KENTROL for WINDOWS		
				  Copyright 1991
					by
			       Brian Gilhuly  VE3BGB
				 Beta version 0.95

What It Is

Kentrol is a Windows 3 control program for Kenwood HF transceivers and
the R5000 receiver.  This version auto-detects the TS-440S, R5000, and
TS-940S, but does not support the banked memories on the 940. Interfaces 
for other models are easily possible, and will be created on demand.

What It Does

The TUNING Window tunes both VFOs and selects memory channels using a scroll 
bar interface.  You can tune any source at any time, independent of which 
you are listening to.  The tuned source can be copied to any other.
Bandspread of scroll bar can be full range, a single Megahertz, or a single 
ham or broadcast band. In a band, the SUB button automatically sets mode 
and tuning step according to frequency.  Other pushbuttons allow you to 
jump up and down a band or megahertz at a time. Jumps when SUB is selected
are to the next correct sub-band so, for example, it skips 30m in Phone 
mode.  The AutoScroll feature moves the bar along through the range you
have selected, at a selectable speed. Jump bands while autoscrolling.

Simultaneously, the ACTIVE CHANNELS Window displays the contents of your 
radio's memories so you can select any memory with a single click.
Select any combination of 1 to 100 memory channels and scan the group, 
at a selectable speed with a constantly updated display.

Automatically logs UTC date and time, frequency and mode, along with your
text up to 50 char., to a pure ASCII log file.  View and edit the log file.

Memory sets can be annotated (up to 50 char per memory), are fully editable 
and can be saved to files and loaded into the radio's memories as you wish.  
Multiple memory files can be opened simultaneously so you can copy and paste 
between them.  Or copy from the log to a memory set.  Sample memory files 
are included.

And Soon Will Do...

Support for split memories and RIT/XIT for the 440 and for the clock and
antenna functions of the R5000 will in ver 1.0 VERY soon.  A 940 version will
follow shortly.  Importing data from database file formats and DDE links to, 
for example, Excel will come later.  
The Help will be extended, then converted to the Windows Help system.

Hardware/Software Requirements

Any ibm-compatible pc with at least one serial port, running Windows 3.0.
Display resolution should be vga or better, preferably svga.  If running 
Norton Desktop for Windows, the launch list and task list should be 
disabled, or operation will be erratic.

Any Kenwood transceiver with a serial port, though the current version of
Kentrol is fully usable only with the TS-440S and the R5000 receiver.
Please note that the TS-440S, R5000 and TS-940S require that you install
two $4 ICs to enable the serial port.

A level translator to match the TTL-level serial port in the radio with
the RS232C-level port in the computer. The Kenwood IF-232C is such a
translator, but plans are readily available to build your own.  If you
build, you will need a cable to connect to the radio and even if you buy,
you will need a serial cable to your computer.

If your translator and cables don't connect the CTS and DSR lines, you
must use the Windows Control Panel to disable hardware flow control. An 
IF-232C with 8-conductor cable DOES connect them, which is preferable.

Getting Started

No installation is required, though you will probably want to add it to
a Program Manager Group in the usual way.  Just copy KENTROL.EXE,
KENTROL.LOG and the (optional) supplied *.KTM files to any directory in 
your DOS path, switch on your radio and IF-232C interface, then run Kentrol.  

The first time it is run it will ask you to specify the correct comm 
port (1-4), ask to specify the time zone offset from utc and give you the 
chance to rename the default memory file.  Then it will read your radio's 
memories into that file; all before opening the main window.  This takes a
minute or two; subsequent start-ups are almost instant.

All the program documentation is in the Help system, so you have to
be running Kentrol to read it.  READ THE HELP INDEX THE FIRST TIME
YOU RUN KENTROL for all the details, but don't worry; the Tuning window
which is in the foreground when the program starts is very easy to use.
Open the sample file BRIANS.KTM to see how annotated memories look.

Trouble?

If it doesn't connect with the radio at start-up with everything
connected and turned on; exit, switch the radio off and on, and try again.

If it hangs at start-up, it is probably a serial port conflict in 
Windows.  Although Windows 3.0 allows 4 serial ports, it only lets you USE
2 in a session.  If you use COM1, then you CAN'T use COM3 and if you use
COM4, you can't use COM2, and so on. To switch from the 1/2 set to the 3/4
set you have to exit Windows and either run a port-resetting utility or
re-boot.  Microsoft promises this stupidity will end with Windows 3.1.

Select RESET (on the Setup Menu) if the program gets out of synch 
with the radio while it's running.


Version History

1991-07-31  0.6  first beta version

1991-08-15  0.7  second beta version
                 editable annotated memory files introduced

1991-08-25  0.8  third beta version
                 UTC logging to ascii file, log edit window added
                 window captions now cua-compatible

1991-08-30  0.9	 fourth beta version
		 memory scanning added

1991-09-12 0.95  final beta version
		 autoscroll, sub-bands, copy to memory added

FEEDBACK, please

Having begun Kentrol to meet my own needs, I hope it will also be useful to 
others.  Please try it and let me know what you think.  This beta version 
is being distributed as copyrighted freeware.  A finished shareware release
will be very shortly. 

If you have comments or suggestions or just think you would be interested in
the complete shareware release, contact me by any of the means below.  
Questions and bug reports are also welcome.

73 -- VE3BGB,
      Sept 12, 1991

	Brian Gilhuly
	490 Concord Ave.
	Toronto, ON
	M6H 2P8
	Canada

	416-516-4146

	VE3BGB@VE3OY

	Compuserve ID: 73257,3131