Interview with Phil Anderson, W0XI

W0XI

10/3/2015

Episode 061 - Phil Anderson - W0XI

Phil Anderson, WOXI, founded Kantronics in 1971 to build wiring harnesses for automobiles. The company morphed over time to become one of the premier manufacturers of terminal node controllers or TNCs for amateur packet radio. Now retired, Phil is as active as ever pursuing new avenues in ham radio. Phil joins Eric, 4Z1UG, in this episode of QSO Today

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Hometown: Lawrence, Kansas

First License: Novice, 1955, KNØHSB

First Rig:

Collins 75A4 receiver
Tetrode single tube transmitter

Later Rig:
Heathkit HW7

Sputnik accelerated interest in math and science in the USA

Played violin and chello through college

Education:

Kantronics formed in 1971 by Phil and

Elmer: W0AR - Lee Berger, elmer in Kansas City and suggest the building of a CW code reader called “Field Day”.

Motorola 6502 processor

“The Interface” - first packet “TNC” or terminal node controller. Firmware was computer specific. Later evolution would allow ASCII terminal programs to allow all computers to talk to the TNC. First appeared at the Chicago Hamfest.

Commodore 64
Apple 2E

KPC-1 - “Kantronics Packet Controller”

Kantronics invented protocol GTor added Golay error correction to raise the baud rate.
G-TOR - or Golay-TOR, invented by Kantronics as a HF digital mode with a dramatically increased speed and reliability.

Auxillary Rig: Yaesu FT-450D

Favorite Operating Mode: CW, now on SSB

Current Rig:

Elecraft K3
Elecraft P3 pan adapter with SVGA interface
Stepper IR Vertical Antenna
Beverage Antenna on the Auxillary antenna port to make diversity

RufZ CW practice

SO2V - single operator two VFO operation

Xtal Set Society - Phil’s family business that supplies crystal set parts and kits for educational purposes. As a part of this Phil has designed all of the radio kits sold on the site.

CWT Contests and CW Operators Club - have a 1 hour contest every week.

Beverage Antenna - basics of how to build a Beverage antenna.

8 Day Contest Calendar

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Collins 75A4 Receiver

Commodore 64 Computer
Vintage 1982

Phil's Spider Crystal Set Kit

9 Comments

Mike Morneau

10/3/2015 05:56:40 pm

Excellent interview with Phil Anderson! I still have several of Kantronics' productions in the shack.

Norman carless

10/3/2015 08:54:25 pm

Enjoyed having my memories brought forward. From the past . I am over the hill now at 93 years
73 and God bless you
Norman

Nick Kennedy

10/22/2015 02:39:57 pm

Interesting interview. I had a Kantronics interface card for my Atari 800 back around 1983 - I built tone decoders & encoders for RTTY and worked my first RTTY with it.

John

10/29/2015 12:39:12 pm

Took this podcast on my morning bike ride today. Great conversation, but was hoping to hear some discussion of the 8040a DC receiver and I think there was a companion transmitter. 73

Phil Anderson w0xi

11/1/2015 11:44:08 am

Hi John. It's been so long I don't recall much about the 8040 RX. I'll hunt around...think there are some pictures. There was a little QRP transmitter that some guys used...it was called the (original) Rock Hound and it used a xtal in a logic oscillator for the frequency source. That was feed to four OPEN COLLECTOR NAND GATES IN PARALLEL for a whopping 3 or so watts. This little thing was powered through the KEY to a battery of all things. I've seen the schematic on the web a few times..........might try searching "rock hound tx" or...... thanks, John. Phil W0XI, Lawrence KS......Look for me on 20 meters, usually around 14030.........73 !

Don Richards W7UPF

4/14/2020 02:54:25 pm

I have a device that has your call (W0XI) on the pc board but I have no data as to the purpose of the unit--It is new-unused but with no documentation. On the pc board are the words (REV 2 ECI CW BPF REGEN W0XI 4-3-13-6-10. It is powered with a 9VDC battery. What can you tell me about the unit?

Phil W0XI

11/1/2015 11:48:20 am

John....just checked the web and found these sites for rock hound TX

http://rigreference.com/en/rig/3313-Kantronics_Rockhound

http://www.eham.net/reviews/detail/2315

Don Richards W7UPF

4/14/2020 12:53:22 pm

I was given a a little device that has W0XI name on the circuit board (as the 'producer') and a production date of 4-3-13. There was no literature with it . Can anyone tell me what ham magazine might have featured an article about the unit? It looks like a commercial produced printed circuit board.

Rick Link, formerly WB0KDE link

11/22/2022 11:36:48 am

I worked for Phil at Kantronics starting with the first Morse Code training kit as he pivoted to broaden his market from automobile harness work. Phil offered a great working environment for a young buck testing out his marketing oats, and was great fun to work with.

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W0XI

Episode 061 - Phil Anderson - W0XI

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