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Monster Media 1993 #2
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1993-05-09
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HamlET - A Ham Radio terminal Program
By Paul B. Schou - KE6ET
Copyright (c) 1991-93
HamlET v 3.1 is Freeware. Use it and share it (noncommercially) freely.
Features:
I wrote HamlET because I wanted some things I couldn't find in other
packet terminal programs. I wanted a small program that would run on
a single floppy and still have room to save data. I wanted a program
that would runs when it is called without having to bother with
"Press any key to continue." or other intermediate steps.
I also wanted the ability to run under DesqView or other multitasking
software. Lastly I wanted the ability to use Comm ports one through
four and be able to select IRQ's for ports three and four.
HamlET does those things on an uncluttered split screen display. It also
can save or send ASCII files, print received stuff,
set the TNC clock and scroll the receive window. HamlET can also be
configured to call your favorite editor and logging programs. HamlET
also uses the SHIFT-F and CTRL-F keys to send sets of user definable
commands or messages. This feature is especially useful with multimode
TNC's.
For The Impatient:
Switch to the drive/directory where HamlET.EXE is located and type
hamlet
If you are using 1200 Baud between the TNC and the computer and your TNC
is connected to Comm 1, HamlET will run. If it doesn't read on.
The Configuration File:
A configuration file named HAMLET.CFG allows the user to select Comm
ports and Baud rates as well as send commands to the TNC. This file must
be in the same Drive/Directory as HAMLET.EXE.
If the program doesn't find HAMLET.CFG on start up it will tell you so and
will default to COMM 1 and 1200 Baud. The same defaults will be used if the
program doesn't like the numbers in the HAMLET.CFG file. You'll be told if
the numbers are wrong.
HAMLET.CFG consists of lines of information: A typical file looks like this:
1 [Line 1 - Comm Port]
1200 [Line 2 - Baud Rate]
4 [Line 3 - IRQ]
ted.com
logger.exe
+ Xflow Off
+ MAIL OFF
+ MY KE6ET
= [Time]
- MAIL ON
- CT The terminal is off.
+ CT The terminal is on. Use CTRL-G to ring my bell.
[LAST LINE]
The wording of the comments inside the brackets [ ] is optional as are
the brackets BUT there must be something there. Anything will work as
long as its separated from the number by a few spaces. This applies to
the first three lines and the Equal (=) sign line. The last line must
also have something in it that isn't a + - or = sign.
The first line is the Comm Port. 1, 2, 3, or 4 are acceptable. If
you use ports 3 or 4 be sure to read the discussion in the Comm Port
paragraphs.
The second line is the Baud rate between the computer and the TNC. HamlET
will operate with Baud rates of 300, 1200, 2400, 4800 or 9600.
The third line is the IRQ or Interrupt Request. This should be set to 4
if Comm Port 1 is used and 3 if Comm Port 2 is used. See the discussion
in the Comm Port paragraphs for more detail on the IRQ's for Comm Ports
Three and Four.
The fourth line is used to identify an Editor or other program that can be
called while in HamlET. Put the program name in this line. Be sure to
include the .COM or .EXE extension. If the program is not in the Path
include the full pathname. If you plan to use an Editor to prepare packet
messages make sure you use an ASCII editor. DesqView users should read the
DesqView paragraphs.
NOTE: IF YOU DON'T USE THIS FEATURE LEAVE THE FOURTH LINE BLANK.
The fifth line is used to identify a Logging or other program that can be
called while in HamlET. Put the program name in this line. Be sure to
include the .COM or .EXE extension. If the program is not in the Path
include the full pathname. DesqView users should read the Desqview
paragraphs.
NOTE: IF YOU DON'T USE THIS FEATURE LEAVE THE FIFTH LINE BLANK.
The rest of the file lines are sent to the TNC when the program is
started or exited.
If you want your TNC clock set to the computer clock on start up, put this
line in the .CFG file;
= Time
On start up any TNC command may be sent by preceding the command with a
plus sign (+). Thus the line;
+ CT The terminal is on.
sets CText to "The terminal is on."
When you exit the program any line preceded with a minus sign (-) will
be sent to the TNC. Thus;
- CT The terminal is off.
sets CText to "The terminal is off."
Any number of + and - lines may be included in the HAMLET.CFG file as long
as they are after the fifth line. The + and - lines may be intermingled.
A sample HAMLET.CFG file is included in HAMLET.ZIP. Edit the file with any
ASCII editor or word processor to reflect your configuration. If you use a
non ASCII word processor to create or modify the .CFG file be sure to save
it as an ASCII file.
Setting the TNC parameters:
HamlET is designed to work with the default parameters of most TNC's.
These settings are changes from typical default settings. The first
five are the most important.
Parameter Setting
Xflow OFF HamlET uses hardware flow control. Xflow
must be off to avoid conflicts. The serial
cable must be a standard cable. A three wire
cable might not work in overflow situations.
CMSg ON If you want CT messages sent when someone
connects, this must be ON.
Echo OFF Turning Echo OFF prevents what you send
from appearing in the receive window.
Flow OFF Turning Flow OFF allows incoming data to
be received while you are typing. HamlET
will separate the send and receive data.
LFIgnore ON HamlET works with this OFF or ON unless
sending an ASCII file. Turn it ON to be sure.
NEwmode ON Personal preference. I would rather let the TNC
switch back to Command mode after a disconnect.
PIdcheck OFF If you get a lot of ASCII stuff from Nodes
turn this OFF to eliminate the trash.
STREAMCall ON If you allow multiple users, turn this ON to
help sort them out.
USers 2 - 10 Allow as many users as you want, up to your
TNC's limit.
Using HamlET
HamlET features a split screen display. The top two thirds is the Receive
window. Any incoming data will appear in the Receive window. Data that has
scrolled off the receive window can be reviewed by using the PgUp and PgDn
keys. Pressing End returns from the Scroll mode to the normal Receive mode.
The bottom third is the Send window. Anything typed in the Send window is
immediately sent to the TNC. Limited editing capabilities are available by
using the backspace key. The windows are separated by a double line with
the computer time running on the right side. The bottom line or prompt line
shows what some function keys do.
F1-Help
F1 Brings up a small help menu that gives a little more information
about the special keys. You probably won't need this too often.
F2-Print
If a printer is connected to printer port 1, F2 will start the
printer. If the printer is not on or if the program detects a printer
error you will hear a beep. If the printer is OK the word "Print" in
the prompt line will flash. Anything received from the TNC will now be
printed as well as appearing in the Receive window. Pressing F2 a second
time will turn the print function off and "Print" will stop flashing.
F3-Save
F3 is used when you want to save incoming information to an ASCII file.
Pressing F3 will open a small window that asks you to name the file
that information is to be saved to. You may include a full path and
file name. If you just input a file name the file will be saved in the
current directory. If the file exists HamlET APPENDS data to the end of
the file. If the file doesn't exist HamlET will create a new file.
The word "Save" in the Prompt line will flash while data is saved.
Press F3 again to stop saving.
F4-Send
F4 is used to send prepared ASCII text files to the TNC. The files
can consist of commands for the TNC or text to be sent to another
station. Pressing F4 will open a small window that asks you for a file
name. Enter the file name that you want to send. This feature is useful
for sending prepared messages or for sending brag tapes. For instance
a file named QTH could send your name and address. You may also prepare
messages or a series of messages to be sent to your local bulletin board.
When you send a file using F4, the transmitted text will appear in the
Send window and the flashing words "Any Key" will replace "F4-Send" on
the prompt line. Pressing any key but the Escape key will abort
transmission of the file. The Escape key will also abort the file
transmission but it will close the HamlET program which probably is
not what you want to do.
If the file length exceeds the TNC transmit buffer size, transmission
from the computer to the TNC will pause. The text in the Send window
will also pause. Transmission to the TNC and the Send window will
continue when the TNC buffers are emptied. This is done automatically
by the programs hardware flow control. Transmission from the TNC to the
other station can be monitored by observing the TNC status lights. XFLOW
must be OFF for hardware flow control to operate properly.
F5-Set TNC Time
Pressing F5 will set the TNC clock to the computer time. This feature
is an alternative to using the "= Time" line in the HAMLET.CFG file.
The F5 command is not shown on the prompt line but is in the help menu.
F6-Editor
Pressing F6 will bring up the editor or other program that you named
in line four of the hamlet.cfg file. You may use this function to
access your favorite editor or use it to bring up a DOS shell. HamlET
users have found that naming Vern Buerg's LIST.COM in line four, to
access an editor, provides a powerful tool that can be used for editing
or file manipulation.
LIST is shareware and Copyright (C) 1983-1991 by;
Vernon D. Buerg
139 White Oak Circle
Petaluma, CA 94952
LIST is available from the author and many land line BBS's including:
(707) 778-8944 VOR 24-hour bulletin board
(707) 778-8841 MB 24-hour bulletin board
(415) 994-2944 VOR South 24-hour BBS
TED.COM a Tiny EDitor developed by Tom Kihlken of PC magazine is included
in the HAMLET.ZIP file. This is a very efficient editor that uses less
than 4K of disk space. The documentation for it is also included.
F7-Log
Pressing F7 will bring up the Logging or other program that you named
in line five of the hamlet.cfg file. You may use this function to
access your favorite logger or any other program that you might want to
use.
PgUp-Scroll
Pressing the PgUp key switches the Receive screen to the Scroll mode.
Subsequent PgUp or PgDn key presses allow scrolling through the last five
or six pages. Pressing the End key returns to the receive mode. In Scroll
mode the Send window and the F2-Print and F3-Save functions remain active.
SHIFT-F1 through SHIFT-F10 and CTRL-F1 through CTRL-F10
These keys allow access to prepared files. You may prepare up to 20
files named SF1.TXT through SF10.TXT and CF1.TXT through CF10.TXT. The
content of these files will be sent when the corresponding F key is
pressed while holding the SHIFT or CTRL key. This feature is especially
useful when using a multimode TNC. A series of commands can be sent to
configure the TNC for the desired mode.
Comm Ports
The PC and it's clones were originally designed to handle only two comm
ports. When the need for more serial capability was recognized most PC's
and/or I/O cards added Comm 3 and Comm 4 at the addresses and using the
Interrupt Requests (IRQ's) as shown. Most software that uses Comm 3 and 4
also expects these addresses and IRQ's.
Port Base Address IRQ
Comm1 03F8 4
Comm2 02F8 3
Comm3 03E8 4
Comm4 02E8 3
Unfortunately this causes an immediate conflict between ports 1 and 3 and
between ports 2 and 4. If a modem is connected to port 1, a mouse to port 2
and a TNC to port 3 the modem and the TNC will conflict since they share
the same IRQ. The associated software cannot tell which port generated the
IRQ. At best the program in use will cause problems and at worst the
computer will hang up.
There is a way to solve the problem. HamlET allows you to select other
IRQ's for comm 3 and 4. If your serial I/O board also allows selection of
other IRQ's (many of them do) all you have to do is pick a number and go.
Be careful picking the number. Stick to 2, 5 or 7. IRQ 2 is usually
for a second parallel port. If you are using two printer ports don't use
IRQ 2. IRQ's 5 and 7 are normally safe if other add-on boards have not
usurped the IRQ's. HamlET accepts only IRQ's 2, 3, 4, 5 and 7. Any other
IRQ numbers will cause an error when the HAMLET.CFG file is read. To make
HamlET respond correctly first set the I/O board to the desired IRQ and Comm
Port. Then edit the first and third lines of the HAMLET.CFG file to reflect
the Port and IRQ numbers.
This procedure applies only to Comm Ports 3 and 4. The IRQ's for Ports 1
and 2 are fixed by the program and are not affected by line three of the
HAMLET.CFG file.
DesqView
The HamlET program will run in DesqView without problems. Set the memory
required to 65k. The best practice is to not use the F6-Editor or the
F7-Log functions when running in DesqView, but to open your editor and
logger in another DesqView window. Be sure to configure the serial ports
in the DesqView PIF file to reflect your configuration.
Microsoft Windows
Several Beta testers have run HamlET in Windows without problems. I
cannot verify this from personal experience.
Usual Notices.
HAMLET.EXE, HAMLET.CFG and this document (The Software) are copyrighted by
Paul B. Schou. The copyright owner hereby licenses you to use and distribute
the software with these restrictions:
The program shall be supplied in its original, unmodified form, which
includes this documentation;
For-profit use without a license is prohibited;
The program may not be included, or bundled with other goods or services.
Exceptions may be granted upon written request only.
No fee is charged; An exception is granted to not for profit user's groups,
which are permitted to charge a small fee (not to exceed $5.00) for
materials, handling, postage, and general overhead. No other organization
is permitted to charge any amount for distribution of copies of the software
or documentation, or to include copies of the software or documentation
with sales of their products.
There is no warranty of any kind. The copyright owner may not be held
liable for any damages, including any lost profits or other incidental or
consequential damages arising out of or inability to use the software. By
using the software, you agree to this.