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World of Ham Radio 1997
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1997-02-01
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6KB
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141 lines
>>> PCT v2.00a (C) 1987-1989 by Ch.Volk (DD6CV @ DB0GV) <<<
Hello packeteers!
Finaly an english version of the hostmode terminalprogram PCT is
available.
Due to a lack of time I can't provide you with an extensive PCT.DOC
file like in the german and french version. But with the help files
and a little experience in packet and PCs it should not be impossible
to get this program up and running.
PCT is a hostmode terminalprogram especially for the hostmode of the
WA8DED firmware. You need a TNC-1 or TNC-2 with an apropriate version
of the WA8DED firmware. In FIRMWARE.EXE firmware v2.1 and v2.3 for
the TNC-2 are provided. You can *not* use a PK-232 or KAM with PCT!
This program is ham sharware. It can be distributed freely among hams
as long as a copy of the original disk is passed along and the costs
for disk, packing and postage do not exceed $5. Any commercial use or
reselling is strictly prohibited.
Criticism and suggestions for improvements or even a small
contribution should be sent to:
Christian Volk (DD6CV @ DB0GV)
Kapellenstr. 26
D-8752 Johannesberg
Federal Republic of Germany
No liability for damages or unpleasantries through use of this
program will be accepted. (This only for sake of completeness.)
You may can't stand this advice anymore, but *please* make a backup
copy of your original PCT disk, so you have the opportunity to
reinstall the program in case Murphy strikes...
Files on this disk:
PCT200E.EXE self extracting arc file containing the program
PCTINST.BAT some installation help
FIRMWARE.EXE self extracting arc file containing v2.1 and
v2.3 of the WA8DED firmware for the TNC-2
README.DOC this file
Files in PCT200E.EXE:
PCT.EXE program file with internal RS-232 support
PCTB.EXE program file for external (PCTBIOS) RS-232
support
PCT1BIOS.COM PCTBIOS for COM1
PCT2BIOS.COM PCTBIOS for COM2
PCT.CNF sample configuration file for one TNC
MULTI.CNF sample configuration file for two TNCs
*.HLP all help files for the online help function
The BATch file PCTINST.BAT is provided as an installation help. To
install PCT on an harddisk a simple "PCTINST C:" is enough. The
subdirectories \PCT and \PCT\HELP are created and the files are
unpacked from PCT200E.EXE. If installing on an one-drive-system with
720k disk, ingnore the warning of PCTINST and install PCT on drive A:
Next customize the PCT.CNF file for your needs. It can be edited with
any ASCII editor, like BRIEF, NE or even EDLIN. When using WordStar
select the "non document mode". I must confess, that no strict type
checking is done by PCT when reading PCT.CNF. When PCT stops with a
runtime error message, please recheck your PCT.CNF file.
PCT supports a veraity of com ports. As PCT does not use interrupts,
you can use several com ports without having to worry about interrupt
sharing or conflicts. Following a list of the com port numbers and the
base addresses PCT uses:
COM Base address
1 $3F8
2 $2F8
3 $338
4 $238
5 $3E8
6 $3E0
7 $2F0
8 $2E8
9 $2E0
10 $260
A minimum baudrate of 4800 is recomended. Use 9600 where possible.
Some MFJ-1270 with LM-3xx opamp's as RS-232 line driver are not
capable of 9600 with the high load of hostmode. Use 4800 or replace
the LM-3xx with a faster opamp.
If your TNC-2 runs reliable at 4.9 MHz, please rejumper it for this
speed. This will improve hostmode throughput. When burning an new
EPROM for the firmware, use v2.3 for it is faster than v2.1.
The cable between TNC and PC can be a simple three wire, connecting
TxD, RxD and Gnd. The cable you used with a normal terminalprogram
should work fine. (Some older TNC-1 don't switch properly to
hostmode, when more than 3 wires are used, if in trouble try the
simple cable).
PCT uses a simple, but working, internal RS-232 interface. It does
not use interrupts. PCTB searches for an external COMBIOS/MBBIOS
compatible RS-232 driver. The PCTB version is provided for the case
your using a COMBIOS driver specially tailored for your COM card.
Just start this driver as usual and use PCTB instead of PCT.
During startup PCT by default searches for a configuration file named
PCT.CNF in the current directory. To override this you can name an
alternated configuration file on the command line:
PCT MYCNF.CNF
This will start PCT, which will try to load the file MYCNF.CNF in the
current directory.
PCT D:\TEST\CONFIG.PCT
will search for the file CONFIG.PCT in the subdirectory \TEST on
drive D:
For the commands of the WA8DED firmware, you will find a manual in
FIRMWARE.EXE.
For details on PCT commands, use ALT-H in PCT and page though the
helpfiles.
I'm sorry this beeing only a small collection of infos, hints and
advices. But there wasn't enough time for a full featured english
manual, a program of this size is supposed to have.
Last but not least the thanks to those who contributed to this
version 2.00 of PCT. Klaus (DF4NU), who revised and wrote most parts
of the german manual. Christian (F6DHD), who translated the program
messages, help files and manual to french and though helping to bring
the program to french speaking hams. Don (DJ0HC), who revised my
english programm messages and translated the help files. And
Hans-Juergen (DG3SAJ now W4/DG3SAJ), who kept pushing for an english
version.
73's and happy packeting
Chris (DD6CV)