CSS Releases TNC Wizard!

Program searches for your TNC and sound card on both serial ports and TCP/IP networks

Muscle Shoals, Alabama. May 17, 2004: Creative Services Software announced today they have released version 1.0 of the Kantronics and Timewave TNC Wizard. This wizard helps by looking on both the serial ports on the computer, as well as a TCP/IP address and port on a network, to find where the TNC is located and at what baud rate the TNC is. If the computer has a soundcard for the new soundcard modes, the wizard looks for that as well.

“This new tool helps hams who don’t know what serial port their TNC is on or its baud rate.”, said Rick Ruhl, W4PC. “Around 99% of the first calls for support are questions related to serial ports and baud rates”.

The TNC wizard works with built in serial ports in the TNC, USB to serial adapters and TCP/IP to serial interfaces. It also has an option to detect the soundcard in the computer and add that information to the PacTerm or PkTerm startup files without any additional setup needed at install time.

The TNC Wizard requires Windows 98 or later, with TCP/IP installed. There is no cost for the TNC wizard and it can be downloaded from the CSS website at http://www.cssincorp.com/.

Creative Services Software is at http://www.cssincorp.com/
Windows 98, Windows Me, Windows NT , Windows 2000 and Windows XP are Registered Trademarks of Microsoft Corporation.

Member Comments:

CSS Releases TNC Wizard!
by WA4MJF on May 19, 2004	Mail this to a friend!
Well, I guess this is a gee-whiz thing for the really, err slow, forgetful, etc. In many years on packet, I've never had a problem remembering which comm port I hooked a TNC to. If I did, I could grab the cable at the TNC and follow it to the 'puter and read what port it was hooked to. As for the speed, I set my terminal program to 9K6 and let the autobaud on the TNC find it and walla. I guess since it is free, it would be ok for those who are older and more senile. 73 de Ronnie

RE: CSS Releases TNC Wizard!
by KC8VWM on May 19, 2004	Mail this to a friend!
I am kind of senile at times myself :) I wonder if this would work with my MFJ TNC ? Can it detect and find my misplaced keys as well? >>>Around 99% of the first calls for support are questions related to serial ports and baud rates”. ,<< I think my first question would be: "How do I make my TNC connect with my radio equipment" This is not to imply that I dont know how to connect the actual wiring from the comm ports to my radio or computer equipment - but rather how does the darn thing "connect" or "operate" with my terminal program in the software and radio communication enviroment sense. 73 Charles - KC8VWM

CSS Releases TNC Wizard!
by WC0D on May 19, 2004	Mail this to a friend!
It’s interesting that the first response to a company that puts out a free product for the ham community to use, would be somewhat derogatory. Instead of saying thanks, we get a speech about how slow, forgetful, senile, or computer illiterate some hams can be. With the new high tech radios these days we will be seeing more and more people that are appliance operators and could care less how things work and don’t have an idea on how its connected. Also let’s not forget the slow, forgetful, senile old timer that doesn’t know the difference between a serial port and a USB port, but can assemble a radio with his eyes blindfolded. So I guess I will say thanks to CSS for providing me with a new tool to use when I can’t remember what cable I have connected to my comm ports because I never label anything or I have 2-3 switches (also not labeled) that must be set correctly to establish communication with the TNC. 73 Bob WC0D

RE: CSS Releases TNC Wizard!
by AC5E on May 19, 2004	Mail this to a friend!
Well, I take care of more than fifty computers at work, plus three here in the shack. And not a darn one of them has a label telling which Dsub connector goes to what port. And to make matters worse, most of the late model computers serial ports are USB ports that require a USB to serial adapter to attach any RS232 device to. One USB to five '232's makes for a whole heap of confusion! So congratulations to CSS for something that looks as though it will be a real help to most hams. 73 Pete Allen AC5E

RE: CSS Releases TNC Wizard!
by N5LB on May 19, 2004	Mail this to a friend!
Its amazing the number of cynics and just plain mean spirited people. CSS and others try to make products that do the most for the least cost while trying to stay in business. I have some CSS software (licensed and paid for) and I find Rick does a really good job and I commend him for putting this new product on the street. My profession, family and hobby activities keep me up to my eyeballs in information and anything that helps me get rid of another "book" of settings is wonderful. I suspect that there are a lot of really clever people out there with ideas but who hesitate to offer them on eham so as not to be hammered by the less intellegent, always finding fault crowd. So thanks Rick. Lionel N5LB

RE: CSS Releases TNC Wizard!
by WA4MJF on May 19, 2004	Mail this to a friend!
Well, I always marks my serial ports Comm 1 2 3 or whatever. I guess I misunderestimated the number of hams who don't mark their equipment and are able to trace the cable back to a connector and know what the connector is. I use a Marks a Lot black marker for permanent ID. Put the Comm number on the Computer and the Comm Number on the Cable so if I have to pull it, I just put 1 plug to 1 jack, etc. I don't use USB for Packet at all, I use LSB for HF Packet and FM for VHF/UHF Packet. 73 de Ronnie

RE: CSS Releases TNC Wizard!
by N5KBP on May 19, 2004	Mail this to a friend!
"I don't use USB for Packet at all, I use LSB for HF Packet and FM for VHF/UHF Packet. " I think that just made somebodys point extremely well. (Grin) Marty

RE: CSS Releases TNC Wizard!
by KC8VUK on May 20, 2004	Mail this to a friend!
Sir, you too lazy to label your ports, You sure are not too lazy to give people hell for saying their piece about a product!! And it was meant in fun!!! Have a good day, and SMILE, it does not hurt!!! Billie KC8VUK

RE: CSS Releases TNC Wizard!
by N4CQR on May 20, 2004	Mail this to a friend!
Ditto what N5LB said.. Craig

RE: CSS Releases TNC Wizard!
by KC8VWM on May 20, 2004	Mail this to a friend!
>>>>Its amazing the number of cynics and just plain mean spirited people.<<<< What is also amazing is that I keep looking for all the cynical comments everyone keeps talking about in this message thread and yet I fail to find them? Other than poking fun (in good taste) at our own senility as some of us are getting older, I fail to see the point. Hats off to CSS for doing such a great job!