Cut off from Cellphone service; no Magellan satellite phone, no Email

Airmail PACTOR-1 - Packet Client (VHF -) Internet Access 8/7/2002

AIRMAIL is a radio Email messing program (similar to Outlook) for connecting radio PMBO mailbox Stations of the Worldwide WINLINK 2000 (WL2K). AirMail also has an option for an Internet connection via the AIRMAIL Telnet Client module.

Cut off from Cellphone service; no Magellan, Inmarsal satellite phone Email, no Email, no File xfer., no WX FAX; welcome to WL2K?

The following instructions will setup a HF PACTOR-1 (200 bps 345 Hz BW) TNC, VHF PACKET TNC, and Internet Access.

Hardware:

Cables: TNC PTC-IIex cable BUX COMM IC13HVUB or KHVI13ARC

(PTC-IIex 8 pin DIN connector to HF radio ACC2 13 pin DIN connector cable)

TNC cable to TM-261 8-pin modular connector cable)

Download:

Airmail: v3.2.035 4.1MB http://www.siriuscyber.net/ham/

Propagation Calculator: http://siriuscyber.net/ham/itshfbc.exe

Unzip itshfbc and do AirMail: Tools – Setup Wizard

NTIA/ITS HF updates http://elbert.its.bldrdoc.gov/hf.html

Recommended frequencies: Update Station/Frequency: http://www.scs-ptc.com/mbolist.txt

MDC ERP www.arrl-mdc.net/

AirMail v3.2 program:

Note: If you are installing and operating both a HF Pactor TNC and a VHF Packet TNC, use an “A-B Data Switch”

for switching the PC COMM 1 Port between the HF Pactor TNC and the VHF Packet TNC.

Telnet Setup:

Connect PC DSL modem to your Internet Provider

Click Tools/Options/Modules

Select Internet Access – Apply - OK

Click MODULE Internet Access

Connect to: type i.e. wl2kw (CBMO – MBO – PMBO)

Click Settings:

Telnet Settings: Connection Properties

Remote Callsign: type wl2kw

Remote Host: type Washington.winlink.org

Port: 8772

Timeout: 120

Local Callsign: (your CALL)

Password: cmstelnet

Protocol: select B2

Click OK

Operating TELNET Email via Internet:

Connect PC DSL modem to your Internet Provider

Click FILE/NEW

Select or type a Ham Callsign or Internet Email address

Example addressing To: AA3EU

Example addressing To: [email protected]

(both addresses will deliver the Email to his Telnet Client, if AA3EU

connects to Winlink by his Telnet Client). Both addresses will deliver

the Email to his HF Terminal, if AA3EU connects to Winlink by his HF Terminal)

(an Internet Email addressing of: [email protected] will deliver the Email to

his Telnet Client, if AA3EU connects to Winlink by his Telnet Client or will

deliver the Email to his HF Terminal, if AA3EU connects to Winlink by his

HF Terminal)

Exit Address Book, and compose an Email message.

Click MESSAGE/POST or the POST Icon.

Click BBS Mode (Send & Receive messages & Bulletins).

Click GREEN Button.

also

Click KEYBOARD Mode.

Click SEND WORD.

Click GREEN Button.

type INFO

type LB for Bulletins

type B (Bye)

Notes: In the lower center window:

PACTOR1:MONITOR:REQUEST will be indicated by a Yellow.

PACTOR1:MONITOR:IDLE is indicated by Green & CONNECTED i.e. kn6kb

PACTOR1:MONITOR:TRAFFIC is indicated by Green

PACTOR1:MONITOR:TRAFFIC in ARQ indicated by Red

PACTOR1:MONITOR:SEND:PHASING will be indicated, no color

Notes: Download Monthly-Update Station & Freq. lists: http://users.iafrica.com/z/zs/zs5s/

The Station and Frequency data, downloaded with AirMail v3.1.935,

(AirMail's System.Ham file), is out of date. New PMBO Stations are being added

or discontinued, operating frequencies added or discontinued; operating changes,

some no longer service Radio-Emails, only NTS traffic and some not servicing

PACTOR-1. VIEW/MBO BULLETINS /FREQUENCY LIST /STATION LIST

are updated when you request/download ZS5S_Bulls/PMBO from your PMBO,

New update info. is published, the 1st of each month and can be

requested/downloaded from zs5s.

Notes: TNC parameters may also be set/modified at AirMail/TOOL/DUMB TERMINAL;

TNC must be connected and on, and Click Enter for :cmd.

Packet Client (VHF)Telpac setup:

Click Tools/Options/Connection

Select Modem Type: i.e. KPC+

Select COMM Port: COM1

Select Baud Rate: 9600

Select: Show Link Messages

Audio Tones: Center frequency: 1500

Audio Tones: LSB/USB convention

select Advanced modem settings:

Click Select modem tones

Click Ignore CTS – NO - Close

Click Tools/Options/Settings:

Type your Callsign:_______ and select:

BBS Forwarding Protocol: B2F. (B2F combines & compresses Email message Binary

text to save transmission time; it is not encrypted but provides privacy).

Type your Lat:____ type your Lon:____ (required for ITS/HF PROP. reports)

Click Tools/Options/AutoAnswer select: Accept Incoming Connects

Type Welcome Text: i.e. Welcome to (your Call) AirMail BBS

Type Home BBS ____

Type Zip Code:____

(R:Stamp ID Automatic set to [AirMail3.2])

Click Tools/Options/Modules Enable Modules:

Enable VHF Packet Client – Apply

Click: SETUP:

TNC- ie. Kam+ Port-COM1 Baud-9600

Port 1 – Defaults – OK - Apply - OK

VHF Radio Setup:

Set VFO to local Net frequency i.e.: 147.090

Set RF power

Operating VHF (PACKET) KISS Client-Client, Station-Station setup:

Click Windows/Terminal

Click Mode Select Packet

Click MODULE/Packet Client:

Packet Client window displays: "Date/Time Packet initialized ok"

(If "modem Initialization failed", perform a HARD RESET with J15.

And run TNC AUTOBAUD ROUTINE to automatically set TNC to

computer's COM port Baud rate)

To TX a Text message with AirMail from Packet Client to Packet Client:

Click Module/packet Client

“Packet Initalized OK”

Click Keyboard

Type Call of other Packet Client, after Connect to:

Type your Call after Connect as:

Click Green Connect Button

“receive Connect msg. from other Packet Client”

In lower TX Window, type SP CALL of other Packet Client Station - Enter

After Prompt typs Subject of Message – Enter

After Prompt type Msg. Text followed on a separate line /EX

Message is Saved

Use other TNC PBBS Commands for additional Options

Operating:Posting an Email to be sent:

Sending/Receiving via Telpac Gateway Packet

Click FILE/NEW

Close Address Book

Click Post via type Station i.e.: KB3QMO-1

Create your Email

Click OK

Click on Outbox Folder; your Email will be there.

To TX a “POST Messages” from Packet Client to Packet Client

Click Module/Packet Client

“Packet Initalized OK”

Type Connect to: (their CALL i.e. KB3QMO)

Type Connect As: (your CALL i.e. AA3EU)

Click GREEN Circle Icon(Connect)

VHF Packet Peer to Peer message sent/received

(POST messages are sent, POST messages at connected to Station are received by your Station)

Connect to your PBBS i.e. AA3EU-1 to see Received Messages.

Other Packet i.e. KB3QMO will connect to his PBBS to receive his Messages

Note: TNC PBBS Commands:

[KPC3P-8.3-HM$]

99865 BYTES AVAILABLE

THERE IS 1 MESSAGE NUMBERED 2

Welcome to the AA3EU PBBS.

ENTER COMMAND: B,J,K,L,R,S, or Help >

B(ye) PBBS WILL DISCONNECT

E(dit) n [BPTYNFH] [>tocall] [<fromcall] [@BBS] "old" "new"

J(heard) CALLSIGNS WITH DAYSTAMP

J S(hort) HEARD CALLSIGNS ONLY

J L(ong) CALLSIGNS WITH DAYSTAMP AND VIAS

L [x [y]] [;] LIST MESSAGES x THRU y YOU CAN READ

L <|> call LIST MESSAGES FROM OR TO CALL

LB LIST BULLETINS

LC [cat] LIST CATEGORIES

LL n LIST LAST n MESSAGES

LM(ine) LIST UNREAD MESSAGES ADDRESSED TO YOU

LO [+|-] LISTING ORDER

LT LIST TRAFFIC

LTn DISPLAY LOCATION TEXT n=1-4

K(ill) n DELETE MESSAGE NUMBER n

KM(ine) DELETE ALL READ MESSAGES ADDRESSED TO YOU

R(ead) n DISPLAY MESSAGE NUMBER n

RH n DISPLAY MESSAGE n WITH HEADERS

RM(ine) READ ALL MESSAGES ADDRESSED TO YOU

S(end) call SEND MESSAGE TO callsign

S[B|P|T] call SEND BULLETIN, PRIVATE, or TRAFFIC

ENTER COMMAND: B,J,K,L,R,S, or Help >

Terminal Client(PACTOR-1) setup:

Click Tools/Options/Connection

Select Modem Type: i.e. PK-232

Select COMM Port: COM1

Select Baud Rate: 9600

Select: Show Link Messages

Audio Tones: Center frequency: 1500

Audio Tones: LSB/USB convention

select Advanced modem settings:

Click RESET Modem

Click Ignore CTS

Click Tools/Options/Settings:

Type your Callsign:_______ and select:

BBS Forwarding Protocol: B2F. (B2F combines & compresses Email message Binary

text to save transmission time; it is not encrypted but provides privacy).

Type your Lat:____ type your Lon:____ (required for ITS/HF PROP. reports)

Click Tools/Options/AutoAnswer select: Accept Incoming Connects

Type Welcome Text: i.e. Welcome to (your Call) AirMail BBS

Type Zip Code:____

(R:Stamp ID Automatic set to [AirMail3.2])

Click Tools/Options/Modules Enable Modules:

Enable Terminal Window Select-Show in Taskbar

)

Terminal Client Click: SETUP:

TNC- ie. Kam+ Port-COM1 Baud-9600

Select Show in Taskbar

Enable Telnet Client Select-Show in Taskbar

Click Apply

Clicl OK

Click VIEW/Frequency List - select Stations: you can: hear, accepts Pactor-1

connects and handle radio Emails. ie.: KN6KB N01A

Click:VIEW/PROPAGATION:

Type the current Sunspot or Solar Flux value and Click Update

Update Sunspot & SFI (source: http://www.dxlc.com/solar/)

Click twice on CALL; Blue number= UTC hour; Green= RELIABILITY percentage.

Click WINDOW/CATALOGS (to request Bulletins)

Click WINDOW/POSITION REPORTS (POSITION/WEATHER is optional

HF Radio setup:

Set all IF Filters to OFF (or as wide as possible)

Set Audio RF to MAX

Set VFO to: 14.064.9 3.820 LSB

Set Transmitter output power to ¼ manufacturer’s rated RF power output, 25 watts or

less is a good operating setup for a 100 watt transmitter to provide linear performance.

WARNING: Operating 100% duty cycle at 100% output power will cause harm to the transmitter.

Set Mode to LSB/USB convention

Set Processor to OFF

Set SWR ON

Adjust Tuner for 1:1.

Set SWR OFF and ALC to ON

TNC PK-232MBX PcPAKRATT II DOS program (PACTOR) setup:

PcPAKRATT v5.5A Program (XPWIN 1.2.8a may also be used to set up PK-232)

TNC must be connected.

Click PcPAKRATT program

Click any key (Initialization PK-232); ALARM, Click any key

Click SETUP Screen

Click PACKET Setup Screen – (set up as page 38, PcPAKRATT II Operating Manual)

Click SAVE - Click LOAD

Click PACTOR Setup Screen - set up as:

PT200 ON PTOVER 1A PTDOWN 03 PTTRIES 2 PTSENT 1,2

PTHUFF 0 PTSUM 005 PTUP 06 MYPTCALL arrow

Click Esc - Click Esc - Click Exit Program - window, Click Exit

Press the TNC's RADIO-1/RADIO-2 switch to RADIO-2 (HF)

Adjust for Automatic Level Control (ALC):

(PcPAKRATT/Dumb Terminal & PK-232 manual Page 3-11)

In PcPAKRATT/Dumb Terminal: type CAL <enter>

type K

Adjust radio MIC for Max. RF and no ALC

type K to return to Receive mode

type Q to quit CALibrate mode)

AIRMAIL Program/Radio Setup:

Click MODE/Monitoring Enabled

Click Current Station box and select a station ie. KN6KB (select Station with best

Propagation)

Click Center frequency and select ie. 14.066.4

Set up HF RADIO: VFO DIAL Frequency to: the Status Bar at the lower-right Dial freq. = ie.

14.064.9 USB

Operating HF Radio-Email (PACTOR-1) setup:

(AirMail v3.2 - PK-232MDX/PcPAKRATT II v5.5A ROM 5 Mar 93)

"My license does not permit use of HF frequency 14074.9 (center) please contact

SYSOP". (you must register with a PMBO, before sending Email) Use a PMBO Winlink

or Internet address from ZS5S.com to request a SYSOP register you for PMBO

privileges. Registering will validate your Call into the Winlink 2000 PMBO

Worldwide system.

Notes: Make your first contact in KEYBOARD MODE so you will have a chance to read

the PMBO help files.

Click KEYBOARD

Select WORDS

Click Send

Listen for a QUIET frequency (no PACTOR chirping or other modes).

Click the GREEN-light (Connect) button. Typically you will be

calling for 30-60 seconds before connecting. If the PMBO doesn't answer

your call after 1 minute, AirMail automatically times-out, and will quite

trying to connect to the PMBO.

When you connect to the WinLink PMBO, you receive a Welcome To message.

In the lower KEYBOARD mode box:

type H (Help) command, and WinLink will return a list of commands.

type I (Info) command

type LB (List of Bulletins)

type R + Bulletin number, to read that Bulletin.

To LOG OFF: type B (Bye)

TO DISCONNECT immediately (or stop calling): CLICK the RED Button.

Sending/Receiving HF Email:

Click FILE/NEW

Select or type a Ham Callsign or Internet Email address

Example addressing To: AA3EU

Example addressing To: [email protected]

(both addresses will deliver the Email to his Telnet Client, if AA3EU

connects to Winlink by his Telnet Client). Both addresses will deliver

the Email to his HF Terminal, if AA3EU connects to Winlink by his HF Terminal)

(an Internet Email addressing of: [email protected] will deliver the Email to

his Telnet Client, if AA3EU connects to Winlink by his Telnet Client or will

deliver the Email to his HF Terminal, if AA3EU connects to Winlink by his

HF Terminal)

Notes: HF Radio-Email supports attachments; however, the radio link is VERY SLOW,

and each individual determines the size of the attached message. Sending an

attachment of more than 20K bytes is usually not productive. Executable files are

not allowed as attachments. .DOC, XLS, JPG, BMP, TIFF, files are permitted as

long as they are small.

Click OK to EXIT the Address Book

On third line type the message Subject

Click POST Via: type- WL2K

Type your HF Radio-Email text message; limit the text to 5-10KB.

Click MESSAGE/POST or the POST Button (saves message and Marks for sending)

compose a HF radio Email message.

Click MODULES/HF TERMINAL CLIENT

Select a "Current station" i.e. KN6KB

Select a "Center frequency" i.e. 14.066.4

Terminal window displays: "initialized ok"

With the "Show Link Messages" selected in setup, "initialized OK" will

be followed by TNC commands displayed with RED text.

Terminal window displays Pactor1: Receive, PK-232 lamps CMD-PKT switch

to STBY-STBY. If TERMINAL/MONITORING ENABLE is selected, the PK-232

PHASE & MODEL lamps will be lit. And traffic text on the freq. will be

displayed in the TERMINAL Window, with GREY text.

Click WINDOWS/CATALOGS (to request Bulletins):

Saildocs: - Winlink: - WL2K: (Global & PMBOs)

Click WINDOW/POSITION REPORTS (POSITION/WEATHER TXing is optional)

Click BBS Mode (hand shake icon)(Send & Receive messages & Bulletins).

Click GREEN Button to Connect to your PMBO (your POST messages are automatically

sent, POST messages for you at the MBO will be downloaded)

Watch the TxData window and the RxData window to monitor your message

being transmitted and received. It will indicate bytes sent and bytes

received. Any messages for you at the PMBO will be down loaded and the PMBO

will disconnect automatically when done.

Now go to the AirMail [Message Index] window, Click on INBOX and check for new

messages from PMBO.

PACTOR-I OPERATION

PACTOR is a new operating mode added with version 5.5 of the

PC-PAKRATT II program. To operate PACTOR you must have a

PK-232 MBX, PK-900, DSP-1232 or DSP-2232 data controller with the

optional PACTOR firmware. If the firmware in your data controller

does not support PACTOR, you will not be able to use this operating

mode.

PACTOR combines many of the best features of Packet and AMTOR

together into a new mode which is well suited to the difficult and

noisy conditions found on the HF bands. Like packet, PACTOR uses

the ASCII character set and allows 7-bit files to be transmitted.

It is helpful to think of PACTOR like an extended version of AMTOR

that includes both upper and lower case characters. Like AMTOR,

PACTOR is most reliable when two stations are connected in an ARQ

handshaking fashion. If you are familiar with AMTOR operation,

PACTOR will be a snap.

Be sure you have read and understand the information in your data

controller manual for PACTOR operation. Also be sure you have

properly installed the PC-PAKRATT II program as described in the

Installation section of the PC-PAKRATT II Operating Manual.

To start the PC-PAKRATT II program do the following:

1. Turn your computer ON.

2. Move to the PCPAKRAT directory on your computer.

(At the DOS prompt, type CD\PCPAKRAT and press <ENTER>.)

3. At the new DOS prompt, type PP and press <ENTER>.

PC-PAKRATT II will load and you should see the Communications Menu.

If you see any error messages during the initialization process,

just press any key to finish the initialization. If you have

properly configured the system as described in Section 4 (SYSTEM

STARTUP) of the PC-PAKRATT II operating manual, you should see no

errors.

THE PACTOR SCREEN

At the Communications Menu, select the "PACTOR Screen" option.

The PACTOR screen similar to the one shown below will be displayed.

Like the Packet screen, the PACTOR screen is divided into three

sections. The top area is the Receive window and its size is

determined by what you specify in the PC-PAKRATT Parameters menu.

This is where you will see the information being transmitted to you.

The middle section, just below the "ESC to Exit" line is the Send window.

What you type into this area is what will be transmitted. Its size is

what's left of the available space after defining the receive window.

The bottom portion is the Status window. It contains the current

PACTOR status indicators. These are described below. Remember

you can use the mouse to click on any of the items discussed below.

The <ALT><H> key combination takes you to the PACTOR Help screen.

When you are viewing the HELP screen, you can use the mouse to

point to any of the listed items and click once with the left

mouse button to "do" whatever that item does (e.g., click on

"Tmail:OFF" to enable or disable the PACTOR MailDrop). You

can also simply type the highlighted letter to enable the

function. When you click on <ESC>, however, you will only go

back to the PACTOR screen, not exit to the Communications

Menu. If you click on or press <ESC> while the PACTOR screen

is displayed, then you will go to the Communications Menu.

Refer to the "PACTOR Help Screen" paragraphs later in this section

for more information.

PACTOR indicates that you are operating in the PACTOR mode.

Directly under this you will see either "Recv" or "Xmit" to

indicate whether you are in the "Receive" or "Transmit" mode.

100 indicates that the current PACTOR speed is 100 baud. This

status indicator will read either 100 or 200 depending on the

speed of the PACTOR link.

Huff indicates that Huffman compression is being used either on

the text being received or on your transmitted text. The use

of Huffman Compression on transmit is controlled by the PTHUFF

command found on the PACTOR parameter setup screen.

Mdm indicates whether or not PACTOR MailDrop activity will be

monitored. The default is OFF, which means that normal

monitoring is determined by the monitoring mode commands you

defined during the Setup process. Press <F7> to change to ON.

Tmail: indicates the status of the PACTOR Mailbox (TMAIL) parameter.

In addition, both the current time and UTC time are shown in the

lower right-hand corner in military format. UTC time is followed

by the letter Z.

There are also a number of function keys and other key combinations

that are active when you are operating in PACTOR mode:

ALT-M:Macro Keys lets you use any of the macros you've previously

defined.

CTRL-PgUp:Clear Buffer erases the contents of the scroll-back

buffer.

ALT-L:MiniLog takes you to the mini-log (it will be displayed at

the bottom of the screen).

PgUp:Scroll Back allows you to scroll through the data in the top

section. You can press <F2> to save the information to disk.

You will be prompted for a file name. The system will assume

you want the file saved in the current directory, so if you

want to save it to another location, type in the full path name.

Home:Log takes you to the QSO Log program.

<ESC> returns you to the Communications Menu.

PACTOR OPERATION

If you have never operated PACTOR before, it is a good idea to

listen to a few QSOs in the PTLIST(en) mode before initiating a

contact yourself.

You must press the the <F10> key to enter the PACTOR Listen mode to

monitor other stations. The on-screen status display will show

that the data controller is now in PTLIST mode and is attempting to

phase with the received signal as shown below.

The best place to monitor other PACTOR stations is between 14.070

and 14.090 MHz on the 20-meter amateur band. Listen for the 1-

second "cricket-sound" (i.e., "chirp chirp") of ARQ PACTOR signals.

To send a PACTOR CQ from the PACTOR Operating Screen, perform the

following steps:

1. Make sure that MYPTCAL is defined in the Setup Screen. To

check, press <ALT><K> and the PACTOR Setup Screen will be

displayed. If there is nothing in the MYPTCAL field, then

move to that field and type it in now. Type in your call sign.

Actually you may type up to 8 alphanumeric characters in this

field. Press <ESC> to return to the PACTOR Operating Screen.

Don't forget to save the parameters in the Files Menu or you'll

have to enter the MYPTCAL callsign each time the program is

run.

2. Press <F3>. This will put the data controller into the

"PTSEND" mode. You can verify this by checking the on-screen

status display or the front panel of your data controller.

3. Type as many CQs as you want, followed by de followed by your

call sign. For example:

CQ CQ CQ CQ de yourcall yourcall yourcall yourcall K K K

It doesn't matter how many times you type CQ.

Be sure to type "de" before you type your call sign.

Type your call sign at least once.

After the last CQ line, type KKK (for "Over").

You can use a keyboard macro to accomplish all of this.

Refer to Section 13 of the PC-PAKRATT II Operating Manual,

CREATING AND USING MACROS.

4. Press <CTRL><D> to end the transmission and transfer the data

controller to "Receive" mode. You can even build that into

your macro.

5. After you have called CQ, listen carefully to the receiver for

the sound of another station calling you. PACTOR stations

normally respond to a CQ in ARQ PACTOR (A 1-second on-off

chirping sound will be heard) which will cause your

transmitter to automatically turn on and off about once per

second. If you need to fine-tune the calling station, be sure

to use the transceiver's RIT to avoid changing your transmit

frequency. When you see your on-screen status change from

Recv to Xmit, you'll know that the other station has turned

over control of the conversation to you.

6. Type your part of the conversation in the bottom portion of

the screen. As you type, you will see what you are typing

echoed in the "Receive" portion of the screen at the same time

the other station receives the data.

7. When you are finished, press <END> to transmit the <CTRL-Z>

end-of-transmission symbol and let the other station know you

are returning control of the conversation to him.

PACTOR operation is a two-person, one-way connection. When you are

transmitting, the other party may not transmit. When you are

through typing your message, the <CTRL-Z> will let the other party

know that you are returning control to him. Remember, when you are

transmitting, the on-screen status indicator and the front panel of

the data controller will indicate you are the sending station.

When you are receiving, the Recv and other on-screen indicators

will be on depending on exactly what is occurring on the Link.

PACTOR communications are conducted in Unprotocol and Connected

(ARQ) modes. When you press <F3> to start PACTOR operation, you

send your CQs in Unprotocol PACTOR. This is similar to FEC AMTOR

operation. When you switch to "Receive" you are ready to start a

connected mode contact. This is similar to ARQ AMTOR operation.

To link with another PACTOR operator whose CQ signal you pick up,

perform the following steps:

1. When you scan the airwaves and find a PACTOR station with whom

you'd like to communicate, be sure to note the callsign.

2. Press <F4>.

3. Type the callsign that you noted and press <ENTER>.

4. Check your status in the status portion of the screen. When you

achieve a successful link, you will see the "Connected" message.

5. Repeat steps 5-7 from the previous description for the

duration of the conversation.

To terminate a PACTOR link after saying "73", press <CTRL><D> or

<F8>. This will completely break the link so be sure the other

party is expecting it.

PACTOR HELP SCREEN

When you are operating in the PACTOR mode, you can press <ALT><H>

to see the PACTOR Help screen. Use the <PAGE UP> and <PAGE DOWN>

keys to view additional information. It contains a list of the

function keys and function key combinations and a brief description

of what they do. Here's the same information with a little more

explanation:

<F1> Open/Close Log File. When you press this function key, you'll

will begin saving the contents of the Receive screen as it is

displayed and continue saving it until you press <F1> again.

You will be prompted for a CAPTURE file name. To save data

that you have already captured in the QSO buffer, press the

<PAGE UP> key and do this from the scroll-back buffer.

<Shift F1> Start/Stop File Upload. This function key combination

allows you to upload any of five message buffers or any text

file that you specify.

<CTRL F1> View a File. This function key combination lets you look

at message or note files or any text file that you specify.

<ALT F1> Hold/Release Log File. When you press these keys, you

pause (or resume) saving text to a log file.

<F2> MDCHECK/Mail Menu. This function key moves you to the Mail

mode and displays the Mail menu.

<Shift F2> Open/Close Printer. Starts and stops the printing of Rx Window

data. When you are printing, you will see PRN in the status area.

<ALT F2> Hold/Release Printer. This combination allows you to

temporarily prevent the printer from printing. You will see

HOLD in the status area.

<F3> Unproto PACTOR Call. When you want to call "CQ" in PACTOR or

want to communicate with another PACTOR station located very

close to you, press <F3> and begin your transmission.

<F4> PACTOR Connect. When you press this key, you will be prompted

for the callsign of the station whose CQ you want to acknowledge.

<ALT-F6> TCLEAR. This clears the transmit buffer of the data controller.

<F7> Toggle MDMON. This turns the MDM parameter on and off. The

status will be displayed in the lower portion of the screen.

<Shift F7> Toggle TMAIL. This turns the PACTOR mailbox off and on.

<ALT F7> FREE. When you press this key combination you will see a

message in the Receive portion of the screen that tells you

how many bytes are free in MailDrop.

<F8> PACTOR Standby. This places the data controller in the PACTOR

standby mode. The word "Standby" will appear in the bottom

line of the status area.

<F9> ACHG. This forces a changeover in a connected ARQ PACTOR

contact. It grabs the link so you can become the transmitting

station. Don't do this unless you really need to.

<F10> PTLIST. This key places the system in PACTOR-L(isten) mode.

<ALT-B> Toggle Break-In Buffer. This allows you to insert some

text before anything you might have typed into the transmit

buffer is sent.

<ALT-C> Clear Rx Window. This clears the Receive screen of all

data.

<ALT-D> Shell to DOS. This will take you to the DOS prompt. When

you are through doing whatever it was that you needed to do at

the DOS prompt, just type EXIT and press <ENTER> to return to

the PACTOR screen. Do not stay shelled to DOS for extended

periods. The data controller may lose data.

<ALT-E> Call Editor. This key combination brings up a menu that allows

you to edit any of 5 messages, 2 notes or the text file of your

choice. If you do not have enough free memory to load the editor,

you will see an error message informing you of the deficiency.

<ALT-L> Call MiniLog. This will bring up the mini-QSO log at the

bottom of the screen.

<ALT-M> Define Keyboard Macros. This lets you create macros for

use in PACTOR or any other mode of operation.

(Refer to Section 13 of the PC-PAKRATT II Operating Manual,

CREATING AND USING MACROS.)

<ALT-K> Parameter Setup Screen. This will take you to the PACTOR

Setup screen.

<ALT-S> SETUP Screens. This takes you to the Configuration Menu so

you can choose the Setup screen you wish to look at or modify.

<ALT-T> Clear Tx Window. This clears the Send window of all data.

<ALT-Z> Change Mode. This allows you to switch to another

operating mode (e.g., Packet, Baudot)

<ALT-1 through 0> Execute Keyboard Macro. This allows you to accomplish

in one (or two or a few) keystrokes what might otherwise have

required many. It invokes the macros you defined using <ALT><M>.

Refer to Section 13 of the PC-PAKRATT II Operating Manual

(CREATING AND USING MACROS) for more information.

<END> ^Z. This terminates the transmission but not the link. It

causes the <CTRL-Z> to be sent which changes the direction of

the PACTOR link and turns control of the conversation over to

him.

<HOME> Call QSO Log Facility. This takes you to the full QSO

logging program.

<PgUp> Scroll Back Buffer. This allows you to scroll through the

Receive data that has been stored in the Scroll Back Buffer.

<CTRL-PgUp> Clear Scroll Back Buffer. This allows you to erase the

Scroll Back Buffer.

<ESC> Return to Communications Menu. This exits PACTOR mode and

returns to the Communications Menu. If you are looking at the

PACTOR Help Screen when you press <ESC>, you will return to

the PACTOR screen.

APRSLink provides a link between the Automatic Position Reporting System (APRS) and the

Winlink 2000 Radio e-mail system. APRSLink monitors all APRS traffic gated to the

Internet, worldwide, and watches for special commands that allow APRS users to:

read short e-mail messages sent to their [email protected] account

send short e-mail messages to any valid e-mail address or Winlink 2000 user

perform e-mail related maintenance (see commands below)

be notified of pending Winlink e-mail via APRS message

query APRSLink for information of the closest Winlink interface (Telpac gateway or PMBO)

Properly licensed Amateur Radio operators are automatically registered in the Winlink

2000 system the first time they send a message through the system with the AirMail

software program. To Register and use APRSLink See www.winlink.org/newmail

& click Register (Sign in/out – New Message – Sign in/out)

Additionally, your APRS station must have sent at least one APRS position report (beacon)

prior to attempting to access this service. In that way, APRSLink can know your Amateur

Callsign, location, and station type.

Available Commands via APRS

H or ? = HELP

L = Return list of pending messages

R# = Read message number #

Y# = Reply to message

P = Playback

A = Create an Alias

F# = Forward message

K# = Kill number message

T = Info on closest Telpac Gateway (Telpac: K7BC-10 FM18JS 4 miles)

M = Info on closest PMBO/RMS (PMBO: W3JAL FM18TV 42 miles)

I = Info on closest APRSLink (APRSLink v1.1.0.0 www.winlink.org/aprslink.htm)

To Transmit a message with APRS’s, APRS+Message Box

W = Email to Winlink address or Callsign (ie:[email protected] or aa3eu)

W1 = Subject

W2 = First line of message

W3 = Second line of message

W4 = another line

/EX (transmit on the last line of message)

Note: I have found that pre-typing your message on the Desktop and pasting each line

of the message into the APRS+SA Send message window will save a lot of time and

eliminate errors.

Here's how it works: You send an APRS message using WLNK-1 as the destination Callsign

with one of the above commands as the message text. APRSLink responds by sending APRS

messages back to you via your IGate. Of course, your IGate must be configured to gate

those messages back to RF - it should be.

APRSLink will detect if your request is from a Kenwood TH-D7 or TM-D700, and attempt to

format retrieved messages to fit the display of those devices. For a TH-D7, this means

you are limited to receiving a maximum of 48 characters per APRS message, and a maximum

of 64 characters for the TM-D700. When you request to read an e-mail from the Winlink

system, APRSLink will send one or more APRS messages back to your station. Reading

large messages (over a few lines) is not appropriate, and APRSLink limits the number

of APRS messages it will send back to your station.

APRSLink is tailored to fit the needs of remote TH-D7 and TM D700 users, but is fully

functional for other clients as well. To allow easy entry using the D7 or D700

keypads, you can use a keypad letter instead of a number for the second part of

commands that require message line numbers. For example, to read message 3 you can

send Rd instead of R3; use Rj for message 5, etc. Actually, any letter on the key

will be interpreted as the number on that same key for any command that uses a number

following the command character.

If you desire notification of pending Winlink e-mail just add the callsign of the

APRSLink server somewhere in your station's position comment (or status text) and

you'll be notified with an APRS message whenever you have unread mail on the Winlink

system. Notification is sent once per day but is reset whenever you use APRSLink to

access your Winlink e-mail. In that way, mail received after you have read the

current batch will trigger another notification.Initially, there will be a single

APRSLink server using a callsign of WLNK-1. Additional APRSLink servers may be added

at a later time - if so, they will use the same Callsign and a different SSID;

-2, -3 etc.

The following text is inserted into messages sent through APRSLink to the Internet.

Messages addressed to a ham callsign or to a [email protected] e-mail address do

not contain this disclaimer.

================================================
This message was sent using a remote device which has
limited capacity. When replying use plain text, keep
the message as short as possible and include no attachments.
================================================

APRS is a registered trademark of APRS Software and Bob Bruninga, WB4APR