AEA PK-232 Technical Reference Manual page 3

PK-232 TECHNICAL MANUAL
Your AEA PK-232 Data Controller is the connection between your computer and radios. The PK-232
performs all of the control, modulation, demodulation, coding and encoding function required to
establish and maintain data and text communications between your station and any other suitably-
equipped station, as well as other communication facilities equipped for digital communications.
The PK-232's packet system software is derived from and compatible with the original TAPR TNCs
and presents many of the advanced features of that design, coupled with significant enhance-
ments based on experience gained by thousands of TAPR-equipped amateur packet stations world-
wide.
This manual is your reference guide to the technical aspects of the PK-232, its maintenance and
repair, as well as special software information for programmers and applications developers in digi-
tal Amateur Radio.
Your PK-232 uses batteries to back up the user-programmable values in the system. If you don't
install batteries, you'll have to re-enter all of your personal system settings each time you turn on
the PK-232. Your PK-232 will operate normally in all modes but will not retain your personalized pa-
rameters such as your call sign, until you install three AA-size batteries in the battery holder inside
the chassis cover. We recommend that you choose alkaline batteries for this application.
Remove the four screws from the sides and the two screws from the rear of the chassis. then
lift off the PK-232's cover. Take care not to disturb the black or red wires that attach the bat-
tery holder to the printed circuit board.
Find the positive and negative symbols embossed on the inside of the battery holder. Insert
each battery, carefully matching the positive symbols on the battery with the positive symbols
on the holder.
Replace the cover and the six screws.
The battery back-up retains all the parameters except the time-of-day clock and the MHEARD
(Monitor Heard) list. These two functions are controlled by the microprocessor.
PK232TM Rev. A 5/87
INTRODUCTION
BATTERY BACK-UP
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