TNC-Pi

TNC-X for Raspberry Pi

Have Your Pi a la mode!

 

TNC-Pi 2

Here is the Pi 2 sitting atop a Raspberry Pi version B+. It also fits the Pi 2 and Pi 3 perfectly.

TNC-Pi 2is a special version of TNC-X designed to interface directly with the Raspberry Pi computer. It can connect to the Pi either via the Pi's serial port, or via the I2C protocol. In the latter case, a single Pi can support multiple TNC-Pi's at the same time, since each TNC-Pi can be given a unique I2C address.

The firmware for TNC-Pi was based on the original TNC-X open source code by John Hansen, W2FS as modified by John Wiseman, G8BPQ to support the I2C protocol as well as the original serial port connection.

The TNC-Pi 2 is designed to perfectly match the form factor of the Raspberry Pi B+, Pi2 and all Pi 3 models. All 40 header pins are communicated to the top of the TNC-Pi 2 board. The standoff has been repositioned to the bottom left corner to add greater stability.

There are lots of potential applications for TNC-Pi. Here you see the APRS program Xastir running on the Pi driving a TNC-Pi via the serial connection. With this setup you've got most of the functionality of a D700/Avmap combination at less than a quarter the cost.

Want to send and receive e-mail on your Raspberry Pi using the Winlink system rather than the Internet? Check out Mark Griffith's PiGate at www.pigate.net!

Here's Xastir running on a Raspberry Pi with a TNC-Pi and a 7" Raspberry Pi Touch Display ($60). The Raspberry Pi is mounted on the back of the monitor and the TNC-Pi is mounted on the Pi. This makes a very portable APRS station with the only wire connections being a micro USB power cable and a cable to the radio. For more information check here.
Xastir on TNC-Pi
TNC-Pi with RPi Monitor
Imagine running a pair of TNC-Pi's with a single Raspberry Pi to create a dual frequency digipeater. G8BPQ has created a new version of his venerable BPQ multi-port packet program that will support this.
TNC-Pi Stack