BAYCOM TERMINAL PROGRAM BY DL8MBT & DG3RBU This translation and any updates remain the copyright of G0KIU who places it in the PD for any Radio Amateur to use. It may be freely copied and passed around only in full provided that recognition is given to the German Authors and G0KIU. It is issued ASAP to give assistance to those using the Program written by Florian Radher (DL8MBT & Johannes Kneip (DG3RBU). If any errors are detected they will be corrected in the next issue. Please advise G0KIU @ GB7BSX of any Errors I expect to meet the Authors a little later this Year when I hope to obtain all the latest updates both Hardware (Expansion Cards in Particular) and Software. You are asked to make donations to the Authors of the Program as an appreciation and encouragement to ever increase the updating. Details available of addresses in the Manual on page 41 Thank You De Denis G0KIU FORWARD BY TRANSLATOR BayCom - Terminal Program for PCs without a TNC by Florian Radher (DL8MBT) & Johannes Kneip (DG3RBU) CONTENTS. PART I: Introduction Page No. 1. Forward 2 2. History of BayCom 4 3. Overview of the BayCom-Terminal Program 4 3.1 Quick Start. 6 PART II: Requirements 1. Installation of Parameters 7 1.1 Parameter Compiler 12 2. L2 as Resident Program 13 3. The Terminal SCC 14 3.1 General Information on Text and Commands 17 3.2 Timer and "TNC" Commands 18 3.3 Description of Screen Information 23 3.4 Store and File Transmission Commands. 26 3.5 Other Commands 27 3.6 Operation 28 3.7 Unproto Transmission 28 3.8 Brief Overview of Commands and Keys 29 PART III: The Modem Hardware 1. General 30 2. Circuit 31 3. Construction 32 4. Parts List 35 5. Start up and Adjustment 36 6. Electronic DCD 37 7. Re-Construction of existing Modems 38 PART IV: Appendices 1. Fault Correction 39 2. BayCom - User and Distribution Advice 41 3. Future Developments 42 4. Keyword Index 43 BayCom - Terminal Program Version 1.2 by DL8MBT and DG3RBU Page 1 PART I: Introduction 1.Forward: Now it is possible for X-te Packet by radio using IBM Compatible Computers. In all previous concepts 90% required a TNC2, this is not in dispute, 9% are without an expansion slot capability and therefore most expensive. But first the 100 Program it can: pure Packet. The possibility exists to 'come on board' with a simple Modem that is available now, and this adequately, makes possible a System to use an economic Expansion Card with up to 16 Radio Channels at high Baud Rates. Also perhaps something completely different ? In any case something that is guaranteed 'Made in Bavaria, and already unique. And how out of our Land has it's uniqueness, which is not only admired, but also valued worldwide. The Hard - and Software under discussion is both for which thought, and also for the pleasure of investigating something new, and for those that existing solutions do not please, which to them perhaps opens up an improvement. It also smooths the way for all of those who have the use of a PC but hitherto have been scared off from building a TNC. Here to avoid unnecessary mystery, the basic philosophy is explained. The Objects are: - high speed also on 'feeble' Computers (Slow speed.Trans.Comment.) - simple installation, possible automatic adaptation to Hardware. - see at a glance, full laid out Screen Application. - neat Command lines - Control, only in necessary cases. Function Keys (which this will not advise the user against.) - upward compatible with DIGICOM>64 - full and best use of the Computer Hardware, also not a possible restriction from Video, I/O, and RAM Cards. Not sought after are: - full automation.(e.g.Mailbox and similar things.) - Compatibility to previous TNCs/Expansion Cards. - A mix of end station and NETNODES. Here will clearly be met between Node/ Mailbox and Terminal User. An immediate application is NOT foreseen. Reservation is: - a complete reversal and departure from previous rules. Page 2 BayCom - Terminal Program Version 1.2 by DL8MBT & DG3RBU Published by our endeavours is a Program. - that a Packet Radio user, either with a simple Modem connected to the Serial Port- or with an Expansion Card for the IBM Slot. - positive similarity to the earlier Digicom is not dis-avowed - unfortunately because of the crude 'abuse' of the asynchronous serial Port it will not run on certain Laptops. We are ourselves moreover, are in the clear that this Program is also not the "Yolk" of the Packet Radio Egg description, it will be given with surety, Fans and Enemies of BayCom. On the immediate development front it is certainly not a similarity to that in use with existing luxurious TNC- Terminals. We have published that in the first place; openly for the internal application by the authors' developed Program primary from "Druck von der Strasse" - which in itself accumulated inquiries of the thrifty delivered test version lies here; almost not an alternative choice. Every one will be contented, that this Program is profitably more intensive, and ascertain, that it is hook and eye possessed. But it is naturally not excluded, that yet more diversely improved Versions will follow. So we present a Program as a modest Packet Radio-Possibility for each and everyone to have a look at, those who themselves up to now have been unable to build a TNC, but have a PC standing in the shack. Here to finish yet another request: Through accumulated letters and calls from the last time, the scarce free time of DL8MBT was heavily taken over. In the future therefore please arrange eventual questions only to DG3RBU and DK5RQ. We ourselves particularly thank at this time, DK5RQ, who himself with much trouble, has made the correction of mistakes and given well oiled guidance; has taken over the complete "Marketing Organisation" and to that end also pre-financed almost all running costs and the construction. Similarly thanks also to DL5RL and DF1RW, who themselves smoothed out a lot of trouble with the provision of PCB and construction parts, also to all others who have tested the program or otherwise in other forms were helpful to us. And last but not least a thank you to each and each one of the Digicom users, who in the past years through their donations have made possible the construction of BayCom-Digis, from which ultimately this Program is developed. Regensburg, Munich in November 1990 DL8MBT Flori DG3RBU Johannes BayCom - Terminal Program Version 1.2 by DL8MBT & DG3RBU Page 3 2 Origins of BayCom. The idea of BayCom arose in the Winter 1989/1990, on the one hand, through the completion of Digicom 3.51 by Flori (DL8MBT), Programming Capacity had once again become free, and on the other hand, was to turn ones eyes away from that which was inserted by the Digipeaters DB0RGB, DB0LNA and DB0AAB DXL-System (CP/M-System with 64B180 C.P.U. and special TNCs) through which increasing traffic were at their ceiling capacity. There must also be a new and possibly larger adequate System for the future of these NetNodes. A complete rebuild of a Computer was excluded from us by reason of current expenditure availability. On the grounds of falling PC-Prices arose the idea that with a AX25 Protocol supporting IC (the choice fell on the extremely economically priced SCC IC 8530) to build an efficient Computer add on card. For that purpose :- develop a totally up to the present TNC functions appropriate "L2" Software, on which the then already previous CP/M System running DXL ComputerNode Software was placed. After certain problems with the SCC Timing, in April 1990 the first DB0AAB with the new System ran on the Net, followed by DB0RGB and DB0LNA. Concurrently at this time, the gradual turning point of connecting a TNC with the eventual Portable - Packet Radio actions with the available Laptops came about. This and always again Synchronization problems, became boring. So developed within only a week the original version of the now following Terminal Program - naturally based on, and rewritten for the use of a serial Port, that which in the Digi employed L2 foundation. From there it's Node Computer and Terminal developed in parallel, the terminal became always more user friendly, the Digis through better user interface and finally also completed through an RMNC compatible Router. The idea which itself in the end, accumulating inquiries decided us to proceed with the objective To begin with, "internal" objectives being served and with complete all round reliability, yet a still unfinished Terminal Program; to give it free to the general users - also in the hope, that in time something to improve the needy Digipeater Cashbox would arrive. 3. Overview of the BayCom-Terminal General Attributes. - Screen Editor: Each issue of the Program can by labels with the Cursor and Return be repeated again as an application. - Three part Screen TX, RX, and Monitor. The Cursor can be positioned in all three. The window can be made larger in use, the text behind scrolled upwards and downwards. - Recall pages of all Screen Windows. - Conventional Multi-Connect-Capacity including File transfer - Support of EGA-Video Mode - Saving and re-instatement of the Screen contents after leaving the program Page 4 BayCom - Terminal Program Version 1.2 by DL8MBT & DG3RBU The BayCom-Terminal consists of several individual Programs which will be introduced in the following. - L2.EXE. This is the main program of the BayCom System. This Program has great importance. It runs resident in the RAM. That means that after the start of the Program the usual DOS-Prompt appears again, one sees in the top right corner of the screen a small blinking square. A Computer with a connected Modem, at present as a free standing TNC: and Radio. One can connect to it and enter information, the user achieves this only after the actual Program (SCC.EXE) has started. If L2 is started and the DOS Prompt is again present, the Computer stands ready for other purposes - e.g. Text Writing, Programming etc. - with a limitation: L2 occupies 80KB of the RAM. i.e. for other applications have no longer 640KB, but now only 560KB of RAM for applications, which for most comprehensive programs can lead to problems. - SCC.EXE This reserves the Terminal Ram area. After the start the three part split screen is obtained from other Programs. The user can commence the full PR operation. The Program has taken the Screen Editor from DigiCom. For the Commands see the following descriptions. - OFF.COM This short program serves as a 'Speicherputzfrau'(RAM Charwoman!) It removes the resident L2 Program from RAM. The Computer now stands completely available for other applications. - SCC.INI Contained in this normal ASCII file, the user default Parameters are stored. It is Edited with a normal Text Editor. Here should be entered the appropriate Calls and Parameters. - PARA.EXE The Parameters contained in SCC.INI must first be converted to a Machine readable format. Executing PARA.EXE achieves this objective. It will be automatically called from L2 after alteration from SCC.INI. It can also be started Manually. The Program gives an ERROR REPORT in the event of a FALSE or WRONG Parameter that has been entered. - SCC.PAR This is also produced from SCC.INI Machine readable Parameter File. (It can not be Manually changed.) It is created after the first calling of PARA.EXE - SCC.HLP The HELP FILE that is issued by :H in the Program. - SCC.VID BayCom allows that the Screen Area at the end of the Program to be saved, and at the next start be reloaded. These screens will be saved in SCC.VID. This File will be recalled after the first Start of BayCom. - SCC.PWD Password-File for the J Function (Must be created by user) see :J Function. BayCom - Terminal Program Version 1.2 by DL8MBT & DG3RBU Page 5 - BAYCOM.BAT By a call from BAYCOM L2 the Terminal will be started and ended. At the end of the PR session L2 will be automatically removed from RAM. As said previously this is important for users who will have no further use for the Management of L2. - INSTALLC.BAT This is a small Batch Program that installs BAYCOM on the Hard Disk. 3.1. How can one Make a Quick Start. ? For all of those who only need brief information and after that. like to experiment unaided the following lines are offered. BAYCOM is either run from a Diskette or Hard Disk. Either copy all the files into a Directory or use the file install, which will do the installation and copying. It is only necessary for a very small Basic Installation of the Parameters. Using a normal Editor the following Parameters should be entered. -SERIAL PORT COM1 or COM2. This is defined round about LINE 30 in SCC.INI. The default is COM1. -CALL-SIGNS The Parameter MY (MYCALL) is defined round about LINE 60. Your own Call-Sign resides here, DigiPeaterCall (DCALL) also suitably entered. All other Parameters are to a certain degree pre-installed at a reasonable value, and are each to choice and in the course of experience adjusted later. Then only L2 needs to be run, and afterwards SCC. (Or better still everything from BAYCOM.) Already everything should be up and running. To end the Program :- ALT-X DO NOT FORGET. As in DigiCom before each Command a colon (:) must be used. To delete before the sending of Text either ESC-TAB or DEL. If nothing functions then now is the time for further reading :- Chapter "Problems and their Correction" is the right place. ! Page 6 BayCom - Terminal Program Version 1.2 by DL8MBT & DG3RBU Part II: PROGRAM OPERATIONS. In the following introduction of which the largest part describes the details of all the Attributes of the Program that should be entered. 1. Installation of the Personal Parameters in SCC.INI. (Only required for 1st Start or large alterations of Parameters.) 2. Start the resident Terminal Program L2 (Would have altered SCC.INI well before this automatically to make the Parameters into a Machine readable form. 3. Start of the Terminal SCC (Then the optional PR session can be operated.) 4. End of the Terminal Program. 5. End of L2 Items 2, 3, 4 can be operated by BAYCOM automatically. In the following the individual items will be explained. 1. INSTALLATION OF THE PERSONAL PARAMETERS. For the first start of the Program the important Parameters, pre-installed in a normal Text File (SCC.INI). This Text File created by your favourite Editor (e.g. NE Turbo Editor etc. Document Mode.). MUST BE IN TEXTMODE WITH NO INSERTED SYMBOLS. The following is a more detailed and precise explanation of the individual lines in the File SCC.INI. All items that follow a colon (:) will be ignored by the program and are there as commentary. It is recommended that before making any alterations to the existing File a Copy is made so that in the event of problems a suitable example is still available. WARNING. WARNING. WARNING. Any data that is changed will only be effective after a re-start of L2 has taken place and the Parameters converted to a Machine readable format. It does not update the file by running L2 without removing L2 from the RAM until a new restart is made. : Initialisation File for BayCom-PR-Soft on IBM-PC by DL8MBT / DG3RBU : ----------------------------------------------- : (update V1.20 15.11.90) : : : The construction of this file is relatively tolerant. Empty : Symbols/Lines may be inserted at any place. The command : may be in Upper or Lower Case and will be ignored. It is also advisable : right at the beginning to make a Backup of this File so that in Crisis BayCom - Terminal Program Version 1.2 by DL8MBT & DG3RBU Page 7 : situations a reference is available. : The Parameter File will be read by PARA.EXE by being called from L2.EXE : by request, namely if SCC.PAR is not found. : In SCC.PAR will be saved precisely the same Parameters as are here, : although in a Machine Readable Format, to be available very much quicker : and also for easier machine operation. : : : Data boundary for the dynamic RAM administration and Ports: : -------------------------------------- : tports 7 :Number of Terminal Screens (max 9, 1 Port for UI/Monitor) [Here is inserted the number of screens required. One of these is for the overall monitor port. The number of ports determines how many lines respectively per Port may be re-read. In the example given (6 Ports and 1 Monitor there are approximately 200 Lines.] buffer 40 :Total number of AX.25 Buffer space in Frames mbuffer 10 : Total number of Monitor Buffer space, up to 330 Bytes rbuffer 8 : Buffered Data per Port Rx, multiplied by 330 Bytes tbuffer 8 : Buffered Data Tx, multiplied by 330 Bytes [These values are reserved in the RAM. The values given here have proved to be good in practice, so that they should not be altered. Those who in spite of this wish to play: The standard buffer must be larger than mbuffer, tbuffer and rbuffer added together !] : HDLC-Parameter (Only effective for the present operation spec.) : ---------------------------------------- : rs232 1 :Number of the Serial Port(COM1 or COM2) [Here is the Port to which the Modem for RP-Operation is connected. Unfortunately it is not possible to define COM3 or COM4. It is not possible for the interrupt for these Ports to be programmed.] : Screen Setup : ------- [In this section the general Screen delineation will be determined as well as the Graphics Card type.] d1lines 8 :Height of the Tx Screen in Lines d2lines 20 :Commencement of the Monitor Window in lines [Both of these entries give the position of the separation between the Send- (At the top), Receive- (Middle) and Monitor Window (bottom)] vadapter 0 :Graphics Card -type: 0=Automatic, 1=Mono, 2=Colour, 3=LCD [These Parameters state the Graphics Card of the Computer. With 0 the automatic selection will take place. The System sets the System to either EGA- or VGA 43 line Mode. With 2 EGA and VGA will also be installed but with only 25 lines.] Page 8 BayCom - Terminal Program Version 1.2 by DL8MBT and DG3RBU volumns 80 :Screenwidth. Normally 80. vlines 25 :No. of lines on Screen. Normally 25. Some Graphics Cards, more. [Lines and columns for special cases are installable] saveports 2 :The number of Ports, by which the screen can be saved. [At the ending of the Program the existing Screen contents (excepting the Monitor Window) will be secured. This naturally requires time, and so more Ports to be written on to the Diskette. One puts the value thereon so that the start and end can be quick - especially for the work by the Diskette, this line should be small or set at 0] wwrap 80 :The position of the automatic linefeed, conventionally 80 [At this position the last word will not be automatically moved into the next line, and the line end automatically sent (L/F)] mheader on :Linefeed between the Monitor Address and the Information field [This operates the Monitor, with MHEADER ON the AX25-Address-field and the associated Packet-Info in two different Lines, with MHEADER OFF one after the other. One decides oneself what is wanted. german on :German Characters with DIN Umlauts. (in lieu of IBM) [For all friends of the 'hot' discussions in the "Opinion"-Boards of the Mailboxes, here stands ones own free choice. Popular German characters (German on).] remote on : Window control by other stations. //Command [Also as already in service by DigiCom, these Commands are available from the connected Station. Everything exists not a singular setting, but with REMOTE ON generally all Commands with the exception of :OSHELL(Shell to DOS) are available] : : INSTALLATION OF THE CALL SIGNS : --------------------- : dcall dl8mbt :Digipeater Call-sign. connect test :unproto- Linecall('quasi connect' on channel 0) mycall dl8mbt-1 dl8mbt-3: up to 4 MYCALLS enot nocall tnc2c pk232: Connect ignore Call : [DCALL is the Call-Sign, which the System will respond to as a Digipeater. Under MYCALL are the Call-Signs which the Computer will respond to from other stations wishing to Connect. Thereby the first of the Calls will always be used when one makes a connection himself. if one connects at the same time another station then the SSID of MYCALL will be increased by 1] : INSTALLATION OF VARIOUS TEXTS : ------------ :Connect text (Only by Terminal-Operation) ctext Flori/Munich-Giesing -- BayCom with SCC Card in the PC [This Text is sent to the Connecting Station as a Greeting] BayCom - Terminal Program Version 1.2 by DL8MBT & DG3RBU Page 9 : LAYER-2 PARAMETERS, EFFECTIVE FOR ALL CHANNELS JOINTLY : ------------------------------------ : :mselect 0 :Monitor 1=QSO 2=MFROM 3=MTO +10=NOT mcalls db)kfb oe5xlr :Monitor-Select Call-Signs [The Commands can be utilized, in order to either lock out certain stations on the Monitor, or certain stations not to communicate. With 0 all connections available. The mcalls then have no effect (See under "Description of the Information")] frack 20 :FRACK-Timer Start value in 100ms units (Timer 1) resptime 2 :RESPONSE-Timer in 100ms units (Timer 2) linktime 12 :Inactive-Link-Timer in 10sec units (Timer 3) maxiframe 4 :Outstanding Frames, Value 1..7 paclen 256 :Max. Frame length. Value 1..256 retry 10 :Value of the attempts . by SABM without Digi RETRY/4 ipoll 60 :Maximum Info Field length for IPOLL tinfo 4 :Infotimer. in 100ms units (Waiting time for Tx) tquit 12 :Quit timer. Waiting time for Disk when Data Queued 10sec. [Appropriate Timers for Layer 2. For explanation see Chapter 3.] : LAYER 1 INSTALLATION : --------------- : dwait 8 : Channel free waiting time 10ms units(with contingency 0..DW) txdelay 18 : Retardation after PTT, in 10ms units tail 2 : Time before the Tx switches off. 10ms units (For full duplex) [See Chapter 3 for information about the individual values] beacon 0 : Beacon time in 1s units (0 shuts off the Beacon.) badress bake dl8mbt db0aab :Address for Beacon btext test : Beacon text. [With these Parameters a regular Beacon can be established. It is important that a minimum of 10 Minutes (beacon 600) between transmissions is allowed to minimise Frequency congestion.] : : INSTALLATION OF THE SCREEN COLOURS : : Background and Foreground Colours in : Hexadecimal numbers. : cselect 0 : Choice of attribute for Monochrome-Graphics (MDA, Hercules) : sattrib 0 07 : Tx Window sattrib 1 47 : Upper Status line (Between Rx and Tx Windows) sattrib 2 c7 : STOP-Notification in upper Status Line. Page 10 BayCom - Terminal Program by DL8MBT & DG3RBU sattrib 3 07 : Rx Window sattrib 4 70 : Lower Status Line: Indication of Conn-CallSign+PortNumber sattrib 5 70 : Lower Status Line not selected, not a connect. sattrib 6 7f : Lower Status Line: Port selected. sattrib 7 07 : Monitor Address Field sattrib 8 07 : Monitor Info Field sattrib 9 70 : Control Symbol (Must be different to 0,3,7,8) : cselect 10 : Choice of the attribute for LCD with CGA Emulation (Laptop) : sattrib 0 0F : Tx Window sattrib 1 78 : Upper Status Line (Between Rx and Tx Windows.) sattrib 2 F8 : STOP-Notification in upper Status Line sattrib 3 0F : Rx Window sattrib 4 7F : Lower Status Line: Indication of Conn-Callsign+PortNumber sattrib 5 70 : Lower Status Line: not selected, not a connect sattrib 6 0F : Lower Status Line: Port selected sattrib 7 07 : Monitor Address Field sattrib 8 0F : Monitor Info Field sattrib 9 78 : Control Symbol (Must be different to 0,3,7,8) : cselect 20 : Choice of the attribute for Colour-Info (CGA,EGA,VGA) : with CGA Card VA 2 must be installed (See above) : sattrib 0 02 : Tx Window sattrib 1 47 : Upper Status Line (Between RX and Tx Windows) sattrib 2 c7 : STOP Notification in upper Status Line sattrib 3 07 : Rx Window sattrib 4 47 : Lower Status Line: Indication of Conn-CallSign+PortNumber sattrib 5 40 : Lower Status Line: not selected, no a Connect sattrib 6 57 : Lower Status Line: Port selected sattrib 7 03 : Monitor Address Field sattrib 8 02 : Monitor Info Field sattrib 9 04 : Control Symbol (Must be different to 0,3,7,8) : : ^ Foreground (Characters) : ^ Background BayCom - Terminal Program Version 1.2 DL8MBT & DG3RBU by Page 11 : Numbers of the Colour Attributes : 0 Black 8 Dark Gray : 1 Blue 9 Light Blue : 2 Green A Light Green : 3 Cyan B Light Cyan : 4 Red C Light Red : 5 Magenta D Light Magenta : 6 Brown E Yellow : 7 White F Light White (! Trans.) : : The Attributes 8-F work only for the Foreground. : As Background the cause the Colours 0..7 : to Flash [In this section all parts of the Screen can be adapted to ones own wishes. The digits after CSELECT can in no case be altered ! The singular range will then respectively through change of at first the (Background) and secondly (foreground) digits of the SATTRIB alter the Colours. Also these Parameter will naturally be first effective when L2 is restarted ! For the precise Description see Command SATTRIB in the Chapter Description of Information 1.1 THE PARAMETER COMPILER PARA.EXE In the previous paragraph, how in the initialisation of the Program by utilisation of a Textfile the installation of the Parameters were described.. When the alteration of the User Parameters is ended, these Parameters must now be converted into a Machine suitable Format. So that not too much RAM (e.g. The Computer does not need Commentary in the SCC.INI) for the Parameters will be required. This takes place completely automatically after each alteration of SCC.INI (Will be obtained by the Program from Data and Time) by the start of L2. One should however e.g. for control, be able to control whether the SCC.INI limited formal correction alterations of this "ParameterCompiler" should also be done by manual start and therefore by the calling of the Program PARA.EXE. (By entering PARA . On the Screen is then displayed how the Program succeeded with the individual Lines also an eventual Error Report. (If PARA has been started manually L2 does not call the Compiler, as the correct Machine File is already to hand. The Compiler produces the now Machine readable File SCC.PAR from L2 and SCC changes of information. In the event of Errors one should re-check : Are all Comments following a : or has one inadvertently deleted a semicolon When Corrections are cleared, after all the error lines have been removed legal values will remain, one must not immediately await a Program Crash ! Page 12 BayCom - Terminal Program Version 1.2 by DL8MBT & DG3RBU WARNING: Nearly all Parameters are alterable from the Terminal itself by Commands (For the basic Initialisation. e.g. Graphics Card etc.) These alterations at the end of the Program are also saved, but only in Machine readable SCC.PAR. They are then ready for a recall, but only for as long as no further compilation of SCC.INI takes place or the old Parameters will overwrite again into SCC.PAR. So it occurs, that these changed values should be changed again with the Parameters in SCC.INI. Important Parameters should therefore always be altered in SCC.INI ! 2 L2 AS A RESIDENT PROGRAM. L2 the principal part of BayCom System which appeared earlier was not described, but frequently Programs for PCs in the PR-Amateurs point of view, namely a RAM resident programs are thus. Underneath one understands a Program that has been started and after that start, a normal DOS Prompt appears and the Computer then in the course of that Program runs hidden from the user - for other Programs to make use of it. L2 is started by L2 it will then insert a short message, following that a small flashing square appears in the top right hand corner, then a normal DOS Prompt appears on the Screen again. Internally the following occurs: The Program reserves for itself a part of the Main RAM of the Computer. This RAM is no longer available for other Programs. In the meantime L2 makes itself 'at home' and industrious in this RAM area, - it decodes Packets and in the meantime saves information received in the meanwhile. For this purpose it requires CPU time... and to obtain this, every few thousands of a second requires an Interrupt - therefore an Interrupt Request for it's attention. The Processor discontinues the running of other Programs, allows L2 contiguous work to be processed, and then allows the interrupted Program to continue. What does this mean in practice. ? After the start of L2 the user observes nothing, for the duration of the Interrupt from L2. Other Programs at this time can in principal be started, hence for example a Morse exercise, Word Processor or other similar Programs. To be noticed is, that the Computer has not got so much free RAM as it had shortly after the start - something like 90KBytes of the previous 640KBytes is occupied by L2. Therefore very 'RAM' intensive Programs are no longer operable. In order to see how much RAM the system has available, (one can run the DOS Program CHKDSK (or similar) after L2 has started, then one will be able to see the difference to 640Kbytes that L2 has swallowed up... in other parts of the RAM it has also, Keyboard Driver and the System Program.) Another impediment for eventual Problems with other Programs is now also innate - that of Processor time with L2 running. This will mean that other Programs will run a little more slowly, especially those which will receive direct Data, because L2 has an operation to carry out frequently. Most Programs do not tolerate constant Interrupts and crash from them, it gives also, from itself a clammy rubbish out of L2 reserved RAM cut off ...and it then insidiously, throws it out from within, in an uncertain manner: simple tests the show which Application Programs can tolerate a resident L2. BayCom Terminal-Program Version 1.2 by DL8MBT & DG3RBU Page 13 During the time that L2 is active, one sees in the top right hand corner a small flashing square, this serves simply as an indication that the Program (L2), is active, so long as this square flashes L2 therfore has not crashed (of course one does not see the flashing any more, if one uses a Program switched to Special Graphics Mode, it should return again as soon as a return to DOS occurs. This flashing can also be used as Function Control: if it shows itself, all is in order. BayCom should then run correctly on the Computer. If it does not show itself, refer to Chapter Fault Correction in the Appendix. L2 now started, it converts the Computer with connected Modem and Radio completely into a free standing TNC. i.e. one can connect to another Station and leave information. The user at the Keyboard observes nevertheless nothing, as long as it is not connected to a BayCom SCC that has been started, then one receives everything that has been received from the Start of L2. A resident Program can naturally simply through a Keypress or similar be removed, possibly the Computer should by an instruction become cleared. We offer therefore a small Program as a RAM 'Charwoman', namely OFF.COM. By calling OFF it removes L2 from the RAM and the Computer returns to it's original free RAM. 3 THE TERMINAL PROGRAM SCC In the foregoing description L2 serves as the receiver and transmitter of the Packets from Connect to Disconnect, also for the complete conversion to the lower level of the AX.25 Protocol. It controls however the USER INTERFACE, which accepted the transmissions and displays the Receptions. Furthermore serves actual Terminal Program SCC.EXE. This User Interface is also as in Digicom again fully Screen orientated, the connection with the Program was suitably simplified. The instantaneous construction consideration of the Program is of course far removed from the possibilities of a Digicom 3.51. In as much as the Remote Control possibilities require even more Caution to be observed. There scarcely any Protection Mechanism was to hand. With a small slight wicked will, one can very quickly produce a number of mischiefs (Colour, Parameter, Call etc. transpositions). SCC.EXE will be started by a call from SCC in DOS (L2 must have been started already.) It then shows the required Terminal Program with the three part Screen. Page 14 BayCom - Terminal Program Version 1.2 by DL8MBT & DG3RBU Upper Status Line. QRV DL5RL>Disconnected mem=038 ln=203 n2=10 o=0 fr=20 k=0 16:34 2 I 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 Explanation. 1 The Mode in which the System is operating. QRV: Receiving but no Signal (Closed Squelch) EMPF: Receiving (Squelch Open) SEND: Data will be sent. The output is stopped by SHIFT-TAB or + on the Number Pad or the Cursor is to be found in one of the lower Windows, so the blocked output will be signalled by Flashing of the QRV/SEND/EMPF indicator. 2 The Call Sign (with SSID) displayed 3 Present Port State. The following possibilities exist Disconnected Info Transfer Frame Reject Serious Protocol Error rejected WAIT ACK Poll-Packet sent Reject sent Info with unacceptable Checksum received. 4 mem gives the Information of the count of the instantaneous free Buffer Space of the System. This can by choice be increased in SCC.INI 5 ln gives the number of the Line to which one can scroll back. The size of ln is dependent upon the size of the working RAM space of the Computer and on the number of active Ports. 6 n2 is the actual state of the Retry count. If this goes to 0 the Connection is disconnected 7 o is the count of Packets which this Connection has sent, but not yet acknowledged 8 fr is the indication of the immediate Frack-Time on this Link (Frack one understands, is the time which will be waited before a non acknowledged Packet is sent once again, that is will be polled. Frack accommodates itself unaided to the Link condition. 9 k gives the Channel number, on which the Port sent it's Data. With the RS232-Version it is always 0. This has relevance only to the extra Channels ability with the installed Card. (Expansion) 10 The actual time from the System. 11 The active Port number is given here 12 I stands for Insert Mode, R for Overwrite for the Correction of Text on the Screen. Switched by the Insert Key on the Keyboard. BayCom - Terminal Program Version 1.2 by DL8MBT & DG3RBU Page 15 The lower Status Line contains the listing of all Ports and, the from time to time connections or in the connection construction of existing calls. The number of the Ports can be set in SCC.INI. (Max 8) From time to time at the end of this line appears the File forwarding/ actual receiving position in the File. (Received or sent Byte Count). Arrival on a Channel of a new connection and another Port is immediately selected, the appropriate Call begins to Flash in the lower Status Line. Information shown in the Status Line which is not described here is the installation of the Colour combinations (SATTRIB in the SCC.INI to be examined. white print on white ground is something of poor contrast ! ) SPECIAL KEYS FUNCTION The individual Ports can be changed with Function Keys. F1 switches on the first Port, F2 the second Port, F3 the third Port and so on. F10 brings one into the Monitor Port, here stands a large size Monitor Window to choice. F9 moves the Cursor from the Tx Window into the lower Windows, on the normal Ports by a single press in the receiving window, by a second press in the Monitor Window. After another press the Cursor returns to the Tx window. From each window the Cursor can also by a press of the respective Port Function Key return to the Tx window of the it's respective port. The position of the disconnection line can be arbitrarily removed, and indeed the upper line by simultaneous press of the keys CTLR and POS1 (HOME) upwards and by CTLR and END downwards. (In German Keyboards the CTLR is called STRG, POS1 is the key 7 on the Numeric Pad, ENDE is Key1) The bottom line will be moved upward by CTLR & PgUp, and with CTLR and PrDn moved down (9 and 3 on the Num Pad.) The similar function to F9 also has a key on the Numeric pad. In addition the Cursor can also by a simultaneous press of ALT and numeral 1 (Tx Window) 2 (Rx Window) or 3 (Monitor) enter the appropriate area. It should however be considered that in the Tx Window at the top of the Screen a minimum of two lines should remain, otherwise one eventually will not obtain notifications from the Program. In the F10 Monitor Window, Cursor positioning matters relatively, as stated above, here it gives only two fields in place of three of the Ports. All Information which by scrolling off the Window upwards has disappeared, can be made visible again, during the time the Cursor is brought onto the appropriate Window (Function Keys) and then by use of the Cursor Keys or Page-Up for upwards and Page-Down for downwards. Up to the number of Ports and reserved RAM a bare 200 lines per Port will be saved. WARNING So long as one has the Cursor in the Rx Window, the display of new incoming Text will be halted. It will be constant, if one has left the Cursor in the Rx Window again (Distinguishing Mark: Flashing in the Rx Notification.) Page 16 BayCom - Terminal Program Version 1.2 by DL8MBT & DG3RBU The output is able to be halted also by choice, namely by a press of SHIFT and TAB keys or by a press of + on the Numeric Pad. With it the appropriate setting in the upper Status Line flashes. The Program is ended with ALT-X CTRL-Symbol (e.g. CTRL-Z) will only be depicted on the Screen and not transmitted. You can then transmit by completely normal usage of the RETURN KEY. With INS (or Einfg) Text input can be switched between Insert or Overwrite Modes. LIST OF ALL KEY ACTIONS F1 - F8 Switching of corresponding Ports (as per Number) F9 or on the Number Pad: Jump to the Lower Window F10 Monitor + and Unproto Window ESC or TAB Switches between Commands and Data Port. sets or clears accordingly: at the Line commencement + Key on the Numeric Pad or SHIFT - TAB Stops the output on the chosen Port CTRL - RETURN goes to the next line, without exploiting the line (As SHIFT - RETURN in Digicom) PAGE-DOWN Scrolls the text one page down PAGE-UP Scrolls the text one page up CTRL-PAGE-UP Enlarges the Monitor Window. Text will be moved with it CTRL-PAGE-DOWN Reduces the Monitor window, Text will be moved with it CTRL-HOME Reduces the Tx Window, Text will be moved with it CTRL-END Tx Window enlarged, Text will be moved with it ALT - X SCC.EXE Program ended ALT - 1 Cursor placed in the Tx Window ALT - 2 Cursor placed in the Rx Window ALT - 3 Cursor placed in the Monitor Window INSERT Toggles between Overwrite and Insert Modes. 3.1 GENERAL INFORMATION FOR TEXT AND COMMANDS In the handling of BayCom, particularly the Digicom users will presumably become accustomed relatively quickly. They themselves have become actually overall, acclimatised to certain Standard Commands, the authors hope that users transferring from other Programs will quickly and without many 'Handbook Lectures' be familiar with the service. Basically it follows to say: -Each Command begins with a (:) at the beginning of the line end and by pressing RETURN. All lines will be ended with a RETURN and with no (:) standing at the beginning of the line will be treated as Text and sent to the opposite Station. If one is not Connected, such output on the normal Ports will be simply absorbed. In the F10 Window an Output will without (:) be transmitted as Unproto Text (For explanation see the corresponding extract. -Upper or Lower Case is basically not relevant. Page 17 BayCom - Terminal Program Version 1.2 by DL8MBT & DG3RBU -Commands can be issued from any position of the Screen, consequently also from the Tx and Monitor Field, unique attention is the (:) at the line commencement. -The (:) can also be set to the beginning of a line by a Press of the ESC KEY or by the TAB KEY. A characteristic is: that by a press of one of these Keys from an arbitrary position of the Cursor in the Line the (:) will be set at the beginning of the line (The line buffer will thereby be shifted one column to the right. The (:) will be cleared again by a renewed press of one of the pairs of Keys. also the Cursor may be found on one of the arbitrary positions inside the line. -Commands can be shortened. the combination for that purpose is in the explanation of individual Commands in the following. the commencing UPPERCASE LETTERS AT THE BEGINNING OF THE COMMAND will always be recognised as the command. -A Command which without from time to time a following Parameter (accordingly IN OUT or a VALUE) issued, displays the present Value. -BayCom is like Digicom, full Screen Editor orientated. i.e. Commands etc, can be given from each Window, existing Lines must be activated with a RETURN in order to be sent and so forth. - One types the Text for the Opposite Station, at the end of the line it is not necessary to press RETURN. The last word will automatically be pushed into the next line and the finished line automatically sent to the opposite Station. -The majority of the Parameters will be pre-entered in the SCC.INI. The given default values in force for the delivered UR-SCC.INI are to a certain extent sensible Values. -Control characters of the opposite Station will be displayed on the Screen. CTL-G sounds the Bell of the System. 3.2 TIMER AND "TNC" COMMANDS :BAdress ... Gives the Sender, End Station and Digis a Beacon Example: :BAdress DK5RQ DG3RBU-8 DB0RGB Sends the Beacon with the Senders Call DG3RBU-8 to DK5RQ through the Digi DB0RGB. A beacon will only transmit if :BEACON is not 0 :BEacon Defines the Space between Beacon transmissions. Beacon will transmitted as UNPROTO. Sender Call and Address will be entered in the :BAdress. The Text of the Beacon is in :BTEXT It is recommended that QRM on the frequency be held to a minimum. A beacon is only valid if it is unquestionably important (In general only to Test Awaken.) and also then, only in possibly large intervals ! :BEACON 3600 works as an hourly transmission of the singular Beacon. More Beacons each Channel System can be defined. it must also have the Channel Number placed be the Value (e.g. BEacon 0 1800) :Btext Places the Text in the Info Field of the Beacon transmission. Example :Btext Linktest. sri for the QRM Page 18 BayCom - Terminal Program Version 1.2 by DL8MBT & DG3RBU :CArrier This Command is only of consequence by utilisation of the 8530 Expansion Card and will be ignored by users of the RS232 Modem. It allows Hard or Software to determine DCD adaptation. 0 = Soft-DCD (Clearing of Blockage can remain free) 1 = Hardware-DCD (DCD-Control of the 8530 will be addressed and must be serviced by the Modem. 2 = Echoduplex(Operation as a Duplex-Digipeater) 3 = Fullduplex(Operation as a Full Duplex-Digi) :CNot Places a list of call signs from whom no Packets will be accepted. It will not radiate a DM, but Packets from and to Stations on the List will be handled such as if they were not received. Simply ignored. :Connect via The Connect Command builds a connection to the given End Station Call Sign, if given through the Digipeaters. A maximum of 8 Digipeaters are allowed. For direct connection naturally, only the Callsign of the QSO Partner needs to be given (e.g. :C DF1RW). The "via" is not absolutely necessary, the individual Callsigns can be divided by a space or a comma. :C or CONNECT without a Callsign always transmits the last Connect callsign used. If one wishes to make a renewed connection to this Station, move the Cursor once more upwards onto the Line and press RETURN. In this fashion one is secure from disagreeable surprises. After issuing a Connection, that has been incorrectly typed, one must not issue a DISC at first, but can end by quickly overwriting and press RETURN. The false Connect attempt will then be broken and the correct one sent on it's way. By the utilisation of an Expansion Card with more Channels one can also after the End Station Call Sign, be able to set the Channel on which the Connect request will be made. The values that may be used are 0..7 or A..H :Disconnect This command severs an existing Connection, or breaks off a Connect request. If the Command is given twice, one after the other immediately, then no reply (UA or DM) will be awaited from the QSO partner and the Disconnect State entered. This is necessary, if a Connection through failure of the QSO Partner or the next Digi cuts off, then one does not have to wait for the Retries to run out. :DCall This is the Call under which the Station Digipeats Packets, DCALL must be different to MYCALL :DWait Waiting time, for which the Channel must be free, before the transmission will take place. The actual DWAIT is a contingency time between 0 and the factual installed value. An observation: Some OMs by setting a very small DWAIT attempt to gain an advantage over others. It is better to be co-operative on the same frequency and we request DWAIT to be so installed that others have a chance to Transmit. A fair DWAIT value is approximately 10 (100ms). With DWAIT the user must with Multi-Channels, state the Channel Number before the value. BayCom - Terminal Program Version 1.2 by DL8MBT & DG3RBU Page 19 :Frack indicates a Start value for the repeat of a Frame (or a Poll) if after the foregoing transmission receives an ACK. The pre-installed value is only the Start value, the true value adapts itself during the course of the Connection after the throughput response time of the partner is considered and is readable in the upper Status line. (Round trip-timer) :HBaud The Baud rate for a Channel. With the utilisation of a PC Expansion Card only, an ultimate permissible of 38400 Baud, with the use of a Modem on the Serial Port only 1200 Baud ! :IPoll With an Info-Poll one understands immediately repeated transmissions of a short Frame, this is at first from the opposite station not acknowledging. Similarly according to AX.25-Protocol in a No Acknowledgement situation, a Poll (using RR) is to be sent, if it has itself in the past carried out the Info-Poll and set it, it is then favourable, because with it short Frames will be able to save much overhead (consequently a once only transmission instead of twice for a not received Packet). It minimises consequently collisions and allows free flowing and faster running connections. Today almost all Software versions in acquaintance use Info- Poll. The number after :IPOLL gives the value, up to which length the Info-Fields in the Frame should occur, what on the other hand should be transmitted, it will be the complete norm that AX-25 can handle. A favourable value is for example :IPOLL 80. thereby this value is the statistical barrier lying between complete overhead and practical data. :Kanal (only for Systems using the Expansion Card) Switches a Port onto a special Channel. In the course of a running Connection this is not sensible. The installation is valid only for the immediate selected Port, thereby everything with :MONITOR installed is able to be shown in the Monitor Window. :LINKTime After the running off of this Timer the Linkroute will be tested by a RR Frame from time to time, if in this time no other Data has been handled. If no ACK comes back from the RR, then after the Poll and the expiry of RETRY the Connection is severed. This is then the case, when the flow time of the LINK has become worse, or a Digi or a QSO Partner has switched off, without severing the Connection. Default value is 30 :MAxframe is the maximum number of Frames which can be sent in a queue, before an ACK will be awaited. It has a permissible value of 1..7 . Page 20 BayCom - Terminal Program Version 1.2 by DL8MBT & DG3RBU :MYcall ... With the MYCALL Command the Station calls in SCC.INI previously entered can be altered. The Calls here in contrast to Digicom are not ordered to a particular Port, but valid for the complete Station. The Connecting of an End Station will basically first of all make use of the first of the given Callsigns. If another Station connects, automatically the SSID of the Callsign will be increased, up to the limit of the warranted Connections, and to the ability of identification of the Connection Addressed, if the Station is found to be one of the incoming Connect requests under one of the indicated Callsigns. It is obligatory for an outgoing Call that is not using the first of MYCALLS, then the Command XCONNECT must be used. An alternative to MYCALL is also possible, during the course of an ongoing Connection, the affected Port holds it's old MYCALL up to the Disconnect. :Paclen (or also :FLen Determines the maximum Framelength for the transmission of the Terminal. Frames which over the Station running as a Digipeater, should always be re-issued in the original length. To that end the value range is from 1 (unthinkable) to 256, with an entry of 0 it can come to an onrush. With entries of values in the upper half of 256 amusing effects can happen. The installed value adjusts itself to the quality of the connection to the opposite station. If one has a good retry free connection, one can install 256, if the connection is bad, one should change down to 128 or 80. Especially of relevance is PACLEN for the Transfer of Files with individual Lines, in any case one should not go over 80 characters per Frame for output. :Quit behaves as DISCONNECT. (Severs the Connection but first, as long as all the existing Data has been sent or the Quittimer (see :TQUIT) has run out. Advised most importantly for the dependable severance of a connection by use of Remote Control. :RESptime Gives the time after which the Packets from the Partner will be acknowledged. This value must be different from 0, it should not be so high that the Partner will issue a POLL (consequently smaller than his Frack). By and large, both sides of Dataflow are able to save Acknowledge Packets (RR), if :RESPTIME has a value very much larger than :DWAIT :RETry Gives the maximum number of repeats of a Packet or a POLL. Valid exactly for the number of Connect attempts for the connection. Connect and Disconnect will be undertaken with only RETRY /4 - attempts. With Connection attempts through a Digipeater should be set on the basis of the unknown number of Autorouting-Digis RETRY*2 . :TAil