Mobilinkd TNC3 Settings for Baofeng UV-5R
For those googling, I'm hoping this quick guide helps for those who buy cheap UV-5R radios (both originals and the post-2016 knock-offs) to use the Mobilinkd TNC3 with APRSdroid specifically. Note that using APRS-IS or other programs may require different settings so GOOD LUCK easily switch between settings on the TNC3 if you feel the need to do that. The bottom line is that while CHIRP offers good "hot-swap" configuration options, the TNC3 doesn't.
Key settings are listed below, but turn everything off unless otherwise noted. I've noted the key settings below.
SQL: 1 (Extremely important to understand that the UV-5Rs will not transmit with this at 0. As such, I recommend custom squelch settings that keep this open but EXTREMELY low which can be set up in CHIRP. Note that many guides will tell you to set this to 0 and it WONT TX if you do.)
TDR (aka Dual Receive): Off (This is another one of those maddening settings that are required off but you won't easily find online or in any guide telling you to turn it off. When they say "all settings off unless otherwise noted, this is absolutely true. Turn everything off.)
Output Twist: 50 (do not touch this)
Input Twist Level: 6dB (don't touch this)
TX Delay: 50 (this is about 500 ms, which is important for these radios)
Persistence: 128 (this longer time seems to help)
Regarding APRSdroid, standard setup is recommended. Here is an overview:
Digi-path: WIDE1-1,WIDE2-1
Connection Preferences: Bluetooth KISS
I also highly recommend downloading the full US map using this guide: source rather than trying to use the google maps version available through the play store. This keeps you from having to download maps on the fly and is particularly useful in places without service. Furthermore, I recommend downloading a theme from here. Note that you'll need to use the old version styles Elevate2 as APRSdroid uses Mapsforge 0.3 and newer styles will NOT work.
