Problem: I am using WinPack with a Kantronics TNC. I am also using Windows 95 and the COM port on my PC is fitted with a 16550 (buffered) UART. I use compressed forwarding. I can upload small messages to the BBS ok, but when I try to upload a longer message, such as a 7plus part, I get an error message and WinPack disconnects from the BBS. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Answer: When Kantronics TNCs are used with Win95 and 16550s, there seems to be a problem in that when the input buffer of the TNC gets full, overrun occurs and one or two characters are lost. My guess is that when the TNC buffer fills and it signals busy, it then does not have enough room left in the buffer to accept the few characters that may be queued in the UART. I have personally observed this problem with a KPC-3 and a KAM, and I have reports of it happening with other types of Kantronics TNCs. I have never seen it happen with any other make of TNC. The problem occurs between the Win95 comms drivers and the TNC, it is not a problem in WinPack. One solution is to run the link between the PC and the TNC at no faster than 2400 baud. This is the technique I used when I had a KAM. However, Ken, GW3TMH, reports that he has successfully tried a different solution with his KPC-9612. His method is technically superior, because it allows the link between the PC and the TNC to be kept at a high speed - which is essential if you want to use 9600 baud on air:- In Control Panel, select System, Device Manager, Ports (COM & LPT) and then Properties, Port Settings, Advanced... for the port you use with your TNC. Leave "Use FIFO buffers" checked, but move the Transmit Buffer slider fully to the left. This disables the transmit FIFO on the port, but leaves the receive FIFO working. A final comment - like with any other TNC, you must use a cable that connects the RS232 handshaking lines. A simple three wire cable is not sufficient. See the "Setting Up The TNC" section of the WinPack help. Roger Barker, G4IDE December 1997