World of Ham Radio 1994 January/AMSOFT_1994.iso/misc/elmer/prog/vendor.doc

Text File | 1993-12-31 | 10.0 KB | 235 lines

Program: LAN-LINK Version: 2.00 (05/01/92)
Registration fee: $45.00.
BBS filename: LL200EXE.ZIP or LAN200.ZIP
User Support: latest version, free update,
phone/mail/BBS support.
Description: LAN-LINK is a Personal Packet Terminal
Program for the TNC1, TNC2, KPC-2 and most of all a
smart multimode digital communications controller for
the KAM, MFJ1278 and the PK-232. LAN-LINK is
designed to optimize the configuration of the TNC in
each communications mode and to provide some smart
terminal features. LAN-LINK is a sophisticated program.
In its basic state it allows you to use the TNC in an
optimal manner. It configures the TNC (it types the
commands) for you to maximize the communications
efficiency in the communications mode of your choice.
That means, for example, when working Packet on HF
you need to program the TNC parameters to different
values than you would use on VHF to make maximum
use of the mode. One significant difference is the length
of the packet itself, for the longer it is, the greater the
probability of QRM destroying it. This program will
adjust the packet parameters for you.

PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS: Function key and Menu
driven. Expert system (ELMER) in packet mode for
building smart servers. Automatic logbook entries for
Packet and Mailbox/Beacon Mode AMTOR Connects,
semiautomatic logbook entries for other modes. Logbook
file is dBASE compatible and can be processed by the
LOGBOOK Package of PC-HAM by G3ZCZ for indexed
listings, tracking of DXCC and other AWARDS, etc.
Contest operation, sends standard message and
automatically increments QSO count. Automatic
optimized configuration of the TNC for each
communications mode. All mode Function key 'OVER'
feature (End). There are 10 files with fixed names
(LAN-LINK.001 through LAN-LINK.010) which may be
viewed and transmitted by means of function keys. They
may also be edited from the Edit Menu. Set up of TNC
for AMSAT-OSCAR Telemetry reception. Time display
and event scheduler. ASCII Text Editor. Customizable
Colors.
Access to the TNC Command Mode is provided in case
the user wishes to override any defaults. Automatic
capture to disk of all packet radio connects. Automatic
indication of the number of Packet connects. Local Area
Network (LAN) message store and forward capability.
Capable of automatic connect attempts to download a
QTC from another station in the LAN. Capable of
automatic connect attempts to a packet BBS to download
your incoming messages, when your callsign appears on
the BBS mail beacon annunciator. Capable of
automatically requesting Bulletins on subjects that
interest you from your local packet BBS. Digipeat
monitoring and capture. Alert signal to let you know
when a predetermined call shows up in a packet header
on frequency. Conference and Bridge modes in
multiconnect situations. Indicator that a specific station
designated as the 'target' call connected in Packet Mode,
or linked to AMTOR Beacon/Mailbox while you were
away. Automatic NET/ROM and KA Node path set up
from LAN-LINK.DIR call/path directory file. Selective
answering machine and MAILBOX using NC/L command
dialogue. Automatic Beacon Mode CQ caller. Automatic
contest (DX-pedition) mode. Will call CQ repetitively and
either work the connect and keep going after disconnect
or signal you when a reply is received. Zmodem binary
file transfer capability. RTTY SELCAL.

Program: WHATS-UP Version: 1.20 (07/01/91)
Registration fee: $35.00 individual, $195.00 classroom
site license.
BBS filename: WU120EXE.ZIP
User Support: latest version, free update, additional
data, phone/mail/BBS support.
Description: WHATS-UP is a tool which provides you the
Radio Amateur, or the Educator, with the capability to
perform experiments in spacecraft orbital dynamics as
well as monitoring the environment onboard several of
the Orbiting Satellites Carrying Amateur Radio (OSCAR)
during individual passes or over long periods of time
(DOVE, UO-2, FO-20, AO-16, WO-18 and LO-19).

WHATS-UP provides an introduction as to how this can
be done using readily available low cost equipment.
General topics discussed cover telemetry, the spacecraft
themselves. Groundstation hardware topics include
receiving antennas, radio receivers and modems.
Software topics discussed include the software used to
track the spacecraft and the software used to both
decode and display the data in real time as well as that
for post pass analysis. Excluding the Personal Computer,
a simple telemetry capturing groundstation can be set up
for less than $500.00 in equipment costs.

WHATS-UP is a table driven program which uses
configuration files to allow maximum flexibility. WHATS-
UP will tune a Kenwood Radio's VFO A to the spacecraft
beacon frequency (plus a presettable offset) and set the
receive mode for the satellite of interest. If the Radio
responds correctly, WHATS-UP will allow you to read
back the "VFO A" frequency during the pass and capture
the data to a Doppler measurement file for later import
to a spreadsheet.

Program: ELMER Version 1.00 (5/1/92)
Registration fee: $45.00 individual, $450 classroom site
license.
BBS filename: ELMER100.ZIP
User Support: latest version, free update, additional
data, phone/mail/BBS support.
Description: ELMER is a tool for demonstrating expert
system techniques, or building any interactive
knowledgebase. It is ideal for use in amateur radio, or as
a knowledgebase in a software (or any other product)
support facility.

ELMER is an expert system based on a finite state
machine using table driven software. The declarative
knowledge is stored in the form of separate ASCII text
and command files. The procedural knowledge is stored
in the state table. The Data files in ELMER correspond
to the Knowledge Engine (and the Inference Engine), the
State Tables correspond to the Inference Engine. ELMER
also contains an ASCII editor for text files, and a tool to
view the state table. These tools allow the user to "teach"
ELMER new knowledge.

Programming ELMER is simple. The knowledge base is
broken out in terms of states and transitions. States can
be passive or active. A passive state is one in which
ELMER does nothing other than accept/parse further
input. An active state is one in which ELMER loads and
displays a text file containing information or shells to
DOS and runs an external program. ELMER contains a
set of tools for programming and debugging purposes. A
state table for the procedural knowledge is drawn up
using pencil and paper and a large sheet of graph paper.
The built in text editor is then used to enter information
into the table. The individual text files containing the
knowledge are also created using the editor. The state
table viewing tool is used to check the entries. The state
table loading capability is used to exercise ELMER and
verify the logic. Because the procedural knowledge is
contained in the state table, all sorts of rules and
linkages may be used.

Program: PC-HAM  Version: 3.52 (06/25/90)
Registration fee : $35.00
BBS filename: LOG3_52.ZIP and CONTEST.ZIP (both
are parts of PC-HAM)
User Support: latest version, free update,
phone/mail/BBS support.
Description: The PC-HAM Logbook is more than a
simple menu driven computerized logbook. Not only does
it store your logbook on a floppy disk, it allows you to
access the data in the logbook in ways that have not
been previously possible. Some of the things you can do
are:- Display/print your qso's sorted by call sign in
Alphanumeric order. Search for and display all qso's with
a specified prefix. Generate your DXCC status
automatically. Update or Keep award records directly
from the log entries. Analyze contest qso's for duplicates
and scoring contacts. Automatically QSL 100% (after a
contest or DX-Pedition) to all stations worked for one
contact on each of 5 bands. QSL labels will not be
printed for duplicate contacts on any band. The logging
package is written in dBASE and source code is provided
to registered users.

PC-HAM also contains a contest logging program for the
beginner or casual contest operator, and a simulation of
the Sweepstakes contest in the form of a game. you can
work the ARRL Sweepstakes from your keyboard. Lastly,
a propagation prediction program (WHATS-ON) allows
you to predict when a band will be open to other parts of
the world.

Program: STARTREK - The COMPUTER
PROGRAM Version: 1.00 (05/25/90)
Registration fee: $15.00 individual.
BBS filename: STARTREK.ZIP or TREKBOOK.ZIP
User Support: latest version, free update,
phone/mail/BBS support.
Description: An ideal task for the beginner to learn a
language on is a simulation game which is written
around the computer that the beginner has available.
For in that case, there is complete control of all inputs
and outputs, This kind of game in which the player
makes decisions based on the information available to
him or her available at the time), can be made
sufficiently sophisticated and complex so as to make
writing it an adequate challenge for anybody.

The techniques used in writing a good game are the
same that programmers use in professional activities.
Writing a good game poses a challenge that allows you to
develop good habits and techniques for programming and
also allows you to learn a language in an interesting
manner. By taking an orderly approach to the game
design, complex operations may be clearly understood
and converted to computer code with the aid of a
language reference manual, irrespective of the language
being used.

This product teaches the techniques for writing such a
game using the STARTREK game as an example, and
the BASIC language as the programming language in
which to write the code.

Product(s): LAN-LINK, WHATS-UP, ELMER,
PC-HAM, STARTREK-TCP
Joe Kasser (Software for Amateur Radio), POB
3419, Silver Spring, MD, 20918. Voice, telephone
301-593-6136, Support BBS, 301-593-9067.