KPC - 9612 Plus
Users Guide: Introduction,
Getting Started,
Modes of Operation,
Command Reference, and
Hardware Specifications
Kantronics
1202 E. 23rd Street,
Lawrence, Kansas 66046
Orders/ Inquiries (913) 842-7745
FAX (913) 842-2031
e-mail sales@kantronics.com
website: www.kantronics.com
Service / Technical Support (913) 842-4476 (9-12 am, 2-5 pm Central Time,
M-F)
FAX (913) 842-2021
e-mail service@kantronics.com
The KPC-9612 Plus is a Kantronics hardware and software design incorporating
the AX.25 Level 2 Version 2 Packet protocol as adopted by the American Radio
Relay League.
Information in this document is subject to change without notice.
We have attempted to make this manual technically and typographically
correct as of the date of the current printing. Production changes to the
KPC-9612 Plus may add errata or additional addendum sheets. We solicit your
comments and/or suggested corrections. Please send these to Kantronics Co.,
Inc.,
1202 E. 23rd Street, Lawrence, KS 66046.
© Copyright 1997 by Kantronics Co., Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Contents of this publication or the firmware within the KPC-9612 Plus may not
be reproduced in any form without the written permission of the copyright owner.
KPC-9612 Plus, KPC-3 Plus and Pacterm are trademarks of Kantronics Co., Inc.
NET/ROM is a registered trademark of SOFTWARE 2000. APRS is a registered
trademark of Bob Bruninga, WB4APR.
The KPC-9612 Plus is manufactured in the U.S.A.
Printed in the United States of America.
Kantronics Warranty Registration
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.
Mail form and sales receipt to:
Kantronics
1202 E 23rd Street
Lawrence, KS 66046
Warranty Registration
Last Name:
First Name: Callsign:
Mailing Address
City: State: Zip:
Country:
Daytime telephone:
Product: KPC-9612 Plus serial #:
Date of Purchase:
KPC-9612 Plus v 8.2 i User’s Guide
Dealer:
User’s Guide ii KPC-9612 Plus v 8.2
License Agreement
IMPORTANT: READ THIS PAGE BEFORE YOU
INSTALL YOUR NEW KANTRONICS PRODUCT
This product contains SOFTWARE on Programmable Read Only Memory
(PROM) and/or diskette which is protected by both United States copyright law
and international treaty provisions.
If you install or use this product , you will be deemed to be bound by the terms of
the SOFTWARE license shown below. If you do not wish to be bound by such
license, return such product and all associated documentation unused to your
supplier for refund of the amount you paid.
License Agreement
1. License. In consideration of payment of the License Fee, which is included in
the price of the product, the Licensee (you) is granted by the Licensor
(Kantronics Company, Inc. - Kantronics) a non-exclusive right to use the
SOFTWARE and associated documentation. No ownership rights to the
SOFTWARE or its Documentation are transferred from Kantronics to you.
2. Term. This License Agreement is effective until terminated. You may terminate this Agreement by destroying the PROM or diskette and documentation.
You may not rent or lease the SOFTWARE, but you may transfer the SOFT
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’ disclaimers of warranties, limitation of liability,
remedies, or damages and Kantronics’ proprietary rights shall survive.
3. Object Code. The SOFTWARE is delivered in object code only. You shall not
reverse compile or otherwise reverse engineer the SOFTWARE.
4. Limited Warranty. This product is covered by the standard Kantronics Co.,
Inc. Limited Warranty, which is enclosed.
KPC-9612 Plus v 8.2 iii User’s Guide
-
License Agreement
5. General. This License Agreement constitutes the complete Agreement
between you and Kantronics.
The SOFTWARE and/or Documentation may not be exported or re-exported in
violation of any export laws or regulations of the United States of America or any
other applicable jurisdiction.
This Agreement shall be governed by and interpreted under the laws of the State
of Kansas, United States of America.
Use, duplication, or disclosure by the Government of the United States is subject
to restrictions as set forth in subparagraph (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 SOFTWARE and/or Documentation if you have provided Kantronics your completed
Warranty registration with a copy of your receipt showing the amount you paid.
LICENSEE ACKNOWLEDGES HAVING READ AND UNDERSTOOD THIS
AGREEMENT AND AGREES TO BE BOUND BY ITS TERMS. LICENSEE
FURTHER AGREES THAT THIS AGREEMENT IS THE COMPLETE AND
EXCLUSIVE STATEMENT OF THE AGREEMENT BETWEEN LICENSEE
AND LICENSOR AND SUPERSEDES ANY PROPOSAL OR PRIOR
AGREEMENT, ORAL OR WRITTEN, AND ANY OTHER COMMUNICATIONS RELATING TO THE SUBJECT MATTER OF THIS AGREEMENT.
Any questions concerning this Agreement or any other matter relating to
Kantronics Company, Inc. products or business practices may be directed to:
Customer Service Department
Kantronics Company, Inc.
1202 E. 23rd Street,
Lawrence, KS 66046
User’s Guide iv KPC-9612 Plus v 8.2
TABLE OF CONTENTS
License Agreement .................................iii
Limited Warranty ...................................1
Applicable Products: ...............................2
Return/Repair Procedures ..............................5
Check-List for Possible Problems ......................5
Return Procedures ..............................5
Charges ....................................6
International Returns ...............................7
Radio Frequency Interference Statement.......................9
EU Declaration of Conformity: “CE”........................10
RFI Suppression...................................10
Introduction................................................11
Welcome.......................................11
Overview of This “User’s Guide” Manual .....................11
Upgrade Summaries.................................12
From KPC-9612 to KPC-9612 Plus Version 8.1 ................12
Differences Between V. 8.1 and V. 8.2 of the KPC-9612 Plus .........13
Major Uses of Your KPC-9612 Plus ........................13
Package Contents ..................................14
Additional Parts For Your Packet Radio Station ..................14
Our Assumptions About You ............................15
Documentation Conventions ............................15
Overview of Packet Radio .............................15
Three Basic Components of a Packet Radio Station ..............16
Sending a Message to Another Station .....................18
Packets: Dividing Messages into Segments ...................22
Unconnected Packets ............................23
Connected Packets..............................23
How a Packet is Organized .........................24
Kinds of Packets...............................25
Protocols: Rules for Working Together .....................26
AX.25....................................26
Alternatives to AX.25 ............................26
Inside a TNC – the KPC-9612 Plus ........................27
KPC-9612 Plus v 8.2 v User’s Guide
Table of Contents
Installing Your KPC-9612 Plus ................................29
The Major Components of Your Station ......................30
The KPC-9612 Plus ...............................30
Rear Panel ..................................30
The Transceivers.................................31
The Computer ..................................32
The Serial Port on Your Computer .....................33
GPS Device (Optional) .............................34
How the Parts of Your Station are Connected....................35
Connect Your KPC-9612 Plus to a Power Source .................36
External Power from Your Bench (12 Volt dc) .................37
..........................................38
External Power Transformed from 120 Vac Line Voltage ...........38
Connect your KPC-9612 Plus to Your Computer ..................39
Your Serial Communication Cable .......................39
Purchase Your Serial Cable .........................39
Make Your Serial Cable ...........................39
Installing the RS-232 Cable ...........................42
Install Software and Configure Your KPC-9612 Plus ...............43
Port 1: Connect to a Transceiver ..........................44
Parts for Connecting to a Transceiver ......................45
Preparing the Transceiver Cable Assembly ...................46
Wiring Directions (Connecting KPC-9612 Plus and Transceiver) . . . . . 46
Constructing the Cable Assembly ......................50
Connecting Your Transceiver Cable Assembly .................55
Adjusting the Receive Volume of Your Transceiver...............56
Transmit level adjustment ............................57
Port 2: Connecting to a “High Speed” Radio ....................58
DB-15 ......................................58
Adjusting High Speed Transmit Drive Level ..................59
Adjusting High Speed Receive Circuits .....................59
Connecting to a GPS Device (Optional) ......................61
User’s Guide vi KPC-9612 Plus v 8.2
Table of Contents
Pacterm v 2.0..............................................63
Introduction .....................................63
Our Assumptions About You ..........................63
Overview.....................................64
Quick Start .....................................65
Installing Pacterm ..................................66
Saving Pacterm on Your Hard Drive ......................66
Copying files from a floppy to your hard drive . . .............66
Guided Installation .............................67
Saving Pacterm on a Floppy Disk ........................67
Establishing Communication ............................68
Starting Pacterm...................................69
Coordinating Pacterm and Your TNC........................70
Coordinating BAUD Rates: The Autobaud Routine ..............70
Configuring the TNC for Use with Pacterm...................71
Required TNC Parameter Settings .....................71
Optional Parameter Settings.........................72
Pacterm Screens ...................................73
The MAIN Menu Screen ............................73
The Terminal Screen ...............................74
The Status Line ...............................74
Pacterm Commands: Overview ...........................75
On-Screen Help .................................75
From MAIN Menu, BACKSPACE = Go to Terminal Screen ..........75
From Terminal Screen, F1 = Go to MAIN Menu ................75
Commands: Setup, Using the MAIN Menu.....................76
F3 = Select TNC Use (Default = Packet) ....................76
F7 = Select SERIAL PORT (Default = COM2) .................77
F8 = Select BAUD RATE (Default = 9600) ...................77
Commands: Controlling the Flow of Data .....................78
F5 = Pacterm to TNC: Offline or Online (Default) . . .............78
F6 = TNC to Pacterm: STOP or START (Default) . . .............79
Commands: Output Control .............................79
ALT+P = Printer: ON or OFF (Default) .....................80
ALT+B = Holding Buffer: OPEN or CLOSE (Default) .............80
ALT+C = Holding Buffer: CLEAR .......................81
KPC-9612 Plus v 8.2 vii User’s Guide
Table of Contents
F2 = Holding Buffer: SAVE and CLEAR ....................81
Two ways to Save Holding Buffer Data...................82
ALT+F = Send a File to Your TNC .......................83
Commands: Exiting .................................84
F9 = Switch Your TNC to Command Mode...................84
F10 = Disconnect and EXIT to DOS ......................85
ESC or CTRL+C (on Main Menu Only) = EXIT to DOS............85
HF Non-Packet Functions (For KAMs Only)....................86
Commands that Work Differently in HF Non-Packet Mode . .........86
Additional Commands for HF Non-Packet ...................87
ALT+T (transmit) = Exit Type-ahead ....................87
ALT+R (receive) = Return to Type-ahead .................87
ALT+E = Return to Receive.........................87
ALT+H = Shift Tone Pair Frequencies ...................88
ALT+I = Invert Received Signal (rtty/ascii) ................88
ALT+S n = Speed Change..........................88
Trouble-Shooting Difficulties in Communicating .................89
Problem: Go to Terminal Screen, but Nothing Happens ............89
Problem: Your Computer Freezes Up ......................89
Problem: You Are Getting Bad or Intermittent Data ..............89
Problem: Your TNC Stops Behaving Normally .................90
Getting Started .............................................91
The Front Panel of the KPC-9612 Plus .......................92
Beginning a Session .................................93
Giving Commands and Transmitting Data .....................94
CommandMode...............................94
Converse (Conversation) Mode .......................94
TRANS (Transparent) Mode ........................95
TNC Commands ..................................95
NEWUSER Commands .............................95
List of NEWUSER Commands .........................97
Using NEWUSER Commands ...........................98
Check Your KPC-9612 Plus’s Version Number and ID .............98
GetHelp.....................................98
View Current Values of Parameters .......................99
User’s Guide viii KPC-9612 Plus v 8.2
Table of Contents
Change the Value of a Parameter ........................99
Connect to Your Mailbox .............................100
Monitor Communications From Nearby Stations .................101
Communicate Directly with a Nearby Station ...................102
Switch from Port 1 to Port 2 ............................104
Other Topics ....................................104
Modes of Operation ........................................107
Packet Mode of Operation .............................107
Introduction...................................107
Information is Organized into “Packets” .................107
Your Packet Unit is a Terminal Node Controller (TNC)..........108
Protocol for Amateur Packet Radio: AX.25 ................108
CommandMode................................108
Connected vs Unproto .............................109
Monitoring and Calling CQ ..........................109
A Simple Connect ...............................110
Digipeating ...................................111
Gateways ....................................112
Multi-Connects ................................112
Round Table Discussions ...........................114
Selective Monitoring ..............................114
Timing .....................................114
Dwait vs. Persistence and Slottime ....................114
Txdelay ..................................115
Frack (Frame Acknowledgment Time) ..................115
Retries AX.25 Level 2, Version 1 vs. Version 2 ..............116
Flow Control ..................................117
Software Flow Control ..........................118
Hardware Flow Control ..........................119
Convers Mode vs. Transparent Mode .....................119
Getting Out of Transparent ..........................120
Remote Access to Your TNC ...........................121
PBBS (Personal Mailbox) .............................123
Introduction...................................123
Using Your PBBS ...............................123
KPC-9612 Plus v 8.2 ix User’s Guide
Table of Contents
PBBS Commands ...............................125
B(ye) ....................................125
E(dit) n [BPTYNFH] [>tocall] [<fromcall] [@BBS] “old” “new” ....125
H(elp) ...................................125
J(heard) ..................................125
J(heard) S(hort) .............................125
J(heard) L(ong) ..............................126
L(ist) [ x [y]] [; ] .............................126
L(ist) <|> call [ ; ] ............................126
LB [;] ..................................126
LC [cat[;]] ...............................126
LLn [;] .................................126
LM(ine) [ ; ] ...............................127
LO [+|-] ..................................127
LT [;] ..................................127
K(ill) n ...................................127
KM(ine) ..................................127
R(ead) n ..................................127
RHn....................................128
RM(ine) ..................................128
S(end) call .................................128
SBcat ...................................128
SP call ...................................128
STzip ...................................128
Sending Messages ...............................129
Listing Messages ................................130
Reading Messages ...............................131
Editing Message Headers............................132
E(dit) n [BPTYNFH] [>tocall] [<fromcall] [@BBS] “old” “new” ....132
Hierarchical Addresses .............................134
Advanced Configuration of Your PBBS ....................134
Remote SYSOP Access to the PBBS .....................136
Reverse Forwarding Messages from Your Mailbox . . . ...........137
Selecting a Home Full-Service BBS.......................137
Routing Lines ...............................138
Paging .......................................142
Introduction to Paging .............................142
User’s Guide x KPC-9612 Plus v 8.2
Table of Contents
Commercial Paging...............................143
Amateur Paging ................................145
Setting Up a Paging System ..........................146
Equipment Requirements .........................147
Pagers ...................................148
Interconnecting the TNC and Transceiver .................148
Transmitter Drive, Receiver Equalization .................148
Getting Ready to Operate .........................149
Command Setup ..............................149
TNC Page Commands:...........................151
Using Page Commands.............................151
Initiating a (POCSAG) Page ........................152
Page Directory ...............................152
Loging Pages — Pagelog .........................154
Advanced Monitoring of Pages ......................155
Page Server ...................................156
Page Server Commands ..........................156
Using the Server ..............................157
GPS NMEA Interfacing Capability ........................159
Overview ....................................159
GPS Equipment Requirements .........................160
Cabling a GPS Unit to a Kantronics TNC ...................161
Setup: Configuring a Kantronics TNC for GPS Operation ..........162
Setting Parameters in the TNC.......................163
GPS Unit Initialization from the TNC ...................164
GPS Operations.................................164
Starting the TNC in GPS Mode ......................164
Exiting GPS Mode .............................165
Other GPS Features ..............................165
Slotted Beacons ..............................165
Tracking Without Beacons .........................166
Remote Access and GPS ..........................166
Other Notes ................................167
GPSCommandSummary ...........................167
Advanced GPS/APRS Digipeating ......................169
Improving Efficiencies of Advanced Digipeating .............169
Overview of UI Digipeating Commands .................170
KPC-9612 Plus v 8.2 xi User’s Guide
Table of Contents
Using “UI” Digipeat Commands: UIDIGI, UIFLOOD, and UITRACE . 171
Configuring Digis for HF/VHF Gateway Operations ...........174
Bibliography ..................................176
Vendors Supplying GPS Units .........................176
KA-Node .....................................177
Overview ....................................177
Configuring Your KA-Node ..........................178
UsingaKA-Node ...............................179
Automatic Disconnect .............................182
Using the XCONNECT Command.......................183
Determining Which Port You Have Connected To . . . ...........184
KA-Node Commands for Remote Use ....................184
ABORT ..................................184
Bye ....................................184
Connect callsign [Stay] ..........................185
Help ....................................185
Jheard [Short|Long] ...........................185
Nodes [Short|Long] ...........................186
Xconnect callsign .............................186
Other Modes of Operation .............................187
Remote Sensing and Control ..........................187
Modem Mode..................................189
Copying Weather Broadcasts NWS EMWIN ...............189
Kantronics Host Mode Operation .......................190
KISSMode ..................................190
XKISS (Extended KISS) Mode ........................192
DAMA (Slave Mode) Capacity ........................193
What is DAMA? ..............................193
What Does a DAMA System Look Like? .................193
How is DAMA Implemented in Kantronics TNCs? ...........194
Bibliography ................................195
Command Reference ......................................197
Introduction ....................................197
Format for Listing Commands .........................198
Format Defining Commands .........................198
The Command Line ............................198
User’s Guide xii KPC-9612 Plus v 8.2
Table of Contents
The Line Below the Command Definition.................199
Parameter Types ................................200
Entering Commands ..............................202
TNC Commands .................................204
Appendix A: Advanced Installation ...........................283
Precautions .....................................283
Connecting to the Computer (DB-25) .......................283
DB-25 Connector................................283
Diagram of Pin Numbers on DB-25 Connector ..............284
Cable Wiring ..................................284
Optional Wiring ................................285
Applying Power through the DB-25 connector. ..............285
Resetting the KPC-9612 Plus through the DB-25 connector. .......286
Hardware handshaking with DSR and DTR. ...............286
Software settings ................................286
Connecting to your Radios.............................287
Interfacing Hand-Held Radios (Port 1 only) ..................288
Optional Connections to DB-9 Radio Port ..................290
Applying Power through the DB-9 connector. ..............290
Resetting the KPC-9612 Plus through the DB-9 connector.........290
Port 2: High Speed (e.g., 9600 Baud) .....................290
Port 2 (High Speed) Transmit level ....................292
Appendix B: Advanced Information...........................293
Assembly and Disassembly ............................293
Hard Reset .....................................293
Calibration/Equalization ..............................294
Port 1: 1200 baud................................295
Transmit Drive level. ...........................295
Receive Equalization. ...........................296
Port 2: High-speed Port.............................296
Transmit Drive level. ...........................297
Receive Equalization. ...........................297
PTT (Push-to-Talk) Watchdog Timer .......................297
Microprocessor Watchdog Timer .........................298
KPC-9612 Plus v 8.2 xiii User’s Guide
Table of Contents
A/D Converter ...................................298
KPC-9612 Plus Jumpers ..............................298
Jumper Locations ...............................298
KPC-9612 Plus Jumper Descriptions: .....................299
Appendix C: Options for the KPC-9612 Plus ...................303
Low Power Operation ...............................303
Very Low Power Operation ..........................303
Installing Additional RAM ............................304
Replacing the Lithium Battery ..........................304
Appendix D: In Case of Difficulty ............................305
KPC-9612 Plus Does Not “Sign-On” to Computer ................305
You Are Unable to Make a “Connect” ......................306
Cannot Transmit ..................................306
Cannot Return to Command Mode ........................307
Getting Out of Host Mode ............................307
Appendix E: Additional Information..........................309
Specifications ...................................309
Messages from the KPC-9612 Plus ........................310
ASCII Chart ....................................318
KPC-9612 Plus Parts List .............................320
KPC-9612 Plus Parts Layout ...........................322
Index.....................................................323
User’s Guide xiv KPC-9612 Plus v 8.2
Limited Warranty
KANTRONICS CO., INC.
LIMITED WARRANTY
Effective January 1, 1997
To receive notice of future updates, new product information and prompt war
ranty service, please fill in the Kantronics/rfconcepts Warranty Registration card
COMPLETELY and return it along with a copy of proof of purchase (to estab
lish purchase date) to Kantronics Co., Inc., 1202 East 23rd Street, Lawrence,
Kansas 66046 USA.
NOTE: Return of the Warranty Registration card and proof of purchase is a
pre-condition to warranty coverage.
1. WARRANTY. Kantronics Co., Inc. (“Kantronics”) warrants to the first con-
sumer purchaser (“you”), for the Applicable Warranty Period (as described
below), that the Applicable Product (as described below) will be free from
defects in material and workmanship.
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 Applicable Warranty Period, it will, at its option, repair or replace the defective Applicable Product at no charge to you, excluding in-bound shipping charges.
3. EXCLUSIVE REMEDY. Repair or replacement of the Applicable Product, as
provided herein, is the sole remedy available to you against Kantronics, and in no
event will Kantronics be responsible for any other liability or damages or for in
cidental, special, or consequential damages, regardless of whether purported lia
bility is predicated upon negligence, strict tort, contract, or other products
liability theory and whether or not Kantronics is warned about the possibility of
such liability or damages. SOME STATES DO NOT ALLOW THE EXCLU
SION OR LIMITATION OF INCIDENTAL OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAM
AGES, SO THE ABOVE LIMITATION OR EXCLUSION MAY NOT
APPLY TO YOU.
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-
-
-
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4. DISCLAIMER. This Limited Warranty is in lieu of all other warranties ex
pressed or implied and no representative or person is authorized to assume for
Kantronics any other liability in connection with the sale of its products.
KANTRONICS SPECIFICALLY DISCLAIMS THE IMPLIED WARRANTY
KPC-9612 Plus v 8.2 1 User’s Guide
-
Limited Warranty
OF MERCHANTABILITY AND IMPLIED WARRANTY OF FITNESS FOR
A PARTICULAR PURPOSE FOR ANY APPLICABLE PRODUCT. IF, HOW
EVER, YOU ARE A CONSUMER WITHIN THE MEANING OF 15 U.S.C.
2301(3), THE ABOVE DISCLAIMER OF IMPLIED WARRANTIES IS EF
FECTIVE ONLY FOR PERIODS OUTSIDE THE APPLICABLE WAR
-
-
RANTY PERIOD. SOME STATES DO NOT ALLOW LIMITATIONS ON
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. Hardware units and the media con-
taining firmware, software and documentation are sold to the consumer purchaser
and become property of the purchaser. Firmware and software are licensed for
use by the consumer purchaser in return for a fee included in the purchase price
of the units and do not become the property of the consumer. (See separate Li-
cense Agreement provided with these products). The products to which the war-
ranty of Section 1 hereof applies (herein “Applicable Products”) and the periods
during which the warranty shall apply to such products (herein, “Applicable War-
ranty Period”) are as follows:
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-
Applicable Products:
UNITS:
KPC-9612, KPC-9612 Plus, KAM, KAM Plus, KPC-3, KPC-3 Plus,
rfc 2/70, rfc 2/70G, rfc 4-110, rfc 4-310, Mini-Amp 144, Mini-Amp 144P,
Mini-Amp 440, Mini-Amp 440P, MAX-Amp 10, MAX-Amp 45.
Applicable Warranty Period: One (1) year from date of purchase.
ACCESSORIES:
KAM Enhancement Board
Applicable Warranty Period: One (1) year from date of purchase.
User’s Guide 2 KPC-9612 Plus v 8.2
Limited Warranty
MEDIA:
EPROMS, diskettes, video or audio cassettes, manuals (however bound), specifi
cation and other supplemental pages or any other media on which firmware, soft
ware or documentation are supplied
Applicable Warranty Period: Thirty (30) days from date of purchase.
6. EXCLUSIONS. This Limited Warranty does not apply to the cosmetic ap
pearance of the Applicable Product; to broken or cracked cabinets; to any acces
-
sory not supplied by Kantronics which is used with the Applicable Product; to
any product that has been subject to misuse abuse or overvoltage; to any product
that has been modified by non-Kantronics personnel unless specifically authorized
in writing
by Kantronics; or to any product damaged or impaired by shipping
(whether or not caused by poor packaging), neglect, accident, wiring not installed
by Kantronics, improper parameter settings which are cleared by performing a
hard reset, or use in violation of instructions furnished by Kantronics or of generally accepted industry practice. Kantronics does not warrant that the functions
contained in any software will meet your requirements or achieve your intended
results; or that operation of any software will be uninterrupted or error-free or
without effect upon other software used with it. Responsibility for the selection of
the hardware and software program to achieve your intended results rests with
you.
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7. REMEDY PROCEDURE. Should you need to make a warranty claim, first
contact the dealer from whom you purchased the product. 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 913-842-2021; or by phone at our
Customer Support number 913-842-4476 (Hours: 9:00 a.m. - noon and
2:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. CST). Contact us prior to returning an Applicable Product
to receive a Return Authorization Number. (As a practical matter, problems can
often be solved in such a manner without the product having to be returned to
Kantronics for repair or replacement.)
Return of any Applicable Product for the enforcement of rights under this
Limited Warranty shall be at your expense. Any product returned for warranty
service which Kantronics determines to be without defect or not covered by this
KPC-9612 Plus v 8.2 3 User’s Guide
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Limited Warranty
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.
8. NON-ASSIGNMENT. This Limited Warranty is not assignable by you. Any
attempt to assign or transfer any of the rights, duties, or obligations hereof is
void.
9. OTHER RIGHTS. This Limited Warranty gives you specific legal rights
and you may also have other rights which vary from jurisdiction to jurisdic
tion.
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User’s Guide 4 KPC-9612 Plus v 8.2
Return/Repair Procedures
Return/Repair Procedures
Important: Our repair statistics show that over 70 percent of the units returned
for service do not, in fact, require any service. Therefore, we advise you to please
double-check the following list of common, user-solvable, sources of difficulty
before contacting Kantronics about returning your unit for service.
Check-List for Possible Problems
Should you encounter difficulty in getting your equipment to “talk” to your com
puter, please perform at least the following limited checks before calling or writ
ing:
• Carefully check your wiring connections to the RS-232 port.
• If you purchased third-party cables, double-check to be sure that they
conform to the Kantronics’ wiring instructions in this manual.
• Verify your terminal baud rate.
• 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.
Return Procedures
When calling, report the product name and ask for the Amateur Radio Service
Department. Please have the following information available:
•
The unit name and serial number (the serial number is found on the
bottom of the unit).
•
The firmware version number (the version number is displayed when you
give the Version command).
-
-
If possible, you should have the unit and your computer available to
perform troubleshooting operations when you call.
KPC-9612 Plus v 8.2 5 User’s Guide
Return/Repair Procedures
The Service Department telephone hours are 9 am - noon and 2 pm - 5 pm
+
Central Time, Monday through Friday. If you call outside these hours, the phone
will just ring. The service department telephone is not connected to the main
switchboard and the switchboard receptionist cannot transfer you to the service
number. If lines are busy, you may wish to (and it may be faster to) contact
service by letter, fax, or e-mail. Service e-mail is currently checked twice per day.
Before contacting us, please take the time to list out your problem fully and
carefully. Here are the contact numbers:
Kantronics Co., Inc.
1202 E. 23rd Street
Lawrence, KS 66046
service phone line: 913-842-4476
service fax line: 913-842-2021
service e-mail address: service@kantronics.com
website address: www.kantronics.com
When writing, faxing, or e-mailing Kantronics, include a clear description of the
problem, unit name, firmware version, computer type, computer software used
and if possible a list of current parameter values for your unit (as shown in a DISPLAY listing). Be sure to include a return fax number and/or e-mail address.
Returns to the factory for refund or exchange are strictly regulated. Any return
for refund or exchange must be approved by the service department.
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.
Violations of warranty clauses will automatically void the warranty and service
or repairs will be charged to the owner.
Service outside the warranty will be charged at the cost of parts, labor, and return
shipping. Units returned for service without a Return Authorization number will
be subject to a minimum charge of 1/2 hour labor plus shipping and handling.
Contact the Service Department at 913-842-4476 (Hours: 9:00 a.m. - noon and
User’s Guide 6 KPC-9612 Plus v 8.2
-
Return/Repair Procedures
2:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. CST) to obtain a Return Authorization number. Repaired
units will be returned via UPS C.O.D.
These C.O.D. charges can be avoided by including your VISA or MasterCard
number with your unit to be repaired. Shipping and repair may then be charged.
International Returns
This section applies to international returns only, not to domestic 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.
• All returns must be shipped to the factory at 1202 East 23rd Street,
Lawrence, KS 66046 U.S.A.
• All expenses of returning items to Kantronics must be paid by you,
including any duty/entry fees, whether the return is for warranty or
non-warranty repair.
• Usually, the best way to return items to us is by mail. However, if you
wish to use one of the courier services such as DHL, UPS Expedited,
Federal Express, etc., be sure to use DOOR-TO-DOOR service. If you
use one of these services, a commercial invoice may be required. Please
check with your carrier before shipping.
•
Include in the description of the items on the paperwork (whether postal
or courier) the words:
“U.S. GOODS RETURNED FOR REPAIR/REPLACEMENT.”
+
An additional description of “Amateur radio peripheral equipment”, or
“Data communications equipment”, would be helpful. It would also be
helpful (but not required) to include the code number 9801.00.1035
which tells U.S. Customs agents that the package contains “U.S. goods
returned without improvement/enhancement”. However, if the words
“U.S. goods returned for repair/replacement” are on the paperwork, the
number is not really necessary.
KPC-9612 Plus v 8.2 7 User’s Guide
Return/Repair Procedures
Provide a value for customs purposes. This is usually the value of the
•
item(s) in their current condition. A $0 value is not acceptable for U.S.
Customs.
Inside the package, with the item(s), include:
•
a fax number and/or e-mail address (if available) in case we need to
•
contact you
a correct and full address for return
•
method of payment to be used for any charges (if MasterCard or
•
VISA, include expiration date)
a brief description of the problem
•
a reference to any conversations with the technical/sales staff about
•
the problem
and the Return Authorization number assigned.
•
• For warranty repairs, we will pay the shipping charges to return the
item(s) to you via air parcel post. If you wish return by courier service,
include your account number. 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.
•
For non-warranty repairs, you must pay the return shipping charges.
User’s Guide 8 KPC-9612 Plus v 8.2
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. This equipment generates, uses and can radiate radio frequency
energy and, if not installed and used in accordance with the instructions, may
cause harmful interference to radio communications. However, there is no guar
antee that the interference will not occur in a particular installation. If this equip
ment does cause harmful interference to radio or television reception, which can
be determined by turning the equipment off and on, the user is encouraged to try
to correct the interference by one or more of the following measures:
• Reorient or relocate the receiving antenna.
• Increase the separation between the equipment and receiver.
• Connect the equipment into an outlet on a circuit different from that to
which the receiver is connected.
-
-
-
-
• Consult the dealer or an experienced Radio/TV technician for help.
The user is cautioned that any changes or modifications not expressly approved
by the party responsible for compliance could void the user’s authority to operate
the equipment.
The user is also cautioned that any peripheral device installed with this equip
ment must be connected with a high-quality shielded cable to insure compliance
with FCC limits.
KPC-9612 Plus v 8.2 9 User’s Guide
-
EU Declaration of Conformity: “CE”
EU Declaration of Conformity: “CE”
NOTE: This equipment, Kantronics’ KPC-9612 Plus, has been tested and found
to comply with the essential emission and immunity requirements of the EMC
Directive 89/336/EEC. The test results are on file at the corporate offices of
Kantronics.
Type of Equipment: Information Technology Equipment
Class of Equipment: Class B
RFI Suppression
In moving to the world of digital communications via computers, a new dimension of RFI may be encountered. In spite of the equipment manufacturers’ diligence, each new piece of electronic equipment will react differently in each
separate environment. Every amateur station will have its own unique layout,
equipment variation, and antenna installations. Experience has shown that these
differences are related to the total RF environment, and may be causative factors
in RFI induced problems. The suggestions given here may assist in resolving
RFI problems you may encounter in your “unique” station.
• Use shielded cable for all connections between equipment.
•
Make all interconnecting cables as short as practical. A balance should be
maintained between cable length and equipment proximity. At times
simply moving the video monitor one foot further from an interface or
other device will solve a “screen hash” problem.
•
Antenna runs should be kept away from equipment control lines and/or
interconnecting cables. If it is necessary for such lines to cross each other
they should do so at 90 degree angles.
•
Ground leads should be as short as possible and go to a GOOD EARTH
GROUND.
•
Interconnecting cables appearing to act as radiators or antennas should be
looped through a toroid. Be certain toroids, if used, are designed for the
frequency in use.
User’s Guide 10 KPC-9612 Plus v 8.2
Introduction
Welcome
Welcome to the Kantronics KPC-9612 Plus, your pathway to amateur radio
packet communication.
Please review this chapter before you install your KPC-9612 Plus as part of your
packet radio station.
Overview of This “User’s Guide” Manual
This user’s guide provides documentation on the KPC-9612 Plus and packet radio, including the following:
• What equipment you will need for your packet radio station.
• A brief introduction to packet radio.
• Installing and configuring your KPC-9612 Plus packet radio station and
making your first connections.
• Documentation for Pacterm, the PC terminal software shipped with the
KPC-9612 Plus.
•
Getting started using your KPC-9612 Plus.
•
Documentation for each mode of operation of your KPC-9612 Plus.
•
A full “Command Reference”, documenting all KPC-9612 Plus
commands.
•
Full details on KPC-9612 Plus jumpers, a parts list, and other technical
specifications.
Additional documentation and supporting material is available on the
“Information and Program” disk that ships with the KPC-9612 Plus.
KPC-9612 Plus v 8.2 11 User’s Guide
Introduction Upgrade Summaries
Upgrade Summaries
Note: If you are upgrading from a KPC-9612 or from version 8.1 of the
KPC-9612 Plus, please read the relevant ungrade summaries.
From KPC-9612 to KPC-9612 Plus Version 8.1
Kantronics now produces the KPC-9612 Plus in place of the KPC-9612. The
KPC-9612 has been discontinued. Due to changes in processor, printed circuit
board, and functionality, there is no upgrade kit from the 9612 to the 9612 Plus.
If you are familiar with the KPC-9612, you should read this note to familiarize
yourself with key differences between the KPC-9612 and the KPC-9612 Plus.
The KPC-9612 Plus (called the “9612 Plus” in this manual) introduces additional firmware and hardware features not found in KPC-9612 and deletes a
command that is in the KPC-9612. Regarding firmware, the 9612 Plus deletes
one command and adds several new ones. The MODE command of the 9612 has
been replaced by the ABAUD command; the 9612 Plus now supports RS 232
communication using 8 bits of data with no parity only (i.e., 8, N, 1).
In addition, analog pots for transmit data drive level and receive signal equalization in the 9612 have been replaced with digital pots. These new pots are controlled with commands titled transmit level (XMITLVL) and equalize
(EQUALIZE). XMITLVL is a dual-port command and is convenient in that the
user may set drive levels from the keyboard without having to open the case to
gain access to adjust levels. Further, two A/D inputs have been added to the 9612
Plus that compliment nicely the two control line outputs that were also in the
9612. Status of these analog inputs are obtained by evoking the ANALOG com
mand. In addition, the 9612 Plus features a wider array of jumpers on the pcb to
accommodate a wide range of configurations.
Most unique, the 9612 Plus features a set of headers for a third port not found in
the 9612. These headers - one 20-pin railroad header and one 32-pin railroad
header, attached to the HC11 processor buss, will accept a plug-in printed circuit
board as a third radio port. This “port 3 circuit” can be added to the 9612 Plus
simply by plugging it into the headers; replacing the front panel, back panel, and
cover; and replacing the firmware with a new EPROM that will accommodate the
additional functions of port 3. Several port 3 printed circuit (baby) boards are
User’s Guide 12 KPC-9612 Plus v 8.2
-
Major Uses of Your KPC-9612 Plus Introduction
planned, including a KAM Plus-like HF modem. Such an addition will make the
9612 Plus a three-port device, and simultaneous operation of the three ports will
be possible with most mode mixes, i.e. another true multi-port by Kantronics.
The 9612 Plus also supports higher speed operation in Port 2, compared with the
9612. On the 9612, Port 2 supported 4800 through 19,200 baud operation; on the
9612 Plus, Port 2 supports baud rates from 4800 through 38,400. As with the
9612, the 9612 Plus supports 1200 baud communication via Port 1.
Differences Between V. 8.1 and V. 8.2 of the KPC-9612 Plus
Version 8.2 introduces five new commands for use with GPS (and APRS) activi
ties: UIDIGI, UIFLOOD, UITRACE, UIDWAIT, and UIGATE. These com
mands may be useful for other activities too. No version 8.1 commands were
deleted. See the command descriptions for details.
Major Uses of Your KPC-9612 Plus
Adding the KPC-9612 Plus and a computer to your ham radio station allows you
to send and receive packets of digital information. Then you can:
• use computers to carry on real-time digital conversations between
stations
•
send, receive, store and forward mail using a personal mailbox inside the
KPC-9612 Plus
•
send and receive mail using a community bulletin board
•
send and receive files
•
get and re-transmit location data from Global Position System devices
•
serve as a digipeater for other stations
•
serve as a network node point for other stations, using KA-NODE and/or
the optional K-Net feature
-
-
•
send and receive paging signals
And much more.
KPC-9612 Plus v 8.2 13 User’s Guide
Introduction Package Contents
Package Contents
Check to see that you have the items listed below (later you will see how these
items are used in your system):
KPC-9612 Plus unit
•
parts to use in assembling cabling
•
Male DB-9 connector for radio port 1
•
Male DB-15 connector for radio port 2
•
A pair of 3-foot pieces of 5-conductor shielded cable to connect the
•
KPC-9612 Plus to your radios
One mini-plug cable for radio receive audio
•
2.1 mm power connector
•
• an “Information and Program disk” (3.5", DS/HD 1.44MB, formatted for
PC (IBM) compatible computers), which includes a PC terminal
program.
• Warranty registration form (see front of this manual)
• and, of course, this “User’s Guide” manual
Additional Parts For Your Packet Radio Station
In addition to your KPC-9612 Plus unit, you will need the following parts to set
up your packet radio station:
•
One or two FM transceivers
•
Microphone (Mic) or accessory jack connectors for your radios
•
A computer (or other RS-232 terminal device)
•
A serial modem cable, used to connect the KPC-9612 Plus Plus to your
computer
•
A 12 Vdc power supply or power adaptor
User’s Guide 14 KPC-9612 Plus v 8.2
Our Assumptions About You Introduction
Our Assumptions About You
We assume that you are familiar with the following or that you can get help on
these topics if necessary:
general familiarity with your radio equipment and it’s intended uses
•
basic use of IBM compatible computers and DOS, including copying
•
disks and files, working with directories, and identifying and using the
serial (COM) ports on your computer
basic electronics needed if you are going to build or upgrade hardware
•
yourself, (e.g., making cables)
Documentation Conventions
The following conventions are used in the KPC-9612 Plus documentation:
To indicate a particular key, the name of the key is given in capitals. For example, press the ENTER key.
Sometimes you will need to hold down one key on the computer while pressing
another key. This is indicated by giving the name of the first key, then a plus “+”,
then the name of the second key. For example, “Ctrl+C” means “press the key labeled ”CTRL" or “Ctrl” (i.e., the “control” key) and, while continuing to hold it
down, press the “C” key. Multiple-key combinations that generate a single char
acter are shown in angle brackets, like this: <Ctrl+C>.
Conventions for the KPC-9612 Plus commands are covered in the “Command
Reference” section of this manual.
-
Overview of Packet Radio
This section gives a brief overview of packet radio, for those who are new to
packet radio and those who want to review the topic.
Topics covered are:
•
The three basic components of a packet radio station
KPC-9612 Plus v 8.2 15 User’s Guide
Introduction Overview of Packet Radio
Sending a message from one station to another
•
Details about packets
•
A brief discussion of protocols
•
An overview of the insides of the KPC-9612 Plus
•
If you are already familiar with packet radio, you may wish to skip the rest of this
chapter, or give it a quick review.
Packet radio gives you the ability to send essentially error-free digital communications to other packet radio stations. As a sender or receiver, you see just the
messages, or files, being sent and received, but there is much going on beneath
the surface. You will get more out of packet radio, and have an easier time getting started, if you have at least a basic understanding of what is involved in
packet radio communication.
+ Do not be concerned here with how to do things — that comes later.
Three Basic Components of a Packet Radio Station
As illustrated in the following diagram (based on a single radio port device, the
Kantronics KPC-3 Plus), a packet radio station has three basic parts:
•
a transceiver, with an antenna,
•
a device such as the KPC-3 Plus, called a TNC (i.e., Terminal Node
Controller), which is a combination modem and special-purpose
micro-computer, and
•
a general purpose computer (or a terminal).
User’s Guide 16 KPC-9612 Plus v 8.2
Overview of Packet Radio Introduction
Antenna
KPC-3 P lus
Tra n s c e i v e r
(Termina l-Node Controller)
TNC
Com puter
©Copyright1997 byKantronics Co., Inc
The three parts of a packet radio station work together as follows:
• The transceiver: (1) sends and receives radio signals to and from your
antenna and (2) passes audio signals back and forth between itself and
the TNC.
•
The TNC (Terminal Node Controller): (1) translates audio signals into
digital information and vice versa, (2) performs a number of control and
information storage functions, and (3) communicates digitally with your
computer.
+
Multi-port TNCs (e.g., Kantronics KPC-9612 Plus) can support more
than one transceiver at once.
•
The computer communicates digitally with the TNC, so you can: (1)
view messages received from the transceiver or stored in a mailbox (i.e.,
PBBS), (2) use the computer to send data to, and receive data from,
other stations, via the TNC and your transceiver, and (3) control the
operation of the TNC.
KPC-9612 Plus v 8.2 17 User’s Guide
Introduction Overview of Packet Radio
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” to a destination station, KBØNYK. Also, assume that WØXI knows
that his signal might not reach KBØNYK’s station directly, but that it can be
picked up and repeated by an intermediate station, NØGRG, and then received by
KBØNYK.
The following are the basic steps of a station-to-station packet communication, as
seen from the point of view of the message, “HELLO,” sent from source station
WØXI to destination station KBØNYK, through intermediate station NØGRG.
Step 1 is a one-time configuration task, Steps 2-3 establish a connection between
stations, and Steps 4-13 follow the “HELLO” message from the time it is created
by WØXI to when it is read by KBØNYK.
Step 1. Before this message can be transmitted from a source
station to a destination station, via an intermediate station, all the stations involved have to have callsigns,
which are used by the TNCs involved to identify and
process information (e.g., source, destination, and routing of information).
So we start by assuming each operator involved in this
example has already performed this one-time configura
tion task, creating the callsigns given above. Stations are
identified by reference to their callsigns. Note that a
callsign can be for a TNC or for a Personal Bulletin
Board System (PBBS) “mailbox” that resides in RAM
inside the TNC.
-
Step 2. This communication begins when the operator of station
WØXI turns on his computer, his TNC, and the trans
ceiver of his station and uses a computer software pro
-
gram to tell the TNC that he wants to establish a line of
communication, called a “connection,” with a “destina
User’s Guide 18 KPC-9612 Plus v 8.2
-
Overview of Packet Radio Introduction
tion” station KBØNYK using an intermediate station
NØGRG as a repeater station to carry the information
beyond 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” mes
sage that is sent from WØXI. If this message is detected
by the specified intermediate station (i.e., NØGRG), re
peated, and then detected by the destination station
(i.e., KBØNYK), a connection may be established.
To confirm a connection, the destination station automatically sends a special message back, via the same path
(in reverse order), to the originating TNC.
When this “confirmation of connection” is processed by
WØXI’s TNC, the TNC assumes that the operator wants
to begin sending messages. So the TNC: (1) puts a message on the computer monitor confirming that WØXI is
now connected, through intermediate station NØGRG, to
KBØNYK, (2) turns ON the “connected” indicator on
the TNC, which stays ON as long as the connection is in
effect, and (3) switches itself from taking commands
from the computer (i.e., TNC in “command mode”) to
serving as a message-processor, sending and receiving
messages to and from the connected stations (i.e., TNC
in “conversation mode”).
-
Step 4. Now that WØXI is in “conversation” mode, the operator
types in the message, “HELLO”, and presses the
ENTER key on the computer to indicate the end of the
message and the beginning of the message’s journey.
Step 5. The computer sends the message, “HELLO,” to the TNC
for processing.
KPC-9612 Plus v 8.2 19 User’s Guide
Introduction Overview of Packet Radio
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” of digital information for transmission from the
transceiver.
The details of what is in the packet and how it is orga
nized are fully defined by agreed-upon standards, so any
machine that knows the “rules” can make use of the in
formation. The standard for amateur packet radio at this
time is AX.25, so let’s assume the packet assembled in
the TNC is an AX.25 packet .
Technical note: All amateur radio packets use the AX.25
standard, but it is possible to use another standard or protocol (e.g., TCP/IP) “on top” of AX.25, in which case the
packet is referred to by the name of the highest-level protocol.
Step 7. After the TNC assembles the “HELLO” message into a
packet of digital information in the TNC, it passes the
packet on to a modem, which is also in the TNC, which
transforms the information into a series of audio signals
for serial transmission to station WØXI’s transceiver.
Step 8. The TNC orders the transceiver to send a message (i.e.,
keys push-to-talk) and then sends the audio version of
the “packet” through the radio port of the TNC, up a ca
ble to the microphone connector on station WØXI’s
transceiver, and to the transmitter.
Step 9. The packet is transmitted by WØXI’s transceiver as a
burst of radio-frequency signals.
User’s Guide 20 KPC-9612 Plus v 8.2
-
Overview of Packet Radio 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. KBØNYK is on the air and is running AX.25 packet, but
it is too far away from WØXI to pick up the signal, so
does not get the message as it is sent from WØXI.
Step 12. As we know from the “connection,” already established,
intermediate station NØGRG, an AX.25 packet radio sta
tion, is on the air, and is close enough to receive the radio burst sent by WØXI. It receives the burst of radio
signals from WØXI and passes the audio signals on to its
TNC for processing. The TNC transforms the signal
from audio to digital, analyzes the series of 1’s and 0’s in
the incoming bit-stream, and identifies the burst as an
AX.25 packet of information containing the message,
“HELLO.”
Also, and most significantly, NØGRG registers that the
packet designates NØGRG as the first (and only) intermediate station on a path between a source, WØXI, and
a destination, KBØNYK. As a fully-functioning AX.25
packet station, NØGRG knows what to do: it sends the
message back out over the air (i.e., digipeats it), where it
may or may not be received by its intended destination,
KBØNYK. Before doing so, it marked its call in the
packet to indicate to others that it had seen the packet
and had sent it on its way.
Note: Since a “connection” has been established, we ex
pect the message to get through, but each packet is pro
-
-
cessed separately, and each must make it on its own.
-
Step 13. As we know from the “connection,” already established,
KBØNYK, an AX.25 packet radio station, is on the air,
KPC-9612 Plus v 8.2 21 User’s Guide
Introduction Overview of Packet Radio
close enough to receive the RF burst sent by NØGRG,
and currently set to display messages on a computer
screen. So the “HELLO” message re-transmitted by
NØGRG arrives at KBØNYK’s TNC, where it is pro
cessed and recognized as an AX.25 packet addressed to
itself. Then KBØNYK’s TNC sends the message,
“HELLO,” to the computer screen for KBØNYK to
read. At the same time, KBØNYK’s TNC creates an
acknowledgment packet to send back to WØXI’s TNC,
reversing the address path it found in the “HELLO”
packet. When KBØNYK’s TNC detects that the radio
channel is clear, it keys the transmitter and sends the
packet back over the air.
Step 14. NØGRG’s TNC now recognizes another packet which
has its callsign in the address path, requesting it to be
digipeated. NØGRG’s TNC does so as soon as it can.
Step 15. WØXI’s TNC now hears a packet addressed to it. Since
the digipeated packet originally came from KBØNYK,
to whom he is connected, and since the packet contains
an acknowledgment for data that he had recently sent,
WØXI’s TNC can rest easy knowing that the data he
sent was properly received.
This concludes our close-up look at a single packet communication event, show
ing how the various parts of packet radio work with each other. To simplify and
focus this example, various details and possible complications were ignored, but
this still shows the basic steps involved in establishing a connection and sending
the message “HELLO” from one person/station to another person/station.
This example covers one of many uses of packet radio. As covered in other sec
-
tions of this manual, there are many ways to communicate with other stations.
Now that you have followed one particular message from one station to another,
it is useful to learn about the “packets” in packet radio.
User’s Guide 22 KPC-9612 Plus v 8.2
Overview of Packet Radio 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,” since that is familiar to most people and is common in
the field.
Your packet radio station automatically divides your communication
(e.g., a message or file) into small segments (see the PACLEN command for de
tails) and puts each segment into it’s own “packet.”. Each packet includes information used for addressing and error correction.
-
-
Unconnected Packets
Packets do not need to be addressed to any particular station. Packets transmitted
without any established connection between sender and receiver are “unconnected” packets. “Unconnected” packets are just sent out without any
back-and-forth coordination with any receiving station. Stations receiving these
packets can check to see if the packets are correct (i.e., the same bit pattern is received as when they were sent), but they cannot request any retransmission of
faulty packets. Nor can they request re-transmission of any packets in a series
that are not received at all. This is because “unconnected” packets do not include
sequence information that could be used to track them in order and also because a
TNC sending or receiving “unconnected” packets is not set up to do any commu
nicating about the success or failure of its packet transmissions.
-
+
Note: Packets sent as “unconnected” are also called UNPROTO (non-protocol),
because the sender expects no response from the receiving station.
Connected Packets
Packet radio communication is often carried out between two stations that are
connected together. “Connected” communication using packet radio assures
transmission with virtually 100% accuracy by having the sender and receiver
KPC-9612 Plus v 8.2 23 User’s Guide
Introduction Overview of Packet Radio
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. As the
communication proceeds, the receiving station keeps track of which packets it
has received error-free (as determined by using the check-sum that is part of each
packet) and uses this to tell the sending station which packet(s) to send next.
Using these rules of communication, a packet radio connection between a sender
and a receiver provides virtually error-free transmission of information, until the
communication is ended by the parties, or until the sender “times out” after trying
a number of times to get feedback and not succeeding.
+ Hint: In most cases, communication by packet radio is like mail, not the tele-
phone, in that it is not done in real-time, but via messages that are routed (with
delays) from one station, or “node,” to another.
How a Packet is Organized
Your packet radio station takes care of all the details of working with packets, so
you do not need to see the “inside” of packets. But it is useful to have at least a
basic idea of how they are organized.
All amateur radio packets (also called “frames”) are defined by the AX.25 proto
col, which is discussed in the next section. Packets used to carry messages, or
chunks of messages, as in the “HELLO” example, are called “information pack
ets.” The following diagram shows the basic building blocks of “connected in
-
-
formation” packets used in amateur packet radio:
User’s Guide 24 KPC-9612 Plus v 8.2
-
Overview of Packet Radio Introduction
An A X.25 informat ion packet (also called a "frame")
Single character, for
"beginning of p acket"
Destina tion station,
Source station, and
up to 8 intermedia te stations
Kind of pac ket,
pac ket number,
and othercontrol
information
Flag
Address
Kinds of Packets
Protocol ID: C ode
forp rotoc o l used
forthis packet
(e.g ., AX.25 or
TC P / I P )
Control
PID
(string of bits)
Data:
Information or message
being sent"inside" this
packet (1 to 256 bytes,
which may include
protocol-related data)
Data
© Copyrig ht 1996 by Ka ntronics Co., Inc.
Single character, for
"end of pac ket"
Code derived
from this packet,
used to c heck
forerrorsin
tra nsmission
Checksum
Flag
As shown in the above diagram, the “control” field in an AX.25 packet includes a
code telling what kind of packet the current packet is. In addition to connected
information packets, the AX.25 protocol also defines two other kinds of packets,
each of which is nearly identical in structure to the connected information packet:
control packets (of which there are several kinds) and unnumbered packets. To
learn more about these, see the documentation for the KPC-9612 Plus’s MCOM
command.
As noted at the beginning of this section, the organization of amateur radio pack
ets is defined by the AX.25 protocol. Now it is useful to give a brief discussion of
this protocol, and another that fits “within” it.
KPC-9612 Plus v 8.2 25 User’s Guide
-
Introduction Overview of Packet Radio
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. These rules are called “protocols,” or standards.
AX.25
The defacto standard protocol for amateur packet radio communication is
AX.25 (level 2, version 2). For details on AX.25, see the ARRL publication,
AX.25 Amateur Packet-Radio Link-Layer Protocol.
+ Hint: You can set the KPC-9612 Plus to use an earlier protocol, AX.25 (level 2,
version 1)
Alternatives to AX.25
TCP/IP and the KISS protocol : The TCP/IP (Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol) suite of protocols require functionality not found in native
AX.25 packets, so Phil Karn KA9Q defined a protocol called KISS that implements TCP/IP functionality for amateur radio. For further information on KISS
see the KISS Mode section of the “Modes of Operation” chapter.
XKISS is an extension of the KISS protocol, defined by John Wiseman G8BPQ.
For further information on XKISS, see the XKISS Mode section of the “Modes
of Operation” chapter.
User’s Guide 26 KPC-9612 Plus v 8.2
Inside a TNC – the KPC-9612 Plus Introduction
Inside a TNC – the KPC-9612 Plus
To better understand the workings of your packet radio station, it is helpful to
have an overview of the major components of the TNC device at the center of
your station.
In the early days of packet radio, TNC’s consisted primarily of a modem for
communicating with a transceiver and a special-purpose microprocessor called a
PAD (i.e., packet assembler/disassembler), used to process packets of informa
tion and communicate with a computer or terminal.
As packet radio has developed, more and more features have been added within
TNCs, including memory and software dedicated to a “Personal Bulletin Board
System” and, in some TNCs, support for paging. Also multi-port TNCs are now
available, to support more than one radio.
The following diagram shows the most important internal components of a
multi-port TNC, the KPC-9612 Plus, which supports two modems (port 1 and
port 2) and a header for a third device (port 3) that could also be a modem.
Note: Other Kantronics TNCs may have different features than the KPC-9612 Plus
(e.g., single-port rather than multi-port support, no support for paging).
-
KPC-9612 Plus v 8.2 27 User’s Guide
Introduction Inside a TNC – the KPC-9612 Plus
Computer and/or
GP S d e v i c e
Inside the
KPC-9612 Plus
Micro-proce ssor
rea l-tim e
clock
KPC-9612 PlusFirmwa re.
Kantronics software,
stored in EPROM
"Elec trica lly Prog ra m ma ble
Rea d-Only Memory".
* Prog ra m s to su pp ort
Interfa c e Modes
(i.e., TERMINAL, NEWUSER, BBS,
KISS,XKISS,HOST,GPS & MODEM)
* Te xtforon-line help
* Prog ra m s to su pp ort
othe rfunc tions
(e.g ., KA-NODES)
Lithium Battery:
power ba ck-up,
forRAM a nd
rea l-time clock.
Tr a n s c e i v e r 1
Port 1:
low-speed
modem
RAM (Random Access Memory).
The KPC-9612 Plus ships with
128K
of RAM, which m ay
be re p la ce d b y up to512Kof
RAM (e.g. to a c c omm oda te
a bigg er Mailbox- PBBS).
* Memoryused forinternal
func tions (e.g., storing
pa rameter se tting s,
assemb ling and
d issassemb ling packe ts,
storing da ta from
packetconnections,
KA-NODE support, a nd
storing GPS tra c king da ta ).
* Ma ilbox (PBBS) stor ag e: Defa ult
RAM is 100K,use r-configurab le,
within limits of ava ila ble RAM.
*PageServerstorage.
Tr a n s c e i v e r 2
Port 2:
hig h-speed
modem
Port 3:
head e r
fora dd-on
devic e
Note: This dia gra m shows the m ajor c omp onents of the KPC-9612 Plus.
The dia gram is not to sca le, noris it a pa rt s diag ram.
© Cop yrig ht 1997 b y Ka ntronics, Inc
This concludes the introduction to packet radio. The next chapter guides you
through the steps of installing your KPC-9612 Plus.
User’s Guide 28 KPC-9612 Plus v 8.2
Installing Your KPC-9612 Plus
This chapter covers the hardware side of setting up your packet radio station, and
refers where necessary to the following chapter on “Pacterm”, for the steps in
volved in software configuration.
The goal of this chapter is to guide you as quickly as possible through the steps
of setting up your packet radio station.
The KPC-9612 Plus is a multi-port device, with a low speed port (port 1) and a
+
high speed port (port 2), each of which may be connected to different transceiv
ers. Unless otherwise noted, the steps involved for installing the two ra
dio-to-transceiver connections are the same. Here, we assume you will be using
both ports, but we do not repeat installation steps for port 2 that are the same as
for the low speed port. As noted earlier, the KPC-9612 Plus also supports an
add-on board (for a third port), but since each board has its own characteristics,
each board is shipped with its own installation and user documentation.
The major steps involved in installing (i.e., connecting the parts) your packet radio station are as follows:
• connect your KPC-9612 Plus to a power source and confirm that the unit
powers on when it should,
• connect the “Computer” port on the KPC-9612 Plus to a serial port on
your computer, install terminal communication software in the computer,
and configure the software and the KPC-9612 Plus so digital information
can be sent back and forth between the KPC-9612 Plus and the serial
port on the computer,
-
-
-
•
connect “Radio” port 1 (low-speed port) on your KPC-9612 Plus to a
transceiver and adjust the volume of the transceiver, so the KPC-9612
Plus can receive signals from the transceiver for processing and can send
signals to the transceiver for transmission,
+
Once you learn how to connect radio port 1 to a transceiver, you can use
the same steps to connect radio port 2 (a high speed port) to another
transceiver,
•
(optionally) use the “Computer” port on the KPC-9612 Plus to connect
your KPC-9612 Plus to a GPS device, so the KPC-9612 Plus and the
GPS device can send digital information back and forth.
KPC-9612 Plus v 8.2 29 User’s Guide
Installing Your KPC-9612 Plus 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” chapter, you will
be ready to move on to the “Getting Started” and “Modes of Operation” chapters.
To show you where you are heading with the step-by-step configuration covered
below, we start with a brief section on equipment needs for your station and an
overview diagram that shows how the parts of your station will be connected
when you are ready to begin using it.
The Major Components of Your Station
This section describes the basic components needed for your packet radio station
and the connections between components that will be involved in the installation
of your station.
The KPC-9612 Plus
Your KPC-9612 Plus is going to be at the center of your packet radio station, so
setting up your station involves connecting other units to your KPC-9612 Plus.
Rear Panel
As shown below, the back of the unit has connectors to connect the KPC-9612
Plus to your transceivers, your computer (or a GPS device), and a power source.
Power Port 2
Port 1
The rear panel of the 9612 Plus has four connectors. The purpose of each con
nector is described below:
Power jack (2.1 mm). This connector is provided to apply external power
(5.5-25 volts dc) to the 9612 Plus. The center post is the
positive connection and the sleeve is negative (ground).
User’s Guide 30 KPC-9612 Plus v 8.2
Computer
-
The Major Components of Your Station Installing Your KPC-9612 Plus
Port 1. This DB-9 female connector accepts the cable from one
of your radios, for 1200 baud packet operation.
Port 2. This DB-15 female connector accepts the cable from one
of your radios, for 4800/9600/19200/38400 baud packet
operation.
NOTE: Your radio connected to port 2 MUST be capable of operating at the baud
rate being used by the 9612 Plus. Refer to your radio manual to determine its speed
cabability and the exact connections required.
Computer This DB-25 female connector accepts the cable from
your computer serial port. The 9612 Plus communicates
with RS-232 levels using standard ASCII characters for
all commands.
Note: All Kantronics TNCs can operate without the computer being connected,
once they have been configured. For example, you can receive and store messages
in the personal mailbox inside the KPC-9612 Plus via radio without using your
computer. And your KPC-9612 Plus can serve as a radio relay station for other stations without your computer being connected. This independence from the computer is possible because the TNC contains the intelligence necessary to carry out
these functions, once it is appropriately configured and attached to a transceiver.
The Transceivers
For port 1, your KPC-9612 Plus will operate with most FM transceivers.
For port 2 operations, you will need a high speed “data ready” radio (e..g., one
capable of direct FSK operation at 9600 baud).
There are currently hundreds of models of FM transceivers. You will need to
refer to the documentation for your transceivers to determine how they must
be connected to external devices, such as the KPC-9612 Plus.
Specifically, you will need to know:
•
what type of microphone connector or data plug to use with each of your
transceivers, and
KPC-9612 Plus v 8.2 31 User’s Guide
Installing Your KPC-9612 Plus The Major Components of Your Station
which pins connect to which in the cabling between the KPC-9612 Plus
•
and each transceiver’s microphone or data jack.
Wiring diagrams for some common transceivers for low speed (i.e., 1200 baud)
operation are included later in this chapter for your assistance.
The Computer
Your KPC-9612 Plus 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. You may, of course, make your own cable; make sure it is correctly wired
and shielded.
To use your KPC-9612 Plus with “Pacterm”, the terminal communication software that ships with the KPC-9612 Plus (on the 3.5 in. “Information and Program” disk) you need the following:
• Computer: A PC (IBM) compatible, XT or above
• Operating System: MS-DOS or PC-DOS version 3.3 or higher
•
RAM (Random Access Memory): A minimum of 384 K
•
Disk drives: A 3.5 ” High Density (1.44MB) floppy drive
•
Hard drive: (optional) You do not need to use a hard drive with the
“Information and program” disk or other communication program. If you
want to gain speed and convenience by using your hard drive, be sure
you have enough space available to store the program used to
communicate with the KPC-9612 Plus and/or space to store the files you
want to use from the “Information and Program” disk.
•
Serial (COM) Port: The KPC-9612 Plus can communicate with the
computer using any serial (COM) port. The software used in the initial
installation of your system (i.e., Pacterm) uses COM2 by default or
COM1 if you wish. If you use other communication software, you can
use any COM port that your communication software supports.
-
User’s Guide 32 KPC-9612 Plus v 8.2
The Major Components of Your Station Installing Your KPC-9612 Plus
Note: If you are not sure how to determine what serial (COM) ports you
have, or how to make COM1 or COM2 available for use with the
KPC-9612 Plus, see your computer documentation and/or dealer.
Communication Software: A terminal communication program, to
•
allow your computer to communicate with the KPC-9612 Plus. Pacterm,
which is a basic-level terminal communication program, is included on
the “Information and Program Disk.” This program is used in the initial
installation and configuration of your KPC-9612 Plus packet station.
After you get up and running, there are many communication programs
you could use with the KPC-9612 Plus. For example, Kantronics’ Host
Master II+ offers significantly more functionality than does the start-up
program.
Note: Users of Windows 3.1 or above have another alternative: The Windows Accessories includes a basic terminal program, called TERMINAL
that may be used to run the KPC-9612 Plus. And Windows 95 users may
use Hyperterminal.
The Serial Port on Your Computer
You will be using a standard (RS-232C) modem cable (or making a cable with
the same wiring) to connect your KPC-9612 Plus to a serial (COM) port on your
computer. The connector needed at the computer-end of the modem cable has to
fit the connector on your computer’s serial (COM) port. Therefore, you will need
to know the following:
+
See diagram on next page:
KPC-9612 Plus v 8.2 33 User’s Guide
Installing Your KPC-9612 Plus The Major Components of Your Station
1. Isyour comp ute r's serial (COM)p ort DB-9 or DB-25 ?
9pins
The com puter-en d of your RS-232 cab le m ust have the
samenumberofpinsasdoesyourserial(COM)port.
2. Note thatyourcomputer'sserial(COM)port is male
Female
The com puter-e nd of your RS-232 cable m ust be female,
to c onne c t to the c om puter's m a le serial (COM) por t .
25 pins
Male
© Cop yrig ht 1996 by Kantronics, Inc
+ Hint: The TNC “Computer” port has a female DB-25 connector, so the TNC
end of your modem cable must have a male DB-25 connector.
You also will need to be sure your KPC-9612 Plus to computer cable is correctly
wired. This topic is covered when we get to the actual installation of the cable.
Technical note: To use your KPC-9612 Plus with a non-PC compatible, use a se
rial communication program and a serial modem cable (i.e., RS-232C cable). You
can get help from your computer dealer, users group and members of the amateur
radio community. When talking with computer dealers or others who may not be
familiar with packet radio, refer to your KPC-9612 Plus as an “external modem,”
not as a “TNC,” a less familiar term.
-
GPS Device (Optional)
The KPC-9612 Plus works with Global Positioning System (GPS) devices that
(1) support the NMEA-0183 standard, and (2) have a dataport through which
they communicate. The GPS device connects to the KPC-9612 Plus through the
KPC-9612 Plus’s serial (“computer”) port.
User’s Guide 34 KPC-9612 Plus v 8.2
How the Parts of Your Station are Connected
Note: The GPS data port must be RS-232 compatible to mate with the TNC.
How the Parts of Your Station are Connected
The following diagram shows how the components of your packet radio station
will be connected and the kinds of connectors that will be used.
The diagram is of a single radio port device, the KPC-3 Plus. The KPC-9612 Plus
+
differs in having two TNC-to-transceiver connections rather than the one shown
for the KPC-3 Plus.
KPC-3 Plus
(c onne ctions on b ac k)
Ra d io
(T r a n sc eive r)
DB-9 (fema le)
Comp uter (or GPS)
DB-25 (fe m a le )
Power
2.1 m m
9v b a ttery
5-cond uctor
shielde d
cable
Mic conne ctor
Microphone
Tra n s c e i v e r
Spea ker
Jack
Shielded
RS-232
cable
Moulded
mini-plug
cable
and jack
Seria l (COM) port
DB-9 or DB-25
(m a le)
Com puter
2.1 m m
power ja ck
and stranded
2-cond uctorwire
Power-c ube :
Power ada ptor
(120 Va c/12 Vdc
with c a ble
asse mbly)
© Copyrig ht 1997 by Kantronics Co., Inc.
Bench PowerSupply (12 Vdv)
120 Va c
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:
•
the two different ways you can power the KPC-9612 Plus.
KPC-9612 Plus v 8.2 35 User’s Guide
Installing Your KPC-9612 Plus Connect Your KPC-9612 Plus to a Power
the RS-232 connection between your KPC-9612 Plus and your computer.
•
the cable assembly connecting your KPC-9612 Plus (port 1) to both the
•
speaker jack and the microphone of one transceiver and the cable
assembly for port 2 connection to the data jack of your high speed
capable radio.
Port 1 and port 2 are connected using the same steps, so we will just go
+
through the installation of one cable. However, there are differences be
tween the low speed and the high speed ports in pin assignments and in
adjusting both the receive volume and the transmit level, so these topics
are covered separately for each port.
• (optional) the connection between the computer port on your KPC-9612
Plus and a GPS device.
As we go through the steps of setting up your station, we will shift from hardware to software issues and back, since your station needs to be set up both in
terms of hardware and software.
-
Connect Your KPC-9612 Plus to a Power Source
As illustrated on the right side of the station cabling diagram on page 35, there
are two ways to supply power to your KPC-9612 Plus.
•
You may use external power by connecting the KPC-9612 Plus to a 12
volt dc source on your bench.
•
You may use external power by connecting the KPC-9612 Plus to a
120Vac power source using a 12 volt dc adaptor.
+
See Appendix E for the allowed range of supply voltage inputs.
The steps needed for each way to supply power to the KPC-9612 Plus are given
below, along with detailed specification for each part needed. Of course, the parts
you need depend on which option(s) you use.
+
The KPC-9612 Plus ships with LEDs ON, so the Power indicator (LED) will turn
ON when power is ON. If the LED value has been switched to OFF, the Power
LED will just blink once, briefly, when power is applied.
User’s Guide 36 KPC-9612 Plus v 8.2
Connect Your KPC-9612 Plus to a Power Source
External Power from Your Bench (12 Volt dc)
Here, you will use a 2.1 mm power jack and 18-22 gauge stranded 2-conductor
cable to connect to a 12 Vdc power supply on your bench. The steps are:
Step 1. Build a cable by attaching the supplied 2.1 mm
power jack to a user-supplied 18-22 gauge stranded
2-conductor cable — connecting the center of the jack to
the positive terminal of the power supply and the shell of
the power jack to the negative terminal of the power
supply,
Step 2. (1)Turn OFF all power, (2) attach one end of the
bench-power cable to a 12Vdc power source on your
bench, and (3) plug the 2.1 mm power jack into the
“Power” connector of the KPC-9612 Plus,
Step 3. (1) Turn ON the power supply, (2) press the power
switch on the front panel of the KPC-9612 Plus to turn
your KPC-9612 Plus ON, (3) confirm that the power indicator next to the power switch goes on, and then (4)
press the KPC-9612 Plus’s power switch again to turn
the power OFF.
+
If the power indicator (LED) does not go on as expected, check to be sure the
wiring is correct. If you have checked the wiring carefully and the power indica
tor still does not go on as expected, the unit may be defective, so you should
check with your dealer.
-
Caution: Do not exceed the power specifications for the KPC-9612 Plus (see
specifications). If you elect to install a fuse in the positive lead, do not use a fuse
of greater than 200 ma.
KPC-9612 Plus v 8.2 37 User’s Guide
Installing Your KPC-9612 Plus Connect Your KPC-9612 Plus to a Power
External Power Transformed from 120 Vac Line Voltage
You can use external power from a 120Vac power source after transforming the
external power to 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. Connect the 2.1 mm connector on the assembly to the
power connector of the KPC-9612 Plus and plug the
power adaptor into the 120Vac power source (being sure
that the center is positive),
Step 3. Press the power switch on the front panel of the
KPC-9612 Plus to turn your KPC-9612 Plus ON, confirm that the power indicator next to the power switch
goes on, and then press the power switch again to turn
the power OFF.
+
If the power indicator (LED) does not go on as expected, the unit may be defec
-
tive, so you should check with your dealer.
User’s Guide 38 KPC-9612 Plus v 8.2
Connect your KPC-9612 Plus to Your Computer
Connect your KPC-9612 Plus to Your Computer
Your KPC-9612 Plus and your computer communicate with each other via a se
rial communication cable connecting the KPC-9612 Plus’s “Computer” port and
a serial (COM) port on your computer. This connection is shown in the diagram
on page 35.
Your Serial Communication Cable
The serial cable needed to connect your KPC-9612 Plus to your computer (a
standard off-the-shelf, RS-232 modem cable) is not supplied with the KPC-9612
Plus. You will need to purchase one, or construct one.
Note: You may construct your own cable, using wiring instructions given below.
The two options, purchasing your cable or making it, are covered next.
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,
-
•
specify that one connector be a male DB-25 connector (to connect to
your KPC-9612 Plus’s female “Computer” port) and the other connector
be a female DB-9 or DB-25 connector (depending upon whether your
computer’s serial (COM) port has a male DB-9 or DB-25 connector),
Make Your Serial Cable
This section is for those making their own cable instead of purchasing one.
We assume that if you are making their own cable you are familiar with the pro
cess and just need to know: (1) what parts are needed, and (2) how the parts are
connected.
KPC-9612 Plus v 8.2 39 User’s Guide
-
Installing Your KPC-9612 Plus Connect your KPC-9612 Plus to Your
Parts needed:
a male DB-25 connector, to connect to the KPC-9612 Plus’s (female)
•
“Computer” port,
either a female DB-9 or a female DB-25 connector, depending on the
•
connector on your computer’s serial (COM) port, to connect to the
computer’s (male) serial (COM) port,
an appropriate length of high quality shielded cable with 5 or more wires,
•
as shown below, if you are using a DB-9 connector, either 5 or 8 wires
•
can be connected and any other wires are unused,
as shown below, if you are using a DB-25 connector, either 5 or 9
•
wires can be connected and any other wires are unused.
Wiring instructions:
+ Pacterm, the communication software shipped with the KPC-9612 Plus, 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. In each case, there is a listing of which KPC-9612 Plus
(“Computer” port) pin needs to be connected to which pin on the computer’s
serial (COM) port. The wiring depends upon whether your computer has a 25 pin
connector or a 9 pin connector, and on how many wires are in the cable (you only
need 5 wires connected for KPC-9612 Plus operations, but you may connect
more wires to use the cable for other purposes). See page 288 for a diagram
showing pin numbers on a DB-25 connectors.
CASE 1-A: Wiring if computer has a 25 pin connector and the cable has 5 wires:
2 <——> 2 TXD
3 <——> 3 RXD
4<——>4RTS
User’s Guide 40 KPC-9612 Plus v 8.2
Connect your KPC-9612 Plus to Your Computer
5 <——> 5 CTS
7 <——> 7 SG
CASE 1-B: Wiring if computer has a 25 pin connector and the cable has 9 (or
more) wires. Same as in CASE 1-A, and also:
1 <——> 1 FG
6 <——> 6 DSR
8 <——> 8 DCD
20 <——> 20 DTR
CASE 2-A: Wiring if computer has a 9 pin connector and the cable has 5 wires:
2 <——> 3 TXD
3 <——> 2 RXD
4 <——>7RTS
5 <——> 8 CTS
7 <——>5SG
CASE 2-B: Wiring if computer has a 9 pin connector and the cable has 8 or more
wires. Same as in CASE 2-A, and also:
6 <——> 6 DSR
8<——>1DCD
20 <——> 4 DTR
KPC-9612 Plus v 8.2 41 User’s Guide
Installing Your KPC-9612 Plus Connect your KPC-9612 Plus to Your
Technical note for advanced users: Two of the first five wires in each chart above
(RTS and CTS) are used for hardware flow control, so if your program uses just
software flow control and not hardware flow control, you may not need to use these
two hardware flow control wires.
If you are not using a PC compatible computer, the wiring required between your
+
computer and your KPC-9612 Plus is the same wiring you would use for an ex
ternal telephone modem. This cable should be available from your computer
dealer. Appendix A of this manual includes details on the functions of the
KPC-9612 Plus pins. The software (terminal program) requirements are also the
same as that used for a telephone modem.
Installing the RS-232 Cable
Once you have purchased or made your serial communication cable, connect it as
follows:
Step 1. Make sure that power to both your computer and your
KPC-9612 Plus is turned OFF.
Step 2. Plug the male DB-25 connector end of the serial cable
into the “Computer” port of the KPC-9612 Plus,
Step 3. Plug the female DB-9 or DB-25 connector end of the
serial cable into a serial port of your computer,
Note: To use Pacterm, the communication software that ships with the KPC-9612
Plus, you will need to connect to your computer’s COM1 or COM2 port, but with
appropriate communication software, the KPC-9612 Plus 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.
User’s Guide 42 KPC-9612 Plus v 8.2
-
Install Software and Configure Your KPC-9612 Plus
Caution: Be sure you do not connect to a parallel port instead of a serial port: the
KPC-9612 Plus communicates serially, so it cannot communicate through a par
allel port. Computer’s parallel ports (i.e., printer, or LPT port) usually have fe
male DB-25 connectors. Do not connect the KPC-9612 Plus to a female DB-25
connector on the computer unless you are sure it is a serial (COM) port, not a par
allel (LPT) port.
-
-
-
Step 4. Check the connectors at each end of the cable, and se
cure the connectors using the mounting screws,
Step 5. Turn ON the power to your computer, in preparation for
installing communication software in the computer, but
leave the KPC-9612 Plus power OFF.
Caution for users of a 25-pin serial modem cable: As originally shipped, the
KPC-9612 Plus does not connect a power source to its serial port, but an advanced user can change jumpers so that it does. If your KPC-9612 Plus has been
altered to apply 12 Vdc to pin 13 of the computer (serial) port, this can DAMAGE
your computer if pin 13 is wired. To check to see if your KPC-9612 Plus has been
changed in this way, see the section on jumpers in this manual. Note that the factory default setting of the jumper does not connect pin 13.
This concludes the physical installation of the serial cable needed for your
KPC-9612 Plus 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 KPC-9612 Plus.
-
Install Software and Configure Your KPC-9612 Plus
After connecting your KPC-9612 Plus and your computer with an RS-232C se
rial modem cable, you are ready to:
KPC-9612 Plus v 8.2 43 User’s Guide
-
Installing Your KPC-9612 Plus Install Software and Configure Your
install terminal communication software in your computer to enable
•
communication between your KPC-9612 Plus and your computer,
use the terminal communication software to establish communication
•
with your KPC-9612 Plus, including setting the speed of
communications back and forth, and
configure your KPC-9612 Plus to prepare it for your use, including
•
giving the KPC-9612 Plus your CALLSIGN and setting KPC-9612 Plus
parameter values.
Your KPC-9612 Plus ships with a basic terminal communication program called
Pacterm that will get your packet radio station up and running.
+ If you are already familiar with a terminal communication program, you may
wish to use it instead of Pacterm, or you may switch to it after using Pacterm to
get started.
A complete manual for Pacterm is included as the next chapter of this documentation. The Pacterm manual begins on page 63. For an overview of what you can
do with Pacterm, see page 64. The “Pacterm” chapter includes all the steps
needed for installing the software and using it to configure your KPC-9612 Plus.
It also will serve as your Pacterm manual as you continue using the software with
your KPC-9612 Plus.
You may find that the steps described in the Quick Start section of that chapter
(see page 65) are all you need or you may want to go through the “Pacterm”
chapter in more detail. For details on setting up BAUD rates, see page 70.
For information on setting other KPC-9612 Plus parameters, see page 71. One
step that is mentioned only briefly in the “Pacterm” chapter (see page 70) is that
after you set the BAUD rate for the KPC-9612 Plus, you will be asked to enter
your CALLSIGN, which your KPC-9612 Plus will then use until otherwise noti
-
fied. So be prepared to enter your CALLSIGN when asked to do so.
IMPORTANT: Now go to the “Pacterm” chapter, to install and configure soft
ware and KPC-9612 Plus parameters and then COME BACK HERE — you still
need to connect your KPC-9612 Plus to your transceiver.
User’s Guide 44 KPC-9612 Plus v 8.2
-
Port 1: Connect to a Transceiver Installing Your KPC-9612 Plus
Port 1: Connect to a Transceiver
The last connections you need to establish are between your KPC-9612 Plus and
your transceivers.
As noted above, we assume you will be using both port 1 (low speed) and port 2
+
(high speed), each with its own transceiver. Below, we cover port 1 first, then
port 2.
For port 1, you will construct and install a transceiver cable assembly that has
two functions: (1) to send signals from the speaker jack of your transceiver to
your KPC-9612 Plus’s “Radio” port 1, for processing, and (2) to send signals
from your KPC-9612 Plus’s “Radio” port 1 to the microphone connection of your
transceiver, for transmission.
As illustrated in the diagram on page 35, the transceiver cable connects to the
“Radio” port 1 on the KPC-9612 Plus, via a male DB-9 connector shipped with
your KPC-9612 Plus. Two separate cables, also supplied with the KPC-9612
Plus, are attached to this DB-9 connector (actually, the wires in the cables are attached to specified pins on the cable assembly’s DB-9 connector). One cable contains wires connecting the KPC-9612 Plus (“Radio” port) to the MIC connector
on your transceiver and the other cable contains wires connecting the KPC-9612
Plus (“Radio” port) to the speaker jack on your transceiver.
This section goes step-by-step, dealing with the following questions:
•
what parts will be needed for the assembly?
•
what are the exact wiring requirements for connecting your transceiver to
the KPC-9612 Plus, as determined by information given in this document
and also by requirements for your own particular make and model of
transceiver (as determined by the documentation for your transceiver)?
•
what are the steps used in constructing and connecting the cable
assembly?
•
once the cable is in place, how does one set the volume level of the
transceiver for optimal performance?
KPC-9612 Plus v 8.2 45 User’s Guide
Installing Your KPC-9612 Plus Port 1: Connect to a Transceiver
Parts for Connecting to a Transceiver
The following parts (shipped with your KPC-9612 Plus unless otherwise noted)
are needed for constructing the cable assembly that will connect your KPC-9612
Plus, port 1, and your transceiver for that port:
A DB-9 connector kit (including hardware), to make the DB-9 con
•
nector for the end of the transceiver cabling that connects to the
KPC-9612 Plus’s “Radio” port,
a 3-foot length of 5-conductor shielded cable, to connect the
•
user-supplied microphone connector (i.e., the Mic plug) for your
transceiver to the DB-9 connector supplied with your KPC-9612
Plus, and
A molded 3.5 mm mini-plug and cable, which plugs into your trans-
•
ceiver’s speaker jack and connects to the DB-9 connector supplied
with your KPC-9612 Plus.
Preparing the Transceiver Cable Assembly
This section gives instructions for how to assemble the cable assembly needed to
connect your transceiver to your KPC-9612 Plus, starting with the wiring requirements.
Wiring Directions (Connecting KPC-9612 Plus and
Transceiver)
You will need to determine which pins on your DB-9 connector will be wired to
which connections on your particular transceiver’s microphone connector and
speaker jack. Wiring directions are covered after the following examples of typi
cal transceivers,including handhelds.
-
-
+
There are many different models of transceivers, each with their own exact re
quirements for how they are to be connected to devices such as a KPC-9612 Plus.
While the following examples will help, you will need to refer to your transceiver
documentation (or transceiver dealer) for exact instructions on which connections
you need to make as you wire your transceiver cable assembly.
User’s Guide 46 KPC-9612 Plus v 8.2
Port 1: Connect to a Transceiver Installing Your KPC-9612 Plus
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 specifictransceiver models.
The following diagrams, used for example only, show wiring connections be
tween the male connector for the KPC-9612 Plus’s “Radio” port 1 and transceiv
ers (including HTs) from three major manufacturers: Yaesu, Icom, and Kenwood.
These diagrams may also apply to transceivers from other manufacturers, but you
+
need to check to be sure how your transceiver needs to be wired. (See the section
on “Interfacing Hand-Held Radios” in the the “Advanced Installation” appendix
for further information.
[Yaesu diagrams — page G8]
-
-
-
KPC-9612 Plus v 8.2 47 User’s Guide
Installing Your KPC-9612 Plus Port 1: Connect to a Transceiver
[Icom diagrams — page G9]
User’s Guide 48 KPC-9612 Plus v 8.2
Port 1: Connect to a Transceiver Installing Your KPC-9612 Plus
[Kenwood diagrams — page G10]
KPC-9612 Plus v 8.2 49 User’s Guide
Installing Your KPC-9612 Plus Port 1: Connect to a Transceiver
Your Transceiver’s Microphone Connections to Your KPC-9612 Plus.
For the microphone on your transceiver, you may wish to makes notes of the fol
lowing connections, which you will use for wiring your assembly:
identify and make a note of the microphone input (which will be wired to
•
pin 1, transmit audio on the KPC-9612 Plus’s DB-9 “Radio” port),
identify and make a note of the PTT or STBY connection (which will be
•
wired to pin 3, Push-to-Talk on the KPC-9612 Plus’s DB-9 “Radio”
port),
for base or mobile (but not hand-held) transceivers, identify and make a
•
note of the ground connection (which, optionally, may be wired to pin 9,
one of the ground pins on the KPC-9612 Plus’s DB-9 “Radio” port, or
left unconnected).
Your Transceiver’s Speaker Jack Connections to Your KPC-9612 Plus
For the speaker jack on your transceiver, make a note of the following connections, which you will use for wiring your assembly:
• identify and make a note of the connector to the tip of your external
speaker plug (which will be wired to pin 5, receive audio on the
KPC-9612 Plus’s DB-9 “Radio” port),
•
identify and make a note of the connector to the sleeve of your external
speaker plug (which will be wired to pin 6, one of the ground pins on the
KPC-9612 Plus’s DB-9 “Radio” port).
-
Constructing the Cable Assembly
As you construct your cable assembly, it may be helpful to refer to the diagram
on page 35 .
Important: As shown in the diagram immediately below, the pins in the
KPC-9612 Plus’s female DB-9 “Radio” connector (port 1) are numbered from
the upper right (pin 1) to the lower left (pin 9). As you connect wires to pins on
the DB-9 connector on your cable, you need to be sure to connect to the correct
pins.
As shown in the diagram below , if you look at the solder side (wiring side) of
User’s Guide 50 KPC-9612 Plus v 8.2
Port 1: Connect to a Transceiver Installing Your KPC-9612 Plus
the male DB-9 connector, the pins are numbered (again) from upper right (pin
1), to lower left (pin 9).
Similarly, when working with a typical 8-pin Mic connector where you know the
+
pin numbers of pins, you need to consider which way you are looking at the con
nector (looking at pins/holes or looking at the wiring side, where the wires are
actually connected).
[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 KPC-9612 Plus:
Follow the notes taken above and wire the cable assembly in the following order:
Step 1. Select the 5-wire microphone cable and the
DB-9 connector part from the cable assembly kit,
Step 2. Attach microphone cable wires to the following pins on
the DB-9 connector:
•
pin 1 (transmit audio) — and make a note of
the color of the wire you used,
•
pin 3 (Push-To-Talk) — and make a note of
the color of the wire you used, and
•
(for base and mobile units) pin 9 (ground for
microphone on radio) of the DB-9 connec
tor— and make a note of the color of the
wire you used.
KPC-9612 Plus v 8.2 51 User’s Guide
Installing Your KPC-9612 Plus Port 1: Connect to a Transceiver
Hint: You may find it easier to wire the male DB-9 connector if you first connect
+
it to the KPC-9612 Plus and use the KPC-9612 Plus as a “jig.” This may also
keep the male pins straight if you apply too much heat and soften the plastic in
the male connector.
Step 3. Using a user-supplied microphone connector appropriate
for your transceiver and the notes taken above, attach
wires as follows:
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,
• (optional) for base or mobile units, attach the
wire from pin 9 (one path to ground) on the
DB-9 to the ground pin on the microphone connector.
Connecting your Transceiver’s Speaker Plug to Your KPC-9612 Plus
Use the speaker plug cable supplied with the KPC-9612 Plus (or an appropriate
third party speaker plug) and the notes taken earlier to do the following wiring to
the DB-9 connector:
Step 1. Locate the wire that connects to the tip of the external
speaker jack and wire it to pin 5 on the DB-9 (Receive
Audio)
Step 2. Locate the wire that connects to the sleeve of the exter
nal speaker jack and wire it to pin 6 on the DB-9
(Ground)
This is all you need to do to wire the speaker plug part of the assembly.
+
Important: Keep your wiring notes for future reference.
User’s Guide 52 KPC-9612 Plus v 8.2
Port 1: Connect to a Transceiver Installing Your KPC-9612 Plus
Complete the Construction of Your Assembly
Using the DB-9 kit that ships with the KPC-9612 Plus, complete the DB-9 as
sembly:
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:
select the four parts used for the strain relief:
•
(1) two brackets having curves to
accommodate the cable and (2) two short
screws, used to connect the brackets to each
other,
• arrange the two brackets so the two curves
form a circle (to surround the cable), with
the two threaded (thicker) holes on the
brackets (one on each bracket) on opposite
sides of the assembly,
• use one of the screws to connect the two
brackets, passing the screw through the hole
on the thin side of one bracket and attaching
it (screwing it into the threads) to the other
bracket,
•
place the two cables into the circle formed
by the two brackets, examine the back shell
assembly to see how far up the cable from
the DB-9 pins the strain relief brackets will
need to be to fit into the back shell (in the
slot just before the cable exits the back shell
assembly), and position the brackets around
the cable at that point on the cable,
•
fasten the two brackets with the second short
screw (which will go in the opposite direc
tion from the first) and tighten the screws, to
secure the cable in the strain relief assembly.
-
-
KPC-9612 Plus v 8.2 53 User’s Guide
Installing Your KPC-9612 Plus Port 1: Connect to a 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
sembly to the KPC-9612 Plus, and (3) two long,
fully-threaded screws to connect the shells to
each other (not the long screws that are only half
threaded — those will be used later, to attach
the DB-9 connector to the KPC-9612 Plus) and
the two nuts to attach to these two screws.
• beginning with one of the back shell parts
(which will be the bottom shell during assembly), fit the DB-9 connector into the slot at the
wide end of the shell (with pins facing away
from the shell and cables resting inside the
shell), with the backplane of the DB-9 connector
fitting behind the lip that protrudes slightly from
the bottom of the shell,
•
tuck the cable(s) into the semi-circular gap at the
small end of the shell and, after any necessary
adjustments, fit the strain relief assembly into
the space between the end of the shell where the
cable exits the shell and the pair of threaded col
umns (with holes for screws),
•
place one of the shaped washers on each of the
long, half-threaded screws, so they are next to
the head of the screw (with the bent ends of the
washers facing away from the heads of the
screws),
•
fit the top shell onto the bottom shell (which
now contains the connector and cable), so the
-
-
-
User’s Guide 54 KPC-9612 Plus v 8.2
Port 1: Connect to a Transceiver Installing Your KPC-9612 Plus
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
shoulder on the shell and fit in the
semi-circular gap in the shell designed to
hold the screw in place,
• fasten the two sides of the shell together using the screws and nuts selected above.
This completes the construction of your transceiver cable assembly. Now it needs
to be connected.
Connecting Your Transceiver Cable Assembly
Now you are ready to use this cable assembly to finish assembling your packet
radio station.
Step 1. Check to be sure all the parts of your completed cable
assembly are properly fastened and ready for connection
to your transceiver and your KPC-9612 Plus.
Step 2. Turn OFF all power.
Step 3. Plug the male DB-9 connector on the cable into the
female DB-9 connector on the KPC-9612 Plus’s “Radio”
port,
Step 4. Secure the male DB-9 connector on the cable to the
female DB-9 connector on the KPC-9612 Plus’s “Radio”
port, by screwing the two long, half-threaded screws into
the threaded nuts on each side of the KPC-9612 Plus’s
“Radio” port (port 1),
KPC-9612 Plus v 8.2 55 User’s Guide
Installing Your KPC-9612 Plus Port 1: Connect to a Transceiver
Step 5. Plug both the microphone connector and the external
speaker jack into your transceiver.
Adjusting the Receive Volume of Your Transceiver
To adjust the receive volume of your transceiver to the proper level (or to con
-
firm that it is already set at the proper level), do the following:
Step 1. Turn ON your computer (with your transceiver OFF),
Step 2. Start your terminal program,,
Step 3. Turn ON your KPC-9612 Plus,
Step 4. If not already done (using Pacterm), set the KPC-9612
Plus’s baud rate (ABAUD) and CALLSIGN,
Step 5. Turn ON your transceiver and open the squelch control
(turn it fully counter-clockwise),
Step 6. Slowly turn the transceiver’s receive volume up until the
RCV LED (receive indicator) on the KPC-9612 Plus
lights up (turns ON),
Step 7. Increase the transceiver’s receive volume control slightly
above the point at which the KPC-9612 Plus’s RCV
LED lit up (turned ON),
Step 8. Slowly turn the transceiver’s squelch control clockwise
until the KPC-9612 Plus’s RCV LED goes OUT (turns
OFF),
Now the receive volume control on your transceiver is properly adjusted for
sending signals to your KPC-9612 Plus.
Your KPC-9612 Plus is now installed and ready to use. You may now go to the
“Getting Started” chapter, to learn how to do the basic operations with your
KPC-9612 Plus.
User’s Guide 56 KPC-9612 Plus v 8.2
Port 1: Connect to a Transceiver Installing Your KPC-9612 Plus
If you do not see the receive LED light, check the cabling between the radio and
+
the KPC-9612 Plus. Also, until it has been initialized from the computer, the
KPC-9612 Plus will not show ANY indication of receiving.
Note: If you connected to a fixed level (unsquelched) receive audio from the radio,
the receive LED may remain on all of the time. In this case, set the parameter CD to
SOFTWARE. Then, the receive LED will not light until valid packets are heard.
(see CD in the commands section)
Transmit level adjustment
The 1200 baud data drive level (transmit audio voltage, TXA) from the
KPC-9612 Plus to your radio is adjusted digitally, using your keyboard and the
transmit level (XMITLVL) or the calibrate (CAL) command. Previous models
used a set of jumpers and an analog potentiometer (pot) to set this level. With the
KPC-9612 Plus, no jumpers are used, just a command.
You should adjust the drive level to provide about 3 to 3.5 kHz of deviation with
your radio. If you don’t have access to a deviation meter, adjust drive so your
packet transmissions generate about the same audio sound as packets heard from
other stations.
The XMITLVL command has a parameter default value of 100; this corresponds
to a drive voltage of about 50 mV. You may change this level by increasing the
parameter/count. For counts below 256, the voltage is increased in 1/2 mV steps;
above that, the drive increases roughly 15 mV per step.
+
For details, see the description of the XMITLVL command in the “Command
Reference.”
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). See the commands section for more detail
on these commands. CAL is not available in the NEWUSER mode; you must be
in TERMINAL mode to access CAL.
KPC-9612 Plus v 8.2 57 User’s Guide
-
-
Installing Your KPC-9612 Plus Port 2: Connecting to a “High Speed” Radio
Port 2: Connecting to a “High Speed” Radio
The final step in connecting your 9612 Plus is to make a cable to go from the
9612 Plus, port 2, to your high speed radio. This is optional, of course, since you
can operate the unit using only port 1 and running 1200 baud.
NOTE: High speed operation (running 4800; 9600; 19,200; or 38,400 baud) re
quires a radio capable of running the selected speed. Not all radios are capable of
being modified for 4800 or 9600, let alone 19,200 or above. Most major tranceiver
manufacturers now make available “data ready” radios said to be 9600 baud ready,
which include a data jack.
Connections to a radio for higher speed operation (e.g., 9600 baud) are made
through the DB-15 connector on the KPC-9612 Plus rear panel. In order to transmit and receive at high speed, you must connect the following pins to your radio:
paste in DB-15 connector diagram [top:8 - 1],[ bottom: 15 to 9]
DB-15
The pin assignments for the DB-15 connector on port 2 are as follows:
Pin 1 (PTT) Push - to - Talk. This pin connects to the PTT pin on your radio
and causes the radio to transmit when the TNC has data to send. Your radio may
have a different name for this pin (e.g. STBY), but the function as described in
you radio manual should indicate that grounding this pin will cause the radio to
transmit.
-
Pin 2 (RXA) Receive Data. This pin connects to the high speed data output pin
of your radio.
Pin 3 (TXA) Transmit Data. This pin connects to the modulator stage of the ra
dio. Those radios that are “9600-ready” may identify this pin as the 9600 baud
data input from your TNC.
User’s Guide 58 KPC-9612 Plus v 8.2
-
Port 2: Connecting to a “High Speed” Radio Installing Your KPC-9612 Plus
Pin 11 Ground. This pin connects to the ground of your radio. (NOTE: Pins 9
and 10 are also grounded.)
Adjusting High Speed Transmit Drive Level
As with port 1, drive level for port 2 (the high speed port) is set digitally, using
your keyboard and the transmit level command (XMITLVL).
Note: Jumper J20 also affects the drive level. Most “data ready” radios will require
that the jumper be on both pins of J20, which is the “high level” default position as
shipped from the factory. If your radio requires a lower drive level, place the jumper
on just one pin of J20 and readjust the digital drive pot using the XMITLVL com
mand. For more details, see the hardware section of this manual.
Typically, the proper deviation for 9600 baud operation is about 3 kHz. If you
don’t have a deviation meter, you may have a difficult time in adjusting the level
properly. However, start by setting the drive level as recommended for your radio
(see your radio manual). You may then have to adjust the level using the
XMITLVL command until you achieve acceptable performance.
-
+ HINT: If you have an existing 9600 baud node or other station operating in your
area that allows digipeating, we suggest you attempt to digipeat through that station (see the UNPROTO command) while making this adjustment.
Adjusting High Speed Receive Circuits
As shipped from the factory, the 9612 Plus is set for proper reception with many
of the “data ready” radios on the market. Should you find that your unit is not re
ceiving well, or if you want to fine-tune it for your specific radio, again, you may
do so digitally, using your keyboard and the EQUALIZE command.
Note: Jumper J16 also affects receive performance. Most “data ready” radios will
provide the 9612 Plus with a high drive, and this is accommodated with a jumper
placed on only one of the pins of J16, which is the “high level” default position
shipped from the factory. If your radio provides lower audio drive, then place the
jumper on both pins of J16.
KPC-9612 Plus v 8.2 59 User’s Guide
-
Installing Your KPC-9612 Plus Port 2: Connecting to a “High Speed” Radio
Adjusting the 9612 Plus for receive is fairly easy. Connect a voltmeter (analog
preferred) to pin 8 of the DB-15 connector (receive signal, RX S/N) or to test
point J on the PC board and pin 10 (ground) of the DB-15. Have another 9600
baud station transmit long packet bursts, and adjust the equalize parameter for a
peak reading on your voltmeter. (Maximum reading is approximately 3 Vdc.)
This is the signal quality line indicating how well the 9600 baud modem is de
coding the received signal. This indication is more accurate than using the
eye-pattern method (used with the G3RUH modems). (See the Calibration/Equal
ization section later in this manual for more information.) Alternately one may
observe the STATUS LED while the 9612 Plus is in the calibrate mode. It will
light for a receive signal when equalization is set correctly.
The next section of this chapter is for those who wish to connect a GPS device to
their KPC-9612 Plus. Skip this section if it does not apply to you.
-
User’s Guide 60 KPC-9612 Plus v 8.2
Connecting to a GPS Device (Optional) Installing Your KPC-9612 Plus
Connecting to a GPS Device (Optional)
To use your KPC-9612 Plus with a Global Positioning System (GPS) device, you
need to connect the GPS device to the DB-25 “Computer" port (i.e., serial port)
on the back of the KPC-9612 Plus, in place of the computer.
You can use a GPS device with either or both radio ports (port 1 and port 2).
+
Since you need to remove the computer’s serial modem cable from the
KPC-9612 Plus’s “Computer” port and replace it with the GPS’s cable before you
can use the GPS device with the KPC-9612 Plus, you will need to use your com
puter to configure your KPC-9612 Plus to work with the GPS device before you
connect your GPS device to your KPC-9612 Plus.
Note: You can attach both the KPC-9612 Plus and a GPS device to your computer
at the same time, using an APRS HSP (hardware single port) cable and the APRS
program.
Since cabling may vary from one GPS vendor to another, the cable is not supplied with your KPC-9612 Plus. You will need to purchase or make a cable, using the specifications in your GPS manual.
-
To connect the GPS receiver and the KPC-9612 Plus as a “Stand-alone” position
reporting system without a computer, you will need to connect a minimum of 2
wires for data flow from the GPS receiver to the KPC-9612 Plus. Connect the
GPS receiver “DATA OUTPUT” to TXD (pin 2) on the KPC-9612 Plus. Con
nect the GPS receiver “SIGNAL GROUND” to signal ground (pin 7) on the
KPC-9612 Plus. Your GPS receiver 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” for details on using your GPS device with your
KPC-9612 Plus based packet radio station.
This concludes the installation of your station.
+
For more information on installation topics, see the appendices.
Since you used the next chapter (“Pacterm”) as part of the installation process,
you can now skip over to the chapter on “Modes of Operation” and get started
using your KPC-9612 Plus.
KPC-9612 Plus v 8.2 61 User’s Guide
-
Installing Your KPC-9612 Plus
User’s Guide 62 KPC-9612 Plus v 8.2
Pacterm v 2.0
Introduction
Pacterm is a DOS-based terminal communication program used to control the
flow of information between your PC compatible computer and your TNC.
We suggest that you start with the chapter “Installing Your TNC,” switch
+
here, when instructed, to set up Pacterm, and then to go back to the “In
stalling Your TNC” chapter to complete installing your packet radio station.
Pacterm is shipped with the TNC to help you get started using your TNC
for packet radio communication. Pacterm is for use while the TNC is operating in
NEWUSER Interface Mode (the default mode of operation) or in TERMINAL
Interface Mode, which includes all NEWUSER commands and many more.
+ You may continue using Pacterm with your TNC after you get up and running,
but you do not need to limit yourself to Pacterm. The TNC will operate with a
wide range of terminal communication programs, including the TERMINAL
communication program that comes with Microsoft Windows. Some of these
other communication programs offer more functionality than Pacterm.
Technical Note: With appropriate cabling, software and adapters, the TNC also
will operate with non-PC compatible computers and “dumb terminals.”
-
Our Assumptions About You
We assume the following when you use Pacterm with your TNC:
•
You are using a PC compatible computer that meets the specifications
given in your TNC documentation.
•
You know, or are learning, how to use DOS with your PC compatible
computer for basic operations needed to install and run Pacterm.
•
You have a TNC that is connected, or that will be connected, to your PC
computer, as described below and in the TNC manual.
•
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.
KPC-9612 Plus v 8.2 63 User’s Guide
Pacterm v 2.0 Introduction
Overview
You can use Pacterm to do the following:
Establish communications between your computer and your TNC, while
•
it is operating in NEWUSER or TERMINAL Interface Mode.
Select the COM PORT and BAUD RATE to use for the current
•
Pacterm session (i.e., until you exit to DOS).
Send commands from Pacterm to your TNC.
•
Send data from Pacterm (i.e., from your computer) to your TNC and
•
receive data from your TNC.
• VIEW, PRINT, and/or SAVE information sent from your TNC to your
computer.
• End a session, either of two ways:
Disconnect and EXIT to DOS.
•
•
EXIT directly to DOS.
Other uses of Pacterm are as follows:
• SEND a file from your computer to your TNC, for transmission.
•
Switch the TNC at any time into Command Mode, making it ready to
accept commands instead of transmitting data.
•
Control the flow of data between Pacterm and your TNC, as follows:
•
From Pacterm to your TNC: Switch between (1) ONLINE, with your
input sent immediately or (2) OFFLINE, with input stored in a
type-ahead buffer and sent when you go back ONLINE.
•
From your TNC to Pacterm: STOP (hold) or START the flow of data
from your TNC to your computer.
Technical note: Also, as described briefly in this document, Pacterm can be used
with KAM TNCs to operate in HF non-packet modes.
User’s Guide 64 KPC-9612 Plus v 8.2
Quick Start 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.
2. Connect your TNC to COM1 or COM2 of your computer, using a standard
RS-232C serial modem cable, and make sure the TNC is turned ON.
3. Use DOS to change to the drive and directory to which you copied Pacterm.
4. Start Pacterm by typing PACTERM and pressing the ENTER key.
5. When Pacterm starts, you will be on the MAIN Menu. Use the SETUP functions on the MAIN menu as needed to establish communication with your
TNC. The BACKSPACE key will take you to the TERMINAL Screen. Follow the on-screen instructions and use the MAIN Menu and the TERMINAL
Screen to control the session and communicate with the TNC.
6. If you get the “Pacterm Cannot Communicate” screen the first time you try to
go to the TERMINAL Screen, be sure the TNC is turned ON and/or press the
F7 key to switch the current COM port from COM2 to COM1. If neither of
these works, review other possible problems (described on the screen) and
keep trying until you establish communication.
-
7. The first time your TNC is used, it will run an AUTOBAUD routine to coor
dinate the TNC’s BAUD rate with the BAUD rate of the terminal communi
cation software in use at the time — in this case, Pacterm. Follow the
on-screen instructions, which include entering your CALLSIGN, and then
proceed.
You may be able to get up and running without reading any more of this Pacterm
documentation, but you will find much useful information below, including:
(1) detailed explanations of each function, (2) helpful hints, (3) cautions that
KPC-9612 Plus v 8.2 65 User’s Guide
-
-
Pacterm v 2.0 Installing Pacterm
warn of possible problems, and (4) technical notes for those who are interested in
knowing more about a particular topic.
Installing Pacterm
Installing Pacterm is a simple matter. You will copy the program file
PACTERM.COM to your computer’s hard drive or to a floppy disk. You will find
the file PACTERM.COM on the floppy disk titled “Kantronics Program and
Information: Disk 1," that is shipped with the TNC.
Caution: To reduce the chance of problems later, make a backup copy of this
shipping disk and write-protect both the original and your backup copy.
Saving Pacterm on Your Hard Drive
You may copy Pacterm to your hard drive just by using DOS commands or by
following the steps given on the “Kantronics Program and Information” disk.
Copying files from a floppy to your hard drive
You may install Pacterm on your hard drive by simply copying the Pacterm
program file to the drive and directory or subdirectory of your choice, as follows:
1. Change to the main directory (e.g., C:\) or an existing subdirectory of your
hard drive (e.g. C:\COMM),
+
Hint: To create a new directory in which to save Pacterm, use the DOS make
directory command. For example, if your hard drive is drive C and you want to
create a new directory called PACTERM in which to store the program (also
called Pacterm), first change to drive C (type and enter C:) and then type and
enter MD \PACTERM — being sure to include the backslash. Then change to
the new directory by using the change directory command: type and enter
CD \PACTERM — again, be sure to include the backslash.
2. Put the “Kantronics Program and Information” disk in floppy Drive A (or B),
and
User’s Guide 66 KPC-9612 Plus v 8.2
Installing Pacterm Pacterm v 2.0
3. Type COPY A (or B):PACTERM.COM and press the ENTER key. This
will copy PACTERM.COM to your current directory (shown at your DOS
prompt).
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
drive where you put this disk (e.g., type and enter A: or B: as appropriate),
2. Type TNC and press the ENTER key, to start the TNC program, and use the
on-screen menus to select PACTERM, then INSTALL PACTERM, and
then follow the on-screen instructions,
3. Type and enter the drive to which you want Pacterm copied (e.g., C), which
can be any drive (except the floppy drive with the Kantronics Program and
Information disk it it) that has the space for it,
4. Next, type and enter the directory or subdirectory (e.g., \PACTERM)to
which you want Pacterm (the program) copied. If you specify a directory or
subdirectory that does not already exist, the installation program will create it
and then copy PACTERM.COM there.
5. Check the on-screen confirmation of the installation and EXIT to DOS.
Saving Pacterm on a Floppy Disk
-
You may use the Pacterm program on the backup copy of the “Kantronics
Program and Information: Disk 1" disk or on another floppy disk (a disk to which
you have copied the file named “PACTERM.COM”). In this case, you do not
need to do anything special to install it. Just follow the “Starting Pacterm”
instructions given below.
KPC-9612 Plus v 8.2 67 User’s Guide
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.
The PC computer and the TNC are connected via a standard RS-232C
•
serial modem cable, or at least by the 5-wire cabling described in the
TNC documentation.
The COM port is functioning properly (e.g., cable is plugged in
•
securely).
• There are no other faults in the normal operations of the components or
connections between them.
When you first try to communicate with the TNC, Pacterm checks for a signal
from the current COM port that is consistent with a TNC. If it does not find such
a signal, Pacterm presents the “Pacterm cannot communicate” screen shown below, for your use in establishing the connection.
If you have further difficulty establishing or maintaining communications, see
the trouble-shooting section at the end of this chapter for possible solutions.
User’s Guide 68 KPC-9612 Plus v 8.2
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”.
Hint: If you are using Microsoft Windows 3.1 or above, you can use the Pro
+
gram Manager, File Manager, or click on the DOS icon in the Main Window to
run Pacterm as a DOS program from within Windows. But do not run any other
program at the same time as Pacterm, or you may lose data.
2. Type PACTERM and press the ENTER key.
+ Hint: The drive and directory from which you call Pacterm does not need to be
the same as that where the program is stored. From Pacterm’s point of view, the
current drive and directory (e.g., used for SAVING the Holding Buffer) is the
drive and directory from which you start Pacterm. For example, suppose the
program PACTERM.COM is in C:\COMM (i.e., drive C, directory COMM)
and you are on directory SAVEBUFF on a disk in drive A
(A:\SAVEBUFF). In this case, the DOS command C:\COMM\PACTERM will
start Pacterm and the current drive and directory will be A:\SAVEBUFF.
-
-
3. The first screen you will see is the MAIN Menu screen. Use the SETUP
functions as needed, then you are ready to go on to the Terminal Screen.
4. Press the BACKSPACE key on the MAIN Menu to go to the Terminal
Screen and begin using Pacterm for communicating with your TNC.
5. If Pacterm cannot establish communication, it will assist by presenting a
“Pacterm cannot communicate” screen (shown above), which describes steps
you can take to establish communication. You may just need to turn on your
TNC and/or press the F7 key to tell Pacterm to try communicating through
COM1, instead of the default serial port, COM2. As soon as Pacterm can
communicate, it gives you the MAIN Menu, so you can try again.
KPC-9612 Plus v 8.2 69 User’s Guide
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).
The TNC’s AUTOBAUD routine works as follows:
1. AUTOBAUD sends and resends the message “PRESS (*) TO SET BAUD
RATE” to Pacterm, at one baud rate after another. When the TNC’s baud rate
matches that of Pacterm, you can read this message in a window on your
screen; if the two rates do not match, the message appears garbled.
2. Any time while this message is being sent, whether it is readable or garbled
on your screen, enter the “*” character (SHIFT+8 key combination).
3. When the AUTOBAUD routine receives, the “*” character from the serial
port, it uses that character to determine Pacterm’s BAUD rate.
4. AUTOBAUD then sets the TNC’s BAUD rate to match Pacterm’s BAUD
rate. The TNC’s BAUD rate will be set to 9600 (Pacterm’s default BAUD
rate) unless Pacterm’s BAUD rate was changed before running
AUTOBAUD.
Technical note: The TNC’s BAUD rate is stored in the TNC as the value of the
ABAUD parameter, so when you use the TNC later, it will start with that BAUD
rate. This is made possible by an internal lithium battery supplied with the
TNC. Later, you can change the TNC BAUD rate if you want, as long as you
change Pacterm’s BAUD rate to match the new TNC BAUD rate.
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.
User’s Guide 70 KPC-9612 Plus v 8.2
Coordinating Pacterm and Your TNC Pacterm v 2.0
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.
Configuring the TNC for Use with Pacterm
There are several TNC settings in addition to ABAUD (baud rate) and MYCALL
(CALLSIGN) that you may wish to change, especially if parameter values in
your TNC have been changed from their default settings. Even if you do not want
to change anything now, knowing about these parameters and knowing how to
reconfigure your TNC, gives you more control in using it with Pacterm.
Required TNC Parameter Settings
To work with Pacterm, the following TNC parameter settings are needed:
• COMMAND = $03 (CTRL+C) (default = $03, so unless this has been
changed, you do not need to do anything).
+ Hint: Pacterm has a fixed code that it sends for COMMAND and it is
the same as the TNC default value (HEX $03, which is CTRL+C from
the user’s point of view). That is, Pacterm assumes the TNC COMMAND parameter is set to its default value; if it is not, Pacterm commands that send CTRL+C codes to the TNC will not work correctly.
-
•
Each of the following TNC parameters needs to be set to its default
value, shown below, if it has been changed to a non-default value:
•
CANLINE default = CTRL+X (HEX $18)
•
CANPAC default = CTRL+Y (HEX $19)
•
PASS default = CTRL+V (HEX $16)
KPC-9612 Plus v 8.2 71 User’s Guide
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.
ECHO = ON (default)
•
FLOW = ON (default)
•
Technical note: Usually, ECHO and FLOW go together, both ON or both
OFF. When using software that supports split screen displays, for example,
set both ECHO and FLOW to OFF.
• XFLOW = ON (default)
Technical note: XFLOW controls whether or not software flow control is
ON. If XFLOW is set to OFF, the following parameters should also be set to
0 (zero): XON, XOFF, START, and STOP.
• FILTER = OFF (default)
• 8BITCONV = ON (default)
+
Hint: Also, the MONITOR parameter may be ON or OFF (default = ON).
You may have Monitor ON while using Pacterm. But to prevent a build-up of
data in an internal buffer in the TNC, you should turn Monitor OFF when exiting
Pacterm and leave the TNC ON. This is because when the TNC’s receive buffer
is full, your station will give a BUSY signal to other stations that try to connect.
User’s Guide 72 KPC-9612 Plus v 8.2
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).
The MAIN Menu Screen
As shown below, the MAIN Menu screen shows all the functions available in
Pacterm and serves as a “Help” screen as well.
Each MAIN Menu function is described in detail later in this manual.
To go to the TERMINAL Screen from the MAIN Menu, press the BACKSPACE
key or use any MAIN Menu function other than SETUP functions, F10, or ESC.
KPC-9612 Plus v 8.2 73 User’s Guide
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:
Viewing a rea
(see da ta sent
to Pa c term from
the TN C)
Input a rea
(see m a teria l
enter ed, to send
to the TNC)
Sta tus Line
The Status Line
The Status Line gives the following information, from left to right on the line:
• Reminders of how to get to the MAIN Menu and how to EXIT to DOS.
• The current status of Flow Control Functions:
•
Shows whether the user has set Pacterm to send data immediately to
the TNC (ONLIN) or to hold data to send it later (OFLIN).
•
Shows whether the user has set Pacterm to request the TNC to send
data (START) or not to send data (STOP) .
•
The current status of Output Control Functions:
•
If the PRINT request is ON, PRINT is shown on the Status Line.
•
If the Holding Buffer is OPEN, BUFF is shown on the Status Line.
•
The current status of Hardware Control signals:
•
While Pacterm permits the TNC to send it data, RTS is shown.
•
While the TNC permits Pacterm to send it data, CTS is shown.
User’s Guide 74 KPC-9612 Plus v 8.2
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.
On-Screen Help
The MAIN Menu screen and Terminal Screen have enough information so you
can use them as a guide to the commands available.
From MAIN Menu, BACKSPACE = Go to Terminal Screen
Pressing BACKSPACE to go to the Terminal Screen is the usual first step in a
session, once your COM port and BAUD rate are set up as you need.
MAIN Menu keys (except those used for SETUP or for EXIT to DOS) can also
be used to go to the Terminal Screen.
From Terminal Screen, F1 = Go to MAIN Menu
After you SETUP Pacterm and begin using the Terminal Screen, you will never
need to return to the MAIN Menu, except to change SETUP values
(COM port or BAUD rate) for the current session.
With the following exceptions, all commands that work on the MAIN Menu will
also work from the Terminal Screen:
•
SETUP commands only work on the MAIN Menu.
•
ESC and CTRL+C are interpreted as data in TERMINAL MODE,
so use them as data, not as ways to EXIT to DOS.
+
Hint: To EXIT Pacterm from the Terminal Screen, use F10, or go to the MAIN
Menu and use ESC or CTRL+C from there.
KPC-9612 Plus v 8.2 75 User’s Guide
Pacterm v 2.0 Commands: Setup, Using the MAIN Menu
Commands: Setup, Using the MAIN Menu
Pacterm needs to know a few things in order to communicate with your TNC:
1. What mode of communication will you be using: packet or HF- Non-Packet.
If you are using a TNC (e.g. KPC-3 Plus), then you’ll be using packet.
Pacterm accommodates non-packet modes too for multi-mode Kantronics
TNCs (e.g. KAM Plus).
2. What COM port is going to be connected to the TNC? The default “current
COM PORT” is COM2, but you can switch to COM1.
3. What BAUD rate should Pacterm use to send data to the TNC? The default is
9600 BAUD, but you can select any of the following BAUD rates: 300, 600,
1200, 2400, 4800, and 9600.
+ Hint: Pacterm begins each session with the default settings for COM port
(COM2) and BAUD rate (9600), so if you are using non-default setting(s), you
will need to use the relevant SETUP function(s) to start each session.
F3 = Select TNC Use (Default = Packet)
Pressing F3 switches back and forth between two uses of your TNC: with Packet
communication (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.
+
Hint: If you accidentally press the F3 key and switch uses of your TNC, you will
know right away because: (1) the display of the current TNC use will change
from Packet to HF Non-Packet, and (2) a box will appear in the lower right of the
screen, showing additional functions that are for use with HF Non-Packet
communication instead of Packet communication. To switch back from
HF Non-Packet to Packet communication, simply press F3 again.
User’s Guide 76 KPC-9612 Plus v 8.2
-
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.
If you have your TNC on COM1 rather than COM2, you will need to press the
F7 key each time you start Pacterm. Just press F7 on the MAIN Menu before
pressing BACKSPACE to go to the Terminal Screen.
Hint: You could also use F7 to switch between two different TNC’s, one con
+
nected to each COM port.
-
F8 = Select BAUD RATE (Default = 9600)
Pacterm can send and receive data through the current COM port at any of the
following BAUD rates: 300, 600, 1200, 2400, 4800, 9600 (default).
Technical note: At these levels, baud rate is essentially the same as
bits-per-second.
Press F8 to step through the available baud rates. Pacterm’s current BAUD rate is
shown on the MAIN Menu.
Since data flows back and forth between Pacterm and your TNC, both need to be
using the same BAUD rate for the communication to work. Pacterm always starts
a session at 9600 BAUD. If your TNC is also set for 9600 BAUD, you will not
have to change the setting.
+
Hint: If data sent from the TNC is garbled in the Viewing area of Pacterm’s Ter
minal Screen, this may be due to a mismatch between the Pacterm and the TNC
BAUD rate. One way to coordinate them is to use F8 to step through various
BAUD rates for Pacterm, until incoming data is readable. Of course, this may
mean settling for a common BAUD rate that is less than optimal. Another way to
fix the mismatch is to change the TNC’s ABAUD parameter to match Pacterm’s
current BAUD rate. See the TNC documentation on the ABAUD command for
details on how to do this.
KPC-9612 Plus v 8.2 77 User’s Guide
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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” to send data to the other. Pacterm and the TNC
achieve this coordination using hardware flow control signals on the RS-232C ca
ble connecting the two devices: (1) the TNC changes the status of the CTS (clear to
send) signal on one wire in the cable to tell Pacterm whether it is OK or NOT OK to
send it data, and (2) Pacterm changes the status of the RTS (request to send) signal
on another wire in the cable to tell the TNC whether it is OK or NOT OK for the
TNC to send data to Pacterm. The current status of each hardware control signal is
shown on the right end of the status line (RTS is shown if RTS is ON; CTS is shown if
CTS is ON)
F5 = Pacterm to TNC: Offline or Online (Default)
Pressing F5 (from either the MAIN Menu or the Terminal Screen) switches between two options controlling when data are sent from Pacterm to the TNC:
-
1. ONLINE = immediate transmission of data to the TNC as you enter it from
the computer (default setting), and
2. OFFLINE = type ahead, which orders Pacterm to stop the immediate trans
mission of data and save the data in a transmission buffer, also called a
type-ahead buffer, for transmission to the TNC when you switch back ON
LINE.
Caution: Don’t go OFFLINE for long. Pacterm’s type-ahead buffer (transmis
sion buffer) holds a maximum of 1,024 characters, after which old data will be
discarded to make room for new data (i.e., it is a “first-in first-out” buffer)
The status line on the Terminal Screen shows either ONLIN or OFLIN.
User’s Guide 78 KPC-9612 Plus v 8.2
-
-
-
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.
2. STOP = Do not send data from the TNC to Pacterm; instead, hold it for send
ing when data-flow from the TNC is enabled (START).
Hint: While the TNC is STOPPED from sending to Pacterm, data are saved in
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the TNC in a temporary buffer, until the buffer is full. When this buffer is full,
your station will give a BUSY signal to other stations that try to connect.
The status of this command (START or STOP) is shown on the Status Line.
Technical note: START is a request for the TNC to send any new data to Pacterm.
Before new data will actually be sent to Pacterm, however, Pacterm must be able to
receive material (RTS is ON), as indicated by RTS shown on the Status Line. While
it is SAVING the contents of the Holding Buffer, for example, Pacterm turns RTS
OFF automatically, so new material from the TNC will not be lost during the saving
operation.
Commands: Output Control
Pacterm provides the following output controls:
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PRINT data as it is shown in the Viewing area of the Terminal Screen.
•
SAVE data shown in the Viewing area of the Terminal Screen in a
Holding Buffer, whose contents can later be saved as a file.
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SEND a copy of a file to the TNC.
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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.
Hint: If you request printing and your printer is not turned on, is out of paper, or
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is otherwise unavailable, Pacterm will let you know, so you can correct the prob
lem and try again.
The word PRINT appears on the Status Line when the Print request is ON.
Pacterm assumes that your printer is (1) a generic dot matrix text printer, such as
an Epson MX, which operates on a line by line basis, responding to carriage returns and line feeds, and (2) connected to your computer’s LPT1 port.
+ Hint: If your printer (e.g., some laser printers) cannot be configured to operate as
Pacterm requires, you may get print-outs by copying material to the Holding
Buffer, saving it as a file, then using any text editor or word processor to bring in
the (ASCII) file and print it.
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Caution: Using ALT+P to turn PRINT OFF while printing may cause errors.
ALT+B = Holding Buffer: OPEN or CLOSE (Default)
This command OPENS and CLOSES Pacterm’s Holding Buffer, which can be
used to store and later save up to 45K of data sent from the TNC to Pacterm.
To OPEN the Holding Buffer, press the ALT+B key combination; to CLOSE it,
press the ALT+B key combination again. You may OPEN and CLOSE the buffer
as you wish, until it is full, to “grab” the parts of a session that you may want to
save to a file.
When the Holding Buffer is OPEN, data sent to Pacterm and appearing in the
Viewing area of the Terminal Screen will be added to whatever has already been
stored in the Holding Buffer. While the Holding Buffer is CLOSED no new data
can be added, but what is already stored there stays until you clear it, save it, or
exit Pacterm.
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Commands: Output Control Pacterm v 2.0
Hint: When the Holding Buffer is OPEN but full, Pacterm will automatically
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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.
When the Holding Buffer is OPEN, the term BUFF appears on the Status Line of
the Terminal Screen.
ALT+C = Holding Buffer: CLEAR
Press the ALT+C key combination to CLEAR (delete) the current contents of the
Holding Buffer, whether it is currently open or closed.
Caution: This command takes effect immediately and it cannot be undone, so be
sure you want to CLEAR the Holding Buffer before you use this command.
F2 = Holding Buffer: SAVE and CLEAR
Press F2 to SAVE the current contents of the Holding Buffer to a file in the current directory (or to the current directory of a designated drive, if you include a
drive name with the file) and then automatically CLEAR the Holding Buffer.
You will be asked to supply a name for the file, using the standard DOS file name
conventions, and press ENTER to initiate the SAVE operation.
You may also include a drive name, along with the file name, to save the file in
the current directory on a drive other than the current drive. The drive name is in
cluded in the 14 characters available for the name (e.g., add “C:” to the beginning
of the file name to store the file in the current directory of drive C).
KPC-9612 Plus v 8.2 81 User’s Guide
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Pacterm v 2.0 Commands: Output Control
Hint: Give the file name fairly promptly (e.g., within a minute or less). This is
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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. During this time, new data are stored in the TNC’s
temporary buffer, and when this buffer is full the TNC will not accept further in
coming data. After the Holding Buffer has been saved, Pacterm will automati
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cally enable the flow of data from the TNC (RTS ON, unless Pacterm’s F6
control is set to STOP) and the TNC will send the contents of its temporary
buffer to Pacterm before sending new data.
If you enter an invalid file name, or if the Holding Buffer is empty, Pacterm will
notify you so you can return to the Terminal Screen.
Caution: If the drive where you try to SAVE the Holding Buffer contents does
not have enough space available to save the file, or if the drive door is open, you
will get the standard DOS message: “Not ready reading drive (n): Abort, Retry,
Fail?” If you can fix the problem (e.g., shut the door or insert a disk with enough
space, if you are saving to a floppy drive), do so, type R (for Retry) and press the
Enter key. To withdraw the SAVE request, type F (for Fail) and press the Enter
key. If you type A (for Abort) and press the Enter key, you will EXIT to DOS,
which means the Holding Buffer will be cleared without being saved.
Caution: If you enter a valid DOS file name, Pacterm will use it without check
ing to see if you already have a file by that name in the current directory (or in the
current directory of a designated drive, if you include a drive name with the file).
Be careful not to use a file name already in use, unless you want to write the new
file in place of the old one.
Two ways to Save Holding Buffer Data
There are two ways to save the current data:
•
Binary file: To save the data without making any changes to it (e.g., to
save a downloaded binary file), give the extension “BIN”, for “binary,”
as part of the file name.
User’s Guide 82 KPC-9612 Plus v 8.2
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Commands: Output Control Pacterm v 2.0
Text file: If the file does not have the BIN extension, Pacterm:
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(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” appropriately
when it is displayed on a screen (after 75 or 80 characters, depending on
whether or not there is a space character at the beginning of a given line).
Note that since the backspace control character, used to backup and
overwrite typing errors before sending data, will be filtered out, both
original and corrected characters will remain in the data that are saved.
Technical note: In both cases, Pacterm will add an “End of File” (EOF) code
(CTRL+Z) at the end of the data from the Holding Buffer.
ALT+F = Send a File to Your TNC
You can use Pacterm to send a file from your computer to your TNC, which is
then responsible for sending it on to your transceiver for transmission:
1. Use Pacterm to put your TNC in either Conversation Mode or Transparent
Mode connection with another station. In Conversation Mode, control characters are interpreted as commands rather than as data. If you are sending a
text file for transmission by your TNC, you may wish to have the TNC in
Conversation Mode. If you want all control characters passed through as
data, use Transparent Mode. Do not have your TNC in Command Mode,
since it would then interpret data being sent to it by Pacterm as commands.
2. After setting up your TNC to handle the file it is going to receive from
Pacterm, press the ALT+F key combination to start the SEND file operation.
3. Pacterm will put a small square marker in the data-input area of the Terminal
Screen and wait for you to enter a DOS file name. Type the file name. Do not
include any blanks before or after the file name.
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Hint: If the file is in the current directory on a drive other than the current drive,
include the drive name (e.g., C:) before the file name.
KPC-9612 Plus v 8.2 83 User’s Guide
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. Try again, starting with Step 2.
5. If your TNC is in Conversation Mode (but not if it is in Transparent Mode)
and it is set to ECHO, data will be echoed to the Terminal Screen.
Caution: Sending continues until Pacterm finds an end-of-file code. If the
file does not have an EOF code (CTRL+Z), some or all of the file will be sent
and resent until you EXIT to DOS to end the current session. To send such a
file successfully, add an EOF code (e.g., by using an appropriate word processor).
Commands: Exiting
The following exit commands are available in Pacterm:
F9 = Switch Your TNC to Command Mode
From either the MAIN Menu Screen or the Terminal Screen, press the F9 key to
switch your TNC from Conversation Mode or Transparent Mode communication
to Command Mode (for the NEWUSER or TERMINAL Interface Mode, which
ever your TNC is in at the time). Once in Command Mode, the TNC will inter
pret data from Pacterm as being commands to carry out, not as data to transmit.
Technical note: Pacterm forces this switch by sending the TNC a specially timed
sequence of three CTRL+Cs (see TNC documentation for details).
When you use F9 to exit from Conversation or Transparent Mode to the Com
mand Mode, the “cmd:” prompt will be appear in the viewing area of the Termi
nal Screen. If you are already in Command Mode, using F9 has no effect.
User’s Guide 84 KPC-9612 Plus v 8.2
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