Need info on APRS and Packet Radio

[Grogan]

Hi Guys, I have a Kenwoon TM-251a at the shack on a power supply and wanted to do some packet and APRS. Wanted to do it cheaply. Years ago I had an MFJ1270c Last forever TNC. I see they have changed olny a little. My guess is that the easy way would be to buy a 1270X connect with usb to my computer and buy a switch for connecting to the radio so I can easily switch back to the mic if I want. Is the MFJ TNC the way to go. can I connect it without the Mic switch or is it just easyer to use the switch for ease of use.
Thanks for the help. If you use a different setup that isn't to complicated share it with me (us).

 

[W5LZ]

I'm afraid I don't know anyone who would recommend that 1270. There are a number of substitutes including a sound card software program that does much better (and it's free). If your ONLY choice is a 1270 then do it. Otherwise use anything else.
- 'Doc

 

[Grogan]

Free sounds good to me. I would still need info to connect the TM-281 to the computer. I have a laptop with usb ports and cat5, speaker/mic mini 3.5mm?

 

[W5LZ]

The easiest way to find that sound card software is to google 'AGW packet engine'. There are two versions, one free and one not free. Both work. As for how to specifically connect your '281, I can't tell you, but it can certainly be done.
Good luck.
- 'Doc

 

[Once Bitten]

What Doc said ^^^

AGW Packet Engine

 

[Grogan]

Was looking into different options for packet,And I see some radios olny have conections thru the mic conector like my Tm-281 and most TNC would be connected thru USB now. I see for a little more than a TNC I can buy a Signalink with an extra cable for the HF rig to.Need to make changes when switching between radios.Tigertronics L-USB-RJ11 | SIGNALINK USB FOR RJ-11 MIC CONNECTOR

 

[Grogan]

I may have worded that incorrectly. But there are more options with software based systems.

 

[Once Bitten]

I am using a Tigertronics SignaLink USB with a Yaesu FT1802M, AGWPE, and APRSIS/CE. Gives me a digi/Igate

 

[W5LZ]

An interface such as those made by 'G3LIV' will certainly handle most applications. I have one his 'dual' interfaces that can handle HF/VHF and their typical modes.
- 'Doc