1. How to set up FlexNet as a Node Site
“PC FlexNet” version with FLEXDIGI.EXE.
Various hardware configurations illustrate.
FlexNet is compatible with any and all brands of End User TNC’s.
TNC comments and modifications refer to Node Site applications ONLY !

2. FlexNet is modular, configure to your application.
FBB BBS
DXCluster

3. Source of FlexNet software
You must “register” for the “Digi” module needed to build a “Node”. All other modules can simply be downloaded.
Use only this site, to ensure the latest revision code !!
Software license is granted for Amateur Radio use ONLY !

4. Computer Requirements
(Based solely upon well working sites in NY Metro area)
386SX-20 with 2 megs RAM for a 4 port FlexNet Node w/o a BBS.
386DX-33 with 8 megs RAM for a 3 port Node with a FBB BBS.
486DX-66 w/ 2megs RAM for a 10 port FlexNet Node w/o a BBS.
486DX-100 w/ 8megs RAM for a 8 port FlexNet Node w/ FBB BBS.

5. Radio Modems
TAPR2 compatible TNC with 6PACK EPROM. (replaces previous NETROM/TheNET EPROM)
DRSI cards.
YAM Modem (emulates TNC with 6PACK using Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA)).
Baycom 1200 baud serial port Modem (TNC emulated in software within PC).
Baycom 9600 baud parallel port Modem (TNC emulated in software within PC)

6. TAPR2-TNC Details I
EPROM is replaced with 6PACK.BIN image, will fit within original device.
Remove “Wink & Blink” modifications.
LED’s now work like standard TNC showing:
Power ON
Transmitting Data (PTT)
Receiving Data (DCD)
Radio Link Connected (CONN)
Outgoing Traffic Pending (STAT)

7. TAPR2-TNC Details II
9600 radio links: MFJ 127x series, AEA PK-80, PacComm TNC-200, GLB and other original TAPR2 design TNC’s need the RS-232 modified to
Cut trace between SW2 pins 1, 6 and U1 pin 2; jumper these switch contacts to U1 pin 10, converting the 300 baud positions to baud. May need to replace U3 with a faster Op-Amp. See NEDA for Op-Amp

8. Non Standard TNC’s i.e.: Kantronics (all), AEA (all except PK-80)
All TNC’s in “End Users” home stations are totally compatible w/ FlexNet Digi’s (Nodes).
For NODE use, TNC’s not currently supported by 6PACK EPROM is due to use of a different microprocessor from standard Z-80 and hence need for different software.
One Solution: Trade, Swap, Barter or Loan for compatible TNC’s, between “user” & “node”.

9. FlexNet w/multiple RS-232 ports using 6PACK driver
Corrected 19Jan2000
Connector type: DB-9 (DB-25) PC
2 (3)
2 (3)
TNC 0
COM 1
< 6PACK interface>
3 (2)
3 (2)
2 (3)
2 (3)
TNC 1
COM 2
< 6PACK interface>
3 (2)
3 (2)
Tie all grounds together,
pin 5 DB-9, pins 1 & 7 DB25
2 (3)
2 (3)
TNC 2
COM 3
< 6PACK interface>
3 (2) O
3 (2) O
2 (3)
2 (3)
COM 9
TNC 8
< 6PACK interface>
3 (2)
3 (2)
Advantage: Easy to troubleshoot, high speed Disadvantage: Cost of multiple port RS-232 cards.

10. COM Serial Port to TNC details
Pin 2 to Pin 2 and Pin 3 to Pin 3 when connectors are the same. i.e. DB-9 to DB-9 or DB-25 to DB-25.
Pin 2 to Pin 3 and Pin 3 to Pin 2 swap when connecting a DB-9 to a DB-25.
16550 UART’s needed for 9600 and above Radio Link speeds.
RS-232 baud rate must always be at least twice the Radio Link baud rate.

11. Com Port Interrupts and Addresses
Up to 9 Com Ports can be installed in a PC
Interrupts 3,4,5,7,9,10,11,12 & 15 are all useable if not employed elsewhere in the PC (i.e. for printer ports, etc).
We are using “Siig I/O Expander 4S” quad port serial cards..
DO NOT employ standard COM 1 thru 4 on a multi port serial card, if a serial port exists on the mother board, even if disabled.

12. FlexNet w/single RS-232 port, using 6PACK driver
Corrected 19Jan2000
PC running
FlexNet w/
Flexdigi
module
2 (3)
2 (3)
TNC 0
COM 1
< 6PACK interface>
3 (2)
3 (2)
2 (3)
Connector type: DB-9 (DB-25)
TNC 1
3 (2)
Tie all grounds together,
pin 5 DB-9, pins 1 & 7 DB25
2 (3)
TNC 2
3 (2)
COM 2
2 (3)
To 2nd string of TNC’s,
or to a second PC
TNC 3
3 (2)
Advantage: Cost savings of RS-232 ports. Disadvantage: Difficult to troubleshoot, limited speed.

13. Daisy Chained TNC details
Up to links on a 9600 RS-232 port.
16550 UART’s recommended when more than two 1200 Links are series connected.
Not usable for most 9600 links due to RS-232 speed limits within TNC’s.
A pin 2 to 3 shorting plug is good aid to jump out a suspect TNC when troubleshooting.
RS-232 baud rate must be at least twice the sum of all the Radio Link baud rates.

14. DRSI Modem interface PC #1 Transceiver DRSI Modem Card Transceiver
XSCC driver
FlexNet 3.3g w/
Flexdigi module
COM 1
To other TNC’s
COM 2

15. DRSI Modem Interface details
DRSI cards can support two radios per card
Multiple DRSI cards can be installed
Install a copy of XSCC driver DRSI for each card

16. YAM Modem Interface YAM 0 COM 1 PC YAM 1 COM 2 YAM 2 COM 3 YAM 8 COM 9

17. YAM Modem interface details
PC configures the FPGA within the YAM Modem upon power on, thereafter unit emulates at TNC with 6PACK like interface.
Faster than the Baycomm approach, as it doesn’t burden the PC emulating the TNC functions.
YAM will work either 1200 or 9600 baud !
PC serial port powers the YAM Modem !
See for more info

18. FlexNet DX Cluster interface
PC #1
Pavilion
DX Cluster
For free software version:
TFEMU driver
FlexNet 3.3g w/
Flexdigi module
COM 1
To TNC’s
COM 2

19. FlexNet <> FBB BBS interface
PC #1
FBB 7.00g (DOS)
BBS
For F6 FBB software
TFEMU driver
FlexNet 3.3g w/
Flexdigi module
COM 1
To TNC’s
COM 2
Advantage: Single PC needed, runs reliable. Disadvantage: Windows version of FBB unavailable.

20. TFEMU Interface details
FlexNet is loaded first, runs “terminate and stay resident” in the background.
BBS or DX Cluster loads second, runs in foreground
Uses the hex FD address for the internal software port linking programs.
FBB BBS requires minimum 6 MB of RAM.

21. FlexNet <> FBB BBS (Windows95) interface
PC #1
PC #2
DOS 6.22,
FlexNet w/
Flexdigi
module
2 , 3
FBB 7.00g
BBS
(Windows)
COM 1
3 , 2
To TNC’s
2 , 3
COM 2
3 , 2
TFEMU
Connector type:DB-9 (DB-25)
FlexNet w/o
Flexdigi
module
Tie all grounds together,
pin 5 DB-9, pins 1 & 7 DB25
2 (3)
3 (2)
COM 3
COM 1
< KISS interface>
3 (2)
Null modem cable
2 (3)
Go to for Win 95 setup info.
Advantage: FBB Windows version. Disadvantage: Needs 2nd PC, reliability of Windows

22. FlexNet <> NOS interface
PC #1
PC #2
PC running
FlexNet w/
Flexdigi
module
2 , 3
PC running
NOS w/
ax.25
ASYC
interface
COM 1
3 , 2
To TNC’s
2 , 3
COM 2
3 , 2
Connector type: DB-9 (DB-25)
Tie all grounds together,
pin 5 DB-9, pins 1 & 7 DB25
2 (3)
3 (2)
COM 9
COM 1
< KISS interface>
3 (2)
2 (3)
Advantage: Will run existing NOS. Disadvantage: Lack of adaptive parameters yields less optimum speeds.

23. FlexNet <> LINUX interface
PC #1
PC #2
DOS 6.22,
FlexNet w/
Flexdigi
module
2 , 3
LINUX
running
WAMPES w/
ax.25
ASYC
interface
COM 1
3 , 2
To TNC’s
2 , 3
COM 2
3 , 2
Connector type: DB-9 (DB-25)
Tie all grounds together,
pin 5 DB-9, pins 1 & 7 DB25
2 (3)
3 (2)
COM 9
COM 1
< KISS interface>
3 (2)
Use RMNC CRC on both ends
2 (3)
Advantages: WAMPES provides full adaptive parameters matching FlexNet, LINUX not memory limited.

24. FlexNet <> LINUX interface
WAMPES (Wüllenburg Amateur Packet Experimental System) is simply NOS with a FlexNet interface built in.
Since mid 1990’s, all software updates have only been ported to the LINUX operating system.
Source of latest code:
Advantages: WAMPES provides full adaptive parameters matching FlexNet. LINUX provides true mult-tasking, does not limited NET/NOS to 640K memory.

25. COM Serial Port KISS details
When connecting two Computers use null modem cable :
Pin 2 to Pin 3 and Pin 3 to Pin 2 when connectors are the same. i.e. DB-9 to DB-9 or DB-25 to DB-25
Pin 2 to Pin 2 and Pin 3 to Pin 3 when connecting a DB-9 to a DB-25.
KISS driver will not drive a TNC properly, it’s designed for PC to PC use ONLY !