Equipment Options for Medium to High-Speed Packet Compiled by Barry McLarnon, VE3JF Last update: 2 July 1993 The purpose of the following is to summarize the hardware options available for constructing medium- to high-speed packet links. Thus far, only 9.6, 19.2, and 56 kbps are covered. This material is intended to be a useful reference, but I make no claims as to its accuracy or completeness. Many details concerning model numbers and prices are missing, and I have very little information concerning equipment sources outside North America. If you have corrections, or suggestions on additional information to include in this survey, please send them to bm@hydra.carleton.ca (or ve3jf@ve3jf.#eon.on.can.noam). This material is released to the public domain. You can do what you want with it - all I ask is that you retain this notice and attribution if you reprint it in whole or in part. Note: unless otherwise noted, prices given are in $US. Equipment for 9600 bps ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 9600 bps Modems ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ The K9NG modem was available for a number of years as a kit from TAPR. It set the "standard" for 9600 bps packet operation, but it has now been replaced by the G3RUH and new TAPR designs. Among the improvements provided by the newer designs is full-duplex capability. Even when full-duplex is not needed on the air, this is a great convenience for doing loopback testing of the modem. If you still have a K9NG modem lying around, though, don't hesitate to try it! The G3RUH modem is available from several sources: PacComm MC-NB96 internal modem card ($109) - fits on disconnect header of most TNCs. PacComm EM-NB96 external modem ($175) - standalone version of above. Kantronics DE9600 modem card, similar to the PacComm MC-NB96. MFJ MFJ-9600 9600 bps modem card ($110), similar to the others. The new 9600 bps TAPR modem kit ($70). The new design has all of the features of the G3RUH, plus a few enhancements. It is attractive for repeater use, since it includes provision on the board for bit regeneration/FIFO buffering ($10 extra for the parts). The first rev of the board in 1992 had a few problems, and some mods were needed for best performance. A new rev which incorporates the fixes became available in early 1993. The G3RUH and TAPR modems can plug directly into a TNC modem disconnect header as a daughterboard, or be connected externally via a ribbon cable. DRSI DPK-9600 ($250). This is a G3RUH-compatible modem and TNC-2 clone (10 MHz clock) housed in one box. Data Interfaces for 9600 bps ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ For 9600 bps, the usual interface is a TNC. If you don't already have a TNC, it's worth considering a PC bus interface card like the PI or the PackeTwin. They are a better investment since they will not become obsolete if you upgrade to higher speeds than 9600. In fact, many people have reported results with TNCs that were much less than theoretical maximums, even at 9600 bps. The faster the TNC clock rate the better: 4.9MHz should be considered an absolute minimum. Ottawa PI board ($120 US, $140 CDN). It provides a DMA port which handles 56 kbps with ease, even with a 4.77 MHz XT-class machine. All you need to add is the cable to the modem. The main limitation of the board is that it does not support full-duplex operation, but full-duplex operation is rare (especially amongst end users). The PI also supports a low-speed port (you provide the modem and radio). The board can be used with any version of KA9Q NOS. Gracilis TWIN-1E PackeTwin card ($225). Like the PI, it provides a DMA port for the 56 kbps modem and an interrupt-driven port for lower-speed modems. The DMA port supports full-duplex operation. The Kantronics 9600 bps modem can be piggybacked on the card. DRSI PCPA Type 1296 ($290). An interrupt-driven PC-plugin card with onboard 9600 bps and 1200 bps modems. Radios for 9600 bps ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ A standard NBFM radio is typically used. To interface to the modem, the radio must have a direct FSK modulator, discriminator output, an IF with sufficient bandwidth and reasonable phase characteristics, and fast t/r switching. Some radios are usable with just a few modifications to bring out the required signals, others may need more extensive mods such as adding a varactor FM modulator, and still others are almost completely unusable due to their IF characteristics or slow t/r switching. There are a few radios designed specifically for digital service which require no mods: 2m: DRSI offers a "matched set" ($550) consisting of their DPK-9600 TNC/modem and a modified Alinco DR-1200T (20W, synthesized). 70cm: Tekk data radio ($190), 2W output, one channel, crystal controlled (430-450 MHz). Available from Gracilis and other sources. Gracilis has a package (TWIN-96E) consisting of the PackeTwin card, 9600 bps modem, and Tekk radio which lists at $520. PacComm has two packages which contain the Tekk: PacComm DT-NB96 ($369): Tekk radio and 9600 bps modem housed in one box. PacComm IPR-NB96 ($499): Tekk radio, modem, and Tiny-2 MK-2 TNC housed in one box. Kantronics D4-10 ($359), 10W output, two channel, crystal controlled (430-450 MHz). Can go to at least 19.2 kbps. A large number of amateur VHF and UHF transceivers have been successfully used for 9600 bps work. Many commercial FM radios are also suitable; ironically, the IF filters in these radios are typically 'better' (narrower bandwidth, steeper skirts) than in amateur-grade equipment, which leads to inferior performance at 9600 bps (on the other hand, they also tend to have superior intermod immunity compared to amateur rigs). The IF stages of most receivers can be broadbanded successfully, but the degree of difficulty and expense involved varies considerably. A good source of information on radio interfacing and other topics related to 9600 bps operation is the "9600 Baud Packet Handbook" by Mike Curtis, WD6EHR. Hard copies are distributed with the TAPR modem, and it can also be found in electronic form on some BBS's. Summary: 9600 bps ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ The cost of getting something working at 9600 bps is highly variable. If you already had a TNC and a suitable radio plus antenna, it could be as little as $70 or so (TAPR modem). On the other hand, you can get a "plug 'n play" package from Gracilis, consisting of a PackeTwin interface card, DE9600 modem (piggybacks on the PackeTwin), and Tekk radio, for about $500 - just add an antenna. You should seriously question spending this kind of money to get 9600 bps, when you could put together a 56 kbps setup for not much more money (but, admittedly, considerably more effort!). Equipment for 19.2 kbps ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Until recently, operation at 19.2 kbps had not received much attention. A major reason for this is that binary FSK at 19.2 kbps cannot be accommodated by the IF stages of NBFM receivers, nor is it compatible with the 20 or 25 kHz channel spacing used for FM in the amateur VHF/UHF bands. On the other hand, it makes relatively poor use of the 100 kHz channels typically allocated for 'wideband' digital modes. However, interest in 19.2 kbps operation has been spurred by the appearance of the Kantronics D4-10 radio. Since it contains a varactor modulator, plus a data slicer following the discriminator, it can be operated in 'raw FSK' mode at 19.2 kbps without additional modem hardware. All that is needed in addition to the radio is the computer interface. A 'souped-up' TNC might work fairly well, but one of the PC DMA interface boards (or maybe a DataEngine) would be better. Running 'modemless' FSK entails some loss of performance, most notably from the lack of data scrambling, which results in more jitter in the recovered clock signal and thus higher bit error rates. Kantronics also offers a 19.2 kbps modem, similar to the DE9600. The performance difference between the 'barebones' D4-10 radios and that which you could realize with the more sophisticated modem has not, to my knowledge, been quantified. The GRAPES modem (see below) could also be run at 19.2 kbps, but it would not be compatible with the Kantronics equipment (and why would you want to throttle back a modem that can do 56 kbps and more, to only 19.2?). Some experiences with using the D4-10's at 19.2 kbps, using Ottawa PI cards and DataEngines as interfaces, appear in an article by John Ackermann AG9V in the 11th ARRL Computer Networking Conference Proceedings. Equipment for 56 kbps ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 56 kbps Modem ~~~~~~~~~~~~~ GRAPES (WA4DSY) modem, $250 in kit form. You also need to provide a box for it, plus a few interconnecting cables and connectors. It requires +/-5V power (about 0.5A @ +5V, 0.1A @ -5V). This is an RF modem with input and output (about 1 mW) in the 28-30 MHz band, designed for use in the bands above 220 MHz (occupied bandwidth is about 70 kHz at 56 kbps), using standard receive and transmit converters. The receive and transmit portions of the modem are separately crystal-controlled, and it can run full-duplex. It is not limited to 56 kbps - with suitable modifications, it can be made to work at 128 kbps or more. Data Interface for 56 kbps ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Ottawa PI card ($120) Gracilis PackeTwin card ($225) Both of these cards (see descriptions above) will handle 56 kbps with ease. Kantronics Data Engine (need price info). This is essentially a higher-speed TNC with two HDLC ports that can reportedly run at 56 kbps, and an RS-232 port that can run at up to 19.2 kbps. The standard firmware is G8BPQ, but there is now also a port of JNOS (JNOS40) by WG7J available. The DE appears to be more useful as a small standalone packet switch then as an interface for end users. Gracilis PackeTen (~$1500?). This is a full-blown packet switch that runs a custom version of KA9Q NOS. It is available in both standalone and PC bus versions. If you need more than two high-speed ports (more than one, if you need full-duplex), then this is really the only choice. RF Equipment for 56 kbps ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ The RF equipment required depends on whether the links are half- or full-duplex. There are three basic configurations in use: (1) Half-duplex point-to-point links An example is the Georgia backbone network. The usual RF equipment is a Microwave Modules (220, 430 MHz) or Sinclabs (220 MHz) transverter. (2) Full-duplex point-to-point links Full duplex operation is significantly more complicated, but it is also highly desirable if you want to maximize the throughput of a backbone link. The GRAPES modem is inherently full-duplex, so it is only necessary to provide separate RF up- and down-converters. The two channels may be in-band or cross-band, using either separate antennas or duplexers. The only full-duplex point-to-point link I'm aware of is in Chicago - it uses PackeTen switches and operates in-band in the 70 cm band. (3) Multiple-access networks with full-duplex repeater In this case, an in-band or cross-band 56 kbps repeater provides hidden transmitter-free access to a channel (or rather, a pair of channels) by multiple 56 kbps stations. This might just be a LAN for the power users, but it also is an attractive means of linking a number of network nodes together, with less complexity than multiple point-to-point links (see the 10th ARRL Computer Networking Conference proceedings for more details). As in the preceding case, separate receive and transmit converters are used, usually with separate antennas (in principle, a transverter with "split" frequency operation could be used, but such things are hard to come by). The stations in this network do not require full-duplex computer interfaces, but since the RF portions have full-duplex capability, it allows smaller txdelays to be used than in the half-duplex case. It also allows users to observe the quality of their signals coming back from the repeater. The first 56 kbps full-duplex repeater went on the air in Ottawa in January 1990. The repeater is cross-band (220.55 MHz in, 433.55 MHz out), so users must up-convert the modem's 28-30 MHz IF output to 220 MHz, and down-convert 432 MHz to the 28-30 MHz IF input. 220 MHz ~~~~~~~ Transverters and up-converters: Sinclabs ST220-28 transverter ($329 CDN), 15W output. Sinclabs has recently withdrawn from this business, but transverters may still be available from Bob Morton, VE3BFM (Maple Leaf Communications). Microwave Modules MMT220/28S transverter, 10W output. Not readily available new, but watch for used ones on the market. SSB Electronic TV 28-220/01 transverter ($380), 100 mW output. These units have no T/R switching, so that would have to be added externally for single-channel half-duplex operation. On the other hand, there are separate local oscillators provided for the receive and transmit converters, so this looks like a good choice for in-band full-duplex or half-duplex split operation. Hamtronics XV4 transmit converter (kit, $79), 0.5 - 1W output. The cheapest alternative, and the power level is adequate if you aren't too far from the repeater and have a reasonable transmitting antenna. But you do need to find someone with a spectrum analyzer to get it tuned up properly, and some people have had problems taming this unit. Down-converters: Microwave Modules MMc220 (price/availability unknown), 2.8 dB NF. Advanced Receiver Research (model no., other details unknown). This unit is in the $100 range and of high quality, but it really needs a front-end preamp. We use one of these converters on the Ottawa 56kb repeater, along with an ARR preamp. ARR may be no longer producing the converters. Antennas: You might get by with omni antennas, but multipath can cause poor performance even when signal levels are high. Small yagis provide more margin and help discriminate against multipath. A typical example is the Cushcraft A220-7 7-element yagi (about $50). 430 MHz ~~~~~~~ Transverters and up-converters: Down East Microwave DEM432 no-tune transverter, 50-100mW output. This is a 3-board set, available in several forms, and there is an optional power amplifier that provides 15W output. The local oscillator board normally has a single oscillator for standard half-duplex operation, but a second oscillator can be added on the board for half-duplex split or full-duplex operation. Some options and prices: DEM432B assembled and tested unit, including case, $275 DEM432B DUAL as above, but set up for dual frequencies, $300 DEM432K basic kit (no case or connectors), $155 Second LO kit, $8 432PA 15W PA, assembled and tested, $180 432PACK 15W PA complete kit, $135 432PAK 15W PA basic kit (no case, connectors or heat sink), $75 Enclosure to house both DEM432K and 432PA, $25 DEM432-15S complete 15W dual-frequency transverter, $395 Microwave Modules MMT432/28S transverter, 10W output. Not readily available new, but quite a few used ones on the market. SSB Electronic TV 28-432 transverter ($310), 100mW output. These units have no T/R switching, so that would have to be added externally for single-channel half-duplex operation. On the other hand, there are separate local oscillators provided for the receive and transmit converters, so this looks like a good choice for in-band full-duplex or half-duplex split operation. Hamtronics XV4 transmit converter (kit, $79), 0.5 - 1W output. The 432 Mhz version of the unit described above. Down-converters: Hamtronics ($49/$69/$99 for basic kit/kit with box/wired & tested). Quality of this unit is uncertain. Microwave Modules MMc435.2 ($115). Current availability unknown. SSB Electronic K7001-10 ($180). High quality, with a price to match. There are other sources for units in the $100-$150 range, such as Lunar. 1.2 GHz ~~~~~~~ Equipment for operation of the GRAPES modem at 1.2 GHz and the other bands above 450 MHz is a problem, due to the scarcity of converters which have input/output at 28 MHz, not to mention reasonable power output. Transverters and up-converters: SHF-1240(K) "No-tune" transverter board ($149 kit, $189 assembled, from Down East Microwave): 144 MHz IF (10 mW drive required), 10 mW output. Also required is the separate SHF-LO local oscillator board ($50 kit, less crystal; $85 assembled). A complete transverter (transverter board, LO board, IF PIN diode switch, packaged in a metal box) is available for $265. Note that no RF switching is included, so if you wanted to run half-duplex, a suitable RF T/R switch or a circulator would be needed. NF of the down-converter is in the 4-5 dB range. Due to the 144 MHz IF, a separate 28 MHz to 144 MHz conversion stage would be needed. SSB Electronic USM-3 transmit converter ($210). 1W out (20 mW in). Requires external LO source (10 mW). Although normally used with 144 MHz IF, it reportedly can be tuned for 28-30 MHz IF input. Housed in a metal box with BNC connectors. Down-converters: SSB Electronic UEK-3 receive converter ($200). 2.2 dB NF, 20 dB conversion gain. The nominal LO frequency is 1152 MHz, for conversion of the 1296-1298 range to 144-146 MHz. An LO output port is provided for driving the USM-3 transmit converter. Housed in a metal box with BNC connectors. Power amplifiers: Pauldon (kit, $165): 18W out for 1W in. Down East Microwave 2318PAM ($205): 18W out for 1W in. Also available in kit form. SSB Electronic PA 2310 ($250): 10W out for 0.5W in (a 20W out version is $300). Antennas: Although loop yagis are commonly used at 1.2 GHz ($89 kit, $109 assembled for the 45-element loop yagi from Down East Microwave), a better choice for linking would probably be the Tonna 23-element yagi (about $70). Other Considerations (applies to all bands): The receive converters have very broad front ends, and some additional bandpass filtering will often be needed. A single cavity (or helical resonator frontend filter, in the case of separate receive converters) should do the trick in most cases. There is also a design available for a homebrew 28-30 MHz bandpass filter for the modem front end. This might eliminate the need for a front-end filter, but it depends on your receiving environment. 56 kbps Summary ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ The cost of a 56 kbps station is a bit hard to pin down, given all the variables. As an example, we'll consider a station for the Ottawa 56kb LAN. The modem kit and a PI board will set you back about $370. The rest depends on the choice of rf stuff. The total will vary from about $500 to $800. The "low road" is using the Hamtronics kits and scrounging up things such as boxes for them and the modem, homebrewing the antennas, etc. The "high road" is buying higher-quality assembled and tested gear, such as the Sinclabs transverter and the MM receive converter. If you can find some good used gear, the total should be closer to $650. Getting on 56 kbps is certainly a more challenging project than plug 'n play 9600, but the rewards are greater too. Sources ~~~~~~~ Down East Microwave RR 1, Box 2310 Troy, ME 04987 207-948-3741 Fax: 207-948-5157 DRSI (Digtal Radio Systems Inc) 2065 Range Road Clearwater, FL 34625 813-461-0204 Fax: 813-447-4369 Gracilis Inc 623 Palace Street Aurora, IL 708-801-8800 Fax: 708-844-0183 Email: info@gracilis.com GRAPES Inc. P.O. Box 871 Alpharetta, GA 30239-0871 Email: dug@kd4nc.atl.ga.us Kantronics 1202 E. 23rd Street Lawrence, KS 66046 913-842-7745 Fax: 913-842-2021 BBS: 913-842-4678 Maple Leaf Communications (Bob Morton, VE3BFM) R.R. 1 Everett, ON, Canada L0M 1J0 705-435-0689 MFJ Enterprises Inc PO Box 494 Mississippi State, MS 39762 1-800-647-1800 (order) 1-800-647-8324 (tech info) Fax: 601-323-6551 Ottawa Amateur Radio Club Packet Working Group P.O. Box 8873 Ottawa, ON, Canada K1G 3J2 Email: bm@hydra.carleton.ca PacComm Packet Radio Systems Inc 4413 N. Hesperides Street Tampa, FL 33614-7618 813-874-2980 Fax: 813-872-8696 SSB Electronic USA 124 Cherrywood Drive Mountaintop, PA 18707 717-868-5643