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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?
Not at this time. One is currently in the planning stages, however.
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, Linux, Palm, Mac, etc?
Only the Windows version was initially released. In the future, as new versions are created, they will be made available at
www.byonics.com. If you would like to receive information on writing your own config program, contact
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.
Questions can also be addressed to [email protected]
