HAM Radio 1/HamRadio.cdr/misc/goldtd/demo.doc

Text File | 1991-01-16 | 14KB | 341 lines

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**  **  **  **||  Packet GOLD 1.2 Test Drive Cmd Reference ||** ** ** ** ** **
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Quick Start:

  1.  Be sure you know which serial port is attached to your TNC.

  2.  Serial Cable must include hardware handshaking lines (standard
      cable, or be sure to wire pins 2,3,4,5,6,7,20).

  3.  Turn on the TNC.

  4.  If this is the FIRST time you've run the Test Drive version:

      Please turn down volume on the radio until program starts.
      The program will attempt to "talk" to the TNC without
      resetting it. Extra received frames heard during this startup
      phase may delay startup.

      Note: This is not required after the first time running the
      program, and may not be necessary if the channel is fairly quiet.

  5.  Type     PKTDEMO [Enter]     to startup the program.

      The program will not RESET the tnc unless it has no other way
      to establish communication.  Therefore, it MAY take some time
      to initially startup. One the TBAUD rate (Computer to TNC rate)
      is set, the program turns on HOST mode and commences to load
      the parameters found in STARTUP.TNC.  You will see the parameters
      being set as the TNC is configured.

      If the startup FAILS, try turning off the TNC, and turning it
      back on again. Then rerun the program.  You will see the LEDs
      change state if the configuration is proceeding.

  6.  Set the radio volume and squelch (if appropriate) according to
      the instructions in your AEA manual.  The objective is to have
      the DCD (Data Carrier Detect) LED (Light Emitting Diode) "track"
      the presence of a decodeable signal present at the receiver.

      For FM, VHF operation, setup your radio volume with the squelch
      OPEN, until the DCD LED is lit (if your TNC has true carrier detect,
      you will run with open squelch at all times).  Then turn the
      squelch up until the DCD light is extinguished.

      The Threshold control on the PK232 is used to adjust the TNC
      to follow the presence of signal. Turn it up until the DCD light
      is ON, then turn it down until the DCD goes off with no signal
      present.

      BAUD RATES: To change TBAUD (the baud rate between the TNC and
      the computer) use [Alt-S] to enter the setup area, then choose
      SETUP from the menu, then COMMUNICATIONS.  Pick your new baud
      rate.  It will NOT take effect until you shut down the program
      and rerun it.  Note: Changing baud rates RESETS the tnc, but
      once a baud rate is selected, it is hardly ever changed. Use
      4800, 9600 or if you have a new PK88, 19200. Slower rates are
      discouraged.



                      Once the program is running

Connecting:

  1.  Type the callsign of the "target" station on the command entry line.
      Don't type "C CALLSIGN" just type the callsign by itself.

  2.  Push the connect key, [F7]

  3.  When connected, enter the remote station operator's name using
      the [Alt-N] key. Now, each time you connect to that station, the
      operator's name will appear.

  4.  After you have tried a few connects, use the Setup [Alt-S] menu
      to add a "quick connect" name and path.  Enter a few of the
      names and paths of stations you might call routinely.  Then
      leave this submenu, return to the main program, and depress
      the connect key [F7], highlight a "quick connect" and hit
      the [Enter] key.

Advanced NET/ROM connect:

  1.  Type NODE_ALIAS | NEXT_NODE_ALIAS |  etc. etc. | DESTINATION_CALLSIGN

  2.  Hit the connect key [F7].  Program will establish a connect to each
      NET/ROM type node and continue until final DESTination callsign is
      reached.

      Note: Some nodes (KAnodes for example) aren't really NET/ROM
      type nodes. They will not allow connecting to an ALIAS-ssid as will
      NET/ROM.  A true NET/ROM or clone will permit multiple connects to
      the node ALIAS using SSID's.  For example, the BGBEAR node (a real
      NET/ROM node) will allow you to connect to:

          BGBEAR-1, BGBEAR-2, .... BGBEAR-15.

      With Packet-GOLD, the SSID is appended automatically, depending on
      which "stream" is used to establish the connect. This means you can
      setup QUICK CONNECTS to several stations, all using the same starting
      NODE ALIAS, and have multiple connects going, all using the same
      NET/ROM node.  Think about this feature for a while, it's very
      useful.

      Packet-GOLD allows you to setup a large list of Quick-Connects,
      storing the NET/ROM path, digipeaters, etc.  When you want to connect,
      just hit [F7] without ANY text on the command/text entry line.
      The program will display a "pick list" of Quick-Connect stations.

Emergency Communications: Using Tactical Callsigns

      The Quick-Connects list allows you to "name" the station and path.
      For emergency work, set the "name" to the tactical callsign. This
      means you use an FCC licensed callsign for the actual communication,
      but refer to the Tactical Callsign in your Quick-Connects list.

Disconnecting:

  1.  Use [F4] key to display the appropriate session screen.

  2.  Hit [Alt-F7] key combination. Use the Normal Disconnect unless
      you have a reason to abruptly disconnect with a higher priority
      disconnect.

Multiple Connects:

  1.  Type in another callsign, and hit [F7], the connect key.

  2.  Use the NEXT session key [F4] to switch between connects.

Monitoring while connected:

  1.  This is automatic.

  2.  You can ZOOM in/out on a connect screen with Alt-Z toggle.

  3.  Go to the Network View screen using [F2] key if you wish
      to scroll back or see a larger Network View.

  4.  Try the Text Search [F9] key. Enter a portion of the text
      you might want to find.  Entering "c,p" or "[c,p]" will cause
      a search for connect requests. Or enter "CQ" (note, case is
      not important) to find CQ.  Entering "[UI]" is sometimes
      interesting, as it will seek out all unproto info frames, such
      as CQ or ID frames.  To continue a search, finding additional
      occurrances of the target string, use Search Again [Alt-F9].

Sending CQ:

  1.  Go to the Network View screen.

  2.  Go into Unproto mode, using ALT-U

  3.  Type your CQ message and hit [Enter] key.

  4.  You may wish to alter your UNPROTO path/id. To do this, type
      UNPROTO CQ [F10]  or  UNPROTO CQ VIA W1AW [F10].

  5.  Note: When you leave Network View screen with Next [F4] or
      Previous Sessions [F3] key, you are taken out of Unproto Mode.
      To reenter Unproto CQ mode, use [Alt-U]. This feature guards
      against text being sent out in error.

Viewing a parameter:

  1.  Type the parameter or abbreviated version of parameter on
      the command line.

  2.  Hit the CMD key, [F10] to read the parameter value from the TNC.

Changing a parameter:

  1.  Type the parameter (or abbreviation) and a value on the
      command line.

  2.  Hit the CMD key, [F10] to store the value in the TNC.

Changing a parameter group:

  1.  Type DISPLAY (or just DISP) on the command line.

  2.  Hit the CMD key, [F10].

  3.  Point at the parameter group you wish to view/change.

  4.  Make your changes.

  5.  Return to the program with [Alt-X] or [ESC] key.

Changing Program Setup Options:

  1.  Use [Alt-S] key (setup) to enter pulldown menu area.
      Note: [ESC] or multiple [ESC] keystrokes will return you to the
      program.

  2.  Explore the menu system.

      You can change a number of things in the TEST DRIVE version,
      but they will not "stick" or be saved when time runs out.

  3.  If you have a Color display, try changing the monitor settings
      shown under the Setup/Monitor. You can switch to 43/50 lines
      if you have an EGA or VGA monitor.  The color settings can be
      changed as well, or switched back to the defaults.

      Under the Other parameters option, you will find a number of
      other interesting things to change.

There's much more in Packet-GOLD that we can explain in a brief file.
When you purchase the program, a 75-page manual is included, along with
other information. Additionally, you get telephone support for your
questions.

Here is a brief listing of some of the command areas in Packet-GOLD.
Some of the functions may not be available in the "test drive" version.


Subject Area                            Command Format          Comment
--------------------------------------  ----------------------  --------------

Change Mode (PK232 only, no effect on PK88):

        Enter Mode name (e.g. baudot)   BAUDOT [F10]            Changes Mode
        Use .TNC file                   [F10]                   Pick List
        Key Down/Up (Non Packet)        [ESC]                   When text sent

Parameters and Program Options:

        View Parameter                  Parm [F10]              Shows Param
        Set  Parameter                  Parm Setting [F10]
        View/Set Groups of Params       DISPLAY [F10]
              Example                   DISPLAY M [F10]         Monitor Parms
        Load Parameter File (.TNC)      [F10]                   From Pick List
        Setup Options                   [Alt-S]                 Menu

        Note: One or more [ESC] key
        puts away menu system.

CQ, Connecting and Disconnecting:

        CQ : NetView Screen Only        [Alt-U]                 Unproto Mode
        Connect & Quick Connect         [F7]                    Pick List
        Next Session (if multiple)      [F4]                    Smart Queue
        Setup Quick Connect             [Alt-S]                 From Menu
        Connected station Name          [Alt-N]                 Fill in
        Change Displayed Callsign       [Alt-C]                 Fill in
        Station Information Edit        [Alt-E]                 "QSL" card
        Disconnect                      [Alt-F7]                Pick List
        Previous Session Text           [F3]                    Switch Window
        Jump to session                 [Ctrl-Fn]               On stream "n"

Monitoring:

        Net View Full screen            [F2]                    Switch Window
        Zoom in/out on Connect Scrn     [Alt-Z]                 Zoom
        Mheard                          [Alt-F2]                Shows List
        Binary Filter On/Off            [Alt-B]                 Toggle
        Checking Connect List           [Ctrl]                  Hold down key
        Display Monitor Params:         DISPLAY M [F10]

Conferencing:

        Conference Mode Window          [Alt-F1]                Need 2 or more
        Conference Info                 [Alt-V]                 sessions to do
        Previous Sessions Log           [F3]                    a conference.
        Network View Screen             [F2]
        Disconnect                      [Alt-F7]                After removing
                                                                from Confer
Maildrop:

        Maildrop                        [Alt-F8]                See AEA Docs
        Leave Maildrop                  [B]                     Bye

Files and Text:

        Send Brag Tape                  [Alt-F6]                .BRG files
        Start/Check File Transfer       [F6]
        Find Text                       [F9]                    Fill in blank
        Find Next Text Occurrance       [Alt-F9]
        Copy & Paste                    [F5]                    Sub menu
        Edit Clipboard, File            [F5]                    Sub menu

Memory Functions:

        Wipe Window (Erase Screen)      [Alt-W]                 Current view
        Check Memory Usage              [Alt-M]                 All views

Printing/Saving to Disk:

        Turn On/Off Save Session        [Alt-Y]                 Popup window
        Turn On/Off Print/Capt          [Ctrl-PtrSc]            To LPT/FILE

Entry Line Editing:

        Erase Text Entry Line           [Alt-X]                 Delete line
        Retrieve erased line            [Alt-R]                 Restore
        Insert Date                     [Alt-D]
        Insert Time                     [Alt-T]
        Insert Alt-n text               [Alt-0..9]
        Show ASCII special char         [Alt-A]                 Popup Table
        Use Alt-S, Setup, Alt-n msgs to edit these              Menu

Calibrate, Reset, from DIrect Terminal:

        Enter Direct terminal           [Alt-F3]                For tests
        Leave Direct Terminal           [Alt-F3]

While in Direct Terminal (after Alt-F3):

        Use RESET to clear TNC then hit * until you get a "cmd:"
        prompt. Then Leave Direct Terminal. Not normally required.

Calibrate functions (when in Direct Terminal Mode ONLY):

        Entering the Calibrate mode     CALIBRATE [Enter]
        Key Down/Up (Toggle)            [K]
        Change to Mark/Space tone       [Space]
        Send Dual Tone                  [D]
        Quit Calibrate Mode             [Q]

        Note: Useful to check levels, tones, etc.
              See AEA docs for more information.

Execute a DOS command:

        ExecDOS [cmdname params]        [F10]
        To Format a Disk                Execdos Format A:/S [F10]

Leaving/Quitting Packet-GOLD

        Quit to DOS (terminate)         [Alt-F10]
        Shell to DOS (temporary)        [Alt-F4]
        Return from DOS Shell           Type EXIT

For ordering information, read ORDER.DOC.