home
***
CD-ROM
|
disk
|
FTP
|
other
***
search
/
QRZ! Ham Radio 4
/
QRZ Ham Radio Callsign Database - Volume 4.iso
/
files
/
arrl
/
tis
/
softrtty.txt
< prev
next >
Wrap
Internet Message Format
|
1994-11-27
|
43KB
From: moisan@bronze.lcs.mit.edu (David Moisan)
Newsgroups: rec.radio.amateur.misc,rec.radio.amateur.digital.misc,rec.radio.sho
rtwave,rec.radio.info
Subject: Shareware RTTY/FAX reception for the PC--FAQ
Summary: New edition covers HamComm 2.2, JVFAX 6.0 plus short freq. list.
Keywords: PC RTTY FAX shareware radio
Date: 30 Nov 93 23:32:44 GMT
Followup-To: rec.radio.amateur.misc
Organization: MIT LCS guest machine
Lines: 1069
Shareware RTTY/FAX Decoding Programs for the IBM PC
Frequently Asked Questions
by Dave Moisan, N1KGH
Last Revised--28 November 1993
Many people have gotten interested in receiving RTTY and FAX
transmissions with their PC's. Shareware, combined with cheap, easy-
to-build hardware, has put RTTY and FAX reception in reach of anyone
with a good digital portable such as the Radio Shack DX440 or Sony
2010.
Two programs have become very popular: Hamcom 2.2, a RTTY terminal
program, and JVFAX 6.0, a full-featured FAX/SSTV receive program. The
two programs both use an identical basic interface, so one can get
started in FAX and RTTY for almost nothing. Another program, PKTMON,
lets you monitor HF and VHF packet off the air, using the same
hardware.
This FAQ list is divided into five sections:
Introduction
Using HamComm
Using JVFAX
Using PKTMON
General Problems
Appendix--HamComm Interface Schematic and Parts List
INTRODUCTION
------------
** Where do I get the software?
HamComm and JVFAX are available from a number of sources on the
Internet, including the Simtel mirrors (such as wuarchive.wustl.edu)
and nic.funet.fi (/pub/ham/misc); look for HAMCOM22.ZIP and JVFAX60.ZIP.
PKTMON 1.2 is available from nic.funet.fi.
Note that HamComm 2.2--unlike earlier versions--is no longer freeware;
registration is $20. It's still a bargain.
** What are the basic system requirements?
HamComm: Fast (8 MHz) XT or better, 320K free RAM, hard
disk not required.
JVFAX: 286 or better, at least 1M RAM; a hard disk is
strongly recommended. Note that JVFAX has its
own extended memory driver, which might conflict
with QEMM and other memory drivers. (Version
6.0 *does* work with HIMEM.SYS, however.)
Pktmon: 286 or better.
** What are the basic receiver requirements?
I've successfully received RTTY, fax and Packet with my
Radio Shack DX400 digital portable, and have had less
luck with CW. Receivers like that will work, but table
top radios (Kenwood, Icom and Yaesu) and ham transceivers
are much more suited for this application.
** Where can I find plans for the basic interface?
The plans are included in the documentation for both Hamcom and
JVFAX. JVFAX has schematics for both the basic interface, and
a more sophisticated interface that also receives GOES/APT
satellite pictures.
A complete schematic and parts list is included at the end
of this FAQ list.
** I don't want to build it. Can I buy a interface?
Yes. William Nolle is selling his version of the interface,
called FAXCAP, and it includes all software discussed here.
Contact him at:
William Nolle
122 Phillips Rd
Hazel Green, AL 35750
(Disclaimer: I am not affliated with William, nor am I even
a customer, but merely a friend and fellow enthusiast.)
Also, Dieter Dippel is selling an interface (with surface-
mount components) which includes JVFAX and HamComm. Contact:
Dieter DIPPEL, DF4RD
Fenitzerstr. 33
D-90489 Nuernberg
Germany
Phone: (049) 911 / 55 92 96 between
18:00 and 20:00 german local time or at weekends.
(1700-1900 UTC)
Email: UNRZ45@daphne.rrze.uni-erlangen.de
** How does the interface work?
This is a zero-crossing detection circuit, made up of a 741
connected in an open-loop configuration. For every zero-
crossing (twice a cycle), an interrupt is generated.
HamComm measures the time between successive interrupts using
the PC timer chip.
** How do I connect it to my radio?
Simply run an audio cable from the interface box to the earphone/
headset output, record output, or data output of your radio. The
Sangean 803A has a record output, and the DX440 can be modified for
same. Note that the interface needs 100 mV of audio to work,
but most rigs can easily supply this.
** Can you transmit with the interface?
Depends on the software, and how you construct the interface.
Hamcomm will send through the speaker or TxD line of the serial
port; JVFAX sends through the speaker (and the TxD line starting
with version 6.0.) Pktmon doesn't transmit at all. See the
appendix for details.
USING HAMCOMM
-------------
** How do I set up HamComm?
There's a sample configuration file in the HamComm archive, HC.CFG
which explains the numerous parameters required for the program
to run. Here are the ones you should set:
select port com<n> (Select default com port, <n=1 to 4>)
Note: COM1 and COM2 are already defined. If you need to
use COM3 or COM4, here are the "define port" statements
to use:
define port com3 iobase 0x3e8 irq 4
define port com4 iobase 0x2e8 irq 3
You don't need to do this for COM1 or COM2 unless you have
an unusal setup.
If you want HamComm to keep time in UTC, include these two lines:
set timezone UTC
set timediff 7200
The timediff parameter is the time difference between UTC and
your local time (UTC minus local), in seconds. In the
example above, timediff is set to account for U.S. Eastern Standard
Time (-4 UTC).
There are many other configuration options, all explained in
HC.CFG.
** Where can I find RTTY on HF and what does it sound like?
The ham bands are the best place to find decodable RTTY. I tune
into CFH, Halifax, Nova Scotia on 4271, 6496.5 and 10536 KHz.
RTTY is usually sent on the half-hour. RTTY has a "deedle-
deedle" sound that you're probably familiar with if you've
ever randomly tuned the shortwave bands.
If you want to know what an RTTY signal sounds like, go
to the RTTY screen (F3) and try control-T (transmit on/off).
Type in some text and hit ENTER. You will hear a signal from
the PC speaker according to the currently selected speed,
shift and center frequency.
** How do I tune RTTY?
First, hit F9 for the tuning screen and, using the arrow keys, set
the center frequency to 1200 Hz. For example, if you're trying to
decode the ARRL bulletins on 3625 KHz, the tuning screen should
look like this:
Signal Frequency: 01### Hz
0 . . . .500 . . . .1000 . . . .1500 . . . .2000 . . . .2500 Hz
Space -> | | <- Mark
|
Center Frequency: 01200 Hz
Using the arrow keys, move the lower tuning bar between the two
upper tuning bars. You may need to vary your BFO, RIT or
clarifier so that the upper bars are centered on the display.
The difference between the two frequencies, or "distance"
between the two upper bars is the *shift* of the RTTY signal.
Hit Alt-K and select the appropriate shift--in this example, 170
Hz.
You'll know when the signal's tuned properly, because a train of
square waves will appear at the bottom of the screen.
Next, hit Alt-S and select the *speed*; Ham RTTY is usually 45
baud. Outside of the ham bands, 50 and 75 bauds are most common
In HamComm 2.2, you can use the Bitlength Histogram screen to
measure the speed. Hit F6--the baud rate will be indicated on
the upper bit display. You won't get an accurate count on
very noisy signals, however.
Note: If you're mathematically adept, you can figure out the
speed yourself. Hit F8 to select the Scope and freeze the display
by hitting Return. Measure the time interval of the _shortest_
peak, and calculate Baud rate = 1/t*10**-3, where t is in
milliseconds.
Now, hit F3 (for Baudot), and readable text should scroll forth on
the screen. If it doesn't, hit the Tab key to toggle between
Normal and Inverted keying. If text is still unreadable, hit Alt-S
and adjust the speed.
** How do I log RTTY to a file?
Hit Ctrl-F; select the directory or file you want to save to and
hit Return. To stop logging, hit Ctrl-F again.
Here's some RTTY recorded off the air on 4271 Khz (at 0230 UTC):
avalon peninsula
east coast the bonavista peninsula only.
freezing rain warning continued for the bonavista peninsula only.
tonight..overcast. intermittent drizzle or freezing drizzle.
periods of freezing rainpm yrkwivonavista peninsula ending
overnight. winds becoming strong northerly. low zero.
friday..cloudy. patchy freezing g7+)-01vtov
** Whenever HamComm is receiving a string of numbers (like
from CFH or other weather stations), it comes in garbled.
First, turn off the Auto Unshift feature by hitting Ctrl-L;
the "L" annunciator on the bottom right of the screen should turn
off.
HamComm 2.2 has a weather broadcast mode that will automatically
decode weather synop broadcasts--the string of numbers you may
have seen. Here's a sample, again from CFH:
17:45:50 UTC end/tcf
17:45:52 UTC xxxxx 142346z
17:45:55 UTC snvd17 cwhx 142300
17:45:57 UTC bbxx [SHIP]
17:45:58 UTC 44139 [ship id]
17:45:59 UTC 14231 [day:14 UTC:2300] [Wind speed obtained from
anemometer (m/s)]
17:46:00 UTC 99443 [latitude:44.3]
17:46:00 UTC 70573 [longitude:57.3] [Latitude south, longitude west]
17:46:01 UTC 46/// [automatic] [cloud height:no data] [visibility:no data]
17:46:02 UTC /2809 [cloud cover:no data] [wind dir:280 deg, speed:9]
17:46:02 UTC 10092 [air temp:+9.2]
17:46:03 UTC 40075 [pressure at sea level:1007.5hPa]
17:46:05 UTC 57014 [pressure:decreasing] [change in 3h:1.4hPa]
17:46:05 UTC 22200 [ship direction: stationary, speed: 0 knots]
17:46:05 UTC 00082 [sea-surface temp: +8.2]
17:46:06 UTC 10805 [wave period:08 seconds, height:2.25-2.75m]
17:46:07 UTC 70023 333 [section 3]
17:46:08 UTC 91211
--- log closed Sun Nov 14 1993 18:02:36 UTC ---
(In the above example, note that the latitude is reversed
between north and south; this is a known bug.)
Hit Alt-T Y to decode SYNOP reports. Alt-T I decodes SHIP
format reports. HamComm will automatically recognize incoming reports
(prefixed with "aaxx", "bbxx" or "zczc" headers), but the Alt-T
commands are useful when you want to decode in the middle of a report
without waiting for the next one.
** I found RTTY, but Hamcom can't decode it.
A sad fact of life in the shortwave bands is that at least 3/4's
of all RTTY is encrypted, and alas, much of the unencrypted
traffic is not sent in plain Baudot. There still are many
decodable signals, but you'll need good references to find them.
** How do I decode CW?
Decoding CW is similar to decoding RTTY, except that there's only
one frequency to be concerned with. While you hear the CW,
go to the decoding screen, as below:
Signal Frequency: 01200 Hz
0 . . . .500 . . . .1000 . . . .1500 . . . .2000 . . . .2500 Hz
|
|
Center Frequency: 01200 Hz
Just move the arrows so that the lower line is lined up with the
upper and hit F2.
Here's a sample of CW copied off the air, on 4281 Khz
vvv vvv vvv cqde vcs vcs vys qsx 4 6 and 8 mhz chnl 3/4/7/8 vvv
vvv vxv cq de vcs vcs vcs qsx 4 6 and 8 mhz chnl 3/4/7/8 vvv vvv
vvv cq de vcs vcs vcs qsx 4 6 and 8 mh7 chnl 3/4/7/-.--.. vvv
vvv vvv cq de vcs vc5 vcs qsx ......- 6 und 8 mhz chnl 3/4/7/8
Note that HamComm subsitutes dot-dash marks for any character it
can't decode.
** I'm hearing CW, but Hamcom just garbles it.
There are two different problems encountered with CW decoding in
HamComm. Here's what Django, DL5YEC, author of HamComm has to say:
Problem 1: Tone detection
For many people it is obvious that an RTTY signal has two states,
usually called mark/space or high/low tone. ANY data
transmission requires at least two states for 1 bit at a time and
CW is no exception. So what are the two states for CW? They
are the tone and ... NOISE ! You may be surprised to hear that
a certain amount of noise is REQUIRED to detect that the tone
has ended.
HamComm has an indicator for the tone detector output. At the
bottom of the RX window, just to the right of the WPM display,
is a small white dot that jumps up and down: up = tone detected,
down = no tone (noise) detected. Listen to the signal and watch
the jumping dot. It should follow the signal precisely and not
jump around nervously or stick to one position.
The input signal is compared to the currently selected mark/space
tones. To be regarded a valid tone the signal has to stay in that
range for a certain amount of time. So the behaviour of the
detector mainly depends on the currently selected SHIFT.
The tone detector output as displayed by the dot is the input to
the character decoder.
Problem 2: Character decoding
In theory a dash is three times as long as a dot, the gaps within
a character are dot-sized and the gaps between characters are
dash-sized. In reality there are short and long tones and gaps
of variable size because CW is usually 'hand-made.' The speed
and length ratios also change during a transmission if the
operator gets tired.
HamComm keeps a floating average of the tone duration to adjust
to speed changes. Overall decoding quality mainly depends on
the tone detector.
As an aside, I should mention that the bouncing-dot display also
works great for RTTY; just tune the receiver until the dots bounce
equally between top and bottom.
** Are there any reported bugs in HamComm?
As noted earlier, HamComm 2.2 has a bug in the WX decoder where the
position reports are reversed from north to south in quadrants 5 and 7.
The "send text file" function transmits some text twice when in
WORD mode.
USING JVFAX
-----------
** How do I set up JVFAX?
Select "Configuration" from the menu, and you should see a Config
screen. Options are set using the arrow keys to select, and the
space bar, - or + to set each option. Here are the options you
need to set:
Demodulator: Set to "8 bits" and "Comparator". Specify the
address and IRQ according to the following table:
For: Specify IRQ: and Address:
---- --- -------
COM1 4 03F8
COM2 3 02F8
COM3 4 03E8
COM4 3 02E8
Graphics and SSTV-Graph: Set this as appropriate for your system.
Most users can specify "VGA (640x480)". If you've Super VGA, see
the next paragraph, otherwise skip ahead to "Printers".
Configuring Super VGA: You'll have to choose between 16-color SVGA
and 256-color SVGA; the latter is required if you intend to view
false-color weather pix and for resolutions higher than 800x600.
Under the menu "Customising SVGA Parameters", complete the following
items. I'll use my elderly Trident card, set to 640x400x256,
as an example.
Chipset (256-color only): Select the name of the chipset in your
SVGA card (usually in your SVGA card manual).
AH/AL: Enter the register value for the video mode you want--this
can be found, again, in your SVGA card manual. In my case, I want
640x400x256 which is mode 5Ch, entered into AL.
BH/BL: Some SVGA cards, particularly VESA-standard cards, require
this register pair as well. My card doesn't use them.
Dots Per Line:
Number Of Lines: Self-explanatory. For my Trident, I enter 640 and 400
for the values.
Aspect Ratio: This is normally set to 10000 for standard (3:4 aspect
ratio) screens such as 640x480, 800x600, etc. It is calculated with
the following formula: (Lines/(Dots * .75))*10000. My Trident is
slightly nonstandard, so my aspect ratio is:
(400/(640*.75))*10000 = 8333
The JVFAX documentation lists settings for many popular cards.
Printer: Again, set this as appropriate for your system. Most
popular dot matrix printers and the HP Laserjet are supported.
(As an example, for my Panasonic 1124, I selected "Epson 24-pin".)
Enable scrolling: This determines whether faxes will scroll
off the screen when being received. Set this to "Yes".
Default Picture Directory: Enter the disk and directory where
faxes will be stored, e.g. "C:\WEFAX".
Store Pictures in GIF 89a: JVFAX uses the GIF 89a standard to store
special information on each fax, such as mode, LPM and IOC. Unless
you're using other GIF software that can't handle this standard,
leave this enabled ("Yes").
Miscellaneous Settings: Hit Esc to enter yet another configuration
menu. There are just a few settings you need to make:
Quicksave: This feature lets you save the last picture sent;
it works by continuously capturing faxes to a .GIF file, which
may become *very* large. Unless you have lots of hard disk
space, set this "off".
Initial RX Mode: Set to "1--Wefax 576"; this is the mode that
almost all weather faxes are sent in.
Disable XMS use: Set to "No". Normally, if HIMEM.SYS is
loaded by DOS, JVFAX will use it to manage memory.
With some DOS/BIOS/hardware combinations, this may cause
problems (blank pictures, lock-ups, etc.) so you may
need to disable XMS (set parameter "Yes"). This will degrade
JVFAX's performance so leave this alone unless you are actually
having problems.
Hit Ctrl-Enter to leave this menu. Hit Ctrl-Enter again, and
you're done!
** Where do I find fax and what does it sound like?
A Fax signal will have a "scratchy wheel" sound when sending
a picture, and a carrier tone when idle. It can be found
easily in the maritime bands. Unlike RTTY, there are few
variations, and no transmissions are encrypted that I know
of.
Two stations I hear regularly on the US East Coast are NAM,
Norfolk, VA on 3356, 8080 (irregular) and 10865 KHz, and CFH,
Halifax, NS on 4271, 6496.5 and 10536. CFH sends faxes on
the hour, generally. I've found press fax on 9242, from
Buenos Aires, Argentina.
** What modes are faxes usually sent in?
Weather faxes are usually sent with an IOC (Index of Correlation--
the ratio of width to height) of 576, and an LPM (Lines Per Minute)
of 120. Press faxes, the few I have found, use an IOC of 288 and
an LPM of 60.
** OK, I'm hearing it. How do I tune in?
Using NAM, 10865 KHz as an example, follow these steps:
1) From the JVFAX main menu, hit F (Fax), and you'll be shown
a blank screen with a tuning indicator and a menu box on the
bottom of the screen.
2) Select the mode by hitting 1 ("Wefax 576").
3) Set the deviation to 400 by hitting the D key till it comes up.
4) Using your BFO, RIT or clarifier, tune the signal (in lower
sideband) until you see a peak on the tuning indicator. Tune
this peak towards the W (white) end of the scale (This will
normally be 1.9 Khz below the center frequency, in this case
10863.1 Khz.) The indicator should look like this:
! <- Signal
! peak
! should
. . . .. .. .. . . ##! be here
-----------------------------------------
B W
5) Hit A (APT); it should read "Running" and you should start to
see a fax appear on the screen! To stop recieving, hit A
again.
NOTE: If you have selectable filters on your receiver, set them to
"wide" or "FAX" and set the RF gain as high as possible without
overloading.
** I don't get a fax, or I get something garbled.
Check the mode; most fax transmissions use "Wefax 576", mode 1
in the program. The LPM should be 120. Check your connections
to the interface. If that's in order, you may have an RFI or
interrupt problem (see questions in "General Problems").
** I get a fax, but it comes out slanted.
Hit / and a line will appear; use the arrow keys to tilt and
move the line so that it's lined up with a line on the fax
(such as a border or a chart line). Hit Return, and the fax
should now come in straight. Note that this is a permanent
adjustment, and you shouldn't need to fix this ever again,
no matter what faxes you subsequently receive.
** I get a fax, but it's not aligned with the edge of the screen.
Hit R (Rotate) and move a line with the arrow keys to the left
edge of the fax (there'll be a black bar where the fax is
supposed to start.) Hit Return and the fax should now be
properly aligned.
** My fax is negative!
You're receiving the fax on the wrong sideband; try the other
sideband. Most faxes are sent in LSB. A few press stations
transmit negative pictures (JVFAX can be set to fix this; see
the docs.)
** My fax is too dark.
** My fax is too light.
Your receiver is mistuned. If the fax is too dark, tune towards
the white end of the tuning scale (peak moves towards W). If the
fax is too light (washed out), tune towards the black end of the
tuning scale (peak moves towards B).
Also, make sure the deviation is set correctly--at 400 for most
faxes. This is especially important for receiving the GOES
satellite images that NAM and other stations send.
** I started receiving a fax, but JVFAX stopped it (APT "waiting").
When reception is noisy or weak, JVFAX often interprets a noise burst
to mean "end of picture". Hit A again to restart receiving. If this
happens more than once, you probably won't get a very good fax anyway.
** How do I save a fax to disk?
While you're not receiving a fax (APT "waiting"), the S key will
toggle the save-file option on and off. Faxes will be saved in
.GIF format to the disk and subdirectory you specified in the
configuration screen.
** I enabled Save to File, but when I hit A to start a fax, the
Save feature turned off.
Go to the configuration screen (C from main menu) and check the save
file specification. JVFAX won't save to a file if there's a typo
(like "C:\\JVFAX") but it won't notify you of the error either.
** How do I print a fax?
Two ways:
1) While you're in the fax receive mode and not receiving a fax
(APT "waiting"), P will enable your printer; it's a toggle,
so hit P again to disable printing.
NOTE: You cannot have both Save to File and Print options
enabled at once. Also, once the fax is printing, the Rotate
command will not work on the printout.
2) Hit H (Show and Send Pictures). Select the fax you want to
print. When it appears on the screen, hit P. JVFAX will
ask how much width it will print in (0-100%); hit Return
for the default (100%).
** The GIFs I save are too big! How do I shrink them?
It's not uncommon for weather faxes to be very large, especially
if you regularly pick up 16-shade GOES images over NAM (a recent
GOES fax from them "weighed in" at 870k!)
There are several methods you can use to shrink the size of your
GIFs:
1) You can crop them. From the main menu select H (Show and Send
Pictures); from the directory listing, select the file you want
to crop. The fax will show up on the screen--select the Z (Zoom)
option. Use the arrow keys to move the zoom box (which is about
the size of a regular 640x480 VGA screen), and the X, Y, + and -
keys to resize it. Hit Return and the cropped image will
fill the screen. Hit S to save it (under a different name.)
2) You can reduce the resolution on faxes to be received.
Most faxes (of the Wefax 576 variety) have a resolution of 1810x
1000, which makes for beautiful printouts, but is overkill if
you're just using a GIF viewer.
To fix this, go into the Mode Editor (M from the main menu) and
select the mode you normally use (e.g. Wefax 576). Step through
the options with the arrow keys and select Resolution. For
Wefax 576, it'll normally be 1810. Enter a smaller value (800 is
OK) and hit Return.
If you're only interested in charts and not satellite images,
select the Grays option and set the number of shades to 2
(B&W only--no gray scale). Your GIFs should be much smaller,
though at a significant loss of resolution. (That being said,
I once saved some GOES images from NAM for a friend of mine
in 800x600x4 and they still looked good.)
** I get an all-white/all-black signal, no matter what signal is
coming in on the receiver.
** I get horizontal white/black bands on my pictures.
** I get a white peak on the tuning indicator that doesn't move.
Either your audio cable to the interface is broken, or you have an
interrupt conflict between serial ports. If it's the latter
you may need to move the interface to another port.
(See "General Problems" for more on troubleshooting this.)
USING PKTMON
------------
Unlike HamComm and JVFAX, Pktmon has few options and is simpler in
scope. Using the same interface, Pktmon will decode HF and VHF
packet. Pktmon can log to a file, and will optionally keep track of
packets, assembling them into separate files for you. Note that the
program is receive-only.
While it will never approach, let alone replace, Baycom or a TNC, I've
been delighted with its very ingenious attempt at implementing AX.25
in software, and have found it a surprisingly fair performer. It even
comes with source code (Turbo Pascal) for implementing your own
projects with the interface!
There isn't much to running Pktmon, so here's a quick rundown through
the prompts.
"COM 1 or 2?" Self-explanatory.
Pktmon doesn't support COM3 or COM4.
"Packet type?" Enter 1 for HF packet or 2 or 3 for VHF packet.
I've never noticed a difference between the latter
two options in use.
"Log bad packets?" If you answer Y, packets with CRC errors will
printed, otherwise, not. I usually choose to
log them.
"File to log all packets"
Self-explanatory. If you don't specify a file,
packets will go on the screen.
"File to log sorted packets"
Enter a filename, _no extension_. Pktmon will
sort packets to the files <n:filename.#>, #=
0 to 9. It also creates a file <n:filename.OTH>
for uncategorized packets such as beacons.
That's it. Pktmon will start decoding packets until you hit Return.
There's a tuning indicator on the top of the screen that indicates
activity. Here are some sample unsorted packets copied off the air
on 14099 Khz around 2300:
Started Logging on 1993-04-16 at 18:00:11
[...]
18:03:00 => CQ -0 WA2GGI-0 Ctrl:03 [UnAck Info] Pid:F0
Data: #0D
18:03:11 => K4YPE -0 WA2GGI-0R Ctrl:73
18:03:13 => K4YPE -0R WA2GGI-0 Ctrl:00 [Data, seq 0] Pid:F0
Data: **HI BOB IN BOCA RATON FL.BUSY NOW PLEASE LEAVE MESSAGE
ON MAILBOX TNX.#0D
18:03:23 => K4YPE -0R WA2GGI-0 Ctrl:04 [Data, seq 2] Pid:F0
Data: ,RM,S, or Help >#0D
18:03:35 => K4YPE -0 WA2GGI-0R Ctrl:73
18:03:38 => KB7HJM-0 WA2GGI-0 Ctrl:63
18:03:41 => KB7HJM-0 WA2GGI-0 Ctrl:00 [Data, seq 0] Pid:F0
Data: **HI BOB IN BOCA RATON FL.BUSY NOW PLEASE LEAVE MESSAGE ON
MAILBOX TNX.#0D
[...]
82 total frames received and 6 good ones + 3 CRC errors
Stopped logging on 1993-04-16 at 18:20:42
It's rather like reading the news on an RS232 service monitor,
isn't it? :) Note that control characters are depicted as "#cc".
Now, here are some sorted packets:
****** File open at 18:03:16 on 1993-04-16 for
WA2GGI-0 => K4YPE -0 traffic
**HI BOB IN BOCA RATON FL.BUSY NOW PLEASE LEAVE MESSAGE ON MAILBOX
TNX. [1 lost pkts] ,RM,S, or Help >
****** connection inactive for 5 minutes
****** File closed at 18:09:02 on 1993-04-16
****** File open at 18:13:28 on 1993-04-16
for KC4FS -0 => W1DXQ -0 traffic
Phone call Jack. Please wait...
****** connection inactive for 5 minutes
Now, the questions:
** Where do I find packet and what does it sound like?
On HF, packet can be found mainly at the lower end of 20 meters
(14090-14150 usually) and in the 30 meter band (10100-10150 Khz).
VHF packet can be found on 145.01, 145.03, 145.05, 145.07 and
145.09, among other places. It has a "braaaap..." sound quite
unlike RTTY.
** How do you tune in packets on HF?
On the upper edge of the screen, there's an "A" scale. While
hearing packets, tune VERY carefully until the scale reads 6 or
higher. Pktmon expects a tone frequency of about 1000 Hz.
** I'm logging sorted packets, but they're missing linefeeds.
You'll have to go into your favorite ASCII word processor and
have it insert linefeeds. I usually copy all the <n:filename.#>
files into a single file and fix it there.
** I'm getting lots of CRC errors.
On HF, this is, sadly, normal. Packet is just not well suited
to a ever-changing ionosphere, and it's marvelous that it works
at all. (When I copied the sample text, the ionosphere was
*very* quiet, an unusual occurence as I'm writing this.)
On VHF, on the other hand, CRC errors may be a result of Pktmon
being unable to keep up with transmission. 1200 baud is near
the limit for this type of interface. I've also found that with
my setup (in an apartment), I seem to be prone to multipath
and other VHF anomalies that disrupt reception, especially
of packet.
** The program locks up on me when receiving lots of packets!
If there's too much activity on the air, or the receiving tone
frequency is too high, Pktmon tends to lock up, as it can't
"follow" the signals fast enough. This has been reported by
several users on Fidonet.
According to the author, Pawel Jalocha, if Pktmon takes a long
time to terminate upon hitting Return, your machine may be
too slow.
GENERAL HARDWARE PROBLEMS
-------------------------
** Can I use EMM386/QEMM or other memory managers with HC, JVFAX or
PKTMON?
Generally, no. HamComm, JVFAX and PKTMON are interrupt-intensive
and use up most of the CPU cycles. That's the price you pay for
having the demodulation and decoding done in software (rather
than in a TNC). JVFAX comes with its own memory manager, anyway.
Note: While JVFAX 6.0 and HIMEM.SYS seem to work fine, if you
have interrupt problems (blank pictures, streaks), try removing
"DEVICE=HIMEM.SYS" and "DOS=HIGH" statements from your CONFIG.SYS
before using JVFAX. I've not seen any problems with HIMEM and
HamComm or Pktmon.
If you regularly use EMM drivers, Windows or Desqview, make
up a minimal boot disk disabling all such programs, before running
HamComm, JVFAX or PKTMON.
** I can't seem to receive freqs. higher than 100 Hz on the HamComm
tuning screen.
The interface may not be receiving enough power from the serial
port to operate. Modifications for a battery-powered interface
are in the appendix.
** I get noise from my computer--HELP!
One of the most difficult problems in linking PC's with radios
is RFI. It's beyond the scope of this FAQ list to cover every
possible contingency, but here are some suggestions:
1) Keep your computer and your antenna *well* separated from
each other and use good, well-shielded, coax for the lead-
in.
2) The HamComm interface should be *shielded*--use a metal or
foil-lined box. Use good shielded cable for both the audio
and data connections.
3) Use RFI toroids (available at Radio Shack) on all cables.
4) Install 0.1 uF capacitors from the DTR and RTS lines to ground.
5) Install an audio isolation transformer between HamComm and the
radio. (Radio Shack #273-1374).
6) Make sure the monitor, printer and their connecting cables are
well shielded. Monitor noise is very common, as is printer
noise.
In my case, I had to do all of those steps. My 286 PC was feeding
RFI back through the earphone jack of my radio), *desensing* it
(ouch!) I never got all the RFI out, but I reduced it considerably
so that I only get a slight increase in background noise on a few
frequencies.
APPENDIX -- THE HAMCOMM INTERFACE SCHEMATIC
-------------------------------------------
Here's a schematic of the HamComm interface, reproduced with
permission:
HamComm 2.0 Receive Circuit
Copyright (c) 1990, 1991 by W.F. Schroeder
RS232 25pin 9pin
D1
-------*--------*-I<--*--> DTR 20 4
| | | D2 |
3 |\ | | ---->I---
>------| |--*-----|+ \ 7 | | |
C1 | | \____|______|_|________> DSR 6 6
.1 uF| 2 |741 /6 | | | D3
| ---|- / | | --I<--
AF | | |/ |4 | | D4 |
In | | ---*---|------*--->I--*--> RTS 4 7
R1, R2 [ ][ ] | | + |
100K | | === === C2, C3 |
| | === === 1 uF |
| | + | | 16V |
>-----------*--*--------*---*--------------|--> GND 7 5
| |
PTT Circuit E | |
(omit for receive-only) ^\ R3 | D1-D5
Q1 \I 1K D5 | 1N914/4148
2N2222 I----[ ]----I<--|
PTT /I B
<-----------------------/
C
RS232 25pin 9pin
Transmit Audio Circuit R2 R3
(omit for receive-only) 15K 15K
--------*----[ ]---*----[ ]--------< TXD 2 3
C1 | | |
.1 uF [] R1 | |
<----| |--->[] 10K === C2 === C3
MIC [] var. === .022 === .022
Out | | uf | uF
<------------*-------*----------*---------------< GND 7 5
Battery Power Modification
+ ! + !
To Pin 7 of IC1 <--------!!---!!--------> To Pin 4 of IC1
! !
B1 (9V) B2 (9V)
Disconnect D1, D2, D3, D4, C2 and C3.
NOTE: HamComm sends RTTY through the COM port's TxD line, as well
as the speaker. See the HamComm docs for more details.
If you're just interested in receive, omit the PTT and transmit
audio circuitry.
None of the parts are critical, so raid your junkbox! Prices for
equivalent Radio Shack parts are given for reference--which you
can beat by judicious shopping/scrounging.
Parts List -- Main Circuit
--------------------------
Part Value Radio Shack # Price (1994 catalog)
C1 0.1 uF 272-135 $0.69 (for 2)
C2, C3 1 uF 16 V 272-1434 $0.59 each
D1-D4 Diode, 1N914 276-1122 $1.19 (for 10)
*D5 Diode, 1N914 276-1122
IC1 Op amp, 741 276-007 $0.79
R1, R2 100K 271-045 $0.39 (for 2)
*R3 1K 271-023 $0.39 (for 2)
*Q1 Trans. 2N2222 276-2009 $0.59
* Not needed for receive-only interface
Parts List -- Transmit Audio Filter
-----------------------------------
Part Value Radio Shack #
C1 .1 uF 272-135 $0.69 (for 2)
C2 .022uF 272-1066 $0.69 (for 2)
C3 .022uF 272-1066
R1 10 K var. 271-282 $0.49
R2, R3 15 K 271-036 $0.39 (for 2)
Miscellaneous:
Enclosure (RS #270-239 recommended, $2.19), PC board (RS #276-170,
$2.79), audio jack (RS #274-316, $2.19 for 4), RFI toroids
(RS #273-104 $7.95 for 2), DB-9 connector (RS #276-1536, $1.29),
audio cable, plug to match radio.
If you buy all Radio Shack parts for the converter, it should cost
$15 for the full circuit (plus transmit portion), not including the
RFI toroids. Again, the circuit is not really critical--if you have
any parts lying around that fit, use them!
SOME RTTY AND FAX FREQUENCIES
-----------------------------
Here's a short list of RTTY and FAX frequencies heard around the world.
It's nowhere near complete, but it'll get you started. These are mostly
meteorological stations, with some press stations thrown in.
All FAX stations have a LPM and IOC of 120 and 576 unless otherwise
noted. All frequencies are in KHz:
Station Frequencies Comments
------- ----------- --------
CFH, Halifax, NS Canada 4297, 6496.5, 10536, RTTY 75 baud/850 Hz
13510 FAX 120 LPM/576 IOC
NMN, Portsmouth, VA USA 3357, 10865 FAX
NPG, San Francisco, CA 6453, 9090 FAX
IMB55, Rome, Italy 8146.6 FAX
NPM, Pearl Harbor, HI 4855, 9390, 21839 FAX
KCNA, North Korea 8020, 8152, 10524, Press RTTY and FAX
10580, 11430, 11476, LPM 60/IOC 288,
11536, 13580, 14452, negative
14568, 14580, 15633
ECA7, Madrid Meteo 3650, 6918, 10250 FAX
GFA, Bracknell, U.K. 2618.5 4610, 8040, FAX
14436, 18261
Bracknell, U.K. 4488 RTTY wx
50 Baud/425Hz shift
Quickborn, FRG 4583 RTTY wx
50 baud/425Hz shift
USAF, Offutt AFB, NE 3232, 6905, 11121, FAX
19327
AXM32, Melbourne, Aus. 5100 FAX
AXM34, Melbourne, Aus. 11030 FAX
AX134, Darwin, Aus. 10555 FAX
XINHUA, China 14453 Press RTTY
50 Baud/425 Hz shift
TANJUG, Serbia 5240, 7592, 7658, Press RTTY
7806, 7996, 11604,
12212.5, 13440,
15705, 16343, 20204
MAP, Morocco 7842.4, 14760, Press RTTY
15654.9, 18220.9,
18265, 19171.1
Diarios y Noticias, 8167.5, 9242, 11451 Press FAX
Buenos Aires LPM 60/IOC 288, negative
2100-0000 UTC
W1AW, Newington CT, 3625, 7095, 14095, RTTY 45 Baud/170 Hz shift
USA 18102.5, 21095, 28095
There's now a database program of weather fax stations, WXFAX,
that contains information on 101 stations on 312 frequencies,
which may be sorted and printed in any order; it also includes
sample faxes. A demo copy can be found on nic.funet.fi, directory
pub/dx/software/msdos/misc, file WXFAX.LZH.
CLOSING COMMENTS
----------------
This FAQ list was the inspiration of myself and many others on the
Fidonet SHORTWAVE echo, who have been using and experimenting with
HamComm and JVFAX for over six months, trading ideas and hints along
the way. When more people asked me for help, there and on the
Internet, I thought of the obvious and wrote this! <g>
The following get credit for lending me a hand:
W.F. Schroeder (DL5YEC), Pawel Jalocha (SP9VRC), Reid Kelly,
John Palaima (N1NIG), William Nolle, Tom Carney (WB9RJX),
Ken McKenzie, Derek Buchler, Stephen Lee, Marius Rensen and many
others not cited here.
More questions?
---------------
If anyone has questions or comments or even flames, drop me a
line! My address(es):
Internet: moisan@bronze.lcs.mit.edu
n1kgh@amsat.org
Fido: 1:101/165
Snailmail: David Moisan
86 Essex #204
Salem, MA 01970
73's and Good Listening, Dave, N1KGH
--
| David Moisan, N1KGH /^\_/^\ moisan@silver.lcs.mit.edu |
| 86 Essex St. Apt #204 ( o ^ o ) n1kgh@amsat.org |
| Salem. MA 01970-5225 | | ce393@cleveland.freenet.edu |
| |
