- 16 -
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the firmware .HEX file available so I can burn my own chips?
No. The only way to get a TinyTrak3 chip is preprogrammed from www.byonics.com.
Can you add feature XXX to TinyTrak3?
I don’t know. Ask at [email protected]. Many of the features of TinyTrak3 came as requests from users. However,
only features that are desired by a reasonable number of users are likely to be added. Code space, data space, and
programming effort required must also be considered.
Can I get the source to TinyTrak3 so I can add my own features?
No, the source to TinyTrak3 is not public. However, consider Son of TinyTrak (SOTT), available at the TinyTrak Yahoo!
Group (http://groups.yahoo.com/group/TinyTrak/). It is an open source project that runs on the TinyTrak3 hardware. Also
look at the PIC-E programs available at ftp://ftp.tapr.org/picsig/software/.
What language is TinyTrak written in?
All TinyTrak programs were written in PIC assembly.
Can the TinyTrak3 implement a true DCD, output received packet data to the serial port, or be a digipeater?
No. That would require a modem chip to decode the actual packet tones.
Can I hook a weather station to the TinyTrak3 to send APRS weather data?
No. TinyTrak3 only receives GPS NMEA data. However, WXTrak will interface to weather stations and send the data.
Details are at www.byonics.com
Is there a surface mount TinyTrak3 available?
Yes, It is now available at the TinyTrak website.
Can I replace the ceramic resonator Y1 with a crystal?
Sure. You should add two small capacitors (about 6 pf) from each lead to ground, also.
TinyTrak3 seems to have a problem sending speeds greater than 100 MPH.
TinyTrak3 sends speeds greater than 100 without a problem. However, there appears to be a bug in the Kenwood D7A
radios decoding MIC-E format packets with a speed greater than 100 MPH.
I want to sometimes use TinyTrak3 with an HT, and sometimes with a mobile radio. What should I do about R8?
Leave R8 off the board, and then add it back into the cables for the radios that need it (like HTs). All R8 does is go
between the PTT OUT line and the AUDIO OUT line, so it is very easy to add into a cable. Then, for the mobile, run the
PTT line separate.
Is the TinyTrak3Config program available for DOS, Palm, Linux, Mac, etc?
There are currently versions for Windows, Mac OS and Palm OS. The Windows version can be found at
http://www.byonics.com/tinytrak/tinytrak3.zip. The Mac OS version, by Mark Dieter, N2BLI, can be found at
http://mdco.net/irving/tinytrak.html. The Palm OS version, by Axel Fischer, DL3OBP, can be found at http://www.afischer-
online.de/pilot/ttconfig/index.html. The Windows version should run under Linux with WINE. If you would like to receive
information on writing your own config program, contact [email protected].
What is APT311?
In some output mode, the desination callsign of the send packet is set to APT311. This is just used for indentification. It
signifies that the packet was send from a APRS (AP) TinyTrak3 (T3) version 1.10 (11).
I have other questions. Where do I go?
There is a TinyTrak mailing list at Yahoo! Groups. (http://groups.yahoo.com/group/TinyTrak/). There are over 500
members who have probably already asked and answered your question. Check out the message archive. The
TinyTrak3 Links web page (http://www.byonics.com/tinytrak/links.html) has useful information. Questions can also be
addressed to [email protected]
