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NEWINFO.TXT
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1993-09-18
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NEWINFO.TXT
This describes some of the latest third generation
WEFAX programs I have created. They all use the same
simple clipper interface described in September 1991 QST.
They differ from the 2nd generation in having cleaner map
and satpix rendition, easier user interface, and rela-
tively little dependence on processor speed. It is aimed
at the 286 and up IBM clone. Like all the previous pro-
grams you must activate GWBASIC from DOS and then load
the program. Or you can make a batch file like this:
wm.bat (a one line batch file)
gwbasic.exe wxmap.bas
which will start the WXMAP program from the DOS line by
just keying WM. Since there are a lot of laptops now with
a 640x480 VGA screen with 16 or more gray shades, the
satpix program, WXPIX, is configured specifically for
that. It also will work with any VGA or EGA screen and
will provide false colors with a color screen. The map
program, WXMAP, works within the 640k computer normal
operating space, but the WXPIX program requires more
memory so you must create a RAMDISK so you can access the
higher memory. This is done by adding a line to your
machine's CONFIG.SYS . For a machine with 2 mb. of memo-
ry, add:
device=c:\dos\ramdrive.sys 1024 512 64 /e
If you have 4 mb. then use:
device=c:\dos\ramdrive.sys 3072 512 64 /e
Some later versions of DOS may use a slightly different
format to form a RAMDISK, so check your DOS book.
While the earlier programs required you to POKE in
modifications to the program to adapt it to your machine,
we have simplified that by just cataloguing all the
choices in a SYSTEM CONFIGURATION list which is contained
in the last lines of the program. Typically, you LOAD the
program and LIST 1000-2000 to see this list. If you are
using the COM1 port and your RAMDISK is labelled D: it
will probably work as is. The Gross Timer number, GT, may
have to be lowered a small amount to get line SYNC. After
you have some map or satpix copy, you can then adjust the
Line Timing, LT, to exactly square the picture (if neces-
sary). After you have settled on a working configuration,
just SAVE (ie,hit F4) the program under it's same name.
Note that you can change the CONFIGURATION list without
saving it and see how it works. When you return to BASIC
the modified program is still loaded so you type F1 (ie,
LIST) 1000-2000 and make further mods and RUN (ie, hit
F2) another map again until you are satisfied. THEN you
can SAVE the new configuration.
WXMAP.BAS
This uses EASICGAB.ASM, EASIVGAB.ASM, EASIATTB.ASM,
and SAVEB.ASM machine language programs, so they all
must be in the same directory as WXMAP.BAS. This program
is hi-resolution with each line divided into 960 pixels.
Since only 640 pixels/line can be seen at a time, it has
provisions for scrolling across the map field. You can
shrink the map in CGA mode to see a larger piece. You can
SAVE the map to any designated disk for later viewing or
printing or you can print it out immediately. You can
schedule it to copy a map anytime in the next 24 hours
(sked time entered in 24 hour time) with or without
initial synchronizing. You can watch the map being re-
ceived, so adjusting the tuning for best reception is
easy. Satpix are copied with this program in only two
shades--black and white. It only uses a modest amount of
memory but has hi resolution. A suffix is automatically
added to any SAVEd file to tag which screen format it was
recorded in (VGA, CGA, etc).
SEEMAP.BAS
This uses SEEB.ASM machine language to implement.
It detects the file name suffix designator and adapts to
the format used to record the map you are trying to see.
As in WXMAP, you can scroll the map to put the starting
point for printing in the upper left corner of the screen
and hit P lightly (only once) to start printing. When you
have as much map as you want, hit any key to stop print-
ing. The printer finishes it's current 3 pass cycle
before it actually stops.
MAPSKED.BAS
This uses the same machine language programs as
WXMAP.BAS. It can be scheduled to copy up to 5 maps over
the next 24 hours, each map being automatically SAVEd to
whatever disk you specify (in Path part of File Name)
under 5 different file names. When you have time, you can
review them with SEEMAP and choose to Print the file,
retain the file or, discard the file. All times are in
24 hour format. Remember to set your computer clock on
time. Typically you set the sked turn-on time a minute or
two early and call for SYNChronizing to account for
schedule slop at the transmitting end. If you miss the
SYNC period, the next map with a SYNC period will be
copied.
WXPIX.BAS
This program uses 3VGA.ASM, VU960A.ASM, and
SAVEPIX.ASM machine language programs. It copies satpix's
and also maps in 16 shades of gray (or 16 colors). It is
960 pixel hi resolution and you can see ground features
with proper sun angles. The visual photo's have a black
sky background and the IR photos have a white sky back-
ground. In gray shades, black is hot and white is cold.
The higher the cloud, the whiter it shows on IR. You can
always hit H key to Halt copying whenever you wish. The
screen gives a rolling display of the last 480 lines
sent. After picture is first copied hit Q or V to switch
to a viewing and scrolling mode. You can position whatev-
er part of the pix you want to SAVE to the upper left
corner of the screen and SAVE all of the subsequent lines
or perhaps only one screen full (ie, 480 lines) or maybe
one screen full in the Shrink mode (960 lines). The pix
can be S(hrunk) by hitting S and then eXpanded by keying
X. Since you are generally only interested in a portion
of the picture, you can include the DATE/TIME as a file
name---for example a pix at 1230Z on May 31 might be
given file name 31MY1230. This eliminates having to store
the pix header and saves storage memory. These pix files
can be compressed also to further reduce storage memory.
While 64 shades are available in some of the previous
programs, 16 shades suffices for most purposes and uses
half the memory. Note that you can also copy MAPS in 16
shades and they will be somewhat more readable in poor
conditions than the WXMAP Black/White maps. This program
also will work on any VGA machine since 16 color 640x480
is identical on all machines. The SVGA cards are not
standardized at all.
If you copy a map with this program and want to save
it on paper instead of saving it in a file, you can
scroll the upper left corner where you want to start and
tap P to print it. Be sure your printer is turned on with
paper in it. The printed map will be the same quality as
from WXMAP. Printing can also be initiated from the
SEEPIX program below.
SEEPIX.BAS
This uses VU960A.ASM machine language program. It
has several color palettes available including grays. You
can even create your own palette. LOAD the program and
LIST 97-120 to see the #1 palette along with instructions
for changing it. If you find one you like just reSAVE
the program. This is a simple program, so LIST (then
ENTER) it and study the lines. You can find the line with
the Default file name and change it to your own RAMDISK
designator, for example.
TX16.BAS
This program transmits any 16 shade picture or map
copied with program WXPIX.BAS. It uses machine language
program TX16.ASM. Hardware connections to the transmitter
are described on the opening screen. While an inexpensive
transformer is mentioned there, any isolation transformer
will work. I actually use my fone patch as isolation and
just feed the capacitive coupled output from pins 7 and 5
of the 9-pin serial port directly into the terminals of
the patch where the fone line normally connects.
Like WXPIX.BAS, this program has a SYSTEM CONFIGURA-
TION located at lines 1000 to 2000. You just LOAD the
program and LIST 1000-2000. The values for all of the
items has already been determined in WXPIX so just trans-
fer them to this program and reSAVE it with the new
values. Be sure to get the values for LT and for GT
determined carefully in WXPIX to get perfectly vertical
pictures without any sync breaklocks.
The picture file, FILENAME.960, must be converted to
the proper format and transferred to the RAMDISK as
PIX.WX before the transmission can begin. The program
960TOTX.BAS (with associated 960TOTX.ASM) does this for
you.
CTX16.BAS
This is a combined file conversion and transmission
program. It uses both 960TOTX.ASM and TX16.ASM. It will
generally be the program to use. The separate programs
are more convenient for a single floppy drive machine
where the pix files are stored on floppies.
I have 3rd generation SVGA 64 shade WEFAX programs
now but they are included in a package that copies Color
SSTV (with the same simple clipper interface shown in
September 1991 QST) and the whole package is not yet
ready for distribution.
COMMENTS
As with the previous programs we have developed, you
can freely make copies for others to use, but ONLY if no
charge is made for the copies. This is NOT shareware, so
please do not send any money.
Have fun,
Ben--K3BC
September 18,1993