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MeshTNC Turns Consumer LoRa Radios into KISS TNC Modems

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MeshTNC is an open-source firmware project that transforms consumer-grade LoRa radios into KISS TNC compatible packet radio modems. The tool enables amateur radio operators and developers to leverage inexpensive LoRa hardware for AX.25 packet radio communications, APRS, and even Ethernet over LoRa.

Built on the MeshCore platform, MeshTNC supports a wide range of LoRa hardware and includes a comprehensive serial CLI for configuration. Users can transmit raw bytes, enable LoRa packet logging, and switch between CLI and KISS modes. The firmware supports features like BLE packet sniffing and configurable radio parameters including frequency, bandwidth, spreading factor, and coding rate.

MeshTNC integrates with existing amateur radio software including APRS clients and Linux AX.25 tools. The project provides detailed documentation for setting up AX.25 networking and Ethernet over LoRa using tools like kissattach and tncattach. With 98 stars on GitHub and active development from 27 contributors, MeshTNC represents a significant advancement in accessible packet radio technology, bridging the gap between consumer LoRa hardware and traditional amateur radio protocols.