NA6D OpenTNC

The Open-Source TNC. Now Shack-Ready.

Upgrade your digital packet station to the modern era with the NA6D OpenTNC — the commercial, shack-ready evolution of the open-source hardware TNC.

100% Open Source & Extensible: Built on the open-source hardware and software architecture created by Dave Platt (AE6EO), the OpenTNC is designed to keep getting better. Powered by the dual-core RP2040 and Zephyr RTOS, open firmware updates continuously bring new features, protocol enhancements, and performance improvements to your shack.

Why Choose the NA6D Edition?

• Rugged Aluminum Enclosure: Ditch exposed PCBs and fragile 3D prints. Our custom black anodized aluminum extrusion case shields sensitive RF equipment from digital noise while enduring tough field conditions.
• Compact Go-Kit Footprint: Sized at just ~64.3 mm x 49.1 mm x 23.7 mm, it fits easily into portable setups and crowded operating desks.
• Pre-Calibrated Out of the Box: Shipped factory pre-calibrated to 50 mV peak-to-peak (50 mVpp) transmit audio output, offering plug-and-play operation for standard radio microphone inputs (K1 / HTs / Mobile Data jacks) without needing an oscilloscope.
• Kantronics-Compatible DE-9 Port: Uses standard female DB-9 (DE-9) pinouts for simple radio interface cabling.

Powerful Digital Modes & FX.25 Error Correction

The OpenTNC manages AX.25 protocol processing directly on-board:

• FX.25 Forward Error Correction: Wraps standard AX.25 packets inside Reed-Solomon RS(255,239) error correction blocks. Reconstructs noise-damaged frames automatically without time-consuming retransmissions, while remaining 100% backward compatible with standard AX.25 TNCs.
• APRS & Fill-in Digipeating: Track locations, exchange messages, and run built-in WIDE1-1 fill-in digipeater modes with duplicate suppression.
• Packet Chat & BBS Access: Robust keyboard-to-keyboard QSOs and seamless connection to PBBS emergency mailboxes.
• KISS Mode & High Speed: Full serial KISS compatibility for Winlink, Direwolf, and APRS clients, supporting 1200-baud AFSK, 2400-baud V.26, and 9600-baud G3RUH modes.

Note: OpenTNC is a hardware AX.25 TNC running on-board modems via serial/KISS. It does not run PC-side software soundcard modes like VaraFM.

Technical Specifications

• Core Processor: Raspberry Pi RP2040 (Zephyr RTOS)
• Connectivity: USB-C (Power & Virtual COM Data), Female DB-9 / DE-9 (Radio Interface)
• Enclosure: Black Anodized Aluminum Extrusion with Metal End Caps
• Dimensions: ~64.3 mm x 49.1 mm x 23.7 mm
• Pinout Standard: Kantronics-Compatible DE-9 Standard

Radio Cable Options

Select your preferred radio interface cable bundle at checkout, or view our standalone NA6D OpenTNC Radio Cables collection:

• Mini-DIN 6 Option: Includes cable for mobile/base transceivers with standard 6-pin data ports.
• K1 2-Pin Option: Includes cable for Kenwood/Baofeng style HT handhelds.
• No Cable Option: Bring your own custom DB-9 radio cable.

Looking for setup instructions, terminal commands, or pinout details? Explore the OpenTNC Getting Started Guide.

Note: Kantronics is a trademark of its respective owner and is referenced here solely to indicate pinout wiring compatibility.