Microlog AIR-1 Manual

Radio interface cartridge for the commodore '64' with amtor, complete terminal with software in permanent rom for sending and receiving rtty and morse code

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RADIO INTERFACE

CARTRIDGE FOR THE

COMMODORE:

□ VIC-20

□ '64'

□ with AMTOR

Complete terminal with

software in permanent ROM

for Sending and Receiving

RTTY

and MORSE Code.

MICROLOG

MICROLOG CORPORATION 1985

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Summary of Contents for Microlog AIR-1

Page 1 RADIO INTERFACE CARTRIDGE FOR THE COMMODORE: □ VIC-20 □ ‘64’ □ with AMTOR Complete terminal with software in permanent ROM for Sending and Receiving RTTY and MORSE Code. MICROLOG © MICROLOG CORPORATION 1985...
Page 2 TYPICAL "TRANSCEIVER E X T . o n # P K R . H A N l D K E Y I K E Y lfK (ALL CABLES SHOULD BE SHIELDED iR<q56CETG.)
Page 3 J-1, J-3, U~8, & 5-2 used only on C-64 version. • 2-NZ22Z / A A / B E U 5E D I N p l / c e O F M R S A 0 5 MICROLOG CORPORATION AIR-V- VIC-20/C-64 RADIO INTERFACE CIRCUITS...
Page 4 _ rv . PIN B i/02 i/£3 / 7 7 _V _ TOLERANCES UNLESS MICROLOG CORPORATION OTHERW ISE SPECIFIE D FRACTIO NS ANGLES C A 2 S M R-1: VIC-20 C-64 ¥ C A T A e A D D R ESS INTERFACE CIRCUIT...
Page 5 D5 & D6 be jumpered (shorted) instead of changing R-28. To use the ICOM hand helds, IC2,3,4 connect a 20K resistor from the AIR-1 PTT output (tip) to the ICOM mike input along with a direct connection to the AIR-1 AFSK output (ring).
Page 6 Some basic programs require the full 38K C-64 memory, which means you will have to unplug the AIR-1. Do not unplug with power on, I t’s also a good idea to disconnect all radio cables from the AIR-1 before unplugging it. An A.C. ground fault between your radio and...
Page 7 You can go to the “BASIC” com puter mode by typing ‘CTRL’ and Com m odore keys. Since you are then under the restraints of “BASIC” language, to go back to AIR-1 com m unication mode you must type: SYS 40969 then the ‘RETURN’ key for the VIC-20. USE: SYS32777...
Page 8 VIDEO DISPLAY COMMANDS: The split-screen option is user selectable. The ‘CTRL S’ command is used to toggle the split-screen option on and off. To remove the split screen and use the entire video display for receive text, TYPE: ‘CTRL S’ (HOLD 'C TR L’...
Page 9 XMIT/RCV COMMANDS: Typing SHIFT RUN/STOP’ or SHIFT RETURN’ (hold SHIFT’, press ‘RUN/STOP’) places the system in the transmit mode. Observe that the top line display has changed and is now displaying: 0 6 0 W P M N O R C H A R indicating that the system is now in the Transm it Mode (T), the AFSK MARK/SPACE frequencies are NORmal at 2125 and 2295 HZ, respect...
Page 10 Observe th at the top line displays 0 6 6 W P M N O R To select an RTTY (BAUDOT) speed of 100 WPM (same as 75 baud), TYPE: ‘CTRL X‘ TYPE: TYPE: ‘C LR /H O M E’ Observe the speed display on the top line is now 100 WPM.
Page 11 N O R C H A R CLOCK COMMANDS: The AIR-1 includes a real tim e clock with a 4 digit display of hours and minutes, and a 3 character time zone. W hen the unit is first turned on the clock is reset to 00:00. You can set the clock to start at any time by means of the ‘CTRL K’...
Page 12 MEMORY STO RE/RETRIEV E COMMANDS: The AIR-1 VIC-20 version includes a num ber of user program mable memories. There are 8 message memories of 128 characters each, 2 ID memories of 64 characters each, a WRU memory of 11 characters, and 2 Selective print memories of 11 characters each.
Page 13 The secondary call sign will be transm itted by pressing 'SH IFT £ ’ with a “space” preceding it. You will find it useful to use the secondary ID to store the call of the station you’re calling. To store a message into any one of the 8 available message memories you must first type 'C T R L ’, and memory num ber (1 to 8), then enter the message text, and term inate by typing ‘CLR/HOME*.
Page 14 Receive Memory. TRANSMISSION M ODE COMMANDS: The AIR-1 has a num ber of transmission modes. In the CHARaeter mode (this is the system default mode), each character is transm itted as it is typed. In the W ORD mode, an entire string of characters is transm itted as soon as the spacebar key is pressed.
Page 15 CHAR mode by typing ‘CTRL W ’ again, and note the mode displayed on the screen: CHARaeter, W ORD, LINE mode. Now enter the LINE mode by typing ‘CTRL L \ Type in some text, and it will be displayed on the upper part of the screen above the split- line.
Page 16 TYPE: NAME IS TYPE; ‘SH IFT SPACEBAR TYPE: JOHN TYPE: * -• (PRESS *-* 2 TIMES) This will be entered into the text buffer and will be displayed above the split line as NAME IS J JOHN T he “CHECKER BOARD" on the screen is a symbol for the ‘SH IFT and the other two symbols represent the repeat function as entered in the text buffer.
Page 17 CHAPTER 3 ‘AIR-1’ TRANSCEIVER CONNECTIONS The AIR-1 provides all of the interfaces required for direct hookup to your transceiver (or transm itter and receiver). For the following description refer to the rear connection diagram , (Page B-3) CW KEYING: The ± KEY jack provides the necessary connections for both positive (cathode, solid state) and negative (grid block) keying of most transceivers or transm itters.
Page 18 If you choose to use the AFSK (Audio Frequency Shift keying) which is provided in the AIR-1, simply connect a shielded cable be tween the AFSK-PTT jack on the AIR-1 and the m icrophone input of your transceiver. The AIR-1 AFSK output is preset at the factory for...
Page 19 AIR-1. These are jum ped on the board. This allows you to plug one cable from your radio to the AIR-1, and one cable out to your external speaker, elim inating the need for a “Y” connector.
Page 20 CHAPTER 4 1 AIR-19 RTTY OPERATION The AIR-1 contains an AFSK dem odulator designed to receive both am ateur and commercial RTTY signals. If you are not fam iliar w ith RTTY, it is suggested th at, before proceeding further, you read one of the RTTY-PRIMER handbooks.
Page 21 For example, the ICOM -701, w'hen placed in the RTTY posi tion, will invert the signal, but will not invert it if placed in the LSB m ode. If your transceiver “inverts” the signal, place the AIR-1 in the INV mode by typing ‘CTRL (minus).
Page 22 FIG shift after each group of numbers. W hen not in “UNSHIFT” mode, the AIR-1 will react like a mechanical teleprinter in both receive and transm it. W hen enabled, the letter ‘U’...
Page 23 This command will show in the text buffer as T . COMMERCIAL RTTY: Your AIR-1 can be used to copy m any commercial RTTY stations transm itting news bulletins and w eather data. W hile the use of a general coverage receiver is most useful, you will find some signals just above the am ateur I IF bands.
Page 24 7 level ARQ code, or an encrypted code which you will not be able to copy. (AMTOR versions can copy 7 bit ARQ code) You may use the AIR-1 dual tone dem odulator to copy these com mercial RTTY signals. The “NARROW” mode is optimized for 170HZ shift signals.
Page 25 AFSK MODULATOR: The user m ay adjust for any pair of AFSK frequencies in the range from 1500 to 3000HZ. Thus there is a wide choice of both MARK and SPACE frequencies. The system is factory set for; MARK = 2125HZ, SPACE = 2295HZ.
Page 26 Connect a hand key to the “HA ND-K EY’ jack on the rear of the AIR-1. This should be connected to the center pin of the phone plug as shown in the diagram illustrating the rear panel connections.
Page 27 AIR-1 allows a ± 50% error in ac tual speed. Also, the “DEFA ULT” speed is set to 20 WPM which will be close enough to the typical speeds in common use so as not to need any “RE-CALIBRATION.”...
Page 28 You will also find that your receiver’s CW filter is helpful in reject ing nearby signals from interfering w ith the reception of the desired signal. The AIR-1 includes a sharp 300HZ effective bandpass which is sufficient for rejecting undesirable signals. Your receiver’s AGC however may act in such a wfay as to reduce its gain due to a strong signal near the desired one.
Page 29 The de-coding algorithm s used in the AIR-1 program provide copying ability as good as a m achine is capable and are considered the best in the industry. However, you will probably observe that m anual ly sent code, such as by means of a hand key, will not be properly decoded if it is sent “all bunched together”...
Page 30 ‘C T R L Ps tw ice, once for enable and once for disable. T his telLs the AIR-1 th a t it should w rite out to the ‘user p o rt.’ Both these outputs are code and speed converted and any text ap...
Page 31 W hen m em ory save is finished, the program will autom atically jum p back to “AIR-1” . You can continue norm al opera tion, or shut dow n knowing your program m able memories are safe on tape for later.
Page 32 64 DISK PROGRAM We have included w ith the “C-64” version of the AIR-1 a disk operating system program in BASIC. You should m anually enter this program and save it as the first file on a new disk. You can then save or load either your program m able messages, or the data in your receive buffer.
Page 33 CHAPTER 7 ‘AIR-1’ KEYBOARD COMMANDS ALPHA NUMERIC LISTING KEYS PRESSED DESCRIPTION CTRL A Go to ASCII code RTTY. CTRL B Go to BAUDOT code RTTY. CTRL C Send clock tim e. Sends 4 digits plus zone. Time sent is actual time of transmission — not the time of comm and entry.
Page 34 KEYS PRESSED DESCRIPTION CTRL Send “QUICK BROWN FOX” test message CTRL Send “ RYRY” CTRL Split screen toggle O n/O ff. CTRL MORSE speed-lock O n/O ff. Top line video displays “LOCK” when enabled in speed-lock mode. If “LOCK” is not displayed when in MORSE receive, the autom atic speed tracking is enabled.
Page 35 CTRL = CTR L C = Go to “BASIC”, norm al VIC-20 com puter operation. To re-enter AIR-1 comm unications (Com modore key) mode type “SYS” com m and then ‘RETURN’ key. Select num ber of characters per line. Follow this C TR L <...
Page 36 KEYS PRESSED DESCRIPTION No action. CTRL ?/ CTRL F 1 Restores V IC printer to normal size print. CTRL F 3 Causes large character print on VIC printer. Enables storage into receive memory buffer. CTRL F 5 Disables (stops) storage into receive memory CTRL F 7 buffer.
Page 37 KEYS PRESSED DESCRIPTION SH IFT < Letters code in BAUDOT; < in ASCII. SH IFT > Sends figures code in RTTY BAUDOT; > in ASCII. SH IFT 0 (zero) Go to MORSE. Action will occur at th at point in text.
Page 38 KEYS PRESSED DESCRIPTION Sends - . . . -BT in MORSE. = in RTTY. RETURN Sends . . . - .VE in MORSE. Carriage Return and Line Feed Codes in RTTY. COM MODORE Sends CQ__CQ__CQ__DE__in all codes. < Sends comma in all codes. >...
Page 39 7.2.3. CREATING THE RECEIVE BUFFER MEMORY: The AIR-1 program when used with the unexpanded VIC provides for a 2400 character text buffer. 1000 characters of this can be set aside for a receive buffer that can accept d ata directly off the air for retransmission.
Page 40 ly w ithout its being entered into the text buffer. This is a useful mode w hen the other station wants a quick answer and you have already entered some text into the text buffer. You can use this feature to answer his quick question w ithout destroying w hat you have already entered into the text buffer.
Page 41 TEXT EDITING COMMANDS: 7.5.1 ERROR CORRECTION: W hen the split-screen option is enabled, and the system is in the Receive mode, the user sees w hat he types and has the opportunity to correct typing errors before they are transm itted. Pressing 'IN ST /D EL ’ key will erase the previously typed character and move the cursor back one position.
Page 42 CHAPTER B ‘AIR-1’ SPECS INPUT 8.1.1 MORSE; Audio from receiver speaker or phone BAUDOT, ASCII, AMTOR: jack. MED. Z 1 Kohm typical -3 0 dBm sensitivity Digital (TTL). Up to + 4 0 volt max. Electronic keyer. (D) H and key.
Page 43 8.3.1 MORSE: International code A-Z, 0-9, comm a, period, slash, question m ark, parentheses, colon, semicolon, dash, double dash, AR, AS, BT, SK, BK, VE, ERROR, plus 7 special European characters. 8.3.2 BAUDOT: 5 data bits, 1 start bit, 1.5 stop bits. Interna tional alphabet, A-Z, 0-9, LTR, FIG , CR, LF, SPACE, blank, bell, $ - ! : ( "...
Page 44 MORSE - C om puter enhanced and nar row band (300HZ) detector centered at a nom inal frequency of 800HZ. TUNING INDICATOR On screen RTTY cross hatch indicator for MARK/SPACE dual tone dem odulation plus regenerated reference audio tone. Red dot ”on screen”...
Page 45 CHAPTER 9 — AMTOR Definition of Terms used In this manual and In CCIR 476-2 Mode Definition AMTOR AM ateur Teleprinting Over Radio. Am ateur Radio adaption of ARQ operation ARQ A AMTOR (Automatic Repeat reQuest) Mode A, H andshake or C hirp Mode Forw ard E rror Correcting —...
Page 46 MORSE - C om puter enhanced and n a r row band (300HZ) detector centered at a nom inal frequency of 800HZ. TUNING On screen RTTY cross hatch indicator for INDICATOR MARK/SPACE dual tone dem odulation plus regenerated reference audio tone. Red dot ”on screen”...
Page 47 CHAPTER 9 — AMTOR Definition of Terms used In this manual and In CCIR 476-2 Definition Mode AMTOR AM ateur Teleprinting Over Radio. Am ateur Radio adaption of ARQ operation ARQ A AMTOR (Automatic Repeat reQuest) Mode A, Handshake or C hirp Mode F orw ard E rror C orrecting —...
Page 48 TOP LINE VIDEO STATUS DISPLAY The status line in AMTOR is different from the Standard AIR-1 display for RTTY' and CW. xxxx R + * □ • zzzz I = Idle Mode R = Receive A = ARQ Mode A...
Page 49 CQ. The possibility of half-a-dozen AMTOR stations responding to a CQ, all chirping back madly might not be too satisfactory, AMTOR Mode A therefore does not lend itself to a general CQ. The broadcast FEC Mode is much more suitable, during which you would include your SELCAL, so that a calling station would respond in MODE A.
Page 50 IDLE, THE THIRD CONDITION: A standard, non-AMTOR unit, can be in either of two conditions regardless of the code or speed in use. E ither it is in receive or transm it. The AMTOR mode allows for a third, the Standby or Idle Condition. From Idle, the unit will switch autom atically to Mode A (ARQA), FEC (known as CBRS or Collective Broadcast Receiver Station) or “SELFEC ”...
Page 51 T h ey w ill stay th a t co lor w h en you re tu rn to no rm al AIR-1 R T T Y /C W m ode. If you now re-select a screen co lo r (C T R L G) the tu n in g in d icato rs w ill go back to red.
Page 52 A M TO R + Your new AIR-1 has the latest AMTOR + program included, AMTOR + will provide improved operation with systems where the 'clocks’ are not exactly in SYNC. We have found that some available AMTOR program s are virtually intolerant of bit rate tim ing error, which can be due to minor crystal variation in the com puters clock.
Page 53 OPERATIONAL FLOW-CHART START POWER ON Unit comes on in Standard (Non-AMTOR) Mode -------- Load ID ’s, F1-F8 Memories now before switching to AMTOR Operate normally in — ► Enter AMTOR Mode Morse, Baudot or ASCII bv typing CTRL*; Unit goes to IDLE as a Standard Non- AMTOR Unit.
Page 54 1. AMTOR Initialization W hen pow er is first applied to the unit it will be initialized to its standard RTTY mode, As a first step the user should initialize the system clock by means of the ‘CTRL K’ com m and. Next, load the ID ’s and F l-8 memories norm ally, either m anually or from Disk/Tape.
Page 55 Transmission will begin when the norm al SHIFT RUN/STOP or SHIFT' RETURN is typed. The letter M will appear on the screen to indicate that it is the MASTER or CALLING STATION. Characters entered on the keyboard will be displayed above the split-line on the video screen.
Page 56 AMTOR COMMANDS Active In Type: Action: A F IS CTRL * Go to AMTOR (Toggle comm and, 2nd CTRL * goes to normal RTTY/CW) 40 msec Slave PTT delay CTRL @ Same as * but 80 msec PTT Delay EXIT w ith CTRL * CTRL A E nter ARQ Mode A CTRL F...
Page 57 BREAK (IMMEDIATE “OVER”) Pressing the 1 key will imm ediately initiate the “over” sequence “ FIG + ?” . A detailed description is given in CCIR 3.1.6 of Rec 476-2. This allows the user to exchange roles between ISS/IRS. (Information Sending Station/Inform ation Receiving Stations), and is defined as a control signal, NOT in uppercase.
Page 58 4. FEC Mode-B Time Diversity In the Stand-By (IDLE) position the reception of the phasing sequence, as described in 3,2.5 of Rec 476-2 will cause the system to autom atically switch to the FE C position. The user may also switch to the FEC position m anually by pressing‘CTRL F on the keyboard.
Page 59 3.2.3.3 of REC-476. 5, CCIR 476-2 The AMTOR system used in the Microlog AIR-1 is the same protocol as defined by the CCIR 476-2. The only difference involves the actual characters used for the SELCAL blocks. The m aritim e service ty pically uses 5 num bers which are condensed into a 4 letter block.
Page 60 ZZAAZ BBBYYBY ZAZZZ YBYBBBY BBYBYBY ZAZAZ ZAAAZ BBYYYBB Carriage Return AAAZA YYYBBBB Line feed AZAAA YYBBYBB L etter shift ZZZZZ YBYBBYB Figure shift ZZAZZ YBBYBBY Space AAZAA YYBBBYB Unperforated tape AAAAA YBYBYBB (1) A represents a start element and Z a stop. (2) B represents the higher em itted frequency and Y the lower.
Page 61 - n n r w _ * _ — OUTPUT circuit already in the AIR-1 for + keying, T /R or loop Just make sure th at your relay coil requirem ents are below the in ternal transistor switch ratings of + 40 volts at 100 ma. Almost any small relay will work for the T /R switching.
Page 62 2Kfi means that you’ll have to run twice the audio into the AIR-1 for good copy. This linear relationship holds over a range of values for R31 of about 270-47000. R31 is the last resistor in the string...
Page 63 DEMODULATOR TUNING No attem pt should be m ade to adjust the dem odulator to other fre quencies. Do not adjust R7 located between ‘SPEAKER-AUDIO’ and the ‘ ± KEY’ jacks. There is a close correlation between this setting and the actual com puter program .
Page 64 PAN EL D ESCRIPTIO N ■ Microphone (HM-36) UP/DOWN SW ITCHES [UP]/[DN] PTT SWITCH C hange the selected readout frequency or Memory Push to transmit, release to receive, channel. • Holding down continuously changes the frequency or Memory channel number. •...
Page 65 8/7/2020 top.jpg (1258x1268)
Page 66 AIR-1 REAR CONNECTIONS A P S K O U T PU T TO T R A N S M IT T E R TIP - PTT T/R HING - M IC L E V E L AU OIO S P E A K E R ' AUDIO...
Page 67 M ark the outside of the package containing your AIR-1; “A ttention Repair D ept", and include a note fully describing the suspected defect and the steps/tests taken by you to verify the problem .
Page 68 Address: Unit received in condition. Date: _ _ _ _ _ _ Dealer’s Name: located in :____ How did you hear of MICROLOG? Which magazines do you subscribe to, or read regularly? □ Onthe-Air O Deaier □ QST □ CQ □...
Page 69 P LA C E STAMP H ER E M IC R O L O G E N G IN E E R IN G 18713 Mooney Drive Gaithersburg, M D 20879...
Page 70 MANUAL $5.00 MICROLOG CORPORATION 18713 Mooney Drive Gaithersburg, MD 20879 Telephone: (301)258-8400 Telex: 908153...

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Vic-20