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1988-12-10
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199 lines
Notes on using Kantronics KPC-4 and KAM dual port TNCs with the W0RLI Mailbox:
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Date: July 23, 1988
From: Greg Day - KC8JN @ KC8JN
Wintersville, OH 43952
This information is provided for those SYSOPs using the W0RLI Mailbox software
with either a Kantronics KPC-4 or KAM dual port TNC, to allow for port
switching during mail forwarding. Because the command structure for port
switching is the same for both the KPC-4 VHF TNC and the KAM VHF/HF TNC, the
following discussion will pertain to the KPC-4 only, but will apply to use of
the KAM as well.
Because the KPC-4 uses software commands to switch between the two radio ports,
and since the TNC provides only one serial (RS-232) port for connection to the
computer, it is necessary to implement a method by which the SYSOP may easily
switch ports, both from the console and during mail forwarding. This is
accomplished through the use of the KPC-4 STREAMSW parameter to permit
switching between the streams on port 1 or port 2. The use of this method of
switching streams (radio ports) requires the use of a 2.70 or later version
ROM. The MAXUSERS parameter MUST be set to 0/0 to allow for a single exclusive
connect from either port (the TNC will switch to the proper stream or radio
port upon a valid connect from either port). The actual switching of streams
(radio ports) is accomplished through the issuance of a stream switch character
(set by the STREAMSW parameter) unique to the port desired followed by a
selected channel number, which for use with the Mailbox system will always be
"A". This stream switching information may be issued when in either the
command or converse modes, but will be confined to the command mode when using
the Mailbox software.
The SYSOP should create the following two files to allow for easy stream (radio
port) switching from the local console:
For port 1, save to a file named "P1" under the \BBS subdirectory:
^CSTR 35/36
#ASTR 0
C X
D
S
For port 2, save to a file named "P2" under the \BBS subdirectory:
^CSTR 35/36
$ASTR 0
C X
D
S
An explanation of the above command sequence is in order.
1) The first line issues a CTRL-C (to get the "cmd:" prompt) and sets the
stream switch (STREAMSW) characters temporarily to "#" for port 1 and "$"
for port 2.
2) The second line is simply a "CR". I have found this necessary to make the
TNC accept the succeeding commands properly without returning an "$ EH"
error message.
3) The third line actually switches the stream (radio port) using the
stream switch character ("#" for port 1 or "$" for port 2) followed by the
channel letter (ALWAYS use "A" since you will be dealing with only one
channel with the mailbox). The remainder of the line sets the STREAMSW
characters for both ports back to null (0/0) so that incoming characters
from the console will not inadvertently switch the stream (radio ports).
4) The fourth and fifth lines are necessary to correct a "bug" in Kantronics
TNC software. The problem is that the TNC retains the channel letter
("A" in this case) in the internal TNC buffer and sends it as the first
character of the connect line (i.e. "A*** CONNECTED to .........") which
confuses the Mailbox software causing it to not recognize the connect. This
is true only when doing mail forwarding, but is implemented in the console
switching to clear the buffer to prevent subsequent problems (when
forwarding). The only way I have found to clear the buffer is to do a
connect then immediately disconnect. The "A" channel character will appear
prefixed to the "retry count exceeded" message upon the disconnect. Of
course the "X" is simply a dummy call to which the TNC will NOT connect. The
unfortunate situation here is that the TNC will transmit the connect frame
once before the disconnect takes effect, but this should not cause undue
channel loading.
5) The last line issues the STATUS command and will list the current selected
stream (radio port) of the TNC. This is merely a confirmation message to
the SYSOP at the console and is not necessary. The STATSHRT command should
be set to ON to make this function operate correctly.
To use the above from the console, type the following:
Op P1 (for switching to port 1 on serial port "p")
or
Op P2 (for switching to port 2 on serial port "p")
Under 'RLI 6.12 the above will send the file to the TNC and activate the port
for local (SYSOP) access and use.
With earlier versions of the Mailbox, use the "Dp" command to send the file to
the proper serial port.
Now to set up the forwarding file (FWD.MB) to accomplish stream (radio port)
switching when forwarding:
Use the "P" scripts under 'RLI 6.12 to send commands to the TNC for stream
(radio port) switching. The following are the lines used to accomplish port
switching (please note that these are NOT the same as the old "P lists in
earlier W0RLI Mailbox versions):
PSTR 35/36
P#ASTR 0
PS
PC FWD
PD
Again, the "S" command (third line) will cause the current stream (radio port)
status to be displayed and is optional (STATSHRT must be set ON). The "FWD" is
a dummy call and is used with the connect and disconnect commands (fourth and
fifth lines) to correct the Kantronics "bug" mentioned earlier and clear the
buffer. Stream switching is done using either the "#" or "$" characters
(followed by the "A" channel character) in the second line.
It is necessary to place the above information into a dummy forwarding list
prior to all other forwarding lists needed for a given port (frequency). The
reason this is done (and the port switching is not done at the beginning of
each individual list) is that since the method for clearing the extraneous
channel character from the TNC buffer (Kantronics' "bug") requires the use
of a connect and disconnect, the disconnect will prevent the forwarding from
occurring. Thus it is necessary to do the stream (radio port) switching
separately from the succeeding forwarding lists.
The dummy forwarding list should be set up as follows:
PSTR 35/36
P#ASTR 0
PS
PC FWD
PD
FA0023*
*
*** EOF
The above will cause a dummy connect for all forwarding attempts and all BBS
calls (the "*" insures this). Note that above example will switch to stream
(radio port) 1 using the "#". To switch to stream (radio port) 2 use the "$"
in the second line.
A complete forwarding file might look like this:
PSTR 35/36 (Switch to port 2)
P$ASTR 0 ( " )
PS
PC FWD
PD
FA0023*
*
*** EOF
CC K8AL-2
NC K8EIW-5
NC CLE
NC KB8CI
FA0023KB8CI
@C:\BBS\KB8CI.FWD
*** EOF
CC K8AL-2
NC N8FSY
FA0023N8FSY
C:\BBS\N8FSY.FWD
*** EOF
PSTR 35/36 (Switch to port 1)
P#ASTR 0 ( " )
PS
PC FWD
PD
FA0023*
*
*** EOF
CC AD8J-1 (Beginning of port 1 forwarding)
NC W2XO
FA0421W2XO
@C:\BBS\W2XO.FWD
*** EOF
CC AD8J-1
NC KA3NVP
FA0421KA3NVP
@C:\BBS\KA3NVP.FWD
The one drawback to the above implementation is that it will not switch streams
when using the "X call" command from the console. In that case it will be
necessary to switch streams (radio ports) using the "Op" command, return to the
command prompt, then issue the "X call" command.
If you have any questions regarding the use of the Kantronics TNCs with the
W0RLI Mailbox, pleae contact me via packet "@ KC8JN", located in eastern Ohio.
73, Greg - KC8JN