Getting started

Supported hardware

Board	MCU	Radio	Build env	Status
ESP32 DevKit V1 + EBYTE E22	ESP32	SX1262	devkitv1_e22	✅ tested
Heltec WiFi LoRa 32 V3	ESP32-S3	SX1262	heltec_v3	⚠ not tested
TTGO T-Beam	ESP32	SX1276	tbeam	⚠ not tested
LilyGo T3 LoRa32 V1.6.1	ESP32	SX1276	lilygo_t3_v161	✅ tested
LILYGO T-Beam SUPREME 433MHz	ESP32-S3	SX1262	tbeam_supreme_433	⚠ not tested

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Option 1 — Flash via browser (easiest)

No software installation needed. Works in Chrome and Edge (Web Serial API required).

👉 Open the web installer

1. Select your board
2. Click Install AXLoRaTNC
3. Pick the COM port of your ESP32
4. Wait for the flash to complete (~30 s)

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Option 2 — Build from source

Prerequisites

• Python 3.8+
• Git

Setup

git clone https://github.com/MichTronics/AXLoRaTNC.git
cd AXLoRaTNC
python3 -m venv venv
./venv/bin/pip install platformio

Build & flash

Replace devkitv1_e22 with your board's build env from the table above.

# Build only
./venv/bin/pio run -e devkitv1_e22

# Build and flash over USB
./venv/bin/pio run -e devkitv1_e22 --target upload

# Open serial monitor (115 200 baud)
./venv/bin/pio device monitor -b 115200

Windows

Use venv\Scripts\pio instead of ./venv/bin/pio.

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First boot

After flashing, open a serial monitor at 115 200 baud and configure the TNC:

callsign N0CALL-0     ← set your callsign (required)
radio                 ← verify LoRa settings

Switch to KISS mode when connecting a host application:

mode kiss

Type console (plain text, followed by Enter) at any time to return to the interactive console.

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Default LoRa settings (devkitv1_e22)

Parameter	Default
Frequency	869.480 MHz
Bandwidth	125 kHz
Spreading factor	SF7
Coding rate	4/5
Sync word	0x12
TX power	22 dBm

All settings persist across reboots (ESP32 NVS). Use radio reset to restore variant defaults.

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Compatible host software

AXLoRaTNC works with any standard KISS or WA8DED host application:

Software	Mode	Notes
kissattach (Linux)	KISS	Standard AX.25 stack
Dire Wolf	KISS	Set device to the ESP32 serial port
LinBPQ / BPQ32	KISS	See BPQ setup guide
F6FBB / LinFBB	KISS	Recommended: Linux AX.25 + FBB KISS guide
TFPCX + TSTHOST	WA8DED	See WA8DED guide
WinPack	WA8DED	TNC type WA8DED
JNOS	WA8DED	Interface type asy, tnc ded
Graphic Packet	WA8DED
PaxTerm	WA8DED
APRS clients	KISS	Any client supporting KISS TNCs

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What's next

• Radio config — change frequency, bandwidth, SF, TX power
• KISS mode — kissattach, Dire Wolf, port settings
• LinFBB / F6FBB KISS — recommended BBS setup
• APRS — position beacons, digipeater, mheard table
• WA8DED hostmode — legacy hostmode compatibility
• NET/ROM & BBS — node shell, mailbox
• BPQ / LinBPQ setup — complete working config