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1994-09-03
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1
TstHost version 1.37
---------------------
Features
--------
TSTHOST is a software written for TNC2 and clones with HOST
mode EPROM type TF8, TF23, TF24 etc. It is possible to use the
software with other TNCs set in KISS mode.
A TNC in KISS mode requires a serial driver (like TFPCX/TFPCR),
but don't forget to set the TNC in KISS mode BEFORE running
TSTHost.
A TNC in WA8DED Host mode requires a serial driver like
COMBIOS, MBBIOS etc. The GKJBIOS driver is an MBBIOS
compatible driver optimised for TSTHost, that detects the
special 16550A UART. For the driver configuration, run
GKBIOCFG.EXE and follow the instructions displayed on the screen.
As far as TSTHOST is written for 8 channels, you cannot use
the software with the original WA8DED or TF4 EPROMs, because
these EPROMs have only four channels. It is possible the use the
software with EPROMs that support more of 8 channels, but
only 8 are available.
TSTHOST offers 8 independent communication channels, where
every channel has a 300 lines receive buffer, circular keyboard
buffer to recall the ten previous commands, automatic text
justification, up to 8 simultaneous YAPP (with resume and
yappC options) or ASCII file transfers, up to 8 PMS channels
with RLI-type forward with a master BBS. All received data can
be saved in a disk file. Every session may have a different
callsign.
There is a separated window for monitoring, and it is possible
to capture in a file all the traffic displayed in that window.
The text entered from the keyboard is recognised as commands to
run for every COMMAND mode session, while in CONVERSATION mode is
sent to the connected station. For this reason it is not
possible to switch in conversation mode if the session is not
connected. The exception is the Monitor window, where all
keyboard data is transmitted as Unproto packets.
For every session there is a receive buffer, useful to review
all the received data. By receiving data from a channel not
actually selected, the related callsign in the status line will
blink. All unconnected channels are set by default to PMS
TSTHOST v1.37 (c) IK1GKJ 2
sessions. So, when an user connects your station, he goes into
the personal mailbox system, but if YOU connect a user the
channel is set for a normal conversation mode. Naturally, you
have a specific command to switch a PMS session into conversation
mode and vice-versa. During a PMS session, the user can read and
write messages, view the users directory, up or download programs
with the YAPP protocol. The PMS session can also run external
server programs, send a Break to other PMS users, talk the
sysop.
TSTHost automatically recognises the standard password format,
and the extended MD2 algorithm. The standard password format
accepts from one to ten letters, but normally all the
programs require five letters for the password.
Other features are the Unproto list capability and a full forward
protocol MBL-RLI or FBB COMPRESSED type, even if the the BBS
require a password for the access.
The program can also extract any 7plus code from the unproto or
pms messages, and write this code to a file, for furter
processing. TstHost support remote SERVER technique and PG program
to increase the pms command for particoular applications.
The communication in HOST-mode between the PC and the TNC has
a 3 seconds timeout. After this time, if the program does not
receive a reply from the TNC, attempts to synchronise the serial
port.
TSTHOST v1.37 (c) IK1GKJ 3
Tsthost with TNC in KISS or BAYCOM modem
----------------------------------------
You need the driver TFPCR or TFKISS for KISS mode, TFPCX for
modem BAYCOM. TFPCX version 2.10 supports both the KISS and the
BAYCOM modes.
Using a KISS-mode TNC, set the TNC in KISS mode manually or
with the appropriate command line switch of the
TFPCR/TFPCX/TFKISS driver.
TFPCX uses the IRQ 253 for the internal communications, the
other drivers uses the IRQ 254.
Load the driver
Load TSTHost with the command: TSTHOST /T /I254 (or /I253)
/T sets TSTHost to use the TFPCX/R driver, and /I254 sets
the IRQ for the driver communication.
NOTE: when started, TSTHost automatically sends the commands to
the driver: JHOST1, USERS 8, @U0
Example for TFPCR or TFKISS:
TFKISS command line parameters
TSTHOST /T /I254
Example for TFPCX:
TFPCX command line parameters
TSTHOST /T /I253
WARNING: I have noticed that TFPCR version 3.30 does not
work properly with high speed transfers over 400 cps (G3RUH 9600
baud). I don't know the reason, but version 2.10 of TFKISS and
TFPCX does not have this bug.
TSTHOST v1.37 (c) IK1GKJ 4
Tsthost with the standard HOST mode
-----------------------------------
Configure GKJBIOS or other COMBIOS drivers for the correct
serial port parameters. Load the driver in memory
Load TSTHost with the command TSTHOST /H /Cx /Bzzzz
where /H selects the software to use the standard host mode, x
is the serial port where you have connected the TNC (1..4),
zzzz is the baud rate of the port. TSTHost supports a data
transfer rate of 9600, 19200 and 38400 baud.
NOTE: when started, TSTHost automatically sends the commands to
the TNC: JHOST1, USERS 8, Z0, @U0
At the end of the program, you must remove from memory the
serial driver with the command: GKJBIOS U
For instance:
GKJBIOS
TSTHOST /H /C1 /B19200
GKJBIOS U
TSTHOST v1.37 (c) IK1GKJ 5
Tsthost with 2 or more tnc
--------------------------
You may connect two or more interfaces to the program. This
can be done with the TFPCX v2.10 driver. This driver supports up
to 8 interfaces like KISS, BAYCOM, MODEM etc. This is only a
small description, because the complete documentation of the
commands is shipped with the driver files.
Since the driver may support up to 8 port, the driver have
a command to define which channels assign to which port. The
extended host command is @PO xxxxxxxx. Each 'x' is a value between
0 and the number of installed interfaces. 0 is the first
interface, 1 the second, etc. TSTHost uses 8 channels so you must
define 8 digits.
Of course, if you use the driver for one interface only,
the @PO command is not requested, because all channels are
assigned to that interface.
Here are some examples:
1) We have two TNCs, connected to COM1 and COM2. The TNCs
are already set in KISS mode, the baud rate is 19200 baud, we
want to assign channels 1234 to the TNC on COM1, channels 5678
to the TNC on COM2.
TFPCX -PKISS1 -PKISS2 -B19200:19200 -CH8
TSTHOST /T /I253
To assign the channels type the command: PARAM 0 @PO 00001111
(This command can also be written in the tsthost.cfg file)
2) We have 2 TNC and a BAYCOM modem. The BAYCOM modem is
connected to COM1, 1200 baud; a TNC is on COM2 at 19200 bauds, the
second TNC is on COM3, IRQ10, 38400 baud. The two TNCs are
already set in KISS mode. We to want assign channels 123 to the
BAYCOM, 456 to the first TNC, and 78 to the second TNC.
TFPCX -PCOM1 -PKISS2 -PKISS3:03E8:10 -B1200:19200:9600 -CH8
TSTHOST /T /I253
To assign the channels, type the command PARAM 0 @PO 00011122
(This command can be executed from the tsthost.cfg file)
3) A TNC in KISS mode, already set in KISS mode, on COM1,
19200 baud.
TFPCX -PKISS1 -B19200 -CH8
TSTHOST /T /I253
In this case the command @PO is not requested.
TSTHOST v1.37 (c) IK1GKJ 6
Memory usage and EXPANDED memory
--------------------------------
TSTHost requires at least 450 KBytes of RAM memory to run, and
this value can drop to 210 KBytes only, by using the expanded
memory. This is automatically detected and used, if found in the
system.
The memory is dynamically allocated and released when not
anymore needed, but there are some function that require some
memory to run. For instance, the Unproto list requires about
24 KByte of RAM memory to store the message list. Also the
decoding algorithm for the messages in the Unproto list and
compressed forward requires 19 KBytes, that are released as soon
as the received message has been decoded.
The RUN command requires some more memory to get the DOS prompt,
or when any user connected to the PMS esecutes a PG or SERVER.
Usually there aren't any problem with a PC equipped with the
default 640 KBytes of RAM memory, even if the PC is not configured
to use the expanded memory.
If you have any problem using the expanded memory, you can
disable the function with the command line switch /NOEMS. For
example:
TSTHOST /H /B19200 /C1 /NOEMS
VGA mode
--------
Add the parameter /VGA to the command line, to get 43 or 50
screen lines on an EGA or VGA monitor.
Example: TSTHOST /H /B19200 /C3 /VGA
TSTHOST v1.37 (c) IK1GKJ 7
Short cut keys
--------------
ALT F1 Automatic transmission of the password.
ALT F2 Displays the MHEARD list
(depending on the driver/TNC software)
ALT F3 Enables the monitor traffic to IUSC
ALT F4 Disables the monitor traffic
ALT F5 Set monitor traffic to U
ALT F6 Like the command ULIST VIEW
ALT F10 Turn off the mail led flag.
CONTROL ESC or F10 Switches command<>conversation mode.
PAGE UP Activates review buffer, or if already active
displays the previous page.
PAGE DOWN Displays next page in review buffer
CONTROL PAGE DOWN Quit from review mode
CONTROL HOME Top of review buffer
CONTROL END Bottom of review buffer
ENTER In command mode: executes the command.
In conversation mode: transmits the text.
In both mode, if the revision buffer is active,
it will be disabled.
CURSOR UP Recalls the previous line from kbd buffer.
CURSOR DOWN Recalls the next line from the kbd buffer.
F1...F8 Switches to session 1 to 8
F9 Switches to the Monitor window
CTRL-F1..F10 User defined.
CTRL_BACKSPACE Clears from cursor to the previous word.
CTRL_LEFT Moves the cursor one word to the left
CTRL_RIGHT Moves the cursor one word to the right
HOME Moves the cursor at the beginning of the line
END Moves the cursor at the end of the line
BACKSPACE Deletes char to the left of the cursor
DELETE Deletes char under the cursor
INSERT Inserts mode toggle
ESCAPE Clears the current line
CTRL-Y Deletes the current line (internal ).
TSTHOST v1.37 (c) IK1GKJ 8
Path of the files
-----------------
There isn't a particular directory for the TstHost installation,
but you MUST create, within that directory, three subdirectories
with the names: MAIL, PG, USERS.
This can be a standard installation:
\TSTHOST <DIR>
|-PG <DIR>
|-MAIL <DIR>
|-USERS <DIR>
|-UPLOAD <DIR>
|-TSTHOST.EXE
|-TSTHOST.DOC
|-TSTHOST.PSW File for automatic password
|-TSTHOST.CFG Configuration file for the program
|-TSTHOST.ENT Input text when connect the pms
|-TSTHOST.HLP Help file for pms
|-TSTHOST.SYS Password file for pms DOS command.
|-TSTHOST.PGS List/description of the available PG server
|-TSTHOST.ULS Unproto list file, created/used by TSTHOST
|-TSTHOST.SHD Tnc configuration file when shutdown program
|-TSTHOST.IN Mail import file
|-TSTHOST.LOG created from TSTHOST if LOG=ON
|-TSTHOST.BID Bid file, managed by TSTHOST
|-TSTHOST.DMS PMS messages database, created/used by TSTHOST
|-DBFMSG.OLD Old messages database, created/used by TSTHOST
|-Files for source command (if you create source files)
Detailed description of files and directory:
PG - Server directory
You must place the PMS server in this directory. If this directory
does not exist, the PMS PG command does not work.
The next section of the manual describes the PG Server.
MAIL - Messagges directory
The bulletins/personal messages of the PMS will be stored in
this directory. If this path does not exist, the electronic mail
section of the PMS does not work properly.
TSTHOST v1.37 (c) IK1GKJ 9
USERS - Users directory
This is the directory that the users access with the W, YU
YD commands. This is the only path that can point to other
parts of your hard disk. If not otherwise specified, TSTHost
uses the path USERS from the directory where tsthost.exe is
loaded. You can specify any other drive/directory with the
USERDIR command.
UPLOAD - Users upload directory
This is the directory where will be stored any file uploaded by a
pms users with the YU command. If you do not create this
directory, the YU PMS command will not work.
WORKDIR - Standard work directory
The default value is the directory where tsthost.exe is loaded,
but you can select any other drive/directory with the WORKDIR
command. This path is used for the WRITEBUF, RECORD, SEND, YPUT,
YREC and MAILCOPY commands. With these commands, unless the
filename does not contain a specified drive and/or path, the
file will be accessed in the WORKDIR path. For instance,
by executing the command WRITEBUF TEXT, the contents of the
review buffer will be written in a file called TEXT in the
directory that you have specified with the WORKDIR command, but
WRITEBUF E:\ASC\TEXT will write the buffer into a file called
TEXT in E:\ASC. The purpose of this command is to separate the
tsthost files in capture, YAPP receive and the other files.
TSTHOST.PSW - Automatic password file
This file contains the password for those systems that require
an access password, or for the SYS command for BBS and node sysop.
The next manual section describes this aspect with more details.
If you do not need any password, or do not need an automatic
password, do not create this file. Anu line starting with the
'#' symbol is a remark and is ignored.
TSTHOST.SYS - Password file for PMS DOS command.
This file is similar to the tsthost.psw file. The user connected
to the PMS interface can run DOS commands only if his callsign
is registered in this file. The format is simple: every line
start with a callsign without SSID, a space, and the user
password not longer than 255 alphanumeric characters. For
instance:
IK1GKJ aabbcc
IK1MSL 8873mnhbkjAST
TSTHOST v1.37 (c) IK1GKJ 10
TSTHOST.CFG - Automatic configuration file
This is an ASCII text file, that contains the command
sequence for the automatic configuration. This file will be
searched by TSTHost when started and, if present, the program
executes all the commands in the file. Every line is a
command. This file can contain any TSTHost command. Any line
starting with the '#' symbol is a remark and will be ignored.
The line length MUST not exceed 78 characters.
TSTHOST.SHD - Shutdown configuration file
Like the tsthost.cfg file, this file contains the command
sequence that is executed at the program shutdown.
TSTHOST.ULS - Unproto list file
This file is created and managed by the program. When you
activate the unproto list the program reads this file, if
present, so TSTHost can handle the message list from the last
number received. When you close the list or shutdown the
system, the program saves the content of the list in this disk
file. If this file is not found or you delete it, the program
will ask to the HomeBBS the Unproto message starting from number
one.
TSTHOST.ENT - PMS connection text
This is an ASCII text file. When a remote user connects the
PMS system, TSTHost sends the content of this text file (if
found) to the user before the PMS command prompt.
WARNING: Do not use the square brackets '[' and ']' in this file,
because they are used for SID forward protocol.
TSTHOST.HLP - PMS help file
This is an ASCII text file. When the remote user connected to
the PMS issues the HELP command, TSTHost sends the content of
this file to the user, otherwise sends the message 'NO HELP' if
the file is not present on the system.
TSTHOST.PGS - PMS PG server list
Another ASCII file. It can be created by the sysop according to
his requests, because it is related to the PG section. When a
user connected to the PMS issues the command PG without
arguments, TSTHost sends the contents of this file to the user, or
the message NO PG AVAILABLE if the file does not exists. This file
can be used to list and describe the available PG server programs.
TSTHOST v1.37 (c) IK1GKJ 11
TSTHOST.BID - Bid file.
This is a very important file, and must NOT be altered or deleted.
The purpose of this file is to have a list of the received bid and
to store the number of the last bid used by tsthost. But what is a
BID? Simple, think to a bid like a word that unique identify a
message. Every time a new message will be created, from tsthost or
other bbs, a unique bid will be appended to the message, this to
avoid duplicate.
For example, assume that i forward the message XX to homebbs, the
message have bid YY. Next i use the command FA to force again the
forward of this message to homebbs. When homebbs receive the
proposal, it detect that the bid YY was already received, and
refuse the message.
The internal bid of tsthost are a sequential numbers and a string,
you callsign: 12345+IK1GKJ
(1->2->3->..65535->1->2 etc etc).
Now, if you delete or lose this file, you obtain 2 things:
1) will be lose the list of the received bid, this is a little
problem, at most, if you receive forward from more than one bbs,
is possible that you receive a duplicate message.
2) tsthost must restart the bid sequence, and this is a great
problem. For example, tsthost have created and forwarded ten
message, this messages have bid from 1 to 10. Now, if you delete
the file, tsthost must restart the sequence from 1, but since your
homebbs have already received bid 1..10, it will refuse any your
message with bid number under 11.
To avoid this problem, you can use the command NBID, to assign an
high value to the bid number. This is a emergency solution,
because assume that you know what was the last bid number used by
tstshost..... The best thing is to NOT DELETE or altered this
file. Pleas note that the NBID command must be used ONLY for
emergency situation, normally you MUST NOT usa this command.
When tsthost start, if the bid file do not exist, the program ask
for its creation (normally the first time you start tsthost).
Insert Y to create the file, (and if the file was lost do the
command NBID BID_NUMBER), or N to exist and provide a backup copy.
TSTHOST.BID a routing file of 3001 record. Every record is long 13
byte, and is the bid of the message (char[13]). The first record
is an exception, it have two unsigned integer number (ascii
format), separated by space; the first is the next internal bid
that tsthost will be use, the other is the first record to
overwrite into the tsthost.bid file.
TSTHOST v1.37 (c) IK1GKJ 12
TSTHOST.LOG - Connections log
This file will be created and managed by TSTHost when the
LOG command is ON. It contains the list of the connections
with callsign, date and time.
SOURCE files
These files are similar to the tsthost.cfg file, but will
be executed only when you type the command. This is useful
to activate specific configurations on demand. Any line starting
with the '#' symbol is considered a remark and is ignored.
TSTHOST.IN - Mail import file
This is an ASCII text file. The purpose is to allow SERVER and
PG programs to add messages to the PMS. The file
presence is tested every minute and processed, when found.
TSTHost searches in this file a sequence of SP or SB commands.
Note that you MUST use the correct syntax. When processed, a
line starting with SP or SB is searched, discarding the others. If
such line is found, the next one is considered the message title
and the others are the message text. A line starting with /EX
ends the message.
Example:
SP IK1AAA @ IK1MSL < IK1BBB
message title
message line 1
message line 2
....
/EX
SB ALL @ EU
message title
message line 1
message line 2
....
/EX
The TO field MUST be specified, the ROUTE (@) and FROM (<)
fields
are optional. If the route field is specified, the message will
be
forwarded to the HomeBBS. If the FROM field is not specified,
the
default value of the PMS callsign will be used.
NOTE: The line length MUST NOT exceed 80 characters.
TSTHOST v1.37 (c) IK1GKJ 13
TSTHOST.DMS - PMS messages database
This is a binary file, and is used by TSTHost to maintain
the messages list in the MAIL directory. Do not alterate this
file if you do not know what you are doing!. The easiest method to
destroy all messages is to delete this file, so be careful ......
This is the tsthost.dms file structure, for those
programmers interested in writing server programs:
struct dirmes {
char type; /* type of message B P */
char status; /* status of message N F K Y */
long number; /* number of message */
int da_year; /* creation date, year */
char da_day; /* day */
char da_mon; /* mounth */
unsigned char ti_min; /* creation time, minutes */
unsigned char ti_hour; /* hour */
unsigned char ti_hund; /* hundredths of seconds */
unsigned char ti_sec; /* seconds */
char to[7]; /* destination, TO field */
char route[7]; /* destination BBS, @ field */
char from[7]; /* sender, FROM field */
char title[61]; /* message title */
char frombbs; /* <> 0 if received in forward */
char startbbs[7]; /* BBS where the message started*/
char bid[13]; /* BID or MID of the message */
char rcvbbs[7]; /* BBS that have fwd the msg */
char free[4]; /* reserved */
}; /* total 128 bytes */
All char fields end with a 0 byte, according to the C default.
The message is decoded with the number field. The message is in
the MAIL directory: the filename correspond to the NUMBER
field and the extension is .MES. The filename is always 8 chars
long, right aligned by padding the remaining left positions with
ASCII '0's. For instance, if NUMBER is 4, the message
filename will be 00000004.MES
The message number is consecutive and, when the server
appends a new message, it has to read the last record from
tsthost.dms and increment the number field to obtain the new
message number.
WARNING: all fields in the dirmes structure must be always be
set; for instance, if the @ route is not requested, you MUST set
it, so *dirmes.route=0;
DO NOT ALTER THIS FILE WHILE TSTHOST IS RUNNING !
TSTHOST v1.37 (c) IK1GKJ 14
FORWARD, UNPROTO list, CHANNEL 8 and (optional) automatic
password request.
--------------------------------------------------------------
TSTHost connects the HomeBBS for forward or unproto list on
channel 8 only. If this channel is BUSY, the program waits and
retries to connect the station when this channel is free. For the
forward, the program always calls the master BBS to allow the
reverse forwarding but the unproto list is requested only if
active and there are some selected messages.
NOTE: in a multiport system (multiport TFPCX), you MUST ensure
that the channel 8 is associated to the same port of the HomeBBS.
Again, since it is possible that the program calls the station
while you are already connected to the HomeBBS on another channel,
it is suggested to set for channel8 a unique SSID (AX25 PORTCALL
command).
It is possible to ask for the forward and unproto list EVEN if
your HomeBBS requires a password to access the system. To get
this, you must set an optional field in the HOMEBBS command.
For example, if my HomeBBS IK1MSL-8 does not require a password,
the HOMEBBS command will be:
HOMEBBS IK1MSL-8
But, if my HomeBBS requires a password, and the prompt is:
PASSWORD? 11 22 33 44......
The command must be:
HOMEBBS IK1MSL-8 PASSWORD?
Of course, this prompt and the relative password must be also
set in the TSTHOST.PSW password file. Check the section
about the AUTOMATIC PASSWORD for more informations on this
matter.
TSTHOST v1.37 (c) IK1GKJ 15
FORWARD protocol
----------------
The PMS can forward with a master BBS according to the standard
MBL/RLI or FBB COMPRESSED protocol. Any BBS may connect the PMS
and forward data, but the PMS will send the message only to
the BBS defined with the HOMEBBS command.
The PMS will send to the HomeBBS all the messages that have
a specified route set ( @Field not blank), and locally created.
If a received message has been forwarded by another BBS, it
will be forwarded to the connected BBS only if the callsign
of the connected BBS is not the same of the callsign stored in
the RCVBBS field.
For personal messages, they will be forwarded only if the
addressee of the message has not read it.
In the message list, the letter 'L' near the type/status of the
message shows that this message was written locally, otherwise
the message was received by the forwarding activity.
You may always connect Home Bbs and send your mail, but to have
forward, you must be enabled from the sysop of the bbs. So contact
the sysop and ask for this feature, if you are interesting.
To do this, the sysop of Home Bbs must:
1) Create a forward file like this:
#
A IK1GKJ
P B
R
B IK1GKJ
F IK1GKJ
C C IK1GKJ
----------
#
If you also need the @AMSAT messages, the sysop must add
the G AMSAT statement after the F IK1GKJ line
2) Edit the BBS.SYS file, and add your CALLSIGN to the list
3) Edit your record and change the bbs field, now it must be set
not to bbs callsign, but to YOUR callsign. (NH command.)
This info is for fbb type bbs, i do not know how work the other
sotware.
TSTHOST v1.37 (c) IK1GKJ 16
Problem to connect for UNPROTO and FORWARD
------------------------------------------
TstHost use to call homebbs for fwd or unproto message a simple
protocol. First, will be connected the bbs, always on the channel
8, using HNode or HDigi if set, or directly. Next TstHost wait
until receive the from the BBS, the SID and/or PASSWORD request,
the order is not rilevant. But the SID must be received, (sid is
the string [FBB-5.15-ABFHM$] or similar). The program MUST receive
this string, because from the sid the program can detect the type
of protocol to use.
Now, tsthost wait for a bbs prompt. When the bbs prompt is
received, the sequence is completed, and forward or unproto list
request may started.
The bbs prompt, is a char > at the end of a line. This may do a
problem on some bbs, since many sysops have set the char > into
the welcome text on their bbs. In the normal connection this is
not a problem, but with a remote protocol yes, because if tsthost
receive this character, it think that it is the bbs prompt, and
the sequence was not corrected.
For example, if the bbs welcome text have a line line this:
HALLO MARIO, FOR HELP TYPE THE COMMAND <?>
surely you will not be able to start fwd or unproto, because the
character > at the end of the line confuse tsthost.
But, this line, HALLO MARIO, TYPE <?> TO HELP, do not do any type
of problem.
If you have this problem, you may ask to the sysop bbs to set you
like a real bbs. The bbs nevar send text to real bbs, but when
connected send only the prompt (or password request).
NOTE: If you cannot start fwd o unproto list, and cannot solve the
problem, to obtain help, please switch on channel 8, manually
start a fwd or unproto request, and when disconnected, do the
command WRITEBUF ABC. Next send me a message whit the contents of
the ABC file, so i cam examine it.
TSTHOST v1.37 (c) IK1GKJ 17
FORWARD command
---------------
* FL
This command list all messages that must be forwarded but have
not yet been sent to the HomeBBS.
* FA nbr nbr nbr (up to 10 numbers)
Add the specified messages to the forward list.
* FR nbr nbr nbr (up to 10 numbers)
Remove the specified messages from the forward list.
* FBbmode ON OFF
Enable (default) or disable the fbb compressed forward mode. This
type of forward require about 32 kbyte of memory for the
compression routine, if the program do not found enough memory to
start the compressed forward, automatically switch to the MBL/RLI
forward type.
* FTIME 0..60 minutes
Every FTIME minutes, the PMS will connect the master BBS asking
for the forward. Any value below 15 disables the function, and
the forward is performed only if the HomeBBS calls your station.
* FWD
Manual start of the forward with the HomeBBS.
* HIeraddr TEXT | OFF
Is a field of max 20 characters, used to define your hierarchical
address, for example .IPIE.ITA.EU
OFF disable the function. This field, if present, is used with
RLine command.
* RLine ON | OFF
If ON, when your PMS forward a message, your R: line will be added
to the message, if OFF no. WARNING: with RLine ON, you will be
considered exactly like a regular bbs, so, if a user use a command
SR on your mail, the return address will be YOURCALL@YOURCALL
insted of YOURCALL@YOURHOMEBBS. If @YOURCALL is not defined in the
homebbs and/or adiacent bbs inhis forward file, mail sent to you
vill nevar arrive to you, this because you are not a bbs in the
regular path. Whit off this is not a problem, because your mail
will be returned to your homebbs, and homebbs is know in the path.
But, some server have the capability to communicate one to another
trougth the RLine, and in this case, if you do not enable RLine
this type of server cannot work properly. So see you need.....
TSTHOST v1.37 (c) IK1GKJ 18
PG SERVER
---------
The PG servers are programs written to expand the capability of
the software. They MUST be placed in the directory PG, one level
below the location of tsthost.exe. As the system is inactive
while executing the PG servers, they must be small and use the
minimum machine time. The displayed image is saved during the
program execution. The server must NOT access the video RAM
directly.
The server receives the following command-line:
argv[0] Drive\path\servername;
argv[1] Callsign of the user, with ssid
argv[2] Server level, 0 the first call, up to 255 the next.
argv[3...] User-specified parameters, each word is a separated
argument.
The server data output (with printf() and putf()) is transmitted
to the user.
The server may return:
0 - The output of the server is sent to the user and returns
to the PMS prompt
1 - The output of the server is sent to the user and the server is
called again.
2 - The output of the server is executed like a PMS command, and
the user is reconnected to the PMS interface.
3 - The output of the server is executed like a PMS command, and
the server is called again.
NOTE for 2 and 3: The output must be maximum 80 chars long,
and must start at the line beginning; the line must NOT start
with a carriage return or line feed. The server must NEVER
return another PG command.
TSTHOST v1.37 (c) IK1GKJ 19
For instance, this is a very simple ECHO server that returns to
the user all he have typed, until the user types BYE:
#include <stdio.h>
#include <string.h>
main(int argc, char **argv)
{
int i,mode;
sscanf(argv[2],"%d",&mode);
if(!stricmp(argv[3],"BYE") && mode)
{
printf("\nBest 73\n");
return 0;
}
printf("\nHallo %s, you have send:\n",argv[1]);
for(i=3;i<argc;i++) printf("%s ",argv[i]);
printf("\nType BYE to end.\n");
return 1;
}
The user IK1AAA calls the server with PG ECHO AA BB.
The server returns HALLO IK1AAA, YOU HAVE SEND AA BB,
TYPE BYE TO END
the user types I AM MARIO
The server returns HALLO IK1AAA, YOU HAVE SEND I AM MARIO,
TYPE BYE TO END
the user types BYE
The server returns BEST 73, and the user will return to the PMS
prompt.
TSTHOST v1.37 (c) IK1GKJ 20
AUTOMATIC PASSWORD
------------------
The TSTHOST.PSW file contains the passwords to use with those
systems where it is requested for the access. The file format is:
STRING_TO_SEARCH PASSWORD
STRING_TO_SEARCH is the system prompt when the password is
being requested, max 50 character long with no spaces, PASSWORD
is your password, up to 255 alphanumeric characters without
spaces.
Example:
IK1MSL-8> abcdef
IW1BRX-8> 123456
IK1GKJ-8> ABCEDF
Warning: Upper and lower case are ignored in the string being
searched, but are important in the password string.
Here are some example for the BBS prompt, that can solve any
doubt, and make you write the correct tsthost.psw. In the example,
my demo password is ABCDEF
IW1BRX-8> 11 22 33 44 55 [0123.... IW1BRX-8> ABCDEF
Password? IW1BRX-8> 11 22 33 .... IW1BRX-8> ABCDEF
IW1BRX-8> Password? 11 22 33 ..... Password? ABCDEF
IW1BRX-8> Password ? 11 22 33 .... ? ABCDEF
As you have seen, the string being searched is ALWAYS the LAST
word or characters that came before the password code.
If the BBS prompt is:
Insert your password 11 22 33 44 55
and you insert in your tsthost.psw file:
Insert your password ABCDEF
TSTHost will interpret "Insert" as the string to be matched, and
"your" as your password. This is an error! The correct form in
tsthost.psw must be:
password ABCDEF
TSTHOST v1.37 (c) IK1GKJ 21
PMS INTERFACE
-------------
Every channel of the software is a PMS and a normal connection
channel at the same time. All non-connected channels are set by
default in PMS mode. This means that a remote user that connects
your station will operate in PMS mode.
But, if YOU issue the Connect command, the channel becomes a
normal conversation channel.
There is an exception to this. When the software starts, if one
or more channel in your TNC are already connected for any
reasons, they are conversation channels, not PMS. The reason is
that it is impossible to know if those channels have been
connected by us or by a remote user.
You can switch from PMS or NORMAL channel mode with the
commands TALK (from PMS to NORMAL, for example after a chat with
the remote user), and PMS (from NORMAL to PMS). You cannot
switch a session if the task is not stand-by. The PMS cannot be
executed if there is an active file transfer on the channel (YAPP,
send or capture). A TALK command has no effect if the PMS on
that channel is processing a user command.
Moreover, you cannot switch a window to conversation mode that is
already active in PMS mode. This is correct because you cannot
chat with a user, or your text will interfere with his PMS
activity. You have to switch to TALK mode before chatting.
A note about the DOS command: when the user performs the DOS
command, his callsign will be searched in the TSTHOST.SYS
file, and, if found, the system requires a password, ALWAYS
CODIFIED WITH THE MD2 SYSTEM. If the user enters the corrected
password, the system will run COMMAND.COM with the user-
specified command. NOTE that there are no controls, the DOS
access to the system is complete without restrictions, so DO NOT
RUN programs that can lock the system.
The password prompt is the PMS callsign without SSID, with _PMS>
and the password request, like:
IK1GKJ_PMS> [0123456789]
TSTHOST v1.37 (c) IK1GKJ 22
THE SERVER
----------
What is the server? The server are programs com or exe that must
be exist in the tsthost.exe directory. When a personal message
arrive to your pms interface, and tsthost detect a server (see
SERVER command), tsthost copy the contents of this message to a
file, next execute the related com or exe file and pass like
argument the name of this file. This is a standard forward file,
so the first line will contain SP SERVERNAME < IK1AAA, next line
will be the title of the messages, next to end the contents of the
messages. Server may do anything, but any return message from the
server to sender must go into the tsthost.in file. When the server
stop the execution, control return to tsthost, messaged copied
will be deleted, original message will be put into K state.
Remember that will server are running, tsthost is stopped.
KEYBOARD SCROLL LOCK LED
------------------------
When a new mail for you arrive on the pms interface, the keyboard
scroll-lock led will flash, to signal you that have some mail to
read.
To stop flashing, you MUST press ALT-F10 key or do the LM or RM
command from KEYBOARD; i have used this soluction for two reasons:
1) TSTHOST.DMS is not in memory, and scan it to see if your mail
is already read cost some time.
2) a PIRATE user may connect your pms with your callsign, read
your mail, and next kill this message. I case 1) the LED will
flash off, and you do not see that new mail was arrived. With this
system, you may note that mail is arrived, even if that mail was
killed or read.
TSTHOST v1.37 (c) IK1GKJ 23
PMS command from KEYBOARD
-------------------------
* ENdmessage filename | OFF
This command defines a file that will be automatically added at
the end of any message written with the S?/SR functions of the
PMS. If the S?/SR command already have the +FILENAME extension,
first will be added the FILENAME contents, then the ENDMESSAGE
contents.
OFF Disables this function.
If ENDMESSAGE does not have a specified path, it will be searched
in the program directory.
* R to read messages
* K to kill messages
* L to list messages
Optional parameters for commands R, L, K:
(The example is for List command, but most of them also work for
Read and Kill)
L List all messages (only LIST, not READ/KILL)
LL 50 List last 50 messages (only LIST, not READ/KILL)
L 100 List message number 100
L 100 102 150 List messages 100 102 and 150 (max 10 numbers)
L 100-150 List message from 100 to 150
L -150 List message from begin to 150
L 150- List message from 150 to end
L< CALL List all messages sent by CALL
L> CALL List all messages for CALL
L@ ROUTE List all messages for that route.
LS STRING List all messages that have STRING in the title.
LM List all my messages
NOTE: From keyboard, the sysop can access all messages, even if
the message is for someone else and if the message is Killed.
The exception is for the LM RM KM commands, that access the sysop
messages and do not access the Killed messages.
TSTHOST v1.37 (c) IK1GKJ 24
* S CALL [@ ROUTE] [+FILENAME] * SB CALL [@ ROUTE] [+FILENAME]
* SR[R] MESSAGE_NUMBER [+FILENAME] * SP CALL [@ ROUTE] [+FILENAME]
* SC MESSAGE_NUMBER CALL [@ROUTE] [+FILENAME]
The 'SP' sets the message to Personal, that means that only the
addressee can read the message. The 'SB' sets the message to
Bulletin, that means that anybody can read the message. If the
'SB' or 'SP' are not expressly specified, (the 'S' command), the
program assigns the 'P' mode for any valid CALL, otherwise the 'B'
mode.
SR automatically replies with a P-type message to the sender of
the specified message number. The title of the message will be
"Re:" and the title of the original message.
SRR work like SR, but insert in the editor a copy of the contents
of message_number
SC send a copy of the specified message number to CALL.
During those command, you cannot switch the task, but you
must terminate the message editing session. The space for the
internal editor is 200 lines. If +FILENAME exists, the content
of the specified file is appended to the end of your message. If
FILENAME has a drive/path specification, the file is read from the
selected location, otherwise it will be searched in the WORKDIR
path.
* EDit msg_nbr
Permit to edit the contents of the message number specified.
* HDigi CALL-SSID | OFF
To define a digipeater to use for connect homebbs in UL Get and
FWD command. Pratically CONN HOME VIA DIGI
* HNode CALL-SSID | OFF [PORT]
To define a node to use for connect homebbs in UL get and FWD
command. OFF disabel the NODE usage. Pratically, first will be
connected the HNODE callsign, next will be connected the homebbs.
Since is possible that the node required a specified port number
to connect HomeBbs, (ieg BPQ), PORT define the port number where
the node connect the bbs. If for example the PORT value is 2 and
Home bbs is IK1MSL-8, once connected to the node the program
issue: C 2 IK1MSL-8
NOTE: If is defined HNode and also HDigi, program will attempt to
connect HNode via HDigi, next Homebbs.
TSTHOST v1.37 (c) IK1GKJ 25
* HOmebbs CALL-SSID [PASSWORD PROMPT]
Defines the BBS where the PMS messages have to be transmitted,
those with the routing field (@) set. SSID must be specified, as
IK1MSL is different from IK1MSL-8.
PASSWORD PROMPT is an optional field used ONLY if the HomeBBS
requires a password for the system access, check the relative
section in this manual.
* HAlias CALL-SSID
To define an extra callsign that will be considered like a homebbs
when connected.
* Mailcopy message_number destination_filename [/A]
Similar to READ msg_nbr, the output will be written in a file. If
file name does not have a drive/path specification, the file will
be written in the workdir directory.
Note: with /A parameters, the message will be appended, not
overwrite destination_filename
* NBID bidnumer (1...65535)
To assign a new bid start sequence. DO NOT USE THIS COMMAND IF YOU
DO NOT KNOW WHAT YOU ARE DOING!!. Read TSTHOST.BID section before.
If you do this command without parameters, simple will be
displayed the next internal bid number.
* PMS
The current task is switched in PMS mode, for instance after a QSO
with the remote user that called you. The user returns to the PMS
prompt. You cannot switch if you have any active file transfer in
the channel (YAPP, record, send). See the TALK command.
* RIng
If ON (default), when the user does the 'T' command the Sysop is
called, otherwise the user receives a message that the Sysop is
not available.
* SAvemsg +/-TOFIELD +/-TOFIELD .... up to 20
To define up to 20 address field. Whe a message will be received
on the pms interface, if its TO field match one field in the list,
the message will be copied into a file in the WORKDIR path, with
the TO address like a name and .MSG extension.
TSTHOST v1.37 (c) IK1GKJ 26
* SERver +/-SERVERNAME +/-SERVERNAME .... up to 20
To define up to 20 server program that will be executed when
arrive a personal message addressed to SERVERNAME@YOURPMS.
+ ADD server, - REMOVE server from list. Do not specify extension
or path to the server statement, only the filename, and the
executable file must be located into the TSTHOST.EXE directory.
* TALK
The current task is switched to the normal conversation mode,
for example when the remote user TALKs the sysop (see PMS). You
cannot switch if the PMS is not in stand-by status.
* Timeout minutes
Specify the time after, without activity on the channel, i will
be automatically disconnected. Time is between 0 and 60 minutes; 0
(default) disables the timeout function.
* UPdatedms pday bday
When a message is killed, the file is not deleted from the disk
but the status flag becomes 'K'. This command allows the deletion
from the system of those messages that are killed, status 'K', and
the PERSONAL messages that have been already read, status
'Y', or forwarded, status 'F'.
PDAY is the number of days (from creation) that a PERSONAL type
message can exist in the system, BDAY is for BULLETIN type
messages. When a message is older than this number of days, it
will be deleted from the system, without checking the status flag.
Please note that you cannot run this command if any user is
connected to the PMS interface.
For example, to erase all private messages after 10 days, and
bulletin messages after 4 days:
UP 10 4
* USerdir [path]
Sets the directory for the users connected to the PMS interface.
The default path is a subdirectory within the one that contains
tsthost.exe, but you can change to a new path with this command.
Note that TSTHOST does not CREATE the directory, the path MUST
EXIST.
TSTHOST v1.37 (c) IK1GKJ 27
PMS commands for remote users
-----------------------------
NOTE: ANY COMMAND, BEFORE TO BE DECLARED UNKNOWN, WELL BE SEARCHED
LIKE A PG, THIS PERMIT TO EXPAND THE PMS COMMAND WITH PG PROGRAMS
WRITTEN FOR PARTICULAR FUNCTION.
* R to read messages
* K to kill messages
* L to list messages
The valid parameters for the R, L, K commands are listed in the
following table (the examples are for the List command) :
L List all messages (only LIST, not READ/KILL)
LL 50 List last 50 message (only LIST, not READ/KILL)
L 100 List message number 100
L 100 102 150 List messages 100 102 and 150 (max 10 number)
L 100-150 List message from 100 to 150
L -150 List message up to number 150
L 150- List message from number 150 on
L< CALL List all messages sent by CALL
L> CALL List all messages for CALL
L@ ROUTE List all messages for that route.
LS STRING List all messages that have STRING in the title.
LM List all my messages
NOTE: Any users have access to all bulletin and personal
messages addressed to his callsign or that he have sent. Killed
messages will never be listed.
* B
Disconnects the system.
* DOS DOS_COMMAND
If enabled, TSTHost executes the specified DOS command after the
password request.
TSTHOST v1.37 (c) IK1GKJ 28
* PG [[NAMESERVER] SERVER PARAMETERS]
If called without arguments, the program sends to the user the
contents of the file TSTHOST.PGS, if exist, otherwise sends NO
PG AVAILABLE. In this way it is possible for the sysop to have
some PG servers not declared. A user will not execute the servers
but the sysop, or a restricted group of users, can easily
activate these extra services.
If the server name parameter is specified, the program executes
the specified server. The output of the server is sent back to
the user.
* S CALL [@ROUTE] * SB CALL [@ROUTE] * SR MSG_NBR
* SP CALL [@ROUTE] * SC MSG_NBR CALL [@ROUTE]
Stores a message into the PMS. SB is for bulletin messages, SP
for personal mail. The field @ROUTE is optional. If specified,
the message will be forwarded to the specified HomeBBS. If the P
or B types are not expressly specified, the program automatically
assignes the P type for any valid CALL, otherwise the B type.
SR replies a P-type message to the sender of a specific message.
SC send a copy of message number # to call.
To terminate the message editing, send CTRL-Z or /EX in the first
text column.
* T
Calls the sysop. The program displays a video message to notify
the sysop the user request. If CBELL is ON the programs sounds
the speaker, together with the message.
* U
List the users connected to the PMS interface.
NOTE: Only the stations connected to the PMS are listed. Channels
not in PMS-mode are not listed.
* V FILENAME
Display to the users the contents of an ascii file.
* YD FILENAME
Sends to the user the specified file using YAPP protocol. The
file must be in the USERS (USERDIR command) directory or its
subdirectories.
TSTHOST v1.37 (c) IK1GKJ 29
* YU FILENAME
TSTHost receives a file from the user, with the YAPP protocol.
The Resume option is always enabled, so if the transfer stops for
any reason, the user can reconnect the system and restart the file
transfer from the point where he was arrived. The file will be
put in the USERS\UPLOAD directory.
* W [PATH]
Display the contents of the USERDIR directory.
* ?
Sends to the user the contents of the TSTHOST.HLP file. If this
file do not exist, the user receives the message NO HELP
AVAILABLE.
* @ CALL TEXT
Interrupts the user CALL, that must be connected to the PMS
interface, by notifying the TEXT message.
TSTHOST v1.37 (c) IK1GKJ 30
UNPROTO LIST
------------
When a FBB BBS receives a new message, emits a special Unproto
frame with the message description. Also, it is possible to get
the BBS message list without connecting the system.
With those features, a user with the PC active all the day can
receive and maintain the list of the messages present on the BBS.
It is not needed to connect the BBS to get the message list, too.
To use this feature you must be enabled on the BBS system so, if
you need the Unproto list, contact the Sysop.
Even if you are not enabled, the program can create a list by
intercepting the Unproto messages, but cannot resyncronize with
the BBS system if a packet is lost.
NOTE: to use the unproto list, monitor channel must be open for
the Unproto frames, letter U. AX MON U, AX MON US, AX MON UC,
AX MON USC are correct, some other modes without the 'U' aren't !
The Unproto list can save in memory up to 300 message headers. The
older messages are then discarded to leave the space for new ones.
The Unproto list feature requires 24 KBytes of RAM.
The HOmebbs command sets the BBS from which the Unproto list is
accepted. You must specify the callsign SSID, because IK1GKJ is
different from IK1GKJ-8.
You can set up to 20 fields that are automatically selected when
received, like is possible to set up to 20 fields that will not be
inserted in the list. The list can be obtained without user
operations, or by issuing a special command (please read the
section about channel 8 on the manual), even if the BBS requires
an access password. Unproto list is transferred with the
compressed FBB protocol. This protocol requires about 19K of RAM
for the message decoding.
The files are then saved in the WORKDIR directory, where the
filename is the TO field and with the .MSG extension, or put into
the PMS interface, see the UL INTERFACE command.
TSTHOST v1.37 (c) IK1GKJ 31
IMPORTANT NOTE
Some programs allow the use of unproto frames with the poll bit
set, that is not a problem for the Unproto list. However, in
certain conditions, this can become a problem.
For instance, you are connected to your HomeBBS on channel 1.
TSTHost emits a Sync Unproto frame towards your HomeBBS, for
the Unproto list. The HomeBBS, when receives the Unproto frame
with the poll bit set, returns you a DM frame. This is correct
since your monitor channel is not connected.
But your AX25 interface receives the DM frame , and then it is
redirected to the channel 1 where you are connected, to disconnect
the link. In this case you are disconnected by your TNC, while
for the BBS you are still connected.
To avoid this problem, TSTHost starts by sending the @U0 command
to disable the poll bit in unproto frames. Maybe some Eproms or
Driver do not recognise the command (as far as I know, only TFPCR
v2.10) and if the Eprom/Driver starts with the poll bit set you
cannot fix the problem so you'll be randomly disconnected by the
system.
TSTHOST v1.37 (c) IK1GKJ 32
UList Subcommands
-----------------
Use these commands after the ULIST prefix, for instance:
ULIST QUERY 122
* Autoselect +/-TO_Field
Automatic selection of the messages in the Unproto list according
to the desired TO_Fields (up to 20). For instance, to select the
ALL, DX and NEWS fields the command is:
UL A +ALL +DX +NEWS
Then, to add the KWD field and remove the ALL field:
UL A +KWD -ALL
UL A without parameters displays the autoselect list.
* Disable
Disables the Unproto list. The Unproto frames are not decoded to
the list. The list is saved in the TSTHOST.ULS file in the TSTHost
default directory. The memory used for the list is released.
* Enable
Activates the Unproto list. The previous list is loaded from disk
(TSTHOST.ULS), then any new message is added to the list.
Being enabled by the HomeBBS, a missing message activates a synch
request so to keep the list always updated.
* Get
Connects the HomeBBS to receive the selected messages.
* Interface File (default) | Pms
To determine if the received unproto message will be saved to a
disk file or conneted to the pms interface.
* List
To display the unproto messages selected and not yet received.
* Not +/-TO_Field
Work exactly like Autoselect, but the fields set into this list
will not be inserted in your unproto list.
TSTHOST v1.37 (c) IK1GKJ 33
*Pmsg ON | OFF
If OFF, only personal mail addresses to your callsign will be
added to the unproto list, other P mail will be discarded. If ON
all P mail will be added to the unproto list.
* Query [msg_nbr]
Manual request to the BBS to send a list from the specified
message number. This command should not be needed, since the
program is always automatically synchronised. If msg_nbr is not
specified, automatically the program ask for the last received
message in the list. NOTE: if a manual or automatic QUERY will not
receive an answer, after 1,5 minuts the program will ask again.
* Time 0..60 minutes
This command sets the time interval, in minutes, for the
automatic connection. If there is any message selected, TSTHost
connects the HomeBBS for the message request. Any value below 15
min. disables this feature.
* View
Displays in a window the message list. Use the standard cursor
keys to scroll the list, INSert to select/deselect a message,
ESCape or RETURN to close the window.
TSTHOST v1.37 (c) IK1GKJ 34
TSTHost commands description
----------------------------
The uppercase letters are the minimum command abbreviation for the
command recognition. Facultative parameters are shown in square
brackets, while mutually exclusive options are separated by |.
Send,Delete,Dir,Yput,View parameter window
------------------------------------------
If the parameters for the SEND, DELETE and DIR commands have not
been specified, the program activates a request window on the
screen showing the files contained in the WORKDIR directory.
Select the desired file with the ENTER key, by moving the
selection bar with the cursor keys. To log to another drive,
press the TAB key and type the corresponding letter. The ESCape
key aborts the request. The ENTER key has no effect in the DIR
window.
* 7PCopy ON | OFF
If ON, any message arrived in your pms, or with unproto list, that
have any valid 7plus code, will be copied into the file 7PDATA.FWD
in the WORKDIR path. This file is in the standard MBL-RLI-FBB
forward-export mode, and may be processed from server or prigram
that recognize this format, or directly from 7plus etc......
* AUtoyapp [on|off]
When activated, TSTHost starts automatically the YAPP protocol
when the init protocol code is received from the connected
station, otherwise you have to start the file download with the
YREC command. The file is saved in the WORKDIR directory.
* AX25 subcommand command
TNC setup command, read the description further on.
* Bell [on|off]
If OFF, disables the PC-speaker beep when a CTRL-G is received.
* CBell [on|off]
When activated, the program will emit an acoustic signal for any
connection and disconnection.
* CLS
Clears the receive screen for the active channel.
TSTHOST v1.37 (c) IK1GKJ 35
* CLRbuf
Clears the receive buffer for the active channel.
* COLor process_number color_number
Selects the color for the screen display. Read the help text by
issuing this command without parameters.
* Connect callsign [v digipeater digipeater]
Connect the specified callsign. If the command is executed in the
monitor windows or in an already connected channel, the
program will attempt to connect the callsign on the first
available channel
* COPy source destination
Copies the source file in the destination name. If a path name is
not specified, the default directory is the WORKDIR. Wildcards are
not allowed, and you cannot overwrite an existing file.
* CRon filename | OFF
OFF disable the function, otherwise every hour tsthost will
execute the specified file. This file for default will be searched
in tsthost.exe directory, if in the filename is not present a
specified drive or path. The file may be EXE, COM or BAT. Tsthost
always attempt to trapping the output of the program , but for a
batch file, is possible trap the output of the bat but not the
output of the program called by the batch file. To do this, you
must redirect to a file or NUL device any program called from the
batch file. This is not a problem, even the program write to the
screen while executed, when return to tsthost anything will be
restored. Example of good .bat file:
@ECHO OFF
DOTHIS1 > NUL
DOTHIS2 /a /b >NUL
.....
* DElete [filename]
Deletes the file. If no drive/path is specified, the default
directory is the WORKDIR path. Wildcards are not allowed. If the
filename is not specified, TSTHost provides a screen window for
the selection.
TSTHOST v1.37 (c) IK1GKJ 36
* DIR
Directory display in the screen window. The directory start from
the WORKDIR directory.
* DISconnect
Disconnects the station.
* ECho [on|off]
If enable, the text entered from the keyboard is also written in
the receive window, in the receive buffer and (if active) in the
capture file.
* EXIT
Quit from program. No connected channel is disconnected.
* FUnction function_key [command.....]
It is possible to define ten commands (up to 80 characters
long) that will be executed by depressing the keys CTRL + F1/F10.
Issue the command with the function key number to display the
current assignment. For instance, FU 1 CON IK1MSL-8 assignes to
CTRL-F1 the connect command to IK1MSL-8
* Help or ?
Displays a command list.
* LOg [on|off]
Enables/disables the connection record log, saved in the file
TSTHOST.LOG in the program directory. Every line in the file
contains the callsign, time and date for any connection and
disconnection. To avoid that this file grows too much, it is
suggested to move and rename the file in another directory
for further storage every month.
NOTE: the file data is valid only if connections and
disconnections happen while the programs are active (including
the shell command RUN). If the program starts while the TNC is
already connected, the missing data are logged in the file as
question marks (??).
TSTHOST v1.37 (c) IK1GKJ 37
* PARam channel text
Use this command with care, only if you know very well the
WA8DED host mode software. This command set a specific value for a
channel or an extended command not included in the AX25
subcommands using the host mode commands, and the data is not
checked by TSTHost. It is used for particular settings or non-
standard Eproms. The user is responsible for any data sent to
the host interface. The global communication channel is number
0, the others from 1 to 8 correspond to the eight task
windows. Notice that data written on channel 0 is stored as the
default, while those written on the other channels are used
until the next disconnection on the channel and return to the
channel 0 default value.
* PASsword
Automatic transmission of the requested password. Support the
standard request and the MD2 algorithm. It is also possible to
send the password with the ALT_F1 key.
* RECord filename | off
Captures to a disk file the task activity. The file logging stops
with the OFF filename or with the task disconnection. The status
line displays the disk file size and not the received bytes
number because logging to an existing file appends data to the
end of the file without deleting the previous text.
To send the data to the printer, instead of the disk file, RECord
to a DOS device name (LPT1 PRN etc); REC OFF disables the printer.
It is not suggested to print a heavy and fast traffic on a slow
printer, as this can slow down the whole system. This command is
not active in a PMS session.
* REName old_name new_name
Change the name for the specified file. Wildcards are not allowed.
The default directory is WORKDIR. It is possible to move a file
in the same disk to a different directory by specifying the new
path. For instance:
REN pippo.txt pluto.txt
The file pippo.txt becomes pluto.txt
The file remains in the default directory.
REN e:\bin\utils\vp.exe e:\bin\vp.exe
moves the file vp.exe from the path e:\bin\utils into
e:\bin
TSTHOST v1.37 (c) IK1GKJ 38
* RUn [filename]
Executes the Filename DOS program. If the program name is not
specified, the command interpreter (COMMAND.COM) is run until the
EXIT command, that returns to TSTHost. The TSTHost activity
is suspended while executing DOS programs.
* SEnd [filename | OFF]
Sends the specified file to the connected station. OFF closes the
file, or it is closed at the end of the file or when the task is
disconnected. The file must contain ASCII text and not binary
data, and the SEnd command cannot be issued in a PMS session. The
status line counter displays the number of bytes sent to the
TNC, so the file can be closed when the TNC still have data in
the buffer to be transmitted. If the filename is not
specified, a selection window is displayed on the screen.
* SOurce filename
Executes a command file. The file contains the commands in the
same form as for the keyboard. Each line (up to 80
characters) must contain a command. The source file is searched
ONLY in the program directory.
* TNCDelay X Y
This command set some program timings, that you shouldn't need
to change. The values are expressed in 18th of second and the
range is from 3 to 255, that correspond to 2 tenth and 14 seconds.
The X parameter is the maximum delay for the TNC reply. If the
TNC does not reply to TSTHost in the specific time, the
program retries to synchronise the serial port. The Y parameter is
the speed for the serial port synchronisation.
If your Y parameter is too high, you can go to have a coffee
while the program resynchronises! You must increase X to fix
frequent timeouts, and Y if the program cannot resync the serial
port.
To display the current values of the timings, issue the
command without parameters.
* UList subcommand command
Command for FBB Unproto list, read the specific section in
this manual.
TSTHOST v1.37 (c) IK1GKJ 39
* View [filename]
Display the contents of an ascii file, predefined path is WORKDIR.
If you do not provide a filename, a selection is made in window
mode.
* WOrkdir [path]
Set the default work path for TSTHost. Usually, it corresponds to
the directory where the program is stored. When a filename does
not have a drive/directory path, it will be searched in the
WOrkdir directory.
* WRitebuf filename
Writes the contents of the receive buffer in an ASCII disk file.
If the filename does not have a drive/directory path specified, it
is saved in the WOrkdir directory.
* YABort
Starts the procedure to interrupt the YAPP transfer protocol.
The interruption is not immediate because the terminal station
must empty his buffer before accepting the command. To
perform an immediate abort, type this command TWICE.
* YAPpc [on|off]
Enables/disables the YAPPC protocol version. You cannot change
this option if there is any YAPP file transfer active.
* YRec filename
YAPP receive protocol manual start. If Autoyapp is on, this
command is not requested. If Autoyapp is off, you must execute
this command just after having received by the connected station
the Init YAPP transmit code. If the filename does not have a
drive/directory path specified, it will be saved in the WOrkdir
directory. This command is not active in a PMS session.
* YPut [filename]
Start the YAPP transmit protocol. If a drive/directory path is
not specified, the file is taken from the WOrkdir directory.
This command is not active in a PMS session. If the filename
parameter is not specified, the program activates a select window.
TSTHOST v1.37 (c) IK1GKJ 40
AX25 Subcommands
----------------
These parameters must follow the AX25 command, for instance
AX25 MONITOR N. The TNC manual reports more informations about
these commands.
* AX25l2v2 [On|Off]
Enables the level 2 of the Ax25 protocol.
* Beacon [0-60] [Beacon Text | <Beacon file]
Set the beacon text. The time value is expressed in minutes,
and any value below 5 disables the beacon. If the first
character of the beacon text is '<', then the others are the
text filename. If no drive/directory is specified, then the file
will be searched in the TSTHOST.EXE directory.
Example for text beacon: AX BE 30 ST. IK1GKJ * IJ45IK
Example for file beacon: AX BE 30 <F:\UTILS\BEACON.TXT
* Check [0..65535]
After this time, if was not detect traffic on the channel, the
program test the integrity of the link. In 10ms.
* CLock ON | OFF | SET
The SET parameter sets the current time/date on the TNC.
ON enables the time/date display in the monitor window and in the
status messages, OFF disables this time/date display. NOTE: Not
all TNC EPROMs accept this command; it works fine on TF24 and
TF26.
* Digipeat [On|Off]
Enables/disables the digipeating capability of the TNC.
* FRack [1..65535]
Pause (if ACK has not been received) for the TNC before sending
the data packet again. This value can be from 1 to 15 seconds.
Some TNC EPROMs accept valid data from 16 to 65535, expressed
in 1/33 of second.
* FUllduplex [On|Off]
Enables/disables the full duplex transmission of the TNC.
TSTHOST v1.37 (c) IK1GKJ 41
* MAxframe [1..7]
Max number of data packets to transmit before waiting for ACK.
* MHeard [ON | OFF | CLR 3..18]
Without parameters, displays the list of the received stations.
CLR clears the list.
ON enables the list automatic update.
OFF disables the list automatic update.
The list size, set by CLR, must be a value between 3 and 18.
Warning: This command has been tested with EPROMs TF24 and TF26,
but not any EPROM accept this command.
* MYcall callsign
Set my callsign.
* MOnitor [NIUSC] [+- callsign callsign...]
N disable
I display I Frames
U display UI frames
S display Supervisory frames
C display Connections frames
+ Include max. 8 callsign
- Exclude max. 8 callsign
* PAclen [80..250]
Byte size of the transmitted packet.
* PErsist [0..255]
Transmit chance. When the TNC must transmit data, it generates
a random number between 0 and 255. If the number is higher than
the PErsist value it can transmit, otherwise the TNC must wait
for SLottime time before generating a new number.
* POrtcall [channel 1..8] [call|OFF]
This command assigns a different SSID or callsign for every
channel. The command without parameters displays the list of
those channels with a callsign different from the AX25 mycall
value. OFF sets the channel to use the callsign-ssid set by
the AX25 mycall command.
TSTHOST v1.37 (c) IK1GKJ 42
To activate the default callsign, use the OFF parameter. Note:
a channel with a particular callsign will not change even by
changing the global callsign. To disable the extended callsign use
OFF. This command has effect, for a connected channel, only
after the disconnection
Example: AX25 MYCALL IK1GKJ AX25 PORTCALL 2 IK1GKJ-2
* PTt [ON | OFF]
Enables/disables the TNC PTT line. The software works correctly,
but, while in the OFF state, the TNC does not activate the PTT
line.
* RESptime [0..65535]
Wait time before ACKing an incoming packet, in 10ms.
* RETry [0..127]
Retry number before failure and station disconnection. 0 stands
for forever.
* Slottime [0..127]
See PErsist, in 10ms.
* Txdelay [0..127]
Delay before data transmission after the PTT line activation,
in 10ms.
* UNproto [text]
Unproto text and route where the Unproto messages are addressed.
* USers [0..8]
Max number of incoming connections.
* Validcall [On|Off]
Enables/disables the valid callsign control.
TSTHOST v1.37 (c) IK1GKJ 43
THE STATUS LINE
---------------
From the bottom to the top of the screen:
The last screen line displays the channel status, the number of
bytes transmitted for send file, the disk file size for incoming
text capture. Only the TNC status and the number of free buffers
are displayed for Monitor and Unconnected channels.
* FR is the number of free buffers in the TNC (or TFPCX/R driver).
Every buffer contains 32 bytes. This values helps detecting if the
TNC is collapsing, as the Host software disables the monitor
if this value is under 256. The TNC collapses when the FR is
around 128. Among the various reasons, check the high speed
traffic and slow serial connection baud rate, the monitor
active with multiconnection, etc. The free buffers value is
global and not referred to a single channel.
* BF is the number of packet in the TNC queue to be transmitted
for the channel. TSTHost has a ten buffers queue. If the FR value
drops below 300, the queue is reduced to 5, and if FR goes below
210 then the queue is reduced to 2.
This function does not interfere with the MAXFRAME 7 parameter,
since the correct number of packets is BUF+UNACK.
* UN is the number of packets transmitted still to be confirmed.
This value depends on AX25 maxframe.
* RE is the time of the TNC attempts to transmit the unack data
without receiving ACK from the other station. After AX25
retry value, the station will be disconnected.
* US is the amount of memory used by the system
* OK is the free memory in the system
* TX is displayed only by sending a file. This value is the number
of bytes read from the file and transferred intothe TNC. When the
file transfer terminates on the PC side, it can still continue
because of the TNC buffer.
* RX is displayed only when the RECORD command is active, and this
value corresponds to the disk file size.
Next line up on the screen displays the TSTHost status: CONV for
conversation mode (typed data is sent to the other station),
CMD for command mode (enter commands for TSTHost to be
interpreted). On the right side there is the current channel
number and the callsign and duration of the active connection.
TSTHOST v1.37 (c) IK1GKJ 44
Then there is the program version. REVIEW indicates that the
revision buffer is activated (PageUp key); PMS for the channel
set in a PMS session (default) or active in a PMS session.
Above these lines, there is a line containing the callsign for
each connected channel, from 1 to 8. If there is new data that you
have not yet read from a channel, TSTHost will flash the callsign.
Another line is for the YAPP transfer status line, active only if
the channel is running a YAPP file transfer.
PROBLEMS
--------
Please report any kind of problem or defect with a message
to
IK1GKJ@IK1MSL, reporting:
- Defect type.
- Which operation you have done when you have noticed the defect.
- PC model and configuration
- Memory driver (EMM, QEMM etc.)
- PC Operating system version.
- (If possible) the TSR programs loaded in memory.
- TNC model and driver type
Thanks.
TSTHOST v1.37 (c) IK1GKJ 45
Features ........................................................1
Tsthost with TNC in KISS or BAYCOM modem ........................3
Tsthost with the standard HOST mode .............................4
Tsthost with 2 or more tnc ......................................5
Memory usage and EXPANDED memory ................................6
VGA mode ........................................................6
Short cut keys ..................................................7
Path of the files ...............................................8
PG - Server directory ........................................8
MAIL - Messagges directory ...................................8
USERS - Users directory ......................................9
UPLOAD - Users upload directory ..............................9
WORKDIR - Standard work directory ............................9
TSTHOST.PSW - Automatic password file ........................9
TSTHOST.SYS - Password file for PMS DOS command. .............9
TSTHOST.CFG - Automatic configuration file ..................10
TSTHOST.SHD - Shutdown configuration file ...................10
TSTHOST.ULS - Unproto list file .............................10
TSTHOST.ENT - PMS connection text ...........................10
TSTHOST.HLP - PMS help file .................................10
TSTHOST.PGS - PMS PG server list ............................10
TSTHOST.BID - Bid file. .....................................11
TSTHOST.LOG - Connections log ...............................12
SOURCE files ................................................12
TSTHOST.IN - Mail import file ...............................12
TSTHOST.DMS - PMS messages database .........................13
FORWARD, UNPROTO list, CHANNEL 8 and (optional) automatic
password request. .......................................14
FORWARD protocol ............................................15
Problem to connect for UNPROTO and FORWARD ..................16
FORWARD command ................................................17
PG SERVER ......................................................18
AUTOMATIC PASSWORD .............................................20
PMS INTERFACE ..................................................21
THE SERVER ..................................................22
KEYBOARD SCROLL LOCK LED ....................................22
PMS command from KEYBOARD ...................................23
PMS commands for remote users ...............................27
UNPROTO LIST ...................................................30
IMPORTANT NOTE ..............................................31
UList Subcommands ...........................................32
TSTHost commands description ...................................34
Send,Delete,Dir,Yput,View parameter window ..................34
AX25 Subcommands ............................................40
THE STATUS LINE ................................................43