Mobilinkd TNC 4

The Mobilinkd TNC 4 is finally here! Let's take a look at what's new with this version.
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Site - www.mobilinkd.com/
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Firmware - www.mobilinkd.com/downloads/?d...
Firmware Tool - www.st.com/en/development-too...
Firmware Instructions - github.com/mobilinkd/tnc3-fir...
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[@mattxoverbey]

Put my preorder in couple of days ago. Thank you for doing a breakdown on this. Happy to hear the power button issue is resolved. Really excited about what can be done with M17.

[@KI4ASK]

Thanks for the update Jason. I own the Mobilinkd 3 and love it. Glad they fixed the power button.

[@TalonsNewAdventures]

My preorder on the second run is in! I was a little slow on the first and can’t wait for it to arrive!

[@KS0JD]

I put my order in yesterday. I am working on all the packet radio options. I am currently building a digi pi as well. I want to set up a digi-peter and a winlink gateway at my QTH. I do love the experimenting of the hobby! I also noticed the Tenn hat. Reminds me of the Tenn Hat that Bill Dance wears all the time. Keep up the videos. Love them. 73

[@jmr]

That dang button was my biggest complaint. I have a diy cover to protect that button on mine. Glad to hear that's fixed!

[@KM4ACK]

Everyone I know complained about it. Like you, I have 3D printed covers keep that silly thing from getting pressed. I am hoping the TNC 2 & 3 button will be fixed with a firmware update.

[@DuckingAround58]

I waited over a year for mine. I was able to get in on the first round of preorders and had mine within three weeks

[@patrickhall5739]

I got my TNC 4 in a week or so ago. I did have to update the firmware for the charging issue, but I haven't had a problem since. Works great with android. I was able to get the tracking on APRSDroid up and running as well as sending messages with WOAD.

[@brianhendrix]

Same here . . . preorder put in yesterday.

[@HamRadioOutlet]

Have had mine for a week or so. It's my first @Mobilinkd TNC and I'm loving it! The maker, Rob Riggs, is still making firmware updates to perfect the firmware which has had a couple of glitches. I've updated firmware 3 times in the past week because of the charging issue and the red flashing LED. Strangely, I only had the flashing red LED issue on the latest firmware (2.5.6) which was patched to fix this very issue! Using the TNC4 has made using APRSDroid, WoAD, and RadioMail a snap. I recommend the TNC4 wholeheartedly.

[@JPA66]

Got mine several days ago and it works very well. Have yet to run into any issues.

[@PhilJohnston]

I just received my TNC4 (the first one I've owned). I ran into that fast-blinking red light issue, and I had to manually reset the device to get it working again. I actually couldn't get it to turn off while it was red-blinking. Anywho, it has been fine once reset (using a skewer stick). It's a pretty slick device when paired with Radiomail

[@user-Lawday]

I just ordered one and will test it out on my baofeng radio and if I see it works out I will use it on hf as I just got my general upgrade 73s N2VGC

[@KM4ACK]

Pretty sure you will like it. I still use mine on a very regular basis

[@HamRadio2]

Got mine and I like the interface. I never had a 3 but I had a 2 a while ago - it's still somewhere... I had trouble getting my TNC4 to power off. Long pressing didn't seem to work but I finally was able to get it powered off. It took a VERY long press. I also tried using the DigiRig cables with my TNC4 and that didn't seem to work so I've ordered legit MobilinkD cables and will be doing more testing once those arrive.

[@KM4ACK]

Pretty sure they use a different pin out. I just ordered another set of cables for my HT's from Mobilinkd.

[@HamRadio2]

@@KM4ACK Yeah they must - PTT didn't work. I have a cable or 2 for a Baofeng for my TNC2, which are... somewhere....LOL - but it doesn't matter, I want a cable for my VX6R, ID-52 and couple of others, so I am waiting on that shipment to arrive.

[@HamRadioOutlet]

For others who are reading this comment -- The TNC4 takes about a 3-second push of the button to turn on and off. The yellow light goes on when first pushed and slowly fades out when the function (on/off) is complete.

[@michaelo6003]

I would like to use this with Radiomail (iOS) and my Yaesu FTM-400 xdr, which I have set up at an off-grid cabin. Does that combination pose any problems? Thanks!!

[@davemichaeli5339]

Got one to use with my UV5R and it works great. Firmware updates definitely helped to resolve a few initial quirks. One related question - I am looking at getting an Icom 705 and I saw a video on another channel where he said you needed to use something like this with the 705 for APRS/Winlink/etc. but I’ve seen other videos where they seem to be doing these things without a Mobilinkd TNC. Can you clarify whether or not one is needed?

[@KM4ACK]

I run APRS and Winlink on my 705 without a Mobilinkd. I use the built in sound card in the 705 and direwolf as the TNC.

[@davemichaeli5339]

@@KM4ACK Thank you for the reply and clarification. I'm new to this and thought I was missing something. My goal is to have a mobile setup with as few parts and cables as possible, so your approach is perfect. Thanks again.

[@Scott_AI5EF]

Is there a case available for it? I'd like to keep my Baofeng GT-5R and it together without using a rubber band or Velcro strap.

[@503Nick]

Seems like a firmware update could fix the tnc3 power button as well? Great video. I like mine and am curious about m17 applications

[@KM4ACK]

I was wondering the exact same thing about the power button on the 3

[@dangermandave67]

I'm not having much luck with mine. Cannot get it to key up PTT on my UV5R. Do you need to buy the cable they supply? What is so special about it? I would have thought the Kenwood-style cable I bought to use with my Digirig would work fine.

[@KM4ACK]

The pin out is different in the moblinkd.

[@juliomsuarez9215]

I own the TNC3 and did not support VARA when using Winlink. Did they add support on this new TNC4? I've been forced to use Digirig for that.

[@KM4ACK]

VARA isn't compatible with any TNC. You need a sound card instead for VARA ops. The digirig is my choice for sound cards when operating VARA with HT's.

[@suttonmatthew]

Do you have settings and instruction about using Winlink Vara FM and the FT-5D using the Signalink Sound Card?

[@arnecarlsson9740]

What is the recommended HT for a TNC4, a basic not too expensive, reliable and compatible HT? Thankful for suggestions.😀😀😀

[@KM4ACK]

I have used it with the Yaesu FT65r with great success. The FT70 would be another good choice

[@HamRadioOutlet]

The Yaesu VX-6R is my workhorse with the TNC4. Battery lasts the entire work day, over 8 hours on 5W. I'm only beaconing once or twice an hour, so battery life may decrease a bit if you're driving with it, but not so much if you're walking with it -- assuming you're using Smart Beaconing on APRSDroid, for example.

[@kleinbiker1]

I got the flashing red light.

[@KM4ACK]

See this thread - groups.io/g/mobilinkd/topic/rapid_flashing_red_light/97323913?p=,,,20,0,0,0::recentpostdate/sticky,,,20,2,0,97323913,previd%3D1678213981340434273,nextid%3D1677385022510269788&previd=1678213981340434273&nextid=1677385022510269788

[@kleinbiker1]

@@KM4ACK thanks, I’ll take a look. I just reset it and then updated the firmware. Will see how it goes.

[@HamRadioOutlet]

@@kleinbiker1 I got the flashing red LED only after updating to the latest version, 2.5.6. Really weird. All I did was turn it (TNC4) on after not using it over night. I downgraded to 2.5.5 and it's been running all day (APRSThursday!), sending and receiving APRS messages.

[@kleinbiker1]

@@HamRadioOutlet interesting. I truthfully haven’t used mine too much and have no idea what I did that caused it to start flashing. It wouldn’t stop until I reset it. It wouldn’t even power down, just kept flashing. I just assumed a firmware upgrade would help. Guess I need to play with it some more over the weekend and see what happens.

[@HamRadioOutlet]

@@kleinbiker1 Mine was the same, it wouldn't power down. I kept repeatedly pressing the reset button until it finally reset and I was able to reflash it to the earlier version. Interestingly, after downgrading, it still flashed red, but a press of the reset button calmed it down and it's been solid all day.

[@bluedirtgreen]

Add five to ten seconds of dead air at the end of your videos after asking for a thumbs up. People watching on a smart tv need a moment to pick up the remote and navigate the user interface to "like" the video. If the video cuts off before I can get there I move on. Some channels I subscribe to will add that extra time at the end of all their content but also have outro music; I exit those videos to avoid the music as fast as I can. That's my two cents from the perspective of a heavy content consumer.

[@KM4ACK]

Thanks for the tip. Never considered that.

[@jacurdal]

I would not buy anything from this company.

[@KM4ACK]

Can you expand as to why?

[@jacurdal]

@@KM4ACK I ordered one, which I never received. And the company refuses to acknowledge that there is a problem. I would have been happy with a discount for a new one. But, their complete denial of it set me off. I will never buy their products. I will never tell anyone to buy their products. They do not care.

[@g-whiz286]

That sure is dropping a turd in the room and then leaving. Without any explanation as to WHY you have reached this conclusion, we're just going to have to assume you work for Signalink.