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- KENCON-1.EXE COM1 version 1.1b compiled basic
- KENCON-2.EXE COM2 version 1.1b compiled basic
- KENCON.EXE COM1-COM4 version 1.1c rewritten in Microsoft C
- KENCON.doc this file
-
- No hardware modification is required to use KENCON-1 or KENCON-2 but to use
- KENCON.EXE you must jumper RS232 pins 20 & 6. This can be done either
- inside the IF232-c or within the cable connectors. KENCON will NOT work
- without this simple modification.
-
- KENCON-x.EXE is a stand alone compiled basic program designed to control
- the KENWOOD 440s from the keyboard of an IBM-PC computer through
- serial ports COM1 or COM2. It is designed to run from a single command
- line or through the menus provided in the program itself.
-
- KENCON.EXE was written in C because it seems to cause less disturbance
- with other COM ports when run. Since one program will drive com ports
- 1 through 4 an additional command is requested to identify which port
- is connected to the radio. It is not recursive like the Basic version
- but that will be fixed in a later release.
-
- By entering all KENCON-x commands from the command line the program can be
- used with the new "!" DOS shell command in CPBBS software.
-
- EXAMPLE of a typical command used in the FWD.MB file:
-
- !b0023 <DOS shell command for port B of the CPBBS
- KENCON-2 26 5 <KENCON-2.EXE command string (COM2:)
- *** EOF <END of dos shell
- GB0023F KB3MY <Beginning of next forward list
- KB3MY
- *** EOF
-
- In the above example the "KENCON-2" runs the KENCON-2.EXE program then
- picks option "26" (SELECT MEMORY CHANNEL) and finally "5" which
- selects channel 5. This same kind of command sequence could be used
- in the autoexec file to initialize the radio on startup. By entering
- the frequency as a negative number (-14111.510) the program will
- send the TUNE ANTENNA command following the frequency change. In
- addition I have added a separate TUNE ANTENNA function as option 36.
-
- For the KENCON version the above command line would be as follows:
-
- KENCON 2 26 5
-
-
- As you will see there is room for 9 additional functions in the menu
- so if anyone has a wish list just let me know. I will not be adding
- any functions that read information FROM the radio so don't ask for
- them.
-
- KENCON.EXE was written in C because it seems to cause less disturbance
- with other COM ports when run. One program will also work with com ports
- 1 through 4. It is not recursive like the Basic version but that will
- be fixed in a later release.
-
- These programs were written to allow a handicapped ham control his
- radio from the keyboard of his PC.
-
- If any of you have any comments or suggested additions to the program
- please let me know.
-
- COMMENT:
- One of the considerations for purchasing the 440 was its ability
- to be controlled from the keyboard. Since it has a built in auto tuner,
- I and many others assumed we could activate the tuner form the computer,
- NOT TRUE for the 440. It seems to me that the ability to change frequencies
- with the tuner is nearly useless. I have contacted Kenwood and they indicated
- that I was the first to complain. If they were to receive "enough" complaints
- they would consider a modification to offer tuning from the keyboard. In
- my particular case I use the 440 on our Navy MARS packet net. This requires
- several off the wall frequencies and tuning is a must on several of them.
- For a handicapped operator this capability might mean the difference between
- total enjoyment of the ham experience vs. added frustration. If you agree
- that auto tuning is a much needed 440 capability, please call or write Kenwood
- in California and ask them to design a modifications for us. Thanks!
-
- de KB3MY, CIS 72605,1465 Buster Light
- 15331 Valencia Street, Sliver Spring, Maryland 20905
-
- via packet: KB3MY @ KB3MY