MFJ MFJ-48 User Manual

MFJ-48 Upgrade Firmware Release 3.7

UPGRADE FOR MFJ-1278 and 1278T

Introduction

The MFJ-48 is the latest firmware upgrade for the MFJ-1278 and MFJ-1278T
Multi-Mode Data Controllers. This firmware eprom is
MFJ-1278 has one of the Mailbox Memory Expansion board installed, MFJ­56A, B, or C, user must use firmware Release 4.2 which is supplied with the
Mailbox Memory Expansion board. Except as noted information in this
instruction applies to firmware Release 3.7. Firmware Release 3.7 wil not
function with the MFJ-56A, B, or C Memory Expansion Board.

Release 3.7

. If the

Firmware

1. Supports 16 Gray Level FAX with the Multi-Gray Level modem installed.

2. Supports transmit and receive of 16 Gray Level and Color SSTV with the

3. Enhanced mailbox that allows a separate callsign for the mailbox. The

4. Other mailbox features are: Auto and manual mail forwarding, reverse

5. Dedicated Mars mode.

6. Improved Automatic Signal Analysis (ASA).

7. Host mode.

8. An echo-as-sent command is installed to allow echoing of each character

9. Support for the Global Positioning System.

10. Packet CWID for Identification purposes while in Packet mode.

11. A new P-Persistance channel sharing feature

This firmware upgrade can be installed in any MFJ-1278 and MFJ-1278T
controller. This firmware can also be used in any MFJ-1278 or MFJ-1278T
with or without the Multi-Gray level FAX/SSTV modem installed. As
mentioned earlier at the beginning of this section, firmware Release 3.7 cannot
be used with an MFJ-1278 or MFJ-1278T with an MFJ-56A, B, or C installed.
It is

3.7, before you install the firmware.

Release 3.7 features:

Multi-Gray Level modem installed.

Mailbox now stays ON all of the time during packet connects.

mail forwarding, remote sysop access, sysop paging, chat mode, mailbox
Ctext just to mention a few.

to the screen as its being transmit in CW, RTTY and ASCII.

very important

that you read this instruction booklet concerning Release

Upgrade of MFJ-1278 WITHOUT Multi-Gray Level Modem

If you have purchased the MFJ-48 and installed it in an MFJ-1278 or MFJ­1278T that does not have a Multi-Gray Level Modem installed, you should be
aware that the features and commands related to the use of the Multi-Gray

Page 1

MFJ-48 Upgrade Firmware Release 3.7

Level Modem will not apply to you. The MFJ-1278 or MFJ-1278T Multi­Gray Level Modem board would be mounted vertically on the right-hand side
and it is connected to the mother board by a 20-line ribbon cable. If this board
is not present in your MFJ-1278 or MFJ-1278T, then you
Gray level capability.

If your MFJ-1278 or MFJ-1278T does not have the Multi-Gray Level Modem
board and you wish to install it, contact MFJ Enterprises, Inc. for information
concerning the Multi-Gray Level modem board. The Multi-Gray Level
Modem board, for FAX/SSTV operations, requires factory installation.

Without the Multi-Gray Level Modem board installed in your MFJ-1278 or
MFJ-1278T, operation of Multi-Gray Level SSTV and FAX, or Color SSTV,
will not be possible even if you have installed the Release 3.7 firmware.
However, without the multi-gray level board you can still operate 2-level FAX
and use other features that are not related to SSTV and multi-gray level FAX,
when firmware 3.7 is installed.

do not

have Multi-

Features

The following features and commands installed in firmware Release 3.7 are not
related to multi-gray level FAX and SSTV operation and will function without
the Multi-Gray Level Modem board.

1.

2.

3.

4.

& Commands not Related to Fax or SSTV

MAILLED
LED

depending on the flag conditions of the existing messages. The Mail
Waiting indicator is not functional, if your Mailbox is turned

RBITMASK

command to set the bit inversion pattern to receive some encrypted signals
in RTTY/ASCII.

FIRMRNR

ASA (A

RTTY, ASCII and AMTOR signals.
accept the mode.

: This is the Mail Waiting indicator, which utilizes the

to show that you have mail present in your Easy-mail mailbox,

OFF

: In RTTY/ASCII receiving, you can use the RBITMASK

: Used to control the handling of busy states by the MFJ-1278.

utomatic Signal Analysis): Automatically identifies HF packet,

works with the OK command to

ASA

STA

.

Page 2

MFJ-48 Upgrade Firmware Release 3.7

5.

PROFMARS

MFJ-1278 model controllers for Mars operation.

6. All

7.

8. The use of the

Upgrade of MFJ-1278

All MFJ-1278 or MFJ-1278T controllers after Revision 6, come standard with
the Multi-Gray Level Modem factory installed. If your MFJ-1278 or MFJ­1278T controller has the Multi-Gray Level modem board installed, then you
will have all the features and commands described in the previous section. In
addition you will be able to transmit and receive up to 16 gray levels in FAX
and SSTV modes, along with Color images in the SSTV mode. Note that the
operation of Multi-Gray Level FAX and SSTV, requires also an appropriate
terminal program such as the MFJ-1289 or MFJ-1289M MULTICOM for IBM
and compatible computers, the MFJ-1282B for the C64/128 computers, the
MFJ-1287B for Macintosh computer, and MFJ-1290 for Amiga computer.

The following are important notes concerning the Release 3.7 upgrade for
MFJ-1278 with Multi-Gray Level Modem board.

Easy-Mail

Memory Expansion board,

ANSWRQRA

within range, with a "
receives a non-digipeated UI frame that is addressed to QRA, then it will
respond with an

modes.

: This is a command that automatically sets up any of the

 Mailbox functions with or without the Mailbox Mailbox

MFJ-56A, B, or C

: This is a command which polls all the packet stations

QRA ping

empty ID packet

echo-as-sent, EAS

WITH

the Multi-Gray Level Modem

". When the MFJ-1278 or MFJ-1278

.

command in CW, RTTY and ASCII

.

Multi-Level Operation without a Special Terminal Program
If you are

Gray Level pictures to the computer screen, you may attach an Epson or IBM
graphics compatible printer to the MFJ-1278 or MFJ-1278T printer port to
receive SSTV and FAX pictures.
printer port will be in

.

gray

Multi-Level Operation with Special Terminal Program
If you are using special terminal software as described below, your MFJ-1278

can transmit and receive up to 16 gray levels in FAX and SSTV modes. The
MFJ-1278 is also capable of transmitting and receiving
COLOR FAX, provided a special terminal program is used.

using a special terminal program that allows printing of Multi-

NOT

pictures printed on the MFJ-1278

SSTV

4 gray levels

and

Page 3

pictures will be in

FAX

COLOR SSTV

2 levels of

and

MFJ-48 Upgrade Firmware Release 3.7

Special Terminal Programs

In this section we will briefly go over some of the different computers that can
be used with the Release 3.7 firmware. Firmware release 3.7 for the MFJ-1278
or MFJ-1278T will perform well with a number of different computers and
terminals. We are going to give you some brief information as to what
computers Release 3.7 will work with.

IBM

and Compatible Computers

The MFJ Advanced Starter Pack, MFJ-1289 MULTICOM, Version 3.11
terminal program for IBM and compatible computers lets you transmit and
receive Multi-Gray Level FAX and color SSTV.

If you have an earlier MFJ terminal program, MFJ-1284, MFJCOM or
MULTICOM, Version 1.4b, you can upgrade it to the new MULTICOM,
Version 3.11 terminal program by ordering the MFJ-49B for 5 1/4" disk or
MFJ-49BM for 3 1/2" disk.

Commodore

The C64/128 Starter Pack, MFJ-1282B, MULTICOM64 terminal program
supports Multi-Gray Level SSTV and FAX operation. MULTICOM64
receives and transmits in
modes.

If you have an earlier version of the MFJ C64/128 terminal program, MFJ­1282, that does not support Multi-Gray Level operation, you may contact MFJ
for upgrad e information.

Macintosh

The MFJ-1287B Starter Pack for the Macintosh computer has the MFJ
MULTICOMMAC terminal program that supports Multi-Gray Level FAX and
SSTV, along with Color SSTV ope ration. If you have an earlier versi on of
Macintosh terminal program, MFJ-1287, please contact MFJ for upgrade
information.

Amiga

The MFJ-1290 Starter Pack for the Amiga computer has the MulticomAM
terminal program and a cable. It supports 8 levels of gray in FAX and SSTV
mode.

TERMINAL PARAMETER CHANGES

The MFJ-1278 parameters,
changed from what you may have had before in a previous firmware release.

C64/C128 Computers

Computers

Computers

4 levels of gray

AWLEN

and

in both the

PARITY

and the

SSTV

default values were

FAX

Page 4

MFJ-48 Upgrade Firmware Release 3.7

Please note that the
1278 or MFJ-1278T. The
terminal programs that can be used with firmware Release 3.7. If using the
MFJ-1289, MultiCom, then the
These changes will affect the upgrade
Modem board installed in the MFJ-1278 or MFJ-1278T.

information below very carefully.

information as to how to set the terminal program, could make the difference
between a working and non-working installation.

AWLEN 8
STOPBIT 1
PARITY NONE

In previous MFJ-1278 or MFJ-1278T firmware releases, Release 2.3 and
earlier,

1278
PARITY

old MFJ-1278 firmware parameters, then you must change the AWLEN and
PARITY parameters in your terminal program to:

Failure to match your computer's terminal parameters to the newly, above
mentioned parameters will cause the MFJ-1278 or MFJ-1278 to print
"garbage" on the terminal screen or it may cause the computer to lockup.

AWLEN

firmware releasesafter Release 2.3,

to

NONE

AWLEN 8
STOPBITS 1
PARITY NONE

STOPBITS

was defaulted to 7 and

. If your terminal program parameters are set to match the

parameter can not be changed in the MFJ-

STOPBITS

STOPBITS

parameter is changeable only in some

parameter is also not changeable.
or

with

Reading and understanding the

without

PARITY

AWLEN

the Multi-Gray Level

Please read the

to

is defaulted to 8 and

EVEN

. In

all MFJ-

Page 5

MFJ-48 Upgrade Firmware Release 3.7

Optional Items Available for your MFJ-1278 or MFJ-1278T

Model No Description
MFJ-1272B TNC to Microphone switch box
MFJ-280 Monitor speaker for transmit/receiver

audio

MFJ-1292 Video digitizer for creating FAX & SSTV

pic*

MFJ-43 TNC Real time clock, keeps your 1278 on-

time

MFJ-44X External Scope Tuning Adaptor for

standard MFJ-1278
MFJ-56A 32K RAM Packet mailbox expansion board
MFJ-56B 128K RAM Packet mailbox expansion board
MFJ-56C 512K RAM Packet mailbox expansion board
MFJ-48E Special firmware with packet encryption

mode**

* Digitizer available for IBM & compatible computers only.
**This special MFJ-1278 EPROM firmware release features encrypted packet

mode. This is designed for commerical use only. Contact MFJ Enterprises,
Inc. for more detail. Above optional items are available from MFJ dealers
or directly from MFJ Enterprises, Inc.

Page 6

MFJ-48 Upgrade Firmware Release 3.7

FIRMWARE INSTALLATION

This section of this instruction manual will deal with the Installation of Release

3.7 firmware. Please follow this procedure very carefully, to ensure a proper
installation is done. This section will mainly deal with the MFJ-1278.
Installation of this firmware into an MFJ-1278 with an MFJ-56A, B, or C
installed, is not possible. This firmware upgrade cannot be used in an MFJ­1278 or MFJ-1278T, with an MFJ-56 Mailbox Memory Expansion board
installed. Remember that an MFJ-1278 or MFJ-1278T with the MFJ-56A, B,
or C installed, requires firmware Release 4.2. Please refer to Figure 1, Page 8
during the installation of this upgrade into an MFJ-1278 or MFJ-1278T.

Firmware

1. Remove all power from the MFJ-1278, that the new firmware is to be

2. Remove all external cables from the MFJ-1278, that the new firmware is

3. Remove the mounting screws on the sides of the cabinet, then remove the

4. Remove JMP5 jumper to disconnect the Lithium battery. JMP 5 is

5. Using a small flat-tipped screwdriver, carefully remove the EPROM,

6. Install the new firmware EPROM on the MFJ-1278 board at U23. Make

Installation Procedure

installed.

to be installed.

top cover.

located in the front right-hand corner of the motherboard, on either the
MFJ-1278 or MFJ-1278.

U23, from the MFJ-1278 board. Make note of the orientation, by noting
the position of the
done with the front panel facing you. The location of the
be on the left. Again DO NOT concern yourself with how the IC label is
positioned.

sure that no IC pins are bent under the IC, or that no IC pins are broken
off during the installation process. Make sure that the notch on the IC is
pointed in the
your left with the front p a nel fac ing you. Ple as e re fer to Figure 1, Page 8,
for assistance during installation. If the IC is installed wrong, damage to
the IC and the MFJ-1278 or both can result!

same direction as the old EPROM

on the IC, NOT the label on the IC. This is best

notch

NOTCH

. This should be to

will

Page 7

MFJ-48 Upgrade Firmware Release 3.7

7. Re-install the battery jumper, JMP5.

8. Replace the cover of the cabinet, and secure it with the screws removed in
step #3.

9. Apply power and connect all necessary external cables to the MFJ-1278
or MFJ-1278T. Ensure the MFJ-1278 or MFJ-1278T signs-on. If not, go
back and check for IC pins bent under the IC, or IC pins which are
broken off.

Figure 1 MFJ-1278/1278T Installation

Page 8

MFJ-48 Upgrade Firmware Release 3.7

DOCUMENTATION UPDATE

This documentation covers all firmware releases since firmware Release 3.4.
If your current firmware is Release 3.3 or older, you may purchase a new
consolidated MFJ-1278 master manual, 5th Edition, from MFJ Enterprises,
Inc. for $12.95 shipping included.

FIRMWARE RELEASE 3.7 DOCUMENTATION

The MFJ-1278 is designed to keep pace with the ever changing field of digital
communication techno lo gy. By simply cha nging the firmware, you change the
personality of the MFJ-1278 by adding new features, or improving existing
features.

The following section of this manual documents the improved features as well
as the new features, added since the last printing of the main manual supplied
with your MFJ-1278. If you do not have the latest MFJ-1278 manual, the 5th
Edition, you may purchase it from MFJ for $12.95 shipping included.

AUTOMATIC

The

ASA

firmware release 3.7.
ASCII, AMTOR Mode B and HF Packet. It will tell you the
and whether or not the signal is
MFJ-1278 to the correct mode once you accept the results of the signal
analysis by typing OK and
tuning across the amateur or the shortwave bands. Let
determine what kind of si gnals you are listening to.

ASA OPERATION

is effective in analyzing RTTY, ASCII, AMTOR FEC Mode B and HF

ASA

Packet. Once invoked, ASA only takes a few seconds to analyze the tuned-in
signal. Once the result is displayed, the user can decide whether to accept by
issuing the OK command. If the user questions the results, ASA will continue
to analyze the signal and will display the results after each cycle.

When the ASA mode is entered, the MFJ-1278 will enter the "converse" mode
automatically and display:

All the you have to do now is to tune in the signal you wish to decode. This is
done in accordance with the MFJ-1278 operations manual.

SIGNAL ANALYSIS (ASA)

utomatic Signal Analysis feature, has been greatly improved in

, or

A

can analyze received signals such as RTTY,

ASA

inverted

. As you see

<CR>

Wtg:CD,

. ASA automatically switches the

speed, data bits

is extremely helpful when

ASA

ASA

help you

Page 9

MFJ-48 Upgrade Firmware Release 3.7

Once invoked, ASA will first display the
followed by a pause. After a 5 to 10 second pause it will display the

modem
5, 6, 7 or 8

should be re-analyzed. Last it will display the setting of what it will change the
RXInvert command to (On or Off). This is what ASA will switch the MFJ­1278 to, if the user accepts its result.

The display is in the following format:

<Speed><Confidence Factor>.<Speed><Data Bits><RXInvert On/Off>

A typical result will look like this:

80 baud, 90% Confidence. 75 baud used 7 bit s, RXInv ert Off

Once the result is displayed, the user can exit ASA signal mode by pressing
any key. MFJ-1278 will return cmd: command prompt without changing the
operation mode.

If the analyzed result is acceptable, the user will simply type:

The MFJ-1278 will switch to the analyzed mode, display the mode status, enter
the "Converse" mode and proceed to receive data.

In the case of analyzing a 300 baud signal, the MFJ-1278 will prompt the user
that the signal could be PACKET. If this occurs then the user can enter the
following command from the cmd: prompt:

used to analyze the signal,

. Any data bit analysis of 6 should not be used and the signal

OK

<CR>

data bits

and then the

speed

of the signal which will be either

confidence factor

speed of

acket

OK P

MFJ-1278 will switch to 300 baud HF packet.

If the user does not issue the OK Packet command and issues just the OK
command because you know that the signal is not packet, then the MFJ-1278
will switch to 300 baud RTTY or ASCII, depending on how data bits ASA
said the signal had in it's analysis. If data bits was 5 then ASA will switch the
MFJ-1278 into RTTY mode. If the data bits were 7 ASA will switch the MFJ­1278 into ASCII mode.

<CR>

Page 10

MFJ-48 Upgrade Firmware Release 3.7

If the ASA result is a 100 baud signal, the MFJ-1278 will prompt the user that
the signal could be AMTOR. If this occurs then the user can enter the
following from the cmd: command prompt:

OK AMTOR

When the "
AMTOR mode B. Follow the AMTOR operating procedure to go to any of the
other AMTOR modes.

If the user does not issue the "OK AMTOR" command the MFJ-1278 will
switch to 100 baud RTTY.

Note that if RTTY or ASCII signals are analyzed, and the user accepted the
result (by typing OK) and the MFJ-1278 still does not copying the signal
correctly. This may due to the signal being encrypted with bit inversion. Most
of the time, two or three bits of the RTTY character may be inverted and it is
possible for all 7 bits to be inverted.

If the baud rate and the type of signal has been determined by ASA and the
MFJ-1278 still does not copy correctly, the signal may be encrypted with bit
inversion. In this case, you may want to try to use the RBitmask command to
set various inversion patterns to match the receive signal, but manual setting of
the RBitmask command is not necessary. The RBitmask command can be
invoked when the MFJ-1278 is in the RTTY or ASCII receive mode by simply
issuing the "CTRL-U" while the MFJ-1278 is in converse mode.

Once "CTRL-U" is pressed, MFJ-1278 will automatically cycle through each
of the bit combinations, and then display a sample text of each one of the
combination on the screen. Examine the list of the displayed text on the screen
and if one of the 32 sample text looks normal then make note of the
combination number next to the text. Do the following to select this
combination:

Press
with the RBIT command. For example if the combination is 12 you will type:

OK AMTOR

CTRL-C

to go into the cmd: prompt, then type the number noted above

<CR>

" command is given the MFJ-1278 will switch to

RBIT 12 <CR>

The MFJ-1278 will enter converse mode and begin to display text normally.

If another RTTY or ASCII signal from another station is received, RBIT must
be reset to copy that signal by following the same procedure as described
above. RBIT can be set to normal (no inversion) by setting it to "RBIT 0".

, then type: K followed a <CR>

Page 11

MFJ-48 Upgrade Firmware Release 3.7

Note that when using ASA, noise will have major effect o n the degree of its
effectiveness. If no signal is present while the MFJ-1278 is in ASA mode,
Wtg:CD, will display:

User will simply press the "Return" key to return to CMD: command prompt.
There is no need to type
invoked ASA is always active.

MARS

Operation

Firmware Release 3.7 provides special commands to simplify MARS
operation. These commands are

With PROfmars and MARsmode, the MFJ-1278 is more compatible with
MARS system than ever before. We have made operating MARS with the
MFJ-1278 more fun and enjoyable. The following section should be very
useful to the MARS operator.

to go back into the ASA mode, because once

ASA

PROfmars

and

MARsmode

.

Mars Operation
When

PROfmars

operations. When this command is invoked, it sets the following parameters as
specified.

Once the MFJ-1278 is profiled for MARS operations, the user must set the
MFJ-1278 into HF RTTY mode by typing:

Now the 75 specifies the speed at which the MARS operation will be run in
this case. This speed is the one which NAVY/MARINE CORPS MARS uses.
Other types of MARS may run at different speeds, so it will be necessary to
insert the proper speed for the type of MARS for which you will be running.
Once you have set your op erating mode, the user must pre ss the K key and a

in order to enter RECEIVE mode. The MARS operator is now ready to

<CR>

receive MARS traffic.

is ON, the MFJ-1278 profiles the MFJ-1278 for MARS

AUTOLF OFF
CCITT OFF
DIDDLE OFF
LFADDALT OFF
LFIGNORE OFF
MARSMODE $01
UNSHIFT OFF
RXLFNOCR ON

MODE HB,75 <CR>

Page 12

MFJ-48 Upgrade Firmware Release 3.7

The operator must then tune the VFO on the radio so the tuning indicator on
the MFJ-1278 is centered on the bar graph display. The received traffic should
be coming to the screen, in the proper MARS format.

Operation Hints for Mars Operation using Multicom for IBM
Here's a good feature of using the MFJ-1278 with the MFJ MULTICOM

software. Let us say that by the end of day and the operator has 20 pieces of
traffic, but only 10 of them need to be sent. This is where the MULTICOM
EDITOR comes in handy. You see everything which has come into the
Multicom program is saved to a COMM buffer inside the program. So, at
anytime the operator can see all traffic which has been received. The operator
can go into the EDITOR by pressing the

ALT-B

Now the operator still being in MARS receive mode, can press a
go into transmit mode.

Pressing the
EDITOR commands take and block off the pieces of traffic which needs to be
sent. After bl ocking off the tr affic, use F9 to send the traffic to the MFJ-1278
to be transmitted.

The operator will need to perform this operation for each piece of traffic to be
sent. If all pieces of traffic are all together, one right after the other then the
procedure will only need to be done once. After all the traffic is sent the
operator can go back to receive by pressing a

The
The

Minimal translation is provided by "QSO" mode. The MFJ-1278 assumes the
user is manually sending and receiving. Maximum translation is provided for
sending and storing files of MARS messages while preserving all of the
formatting information using the special MARS ASCII equivalent characters
and differs from QSO mode only because of its extra ASCII output
translations.

command fills the EDITOR with the contents of the COMM buffer.

key takes the user into the TEXT EDITOR. Using the

F10

MARsmode

MARsmode

Command

command provides two levels of MARS compatibility.

key along with an

F10

CTRL-R

ALT-B

.

. The

CTRL-T

to

Page 13

MFJ-48 Upgrade Firmware Release 3.7

SSTV OPERATION UPDATE

For those users who have the Multi-Gray Level modem board installed, the
MFJ-1278 now supports Color, 16 gray level, along with black and white
SSTV. The following SSTV formats are supported:

•

Robot B&W: 8, 12, 24, and 36 seconds.

•

Robot Color: 36 and 72 seconds.

•

Scotty Color: 1, 2

•

Martin Color: 1, 2

: To support Color or 16 gray level SSTV and operations a special

NOTE

terminal program such as the MFJ-1289 or MFJ-1289M, Multicom for
the IBM and compatible computers must be used. When using a
standard terminal program the MFJ-1278 will support SSTV in 8, 12,
24 and 36 seconds B & W Robot formats in 4 gray levels thru it's built­in printer port.

The MFJ-1278 can be set to operate SSTV both in Color and 16 gray levels by
turning the command

16Levels

If your terminal program does not support 16 gray levels, the
comman d mus t be turn ed
your terminal program to operate SSTV. If your terminal program does not
support SSTV you must follow the instructions given in the main MFJ-1278
manual to operate SSTV thru its built-in printer port.

The

TVBreak

and

RXBright

gray levels.

TVBreaks

are arranged in the format:

Sync Whit

$ss, $aa, $bb, $cc, $dd, $ee, $ff, $gg, $hh, $i

Area Gray Area Black Area

e

The default TVBreak values are:

TVB $80, $46, $47, $48, $4C, $4F, $52, $54, $59, $5C, $5E, $60, $63, $67, $69

ON and the command

8Levels

OFF.

16Levels

, and you must follow the instructions given by

OFF

commands have been updated to support the 16

$kk, $ll, $mm, $nn

i, $jj,

Page 14

MFJ-48 Upgrade Firmware Release 3.7

The

RXBright

command has been updated to support the 16 levels gray. The

new RXBright values are as follows:

0 TVB $80
1 TVB $80
2 TVB $80
3 TVB $80
4 TVB $80
5 TVB $80
6 TVB $80
7 TVB $80
8 TVB $80
9 TVB $80

$46 $47 $48 $4C $4F $52 $54 $59 $5C $5E $60 $63 $67 $69
$48 $4A $4C $4E $50 $52 $54 $56 $58 $5A $5C $5E $60 $62
$49 $4B $4D $4F $51 $53 $55 $57 $59 $5B $5D $5F $61 $63
$4A $4C $4E $50 $52 $54 $56 $58 $5A $5C $5E $60 $62 $64
$4B $4D $4F $51 $53 $55 $57 $59 $5B $5D $5F $61 $63 $65
$4C $4E $50 $52 $54 $56 $58 $5A $5C $5E $60 $62 $64 $66
$4E $50 $52 $54 $56 $58 $5A $5C $5E $60 $62 $64 $66 $68
$4F $51 $53 $55 $57 $59 $5B $5D $5F $61 $63 $65 $67 $69
$50 $52 $54 $56 $58 $5A $5C $5E $60 $62 $64 $66 $68 $6A
$59 $5B $5D $5F $61 $63 $65 $67 $69 $6B $51 $53 $55 $57

The defa ul t RXBright is 4. Remember that the higher RXBr ight value (from 1-

9) the brighter the received picture will be.

If your terminal program does not support 16 gray levels, remember to set the
command

8 Levels

on and

16 Levels

off. MFJ-1278 will automatically select

8 TVBreak values.

The PIXTONES command has been updated for 16Level SSTV and FAX use.
Below are the new default values for the PIXTONES command:

PIX $BF,$BB,$BD,$B9,$BE,$BA,$BC,$B8,$98,$A8,$88,$B0,$90,$A0,$58,$40

Pixtones command serve the same function as the values in the

TVB

reaks, but

in transmitting of SSTV and FAX pictures.

The brightness of the transmitting SSTV and FAX pictures can be adjusted by
using the PIXTONES command. The higher PIXTO NE values, the brighter
the transmitted image will become.

Page 15

MFJ-48 Upgrade Firmware Release 3.7

FAX OPERATION UPDATE

FAX operation has been updated from 8 gray levels to 16 gray levels. Color
FAX is also supported. Note that as in the case SSTV, multi-gray level and
color FAX must be supported by using a special terminal program.

If you are not using a special terminal program which supports multi-gray or
color FAX operation, you must use the MFJ-1278 built-in printer port to
receive FAX pictures. The MFJ-1278 printer port will only display FAX
pictures in 2- levels, not in color or multi-gray levels.

If you are using a special terminal program which supports multi-gray levels
and color FAX operation, you must follow the instruction given by the terminal
program to operate FAX.

To operate COLOR or 16 gray levels FAX, the commands
turned OFF and

Note that the commands which affect the brightness and color tint of the
received and transmitted pictures are the same as in the case of SSTV. These
commands are TVBreaks and RXBright for receiving and
transmitting.

16LEvels

turned ON.

8LEvels

PIXT

must be

ones for

HOST MODE
The Host Mode installed in the MFJ-1278 requires a special terminal program

to operate. Documentation for Host Mode is available on disk from MFJ upon
request.

Page 16

MFJ-48 Upgrade Firmware Release 3.7

MODEM CALIBRATION PROCEDURE UPDATE

The Modem Calibration procedure for the MFJ-1278 has been updated for
firmware Release 3.7. In Appendix B of the MFJ-1278 manual, modem
calibration procedure method I (page 2 thru page 5) should be replaced by the
following proc edure:

Method

Test equipment needed: Frequency Counter and probe.

For all modes:

1. Install jumpers on JMP4 and JMP7.

2. Place frequency counter at Pin 1 of JMP 9. Pin 1 is the top pin of JMP 9.

3. In the following procedure all frequencies must be calibrated to within +/-

4. Type:

Calibration
Install loopback for TX alignment
R139 For 700Hz..
Adjust R139 for 700Hz +/- 2Hz. Press the SPACE BAR on the
computer keyboard.

5. Adjust R138 for 1500Hz +/- 2Hz. Press the SPACE BAR.

6. Adjust R78 for 1200Hz +/- 2Hz. Press the SPACE BAR.

7. Adjust R77 for 2200Hz +/- 2Hz. Press the SPACE BAR.

8. Adjust R105 for 2295Hz +/- 2Hz. Press the SPACE BAR.

9. Adjust R106 for 2125Hz +/- 2Hz. Press the SPACE BAR.

10. Adjust R122 for 2125Hz +/- 2Hz. Press the SPACE BAR.

11. Adjust R119 for 2975Hz +/- 2Hz.

I

2 Hz.

TUNEPROC <CR>

The MFJ-1278 will respond with:

Page 17