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1996-05-14
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327 lines
MOSH.DOC
---------------------------------------------------------------------
MOSH vers. 3.2, May 1996
In QBX Basic Compiler
by
SM6KFY PETER HULTHE
Address
*** Packet Mail ***
SM6KFY @ SK6YW.O.SWE.EU
*** Snail Mail ***
Box 5014
426 05 VÄSTRA FRÖLUNDA, SWEDEN
---------------------------------------------------------------------
With thanks for the timer routines to:
*** Esko Lehtinen, ELogik Company in Gothenburg, Sweden.
With thanks for revising the English to:
*** G0OIK Peter King in Flamstead, Great Britain.
---------------------------------------------------------------------
This programme was written to control the rig when sending CW to my
friend Peter/G0OIK. With this program your concentration can be
directed towards producing a good chat, while the machine takes over
routine keying.
It was made to be as short and simple as possible, and was intended to
be run from DOS. It is possible to use a very simple PC, but a hard
disk makes life easier.
It is not recommended to be run from any integrated environment like
Windows, Windows 95 or OS2. Only with DOS it gives the very exact
timing of the Morse code that it was constructed for. It is possible
to run a very fast CW with this programme.
With a PC and a tape recorder it is possible to make your own CW
training tape. You can also practice the code with any text written in
standard DOS formate.
When sending or receiving with your rig, you simply write on the
keyboard. You can always (and as well as that) go over to the CW key
whenever you like. What you write on the keyboard is stored in the
log-file, which you can save or not at the end of your session as
you like.
There are many nice CW programmes written. This is an attempt to make
a new one for all those who want a simple but efficiant programme,
filling the gap between the most basic and the more complicated
programs.
---------------------------------------------------------------------
The head programme (MOSH.EXE) will automatically read the text file
(MOSH.CFG) during start-up.
By making changes in MOSH.CFG with a text editor (like the EDIT
supplied by DOS 5.0 and higher) you are able to make your own MOSH.
Points 1 - 12 will show what can be done.
1. Define your own characters (like national characters, KN etc.).
22 of the more seldom used keys (like {, (, ], [ etc.) can be
programmed to your own "Morse" code.
2. Set the CW-parameters to your own taste.
The length of Dits, Dahs and delays can be programmed, making
your Morse code personally coloured.
3. The default speed setting is done by MOSH.DEF.
Speed can then be adjusted up/down with the Left/Right arrows
or be set to "normal" by Home.
With some PC:s older than the 286, the speed will not always be
correctly reported on the screen. A calibration can then be done.
For a calibration of speed, adjust to a reading of 15 wpm (words
per minute). Then run the file PARIS. To do this, hold down the
ALT key and type "F". You will then be presented with a list of
files. Enter the file name "PARIS". The word "PARIS" will be sent
in CW to your loudspeaker 10 times.
The 10 "PARIS" should take exactly 44 seconds. With some older
PC:s, the wpm reading may prove to be a little slower speed than
15 real wpm. If this is the case you may chose a higher wpm figure
and make a note of the difference.
4. The loudspeaker sound frequency is determined by the MOSH.CFG
file, but it can also be changed when running the programme. The
Up/Down arrows will increase/decrease the frequency in steps by
200 Hz for each touch. If the frequency is too high to the
loudspeaker, you will not be able to hear it, but the rig will
still be controlled.
PgUp and PgDn give 20 kHz resp. 200 Hz.
With End on your keyboard, the frequency is brought back to the
normal (default) value again.
The loudspeaker is stopped/started with the Del key. In the
silent mode the rig is not affected by typing on the keyboard,
but the "silent text" will be stored in the log-file (if used).
This is a way to use the computer as a typewriter, during the
reception of CW or before a session, to make personal notes of
frequency, QRM level etc.
5. Define short standard texts to be sent using the shift/function
keys from within the MOSH.CFG file.
Up to 12 different messages ("quickies") can be programmed.
You may define the texts as you like. Max. length is 255
characters. Here some proposals:
Shift/F1 : Own call-sign key
Shift/F2 : A commonly used counter-station
Shift/F3 : A short call to the commonly used counter-station
Shift/F7 : CQ-call
Shift/F10 : Over-and-out
There are three "computer signs" that can be used when writing
these short standard texts. Their use will add a time of day
indication in the log.
By holding down the right hand ALT on the keyboard and typing 157
on the numerical keypad you will produce a funny "Y" sign. When
used at the end of the text, this will produce the K (Over-anyone
to answer) code in CW, and also leave a time mark in the log.
Using ALT and 158 gives something like "Pt", producing a KN (Over-
specified station to reply only) again with a time mark in the
log.
ALT/159 gives a "ƒ", and is used to produce a time mark only,
and will not give any audible code.
6. Define the directory name for texts to be sent from, floppy or
hard disk. The directory for these texts should be defined in the
MOSH.CFG file.
Files of up to 10 Kb of text can be sent in any speed you choose.
ALT/F is used to send a text from floppy or hard disk, as was
explained in 3. above.
Texts you want to send can be written using the normal EDIT
function under DOS and be stored under any legal filename.
If you want to stop the text sending, press Esc to quiet it.
7. Define directory names for the log file and files to send.
You may have a log-file generated after using MOSH. The file will
be placed in a directory you may choose in MOSH.CFG.
8. The choice of COM-port is the last parameter in MOSH.CFG.
It is good to have a COM-port dedicated only to MOSH, but it is
possible to combine the controlling of MOSH and other hardware
using the same port.
9. Also some other details are controlled by MOSH.CFG (like the
colours of the written text on the screen, messages etc.).
If you try to run MOSH32.EXE without the MOSH.CFG it is possible,
but some useful functions will not be present. Please note that
the two files must be kept in the same directory.
10. Other options in the programme are some special keys:
The BackSpace key produces a series of Dits (short signs). It
writes "Rub" on the screen and a text "RubOut" in the log-file.
The keyboard buffer can be deleted (made empty) by Ctrl/Pause if
you want to rub out what is yet not sent. The Ctrl/Pause is
sometimes very valuable to use for deleting mistakes. Please try
to remember it and use it!
The Ctrl/K key writes a "K" on the screen and in the log-file,
and makes the "K" Morse code. It also gives a time-mark in the
log-file for the next time a key is pressed.
The Ctrl/O (not the figure!) writes a "Kn" on the screen and in
the log-file, makes the "KN" code plus a time-mark in the log-
file.
The Ctrl/T gives a time-mark in the log-file next time a key is
pressed.
The Ctrl/U writes "Ok!" on the screen and in the log-file and
makes the Understood code (...-.). Also the exclamation mark "!"
can be used for that.
Ctrl/R clears the screen.
Alt/L locks the key ON (for aerial tuning purpose). Another Alt/L
(or any character key) will unlock it.
11. To send small texts in Beacon mode.
The Alt/B key starts/stops the beacon function, where you define
own beacon text and beacon delay. Max. length is 80 characters.
The standard texts can be used as beacons.
One word of warning: This function may be illegally used if you
lack a beacon permission and use it for on air transmission.
12. To stop the programme.
The programme can always be stopped using ALT/X (also Esc works).
Help with the programme is always available with the F1 key (also
Alt/H). The Help Menu can always be consulted during the running of
the programme. There is no need to "escape" from help, just carry
on typing.
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Interfacing hardware.
There are two ways of interfacing the computer to the rig.
A. The loudspeaker method.
To make a simple tap of the PC:s loudspeaker and to have the audio
converted into a conducting path will probably work well. An
optocoupler (OC) is excellent for a job like that.
An OC is a light emitting diode (LED) and a photo transistor, housed
in the same case, looking like an IC, often having 6 legs.
The LED part (legs 1 - 2) is connected to the computer's loudspeaker
via a 150 Ohm resistor. A 33 nF capacitor is connected across the LED
terminals of the OC. The TL 111 and 4N25 OC:s were tried.
The transistor part of the OC (legs 4-5 are used, the emitter and
collector terminals) is connected to the rigs' key connections in such
a way that the key current will flow through the transistor of the OC
when the LED is lit by the loudspeaker current. A 1 nF capacitor
across the key terminals is used to reduce any leaking RF energy.
This arrangement has worked well with an old XT and a 486 in my
shack, together with a Yaesu FT101ZD and an ICOM IC735.
However, with some PC:s and some rigs there can be problems.
The generating of sound is not standardized within the PC concept. If
the sound signal is too low, or if a polarizing voltage appears at the
connectors to the loudspeaker, an extra transistor before the OC may
be needed. I have recently tried a Victor 286 which demanded for that
solution.
It maybe found with some older rigs that a transistor may be required
between the rig and the OC. Connect the OC leg 4 to the base of the
transistor and the OC leg 5 to the collector (Darlington connection).
The key connectors are then wired to the emitter and collector of the
transistor (only one polarity works!).
B. The COM port method.
An easy way to interface the PC to the rig is to use one of the
COM-ports (sometimes called RS-232, or serial ports). They are male
25 pin or 9 pin connectors at the rear of the PC, used for mice and
modems. As it is good advice to electrically separate the PC from the
rig I have been using an opto coupler to let the PC control the key
line.
TxD found in the COM-port is a connection used for data transfer.
It is pin 2 in the 25-p or pin 3 in the 9-p D-sub. Ground (GND) is
pin 7 in the 25-p or pin 5 in the 9-p D-sub. TxD is at about -12 V
negative with no tone present. When a CW tone is produced by MOSH, the
TxD will go to a positive potential of +12 V on most PC:s. With some
PC:s (particularly lap-tops) the potentials are lower (mostly + and
- 5 V), but this should not change the function.
Connect TxD to the OC LED anode (pin 1) via a diode and a 2.2 kohm
resistor. Connect the OC LED cathode (pin 2) to GND of the COM port.
There will be a flow of about 5 mA from TxD to GND through the LED,
when a CW tone comes. This will make the OC transistor conduct.
For many rigs this conductance is enough to produce a sufficient key
current to switch the rig into transmit mode.
If not, a second transistor can be tried, making a Darlington stage
together with the OC transistor. If also this fails, the voltage
between the key terminals is not sufficient to supply the transistor.
Then a 3 V external voltage in series with a 1 kohm resistor can
help.
A capacitor of 0.1 uF is likely to be placed over the LED legs of the
OC, and one of 1 nF over the transistor's legs to the rig's key line.
The above methods have all been tried, and have solved all related
problems I have been faced to up till now.
It has been observed that the the interface used for HamComm (by
DL5YEC) can use the same RS-232 port as MOSH. It will then be
possible to use any of the two programmes to control the CW keying
function, with the same opto-coupler CW interface.
---------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY OF CONTROL FUNCTIONS:
Arrows Up/Down -Raise/Lower audio freq' from the PCs loudspeaker
PgUp -Highest setting, 20 KHz, gives quiet sending)
PgDn -Lowest setting, 200 Hz)
End -Default setting of audio freq'
Arrows Left/Right -Increase/Decrease speed of CW
Home -Default setting of CW speed
Delete -Toggles between TX/RX. (In TX what is typed is
sent, in RX what is typed is not sent, but is
recorded in the Log-file).
Backspace -Sends error character and writes "Rub" on
screen.
Ctrl/K Sends "K" (-.-) & makes time mark in log.
Ctrl/O -Sends "KN" (-.--.) & makes time mark in log.
Ctrl/T -Makes a time mark in the log.
Ctrl/R -Clears the screen.
Ctrl/U ! -Sends "Understood" (...-.) & writes "OK" in
the log.
Ctrl/Pause -Clears the buffer and so stops sending.
Shift/F1 -Sends pre-defined texts (like a CQ-call or what
--- you may have chosen.
Shift/F10
Alt/B -Starts/Stops beacon mode.
Alt/F -To send pre-written text files.
Alt/H -Shows help screen.
Alt/X -Exits the program.
F1 -Shows the help screen.
Esc -Stops the sending of text files
-Also exits the program when no text file is
being sent.
---------------------------------------------------------------------
This programme is FREEWARE. It allows you to use it as much as you
like, as long as you want.
If you find any errors, please tell me about them!
And if you have got any bright idea about changes, don't
forget to drop a few lines to me about that!
73 de SM6KFY / Peter