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Kantronics KAM 98 User Manual

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KAM'98
Users Guide:
Kantronics
1202 E. 23rd Street,
Lawrence, Kansas 66046
Orders/ Inquiries (785) 842-7745
FAX (785) 842-2031
e-mail sales@kantronics.com
website: www.kantronics.com
Service / Technical Support (785) 842-4476 (2-5 pm Central Time, M-F)
Introduction,
Getting Started,
Modes of Operation,
Command Reference, and
Hardware Specifications
FAX
(785) 842-2021
e-mail service@kantronics.com

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  • Page 1 Modes of Operation, Command Reference, and Hardware Specifications Kantronics 1202 E. 23rd Street, Lawrence, Kansas 66046 Orders/ Inquiries (785) 842-7745 FAX (785) 842-2031 e-mail sales@kantronics.com website: www.kantronics.com Service / Technical Support (785) 842-4476 (2-5 pm Central Time, M-F) (785) 842-2021 e-mail service@kantronics.com...
  • Page 2 KAM’98, KPC-9612 Plus, KPC-3 Plus, Pacterm and Pacterm’98 are trademarks of Kantronics Co., Inc. NET/ROM is a registered trademark of SOFTWARE 2000. APRS is a registered trademark of Bob Bruninga, WB4APR.
  • Page 3 Please fill out this warranty registration form (or a copy of it) and mail it with a copy of your sales receipt to register your purchase. Both must be on file at Kantronics in order for you to receive warranty service. Refer to the warranty policy in this manual for further information.
  • Page 4 User’s Guide KAM’98 v 8.3...

  • Page 5: License Agreement

    WARE and accompanying written materials on a permanent basis provided you retain no copies and the recipient agrees to the terms of this Agreement. Kantronics may terminate this Agreement without notice if you violate any terms or conditions of the Agreement. In the event of termination of the Agreement, provisions relating to Kantronics’...
  • Page 6 (c)(1)(ii) of the Rights in Technical Data and Computer SOFTWARE clause of DFARS 252.227-7013. Kantronics may in its sole discretion, provide you with upgrades of the SOFT- WARE and/or Documentation if you have provided Kantronics your completed Warranty registration with a copy of your receipt showing the amount you paid.

  • Page 7: Table Of Contents

    TABLE OF CONTENTS License Agreement ....... . . iii Limited Warranty ........1 Applicable Products: .
  • Page 8 Table of Contents Installing Your KAM’98........33 The Major Components of Your Station .
  • Page 9 Table of Contents Overview........70 Installing Pacterm .
  • Page 10 Table of Contents F9 = Switch Your TNC to Command Mode....90 F10 = Disconnect and EXIT to DOS ..... . 91 ESC or CTRL+C (on Main Menu Only) = EXIT to DOS.
  • Page 11 Table of Contents Monitoring some HF Modes ......108 Radio Teletype ....... . . 108 Pactor Monitoring .
  • Page 12 Table of Contents Formatting Data ....... . 130 Hints for G-TOR Operation ......130 Binary Files and G-TOR .
  • Page 13 Table of Contents Retries AX.25 Level 2, Version 1 vs. Version 2 ....152 Flow Control ........154 Software Flow Control .
  • Page 14 GPS Equipment Requirements ......180 Cabling a GPS Unit to a Kantronics TNC ....181 Setup: Configuring a Kantronics TNC for GPS Operation .
  • Page 15 Copying Weather Broadcasts NWS EMWIN ....211 Kantronics Host Mode Operation ..... . . 211 KISS Mode .
  • Page 16 Table of Contents Appendix A: Advanced Installation ......325 Precautions ........325 Connecting to the Computer (DB-25) .
  • Page 17 Table of Contents Appendix D: In Case of Difficulty ......346 KAM’98 Does Not “Sign-On” to Computer....346 You Are Unable to Make a “Connect”...

  • Page 19: Limited Warranty

    2. REMEDY. Kantronics agrees that, for any Applicable Product found by Kantronics to be in violation of the warranty of Section 1 hereof within the Ap- plicable Warranty Period, it will, at its option, repair or replace the defective Ap- plicable Product at no charge to you, excluding in-bound shipping charges.

  • Page 20: Applicable Products

    HOW LONG AN IMPLIED WARRANTY LASTS, SO THE ABOVE LIMI- TATION MAY NOT APPLY TO YOU. 5. APPLICABLE PRODUCTS AND PERIODS. Kantronics products are of two types - (1) hardware units and (2) firmware and software for operation of these units, whether incorporated into the units themselves or separate from the units as adjuncts or accessories to the units.
  • Page 21 If the dealer is unable to assist you, contact Kantronics Co., Inc., by mail at 1202 East 23rd Street, Law- rence, Kansas 66046 USA; by fax at 785-842-2021; or by phone at our Customer Support number 785-842-4476 (Hours: 2:00 p.m.
  • Page 22 Limited Warranty shall be subject to a minimum charge of one-half hour labor rate and the product will be returned to you at your sole expense. Please note, no warranty service will be provided until Kantronics has been furnished with your Warranty Registration card and copy of proof of purchase establishing purchase date.

  • Page 23: Return/Repair Procedures

    It may be useful to perform a “Hard Reset”. (See Hard Reset section.) If service or repairs still appear necessary after you have checked the items listed above, it may be wise to call, fax, e-mail or write Kantronics to determine if the problem can be solved without returning the unit.

  • Page 24: Charges

    Charges Consult the limited warranty policy in this manual for the service provisions of- fered by Kantronics at no charge. This warranty is considered to be in force only when the customer has submitted his completed warranty registration within 10 days of purchase, and when the stipulations of the warranty have been met.

  • Page 25: International Returns

    In case of unit problems, first contact the dealer from whom you purchased the product. If you must return a Kantronics product to us, please observe the steps outlined below. It will save both you, the customer, and Kantronics unnecessary difficulties and expense.
  • Page 26 To be eligible for repair under warranty, we must have a record that you sent your Warranty Registration card and proof of purchase to Kantronics, and the item(s) must still be within the warranty period at the time the return is authorized.

  • Page 27: Radio Frequency Interference Statement

    Radio Frequency Interference Statement Radio Frequency Interference Statement INFORMATION TO THE USER NOTE: This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class B digital Device, pursuant to Part 15 of the FCC Rules. These limits are de- signed to provide reasonable protection against harmful interference in a residen- tial installation.

  • Page 28: Eu Declaration Of Conformity: "Ce

    EU Declaration of Conformity: “CE” EU Declaration of Conformity: “CE” NOTE: This equipment, Kantronics’ KAM’98, has been tested and found to comply with the essential emission and immunity requirements of the EMC Di- rective 89/336/EEC. The test results are on file at the corporate offices of Kantronics.

  • Page 29: Introduction

    The KAM’98 advances the state of the art beyond the pioneering Kantronics’ KAM and KAM Plus products in a number of ways, including increased pro- cessing power and more available transmission speeds.
  • Page 30 Introduction Welcome • TOR modes: KAM’98 users can communicate (or listen) with the full range of TOR modes, both linked (e.g., AMTOR ARQ) and unlinked (FEC, SELFEC, NAVTEX/AMTEX). • Other non-packet modes: KAM’98 users can communicate via RTTY, CW, or ASCII protocols. •...
  • Page 31 KAM’98, as described below. • Remote access: As with other Kantronics devices, the KAM’98 can be accessed and controlled from a remote location (with password control, if desired), so most KAM’98 commands can be issued from a remote station connected this way to the KAM’98.

  • Page 32: Major Uses Of Your Kam'98

    Introduction Major Uses of Your KAM’98 Major Uses of Your KAM’98 Major uses of the KAM’98 (when combined with an appropriate transceiver and computer, as described below) include: • using computers to carry on real-time digital conversations between stations • sending, receiving, storing and forwarding mail using a personal mailbox inside the KAM’98 •...

  • Page 33: Documentation Conventions

    A full “Command Reference”, documenting all KAM’98 commands. • Full details on KAM’98 jumpers, a parts list, and other technical specifications. Additional documentation and supporting material is available at the Kantronics website (www.kantronics.com). Documentation Conventions The following conventions are used in the KAM’98 documentation: To indicate a particular key, the name of the key is given in capitals.

  • Page 34: Differences From The Kam Plus

    (the Motorola HC11), the KAM Plus may not be upgraded to a KAM’98. The KAM’98 is a single-port multi-mode controller that advances the state of the art beyond the pioneering Kantronics KAM and KAM Plus in a number of ways: •...

  • Page 35: Package Contents

    Package Contents Introduction freeing up the RS-232 port to fully support a laptop or computer. In addition, the AUX port may be used as a “disconnect header,” enabling the attachment of an experiment modem. • Like the new family of packet units, the KPC-3 Plus and KPC-9612 Plus (and the KWM-1200P, and KWM-9612P for commercial use), audio drive is supported by digital potentiometers.

  • Page 36: Additional Parts For Your Multi-Mode Radio Station

    (3.5", DS/HD 1.44MB, formatted for PC (IBM) compatible computers), which includes PACTERM 2.0, a basic DOS-based PC terminal program. Note: This is NOT the same program as Kantronics’ Windows 95/98/NT program, Pacterm’98. • Warranty registration form (see front of this manual) •...

  • Page 37: Basic Components Of Your Station

    Once you get your station up and running, you may wish to use a Windows based terminal communication program (e.g., Pacterm’98, for Windows 95, offered by Kantronics), in which case you will need to be using an appropriate version of Windows.

  • Page 38: Inside A Tnc - The Kam'98

    TNC, the KAM’98, which supports one modem port and one auxillary port (e.g., for GPS attachment). Note: Other Kantronics TNCs may have different features than the KAM’98 (e.g., multi-port support, support for paging, support for some but not other modes of digital communication).
  • Page 39 Inside a TNC – the KAM’98 Introduction Computer and/or HF/V HF Local Device G PS device Transceiver (control and/or data aquisition) Inside the KAM’98 Auxilla ry HF/VHF Port Ra d io Port Mic ro-p roc e ssor re a l-tim e c loc k KAM’98 Firm wa re.

  • Page 40: Overview Of Modes Of Digital Communication

    Introduction Overview of Modes of Digital Overview of Modes of Digital Communication HF/VHF and Packet/Non-Packet Communication Historically, digital modes found their way into radio communications in the HF bands (3 to 30 Mhz) first. Morse Code (CW) was, of course, the first digital mode! Radio teletype (radio telex) followed, in the 1950s, as teletype machines became plentiful.

  • Page 41: Packet Communication

    Packet Communication Introduction In addition, the KAM’98 is the latest in the family of multi-mode digital control- lers; that is, it not only can communication in the traditional HF modes but sup- ports packet radio for both HF and VHF communications. It is unique in that its single radio port can be configured to operate any of the modes mentioned above with an HF radio or switched (by command) to operation VHF packet.

  • Page 42: Sending A Message To Another Station

    Introduction Packet Communication Sending a Message to Another Station A quick way to see the basic components of packet radio in action is to follow a simple message as it goes from one station to another, via an intermediate station. Let’s assume that an originating station, WØXI, wants to send the message “HELLO”...
  • Page 43 Packet Communication Introduction tion” station KBØNYK using an intermediate station NØGZZ as a repeater station to carry the information be- yond the range of the originating station and into the range of the destination station. Step 3. The “connect” command with address given to the TNC causes the TNC to formulate a “request to connect”...
  • Page 44 Introduction Packet Communication Step 6. The TNC receives the message, “HELLO”, and takes charge of the situation, performing a number of complex operations: it uses the “connection” information about where the message is to go and the path it is to take and combines this with the message itself to assemble a “packet”...
  • Page 45 Packet Communication Introduction Step 10. The “HELLO” packet, including address information (i.e., to, from, via) and other control information, is now on the air, where it may be correctly interpreted by all appropriately configured (i.e., AX.25 packet) stations that receive the signal. Step 11.
  • Page 46 Introduction Packet Communication close enough to receive the RF burst sent by NØGZZ, and currently set to display messages on a computer screen. So the “HELLO” message re-transmitted by NØGZZ arrives at KBØNYK’s TNC, where it is pro- cessed and recognized as an AX.25 packet addressed to itself.

  • Page 47: Packets: Dividing Messages Into Segments

    Packet Communication Introduction Packets: Dividing Messages into Segments An efficient way to send a message from one place to another is to break the in- formation into small segments, called packets or frames, and send each packet separately. Note: The correct technical term is “data frame”, not “packet” or “frame,” but we will use the term “packet,”...

  • Page 48: How A Packet Is Organized

    Introduction Packet Communication follow a set of rules for communicating. These rules are specified in the AX.25 protocol. After a connection has been established between two stations, information Packets are transmitted one-by-one (or in small batches), with a sequence number as part of each packet, from the sending station to the receiving station.

  • Page 49: Kinds Of Packets

    Packet Communication Introduction An AX.25 information packet (also called a "frame") (string of b its) Sing le c ha ra c ter, for Sing le c ha ra c ter, for "beg inning of pa c ket" "end of pa c ket" De stina tion sta tion, Sourc e sta tion, a nd up to 8 inte rm e d ia te sta tions...

  • Page 50: Protocols: Rules For Working Together

    Introduction Packet Communication Protocols: Rules for Working Together Packet radio, like any communication, is only possible if all parties involved (i.e., sender, receiver, and intermediate points on the route between them) agree on the rules for organizing information and the rules for dealing with all steps of the transmission.

  • Page 51: Installing Your Kam'98

    Installing Your KAM’98 This chapter will guide you as quickly as possible through the steps of setting up your multi-mode digital radio station. This chapter covers the hardware side of setting up your multi-mode digital radio station, and refers where necessary to the following chapter on “Pacterm 2.0” (a DOS-based terminal program) for the steps involved in software configuration.

  • Page 52: The Major Components Of Your Station

    Installing Your KAM’98 The Major Components of Your Station After you have followed the “hardware installation” steps in this chapter and the “software installation and configuration” steps in the “Pacterm 2.0” chapter, you will be ready to move on to the “Getting Started” and “Modes of Operation” chapters.

  • Page 53: The Transceivers

    Po we r Co m p ute r/GPS Note: All Kantronics models are “Terminal Node Controller” (TNC) devices. All Kantronics TNCs can operate without the computer being connected, once they have been configured. For example, you can receive messages via the radio port for storage in the personal mailbox, inside the KAM’98, without using your computer.
  • Page 54 Installing Your KAM’98 The Major Components of Your Station MIC jack and you’ll have to use a “Y” cable and attach an external speaker to hear signals (since plugging in a 3.5 mm connector into the external speaker jack of the radio will cut off the internal speaker.) If your transceiver accommodates a data jack connection for a radio modem, then you are free to leave your microphone connected to the MIC jack and the internal speaker of your transceiver stays active with the data jack wired.

  • Page 55: The Computer

    The Major Components of Your Station Installing Your KAM’98 The Computer Your KAM’98 can work with any computer that can communicate with it through a standard RS-232C serial modem port. Technical note: You need to be sure the wiring is as shown in the installation sec- tion below.

  • Page 56: The Serial Port On Your Computer

    KAM’98 digital radio station. After you get up and running, there are many communication programs you could use with the KAM’98. For example, Kantronics’ Pacterm’98 (a full-featured, Windows 95/98/NT terminal program) offers significantly more functionality than does the start-up program.

  • Page 57: Gps Device (Optional)

    The Major Components of Your Station Installing Your KAM’98 1. Is your c om p ute r's se ria l (COM) p ort DB-9 or DB-25 ? 9 p ins 25 p ins T he c om p ute r-e nd of your RS-232 c a b le m ust ha ve the sa m e num b e r of p ins a s d oe s your se ria l (COM) p ort.

  • Page 58: How The Parts Of Your Station Are Connected

    Installing Your KAM’98 How the Parts of Your Station are How the Parts of Your Station are Connected The following diagram shows how the components of your KAM’98 multi-mode digital radio station (including options beyond those covered in this chapter) will be connected and the kinds of connectors that will be used.

  • Page 59: Connect Your Kam'98 To A Power Source

    Connect Your KAM’98 to a Power Source Installing Your KAM’98 As you assemble your station, you may wish to refer to this diagram. With this overview, we are now ready for step-by-step instructions for installing your station, which we will do in the following order: •...

  • Page 60: External Power From Your Bench (12 Volt Dc)

    Installing Your KAM’98 Connect Your KAM’98 to a Power Source • Some transceivers (e.g., ICOM 706, 710) have an ACC jack that be used to supply external power to the KAM’98 from the transceiver. The steps needed for each way to supply power to the KAM’98 are given below, along with detailed specification for each part needed.

  • Page 61: External Power Transformed From 120 Vac Line Voltage

    12Vdc (using a class 2 transformer: input 120 Vac 60 Hz 6W; nominal output 12Vdc 300mA). The steps are: Step 1-A. You may order from Kantronics, as an option, a Kantronics 120 Vac to 12Vdc 300mA power adapter, or Step 1-B. You may purchase the needed 120 Vac to 12Vdc 300mA power adapter from a third party , Step 2.

  • Page 62: External Power From Your Radio

    Installing Your KAM’98 Connect your KAM’98 to Your Computer External Power from your Radio Step 1. Determine which ACC Jack to use (refer to the radio manual) and establish that 200 ma of current at 12VDC is available. Step 2. Determine pin and current from ACC jack.

  • Page 63: Purchase Your Serial Cable

    Connect your KAM’98 to Your Computer Installing Your KAM’98 Purchase Your Serial Cable To purchase your cable (from your local amateur radio dealer or computer dealer): • specify that you need a standard serial modem cable (RS-232C), with high quality shielding, of whatever length is appropriate, and at least 9 wires connected, •...
  • Page 64 Installing Your KAM’98 Connect your KAM’98 to Your Computer Pacterm 2.0, the communication software shipped with the KAM’98, needs the 5 wire connections shown below. Some third-party software does not use hardware flow contol and therefore does not need the RTS and CTS wires shown below. For details on preparing your cable wiring, use the chart below that is appropriate for your configuration.

  • Page 65: Installing The Rs-232 Cable

    Connect your KAM’98 to Your Computer Installing Your KAM’98 <——> 3 TXD <——> 2 RXD <——> 7 RTS <——> 8 CTS <——> 5 SG CASE 2-B: Wiring if computer has a 9 pin connector and the cable has 8 or more wires.
  • Page 66 KAM’98, you will need to connect to your computer’s COM1 or COM2 port, but with appropriate communication software, the KAM’98 can connect to any COM port on a PC compatible computer. Kantronics has programs available for PC com- patible computers. Programs for other computers may be obtained through your computer store.

  • Page 67: Install Software And Configure Your Kam'98

    Install Software and Configure Your KAM’98 Installing Your KAM’98 This concludes the physical installation of the serial cable needed for your KAM’98 and your computer to communicate with each other. To verify that your serial cable is correctly wired and connected, you need to install communication software in the computer and then use that software to establish communication with the KAM’98.
  • Page 68 Installing Your KAM’98 Install Software and Configure Your KAM’98 You may find that the steps described in the Quick Start section of that chapter (see page 71) are all you need or you may want to go through the “Pacterm 2.0” chapter in more detail.

  • Page 69: Connect Your Kam'98 To Your Transceiver

    Connect Your KAM’98 to Your Transceiver Installing Your KAM’98 Connect Your KAM’98 to Your Transceiver The last connections you need to establish are between your KAM’98 and your transceiver. As noted above, the KAM’98 is a single radio port device, but with the ability to select which of two ways to connect to devices outside the TNC: (1) via a “Ra- dio”...

  • Page 70: Parts For Connecting Your Kam'98 To Your Transceiver

    DB-9 connector supplied with your KAM’98. Note: A DB-9 connector for the AUX port is not shipped with the KAM’98, but may be ordered from Kantronics or from a third-party sup- plier such as Radio Shack Preparing the Transceiver Cable Assembly This section gives instructions for how to assemble the cable assembly needed to connect your transceiver to your KAM’98, starting with the wiring requirements.
  • Page 71 Connect Your KAM’98 to Your Transceiver Installing Your KAM’98 • RXA - receive audio, • PTT, • ground. These are commonly available pins found on nearly ALL radios, HF and VHF. The most common connection from the KAM’98 will be to the microphone jack (on the front of the radio) for transmitting, and to the external speaker jack (on the back of the radio) for receiving.
  • Page 72 Note: If you need further assistance on your radio cabling, contact the radio man- ufacturer, your dealer, or a local amateur who has already installed a TNC. Kantronics is not likely to have pin assignments for specific transceiver models, since hundreds of models are available.
  • Page 73 Connect Your KAM’98 to Your Transceiver Installing Your KAM’98 Yaesu diagrams — pag G8] KAM’98 v 8.3 User’s Guide...
  • Page 74 Installing Your KAM’98 Connect Your KAM’98 to Your Transceiver [ICOM diagrams — page G9] User’s Guide KAM’98 v 8.3...
  • Page 75 Connect Your KAM’98 to Your Transceiver Installing Your KAM’98 [Kenwood diagrams — page G10] KAM’98 v 8.3 User’s Guide...

  • Page 76: Constructing The Cable Assembly

    Installing Your KAM’98 Connect Your KAM’98 to Your Transceiver Your Transceiver’s Microphone Connections to Your KAM’98. If you use the microphone on your transceiver, you may wish to makes notes of the following connections, which you will use for wiring your assembly: •...
  • Page 77 Connect Your KAM’98 to Your Transceiver Installing Your KAM’98 [DIAGRAM(s) - top of page G8 of V 5.0 manual] Hint: Make notes of which wires (colors, cables) you use for each connection, so you will be able to keep track of which connection is which. To construct your transceiver cable assembly, proceed as follows: Wiring between your Transceiver Microphone and your KAM’98: Follow the notes taken above and wire the cable assembly in the following order:...
  • Page 78 Installing Your KAM’98 Connect Your KAM’98 to Your Transceiver • attach the wire from pin 1 (transmit audio) on the DB-9 to the microphone connector’s input pin, • attach the wire from pin 3 (push-to-talk) on the DB-9 to the microphone connector’s PTT or STBY pin, •...
  • Page 79 Connect Your KAM’98 to Your Transceiver Installing Your KAM’98 Complete the Construction of Your Assembly Using the DB-9 kit that ships with the KAM’98, complete the DB-9 assembly: Step 1. Install the strain relief around the two cables whose wires are attached to the DB-9 connector, to protect the wires from being accidentally pulled from the pins: •...
  • Page 80 Installing Your KAM’98 Connect Your KAM’98 to Your Transceiver Step 2. Install the back shell assembly around the DB-9 connec- tor and cable(s): • select the parts needed: (1) the two shells that will be arranged to contain the DB-9 connector and the cables (and the strain relief attached to the cables), (2) two long half-threaded screws and two shaped washers, to attach the whole as-...

  • Page 81: Connecting Your Transceiver Cable Assembly

    Connect Your KAM’98 to Your Transceiver Installing Your KAM’98 two parts are touching from front to back, and hold the parts loosely together, • while holding the DB-9 connector in place in the shell, insert the two long, half-threaded screws (with their washers) into the holes on either side of the back-plane of the DB-9 connector, until the washers (and screw heads) contact the...

  • Page 82: Wiring To A Data Jack

    Installing Your KAM’98 Connect Your KAM’98 to Your Transceiver Step 5. Plug both the microphone connector and the external speaker jack into your transceiver. Wiring to a Data Jack If you chose to wire your KAM’ 98 to your SSB radio’s data (ACC) jack, this is the right place.
  • Page 83 Connect Your KAM’98 to Your Transceiver Installing Your KAM’98 To adjust the squelch control and receive volume of your transceiver (if avail- able) to the proper level (or to confirm that it is already set at the proper level), do the following: Step 1.

  • Page 84: Transmit Level Adjustment

    Installing Your KAM’98 Connect Your KAM’98 to Your Transceiver Transmit level adjustment The data drive level (transmit audio voltage, TXA) from the KAM’98 to your ra- dio is adjusted digitally, using your keyboard and the transmit level (XMITLVL) or the calibrate (CAL) command. Previous models (e.g., KAM, KAM Plus) used a set of jumpers and/or an analog potentiometer (pot) to set this level.

  • Page 85: Connecting To A Gps Device (Optional)

    Connecting to a GPS Device (Optional) Installing Your KAM’98 Alternatively, you may use the calibrate command (CAL) which has a zoom fea- ture; that is, you can hold down the ‘-’ or ‘+’ key to decrease or increase the volt- age (as you watch a meter or listen).
  • Page 86 Installing Your KAM’98 Connecting to a GPS Device (Optional) “SIGNAL GROUND” to signal ground (pin 7) on the KAM’98. Your GPS re- ceiver may require other pins to be connected, check its documentation. See your GPS manual and the chapter in this manual on “GPS NMEA Interfacing Capability”...

  • Page 87: Pacterm V 2.0

    Pacterm 2.0) , including TERMINAL (Windows 3.1), HYPERTERM (Windows 95), Hostmaster II+ (a DOS-based program from Kantronics), and Kantronics’ Pacterm’98 for Windows 95/98/NT. Technical Note: With appropriate cabling, software and adapters, the TNC also will operate with non-PC compatible computers and “dumb terminals.”...

  • Page 88: Overview

    Pacterm v 2.0 Introduction • You know, or are learning, how to use your TNC in NEWUSER and/or TERMINAL Interface Mode, along with your PC compatible computer and your transceiver, for packet radio operations. Overview You can use Pacterm to do the following: •...
  • Page 89 Pacterm v 2.0 Quick Start To get started right away using Pacterm to communicate with your TNC: 1. Copy the file PACTERM.COM from your “Kantronics Program and Infor- mation Disk” to your hard drive, using DOS or following directions on the disk.

  • Page 90: Installing Pacterm

    CD \PACTERM — again, be sure to include the backslash. 2. Put the “Kantronics Program and Information” disk in floppy Drive A (or B), User’s Guide KAM’98 v 8.3...

  • Page 91: Guided Installation

    Guided Installation Another way to install Pacterm on your hard drive is to use the Kantronics Pro- gram and Information disk to guide you through the steps, as follows: 1. Put the Kantronics Program and Information disk (or a backup) in a floppy drive (e.g., A or B) and, if you are not already there, change to the floppy...

  • Page 92: Establishing Communication

    Pacterm v 2.0 Establishing Communication Establishing Communication For Pacterm to communicate with your TNC, these conditions must be met: • The TNC is turned ON. • The TNC is connected to your computer’s COM1 or COM2 port and Pacterm is set to expect it on the COM port to which it is connected. •...

  • Page 93: Starting Pacterm

    Starting Pacterm Pacterm v 2.0 Starting Pacterm To start Pacterm, once you have connected your TNC to your computer: 1. Use DOS to go to the drive and directory where you have installed Pacterm. For example, if you copied Pacterm to “C:\COMM” by using the Install pro- gram, type “C:\COMM”, then press the ENTER key and you will see the prompt “C:\COMM”.

  • Page 94: Coordinating Pacterm And Your Tnc

    Pacterm v 2.0 Coordinating Pacterm and Your TNC Coordinating Pacterm and Your TNC Several TNC parameter values affect how Pacterm communicates with the TNC. Coordinating BAUD Rates: The Autobaud Routine The first time your TNC is used, it runs an AUTOBAUD routine to assure that the TNC baud rate is the same as that of Pacterm (or whatever communication software is in use at the time).

  • Page 95: Configuring The Tnc For Use With Pacterm

    Coordinating Pacterm and Your TNC Pacterm v 2.0 5. Finally, AUTOBAUD: (1) sends a “sign-on” message and (2) asks for the user’s CALLSIGN, which will also be stored in the TNC and used until changed. At this point, the user is ready to give commands to the TNC. Hint: Do not confuse the TNC’s baud rate for serial communication on the computer port with the TNC’s 1200 baud rate for communicating using the ra- dio port, which is connected by a custom-wired cabling to a transceiver.

  • Page 96: Optional Parameter Settings

    Pacterm v 2.0 Coordinating Pacterm and Your TNC Optional Parameter Settings The following TNC parameters are generally used with their default settings when running Pacterm, but you may wish to change them. If they have been set to non-default values, you may wish to change them back. •...

  • Page 97: Pacterm Screens

    Pacterm Screens Pacterm v 2.0 Pacterm Screens Pacterm has two screens for your use in working with your TNC: • A MAIN Menu Screen, for setting up the communication, and • A TERMINAL Screen, for sending commands and data to your TNC, viewing data sent to Pacterm by your TNC, and using the functions described on the MAIN Menu (except SETUP functions and ESC).

  • Page 98: The Terminal Screen

    Pacterm v 2.0 Pacterm Screens The Terminal Screen As shown below (in an example showing Pacterm connected to a KPC-3), the Terminal Screen is in three parts, a viewing area, an input area, and a status line: Vie wing a re a (se e d a ta se nt to Pa c te rm fro m the T NC)

  • Page 99: Pacterm Commands: Overview

    Pacterm Commands: Overview Pacterm v 2.0 To go from the TERMINAL Screen to the MAIN Menu, press the F1 key. Pacterm Commands: Overview The following sections provide detailed specifications, helpful hints and technical information on Pacterm commands. You may refer to this material now or just start using the program and come back here later if you need more information.

  • Page 100: Commands: Setup, Using The Main Menu

    (default) or with HF Non-Packet communication. The current setting for this is shown on the MAIN Menu screen. TNC users should always have Packet selected. Kantronics’ KAMs can operate using either Packet or HF Non-Packet communication. Several functions work differently in HF Non-Packet, so you should not select HF Non-Packet communi- cation unless that is what you want to do.

  • Page 101: F7 = Select Serial Port (Default = Com2)

    Commands: Setup, Using the MAIN Menu Pacterm v 2.0 F7 = Select SERIAL PORT (Default = COM2) The TNC can operate with any COM port on your computer, but Pacterm can only be used with COM1 or COM2. Pressing F7 switches the current COM port from COM2 to COM1, or back. Pacterm’s default COM PORT is COM2, so you do not need to do anything if you have your TNC connected to COM2.

  • Page 102: Commands: Controlling The Flow Of Data

    Pacterm v 2.0 Commands: Controlling the Flow of Data Commands: Controlling the Flow of Data Data are ordinarily sent immediately from Pacterm to the TNC, and from the TNC to Pacterm, but you may halt the flow of data in either direction. Technical note: To avoid losing data, Pacterm and the TNC each need to know when they have “permission”...

  • Page 103: F6 = Tnc To Pacterm: Stop Or Start (Default)

    Commands: Output Control Pacterm v 2.0 F6 = TNC to Pacterm: STOP or START (Default) Pressing F6 (from either the MAIN Menu or the Terminal Screen) switches between the following two options for data-flow from the TNC to Pacterm: 1. START = Request that data be sent from the TNC to Pacterm, beginning with any data previously held in the TNC while data-flow from the TNC was STOPPED.

  • Page 104: Alt+P = Printer: On Or Off (Default)

    Pacterm v 2.0 Commands: Output Control ALT+P = Printer: ON or OFF (Default) This controls whether or not new material appearing in the Viewing section (top) of the TERMINAL Screen will also be sent to your printer. Pressing the ALT+P key combination from either the MAIN Menu or the Terminal Screen switches PRINT from OFF to ON and from ON to OFF.

  • Page 105: Alt+C = Holding Buffer: Clear

    Commands: Output Control Pacterm v 2.0 Hint: When the Holding Buffer is OPEN but full, Pacterm will automatically CLOSE it if there is an attempt to add any more data to it. This means that once it is full, the Holding Buffer will not be able to accept any more data during the current session until it is cleared or saved.

  • Page 106: Two Ways To Save Holding Buffer Data

    Pacterm v 2.0 Commands: Output Control Hint: Give the file name fairly promptly (e.g., within a minute or less). This is because as soon as you ask to SAVE the Holding Buffer contents, Pacterm will automatically STOP the flow of data from the TNC (turn RTS OFF), so you can enter a file name and SAVE the current contents of the Holding Buffer without losing any data from the TNC.

  • Page 107: Alt+F = Send A File To Your Tnc

    Commands: Output Control Pacterm v 2.0 • Text file: If the file does not have the BIN extension, Pacterm: (1) removes all control characters except those for carriage returns and tabs, (2) adds line-feeds to carriage returns, so text will flow from line to line rather than overwriting the same line again and again with each carriage return, and (3) adds additional carriage returns and line feed characters where needed to force the material to “wrap”...

  • Page 108: Commands: Exiting

    Pacterm v 2.0 Commands: Exiting 4. Press the ALT+F key combination again to ENTER the name. Pacterm will respond by (1) putting another small square marker on the screen right after the file name, (2) locating the file, and (3) sending a copy of it to the TNC. Caution: If you give a file name that Pacterm cannot find, that is illegal, or that is bounded by any blanks, Pacterm will not respond to the second ALT+F command, so nothing will happen.

  • Page 109: F10 = Disconnect And Exit To Dos

    Commands: Exiting Pacterm v 2.0 F10 = Disconnect and EXIT to DOS From either the MAIN Menu Screen or the Terminal Screen, press F10 to disconnect from a current connection that may have been established by the TNC, EXIT Pacterm and go to DOS. Pressing F10 sends the command sequence “CTRL+C, CTRL+C, CTRL+C, D”...

  • Page 110: Hf Non-Packet Functions (For Kams Only)

    HF Non-Packet Functions (For KAMs Only) This section is not relevant to TNC users. It is included as part of a full descrip- tion of Pacterm and as brief documentation for users of Kantronics’ KAM TNCs with the following HF non-packet modes: •...

  • Page 111: Additional Commands For Hf Non-Packet

    HF Non-Packet Functions (For KAMs Only) Pacterm v 2.0 Additional Commands for HF Non-Packet The commands listed below are only available during HF Non-Packet use of the TNC (and only then are they shown on the Main Menu screen, in a box in the lower right of the screen).

  • Page 112: Alt+H = Shift Tone Pair Frequencies

    Pacterm v 2.0 HF Non-Packet Functions (For KAMs Only) ALT+H = Shift Tone Pair Frequencies NOTE: This Pacterm 2.0 command does NOT operate with the KAM’98. To change MARK and SPACE in the KAM’98, go to Packet Command Mode (as de- scribed in the “Getting Started”...

  • Page 113: Trouble-Shooting Difficulties In Communicating

    Trouble-Shooting Difficulties in Communicating Trouble-Shooting Difficulties in Communicating If you are having difficulty establishing and maintaining communication between Pacterm and your TNC, here are some points to consider in addition to those cov- ered on the “Pacterm Cannot Communicate” screen. Problem: Go to Terminal Screen, but Nothing Happens One possibility is that the current COM port does have a device on it, but it is not a TNC.

  • Page 114: Problem: Your Tnc Stops Behaving Normally

    Pacterm v 2.0 Trouble-Shooting Difficulties in Problem: Your TNC Stops Behaving Normally Pacterm is intended for use with a TNC in NEWUSER or TERMINAL Interface Mode (or, less often, in BBS or GPS Interface Mode), but it may receive data from the TNC in any Interface Mode.

  • Page 115: Getting Started

    Hint: If you are familiar with other communication software, you may use it in- stead of Pacterm 2.0. In this case, you need to be aware that Kantronics’ docu- mentation and support services assume the use of Pacterm 2.0, at least for getting started.

  • Page 116: The Front Panel Of The Kam'98

    Getting Started The Front Panel of the KAM’98 The Front Panel of the KAM’98 The controls and indicators on the front of your KAM’98 are shown below: Kantro nics KAM’98 Xm it Link Valid S p e e d Mail Po we r Co n S ta...

  • Page 117: Beginning A Session

    (sent to Pacterm 2.0 and displayed on your computer screen) such as the follow- ing: KANTRONICS ALL MODE COMMUNICATOR KAM ‘98 VERSION 8.3 (C) COPYRIGHT 1998 BY KANTRONICS INC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED DUPLICATION PROHIBITED WITHOUT PERMISSION OF KANTRONICS. cmd: The last line of this message (“cmd:”) is the KAM’98’s report that it is now in “Command”...

  • Page 118: Converse (Conversation) Mode (Packet)

    Getting Started Packet Operations mand to process, not as data to transmit. To instruct your KAM’98 to connect, to disconnect, or to change any of the operating parameters in the KAM’98 you must be in the COMMAND mode. When placed in COMMAND mode (and ready to receive the next command) the KAM’98 sends a “cmd:”...

  • Page 119: Tnc Commands

    Packet Operations Getting Started TNC Commands You have a choice of whether to have your KAM’98 prepared to deal with a small set of (22) NEWUSER commands (which is the default setting) or with the full set of over 130 commands it is capable of carrying out. Note: To switch to the full command set of the KAM’98, get in COMMAND Mode (<Ctrl+C>...
  • Page 120 Getting Started Packet Operations Kantronics NEWUSER Packet Commands NEWUSER commands are a subset of the full TERMINAL command set. NEWUSER commands are all you need for basic, beginner operations of your digital radio station. These commands are explained in the Command Reference section of the manual.

  • Page 121: List Of Newuser Commands

    Packet Operations Getting Started List of NEWUSER Commands The following is an alphabetical listing of the 22 NEWUSER commands, with a brief description of each command. BKONDEL - When ON echoes a backspace-space-backspace sequence to the screen each time you press the DELETE key to erase errors from your screen. When OFF, echoes a \ for each press of the DELETE key.

  • Page 122: Using Newuser Packet Commands

    Getting Started Packet Operations RESET - Causes the TNC to perform a soft reset. STATUS - Displays the status of the current stream and all connected streams. TXDELAY - Sets the time delay between Push-to-Talk and the beginning of data. UNPROTO - Sets the destination field and digipeaters used for any unconnected data packets transmitted.

  • Page 123: View Current Values Of Parameters

    Packet Operations Getting Started Step 3. The KAM’98 will send a short “HELP” message about the command, for display on your monitor. View Current Values of Parameters To see the current value of parameter(s) for any variable (other than the “immedi- ate”...

  • Page 124: Connect To Your Mailbox (Pbbs)

    Getting Started Connect to Your Mailbox (PBBS) Step 3. The KAM’98 will immediately change the value(s) to the values(s) you have just entered. If you enter a value that is not possible (e.g., INTFACE MOON), you will get an error message (“EH?”). To confirm that the current value(s) is what you want, enter the name of the com- mand and press ENTER, The KAM’98 will send a message consisting of the name of the command and the current value(s) of it’s parameters for display on...

  • Page 125: Switching To The Full Command Set (And Back)

    Switching to the Full Command Set (and Back) ENTER COMMAND: B,J,K,L,R,S, or Help> The commands now shown as available are just for the mailbox. The KAM’98’s NEWUSER (and TERMINAL) commands become available again when you exit the mailbox. Step 4. Now you can give any of the mailbox commands shown (B,J,K,L,R,S, or Help).

  • Page 126: Monitoring Some Hf Modes

    Getting Started Monitoring some HF Modes lows you full access to all commands. To enter TERMINAL mode, at the cmd: prompt type INT TERMINAL <return>. Then turn the KAM’98 off and back on, or at the cmd: prompt type RESET. You are now in general TERMINAL mode.

  • Page 127: Pactor Monitoring

    How to Transmit in RTTY and Pactor Getting Started edge and right edge LEDs of the KAM’98 bargraph light equally. At this point, if the signal is indeed a RTTY 45 signal, you should see copy coming across your computer screen. To quit copying RTTY, enter the character sequence <Ctrl+C>X - that is, hold the control character while typing the letter C, let up on both of them, and then type the letter X.
  • Page 128 Getting Started Switching to 1200 baud Packet (and back) (on 2-meters) at 1200 baud. What you are about to do is enter a series of com- mands to switch the modem within the KAM’98 from 300 baud for HF packet (which is where the modem is set when you turn your unit on the first time - at which point you are at the command prompt, in Packet mode) to 1200 baud for VHF packet use.

  • Page 129: Monitor Communications From Nearby Stations

    Monitor Communications From Nearby Stations HF operation, just reenter the parameters you entered earlier for VHF operation, but use the HF parameters in the table this time. This concludes the “quick-start” section on non-packet operations of the KAM’98. The following sections provide a “quick-start” on packet operations. Monitor Communications From Nearby Stations A good way to start using your packet radio station is to monitor communications from nearby stations.

  • Page 130: Communicate Directly With A Nearby Station

    Getting Started Communicate Directly with a Nearby Station As you monitor, you will begin to learn about other packet stations in your area and then you will probably want to try to connect to one of them. Communicate Directly with a Nearby Station Now you are ready to carry on a two-way conversation with another station.

  • Page 131: Other Topics

    Other Topics Getting Started Step 4. After you have completed your conversation, simply press <Ctrl+C> to return your KAM’98 to the command mode (“cmd:” will be displayed) and then you can in- struct your KAM’98 to disconnect as you did above with the mailbox, by entering D (or the full form, DISCONNE) and return.
  • Page 132 Getting Started Other Topics User’s Guide KAM’98 v 8.3...

  • Page 133: Non-Packet Modes Of Communication

    “cmd:” command prompt): KANTRONICS ALL MODE COMMUNICATOR KAM ‘98 VERSION 8.3 (C) COPYRIGHT 1998 BY KANTRONICS INC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED DUPLICATION PROHIBITED WITHOUT PERMISSION OF KANTRONICS. Any time you want to operate the KAM’98 in a particular non-packet mode, you must start from the command prompt (in Packet mode) and then switch by enter- ing the command for (i.e., the name of) the non-packet mode you want to use.

  • Page 134: Tuning In The Signals

    Non-Packet Modes of Communication Tuning in the Signals Tuning in the Signals When operating most of the HF non-packet modes, use the bargraph on the front of the KAM’98 as your tuning indicator. For RTTY, ASCII, AMTOR, Packet, Pactor, and G-TOR operation, a properly tuned signal will light the two outside LEDs on the bargraph.

  • Page 135: Mode A (Arq) Operation

    AMTOR Operation Non-Packet Modes of Communication subset of Mode B AMTOR is called SELFEC—Selective FEC. In this mode, sta- tions limit reception to messages addressed to their “selcal”. The third mode of AMTOR operation is listen-only, called LAMTOR. In this mode, you can monitor two stations communicating with each other using Mode A AMTOR;...

  • Page 136: Answering A Cq

    Non-Packet Modes of Communication AMTOR Operation YOUR TERMINAL and enter Standby mode; the KAM’98 is now able to re- spond to any station that attempts to link to you. When a station links to you, your KAM’98 becomes the Information Receiving Station (IRS), and the station that called you is the Information Sending Station (ISS).

  • Page 137: Mode B (Fec) Operation

    AMTOR Operation Non-Packet Modes of Communication From this point on, you will switch back and forth from sending station to receiv- ing station with the changeovers as described above in “Calling CQ.” When the conversation is finished, you or the station you are talking to must break the link. If you want to break the link, type <Ctrl+C>...

  • Page 138: Transmitting Mode B Selfec

    Non-Packet Modes of Communication AMTOR Operation During autobaud (setup), when you entered your callsign, your “selcal” was cal- culated and stored. For details, see the MYSELCAL command. Transmitting Mode B SELFEC To transmit a Mode B SELFEC broadcast, type FEC followed by the selcal of the stations you wish to send to and press return.

  • Page 139: Notes On Amtor Operation

    AMTOR Operation Non-Packet Modes of Communication Notes on AMTOR operation You can set up your KAM’98 to automatically send a CW ID during Mode A op- eration if desired. To do this, set the text you want to send (up to 15 characters) with the CWIDTEXT command, set the CWPTT command ON and set ARQID to the number of minutes between CW IDs.

  • Page 140: Ascii Operation

    ASCII Operation Some commercial HF-Internal gateway stations use SITOR mode (compatible with AMTOR as implemented in the KAM’98) to process radio telex ship-to-shore messages. See the Kantronics website (www.kantronics.com) for articles on HF e-mail. ASCII Operation To operate ASCII mode with your KAM’98, you must first have the Command prompt (cmd:).

  • Page 141: Ascii Directives

    CW Operation Non-Packet Modes of Communication ASCII Directives While you are in ASCII mode, several directives are activated; they function as indicated: <Ctrl+C>E Return to receive mode when transmit buffer is empty <Ctrl+C>I Invert received MARK/SPACE signals and invert transmitted MARK/SPACE if using AFSK (SSB) <Ctrl+C>R Return to receive mode immediately.

  • Page 142: Transmitting Cw

    Non-Packet Modes of Communication CW Operation If you find that your KAM’98 prints a lot of Es and Ts while receiving, try set- ting the CWBAND command to a smaller value. This narrows the input bandpass filter on the KAM’98, and while it makes tuning a bit more difficult, it eliminates much of the noise that results in poor copy.

  • Page 143: Receiving Cw

    CW Operation Non-Packet Modes of Communication Keystroke Prosign Meaning End of Message Break or Pause Wait & Attention End of Transmission Invitation to Transmit All After Attention You may also generate any prosign by typing the PROSIGN character (default \) and then the two characters to be combined.

  • Page 144: G-Tor Mode

    G-TOR is a completely new hybrid - ARQ HF digital communications system for commercial and amateur services. Golay error correction coding forms the basis for G-TOR (short for Golay-TOR). G-TOR is an innovation of Kantronics, intro- duced in 1994, first in the KAM Plus.

  • Page 145: G-Tor Operation

    G-TOR Mode Non-Packet Modes of Communication G-TOR operates as a synchronous ARQ mode, like AMTOR and Pactor. At 300, 200, or 100 baud, G-TOR’S ARQ cycle remains at 2.4 seconds. All data frames are 1.92 seconds in duration and contain one control byte and two checksum bytes (CRC).

  • Page 146: Tuning G-Tor

    Non-Packet Modes of Communication G-TOR Mode able to copy that transmission. You’ll also be ready to receive a link request in G-TOR mode from another station. To call CQ, type <Ctrl+C>T. Your KAM’98 will enter the the AMTOR FEC transmit mode, key your radio, and start transmitting. Type your CQ message on the keyboard.

  • Page 147: Calling Another Station On G-Tor

    G-TOR Mode Non-Packet Modes of Communication Calling another station on G-TOR To call another station using G-TOR, enter the GTOR command and callsign of the station you wish to link to at the Command prompt. For instance: cmd:GTOR NØQZZ Your KAM’98 will begin transmitting a link establishment frame and, if the other station is on the air and in G-TOR Standby mode, that station will respond to your link request and you will see the message “linked to NØGZZ”...

  • Page 148: G-Tor Mailbox

    Non-Packet Modes of Communication G-TOR Mode <Ctrl+C> 0 directive. If the change fails to occur for any reason, the KAM’98 will revert to the speed it was operating at prior to the <Ctrl+C> 1 directive. If you are the IRS and wish to speed up, you can use the <Ctrl+C> 2 directive to switch to 200 baud, or the <Ctrl+C>...

  • Page 149: Binary Files And G-Tor

    G-TOR Mode Non-Packet Modes of Communication MARK and SPACE commands in the KAM’98 to match those tones. For in- stance, the default MARK and SPACE in theYaesu FT-1000 are 2110 Hz for MARK and 2310 Hz for SPACE. Caution: When you are linked to another station and you want to break the link, you should use the <Ctrl+C>...

  • Page 150: Summary Of Gtor Directives

    Non-Packet Modes of Communication G-TOR Mode Host mode programs simply include the raw binary data in the data stream; how- ever, if you are using a standard telephone communications program, it is possi- ble to allow the KAM’98 to send raw binary data. To do this, once you are linked to another station in G-TOR, type the <Ctrl+C>B directive.

  • Page 151: Navtex Operation

    NAVTEX Operation Non-Packet Modes of Communication <Ctrl+C>R Changeover from ISS to IRS immediately. Return to receive immediately (FED mode—AMTOR FEC) <Ctrl+C>T Seize the link if IRS (ARQ mode) Enter AMTOR FEC transmit mode <Ctrl+C>X Disconnect the link (if linked) and return to Packet <Ctrl+C>0 Set automatic baud rate selection...
  • Page 152 Non-Packet Modes of Communication NAVTEX Operation and D messages must always be printed once. B3 and B4 are the sequence num- ber for the message, and will have values from 00 throug 99. Messages with se- quence number 00 are always printed. When the messages numbers reach 99, they wrap to 01 as the next number.

  • Page 153: Navtex/Amtex Operation

    NAVTEX Operation Non-Packet Modes of Communication CRRL issued bulletins (Canadian) IARU issued bulletins JARL issued bulletins AMSAT issued bulletins Miscellaneous The currently assigned message classes are as follows: Emergency bulletins Priority bulletins Reserved DX bulletins General bulletins Keplarian bulletins Propagation forecasts Satellite bulletins Miscellaneous bulletins NAVTEX/AMTEX Operation...

  • Page 154: Pactor Operation

    Non-Packet Modes of Communication Pactor Operation The NAVERR command is used to specify the percent of errors allowed in a re- ceived message before the KAM’98 considers the message as not being received properly. If you wish to clear the message sequence numbers, allowing all messages to be received again, use the NAVCLR command.

  • Page 155: Connecting To Another Station

    Pactor Operation Non-Packet Modes of Communication turn to the Standby mode after the data has been transmitted, and will respond automatically if another station attempts to link to you. A typical Pactor CQ might be: CQ CQ CQ de NØGZZ NØGZZ NØGZZ CQ CQ CQ de NØGZZ...

  • Page 156: Monitor Only Mode

    Non-Packet Modes of Communication Monitor Only Mode You may monitor PACTOR by using the PLISTEN command. To enter this mode, you must first have the command prompt (cmd:). Type PTLISTEN, then press return. You can now monitor FEC or ARQ Pactor signals. The KAM’98 will not respond to any attempt to link while in the monitor mode.

  • Page 157: Rtty Operation

    RTTY Operation Non-Packet Modes of Communication RTTY Operation To operate radio teletype (RTTY) with your KAM’98, first go to the command prompt, then type RTTY, and the press return. This places the KAM’98 in the RTTY mode. The baud rate of the transmitted data is controlled by the RBAUD parameter.

  • Page 158: Mars Feature

    Non-Packet Modes of Communication RTTY Operation <Ctrl+C>R Return to receive mode immediately. (If the transmit buffer isn’t empty, remaining data will stay in the buffer.) <Ctrl+C>T Enter transmit mode <Ctrl+C>X Exit RTTY mode and return to Command mode (packet) <Ctrl+C>n Change operating speed speed (baud) ASCBAUD...
  • Page 159 RTTY Operation Non-Packet Modes of Communication CRADD ON and LFADD ON cause the KAM to transmit a <CR><CR><LF> whenever you press the return key on your terminal. AUTOCR 69 causes the KAM’98 to insert a <CR>CR><LF> into your transmitted text after 69 charac- ters have been received from your terminal without a carriage return.
  • Page 160 Non-Packet Modes of Communication RTTY Operation blank page User’s Guide KAM’98 v 8.3...

  • Page 161: Packet Modes Of Operation

    Packet Modes of Operation This chapter covers the major ways in which you may use your Kantronics KAM’98 for packet operations. For details on particular commands, see the “Command Reference” chapter. Overview of Packet Communication This section adds to the information presented in the introductory chapter on how packet radio uses digital information for communication.

  • Page 162: Protocol For Amateur Packet Radio: Ax.25

    This task can be completed simply by using a set of commands. Some “host mode” Windows programs available from third parties and Kantronics’ Pacterm’98 for Windows 95/NT/98 set these parameters automati- cally for you when you “click” HF packet or VHF packet as a mode of operation.

  • Page 163: Command Mode

    Overview of Packet Communication Packet Modes of Operation persist slottime 17,17,50 17,17,108 See the “Command Reference” for the possible values for each parameter (e.g., see the HBAUD command for possible hbaud values). Command Mode In order to change parameters, or give any other instructions to the TNC, you must be in Command Mode.

  • Page 164: Monitoring And Calling Cq

    Packet Modes of Operation Overview of Packet Communication In the Unproto Mode, when your TNC sends a packet, no acknowledgment is ex- pected and no retries are attempted. This mode is often used for calling CQ, for transmitting beacons, and for informal roundtable chats. Monitoring and Calling CQ If you turn the MONITOR command ON, you will see other people’s packets on your screen.

  • Page 165: Digipeating

    Overview of Packet Communication Packet Modes of Operation When your TNC does receive an acknowledgment for a connect packet, it will display a message on your screen like: *** CONNECTED TO callsign and your TNC will change to the Convers Mode (dependent on the setting of NOMODE and CONMODE).
  • Page 166 Packet Modes of Operation Overview of Packet Communication higher the antenna, the more effective a digi will be, but remember, every TNC has the capability of being a digipeater. If we turn the MRPT command ON we will begin to see more than just the “from”...

  • Page 167: Gateways

    Overview of Packet Communication Packet Modes of Operation Kantronics TNCs support additional, advanced UI digipeating commands. For a description of Kantronics’ UI digipeating commands, see “Advanced GPS/APRS digipeating”, in the GPS Mode of Operation section of this chapter. Gateways In Kantronics’ multi-port devices (e.g., Kantronics KAM Plus and KPC-9612 Plus), a Gateway is also available.

  • Page 168: Round Table Discussions

    TNC), and the letter designation of the stream you wish to be on. No return or en- ter key is necessary. Note: Kantronics’ most recent multi-port TNCs (e.g., KPC-9612 Plus) use only one stream switch character and a number to specify which port and which stream to switch to.

  • Page 169: Selective Monitoring

    DWAIT method to determine when to transmit. This practice has been adopted to reduce collisions with packets being digipeated, since these packets must (by the AX.25 protocol) be acknowledged end-to-end. Kantronics’ current TNCs (e.g. KPC-3, KPC-3 Plus, KPC-9612, KPC-9612 Plus, among others), use the PERSIST/SLOTTIME algorithm to gain channel access.

  • Page 170: Txdelay

    Packet Modes of Operation Overview of Packet Communication ter since 83 is greater than the 63 PERSIST value. Instead, it would wait an additional 100 ms, and if the channel is still clear, generate a new random num- ber. This time, let’s say it comes up with the number 27. Since this is less than the PERSIST value, we now start the key-up of the transmitter to send the packet.
  • Page 171 Overview of Packet Communication Packet Modes of Operation tion “A” is connected to station “B” with Version 1 protocol (AX25L2V2 OFF). When station A sends a packet to station B, he expects to receive an acknowledg- ment back indicating that station B has received the information. In order to ver- ify that the proper packet (or frame) has been acknowledged, each frame has a number.

  • Page 172: Flow Control

    Packet Modes of Operation Overview of Packet Communication in the sending TNC; if no response was received, and the RELINK parameter is ON, the TNC at station A would then begin to issue connect re- quests to station B since there is still an outstanding packet of information. This is the major difference between version 1 and version 2.

  • Page 173: Hardware Flow Control

    Overview of Packet Communication Packet Modes of Operation as data from the keyboard will also stop data from the TNC. And likewise, if there is a <Ctrl+S> in a file being sent, data flow from the TNC will stop until a <Ctrl+Q>...

  • Page 174: Convers Mode Vs. Transparent Mode

    Packet Modes of Operation Overview of Packet Communication flow control, so only wire the RTS and CTS pins if your computer program is also using hardware flow control. Pacterm uses hardware flow control, but some communication software does not. Convers Mode vs. Transparent Mode In the Convers Mode there are many special characters.

  • Page 175: Getting Out Of Transparent

    Remote Access to Your TNC Packet Modes of Operation Getting Out of Transparent Getting into the Transparent Mode is easy: you just type a “t” in Command Mode. But since Transparent Mode allows the sending of all characters you can not get out of Transparent Mode by just typing a <Ctrl+C>...
  • Page 176 Packet Modes of Operation Remote Access to Your TNC The remote TNC must also have its MYREMOTE set to a unique callsign (i.e. WØABC-4, or XYZREM). If these two parameters are not set, remote access to the command set of this TNC is not possible. When these parameters are set, you can connect to the MYREMOTE callsign of the remote TNC.
  • Page 177 Remote Access to Your TNC Packet Modes of Operation station, but there will be no data sent to you from that connection. The connected data would be sent to the serial port of that remote TNC. We urge EXTREME caution when using the remote access! Note also that any command that causes a reset (i.e.

  • Page 178: Pbbs (Personal Mailbox)

    BBS and forward any messages it has. Using Your PBBS In order to use any Kantronics TNC PBBS (even your own), first get the cmd: prompt on your TNC, and then connect to the callsign of the PBBS. For instance, if your MYPBBS is NØKN-1, you would connect to it simply by typing...
  • Page 179 ENTER COMMAND: B,J,K,L,R,S, or Help > Using anyone else’s Kantronics-based PBBS would result in a similar prompt se- quence. At this point you are ready to send a message to another user, read a message to yourself (if any has been received), or issue any other mailbox command.

  • Page 180: Pbbs Commands

    RMINE. Note that the mail-status indicator on the front panel of the TNC is turned ON (without blinking) when someone is connected to your PBBS. PBBS Commands The commands available to users connecting to your Kantronics TNC PBBS (and you connecting directly) are as follows: B(ye) This command is entered by the PBBS user to disconnect from the PBBS.

  • Page 181: J(Heard) L(Ong)

    PBBS (Personal Mailbox) Packet Modes of Operation J(heard) L(ong) This command is similar to the J(heard) command above, but also displays any digipeaters used by the stations it has heard and the destination callsign. L(ist) [ x [y]] [; ] Lists all messages in the mailbox which you are allowed to read.

  • Page 182: Lm(Ine) [ ; ]

    Packet Modes of Operation PBBS (Personal Mailbox) LM(ine) [ ; ] Lists all messages in the mailbox which are addressed to you. LO [+|-] This command allows you to change the order in which messages are listed. When set to +, the messages are listed in ascending numerical order (oldest to newest).

  • Page 183: Rh N

    PBBS (Personal Mailbox) Packet Modes of Operation RH n The RH (Read with headers) command is a variation of the Read command. Using RH instead of R gives you message headers as well as the other informa- tion provided by the Read command. The message header contains the date/time the message was received at each forwarding BBS along the path to your station.

  • Page 184: Sending Messages

    Packet Modes of Operation PBBS (Personal Mailbox) Sending Messages The SEND command (and its many forms) allows the following syntax: call [@ bbcall[.haddr]] [$ mid] call [@ bbcall[.haddr]] [$ mid] [@ location[.haddr]] [@ location[.haddr]] [$ bid] where: • call is the callsign of the station the message is addressed to. •...

  • Page 185: Listing Messages

    PBBS (Personal Mailbox) Packet Modes of Operation 88030 NTSNM This command sends an NTS traffic message to a non-ham, or to someone who is not on packet, living in zip code 88030 which is in New Mexico. The location field contains the NTSxx (xx = NM) to indicate that the 88030 zip code is in New Mexico.

  • Page 186: Reading Messages

    Packet Modes of Operation PBBS (Personal Mailbox) The message number (MSG#) is listed, followed by the STATUS of the message. This status includes the message type (B=Bulletin, T=NTS traffic, and P=Personal message). The second character in the ST column is the current status of the message.

  • Page 187: Editing Message Headers

    PBBS (Personal Mailbox) Packet Modes of Operation Editing Message Headers The following command can be used to edit message headers: E(dit) n [BPTYNFH] [>tocall] [<fromcall] [@BBS] “old” “new” This command, available only to the system operator (SYSOP), or to a user at the keyboard, allows the sysop to edit the message headers listed below for any mes- sage in the mailbox.
  • Page 188 Packet Modes of Operation PBBS (Personal Mailbox) And the subject or text of the message: In the message, replace the FIRST occurrence of the string “old” with the string “new”. When a message is listed, the “tocall” and “fromcall” appear in the TO and FROM columns, respectively.

  • Page 189: Hierarchical Addresses

    PBBS (Personal Mailbox) Packet Modes of Operation Hierarchical Addresses Hierarchical addresses (explained below) are used to accommodate the national packet traffic system, including messages processed by PC-based packet radio BBSs. The HTEXT command allows you to set your Hierarchical address. This is used whenever your PBBS forwards mail to another BBS to provide complete return addressing capability.
  • Page 190 ID (SID) and sign on message. The SID is enclosed in square brackets and con- sists of the unit name, firmware version, and the supported feature set. For example the Kantronics KPC-3 Plus SID is: [KPC3P-7.0-HM$] This is the unit name (KPC3P), version number (7.0) and the feature set (HM$).

  • Page 191: Remote Sysop Access To The Pbbs

    PBBS (Personal Mailbox) Packet Modes of Operation If you want your PBBS to only accept messages for you, you can set the PBPERSON command ON. When set ON, this command will make your PBBS only accept messages that are addressed to your MYCALL, MYPBBS or PBLIST.

  • Page 192: Reverse Forwarding Messages From Your Mailbox

    Packet Modes of Operation PBBS (Personal Mailbox) Reverse Forwarding Messages from Your Mailbox The TNC mailbox will allow you to enter messages which will be forwarded by full-service BBSs (RLI, MBL, etc). These messages have a special format, and can be entered in any personal mailbox. Let’s suppose you want to send a mes- sage to WA4EWV who lives in Texas.

  • Page 193: Selecting A Home Full-Service Bbs

    Packet Modes of Operation Selecting a Home Full-Service BBS. One important use of your Kantronics PBBS is to connect to the national system of packet-radio based BBSs, which was described earlier in the “historical note” at the beginning of the PBBS section. You can use a “home” full service BBS for sending and receiving mail, much as you would use a P.O.
  • Page 194 Packet Modes of Operation PBBS (Personal Mailbox) When you read a message using the R command (e.g. R 59765) you see the header displayed. For example: From : N5IST : NASA @ALLUS Type/status : B$ Date/time : 04-Oct 15:29 : NASA0930.GAL Message # : 59765 Title...
  • Page 195 PBBS (Personal Mailbox) Packet Modes of Operation which is in Texas (TX), which is in the United States (USA) which is in North America (NOAM). From this station, it was relayed on October 7 at 16:39 to the KA0WIN BBS in Southeastern Colorado. By following this information it is pos- sible to determine where the message traveled and when it was relayed from each station.
  • Page 196 HOME BBS. When you enter a message into your Kantronics PBBS and supply the routing in- formation, that message may be forwarded automatically to another BBS. When the message is forwarded from your Kantronics mailbox, an R: line is included as the originating BBS.

  • Page 197: Gps Nmea Interfacing Capability

    This concludes the section on PBBS mode of operation. GPS NMEA Interfacing Capability Most Kantronics TNCs, e.g. KPC-3 Plus, KPC-9612 Plus, KAM Plus, and others, support the GPS mode, explained below. Each contains firmware to interface with a GPS device supporting the NEMA-0183 interface standard; commands to configure and control unproto (path) retransmissions of the NEMA strings, and provides RAM storage for location messages (strings) for later retrieval.

  • Page 198: Gps Equipment Requirements

    National Marine Electronics Association (NMEA) 0183 interfacing standard for GPS units and low power. That means your Kantronics TNC is ide- ally suited as a mate for your GPS unit. Over time, a number of software pro- grams will be developed by amateurs to use packet and GPS.

  • Page 199: Cabling A Gps Unit To A Kantronics Tnc

    0 volts), but use the same polarity as RS-232. These units are capable of driving a Kantronics TNC RS-232 serial data port input pin. However, some GPS vendors in- vert the sense of this signal (true TTL), and these units will not directly interface with a TNC.

  • Page 200: Setup: Configuring A Kantronics Tnc For Gps Operation

    Also, make sure this pin will accept an RS-232 signal (+ and - voltages). Setup: Configuring a Kantronics TNC for GPS Operation To configure your Kantronics TNC in GPS Mode you must set several command parameters from your PC keyboard as follows: •...

  • Page 201: Setting Parameters In The Tnc

    GPS NMEA Interfacing Capability Packet Modes of Operation In addition to transmitting the beacons periodically, your TNC can store the transmitted beacons in a location buffer (LTRACK) for later review. The size of the LTRACK buffer is set by a command from the keyboard. Setting Parameters in the TNC To add GPS capability to your portable packet station, enter the required GPS pa- rameters into your TNC (from your PC), set ABAUD to 4800, and then cable...

  • Page 202: Gps Unit Initialization From The Tnc

    Packet Modes of Operation GPS NMEA Interfacing Capability If you want LT 1 to beacon with a path of GPS via a digipeater (called DIGI) and you want the beacon to occur every 30 minutes, use the following commands: LTP 1 GPS via DIGI BLT 1 EVERY 00:30:00 Several amateur groups, such as APRS (see the bibliography at the end of the GPS section), have developed special programs for enhancing amateur GPS ac-...

  • Page 203: Exiting Gps Mode

    GPS NMEA Interfacing Capability Packet Modes of Operation When the TNC resets (either from a RESET command or by turning the TNC off and then on) it will be in the GPS Mode, and the GPSINIT string (if any) will be sent to the serial port.

  • Page 204: Tracking Without Beacons

    Packet Modes of Operation GPS NMEA Interfacing Capability In this case, these two users would never beacon at the same time, in fact they would beacon 1 minute apart. Using this system for our example, it is possible to set all thirty users to beacon one minute apart, avoiding collisions. Tracking Without Beacons You may configure the TNC to store the LT “beacons”...

  • Page 205: Other Notes

    GPS NMEA Interfacing Capability Packet Modes of Operation Other Notes The LT buffers, LT beacons and LTRACK buffer can be used even without a GPS unit attached. You can manually set the LT buffers to any text you want (up to 128 characters total) using the LT command: LT 1 This is ltext buffer number 1 The LT buffers will be transmitted based on the BLT and LTP commands and...
  • Page 206 Packet Modes of Operation GPS NMEA Interfacing Capability n text (n = 1-4) (text up to 128 chars) This command fills the specified location Text (LT) buffer with “text”. LTP n dest [via call1[,call2,...]] (n=1-4) In multi-port devices, this is a multi-port command. This command sets the destination callsign and the digipeaters used to transmit the LT strings.

  • Page 207: Advanced Gps/Aprs Digipeating

    GPS NMEA Interfacing Capability Packet Modes of Operation Advanced GPS/APRS Digipeating Note: This section assumes you are familiar with GPS, digipeating, and APRS (each topic is discussed elsewhere in this manual). For details about APRS (A Packet Reporting System) developed by Bob Bruninga, WB4APR, consider obtaining a copy of “Getting On Track with APRS,”...

  • Page 208: Overview Of Ui Digipeating Commands

    Kantronics’ TNCs (v. 8.2) and the KAM’98 (v. 8.3) have a suite of UI digipeating commands that can be used to deal with inefficiencies that can arise when a num- ber of digipeaters are transmitting in the same area, at the same time, using the same generic names.

  • Page 209: Using "Ui" Digipeat Commands: Uidigi, Uiflood, And Uitrace

    GPS NMEA Interfacing Capability Packet Modes of Operation one digipeated address with each hop. Again, see the examples below and the command descriptions for detail. The current setting of UIDWAIT determines whether or not a delay is added to UI digipeat packets (those formed by UIDIGI, UIFLOOD, or UITRACE) before transmission, once the channel is clear.
  • Page 210 Packet Modes of Operation GPS NMEA Interfacing Capability Here, three digis, with MYCALLs of A, B, and C, are configured with aliases of RELAY, WIDE, and TRACE (using UIDIGI); and UIDWAIT is set ON. For ex- ample station A’s UIDIGI aliases are set as follows: cmd: UIDIGI ON RELAY, WIDE, TRACE The reporting station path is then set to GPS via RELAY, WIDE, TRACE, and a UI packet is launched.
  • Page 211 GPS NMEA Interfacing Capability Packet Modes of Operation Configuring Three Digis Using the UIFLOOD Command Here, three digis, with MYCALLs of A, B, and C, are configured with an alias of WIDE, and UIDWAIT is set ON. For example station A’s UIFLOOD call is set as follows: cmd: UIFLOOD wide,30,ID...

  • Page 212: Configuring Digis For Hf/Vhf Gateway Operations

    In this example, we demonstrate cross-band (gateway) digipeating, using selected Kantronics TNCs. A UI frame is launched on HF and repeated on VHF four times. A KAM Plus and two KPC-3 Pluses (with call signs C, B, and D) are con- figured as digipeaters and another KAM Plus (call sign A) is set to launch a UI frame from its HF port.

  • Page 213: New In The Kam'98

    GPS portables and frees up the KAM’98 RS-232 standard serial port for connection to a laptop. This configuration eliminates the need for a special cable, such as the Kantronics HSP, to accommodate the sharing of the RS-232 se- rial port between a GPS device and a computer.
  • Page 214 Packet Modes of Operation GPS NMEA Interfacing Capability When the second serial port is activated, using the GPSPORT command, the NMEA data input must be cabled to pin 3 of the auxiliary port (AUX) of the mo- dem, rather than the RS-232 serial port. Wiring to the AUX port is straightfor- ward;...

  • Page 215: Time And Data Accuracy

    GPS NMEA Interfacing Capability Packet Modes of Operation Note: You do NOT have to change the interface command (INTface) to GPS since the GPS device is not attached to the RS-232 port in this tracker configura- tion. Second, it is necessary to configure jumper J9 to the center pin and pin 2. This jumper setting routes the signal coming from pin 3 into the processor.

  • Page 216: Bibliography

    Packet Modes of Operation GPS NMEA Interfacing Capability Bibliography For more information on the Global Positioning System, we recommend the fol- lowing resources: General Information Bruninga, Bob, WB4APR, “Automatic packet reporting system (APRS)”, 13th ARRL Digital Communications Conference Proceedings, 1994. (address: ARRL, 225 Main Street, Newington, CT, 06111) Sproul, Keith, WU2Z, “MacAPRS”, 13th ARRL Digital Communications Confer- ence Proceedings, 1994.

  • Page 217: Ka-Node

    KA-Node Overview Most Kantronics TNCs (e.g., KPC-3 Plus, KPC-9612 Plus) include, as a part of their firmware, the Kantronics KA-Node, a packet networking node. If you turn this node on, others may use your station (unattended) not only as a digipeater but as a node, enabling them to find pathways to other stations and making those pathways more efficient.

  • Page 218: Configuring Your Ka-Node

    Packet Modes of Operation KA-Node To solve these problems, NET/ROM, a PROM-based networking program that installed inside some TNC models, and a number of derivatives of NET/ROM (e.g., G8BPQ, X1J, KA-Node, K-Net) were developed. These networking pro- grams provide the user connecting to a station via one of these nodes with a choice of pathways to other packet stations and with lists of stations heard.

  • Page 219: Using A Ka-Node

    Personal Mailbox. Some Kantronics TNCs, such as the 9612 Plus, are multi-port. These multi-port KA-Nodes can support cross-connects, Xconnects; that is, users may connect on one port and then connect out another port, which may be attached to another radio set to a different frequency.
  • Page 220 Packet Modes of Operation KA-Node After connecting to the KA-Node, you are in CONVERS mode at your own sta- tion, and the KA-Node is waiting for a command. You issue a command to the node by STAYING IN CONVERS MODE. Note: The KA-Node will interpret the data you send as its commands.
  • Page 221 KA-Node Packet Modes of Operation with WØXI, LAW connected (via your request) to KC with WØXI-15. This is automatic. At this point, you could connect to another KA-Node, some other network node using AX.25 as an uplink or downlink protocol, or to an end-user. Let’s assume that you desire to connect to NØKN.
  • Page 222 Packet Modes of Operation KA-Node When it comes time to disconnect, you do so in the standard AX.25 manner. To disconnect the link described above, type <Ctrl+C>, obtain the cmd: prompt on your TNC, and issue the disconnect command: cmd: D ***DISCONNECTED You’ll get the usual disconnect message from your TNC, as noted.

  • Page 223: Automatic Disconnect

    The cross-connect (XCONNECT) command is a unique feature of the KA-Node. This command allows cross linking between two frequencies through the node in much the same manner as the Kantronics unique gateway, but with local ac- knowledgment of packets. For example, suppose you just connected to node LAWKAN and wish to cross-connect to NØGZZ whose station is tuned to the frequency of the other...

  • Page 224: Determining Which Port You Have Connected To

    Packet Modes of Operation KA-Node Determining Which Port You Have Connected To When you are connected to a multi-port node, you can determine which port you are on, at the node, by using the JHEARD command. A typical node response to the JHEARD command may appear on your display as shown (the KAM uses /H and /V instead of /1 and /2): N66046/2*...

  • Page 225: Connect Callsign [Stay]

    KA-Node Packet Modes of Operation Connect callsign [Stay] Causes the node to issue a connect request to “callsign” in the usual AX.25 mode. If the connect is successful, a link will be made to the next node or end-user station called. The optional Stay feature provides a way to disconnect without loosing the entire link.

  • Page 226: Nodes [Short|Long]

    Xconnect callsign Note: The Xconnect callsign command is available only in KA-nodes in Kantronics’ multi-port TNCs. Causes the node to issue a connect request to “callsign” (in the usual AX.25 for- mat) on the opposite port of the KA-Node. Cross-connecting enables you to gain access, via the node, to another frequency.

  • Page 227: Other Modes Of Operation

    Pacterm and Procomm Plus. Remote Sensing and Control You can use two (or more) packet radio stations, each containing a Kantronics TNC, to implement remote sensing and/or remote control, as follows: •...
  • Page 228 Reference. You can also use the ANALOG and/or CTRL commands, without the REMOTE command, to carry out sensing and control functions at a local Kantronics TNC. The following diagram illustrates the use of two Kantronics TNC/radio stations for remote control and sensing. These operations could be carried out manually or via a terminal program running in the computer in the central TNC station.

  • Page 229: Ascii Mode (1200 Baud)

    Using your TNC in ASCII mode, with a PC and communications software, you can copy these broadcasts. The content of the broadcasts may be plain ASCII text (copyable with Pacterm - shipped with Kantronics TNCs) or graphics (copyable with “WeatherNode” software, not carried by Kantronics). Interpretation of the content of the products is up to the software.

  • Page 230: Kiss Mode

    FEND character (ASCII code 192), then the letter q (upper or lower case is ok), and finally another FEND character. Your TNC will then leave Host Mode, switch to COMMAND mode, and send the usual Kantronics sign-on message. If you use a terminal program other than Pacterm, it may send these characters au- tomatically, or it may require that you carry out this same procedure to get out of HOST mode and to COMMAND mode.
  • Page 231 Other Modes of Operation Packet Modes of Operation Technical Note: In the KISS Mode, the TNC simply passes all received data to your computer, and the computer program is responsible for all processing of that data, including decisions concerning routing, digipeating, and other control decisions. The TNC converts the packets of synchronous data being received from the radio link into packets of asynchronous data to be passed to the computer over the serial port, and converts the packets of asynchronous data from your computer into the...

  • Page 232: Xkiss (Extended Kiss) Mode

    Packet Modes of Operation Other Modes of Operation Karn, P.: “TCP/IP: A Proposal for Amateur Packet Radio Levels 3 and 4", pp. 4.62-4.68 ARRL Amateur Radio Computer Networking Conferences 1-4. Newington, CT: ARRL, 1985. Chepponis, M. and Karn, P.: “The KISS TNC: A Simple Host-to-TNC Communications Protocol”, pp.

  • Page 233: Dama (Slave Mode) Capacity

    Within each Local Area Network (LAN), end users set themselves up as DAMA “slaves,” using specially equipped TNCs which contain firmware (EPROM) that can operate in a DAMA “slave” mode (such as the Kantronics TNCs with DAMA slave mode support). The slaves may use a standard terminal or host mode program or any of a variety of specially written European programs, such KAM’98 v 8.3...

  • Page 234: How Is Dama Implemented In Kantronics Tncs

    (see the Command Reference section for details): DAMA {ON|OFF} Set DAMA to ON to have your Kantronics TNC operate as a DAMA slave sta- tion once a connection is established with a DAMA master station. When DAMA is OFF, the TNC will operate in it’s carrier sense multiple access mode (CSMA).

  • Page 235: Bibliography

    Other Modes of Operation Packet Modes of Operation DAMACHCK n (n = 0 to 225) Set a “DAMA time-out” timer (in 10-second increments) to specify how long your TNC (running in DAMA slave mode) will wait to be polled by a connected DAMA station before disconnecting from the DAMA station and reverting to CSMA operation .
  • Page 236 Packet Modes of Operation CAUTION! The DAMA firmware in Kantronics’ TNC is based on documentation published in the ARRL Computer Networking Conference papers (see Bibliography) and documentation provided by NORD><LINK, the developers of DAMA. This firmware was tested with TheNetNode firm- ware (Version 1.56), TFKISS (Version 2.0) and by volunteer testers in Europe with firmware used...

  • Page 237: Command Reference

    Command Reference Introduction This chapter documents all KAM’98 commands. There are many commands which affect operation of the KAM’98. Some com- mands affect performance under specific conditions, some change parameters af- fecting general operation and others direct a one-time action. The user changes parameters and issues instructions to the KAM’98 by typing commands composed of English-like word abbreviations and variables which are numbers or strings of characters chosen by the user.

  • Page 238: Format Defining Commands

    Command Reference Introduction Format Defining Commands The Command Line The first line of each command definition shows the syntax for entering the com- mand, beginning with the name of the command, followed by a listing of any pa- rameters that may be used with the command. The full name of each command is shown in CAPS and a “short-form”...

  • Page 239: The Line Below The Command Definition

    Introduction Command Reference presented. For example, possible values of the parameter “n” are defined as “(n = 1 - 255)”. The Line Below the Command Definition If commands have parameters, default values are shown on the line below the command definition. Some KAM’98 commands take effect immediately, so they are called “immedi- ate”...
  • Page 240 Command Reference Introduction For example: $1B = (1*16) + 11 = 27 Number codes for these special characters are shown in hexadecimal (hex) form (i.e., base 16). They can be entered either in decimal or in hex. Permissible val- ues are shown in HEX: for example (n = $00 - $FF). Note: Setting a function character to zero ($00) disables that function.

  • Page 241: Entering Commands

    Introduction Command Reference callsigns xxxxxx-n Several commands require callsigns as parameters. While these parameters are normally Amateur callsigns, they may actually be any collection of numbers and/or letters up to six characters; they are used to identify stations sending and receiving packets.
  • Page 242 Command Reference Introduction Hint: If packets have been printing on the screen you may have forgotten which mode you are in. If you wish to see the cmd: prompt type a <Ctrl+C>, to see if you are already in Command Mode. If the prompt does not appear then you are either in Command Mode or in Transparent Mode.

  • Page 243: Kam'98 Commands

    KAM’98 Commands Command Reference KAM’98 Commands All KAM’98 commands are documented below, in alphabetical order. The under- lined characters in a command’s name show the short-cut version of the com- mand. Required or optional parameters are shown after the command name, as are allowable ranges of values, where appropriate.
  • Page 244 Command Reference KAM’98 Commands KAM’98 first, then issue the RESET command, then set the new baud rate on your computer. Otherwise a hard reset will be required to erase the ABAUD set- ting and reinitialize the KAM’98 to perform the autobaud routine. (See Hard Re- set section.) Note also that a hard reset will erase ALL stored parameters in your KAM’98 and return them to factory defaults.
  • Page 245 KAM’98 Commands Command Reference Entering the ANALOG command returns a string of 8 values, based on the cur- rent voltage readings from 8 A-to-D lines. Only the first four of these values are relevant to the user, reporting up to four external voltages. At any given time, each of the 8 A-to-D lines will have a voltage value some- where in the range of 0 - 5 VDC.
  • Page 246 Kantronics recommends that users not cut lines associated with AN4 through AN7 for adapting them for measuring additional A-to-D inputs. Data can be gathered from a remote site by connecting to MYREMOTE and then issuing the ANALOG command.
  • Page 247 KAM’98 Commands Command Reference Note: if ARQBBS is ON, you will not be able to transmit FEC from the Standby modes. See also: arqid, pbbs. ARQID (n = 0 - 31) default 9 This command sets the time interval in 1 minute increments for an automatic CW ID when operating AMTOR, G-TOR, or Pactor ARQ.
  • Page 248 Command Reference KAM’98 Commands ASCII (n = 20 - 1200) immediate This command places the KAM’98 in ASCII mode. If you specify the optional value n, the KAM’98 will enter ASCII at the specified speed; otherwise it will operate at the speed set in ASCBAUD. Note: When switching from 300 baud packet operation on HF to 1200 baud packet operation on VHF/UHF, remember to change the following (HF defaulted) parame- ters: Mark, Space, SWP, Slottime, Persist, Maxframe, Paclen, Hbaud.
  • Page 249 KAM’98 Commands Command Reference AUTOSTRT {ON | OFF} default OFF When ON and operating in RTTY or ASCII mode, the KAM’98 will receive in- formation only after it has received the MYAUTOST identifier. It will then con- tinue to receive until it receives four “N”s signifying the end of message, or 30 seconds of no signal.
  • Page 250 Command Reference KAM’98 Commands to re-connect unless RELINK is OFF. If the re-connect attempt is unsuccessful, then version 2 will issue a disconnect. See also: relink, retry, tries For more information, see the book AX.25 Amateur Packet-Radio Link-Layer Protocol Version 2.0 October 1984, which can be obtained from the ARRL. AXDELAY (n = 0 - 255) default 0...
  • Page 251 KAM’98 Commands Command Reference When BARGRAPH is set to ON, the bargraph on the front panel of the KAM’98 is always turned ON. When BARGRAPH is set to OFF, the bargraph is always turned OFF. When BARGRAPH is set to RCV, the bargraph is turned ON during receive and OFF during transmit.
  • Page 252 Command Reference KAM’98 Commands When ON, the sequence backspace-space-backspace is sent to the attached termi- nal when the DELETE character is entered. When OFF, the backslash character “\” is sent to the terminal when the DELETE character is entered. See also: delete, redisplay n {EVERY | AFTER} hh:mm:ss [START hh:mm:ss] [CLEAR] (n = 1 - 4)
  • Page 253 KAM’98 Commands Command Reference If BREAK is ON, a break at the keyboard causes a return to Command Mode from Converse or Transparent Mode. See also: COMMAND BTEXT text (0 - 128 characters) default (blank) BTEXT specifies the content of the data portion of the beacon packet. Any com- bination of characters and spaces may be used with a maximum length of 128.
  • Page 254 Command Reference KAM’98 Commands More selective monitoring is enabled when a callsign or two callsigns is com- bined with a “>” and/or a “<” character. For example, entering “>callsign” will enable monitoring of packets TO that callsign (assuming BUDLIST is ON), en- tering “<callsign”...
  • Page 255 KAM’98 Commands Command Reference (unless PACTIME has expired, CPACTIME is turned on, and you are in Convers Mode). See also: canpac, cpactime, pass CANPAC (n = $00 - $FF) default $19 <Ctrl+Y> This command is used to change the cancel-packet command character. When in the Convers Mode entering a <Ctrl+Y>...
  • Page 256 Command Reference KAM’98 Commands Correct operation of SOFTWARE carrier detect is affected by proper equaliza- tion and the SWP parameters. If your RCV light flickers, this is an indication that you may need to adjust the equalization. (Equalization is set with an internal jumper.) When CD is set to INTERNAL or SOFTWARE, the external carrier detect pin on the radio connector (if wired) is used to hold off the TNC from keying the radio.
  • Page 257 KAM’98 Commands Command Reference Entering a value for “n” sets the value of CMDTIME to “n seconds”. To exit Transparent mode, you need to wait at least CMDTIME since the last data character was sent to the KAM’98. Then you need to enter the COMMAND character (e.g., <Ctrl+C>)) three times, with a wait of LESS THAN the value of CMDTIME between the first and second time you enter the COMMAND charac- ter and also a wait of LESS THAN the value of CMDTIME between the second...
  • Page 258 Command Reference KAM’98 Commands CODE [ITA2|US|LCRTTY|APLINK|MARS] default ITA2 immediate This command allows you to select the alphabet used to send and receive RTTY and AMTOR. ITA2 uses the International Telegraph Alphabet Number 2, US se- lects the U.S. character set, LCRTTY provides a complete upper/lower case char- acter set, and APLINK uses the full printable character set developed by G3PLX and W5SMM (currently used on APLINK BBS systems).
  • Page 259 KAM’98 Commands Command Reference name, and the new list of from 1 to 10 callsigns will replace whatever list was there before. The CONLIST command can be used to add a single callsign (+callsign), so long as there is room for the new callsign on the list (if there is not, the TNC responds with “EH?”...
  • Page 260 Command Reference KAM’98 Commands in which they are to relay transmitted packets. The mode set by CONMODE will be entered upon successful connect, if NOMODE is OFF. If no response to the Connect request occurs after RETRY attempts, the command is aborted. A time- out message is printed on the display and the TNC remains in the Command Mode.
  • Page 261 KAM’98 Commands Command Reference When operating with multiple connects allowed, the connection will take place on the next available stream. Connect requests in excess of the number allowed by the USERS command will receive a <DM> response and the “connect re- quest: (call)”...
  • Page 262 {ON | OFF} default OFF This command was added to the first multi-mode TNCs (such as the Kantronics UTU and KAM) to accommodate the practice by radio teletype (RTTY) opera- tors of adding an extra carriage return (CR) at the end of each line (i.e., CR, CR, linefeed (LF) ).
  • Page 263 KAM’98 Commands Command Reference types time to return across the page. Some of these machines are still in use, so we’ve retained this command so you can “correct” the data you might receive from such a station. To do so, turn CRSUP ON. When ON, this command sup- presses every other carriage return (when no data is between them) in the re- ceived data before sending the data to the terminal.
  • Page 264 Command Reference KAM’98 Commands would give the command “CTRL A 3". You may optionally specify the number of times to pulse the output (n), or to turn the output ON, or OFF. Each pulse on the output line lasts approximately 100 milliseconds (0.1 seconds). Specifying LONG results in one pulse of the output line, lasting approximately 1.5 seconds.
  • Page 265 KAM’98 Commands Command Reference You must also set the CWPTT command ON for this to operate. CWBAND (n = 10 - 1000) default 500 This sets the audio bandwidth for CW operation. A smaller bandwidth would improve reception of CW signals, but will be more difficult to tune.
  • Page 266 Command Reference KAM’98 Commands CWIDTEXT text (0-15 characters) default DE mycall This command sets the text to be transmitted when the KAM’98 performs an au- tomatic CWID. The text will be transmitted periodically as set by the CWID command. This command sets the text to be sent during a CWID or an automatic ARQID. See also: arqid, cwid CWPTT {ON | OFF}...
  • Page 267 KAM’98 Commands Command Reference The default is set to 750 to accommodate the majority of transceivers. If your transceiver can operate with CWTONE set to 1000, that might be preferable. CWWEIGHT (n = 0 - 15) default This command adds weighting to a transmitted CW signal. Normally a dash is three times the length of a dot.
  • Page 268 Command Reference KAM’98 Commands DAYSTR text (see format below) default mm/dd/yyyy hh:mm:ss The DAYSTR command is used to set the FORMAT of your date/time display. DO NOT enter an actual date or time, simply enter the form of the display you would like, using the lower case letters m, d, h, y, and s as described below.
  • Page 269 KAM’98 Commands Command Reference This command is used to define how date and time are to be displayed; it is not used to enter an actual date and time (which you do by using DAYTIME). If you enter an actual date and time with the DAYSTR command, your clock will ap- pear to stop.
  • Page 270 Command Reference KAM’98 Commands DAYTWEAK (n = 0 - 15) default 8 This parameter is used to adjust the software clock, if needed, for accurate time keeping. Increasing the parameter will slow the clock, decreasing the parameter will speed up the clock. Each count corresponds to .43 seconds increase or de- crease per 24 hours.
  • Page 271 KAM’98 Commands Command Reference This command sets the character to be used as the delete character. When this character is typed, the last input character is deleted. The most common settings are $08 (backspace) and $7F (delete). See also: bkondel DIDDLE {ON | OFF} default ON...
  • Page 272 Command Reference KAM’98 Commands When given without options, “disconnect” will initiate an immediate disconnect request on the current I/O stream. A successful disconnect results in the display of “*** DISCONNECTED”. If the RETRY count is exceeded while waiting for the connected station to acknowledge, the TNC moves to the disconnected state on that stream.
  • Page 273 KAM’98 Commands Command Reference ASYNC asynchronous port parameters (TNC to computer) AMTOR parameters affecting AMTOR (ARQ and FEC) and NAVTEX/AMTEX modes ASCII parameters affecting ASCII mode CHAR special TNC characters parameters affecting CW mode parameters related to GPS operations parameters affecting G-TOR mode ID parameters LINK parameters affecting packet link...
  • Page 274 Command Reference KAM’98 Commands digipeated packets suffer collisions. Digipeated packets are not retried by the digipeater but must be restarted by the originating station. If all stations specify DWAIT, and the right value is chosen, the digipeater will capture the frequency every time it has data to send since digipeated packets are sent without this delay.
  • Page 275 KAM’98 Commands Command Reference [xxxx[xxxxx]] immediate This command sets the KAM’98 in the FEC mode. When the optional xxxx[xxxxx] is specified, the KAM will call the specified station using SELFEC. The optional xxxx[xxxxx} can be any of the following: AMTOR (476) SELCAL (4 characters, 4 digits or 5 digits) AMTOR (625) SELCAL (7 characters or 9 digits) Amateur Radio call sign—in this case, the KAM’98 will automatically cre- ate a unique AMTOR 625 selcal from the call sign and initiate a 625...
  • Page 276 Command Reference KAM’98 Commands When FLOW is ON, any character entered from the terminal will halt output to the terminal until the current packet or command is completed (by SENDPAC, PACLEN, or PACTIME). Canceling the current input to the TNC or typing the REDISPLAY-line character will also cause output to resume.
  • Page 277 KAM’98 Commands Command Reference This command controls the polarity of the FSK output on the Radio port of the KAM’98. When OFF, MARK is open-collector and SPACE is ground. When ON, the polarity of MARK and SPACE is reversed. FREEQUAL n (n = 0 - 31) default 20 FREEQUAL sets the maximum number of bits in error allowed when scanning...
  • Page 278 Command Reference KAM’98 Commands The GMON command places the KAM’98 in the monitor mode, allowing you to monitor G-TOR QSOs. To exit the GMON Mode and return to the command prompt, type <Ctrl+C> X. GPSHEAD n string (n = 1-4) (string up to 8 chars) default 1 $GPGGA ( string 2, 3, and 4 = <blank>) This command determines which GPS NMEA sentences will be stored in the LT...
  • Page 279 KAM’98 Commands Command Reference GPSPORT [baud] [NORMAL|INVERTED] [CHECKSUM|NOCHECK] default 0 NORMAL CHECKSUM This command provides a second input serial port for a GPS unit, using a firm- ware UART. If ‘baud’ is non-zero, pin 3 of the AUX port can be used as a GPS input during regular operation of the KAM’98.
  • Page 280 Command Reference KAM’98 Commands GPSTIME {OFF|VALID|ON} {GGA|GLL|RMC|ZDA } default VALID This command specifies how the KAM’98 clock will be set from a GPS device. If GPSTIME is set to OFF, the KAM’98 software clock is not set when NMEA strings are received. If GPSTIME is set to VALID, the clock is set, if and only if the valid bit in the string specified is set.
  • Page 281 KAM’98 Commands Command Reference GTOR [xxxxxxxxxx] immediate Entering G-TOR with no parameters will place the KAM’98 in G-TOR Standby, allowing you to respond to an incoming link request or transmit a CQ or other broadcast. If you also have MONITOR ON, you can monitor FEC broadcasts. By using the optional callsign parameter, this command will initiate a link attempt with station xxxxxxxxxx.
  • Page 282 Command Reference KAM’98 Commands HBAUD (n = 50 - 1200) default 300 This baud rate specifies the rate of data exchange when operating in packet mode. The value of HBAUD has NO relationship to the terminal baud rate speci- fied with ABAUD. In order to communicate with other packet stations, the baud rate must be the same at each end of the link.
  • Page 283 KAM’98 Commands Command Reference When the name of a command is entered also (e.g., HELP CONVERS), a brief description of that command will be displayed. A wild card also can be used; entering “Help C*” will display brief descriptions of all commands beginning with C.
  • Page 284 G8BPQ extended KISS protocol (for more information, see the KISS Operation section of this manual). When INTFACE is set to HOST, the TNC will talk to the attached computer using the Kantronics HOST mode and users com- municate with the TNC using “host mode” software (for more information, see the HOST Operation section of this manual).
  • Page 285 KAM’98 Commands Command Reference When INTFACE is set to GPS, the KAM’98 will enter GPS mode upon power up. Data from the serial port will be parsed according to the GPSHEAD com- mand, text will be placed into the LT buffers, and beacons will be transmitted ac- cording to the setting of the BLT commands.
  • Page 286 Command Reference KAM’98 Commands If there is no activity (data) on a KA-Node circuit for n minutes, the KA-Node will disconnect both the input and output sides of the KA-Node circuit. Setting KNTIMER to 0 disables this feature. See also: rnrtime LAMTOR immediate This command places the KAM’98 in the Listen AMTOR mode.
  • Page 287 KAM’98 Commands Command Reference LFSUP {ON | OFF} default OFF When ON, this command suppresses any line-feed characters received from the other station, relying on your terminal program to properly advance to the next line. When OFF, the line-feeds received from the other station are not suppressed but are sent to your terminal as received.
  • Page 288 Command Reference KAM’98 Commands is room for the new callsign on the list (if there is not, the TNC responds with “EH?” and returns you to the command prompt). Similarly, you can remove a single callsign (-callsign) from the list. And to remove all items from the current list, enter LLIST NONE.
  • Page 289 KAM’98 Commands Command Reference LTP n dest [via call1[,call2,...]] (n =1-4) default GPS (for n = 1-4) This command sets the destination callsign and the digipeaters used to transmit the LT strings. n specifies which string (1-4). The destination callsign defaults to GPS;...
  • Page 290 Command Reference KAM’98 Commands When ON, monitored packets include connected and unconnected packets be- tween other stations. If OFF, only other station’s unconnected packets (UI frames) will not be displayed. This is a useful arrangement when stations are talking as a group in an uncon- nected configuration.
  • Page 291 KAM’98 Commands Command Reference ters: Mark, Space, SWP, Slottime, Persist, Maxframe, Paclen, Hbaud. See the packet section in the modes of operation chapter for further detail (page 144). See also: paclen MAXUSERS (n = 1 - 26) default 10 This command causes the TNC to allocate the memory required for the maxi- mum number of simultaneous connections you wish to allow.
  • Page 292 Command Reference KAM’98 Commands MCOM {ON | OFF} default ON Supervisory (control) packets are not monitored unless MCOM is set ON and MON is ON. In addition if your station is connected, control packets are not monitored unless MCON is also ON. Control packets, when displayed, are distin- guished from information packets by the “<>”...
  • Page 293 KAM’98 Commands Command Reference MHEARD [SHORT | LONG | CLEAR] immediate This command causes display of a list of stations heard. An asterisk, *, indicates that the station was heard through a digipeater. The date/time the station was last heard is also displayed. If the S option is used, i.e.
  • Page 294 Command Reference KAM’98 Commands MISSCHAR (n = $00 - $FF) default $20 This command defines the character to be sent to the terminal when operating in AMTOR or NAVTEX and the received character is invalid or unrecognized. See also: amtor, fec, lamtor, navtex. MONITOR {ON | OFF} default ON...
  • Page 295 KAM’98 Commands Command Reference MORSE code TX RX Where: “code” is entered as a combination of * and - characters, “TX” represents a keyboard character entered in hex or decimal, and “RX” denotes the charac- ter(s) displayed upon reception (entered in hex, decimal, or two alpha characters). This command is used to define the desired keyboard character and display char- acter(s) represented for each code listed in the table below.
  • Page 296 Command Reference KAM’98 Commands MRESP {ON | OFF} default ON When ON, monitored packets include the following AX.25 response packets, if MONITOR and MCOM are ON. If connected, MCON must also be on. The bracketed information will appear at the end of the header information. The “<” and “<<”...
  • Page 297 KAM’98 Commands Command Reference the originating station and the destination station callsigns are displayed for mon- itored packets. See also: monitor MSTAMP {ON | OFF} default OFF This command enables time stamping of monitored packets. The date and time information is then available for use for automatic logging of packet activity or other computer applications.
  • Page 298 Command Reference KAM’98 Commands For example: you may enter LAW-3 as the MYALIAS, which would be easier to remember for stations wishing to digipeat through a station in Lawrence, enroute to a station more distant. You may disable the alias digipeating with the com- mand MYALIAS %.
  • Page 299 KAM’98 Commands Command Reference MYDGPS call default blank This command accommodates differential GPS operation. In GPS mode only, if a UI packet is received addressed to the call in MYDGPS, the data from the UI packet is output on the RS-232 port. MYDROP (n = 0-15) default disabled...
  • Page 300 Command Reference KAM’98 Commands MYNODE xxxxxx-n (n = 0-15) default mycall-7 Setting this command to a callsign or character string enables the KA-Node in the TNC. Enter up to six characters (plus optional SSID) which are different than those used for MYCALL, MYALIAS, MYPBBS, or MYREMOTE. You must also have the NUMNODES command set to a non-zero value.
  • Page 301 KAM’98 Commands Command Reference This command sets the callsign used for remote access of the TNC. Enter up to six characters (plus optional SSID) which are different than those used for MYCALL, MYALIAS, MYNODE, or MYPBBS. In addition, the RTEXT must be programmed with a text string.
  • Page 302 Command Reference KAM’98 Commands This command clears the list of messages which have been received in the NAVTEX/AMTEX mode. Any message which has previously been received will be eligible to be received again. See also: navtex. NAVERR (n = 0 - 10) default 5 The NAVERR command specifies the maximum percent of errors allowed in a NAVTEX/AMTEX message before the message is considered invalid.
  • Page 303 KAM’98 Commands Command Reference Message classes are listed in the NAVTEX section of this manual. See also: navsta, navtex. NAVSTA c[ccc...] | ALL | NONE (c = A - Z) default ALL The NAVSTA command specifies which originating stations will be copied in the NAVTEX mode.
  • Page 304 Command Reference KAM’98 Commands and Kantronics KA-Nodes will be identified as: MYNODE (MYCALL) An asterisk"*" indicates that the station was heard through a digipeater. The date/time the station was last heard is also displayed. If the S option is used, i.e.
  • Page 305 KAM’98 Commands Command Reference When OFF and a connection takes place, the TNC will change to whatever mode is specified in CONMODE. When ON, the TNC stays in Command Mode after connecting to another station; that is, it does not immediately change to Convers or Transparent Mode.
  • Page 306 Command Reference KAM’98 Commands Note: While you need to enter all the letters of the command name to change the value of NUMNODES, you can enter the short-form, NU, to see the current value of NUMNODES. See also: mynode; KA-Node section PACLEN (n = 0 - 255) default 64...
  • Page 307 KAM’98 Commands Command Reference When AFTER is specified, bytes are packaged (if any available) when input from the terminal stops for n*100 ms or when PACLEN is reached. When EVERY is specified, input bytes are packaged (if available) and queued for trans- mission every n*100 ms or when PACLEN is reached.
  • Page 308 Command Reference KAM’98 Commands Transparent Mode all characters are passed, there are no special functions except the one combination to get out of transparent mode. However, see TRFLOW. PASSALL {ON | OFF} default OFF This command enables the attempt to display corrupted packets when PASSALL is ON.
  • Page 309 KAM’98 Commands Command Reference See also: cmsg, mypbbs, pbheader, pblo, pbperson, ptext; PBBS section PBFORWRD [bbscall [VIA call1,call2,...call8] ] [EVERY | AFTER default NONE EVERY 0 This command will cause your PBBS to attempt to initiate a forward of any eligi- ble mail to another BBS system periodically.
  • Page 310 Command Reference KAM’98 Commands PBHOLD {ON | OFF} default ON When ON, any message received over the radio will automatically be held by your PBBS for you to review. You may then release the message for forwarding by editing it and changing the H flag (for example, to edit message number 4: E 4 H).
  • Page 311 KAM’98 Commands Command Reference PBLIST and the other for turning ON or OFF the use of the callsigns on the cur- rent PBLIST. SSID’s attached to callsigns are always ignored in the mailbox. The maximum number of callsigns allowed in PBLIST is 10. Up to 10 callsigns may be entered at once, using the format shown after the command name, and the new list of from 1 to 10 callsigns will replace whatever list was there before.
  • Page 312 Command Reference KAM’98 Commands When set to OLD the PBBS will list messages to the user from oldest to newest (i.e. ascending numerical order). When set to NEW, the newest message will be listed first. When the second parameter is set to FIXED, the user cannot change the listing order.
  • Page 313 KAM’98 Commands Command Reference We recommend that you change the HF default value of 192 to 63 when operat- ing VHF 1200 baud packet. This command, used with SLOTTIME, implements an algorithm for channel ac- cess to send packets. The algorithm used to determine whether or not to transmit using the PERSIST/SLOTTIME method has been shown to be considerably more efficient than the DWAIT method used by most standard AX.25 packet stations.
  • Page 314 Command Reference KAM’98 Commands PHEARD [CLEAR] immediate This command will display a list of the last 10 stations that have connected to your KAM’98 PBBS. The list will show the callsign of the connecting station and the last time they connected and disconnected. To clear the PHEARD list of all current entries, enter PHEARD CLEAR.
  • Page 315 Exiting Transparent Mode of Packet with three <Ctrl+C>s will put the KAM’98 in Command Mode of Packet communication. Each Kantronics TNC supports modes of communication appropriate for that de- vice. PMODE is used with all Kantonics TNCs. Multi-port TNCs have a PORT command, used along with PMODE to specify how the TNC will be configured after power-up or a reset.
  • Page 316 Command Reference KAM’98 Commands PREKEY (n = 0 - 31) default 0 This command sets a time delay between the assertion of PTT and the beginning of any audio from the KAM’98 Radio port to the radio. The audio will begin n * 0.10 milliseconds after the PTT line is activated.
  • Page 317 KAM’98 Commands Command Reference PTEXT text (up to 128 characters) default (blank) This entry specifies the customized text sent with the initial PBBS (personal mailbox) sign-on message. Enter any combination of characters and spaces up to a maximum length of 128. Entering a single “%” will clear PTEXT. Don’t use the “>”...
  • Page 318 Command Reference KAM’98 Commands This command places the KAM’98 in the Pactor Listen mode. This mode will al- low you to copy FEC or ARQ (linked) Pactor stations, but you cannot transmit from this mode. Use the <Ctrl+C>X directive to return to the command prompt. PTRPT (n = 2 - 5) default 2...
  • Page 319 KAM’98 Commands Command Reference This command sets the maximum number of attempts to increase a Pactor link to 200 baud. If unsuccessful after n attempts, the KAM’98 will remain at 100 baud until it receives PTUP consecutive good frames. PTUP (n = 2 - 30) default 3 This command sets the number of consecutive good Pactor frames that must be...
  • Page 320 Command Reference KAM’98 Commands will continue to be displayed until you type the next character of your current message. You can use the REDISPLAY-packet character to see a “clean” copy of your in- put if you are using a printing terminal (or have BKONDEL OFF) and you have deleted characters.
  • Page 321 KAM’98 Commands Command Reference This command is used to perform a soft reset. Contents of the mailbox (PBBS) are kept, and the NDHEARD and MHEARD logs are not cleared. Any existing connections which are not conpermed will be lost, even though the other station still indicates a connection to your station.
  • Page 322 Command Reference KAM’98 Commands RNRTIME (n = 0 - 255) default 0 RNRTIME is set in 10 second increments. If a connection stays in a remote de- vice busy state (continues to receive RNR frames) for RNRTIME, the TNC will disconnect.
  • Page 323 KAM’98 Commands Command Reference 1 2 3 4 1 3 2 4 4 3 1 1 You must then pick ONE of these lines and decode the password string (i.e., as- sign letters to each letter position). Let’s say you choose to decode line 3 (4 3 1 1).
  • Page 324 Command Reference KAM’98 Commands SCREENL (n = 0 - 255) default 0 This value is used to format what is sent to your terminal. 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.
  • Page 325 KAM’98 Commands Command Reference SPACE (n = 50 - 4000) default 2295 This command sets the space frequency. The SPACE command must be set greater than the MARK command. For 1200 baud Packet operation, change SPACE to 2100. Note: When switching from 300 baud packet operation on HF to 1200 baud packet operation on VHF/UHF, remember to change the following (HF defaulted) parame- ters: Mark, Space, SWP, Slottime, Persist, Maxframe, Paclen, Hbaud.
  • Page 326 Command Reference KAM’98 Commands Entering LONG will cause the TNC to display the status of all streams allowed by MAXUSERS, PBBS, NUMNODES, and MYREMOTE. The current KA-NODE input and output (IO) stream is also indicated. A pound sign (#) indicates that there is unacknowledged data in the buffers for that stream. The number immediately following the # is the number of bytes outstanding.
  • Page 327 KAM’98 Commands Command Reference software flow control set this parameter to the character the computer will send to stop data flow. See also: start, xflow, xoff, xon STREAMCA {ON | OFF} default OFF When receiving packets addressed only to you (MONITOR OFF and/or MCON OFF), setting this command ON will enable the display of the callsign of the con- nected-to station following the stream identifier of the connection (controlled by STREAMEV).
  • Page 328 Command Reference KAM’98 Commands If STREAMSW is set to the dollar sign ($24) you will need to enter parameter values in decimal. Alternatively, precede the $ with the PASS character in order to enter hex numbers. The character selected can be PASSed in the Convers Mode by using a special PASS character, and will always be passed as data in the Transparent Mode.
  • Page 329 KAM’98 Commands Command Reference block display of packets from callsign1 to callsign2, and entering ”callsign1<>callsign2" will block display of packets from callsign1 to callsign2 and vice versa. Note that entering call>call or call<>call counts as two of the 10 maximum allowed callsigns.
  • Page 330 Command Reference KAM’98 Commands TELEMTRY ( n = 0 - 255) default 0 A telemetry beacon is sent every n*10 seconds. If n = 0, the beacon is disabled. The telemetry beacon is a UI frame sent to BEACON. If there is a current UNPROTO digipeat path, it will be used to transmit the telemetry beacon.
  • Page 331 KAM’98 Commands Command Reference immediate This command places the KAM’98 in TOR Standby mode. In this mode, your KAM’98 will respond to other stations calling you in AMTOR, Pactor, or G-TOR automatically. In addition, you can monitor or transmit AMTOR FEC. If INTFACE is set to TERM, when a station links to you the linked message will indicate which mode is being used.
  • Page 332 Command Reference KAM’98 Commands TRFLOW {ON | OFF} default OFF This command allows the TNC to respond to software flow control from the computer while in the Transparent Mode. When TRFLOW is OFF, software flow control is not used in the Transparent Mode. Hardware flow control will be ex- pected from the computer by the TNC.
  • Page 333 KAM’98 Commands Command Reference TXDELAY (n = 0 - 255) default 30 This command sets the transmitter key-up delay as 10*n ms. This setting estab- lishes the time delay between the application of push-to-talk and the start of packet data to the transmitter. Flags (characters to begin packet) are sent during the delay.
  • Page 334 Command Reference KAM’98 Commands This command allows the TNC to send software flow control (XON and XOFF) to stop and restart the flow of data from the computer while in the Transparent Mode. When TXFLOW is OFF, hardware flow control must be used between the computer and TNC.
  • Page 335 KAM’98 Commands Command Reference ever, if UIDWAIT is set ON, the packets awaiting to be digipeated will be sub- ject to the same wait times as not-to-be-digipeated packets awaiting transmission. By subjecting “special” to-be-digipeated packets to a delay determined by slottime and persist, it is more likely that to-be-digipeated packets of two or more stations in the same vicinity would not collide.
  • Page 336 Command Reference KAM’98 Commands to-be-digipeated field, the ssid of the to-be-digipeated field is decremented, and the UI frame is digipeated without setting the H bit of the to-be-digipeated field. The value of n sets a delay time between duplicate digipeats. Use of this “do not duplicate within n seconds”...
  • Page 337 KAM’98 Commands Command Reference This command specifies the channels (streams) which may be available to in- coming connect requests. For example, if USERS = 5 then an incoming connect request will connect to the lowest channel A - E, if any of these channels are in the unconnected state.
  • Page 338 (m) x (1/8) X (10). A special computer program must be used to display WEFAX maps sent via the serial port. Superfax II (dos), by Kantronics, displays black/white images only. Windows programs to also include grey scale are under consideration at this time.
  • Page 339 KAM’98 Commands Command Reference XFLOW {ON | OFF} default ON When ON software flow control will be implemented according to the settings of START, STOP, XON, XOFF. For normal software flow control set XFLOW ON, START $11, STOP $13, XON $11, XOFF $13. The TNC expects the computer or terminal to respond to the flow control characters XON and XOFF, and the TNC responds to the START and STOP characters from the computer.
  • Page 340 Command Reference KAM’98 Commands XMITECHO {ON | OFF} default OFF When ON, characters are echoed to the terminal as they are transmitted over the radio in the non-packet modes. When OFF, echo to the terminal is immediate. XMITLVL n (n = 0-255) default 100 This command may be used to set the modem drive level.
  • Page 341 KAM’98 Commands Command Reference software flow control set this parameter to the character the computer expects to see to stop sending data to the TNC. See also: xflow, xon (n = $00 - $FF) default $11 <Ctrl+Q> This command selects the character sent by the TNC to the computer to restart input from that device.
  • Page 342 Command Reference KAM’98 Commands blank page User’s Guide KAM’98 v 8.3...
  • Page 343 Appendix A: Advanced Installation This appendix gives you additional information on installation and configuration beyond that given in the chapters on “Installing your KAM’98” and “Pacterm 2.0”. Precautions The KAM’98 is grounded through its connections to your transceiver, computer, and power supply. Make sure your transceiver is properly grounded and your computer has equal ground potential.
  • Page 344 [paste-in DB-25 diagram (see p.94 9612 P] Cable Wiring All Kantronics software requires five wires between the computer and the KAM’98. The pins that must be connected from your KAM’98 to the computer for these programs are Txd, Rxd, SG, RTS, and CTS. If you are using other soft- ware, you should refer to that documentation to determine the cable requirements for proper operation.
  • Page 345 Connecting to the Computer (DB-25) Appendix A: Advanced Installation The purposes of the pins (by name) are as follows: FG - FRAME GROUND: This pin is attached to the chassis of the equipment as a safety ground. TXD - TRANSMIT DATA: This line carries the data from your computer to the KAM’98.
  • Page 346 Appendix A: Advanced Installation Connecting to the Computer (DB-25) Resetting the KAM’98 through the DB-25 connector. EXT-IN via pin 25 of the DB-25 connector may be configured to allow you to perform a soft reset. This is accomplished by connecting J2 center pin and pin 2, J1 center pin and pin 1.
  • Page 347 Connecting to your Radios Appendix A: Advanced Installation Connecting to your Radios The HF/VHF radio connector on the KAM’98 rear panel is a 9-pin DB style con- nector, with pin layout as shown below: [diagram of DB-9 pin connector] name Function Transmit audio (AFSK out) External carrier detect...
  • Page 348 Appendix A: Advanced Installation Connecting to your Radios Pin 4: This pin is an analog-to-digital input (A/D-3). The AUX Port also pro- vides this pin, as well as three additional A/D inputs. See the Analog command for details. Pin 5: Receive audio from your radio connects to this pin. This normally will connect to the external speaker jack on your radio, but may connect to the receive audio pin on your microphone connector (if available).
  • Page 349 Connecting to your Radios Appendix A: Advanced Installation Connecting Devices to the Auxiliary (AUX) Port The AUX port connector on the KAM’98 rear panel is a DB-9 style connector, with pin assignments as shown in the table below. name Function A/D-0 analog-to-digital input 0 A/D-1...
  • Page 350 Appendix A: Advanced Installation Connecting to your Radios Interfacing Hand-Held Radios This section is for those who need more information than that given in the “In- stallation” chapter. Many transceivers, especially most hand-held models, obtain Push-To-Talk key- ing by completing a circuit between the mic input and PTT ground. A direct PTT input to the mic input line of units with this type electret condenser microphone is not usable without some type of isolation.
  • Page 351 Connecting to your Radios Appendix A: Advanced Installation three pin mic connector. The AFSK from the KAM’98 should therefore connect to the RING and not the TIP of the mic connector. Optional Connections to DB-9 Radio Port As noted above, Pin 7 can be used either for external (soft) reset or for power in- put and Pin 9 can be used either for keying or for ground.
  • Page 352 Appendix B: Advanced Information Assembly and Disassembly Appendix B: Advanced Information Assembly and Disassembly Should you require access to the KAM’98 to reposition jumpers or for other pur- poses, disassemble as follows: 1. Turn off power to your KAM’98 and remove all cables from the unit. 2.
  • Page 353 Appendix B: Advanced Information 1. Turn OFF power to the KAM’98 and remove the top cover, as described above. 2. Locate the Hard Reset jumper (J15) (labeled “test/reset”). Jumpers are appro- priately labeled on the PC board. Refer to the jumper location diagram for help in locating them.
  • Page 354 Appendix B: Advanced Information Calibration/Equalization Calibration/Equalization The CALIBRAT command is used to assist in adjusting the data transmitter drive level and also in adjusting the receive equalization of your KAM’98. The proce- dures listed below are a guideline for using the calibration command to adjust for optimum performance.
  • Page 355 Receive Equalization. If you have another Kantronics user nearby, have that station transmit a calibrate square wave and choose the R option in your calibrate mode to measure the sta- tus of receive equalization. You will see two numbers displayed each time you press R.
  • Page 356 Appendix B: Advanced Information Microprocessor Watchdog Timer Microprocessor Watchdog Timer The KAM’98 includes a watchdog timer within the microprocessor. In the un- likely event that your TNC firmware gets into an infinite loop, the watchdog timer will detect the failure and force a soft reset of the KAM’98. No parameters will be lost due to this reset.
  • Page 357 KAM’98 Jumpers Appendix B: Advanced Information Background on jumpers: A “jumper” is a two-prong plug-in part that can be used to complete a circuit between two adjacent pins on a base called a “header”, which has 2, 3, or 4 connection points (pins) in a row. Jumpers are called “2-pin”, “3-pin”, and “4-pin”...
  • Page 358 Appendix B: Advanced Information KAM’98 Jumpers (OFF) Modem Loopback (TXA) TXA or FSK/TXD select for Radio port pin 1 (OFF) Modem input equalization (OFF) Modem Drive Level Range (ON = High Range; OFF = Low Range) (Pos 1) A/D input#2 or GPS input from AUX port pin 3 (ON) Modem input impedance select...
  • Page 359 KAM’98 Jumpers Appendix B: Advanced Information Jumper Locations The following jumper schematic shows the locations of all jumpers (and jumper pins) on the KAM’98 PC board. For orientation, the schematic also shows the lo- cations of the external parts (LEDS, power input, and connectors) as well as the CPU, RAM, and EPROM parts.
  • Page 360 Appendix B: Advanced Information KAM’98 Jumpers KAM’98 Jumper Descriptions: J1: (port selection) This three-pin jumper is used to select either the radio port pin 7 (position 1) or the serial port pin 25 (position 2) as the port to use for im- porting an input which is selected by the setting of J2.
  • Page 361 KAM’98 Jumpers Appendix B: Advanced Information lected; when connected, the high output range is selected. Default: OFF. (low output range) J9: ( GPS input) This header provides for selecting AUX port pin 3 as either an A/D input (position 1) or as GPS data input from an external GPS unit (position 2) .
  • Page 362 Appendix B: Advanced Information KAM’98 Jumpers J17: (ROM size) This three-pin jumper permits the installation of different size ROMS. When placed in position 1, ROMs up to/including 1 megabits (128K bytes) may be installed. When placed in position 2, ROM sizes 1 megabits and above can be installed.
  • Page 363 Appendix C: Options for the KAM’98 Appendix B: Advanced Information J26: (internal regulator output voltage select) Not installed. For future devel- opment. When installed, this jumper is to be used with R122 to program a supply voltage of less than +5V. Appendix C: Options for the KAM’98 Installing Additional RAM The KAM’98 is shipped with 128K bytes of RAM.
  • Page 364 Additional possible difficulties are covered in the “Trouble-Shooting” section of the “Pacterm 2.0” chapter. Your Kantronics KAM’98 is manufactured to very stringent quality standards. If you have followed the installation procedures outlined in this manual, it is highly unlikely that you will encounter a failure. If you do have difficulty, use the proce- dures described in this section to assist in isolating and correcting the problem.
  • Page 365 Cannot Transmit Appendix D: In Case of Difficulty 2. Observe the radio to determine if it is being switched to the “Transmit” con- dition. If not, recheck wiring between the KAM’98 radio port, PTT pin, and ground on the microphone jack. 3.
  • Page 366 (ASCII code 192), then the letter q (upper or lower case is ok), and fi- nally another FEND character. Your TNC will then leave Host Mode and send the usual Kantronics sign-on message. ) To send the 3-character sequence from your keyboard, do the following: 1.
  • Page 367 Getting Out of Host Mode Appendix D: In Case of Difficulty When your terminal program sends these characters, the TNC will switch you out of Host Mode and into Command Mode. KAM’98 v 8.3 User’s Guide...
  • Page 368 Appendix E: Additional Information Specifications Appendix E: Additional Information Specifications Dimensions (HWD) 1.2" x 6.7" x 6.9" or 30 mm by 170 mm x 175 mm Weight 20 oz or .05 kg Power Requirements 5.5 VDC to 17 VDC, 125 ma (LEDs on) Power Plug Coaxial, center pin positive 2.1 mm External Connection...
  • Page 369 Messages from the KAM’98 The following are brief explanations of the most important messages that may be sent by your TNC. Note: Since these messages are also sent by other Kantronics’ TNCs, they refer to “TNC”, not to “KAM’98”. ***(callsign) busy The packet station you were attempting to connect to (callsign) is unable to accept connects, and responded with a busy signal.
  • Page 370 Appendix E: Additional Information Messages from the KAM’98 CHECKSUM OK When performing a hard reset, this message indicates that the Kantronics firmware Eprom has passed the internal checksum test. cmd: This is the Command Mode’s prompt for input. Any characters entered after the TNC prints “cmd:”...
  • Page 371 Messages from the KAM’98 Appendix E: Additional Information command may be accepted and acted upon, as described under the message “Input ignored”. ENTER YOUR CALLSIGN=> Type in your callsign. The TNC needs to know who you are to properly im- plement its protocol.
  • Page 372 The stream you have tried to change to is not valid. Stream designators must be letters A - Z. MAXUSERS sets the upper limit on valid streams. KANTRONICS ALL MODE COMMUNICATOR KAM’98 VERSION 8.3 (C) COPYRIGHT 1991-1998 BY KANTRONICS INC.
  • Page 373 Messages from the KAM’98 Appendix E: Additional Information DISCONNECTED No connection exists on the current stream. FRMR in progress Your TNC has detected an error in the protocol. This is normally caused by two TNCs using the same callsign, resulting in both of them trying to re- spond to the same message.
  • Page 374 Appendix E: Additional Information Messages from the KAM’98 NO KNOWN NODES An NDHEARD list has been requested and the TNC has not heard any other nodes (e.g., KA-Nodes). NOT ENOUGH RAM This message indicates that you have attempted to set the NUMNODES, MAXUSERS, or PBBS to a value which requires more RAM memory than is currently available.
  • Page 375 Messages from the KAM’98 Appendix E: Additional Information ..RAM ERROR xxxK BYTES If this message appears when you perform a hard reset, the TNC has detected a problem with the installed RAM, and reports how much of the RAM it found.
  • Page 376 Appendix E: Additional Information ASCII Chart ASCII Chart [paste in page 1 of 2 ASCII chart] User’s Guide KAM’98 v 8.3...
  • Page 377 ASCII Chart Appendix E: Additional Information ASCII CHART, continued [paste in page 1 of 2 ASCII chart] KAM’98 v 8.3 User’s Guide...
  • Page 378 Appendix E: Additional Information KAM’98 Parts Layout KAM’98 Parts Layout User’s Guide KAM’98 v 8.3...
  • Page 379 Index A/D converter, 187, 205, 298 cable requirements, with Pacterm, 68 additional parts needed, 14 cable wiring alias for digipeating, 170 RS-232, 283 alphanumeric pager, 252 software settings, 286 AMTOR, HF non-packet mode, 86 to computer (DB-25), 284 analog inputs, 187 CALIBRATE command, 211 APRS, 160, 169 calibration, 294-296...
  • Page 380 Index connection, 21 EOF, 83, 84 control output voltages, 187 equalization, 294-296 CONVERS, 218 establishing communication, 68 Conversation Mode, TNC use, 83 EXIT Pacterm, 85 Converse Mode, 119 EXIT to DOS, 85 coordinating Pacterm and a TNC, 70-72 external power, 37 cross-connect, 236 cross-port digipeating, 246 CTS, 78...
  • Page 381 179 interfacing, 288 using XCONNECT, 183 hard reset, 293 KAM, 86 hardware flow control Kantronics Program and Info. disk, 67 CTS, 78 KISS Mode, 190 RTS, 78 KISS protocol, 26 Help, 98, 232 HF Non-Packet modes of operation, 86...
  • Page 382 Index disconnect, 122 paging, 142-158 remote sensing, 187 amateur, 145 command setup, 149 commercial, 143 data ready transceiver, 147 NEWUSER commands, 95-97, 198 equipment, 147 diagram, 95 frequencies, 144 list, 97 numeric, 143 using, 98, 99 setting up system, 146 NEWUSER Interface Mode, 90 paging server (PS), 153 numeric pager, 252...
  • Page 383 Index power external, 38 secondary station identifier, 216, 246 power source, 36 Select TNC use, 76 precautions, 283 SEND file to TNC, 83 PRINT, 80 sending a message, 18 printer, Pacterm support, 80 serial communication cable, 39 problems serial port (RS-232), 33 solutions to, 305-308 serial port, select, 77 protocol (AX.25), 108...
  • Page 384 Index PASS, 71 required settings , 71 XFLOW, 72 TNC’s version number check, 98 TRANS, 95 transceiver, 17 connecting, 44 transceiver cable assembly, 46 transmit level adjusting, 57 transmitter key-up delay, 275 Transparent Mode, 83, 95, 119 getting out of, 120 trouble shooting, 89, 90 tutorials, 91 TXDELAY, 115, 275...

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