCx/KWMx PBBS Prompt is fixed, and Outpost defaults to "Help >".

CONFIRMATION
Operational.

CONSIDERATIONS
1. Outpost will automatically determine the BBS prompt for a KPCx/KWM BBS.

2. ER#719 added a change on how private messages were retrieved. If a user sends a Bulletin message and addresses it to a valid call sign, the message will be listed and downloaded during the addressee's LM command. however, because it was flagged as a Bulletin (status = B), it cannot be deleted by the addressee. It will, however, be listed and downloaded during the LB command.

In short, if retrieving a private message and the status = "B", then Outpost will skip it.
BBS Notes SPECIAL CONFIGURATIONS, SETTINGS
The KPC3 and KPC3+ both work identically from an Outpost point of view. The KPC3 PBBS was the basis for the original Outpost development, and continues to be a reportedly popular PBBS in the packet community.

If your KPC3+ and KPC9612+ has firmware version v9.0 or greater, the important PBBS difference is that these TNCs support multiple concurrent user connects to the PBBS. Some teams are researching using the KPC3+ as a "BBS in a Box" for backup packet communications in the event of the loss of a PC-based BBS. The TNC commands needed are:

MAXUSERS n (n = 1 - 26), default = 10
PBUsers n (n = 1 - 10), default = 1
USers n ((n = 1 - 26), default = 1

A working configuration for 5 concurrent users would be:

MAXUSERS 5
PBUsers 5
USers 5

These commands control the maximum number of connects allowed to the PBBS. This command causes a soft reset if "n" is different from its previous value. Your settings may be different if you intend to allow KA-Node access or digipeating to occur simultaneously. You may need to play with these settings depending on the amount of memory your TNC has.
Installing the Clock Chip
If you intend to install a Clock Chip in your KPC3 PBBS, follow the installation instructions carefully. See Troubleshooting Note [4491] for possible problems that you may encounter.
Listing KPC-3 Plus; The following is a typical listing of the KPC3Plus as could be seen by Outpost.

cmd:c kn6pe-1
cmd:*** CONNECTED to KN6PE-1
[KPC3P-8.2-HM$]
99845 BYTES AVAILABLE
THERE ARE 2 MESSAGES NUMBERED 36-37
Welcome to the Cupertino OES/ARES/RACES PBBS
YOU HAVE 1 MESSAGE(S) WAITING
ENTER COMMAND: B,J,K,L,R,S, or Help >
lm
MSG#  ST SIZE TO     FROM  DATE              SUBJECT
36    PH 66   KN6PE  W6TDM 01/21/07 10:01:43 Are we ready?
ENTER COMMAND: B,J,K,L,R,S, or Help >
r 36
MSG#36 01/21/07 10:01:43 FROM W6TDM TO KN6PE
SUBJECT: Are we ready?
PATH: KN6PE
Jim, please let me know if there is anything left to do.

ENTER COMMAND: B,J,K,L,R,S, or Help >
k 36
MSG#36 01/21/07 10:01:43 FROM W6TDM TO KN6PE
MESSAGE DELETED
ENTER COMMAND: B,J,K,L,R,S, or Help >
b
*** DISCONNECTED


KPC-2, KPC-3-5: The KPC2 and KPC3-5 version of the firmware is similar in that it adds the extra string #### BYTES AVAILABLE at connect time and with each List command.

cmd:C CERT-5
*** CONNECTED to CERT-5
[KPC3-5.0-HM$]
4605 BYTES AVAILABLE
ENTER COMMAND: B,J,K,L,R,S, or Help >
LB
MSG#  ST SIZE TO     FROM  DATE              SUBJECT
13    B   276 CERT   W1WAB 04/26/08 23:22:59 NTS104: EAGLE NET
4605 BYTES AVAILABLE
NEXT MESSAGE NUMBER 18
ENTER COMMAND: B,J,K,L,R,S, or Help >
R 13
MSG#13 04/26/08 23:22:59 FROM W1WAB TO CERT
SUBJECT: NTS104: EAGLE NET NTS AVAILABLE @ W1WAB-5
!RDR!LIMITED NTS TRAFFIC CAN BE ACCEPTED FOR THE EAGLE NET
[8:30PM; NI4CE SYSTEM- 145.430; PL 100] ON THE
W1WAB-5 BBS @ 144.390.

NTS TRAFFIC ALSO ACCEPTED VIA EMAIL AT W1WAB@ARRL.NET.

Bill W1WAB
AEC-Hillsborough
NTS - EAGLE NET

ENTER COMMAND: B,J,K,L,R,S, or Help >
B

*** DISCONNECTED
cmd:

Back