Kantronics KPC–3 Plus User Manual page 65

Command Mode
In order to change parameters, or give any other instructions to the TNC, you must be in
Command Mode. This is the mode you will be in when you first turn on the TNC or after
resetting it.
Once you have left Command Mode for any reason, there is a parameter called
COMMAND that determines what special character you will use to return to Command
Mode. This comes defaulted as a <Ctrl+C> (i.e., while holding down the control key,
press ―C‖, then release both keys).
Whenever you enter Command Mode the TNC will send a prompt to your screen that
looks like this:
cmd:
Connected vs. Unproto
There are two ways to send data in packet radio, connected or unproto (unconnected).
In the Connected Mode you first establish a connection. Then your TNC will send
packets to that specific station and expects acknowledgments in return. If an
acknowledgment is not received, the TNC will resend the data (depending on the setting
of AX25L2V2, it may send a poll first). The RETRY parameter will determine how many
times this is done before the connection is lost due to bad conditions. If the
acknowledgment is received, the TNC is happy and will send more data when available.
Therefore the Connected Mode, barring impossible conditions, assures that the station
you are connected to will receive everything you say, and in the order you say it.
In the Unproto Mode, when your TNC sends a packet, no acknowledgment is expected
and no retries are attempted. This mode is often used for calling CQ, for transmitting
beacons, and for informal round table chats.
Monitoring and Calling CQ
If you turn the MONITOR command ON, you will see other people's packets on your
screen. You will notice two callsigns at the beginning of each packet separated by a ―>‖.
The first callsign is the station the packet is from, and the second callsign is the station
the packet is to. An Unproto packet may have a name or CQ for the second callsign.
To set what will be seen as the ―to‖ callsign for Unproto packets you send, you use the
UNPROTO command. This comes defaulted as CQ.
In order to call CQ you must get into the Convers Mode, so that what you are typing to
the TNC will be interpreted as data to be sent out on the air and not as commands. To
do this type:
K<CR>
Now anything you type will be packetized and sent out on the air. Remember to get
back to Command Mode you enter a <Ctrl+C> (default) by holding down the Control key
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