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Kantronics KAM Manual

All mode communicator
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Kantronics
All Mode
Communicator
Version D (v2.7)
August 1987
rd
Copyright 1986, by Kantronics Inc., 1202 E 23
St.,
Lawrence, Kansas 6646. All rights reserved.

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  • Page 1 Kantronics All Mode Communicator Version D (v2.7) August 1987 Copyright 1986, by Kantronics Inc., 1202 E 23 St., Lawrence, Kansas 6646. All rights reserved.

  • Page 2: Table Of Contents

    CW Mode ..............25 RTTY & ASCII Operation ..........26 FSK ................27 AMTOR ............... 28 Chapter 5 - Kantronics Personal Packet Mailbox ........29 Chapter 6 - System Operation and Control .......... 35 Display Control ............35 Packet Data Modes ............35 Converse Mode ............

  • Page 3: Preface

    We have attempted to organize the manual in the most logical sequence to simplify installation and operation. Due to the complexity of the KAM, you may wish to save the "exotic" parts until lat- er. Refer to those sections covering multi-connect, gateway and simultaneous HF/VHF packet oper- ation after you have the KAM installed and operating.
  • Page 4 This booklet is available from the U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington, D.C., 20402 by ordering Stock No. 004-00000345-4. RFI SUPPRESSION In moving to the world of digital communications via computers, a new dimension of RFI may be encountered. In spite of the equipment manufacturers' diligence, each new piece of electronic equipment will react differently in each separate environment.

  • Page 5: Chapter 1 - Introduction

    75, 100 and 132 word per minute. These rates equate to 50, 66, 75 and 100 Baud respectively. With the KAM you can set any Baud rate up to and including 300 Baud, in one Baud increments, with software commands from the computer keyboard. Any commonly accepted RTTY shift may be established by software command.
  • Page 6 Chapter 1 - Introduction Personal Packet Mailbox: This unit incorporates the popular Kantronics Personal Packet Mailbox feature. The Mailbox operates independently of your attached terminal or computer. You, or other stations, may leave messages in the Packet Mailbox for retrieval when convenient.

  • Page 7: Controls And Indicators

    HF Section: XMIT - This LED will illuminate when the KAM is keying the PTT line on your HF radio OR when HF packets are being received. CON/LOCK - This LED will illuminate when you have an HF Packet connection OR a valid AMTOR data link.

  • Page 8: Chapter 2 - Connecting Your Computer

    The first steps required are to interconnect your computer with the KAM and get it and the KAM talking to each other. To do this you must connect the KAM to the computer serial data port and load your computer with a terminal program. The serial port provides a place for data to be sent to or received from the KAM.
  • Page 9 Check to make sure that transmit data, receive data and ground are on the same pins as the KAM serial port. Change if necessary. Also check to see whether or not the RTS/CTS or other RS-232 lines are required. The requirement for these lines is usually dictated by the com- puter program you use.
  • Page 10 There are some very specific procedures which must be observed when talking to the KAM. The internal program in the KAM has an extensive set of program routines which allows it to do what you want done and report the results back to you. This short section will give you a familiar- ity with the procedures needed to initially manipulate the unit.
  • Page 11 You should now have your computer connected to the KAM. It's time for power. On the back panel there is a jack marked +12 VDC. Connect the power adapter furnished with the KAM to this jack or, if you use another power source make sure it provides +12 VDC at 300 mA. If you wire your own power cable, make sure you wire it to the barrel plug with the center pin POSITIVE.
  • Page 12 DC7XJ. Your screen should look like this: cmd:Connect DC7XJ If your screen appears correct, watch the VHF transmit LED on the KAM panel and press the RETURN key on your computer. The LED should blink 11 times at about a three second rate. The KAM then "times out"...

  • Page 13: Chapter 3 - Connecting Your Radios

    This unit is shipped with the jumper placed on ONLY ONE of the posts effectively "OFF" so that full equalization is in effect. Should you wish to operate the KAM in a hard wire pack- et line, no equalization should be in effect.
  • Page 14 Chapter 3 - Connecting your radio quire the HI level AFSK output from the KAM. Removing the jumper entirely will provide the maxi- mum possible output level of approximately 1.6 V p/p. Should you require an intermediate value of AFSK modulation signal, it may be obtained by replacing resistor R-25 with the appropriate value chosen from the following chart.
  • Page 15 Pin 4, 5 – Audio signal – 2 conductor audio cable, center conductor Plug this lead to one leg of the Y-connector cable provided in the KAM accessory bag. Plug the Y- connector cable into the external speaker jack of the transceiver. The remaining female connector on the Y-connector cable may be used for an external speaker.
  • Page 16 Pin 6 – Audio signal – 2 conductor audio cable, center conductor Plug this lead to one leg of the Y-connector cable provided in the KAM accessory bag. Plug the Y- connector cable into the external speaker jack of the transceiver. The remaining female connector on the Y-connector cable may be used for an external speaker.

  • Page 17: Special Cases - Interfacing Handheld Radios

    If you plan to operate with a handheld transceiver, KAM has incorporated an isolation circuit which is available by jumper positioning. Enabling this circuit is done as follows: 1.

  • Page 18: Chapter 4 - Operation

    OPERATION OPERATING MODES Before you put the KAM on the air, you should spend a few reading sessions learning how the unit operates. The KAM operates in five modes: CW, RTTY, ASCII, AMTOR ARQ and AMTOR Mode B (FEC or SELFEC) and Packet. Only Packet operation is available through the VHF port while any digital mode, including Packet, may operated through the HF port.

  • Page 19: Initial Operation

    INITIAL OPERATION After you have cabled the KAM to the computer and transceiver, you will need to run the termi- nal program you have for operation with the KAM. Once the terminal program is initialized, turn on the KAM. It uses an autobaud program to set the Baud rate for communication with your com- puter.

  • Page 20: Packet Operation

    Packet transmissions, be certain you have enabled the Monitor function of the KAM. As the end segments illuminate, the HF XMIT LED will also be lit when you are properly tuned, indicating a carrier detect.

  • Page 21: Digipeating

    DIGIPEATING The KAM will function as a digipeater, or Packet relay station, on either HF or VHF or both HF and VHF simultaneously. This feature permits other station to use you as a relay on the same fre- quencies when they cannot connect directly but are both in range of your station.
  • Page 22 – ON and OFF. Status This command can be used to shorten the display returned by KAM when you use the com- mand. Turning STATSHRT ON will cause KAM to report only those streams having a connected sta- cmd: tion or to which the I/O is currently directed.

  • Page 23: Operating With Multiple Connects

    WA5RGU<CR> OPERATING WITH MULTIPLE CONNECTS The KAM may be operated on both HF and VHF with up to 26 connection channels or streams allowed simultaneously. Any combination of HF/VHF Packet connections are allowed. In this sec- tion we will outline the basics of multi-connect operation. Multiple connection capability is a useful mode for multi-user activities.

  • Page 24: Gateway Operations

    KAM is capable of operating as a fully automatic, independent gateway. You can provide access for your VHF local area network to an HF mailbox or gateway system. If you employ KAM in this manner, remember to observe the following guidelines: 1.

  • Page 25: Cw Mode

    While active in the gateway mode, you may also initiate your own Packet conversation on ei- ther or both HF and VHF. The KAM will also support HF or VHF digipeating while the gateway is CW MODE...

  • Page 26: Rtty & Ascii Operation

    400 or 500 Hz until you become more accustomed to the unit. The KAM has an autoranging speed lock capability of plus or minus 20 WPM from the CW speed you have set. If you are unable to copy CW when the signal is properly tuned, try pressing CTRL-C R to reset the tracking speed to a value closer to the estimated speed you are receiving.

  • Page 27: Fsk

    Generally your transceiver should be in LSB if you are not using FSK. Other commands affecting flow control between your computer and the KAM may require adjustment. This may be determined by consulting your com- puter manual.

  • Page 28: Amtor

    SELCALL. If he is available you will hear his responses and observe illumination of the lock and valid LEDs on the KAM. Once lock occurs and the link is validated, you can begin exchanging Information.

  • Page 29: Chapter 5 - Kantronics Personal Packet Mailbox

    The Kantronics ALL MODE Communicator includes the Personal Packet Mailbox. The PERSONAL PACKET MAILBOX configures your KAM so that messages may be left by you or other stations "in" your communicator for later retrieval by you or the other stations. The personal mailbox uses the memory storage of the packet unit, so your mailbox may be left on the air without your Computer, or any Computer attached.
  • Page 30 Chapter 5 - Personal Packet Mailbox PBList This command will list the message header and number of all messages in the personal mailbox. PBMon ON/OFF default ON This command allows you to monitor packets as they are being sent to your personal mail- box by other stations.
  • Page 31 Chapter 5 - Personal Packet Mailbox call, put a comma (no space) then type the text of the message. At the end of the text, enter a carriage return <CR>. Your screen should look like this: cmd:PBS N0APJ,Hello Bud. How do you like the PBBS?<CR> When the <CR>...
  • Page 32 Chapter 5 - Personal Packet Mailbox ACCESSING THE PERSONAL MAILBOX THROUGH THE RADIO PORT General Your personal mailbox can be accessed by you through a remote digipeater or another station by use of the standard Packet connect request. The connect request must use the call or alias es- MYPbbs tablished with the command.
  • Page 33 > Receiving Autoforwarded Messages The Kantronics Personal Packet Mailbox will accept messages from community PBBS systems using the automatic forwarding routine. If your PBBS SysOp includes the call you have set in your personal mailbox in his system's automatic forwarding file, your messages can be downloaded to you.
  • Page 34 Chapter 5 - Personal Packet Mailbox 1. Community PBBS initiates a connect to your station using your personal mailbox callsign: C WA5RGU-1 2. Your station will respond with the mailbox sign on message: WELCOME TO (your callsign) PERSONAL BULLETIN BOARD ENTER COMMAND: Bye, Kill#, List, Read#, Send(callsign) >...

  • Page 35: Chapter 6 System Operation And Control

    Command Mode, there are several charac- ters which have special meanings to the KAM and are not ordinarily included in packets. These in- clude input editing characters and Flow Control characters. Many of these special characters are control characters, which are typed by simultaneously holding down the "control"...

  • Page 36: Transparent Mode

    Convers Mode, except that in this mode there are no special characters. Everything you type (or everything your computer sends to the KAM) is sent over the radio exactly as it appeared to the KAM. Packets are sent at regular time intervals, or when a full packet of Information is ready. The...
  • Page 37 On the second and subsequent trans- mission of a particular packet, the KAM waits an additional random time after detecting a clear channel before beginning transmission. This strategy is based on the assumption that packets which were not acknowledged suffered collisions with transmissions from other stations.

  • Page 38: Flow Control

    A computer file transfer program can very easily be unable to process data fast enough to keep up with output from the KAM. In order to be sure of reading every character, a computer must re- spond to interrupts from its devices. Some simple programs, especially those written in BASIC, may poll the input register for new data.

  • Page 39: Hardware Flow Control

    CTS when it is ready to accept data from the terminal, and negate this line when it is not ready to accept data. Thus, if you find the KAM won't send data to your terminal, one of the first items to check is to verify that the RTS line at pin 4 of the RS-232 port is functional.

  • Page 40: Calibration

    KAM operator in determining the need for equal- ization of a received signal. Since this feature is unique to the Kantronics All Mode Communicator, two stations using the Kantronics All Mode Communicator are necessary to utilize this command.

  • Page 41: Assembly & Disassembly Of Unit

    K-1 for NO equalization. ASSEMBLY AND DISASSEMBLY OF THE UNIT Should you require access to the KAM to reposition jumpers K-1 through K-7 or for other pur- poses, disassemble as follows: 1. Remove all cables from the rear of the unit.

  • Page 42: In Case Of Difficulty

    KAM does not "sign-on" to computer. 1. Carefully recheck cabling between your computer RS-232 port and the KAM. 2. Check carefully to insure that the transmit data, receive data, and ground leads are connected to the proper pins.

  • Page 43: Chapter 7 - Commands And Messages

    There are several parameter types. A parameter which is denoted as "n" is a number, and can be given either in decimal or in hexadecimal form (base 16). When the KAM shows some of these parameters (those which set special characters), they will be given in hex. A hex number is distin- guished from a decimal number by preceding it with a "$"...
  • Page 44 Chapter 7 - Commands and Messages even put characters with special meanings, such as carriage return, into the string by preceding them with the "pass" character. The string ends when you type a (non-passed) carriage return. Some parameters can be set differently for the two radi o ports. In the command descriptions, MAX- these parameters are indicated by two default settings separated by a slash, for example FRAME...

  • Page 45: Command Display

    HEADERLN STREAMEV LLIST STREAMER $40/$7C MALL XOFF MBEACON MCOM MCON CMD:DISP I MONITOR OFF/OFF BEACON EVERY 0/EVERY 0 MRESP BTEXT KANTRONICS ALL MODE MRPT COMMUNICATOR V2.0 MSTAMP CMSG OFF/OFF SUPCALLS NONE CTEXT SUPLIST OFF/OFF MYALIAS MYCALL MYGATE MYSELCAL UNPROTO CQ/CQ...

  • Page 46: Response Messages

    This is the Command Mode's prompt for input. Any characters entered after the KAM prints cmd: will be used as command input and not Packet data.
  • Page 47 This version of KAM software does not support the particular optional modem installed inside the unit. Check with Kantronins on updates. EXTERNAL MODEM CAN ONLY BE USED IN VHF-ONLY MODE The particular optional modem installed inside the KAM unit can only be used when the HF val- MAXUsers ue of is set to zero.
  • Page 48 A retry sequence is in progress. Device busy The KAM is not able to accept further data packets from the radio for the time being. An RNR (Receiver Not Ready) has been sent. *** FRMR sent Frame reject packet has been sent due to a detected error in protocol.

  • Page 49: Commands

    Chapter 7 - Commands and Messages COMMANDS (v2.7) 8bitconv ON|OFF default OFF When ON, transmission of 8-bit data is allowed in the Packet Convers Mode and ASCII Mode. If OFF, the 8 data bit is stripped. If you wish to obtain 8-bit data transmission but do not want all the features of Transparent Mode, set this command to ON.
  • Page 50 If the repeater squelch tail is long, it is not necessary to wait for after keying the VHF AXHang transmitter if the repeater is still transmitting. If the KAM has heard a packet within the AXDelay period, it will not add to the keyup time.
  • Page 51 CALibrate command is used to generate a square-wave signal which may be used as an aid in tuning the transceiver for operation with the KAM. Use of this command is explained in the Calibrate Section of the manual, Chapter 5.
  • Page 52 Convers Mode as well as Transpar- ent Mode. CPACTime ON is normally used when a computer is attached to the KAM at the other end of the link but full Transparent Mode is not desired. In this configuration characters are sent...
  • Page 53 Chapter 7 - Commands and Messages CR ON|OFF default ON SEndpac When ON the character (normally carriage return) is appended to all packets sent in SEndpac Convers Mode. Setting ON and $0D results in a natural Conversation Mode. Each line is sent when a CR is entered and arrives at its destination with the CR appended to the end of the AUTOLf line.
  • Page 54 To disable digipeat operations turn this command OFF. This command is valid only while the KAM is in Command Mode or packet op- eration. Selection of CW, RTTY, ASCII or AMTOR Modes disables...
  • Page 55 EXcardet ON|OFF default OFF/OFF When ON, the KAM will be dependent on the input of an external carrier detect signal on the radio connector. This carrier detect signal must be provided by the radio for the KAM demodulator circuits to be enabled. This input may be used in the same manner as a "squelch" input to allow the KAM to detect activity on a shared-mode channel.
  • Page 56 HId ON|OFF default OFF/OFF This command is used to control sending of identification packets by the KAM. If ON, an identi- fication packet will be sent every 9.5 minutes PROVIDED THAT packets are being digipeated through your station. If OFF, periodic identification packets will not be sent. This command should...
  • Page 57 Command Mode. Now any command which will cause a soft reset, e.g. RESET, MAXUSER, PBBS, etc., will put the KAM in KISS Mode. Turning the KAM off and then on will cause the KAM to return to Command Mode. The other method of entering KISS Mode is to KIissmode...
  • Page 58 MCon ON|OFF default OFF/OFF When ON, the KAM will observe the Monitor command while connected to other units. If you want all packets heard to be displayed while you are not connected, but wish such display sup- pressed when you are connected, leave this command at OFF.
  • Page 59 MYcall This command tells the KAM what its callsign is. This callsign will be placed in the FROM ad- dress field for all packets originated by it, and it will respond to frames with this call sign in the TO or digipeat fields as appropriate.
  • Page 60 OFF/OFF When this command is ON, the KAM will accept packets, regardless of whether or not the CRC is correct. The KAM will attempt to decode the address field as well as the data field and display Monitor MHeard...
  • Page 61 + 1) /256. If it does not transmit it waits one slot time before again trying to transmit with the same probability. If PERSIST is 255, the KAM will transmit with probability of one, meaning it will transmit immediately, which is the way all TNCs DWAIT have been working up to now.
  • Page 62 You can enter the code in either hex or decimal. You can type this character to cause the KAM to retype a line you have begun. When you type REDisplay -line character, the following things happen: First, type-in flow control is temporarily released (if it was enabled).
  • Page 63 Chapter 7 - Commands and Messages default 80 SCreenl This value is used to properly format terminal output. A CR sequence is sent to the terminal at the end of a line when n characters have been printed. A value of zero inhibits this action. is var- iable from 0 to 255.
  • Page 64 STOp STARt are used to determine type of flow control in Transparent Mode. When STOp are set to $00, hardware flow control must always be used. If not zero, the KAM will respond STARt STOp to the users characters, and remain transparent to other characters from the ter- minal or computer.
  • Page 65 XFlow When OFF, software flow control is not used, i.e., is treated as OFF. If both ON, the KAM will use the XON and XOFF characters to control input from the terminal. Unproto call 1(VIA call2, call 3..call5) default CQ/CQ This command is used to set the digipeat and destination address fields of packets sent in the unconnected mode.
  • Page 66 The following control commands are used within non-packet operating modes to direct the KAM to take specific actions. In all cases you issue a CTRL-C command by pressing the CTRL key and while holding it down type the letter C. Release both, then press the letter indicated to obtain the desired action.

  • Page 67: Part List

    Chapter 7 - Commands and Messages KAM PARTS LIST µ01 µ01 PN2222 µ01 µ001 PN2222 µ1 µ001 PN2222 µ001 µ001 PN2222 µ001 µ001 PN2907A µ001 µ001 2N7000 1µ Alum µ1 PN2907A µ001 PN2907A µ001 1N4003 PN2222 µ1 1N4003 PN2907A µ001...
  • Page 68 Chapter 7 - Commands and Messages 100k R100 - 680k R101 - 620k R102 - 220k R103 - 100k 220k R104 - 100k R105 - R106 - 9k53 MF R107 - R108 - 100k 220k R109 - 120k 100k R110 - 150k R111 - 150k...

  • Page 69: Component Placement Diagram

    Chapter 7 - Commands and Messages...

  • Page 70: Schematic Diagram

    Chapter 7 - Commands and Messages...

  • Page 71: Command Summary

    Chapter 7 - Commands and Messages COMMAND SUMMARY COMMAND FUNCTION 8bitconv Strip 8 data bit? ABaud Sets serial port baud rate ALlias Use MYAlias for digipeating? AMtor AMTOR standby mode or Mode A Master ASCBaud Sets ASCII baud rate Ascii Places unit in ASCII Mode AUtocr Sets interval for automatic transmission of CR...
  • Page 72 Chapter 7 - Commands and Messages EScape Sets character sent to you for ESC EXcardet Use external pin for carrier detect EXTmodem Selects optional external modem on VHF Places unit in Mode B(FEC) AMTOR only FIlter Filter out control characters? FLow Helps keep received code from messing up your typing FRack...
  • Page 73 Chapter 7 - Commands and Messages PBKill Delete a message from the Personal Mailbox PBList Lists message headers and number of messages PBMon Monitors messages sent to your mailbox PBRead Read a message in Mailbox PBSend Put a message in Mailbox PErm Makes parameter values permanent in EEPROM Accept I frames with different PIDs?
  • Page 74 Chapter 7 - Commands and Messages PERSONAL MAILBOX MYPbbs Callsign for your personal mailbox PBBS Allocate RAM for personal mailbox PBDisconnect Force the personal mailbox to disconnect user PBKill Delete a message from the personal mailbox PBList Lists message header and number of messages PBMon Allow a monitoring of packets addressed to mailbox PBRead...

  • Page 75: Appendix I - Terminal Programs

    90 GOTO 50 100 CLOSE2 110 END Wire a 24 pin edge connector, as shown, to the cable provided with the KAM. The #1 function key will return the C-64 computer to BASIC. For use with the VIC-20, change the COMmand (see command section) parameter to $05.
  • Page 76 Chapter 7 - Commands and Messages A BASIC TERMINAL PROGRAM FOR THE TRS-80 MODEL III OUT 232,0 OUT232.164 OUT233,85 IF INP(234) and 128 then print CHR$(INP(235));: GOTO 10 A$=INKEY$:IF A$="" THEN 10 IF INP(234)and64 THEN OUT 235,ASC(A$): GOTO 10 ELSE GOTO 30 Put the TRS-80 Model III in BASIC.
  • Page 77 1655 OPEN #KEY,4,0,"K:" 1660 RETURN WHEN USING THIS PROGRAM, SET THE KAM'S DELETE AND AUTOLF COMMANDS TO OFF. Figure 1: Pin functions of Serial Port No. 1 in 850 Interface Module 9-pin female connector. NOTE: These views are looking AT socket from OUTSIDE of Interface.

  • Page 78: Appendix Ii - Tcp/Ip

    255 n can be any value from 0 to 255. When the KAM has a packet to send and the channel is clear, it will begin transmitting with a probability of (n+1)/256. If it does not transmit, it waits one...
  • Page 79 Obtain TCP/FP details from a TCP/IP group. In addition the operation of the KAM is set to respond with a KISS mode program that is compatible with the TCP/IP - KISS in- terface defined at the time of manufacture. It is anticipated that the "KISS" interface will not...
  • Page 80 (frame end) character, analogous to an HDLC flag. No CRC or checksum is provided, FEND {frame end) is 300 octal or $C0. Hence a command to your KAM would have a FEND character, followed by the "type" character, followed by data or parameters, and completed by another FEND charac- ter.

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