home
***
CD-ROM
|
disk
|
FTP
|
other
***
search
/
HAM Radio 1
/
HamRadio.cdr
/
packet
/
wb6uutpk
/
pktgold.doc
< prev
next >
Wrap
Text File
|
1990-08-22
|
10KB
|
234 lines
** PKTGOLD **** PKTGOLD **** PKTGOLD **** PKTGOLD **** PKTGOLD **** PKTGOLD **
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Note: You must install this disk. Put it into the A: or B: drive and type
INSTALL
Copying the files to your Packet subdirectory is not enough.
It is suggested that if you copy the PacketPLUS files to a new
subdirectory, call it PktGOLD and tell the installer to put the
files into
C:\PKTGOLD
The install program will use some of the information from your
configuration files, quick connects, names file, and other files
to retain as much of your setup as possible. This makes the change
to PktGOLD as painless as possible.
Now, here's what's new!
New Features:
o Integrated Setup and parameter editor.
Putility is gone. The functions of Putility are now incorporated into the
program as an overlay function. Use Alt-S (for Setup) to get into the
utility screen. You can now add quick connects while still connected.
Find out the path to some remote station, then pop into the setup area
using Alt-S, add the quick connect, and Voila, you can call up that
connect any time.
If you need to change the baud rate, or some other parameter, and don't
want to go through the resetting of your tnc, you can jump directly to
the setup (like the old Putility) by issuing the command:
pktgold /s
o Adjustable Split screen with Zoom function
You may now setup your Session (Connect) and Previous session screen
with from 0 to 24 lines of monitored network frames. Packet PLUS
had the F2 monitor screen and Packet GOLD still has that. The default
is 4 lines, you'll see that when you run the program. If you don't want
split screen you have two options:
1. Use the Alt-Z key (new) to Zoom in on the session screen. You may
use this key combination to toggle between Zoom and split screen.
2. Use the Alt-S (new) to Setup your system. Get to the Setup menu
and alter the Monitor settings. If you are using EGA or VGA, you
can have 0 to 24 lines of network monitored frames on your session
screen and up to 6 lines if you're using monochrome.
o Function keys indicated on bottom line.
You'll see some new info on the bottom line. It's a brief description of
each of the Function keys. Hold down the Alt key by itself, and you'll see
what the Alt-Fn keys do. Finally, try holding down the Ctrl key after you've
connected to a few stations. It shows you which stream each connect is
related to in your TNC. If you then hit the appropriate Fn key (still
holding down the Ctrl key) the program will jump immediately to THAT
session.
o Binary filter, Alt-B.
If you're monitoring, sending or receiving a binary file transfer, hit
Alt-B to turn on and off a new binary filter. You can still see the QSO
text frames sent by the stations, but the frames containing binary "junk"
will not show. You will see indication of the binary filter on the top
banner screen. If the filter is active and screening out binary frames
it says "Binary Filter Active."
o Added editing of text entry line.
You may now use the arrow keys, and the insert function to modify the text
entry line. Also, you may retrieve a line previously erased with the Alt-X
(cancel line) command. Hit Alt-R to Retrieve the last line appearing on the
text entry area of the screen. This is useful if you mistype a callsign
when making a connect, just cancel the connect (Alt-F7) hit Alt-R (retrieve
text) cursor over to the error, use the Insert and Delete keys to get your
text right, then F7 to make the connect.
o Effective Baud rate info.
When you're doing a file transfer, you may get some useful information
by hitting the F6 key. It tells you the total number of frames in the
transfer, which frame you're sending/receiving, what percentage is done,
and what the effective baud rate is (the most we've seen is about 980
baud on a clear channel with very hot parameters).
o Save session text by Station Callsign.
If you've ever wanted to go back and reread some QSO you've had with
a certain station, the only way was to save all of your previous QSO
text to disk. If you've been chatting with some station over the past
few days, chances are that the text is mixed in with lots of other
session text. Now, with Packet GOLD, use the monitor settings to allow
saving QSO text to disk. You will find that some new files will appear
in a subdirectory named MONITOR all ending with TXT extension, but
the file name is the callsign of the station you were talking with,
or the mode if the QSO was done in a non-packet mode on a pk-232.
o Brag file support
Any file ending with .BRG and residing in the same directory as the
Pktgold.exe file can be sent using a single function key, Alt-F6.
You'll find a PktPLUS.BRG file in your directory as a sample. You can
alter it to describe pktgold if you wish, after you learn to run the
new program and know how it differs from the PLUS version.
o Enhanced Clipboard editor
The Text Operations (F5) have been improved. You can use the Find
function (F9) to look for text, then turn on the Text Operation
to highlight and grab text. Once in the clipboard, you can use the
editor to alter it, and save it once edited, or add other files to
the clipboard using Alt-R (read). Use the help function in the
clipboard editor for more information.
o Maildrop support Built-in.
The Alt-F8 key now supports AEA maildrop directly. No need to switch to
the direct terminal mode. Also, the maildrop supports ALL of the new
AEA maildrop commands, as of their June 1990 ROM. This includes their
new Edit function which allows changing the TO, FROM, @BBS, and Forward
flag. You can even jump to a previous connects scren while on the
Maildrop screen, cut some text with F5, come back to the mail screen,
and Paste it into a message. You can also scroll back to previous text
in the maildrop area using the same keys you use on any other screen.
o Abort startup
If you wish to abort the startup sequence, you no longer have to wait
for the program to determine that no TNC is hooked up, or that some other
known problem exists. You may abort the initialization process by hitting
the F10 key (it's shown on the initialization screen).
o Added PK-232 Multimode support functions
- Signal Analysis key SIAM (Signal Analysis Mode)
- On screen indication of Baud rate, Normal/inverted, Wide/Narrow
- Baud up/down key, Wide/Narrow shift key
- Receive Normal/Inverted key
o NEW NEW NEW as of August 1, 1990
o [ALT-L] Toggle: Removes your lines from a connect screen. Similar
to Half/Full duplex, but this one saves all lines. If you want to
see just what the other station sent you, hit [ALT-L] and all of
your lines will disappear from view. To see your lines again,
hit [Alt-L] again. It's a toggle, so you can do what you wish.
o [ALT-0 through ALT-9] Macro Keys: Use the Alt-S (or PKTGOLD/S)
function to enter the Setup menu. You will see an entry for Alt-n
key editing. Select and edit each of the Alt-n lines to your needs.
You can "invoke" these lines by using Alt-0 through Alt-9 keys,
and the lines will be entered on your "text entry" line. You can
use Alt-0, then if you change your mind, use Alt-X to erase the
entry line, and try another Alt-n key.
o There are 4 macros you can put into your BRG files, they will
substitute the other station operator's NAME that you put in with
the [ALT-N] key, and his CALLsign (put in either automatically,
or manually using [ALT-C] key), today's DATE and TIME.
Here is a sample "BUYGOLD.BRG" file:
To: ?name, ?call
From: (put your name and call here)
Date: ?date ?time
Subject: Where to inquire about Packet GOLD
-----------
If you want to get some info about the program I'm using
you can call (714) 496-6639, in California, or write to:
InterFlex Systems
P.O. Box 6418
Laguna Niguel, CA 92677
So back to you ?name
?call de (put your call here)
kkk
o [F5] key: Improved editor.
Now you hit [F5] and one of your choices is to edit a file.
If you select that choice, you will be presented with a "pick
list" screen. You can move to the top to change directories
and drives, and navigate around until you find the file you
want to edit.
The editor allows you to merge other files, using ^K^R (block
read) function to pick a text file (again using the pick list
method).
o Other functions and features added
A number of other refinements have been made to the program that are not
readily apparent, but are there just the same. You will find, for examle,
that as you switch from session to session (not called connect anymore)
what you've begun to type stays with the session screen. Also, the state
of the Insert/Overwrite mode is saved, and is retained even with the
[Alt-R] restore line keystroke.
We're pretty sure you'll like the new additions and enhancemenets to an
already great program. You can help out by telling people about Packet PLUS
nd about Packet GOLD. We've got an advertisement in 73 magaine, look for it.
We'll be at the San Diego ham radio convention in August, 1990,
and hope to get many more PLUS and GOLD users.
Thanks for your support and use of our software, it's appreciated! Packet
PLUS users can upgrade to Packet-GOLD for $20 until September 15, 1990. After
that, the upgrade will be $30.
Jeff, WA4EGT, President
InterFlex Systems Corporation
P.O. Box 6418
Laguna Niguel, CA 92677
(714) 496-6639