NEWNOTES.TXT     * * * *  NEW STUFF ADDED IN EACH NEW VERSION  * * * *

NOTE: PACCOMM now sells the APRS serial port splitter built into a DB-9 hood
for about $30 that lets both your GPS and TNC share the same COMM port for
single port laptops. Their phone number is 1-800-486-7388.

Version 6.2a: Fixed Rain alarms that drove us all crazy over Thanksgiving
weekend!  Added maps of Milwaukee and central Kansas.  Made BEEPS command
turn off un-registered-user-page-full beeps.  Added SNOW format.

VERSION 6.2: Fixed the WX alarms in 6.1 that were too sensitive to incorrectly
formated manual WX reports, resulting in too many BEEPS!  Also added better
parse checking of POSITS for correct characters.  New ideas in HF.txt, and
AIRCRAFT.txt.

VERSION 6.1: ALL MAP COORDINATORS NOTE!  Great job!  Excellent detail in
Ohio, California, Missouri, Arizona and NewMexico.  PLEASE read XTRAMAPS.txt
about a new standardized map distribution format to help us all keep track of
whats going on.
* Read FRQCOORD.txt on how to use APRS as a FREQ-COORDINATION tool
* Read 70Chanls.2M for details on finding SEVENTY 9600 baud channels on 2M !!
* Added WX alarms to sound off when WX thresholds are exceeded
* I'm working on remote DIAL-IN operations.  COnnect a modem, and anyone can
  dial in to see your area map
* N2IPH has written APRSMICE.txt to tell you how to interface a MOUSE to APRS!
  But I lost the file!  Will post, when avail

VERSION 6.03  ALL MAP COORDINATORS NOTE!  If you are good with MAPFIX, I will
be happy to copy the raw CD ROM data for your state, and you can use MAPFIX
to delete all the redundant points or cut and past various smaller maps.
Call me...  But remember that this only has the major US and state highways.
The same thing you see in all of my 64 mile maps...  as of now, all large
metro areas have been done, so only a few of you have any need for this.
So far I have sent this data to Iowa, Minnesota, and Missouri.  Other mods:
* Upped number of map points to 3600 and number of active maps to 170
  CAUTION: This is pushing the limits.  If this causes out-of-memory errors
  and yet previous versions worked on your PC, let me know, PSE!  Also, if
  APRS603 will NOT work on a 512K PC, let me know.
* As mobile posits are moved, old posit fades to dark blue
* Fixed DATE-TIME stamp on OBJects that was defaulting to 000000
* TRIM and IMPORT commands in MAPFIX now leave no extra pts outside of borders
* New 100toGRF.bas converts regional USGS 100,000:1 CD ROM maps to GRF format
  so that MAPFIX can operate on them to city street level.  See CDROM.txt

VERSION 6.02 Has added an AMTOR/PACTOR compatible mode. See PROTOCOL.txt.  TNC
init now also sets NEWmode OFF so that if someone connects to you, your TNC
will NOT get stuck in COMMAND mode.  Added SSID defaults for ARNAV.  New maps
of Minnisota, SE Arizona and NE Indiana.

VERSION 6.01  Lessons learned from Marine Corps Marathon 94.
* INPUT-MY and other manual updating improved by using current time, vice
  old time as the default (didnt really get this right until 6.03)
* Added ARNAV interface for Aeronautical GPS/LORAN nav systems.  This is
  mostly a commercial option available for $65.  See README\ARNAV.txt
* Send msg to LOG puts a log entry in the LOG file, without transmitting
* Increased number of active maps to 160 and # of points in a map to 2000
* Began removing small maps from standard distro to make room for more big
  ones.  See README\XTRAMAPS.txt
* New Tennessee Central map
* REJect messages now continue transmitting until receiver has room

VERSION 6.0Plus+ (No changes to 6.0 EXE)
* New maps of N. Calif, LA, and San Diego, Central Nebraska, and Dakotas
* New ALL-ROM DIGIPEATER ideas in IDEAS.TXT
VERSION 6.0Plus  (NO CHANGES to 6.0 EXE)
* UHF-FREQ.txt suggests its time to consider a NATIONWIDE UHF 9600 channel
* New maps: Full distro of CA maps, plus Jax MS, LRock AK, Mobile AL, W.KY
* NEW MAPFIX which can IMPORT roads from other maps automatically
* Also Wyoming, NW Kansas, Montana

VERSION 6.0.  All README files renamed, and are now available on line using the
FILEs selection in the F1-HELP menu.  Other changes as follows:
* New alt-IGNORE command sets your UNPROTO path to SPCL... vice APRS and lets
  you ignore all other packets except those TO: SPCL.  This keeps screens in
  a SPECIAL event uncluttered by others. (gettin ready for M.C. Marathon)
* Now that N7LUE moved to the DC area, and I played with his Doppler DF
  interface, I changed the DF periodicity.  Now APRS sends DF reports at the
  POSRATE period, only when there is DF data; and decays the period as usual
  when there is no new data.  This reduces packet QRM when the auto DF station
  hears no-one but permits a rapid 30 second rate when DFing.
* That worked so well, that I did the same thing for WX.  Now, you can set a
  max-Wind speed, and if the wind ever exceeds that value, OR ANY OTHER WX
  parameter changes at all, then the WX period is reset to the POSrate value.
  Otherwise, it decays in the usual APRS manner.  This automatically gives
  more data during changing conditions!
* Worked with N7LUE to modify his DF interface to also accept a TNC PTT signal
  so that the DF function is disabled whenever the local TNC is transmitting,
  This eliminated the false bearings everytime a DF report was transmitted!
* Added NJnorth.map and NYcityLI.map and improved map selection near NYcity
* New README.MAP (MAPS.txt) and GPS.txt files to remove obsolete verbage
* Now the Plist distinguishes between RAW NMEA from trackers vs from APRS stns
* Wrote MOTOROLA.BAS for sending NMEA commands to M. OEM GPS card with ck-sum
* Solved DXspots w/o Gridsquares sometimes showing up as GridSquares
* Improved OPS-FIND command to HIGHLIGHT calls found.
* Added definable Circle/Box/etc AREAS as objects.  Areas can be 60' to 100mi
  To define area, move cursor, press HOME, move cursor, INPUT-ADD-OBJ-AREAS

VERSION 5.9c: Had some time to load all the DEMO and replay files, and found
some improvements to make:
* Added CONTROLS-FADE command to toggle off the fade-to-gray for old objects
* Fixed MAPS-PLOTS-DF so that ALL null-reports were plotted.  Try DF-OMNI.BK
* Space bar re-draws map during REPLAYS (Now only P, not SPACE, does a PAUSE)
* Significant re-write of MAPS.txt.  Other changes:
  New FBALL92.HST, FBALL93.HST, MARATHON.HST, FOXDF.BK, DXCALLS.DAT

VERSION 5.9:  Cleaned up remaining bugs in 58d and e.  Sorry for all the
problems with 5.8, but it was a total re-structuring of several code blocks
to make room for future tweaking.
 * 5.8e Let the alternate MAPLIST.xxx be reloaded from the config file
 * 5.9  Fixed the bug that prevented INPUT-ADDS from being uplinked
 * 5.9  FInally fixed the KILL function
 * 5.9  Added MAP-HIERARCHY function so you can see the effect on MAP borders
        of the overlapping of maps due to their sequence in MAPLIST.xxx!
 * 5.8L was a one-time mod to work with a surplus LORAN card mentioned
        in the August issue of 73 Mag for $25 (100 avail, all sold out)

VERSION 5.8d:  Added the new FADE-CIRCLE DF technique frequently used by
pilots for locating downed aircraft.  This technique permits a single
mobile to drive through the area of a hidden transmitter with only an OMNI
antenna and press the F5 key each time he crosses into, or out of detectible
range of the transmitter.  Then pressing the MAPS-PLOTS-FADE keys will plot
the intersection of the resulting multiple lines of bearing generated by the
algorithm.  Other enhancements:
 * DF bearings can now be entered in Magnetic if the MagVar is set in SETUP
 * Added ERASE BULLETINS command
 * Added FILES-ChgMapLst command for selection of other MAPLIST.xxx files
 * Send command preloads callsign of HOOKED station
 * Added MAP-OVERLAY command for overlaying a higher order map over a lower
   one.  This can be used to overlay any local GRID system on an existing
   map, just by building a same size map with only the grid in it, and listing
   it before the actual map in the MAPLIST.xxx file.  See MAPS.txt
 * Better crash protection from on-air garbage
 * View command now buffers last 20 packets.
 * Added DIGIpath to hooked display
 * Added aeronautical VORTAC symbol.  Zoom in to Alaska below 128 mi to see.


VERSION 5.8c:  5.8c corrected a problem in 5.8b with the automatic Ultimeter-II
wx station.  5.8b fixed the bug in 5.8 that prevented Track histories
from being saved, and also caused excessive LOG files to be written.  5.8a
improved the REMOTE-ULTIMETER-II processing.  See WX.txt  Version 5.8
was a general cleanup of internal code with lots of little changes.  It
changed the BACKUP.BK file format so that APPEND command works and so that
files can be easily modified with a text editor.  THIS REQUIRES THAT ANY OLD
BKxxxx.BK FILES OF YOUR OWN MUST BE CONVERTED TO THE NEW FORMAT USING
NEW-BK.EXE!  All of the normal APRS backup files have already been converted
in this distribution. Other changes:
* Better CONTROLS/SETUP display including VIA and MYalias display
* Easier DF inputs for objects and your own station
* Better BULLETIN processing at sending station
* Added channel capacity estimator.  Displays channel loading in percent
* Increased # of A, D and L pages to 5 (like P-list has always been)
* Better DXCC calls list by W8RIK (up to 450 permitted)
* CW speed and Test modes added.  Full DXcalls are sent, and optionally freq.
* Added HEARD log to hooked display so you can simply hook a station on the
  map and see his HEARD log
* OBJects no longer included on L-List
* LAT/LONG prompts are pre-loaded with the cursor posit and accept fewer digits
* Airplane symbol shows heading
* APRS warning if your own packets are NOT being digipeated
* AUTOWX program by N5KOA for using PCxt for APRS stand alone WX station
* Added commercial interface to STREETS-ON-DISK. See COMMERCL.txt

VERSION 5.7c:  Allows user to save up to 13 different DIGIpaths and to recall
them with a single key stroke!  A great feature to reduce QRM while messaging
with your favorite stations!  Also fixed the OPS-COMM-GPS(HSP) mode that did
NOT work as I thought it did.  Added other new features:
* Added AUTOTRACK mode to replays
* Added OPS-FIND command to help you locate a station on the MAP or L/P-lists
* Permits overlaying CAP grids on replays
* Fixed DF bug with 0 heights!
* Fixed intermittant error 5 crash on DX clusters using shared frequencies

VERSION DF01 and 02:  These were beta tests of the new OMNI-SIGNALSTRENGTH
direction finding routines added to 5.7A.  This feature allows EVERYONE to
participate in FOX hunting, even if they only have a vertical Omni antenna!
With the line-of-site Power-Height-Gain plotting capability added in 5.7A, it
was a simple step to use these station parameters to also plot circles of
probability based on relative signal strengths on receive.  The strongest
signals heard from the fox will be bright red, while weaker or no-signals
will appear darker.  I need feedback on the accuracy of the size of these
rings.  Please see the new section added to the DF.txt file.

VERSION  5.7:  Wife and kids gone for a week.  Several great changes!
* Finally fixes problems with LOCAL/ZULU time conversions for dead reckoning.
* Adds MAP-LOCK feature to prevent un-intended map changes during events
* Added MyPOS to INPUT command for easy manual updates of your posit.  Makes
  mobile APRS without GPS so easy, only LOST people need GPS!  See OPS.txt
* INPUT-PWR command for XMTpwr, Ant Height/gain.  See DIGI.txt for format.
* MAP-PWR feature draws estimated range rings around all stations!
* Modified COMM-GPS, so you can see GPS output while in HSP mode.
* Can now save BText in CFIG file
* Fixed SHELL bug which crashed on CGA laptops on return to APRS
* Added NoGPS mode to SETUP so you can turn off SPM or HSP
* Further squelches BEEPS on receipt of BULLETINS.
* The ZULU fixes required a new Z transmission character which will become
effective on 1 Nov 1994.  Hopefully, by then everyone will be upgraded to 5.7.
Only Objects placed on the map in ZULU time will be affected, however.

5.06:  Added APRS BULLETIN feature for alerting all stations to multiple lines
of info. Improved scrolling on ALL in DX cluster mode.
* SHOW command on P-list now zooms map to appropriate size
* During entry of a DF bearing, you are now prompted for the jammer frequency
* BText is now saved in your config file

5.05:  APRS now monitors and PLOTS DX Clusters! (as suggested by Paul G4BKI
at PACCOMM.  See README\DX.txt.
* Capture all DX MAIL lists to the D-List in APRS
* Capture all DX ANNOUNCEMENTS to the DX spot list in the ALL-LIST
* Capture user-to-user DX TALKS in the APRS READ-MAIL list
* Improved Grid swuare plotting and increased callsign PREFIX table to 350
* Sound out DX spot prefixes in CW for eyes-free operation
* 505c fixed L-list bug ignoring normal BEACON texts
* 505d Initializes AEA TNC's to MON 2 so that DX monitoring would work.
* 505e Added plotting of SHOW/STATION responses on the map and WWV/WX spots
* Added maps of New Orleans for the national CAP convention in August.
* 40 OHIO maps (distributed by KB8JXO APRS BBS in Columbus 614 443-4249.

5.04:  Fixed a bad bug that caused all new object additions after the first
to be deleted! Added HELO symbol and VE2JOR's Montreal BALLOON3.hst

5.03a:  Fixed the DSI Doppler DF interface. Added symbols capability to map
files.  See SYMBOLS.txt or MAPS.  Improved message throughput by doubling
ACK's after receipt of duplicate message lines.  Added symbols for BUS,RV,
HOSPITAL,SCHOOL,FIREDEPT,JEEP,AMBULANCE,TRUCK,VAN,etc.  Added THOMAS MAP grids
to SanMateo area (as an example).

COMMERCIAL VERSION Added INTERFACEs SO THAT APRS CAN SEND POSITS TO OTHER
SOFTWARE PACKAGES to take advantage of their hi res maps:
  1)  STREETS-ON-A-DISK:  APRS writes ALL posits to a file so that the other
program such as STREETS-ON-DISK, can display all object positions from that
file (you run both APRS and STREETS in a multi-tasking environment)  The
STREETS program is sold by KLYNAS Engineering 805 583-1133 for about $225
but costs an additional $95 per county for maps.
  2)  NMEA OUTPUT:  APRS can output NMEA data on its second serial port to
another computer that accepts a NMEA input.  In this method, the APRS operator
hooks any object on the screen, and that position report is sent as a NMEA
string over to the other program that plots it on the map.  In this scenario,
APRS MAKES AN IDEAL FRONT END PACKET COMMUNICATIONS PROCESSOR FOR ANY OTHER
DATA BASE SYSTEM!  PACCOMM suggested this approach when DELOREM quoted over
$18,000 to modify their software!  We did it much cheaper for them so it is
ONLY AVAILABLE IN THE COMMERCIAL VERSION of ARPS distributed by PACCOMM.
See COMMERCL.txt.

5.03:  Added 10 lettered symbols. Added MSBIKE.HST and USACNTRL.MAP
* Fixed double-transmit when T key was pressed. Added LATEST to JUST command.

5.02:  Consumation of 501a,b,c wrinkles from new MENU structure. Also
* 10 new numbered Ball Objects. F9 centering Key. More symbols & SSID defaults
* GOTO moves cursor to ur car without re-draw. TAB shows CONTROLS and SETUP
* Suppressed 25th line during HSP/GPS. Fixed prob ignoring RMC data with no
  course and speed! TRAFFIC and READ-MAIL are saved in BACKUP.
* RAIN reports /Rxx per hour and /Pxx per day
* Fixed delayed-MYCall for better startup with different calls (CAP, etc)
* Can display raw GGA data from GPS on 25th line to see ALT and PDOP

5.00 ALL NEW Menu commands. Realtime Overwrite of P-LIST. Latch on View page.
     GPS-time sync. Map hot keys. Parse raw U-II data. New Balloon/Bikes. New
     DSI DF interface. SE ID, NW FL, NE FL maps. Fixed null field GPS parsing
405b Fixed KPH/MPH bug.  DAYTON 94 version.
405a Fixed major KILL bug. Forever OBJECTS!  Lots of re-writes for more room!
4.05 CAP grids.  Improved MIR mode makes BCNS/POSITS grid repts identical
     Fixes map overlap problems in MD for MARATHON replay. ENGLAND map.
     Made U-II and Manual RAIN consistent at .01 inch.
4.04 Added 15 min CAP grid. Fixed kill command.  MSGS acked even if XMT off.
     Added new GRID SQUARE in beacons for MIR
4.03 Added HSP
4.02 Time ticks in READ MAIL.  NY & CT maps. Added map center crosses.
     Upped maps to 140. RangeRings shows Brg/Range
4.01 WX report from Ultimeter-II now gives RAIN per hour AND total precip
     Own position now Dead Reckoned
     Fixed AEA's so ALL-BCNS log works, and BCNS/OTHER is now OK
     HF now forces no digipeater default.  Added -5,-6 SSID's for sail/Helo
     J command with CR displays only active stations.  * key will display
     only calls of marked stations.  AX25 is now restored in RESTORE.TNC

4.00 Number of maps to 120 and MANY NEW CD MAPS
     W7KKE has program to plot Weekly Earth-quake summary on APRS!
     Separated out EXTRA.ZIP so 720K still useable.  No room for UNZIP
     OOPS: with AEA does not keep BEACON LOG.
3.14 GGA with 1/100ths seconds now acceptable.
     WX reports now include time of data, vice time of transmission
     Wrote HISTORY.APR file.
3.13 On the guidance of KM6QX, AEA should start from HOST mode and work
     with MRPT-ON (by forcing OTHER always on).  Num points up to 1500.
     *** Changed DF format to accommodate MOBILE DF reports
3.12 Corrected ERROR 55 bug in 311.  MAPFIX.bas can now do CD ROM Maps.
3.11 Corrected Auto-DF bug that prevented new DF's from being plotted without
     redrawing map.  Added AUTODF.HST
3.10 Added NWS capability.  Fixed 309 bugs with alt-L and TIME stamp on WX.
     Modified clock-tick routine!
3.09 Made SUBDIRECTORIES. Changed MAPLIST.MAP to .APR. Stronger digi warning.
     Fixed bug so own WX data goes to TK.HST file.  Eliminated lower ZOOM
     limit.  Added 1 sec autoDF pause.  BEEPS Off ScrnSvr. DOS SHELL.
3.08 Added XMAS93.HST file.  SPM now saved in Config file. Added READMAIL
     Latest units plotted last. Better Ctrl-V.  Hooks on Plist over-write.
     DR now works on your OBJs. KILL command. Yacht symbol. APPEND command
     Fixed FULL PAGE crash bug on P Llist. Fixed MAPFIX.bas filename eror
     Moved UTC offset from MAPLIST file to system prompt.
307B Added W7KKE digitizer routines to MAPFIX.bas.
307A Fixed  small cursor bug in MAPFIX.bas.  Added BOATNET.txt
3.07 Added new WX symbols suggested by W2HOB.  Fixed PAUSE. Added F1 HELP.
     Moved center to center of screen.  Added DIGIPEATERS display.
     Added Carribean.  Modified POSfilter for WX data.  Added GPS overlay
     to MAPFIX.bas from W7KKE!  POSIT period to 10 min on start-up.
3.06 Added MOVE to the P-LIST hook for 000/000 LAT/LONG!
3.05 Added TRACK command. Anticipates direction. Added SPM.  Now accept .001
     posits. Bigger 1st beacons period. POSITS also sorted with ORDER.
3.03 Better autoDF for CW and CCW. Toggle CROSSFIX cmd.  Better GPS parser
     does not wait forever. Added FIRE symbol for Californians.
3.02 Now accepts PACCOMM posits without $GPGGA.  Maps & Labels up to 99
3.01 MAPFIX.bas can build new features on line.
3.00 Added autoDF.  New DF format includes Quality
     V NUMBERS:  ALT V# is now valid for GPS only.  WX and DF are different.
     MAPFIX can list MAPLIST.map and display borders.
     NEW MAPLIST FORMAT! includes comments
2.13 Lessons learned at the Marine Corps Marathon. Individual timing of
     OBJs and msgs. DR on/off. J shows sample symbol. Added multiple CFIGs
     NEW MAPLIST.map format to 'comment' out a map
2.08 MAJOR re-organization of COMMAND KEYS!: Added ALARM. Better commands
     during replay. CALLS, zooming and re-centering. !POSIT anywhere.
     WX box at top of screen.
2.00 GPS/LORAN INTERFACE via the serial COM port.

