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SECTION.001
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1993-11-22
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XPCOM Version 1.4 Page : 1-1
Getting Started .....
If you have not already done so, install XPCOM using the procedures
outlined in the next section. The 'INSTALL' program will greatly
simplify your work. It does it all for you!.
Now that the software is installed, it is time to learn how to use
XPCOM to it's fullest. The best way to start is to get it up and
running.
At the DOS prompt (C:\ or whatever drive you are using) type XPCOM
and hit the enter key. There are several startup switches that you
may use, these are shown below. If you should ever forget these just
type 'XPCOM /?' and you will get this list.
Command Line Options -
/A ANSI Mode on program startup. Default is off.
/B# Screen Blanker Time.
# is blanker time in minutes. Default is 20 minutes.
/C Configure XPCOM. Allows the user to change current
program setup.
/I Initialize the TNC. This is needed if the TNC
batteries are missing or are dead.
/R Enter registration number.
/VL Default color setup for a laptop using a pseudo-CGA display.
/VM Default colors for a Monochrome display.
/VC Default color display.
This is the program default.
Example of a startup.
'XPCOM /C /I /VC /A'
This will start up the program, go through the configuration,
initialize the TNC parameters, set the screen to the default color
setup and enable the ANSI screen mode.
NOTE the spaces between the commands are mandatory.
If you use the /I startup switch this will load in the default TNC
parameters. This is handy if you like to use several different
programs with your TNC.
XPCOM Version 1.4 Page : 1-2
OK so now what do I do ??
Well the program should be up and running at this point.
That is, of course if all is going well. If not see the
appendix on Troubles.
If the /I command is used the TNC will 'wake up' in VHF
packet mode. Lets first try using the keyboard to change
operating modes. Let's change from Packet to RTTY
(Baudot). Press the F10 key, this will bring up the main
menu (across the top of the screen).
Notice that all of the words have the first letter in a
highlight color. Press 'R' for RTTY, you should now see
something like...
╔════════════════════╗
║ HF 45 Baud Alt-B ║
║ HF 57 Baud ║
║ HF 75 Baud ║
║ HF 100 Baud ║
║ HF 300 Baud ║
║ 5Bit Baudot ║
║ 6Bit Baudot ║
║ ASCII 110 ║
║ ASCII 300 ║
╚════════════════════╝
Using the cursor keys, select 'HF 45 Baud' and press the
enter key. That's all there is to it. But there is even an
easier way. Notice that next to the words 'HF 45 Baud'
that 'Alt-B' also appears. Well we could have just as
easily changed from Packet to Baudot by pressing the Alt-B
key and Accepting or Canceling the mode change. If you
are using the 'Hot Keys' to change operating modes, XPCOM
will make you verify the mode change.
Mode Hot Keys
The Hot Keys for the different modes are :
Alt-A AMTOR ARQ mode.
Alt-B HF 45 Baud RTTY.
Alt-F AMTOR FEC Transmit mode, put the
transmitter in the transmit mode.
Alt-L Toggle between ARQ Listen and AMTOR Listen
modes.
Alt-N HF 300 Baud Packet
Alt-P Pactor Listen
Alt-W VHF 1200 Baud Packet
XPCOM Version 1.4 Page : 1-3
OK now let's switch back to over the AMTOR Listen mode
(Alt-L). Now let's try calling CQ. Lets go ahead and use
the default values for now.
Well press the F5 key. That's all there is to it. XPCOM
will now send the CQ text as defined in the Operating
Parameters Menu (under Setup) replacing any of the Text
Macros (see section on Macros) with the appropriate
text.
After the CQ has been sent and the transmitter has
returned to receive mode, a count down clock will start
up in the Status Window (see section on General Program
Information) when that clock reached '0' another CQ will
be sent. To end the CQ, simply press the F5 key again.
If you get a link up or call, press the F2 key and enter
the other stations call sign. Once you get his name type
CTRL-N and enter the name. All of this information goes
into the Log Book (see section on Log Book operations).
To enter the QTH press the CTRL-Q key, and the frequency
may be entered by typing CTRL-F. Once you have the log
data press CTRL-L to save the data.
Once the QSO is complete, press the F4 key for a final 73
and link drop. The F4 key is user definable, and may be
modified in the operating parameters menu, under SETUP.
It is that simple, XPCOM is very easy to learn and use.
Operating Hints...
Make full use of the Operating Parameters, Brag Files
and Brag Text. These items combined with the correct
macros can really save a lot of typing during a QSO.
Make sure that your computer clock is set. Anytime that
you are using any of the Day/Time macros the data is
taken from the computers' clock NOT the TNC's clock.
And most of all HAVE FUN. The digital modes are probably
the most relaxing of anything that you can do in Amateur
Radio.
XPCOM Version 1.4 Page : 1-4
Software Installation
Hard Disk Operation
To install XPCOM to your Hard Disk use the following steps
1. Make a backup of your XPCOM diskette
2. Place your backup diskette into the appropriate drive
3. TYPE INSTALL.
4. When requested type the letter of the desired hard drive
XPCOM will default to C:\XPCOM, change if desired.
5. After the software files have been copied to your system
you may proceed to configuring XPCOM.
Floppy Disk Operation
To set up XPCOM for floppy based operation use the following
steps.
1. Make a backup of your XPCOM diskette, using
standard DOS commands. From the DOS prompt type
"diskcopy a: a: " follow the DOS instructions.
2. Use this backup diskette as your
operating diskette.
Example :
Configuring XPCOM for the First Time
After installing the software on your system, you
are ready to configure XPCOM. Use the following
steps for initial configuration:
1. Be sure you have the following information
a. COM Port (1,2,3 or 4)
b. LPT1, LPT2 or LPT3
c. TNC type
d. Radio type if rig interface is desired.
"TURN TNC ON NOW!"
XPCOM Version 1.4 Page : 1-5
2. Type XPCOM /C at the DOS prompt.
e.g. C:\> XPCOM /C /I /V#
where # :
L - Laptop
M - Monochrome
C - Color
/C and /I switches are used to set configure and
initialize TNC.
3. You will be prompted for TNC information
╔════════════════════════╗
║ Port One TNC Type ║
║ ║
║ [ ] PK-232 CMD: ║
║ [X] PK-232 Host ║
║ [ ] MFJ-1278 ║
║ [ ] Other ║
║ ║
║ Press 'ESC' to Exit ║
╚════════════════════════╝
Example of TNC Parameters Screen
You will then be prompted for the COM Port information.
╔═══════════════════════════════════════════════════════╗
║ TNC One Communications Parameters ║
║ ║
║ Baud Rate Com Port Parity Stop Bits ║
║ ║
║ [ ] 300 [ ] COM1 [X] None [X] 1 ║
║ [ ] 1200 [X] COM2 [ ] Even [ ] 2 ║
║ [ ] 2400 [ ] COM3 [ ] Odd ║
║ [ ] 4800 [ ] COM4 ║
║ [X] 9600 ║
║ [ ] 19200 ║
║ ║
║ Save Cancel IRQS Exit ║
╚═══════════════════════════════════════════════════════╝
Communications Port Screen
The above example shows a setting of :
Baud Rate = 9600
COM Port = 2
Parity = 1
Stop Bits = 1
XPCOM Version 1.4 Page : 1-6
It is suggested that the maximum available baud rate be used. This
avoids some of the overhead that with the AEA PK-232 Host Mode. XPCOM
was tested at 9600 baud, and runs well on all systems.
To select the various parameters use your cursor keys to move to the
desired communications parameter. Then just press the return key and
this item will be selected. If you are using a mouse just click on
the item.
After all parameters have been set click on or cursor to the SAVE
button in the lower left section of the box.
NOTE -> XPCOM 1.4 adds non-standard interrupt support. If you are
using your TNC on a non-standard IRQ. Be sure to configure
the correct com port IRQ. XPCOM is delivered with the IRQ's
and port address's set to standard PC configuration.
4. Printer Port Configuration
Selecting a printer required the same steps as the Communication
Parameters. The default Printer is LTP1.
╔═══════════════╗
║ Printer Setup ║
║ ║
║ [X] LPT1 ║
║ [ ] LPT2 ║
║ [ ] LPT3 ║
║ ║
║ Save ║
║ ║
║ Cancel ║
║ ║
║ Exit ║
╚═══════════════╝
After all parameters have been set click on or cursor to the save
button in the lower section of the box.
XPCOM Version 1.4 Page : 1-7
5. Station information
╔══════════════════════════════════════════╗
║ General Settings ║
║ ║
║ Name Gary___________ ║
║ QTH Mesa, Arizona_________________ ║
║ Station Call KF7XP__ ║
║ Selcal KFXP ║
║ Timezone MST ║
║ GMT Diff in Hours __7 ║
║ (West of GMT is Positive) ║
║ ║
║ Press 'ESC' to Exit ║
╚══════════════════════════════════════════╝
The General Settings menu has several required inputs they
are listed below.
a. Your Name. This is your first name and should be as you wish
it to appear in outgoing text. This parameter is used for the
~sn macro.
b. Your QTH. This parameter is used for the macro ~sq.
c. Your Station Call sign. Used for macro ~sc.
d. Your AMTOR SELCAL. Macro ~ss.
e. Your TIME ZONE, example Pacific Standard Time would be PST.
f. GMT Difference in Hours. This is the number of hours that
you are ahead / behind of GMT. If your QTH is behind GMT
then enter the number of hours as positive.
Input the above parameters into the appropriate locations and press
the 'ESC' key to continue to TNC selection.
XPCOM Version 1.4 Page : 1-8
6. Transceiver Interface
This option allows XPCOM to directly read the frequency into the
log from an attached transceiver. In addition, XPCOM offers a
Radio Control Panel that may be called by pressing 'Alt-O'
during program operation.
╔══ Transceiver Interface═══╗
║ ║
║ [ ] ICOM ║
║ [ ] FT-757/767 ║
║ [ ] FT-990 ║
║ [ ] FT-1000 ║
║ [ ] OMNI VI ║
║ [ ] Paragon ║
║ [ ] TS-440/940 ║
║ [ ] TS-850/950 ║
║ [ ] None ║
║ ║
║ ICOM/TenTec Address 00 ║
║ ║
║ ICOM Address Info ║
║ ║
║ Press 'ESC' to Exit ║
╚═══════════════════════════╝
If you using an ICOM radio and you do not know the correct
address for the radio, use the arrow keys to move the high light
bar over ICOM Address Info and press enter. This will display a
small chart of ICOM transceiver address's.
If you are not using an interface, simply select none.
If you select one of the radios your screen should now display a
communications parameters screen. Select the proper baud rate,
com port, parity and stop bits.
NOTE -> XPCOM 1.4 adds non-standard interrupt support. If
you are using your radio on a non-standard IRQ. Be sure to
configure the correct com port IRQ.
7. At the point the TNC will be initialized.
8. If the program responds with the error " TNC did not respond
within a reasonable amount of time", check the following items.
a. Turn power off the Computer
b. Turn power off to the TNC
c. Check all connection to the TNC
d. Restart computer and TNC
e. Retry initialization sequence
Use XPCOM /I.