Kantronics KAM User manual

Kantronics
All Mode
Communicator
Version D (v2.7)
August 1987
Copyright 1986, by Kantroni s In ., 1202 E 23
rd
St.,
Lawren e, Kansas 6646. All rights reserved.

TABLE OF CONTENTS
Prefa e ............................................................................................ 3
Chapter 1 - Introdu tion .................................................................... 5
Controls and Indi ators ................................................ 7
Chapter 2 - Conne ting Your Computer ............................................... 8
Chapter 3 - Conne ting Your Radios ................................................... 13
Spe ial Cases – Interfa ing Handheld Radios .................. 17
Chapter 4 - Operation ........................................................................ 18
Initial Configuration ...................................................... 18
MAXUsers .................................................................... 18
PMode ........................................................................ 18
Kamport ...................................................................... 18
Command Mode .......................................................... 18
Initial Operation ........................................................... 19
Pa ket Operation ......................................................... 20
Tuning Pa ket Signals ........................................ 20
Conne ting and Dis onne ting ............................ 20
Digipeating ....................................................... 21
Multiple Pa ket Conne tions ............................... 21
Operating with Multiple Conne ts ....................... 23
Gateway Operations ..................................................... 24
CW Mode .................................................................... 25
RTTY & ASCII Operation ............................................... 26
FSK ............................................................................. 27
AMTOR ....................................................................... 28
Chapter 5 - Kantroni s Personal Pa ket Mailbox ................................... 29
Chapter 6 - System Operation and Control .......................................... 35
Display Control ............................................................ 35
Pa ket Data Modes ...................................................... 35
Converse Mode ............................................................ 35
Transparent Mode ........................................................ 36
Pa ket Timing Fun tions ............................................... 36
Flow Control ................................................................ 38
XON/XOFF Flow Control ..................................... 38
Hardware Flow Control ...................................... 39
RTS/CTS Handshaking .................................................. 39
Mark and Spa e Output ................................................ 39
Calibration ................................................................... 40
Assembly & Disassembly of unit .................................... 41
Hard Reset .................................................................. 41
In Case of Diffi ulty ...................................................... 42
Chapter 7 - Commands and Messages ................................................ 43
Command Display ........................................................ 45
Response Messages ..................................................... 46
Commands .................................................................. 49
Part List ...................................................................... 67
Component Pla ement Diagram .................................... 69
S hemati Diagram ...................................................... 70
Command Summary ..................................................... 71
Appendix I – Terminal Programs .................................... 75
Appendix II – TCP/IP ................................................... 78

3
PREFACE
THIS SECTION CONTAINS IMPORTANT INFORMATION – PLEASE READ CAREFULLY
Your Kantroni s All Mode Communi ations Terminal (KAM) is a state of the art devi e. It has
been arefully designed, assembled and tested to meet your demanding spe ifi ations. We do
need your warranty registration on file. Please take a moment to omplete this ard and return it
to us.
The KAM is a Kantroni s hardware and software design in orporating the AX.25 Version 2 Level
2 Pa ket proto ol as adopted by the Ameri an Radio Relay League. This Operator’s Manual on-
tains information from earlier KPC-1 and KPC-2 manuals, modified as appropriate. In addition,
Kantroni s a knowledges the use of material from the original Tu son Amateur Pa ket Radio Cor-
poration (TAPR) TNC-1 manual granted by OEM agreement.
We have attempted to make this Operator’s Manual te hni ally and typographi ally orre t as
of the date of the urrent printing. Produ tion hanges to the KAM my in lude errata or addendum
sheets as required. We soli it your omments and/or suggested orre tions. Please send to Kan-
troni s In ., 1202 E 23
rd
St., Lawren e, Ks 66046.
We have attempted to organize the manual in the most logi al sequen e to simplify installation
and operation. Due to the omplexity of the KAM, you may wish to save the "exoti " parts until lat-
er. Refer to those se tions overing multi- onne t, gateway and simultaneous HF/VHF pa ket oper-
ation after you have the KAM installed and operating.
Throughout the manual we will use the terms "enter", "return" or " arriage return" inter-
hangeably. In addition, the symbol <CR> is used to signify the a tion of operating the key whi h
auses entry of a arriage return.
PRECAUTIONS
CAUTION: The KAM is grounded through its onne tions to your trans eivers. Make sure your
trans eivers are properly grounded and your omputer has equal ground potential. Follow the
grounding instru tions in your trans eiver manual.
Cables provided with the KAM Communi ator are shielded. If you de ide to use substitute a-
bling, be ertain it is also shielded. We do not re ommend the use of RS-232 ribbon able in the
ham sha k environment.
RADIO FREQUENCY INTERFERENCE STATEMENT
This equipment omplies with the limits for a Class B omputing devi e in a ordan e with the
spe ifi ations in Subpart J of Part 15 of the FCC rules. These spe ifi ations are designed to mini-
mize radio frequen y interferen e in a residential installation; however, there is no guarantee that
radio or television interferen e will not o ur in any parti ular installation. If this equipment does
ause interferen e to radio or television re eption, whi h an be determined by turning the equip-
ment off and on when the radio or television is on, the user is en ouraged to try to orre t the in-
terferen e by one of the following measures:
Reorient the radio or TV re eiving antenna;
Relo ate the omputer with respe t to the re eiver;
Move the omputer away from the re eiver;
Plug the omputer into a different outlet so that the omputer and the re eiver are on dif-
ferent bran h ir uits.
If ne essary the user should onta t the dealer or an experien ed radio/TV te hni ian for addi-
tional suggestions. The user may find the following booklet prepared by the FCC helpful:
"How to Identify and Resolve Radio-TV Interferen e Problems"

4
This booklet is available from the U.S. Government Printing Offi e, Washington, D.C., 20402 by
ordering Sto k No. 004-00000345-4.
RFI SUPPRESSION
In moving to the world of digital ommuni ations via omputers, a new dimension of RFI may
be en ountered. In spite of the equipment manufa turers' diligen e, ea h new pie e of ele troni
equipment will rea t differently in ea h separate environment. Every amateur station will have its
own unique layout, equipment variation and antenna installations. Experien e has shown that
these differen es are related to the total RF environments and may ausative fa tors in RFI in-
du ed problems. The suggestions given here may assist in resolving RFI problems you may en-
ounter in your "unique" station.
1. Use shielded able for all inter onne tions between equipment.
2. Make all inter onne ting ables as short as pra ti al. A balan e should be maintained between
able length and equipment proximity. At times simply moving the video monitor one foot fur-
ther from an interfa e or other devi e will solve the "s reen hash" problem.
3. Antenna runs should be kept away from equipment ontrol lines and/or inter onne ting ables.
4. Ground leads should be as short as possible and go to a GOOD EARTH GROUND.
5. Inter onne ting ables appearing to a t as radiators or antennas should be looped through a
toroid. Be ertain toroids, if used, are designed for the frequen y in use.

Chapter 1 - Introdu tion
5
CHAPTER 1
INTRODUCTION
The KAM is a high performan e terminal unit providing Morse (CW), RTTY, ASCII, AMTOR and
Pa ket ommuni ations on the High Frequen y (HF) bands. It will also provide Pa ket operation on
VHF/UHF bands. Ea h of these apabilities is is amplified in the following paragraphs.
Mi ropro essor ontrol means the KAM has optimal filter settings for ea h mode, shift and data
rate sele ted. KAM has the added features of multiple RTTY shifts and limiter/limiterless operation.
Every omputer you use with the KAM will have to have a simple terminal program to interfa e
with the KAM. You an have enhan ed operation, su h as file transfers, with a sophisti ated mo-
dem program.
Hardware Des ription
KAM in orporates and integrates both HF and VHF apabilities in a single unit. There are two
radio ports, one for HF and one for VHF. The VHF port operates Pa ket only, while the HF port pro-
vides All-Mode digital fa ilities. When operating Pa ket you designate whi h port is to send data by
use of the orresponding STReamswit h hara ter. It is therefore possible to be onne ted to and
onversing with stations on both HF and VHF at the same time.
There are two separate modems in the unit. The VHF modem whi h addresses the VHF port
operates at 1200 Baud. The HF modem whi h addresses the HF port operates at up to 300 Baud.
Both modems are optimized for their intended use.
Morse Mode: Transmit and re eive operations at speeds ranging from 5 to 99 words per
minute. A separate CW filter is provided whi h an be ontrolled with software ommands from the
omputer keyboard. This filter's enter frequen y is nominally set at 750 Hertz. However, the en-
ter frequen y an be varied to suit your trans eiver's requirements. The bandwidth of the CW filter
is normally set at 200 Hertz and may be set to any bandwidth between 50 and 1000 Hertz. Refer
the CWTone and CWBand ommands in the ommand se tion of this manual.
Baudot RTTY Mode: Baudot ode from 45 to 300 Baud may be sent and re eived. Note that the
RTTY speeds are referred to in Baud rather than words per minute. The unit's default rate is 45
Baud whi h equates to 60 words per minute. Other ommonly use standard RTTY speeds are 67,
75, 100 and 132 word per minute. These rates equate to 50, 66, 75 and 100 Baud respe tively.
With the KAM you an set any Baud rate up to and in luding 300 Baud, in one Baud in rements,
with software ommands from the omputer keyboard. Any ommonly a epted RTTY shift may be
established by software ommand. These are 170, 425 and 850 Hertz shift. In addition, you an
establish any other intermediate shift you may wish to use. Refer to the MARk , SPa e and SHift
ommands in the ommand se tion of this manual.
AMTOR Modes: ARQ, FEC and Sele tive FEC transmit and re eive operations are available. In
addition, an AMTOR ARQ listen mode is sele table for monitoring other stations ARQ links.
HF Pa ket Mode: This unit in orporates the ne essary ir uits and firmware to provide Pa ket
operation on the High Frequen y bands. When Pa ket operation is sele ted, a tone pair of
1600/1800 Hertz and an output Baud rate of 300 is established. You may designate other tone
pairs if you prefer, however, you should remember to generally maintain a 200 Hertz shift. Other
shifts an be established, but doing so ould make a diffi ult for other pa ket stations to opy your
signals unless they are also using the same shift.
VHF Pa ket Mode: Pa ket operation is available using standard Bell 202 tones of 1200/2200
Hertz only at 1200 Baud.

Chapter 1 - Introdu tion
6
Personal Pa ket Mailbox: This unit in orporates the popular Kantroni s Personal Pa ket Mailbox
feature. The Mailbox operates independently of your atta hed terminal or omputer. You, or other
stations, may leave messages in the Pa ket Mailbox for retrieval when onvenient.
ADDITIONAL FEATURES
1. Automati Gain Control provides improved performan e in noisy band onditions.
2. Limiter/limiterless demodulation (swit h sele table) provides improved RTTY operation in weak
signal onditions.
3. Two-tine demodulation for improved performan e in signal fading onditions. Miss the mark -
at h the spa e or vi e/versa.
4. Separate CW demodulator for optimal CW re eption.
5. Normal/Reverse FSK output is software sele table for flexibility.
6. Reed relay CW keying to a ommodate any transmitter or trans eiver.
7. Sele table AFSK output level to both the HF and VHF port provides modulation for all trans-
eivers, in luding those requiring pre-amplified mi rophones.
8. Sele tive RTTY re eption-autostart operation prevents lutter of unwanted signals monitored
on frequen y.
9. Twelve pole programmable swit hed apa itan e input filtering optimized for ea h RTTY/ASCII
shift and Pa ket operation.
10. Programmed low-pass filter optimized for ea h Baud rate.
11. Crystal ontrolled AFSK generator provides stable tones.
12. Twelve volt DC operation with low urrent drain of 230 mA provides ex ellent mobile/portable
operation.
13. 32 k RAM for maximum buffering and storage of data.
14. 512 byte EEPROM for storage of operating parameters eliminates batteries.
15. Flow ontrol to insure a urate file transfers.
16. Jumper sele table RS-232 or TTL level signals provides ompatibility for any omputer.

Chapter 1 - Introdu tion
7
CONTROLS AND INDICATORS
The front panel has two swit hes, eight LEDs and a ten segment LED bargraph. There are sev-
en LEDs used as operating status indi ators. The front panel is divided into two se tions. The left
three LEDs are the indi ators asso iated with HF operation, and the four right LEDs are the indi a-
tors asso iated with VHF operation. The two segments are divided by a white olor bar. Ea h LED
has the fun tions indi ated below:
HF Se tion:
XMIT - This LED will illuminate when the KAM is keying the PTT line on your HF radio OR
when HF pa kets are being re eived.
CON/LOCK - This LED will illuminate when you have an HF Pa ket onne tion OR a valid
AMTOR data link.
STA/VAL - This LED will illuminate when you have una knowledged HF pa kets OR a valid
AMTOR data link.
VHF Se tion:
XMIT - This LED will illuminate when the KAM is keying the PTT line on your VHF radio.
RCV - This LED will illuminate when you are re eiving a VHF pa ket.
CON - This LED will illuminate when you have a VHF Pa ket onne tion. In addition, when
operating non-Pa ket HF modes, this LED will blink ON/OFF for approximately 10 se onds if KAM
re eives a VHF Pa ket onne t request.
STA - This LED will illuminate when you have una knowledged VHF pa kets.
POWER INDICATOR - The single LED on the right end of the front panel illuminates when power is
applied.
Swit hes:
ON/OFF - Provides power ontrol of the KAM.
AM/FM - Swit hes the limiters in or out of the demodulator ir uits. This swit h should be
set to AM for CW operation and FM for RTTY/ASCII/AMTOR. For Pa ket operation, either AM or FM
an be sele ted. Use the setting you prefer.
Ten Segment LED Bargraph:
The bargraph provides a visual indi ation of the re eived HF signal. The end segments, la-
beled MARK and SPACE, blink alternately on a properly tuned RTTY/ASCII/AMTOR or Pa ket signal.
In CW mode the bargraph illuminates from left to right. In addition, when your PTT line is being
keyed to transmit on the HF port, the LED bargraph will be blanked out.

Chapter 2 - Conne ting your Computer
8
CHAPTER 2
CONNECTING YOUR COMPUTER
GENERAL
The first steps required are to inter onne t your omputer with the KAM and get it and the
KAM talking to ea h other. To do this you must onne t the KAM to the omputer serial data port
and load your omputer with a terminal program. The serial port provides a pla e for data to be
sent to or re eived from the KAM. The terminal program is the software whi h runs in the om-
puter, allowing it to ommuni ate with the KAM or an external devi e.
If you are using a omputer or terminal whi h operates at the TTL voltage level, you must re-
position the internal jumper K-7. The VIC-20 and Commodore 64 are examples of units whi h oper-
ate at the TTL level. Refer to page 14 for information on the fun tioning of K-7. The parts pla e-
ment diagram on page 70 shows its lo ation. Assembly/disassembly instru tions on page 41 show
you how to obtain a ess to the interior of KAM.
Many omputer systems in lude a terminal program on the system diskette. For example, the
IBM system diskette in ludes a program named COMM. Other omputer systems may in lude a
terminal program in the initial software pa kage, usually named COMM, TERM, or a similar name
whi h onveys the idea of ommuni ating. Some omputer systems require that a terminal pro-
gram be obtained separately. In general, any program whi h allows telephone modem ommuni a-
tions with the omputer will be suitable for use with the KAM.
We have in luded several simple terminal programs in an appendix to this manual to assist
you. There are also some names of spe ifi programs available at omputer stores whi h may be
used.
There are generally four variables to be set in your terminal program. These are Baud rate, par-
ity, word length and the number of stop bits. If your terminal program provides for these variables,
use the following settings to talk to the KAM:
Baud rate: 300, 600, 1200, 2400, 4800 or 9600
Parity: None
Data Bits: 8
Stop bits: 1
INTERFACING
Sin e there are so many omputers on the market now, it is impossible to provide interfa ing
information on all of them. However, we do provide limited information on some of the more om-
mon ones here.
If you have a PCjr, TRS-Color or a TRS Model 100, some limited information follows:
PCjr:
The IBM PCjr has a built-in terminal program in the basi artridge. The terminal mode is
started by typing TERM. Consult the PCjr Te hni al Referen e Manual for pin-out requirements for
the PCjr serial port. You will have to buy a spe ial onne tor from your omputer dealer for the
PCjr.
TRS-Color Computers:
The serial port of the olor omputer uses a 4-pin DIN plug. Pin onne tions at the port are
shown in the pin table below.
KAM TRS CABLE
2 -------------- 4 -------------- white
3 -------------- 2 -------------- brown
7 -------------- 3 -------------- bla k

Chapter 2 - Conne ting your Computer
9
This is known as a three-wire interfa e. This abling supports the TRS VIDTEX program. If you
have a mi ro- olor omputer, su h as the MC-10, abling is different; onsult your omputer refer-
en e manual.
TRS MODEL-100
This omputer has a standard RS-232 25-pin DB onne tor serial port. Just add ne essary ex-
tension ables and all the modem program that is a part of the omputer.
OTHER COMPUTERS WITH A 25-PIN SERIAL CONNECTOR:
If your omputer has a 25-pin DB onne tor for serial operation, han es are it is wired the
same as the KAM. However, it is a good idea to he k the omputer referen e manual before wir-
ing up the able. Che k to make sure that transmit data, re eive data and ground are on the same
pins as the KAM serial port. Change if ne essary. Also he k to see whether or not the RTS/CTS or
other RS-232 lines are required. The requirement for these lines is usually di tated by the om-
puter program you use.
Your omputer may also require jumpers between pins 4 and 5, and also between some ombi-
nation of pin 6, 8 and 20. Che k your omputer referen e manual.
CONNECTING KAM TO YOUR COMPUTER
NOTE: Before making any onne tions to the KAM, you should review the internal jumpers
information in Chapter 3, page 13.
The 25-pin onne tor on the panel is for onne ting to the omputer or terminal. Five of these
pins are for onne tion to your omputer or terminal, and two provide for Mark/Spa e outputs to a
monitor s ope if you wish to use one. A prewired able is provided for your use to onne t the
KAM to the omputer. Five prewired lines are provided with a DB-25 onne tor. You must provide
the onne tor to atta h these lines to your omputer serial port. In most ases, unless the terminal
program you use requires hardware flow ontrol, you need only onne t three of these lines –
Transmit data, Re eive data and Signal ground. In fa t, most modem programs do not use
RTS/CTS handshaking supported by the KAM. Therefore, the three lines interfa e is best when first
starting.
Des ription Comp. pin Dire tion KAM pin Color
Transmit data
Re eive data
Request to send
Clear to send
Data arrier dete t
Signal ground
Data set ready
Data terminal ready
Mark
Spa e
+12 V
2
3
4
5
8
7






2
3
4
5
8
7/1
6
20
11
18
25
white
brown
green
red
bla k
The fun tion of these lines is explained below.

Chapter 2 - Conne ting your Computer
10
Transmit data: This line is the serially transmitted data from the terminal to the KAM.
Re eive data: This line is the serially transmitted data from the KAM to the terminal.
Request to send: This line tells the KAM that the terminal is ready to re eive data. An ON level
tells the KAM it may send data while an OFF level tells it to stop sending
data.
Clear to send: This line tells the terminal whether or not it may send data to the KAM. An
ON level tells the terminal it may send data while an OFF level tells it to stop
sending data.
Data Carrier Dete t: This line is an output from the KAM indi ating onne ted status of the unit.
When a onne tion exists on the urrent stream, this line will be true. (When
using TTL levels, DCD at +5 V indi ates onne ted status.)
Signal ground: This line establishes the ommon ground referen e potential for all ir uits
ex ept Prote tive Ground.
Data set ready/
Data terminal ready: These pins are ommon on the KAM onne tor and are held high.
Mark/Spa e: These signals are available for onne ting an external s ope if desired. Refer
to the se tion overing this implementation for instru tion.
+12 V: This is an alternate input pin for supplying power to the KAM if desired. If
the normal 12 VDC input ja k is used, this pin will be hot. BE CERTAIN THIS
PIN IS NOT CONNECTED TO YOUR COMPUTER!
INTRODUCTION TO COMMANDS
There are some very spe ifi pro edures whi h must be observed when talking to the KAM.
The internal program in the KAM has an extensive set of program routines whi h allows it to do
what you want done and report the results ba k to you. This short se tion will give you a familiar-
ity with the pro edures needed to initially manipulate the unit. For a further explanation and dis-
ussion see Chapter 6 - Commands and Messages.
COMMAND STRUCTURE
You ommuni ate with the KAM by using ommands entered at your omputer. Some om-
mands are a tually "instru tions" to the KAM. These tell it to perform a ertain a tion or report in-
formation to you. For example, the Conne t ommand tells KAM to make a onne tion to the sta-
tion you spe ify or tell you its urrent state if no onne tion exists. Another example, the RTTY
ommand tells KAM to go to the RTTY mode of operation.
Other ommands set "parameters" or additional values whi h ontrol a tions that KAM will take
or onditions whi h will exist during its operation. For example, the MY all ommand requires that
you add a value to it, i.e. your station allsign, whi h will be used in all Pa ket ommuni ations. A
parameter, or additional value, may be a number or it may be a "flag" having only two possible
settings – ON or OFF. Examples of these are MAXUsers , whi h may have a number from 0 to 26,
and Monitor , whi h may be ON or OFF.
You will see many of the ommands in KAM whi h set two indi ated parameters or "sides".
These ommands are displayed with a slant bar ( / ) separating the two presently set values.
These ommands have a separate parameter or value for ea h of the radio ports. The value dis-
played to the LEFT of the bar is for use with the HF port and the value displayed to the right of the
bar is for use with the VHF port. You may set the required values independently or at the same
time a ording to the following rules:

Chapter 2 - Conne ting your Computer
11
1. Entering the ommand with a SINGLE value or parameter will ause the same value to be set
for Both ports.
2. Entering the ommand with a SINGLE value or parameter, followed by the slant bar ( / ) will
ause the value entered to be set for ONLY the HF port. The VHF remains un hanged.
3. Entering the ommand followed by the slant bar ( / ) and a SINGLE value will ause the value
entered to be set ONLY the VHF port.
4. Entering the ommand followed by a value, the slant bar ( / ) and a se ond value will ause
the values spe ified to be set to the ports indi ated.
REMEMBER: VALUES LEFT OF THE SLANT BAR APPLY TO THE HF PORT – VALUES TO THE RIGHT
OF THE SLANT BAR APPLY TO THE VHF PORT.
We will experiment with these stru tures during Initial Che kout of the KAM.
INITIAL CHECKOUT
You should now have your omputer onne ted to the KAM. It's time for power. On the ba k
panel there is a ja k marked +12 VDC. Conne t the power adapter furnished with the KAM to this
ja k or, if you use another power sour e make sure it provides +12 VDC at 300 mA. If you wire
your own power able, make sure you wire it to the barrel plug with the enter pin POSITIVE.
With the omputer or terminal onne ted you may pra ti e with the KAM without being "on-
the-air" (not onne ted to your radio yet). In this way you an be ome familiar with issuing om-
mands and setting parameters.
First, boot your terminal program. After booting the terminal program turn on power to the
KAM. You will see the message PRESS * TO SET BAUD RATE appear on the s reen. This mes-
sage will be printed at several different Baud rates, and at the one whi h mat hes your omputer
output Baud rate it will be readable. At other rates it will appear as random printed hara ters.
Press the * qui kly while the readable version is printing.
The KAM will now send your omputer its sign-on message and the following will appear on
your display:
KANTONICS ALL MODE COMMUNICATOR VERSION 2.(nn)
ENTER YOUR CALLSIGN =>
Now enter your allsign and press RETURN . If, as you make this entry, you see the letters
doubled, you are seeing your allsign e hoed to the s reen by both KAM and your keyboard. To
prevent this, set E ho to OFF. (See the E ho ommand in Chapter 6.) When you press the RETURN
or ENTER key on your keyboard KAM will respond with a cmd: prompt. This prompt tells you that
the KAM is ready for your further instru tions. Let's he k some of those ommands with two pa-
rameters first. At the cmd: prompt enter the ommand MY all . Your s reen should now look like
this:
KANTONICS ALL MODE COMMUNICATOR VERSION 2.(nn)
ENTER YOUR CALLSIGN => WA5RGU<CR>
cmd:MYCALL
NOTE: Callsigns shown are for illustration only. Where allsigns are alled for you should enter
your own!
Now press the ENTER or RETURN key on your keyboard. The KAM will respond with:
MYCALL WA5RGU/WA5RGU
cmd:

Chapter 2 - Conne ting your Computer
12
This shows you that your allsign has been entered for use with both the HF and VHF ports.
Now hange it so that your allsign with an extension Supplementary Station Identifi ation (known
as an SSID in Pa ket) will be used with the VHF port. At the cmd: prompt type MY all followed by
a slant bar ( / ) followed by WA5RGU-1. The new line on your s reen should now look like this:
cmd:MYcall /WA5RGU-1
If your s reen is orre t press the ENTER or RETURN key on your keyboard. The KAM will re-
spond with a new cmd: prompt.
Now type the ommand MY all with no allsign and press the ENTER or RETURN key on the
keyboard. KAM will tell you what the allsigns urrently being used are. Your new display should
look like this:
MYCALL WA5RGU/WA5RGU-1
cmd:
If you would like to experiment with these ommand stru tures some more, go to the hapter
on "Commands and Messages" and pi k out a few to use.
At this point, let's simulate an attempt to onne t to another station on VHF. Again, you need
not wire your radio to the KAM yet.
First, with a fresh cmd: prompt on your s reen, enter the ommand Conne t followed by any
all, say DC7XJ. Your s reen should look like this:
cmd:Conne t DC7XJ
If your s reen appears orre t, wat h the VHF transmit LED on the KAM panel and press the
RETURN key on your omputer. The LED should blink 11 times at about a three se ond rate. The
KAM then "times out" automati ally be ause it has not onne ted to the requested station after
sending 11 onne t pa kets, Your s reen should now appear as:
cmd:Conne t DC7XJ
cmd:retry count exceeded
***DISCONNECTED
cmd:
If you were a tually onne t to DC7XJ, your s reen would respond with
*** CONNECTED TO DC7XJ
Noti e here that the cmd: prompt would not appear. The KAM would enter CONVERSation
mode and you ould ex hange information with the onne ted-to station.
You are now ready to able your radios to the KAM.

Chapter 3 - Conne ting your radio
13
CHAPTER 3
CONNECTING YOUR RADIOS
The following paragraphs outline installation pro edures for inter onne ting your trans eivers
and the KAM. Prior to a tually onne ting the ables, you should determine if the internal jumpers
K-1, K-2, K-5 or K-7 require repositioning to a ommodate your system.
Jumpers are appropriately labeled on the PC board. Refer to the parts lo ation diagram in this
manual for help in lo ating them. Also refer to the assembly and disassembly se tion for informa-
tion on obtaining a ess to the interior of the unit.
K-1
VHF EQUALIZATION – This jumper is provided to alter the equalization hara teristi s of the VHF
modem. With no jumper installed on the 3-pin header, full equalization is effe ted. With the jump-
er onne ting the enter post and the post marked 1, there is no equalization. With the jumper
onne ting the enter post and the post marked 2, partial equalization is in effe t. Testing has
shown that most VHF trans eivers require that the input audio signal be fully equalized for best
performan e. This unit is shipped with the jumper pla ed on ONLY ONE of the posts effe tively
"OFF" so that full equalization is in effe t. Should you wish to operate the KAM in a hard wire pa k-
et line, no equalization should be in effe t.
K-2
AFSK OUTPUT - VHF – This jumper is provided to alter the VHF AFSK output level. The LO position
sets an AFSK output level from the KAM at 10 mV. The HI position sets an AFSK output level of
50 mV. Both levels are peak-to-peak values. In general, trans eivers requiring a pre-amplified mi-
rophone will require the HI level AFSK output from the KAM. Removing the jumper entirely will
provide the maximum possible output level of approximately 1.7 V. Should you require an inter-
mediate value of AFSK modulation signal, it may be obtained by repla ing resistor R-12 with the
appropriate value hosen from the following hart. If you hange R-12 to obtain an intermediate
value, pla e K-2 in the HIGH position. This unit is shipped from the fa tory with the jumper in the
LO position.
R-12 Value AFSK Output Level
470 Ω 24 mV
2.2 kΩ 106 mV
6.8 kΩ 290 mV
22 kΩ 680 mV
47 kΩ 1000 mV
K-3
VHF TIMER – This jumper is provided to DISABLE the VHF "wat h dog" timer. The timer is disabled
if the jumper is installed. Time-out of the KAM will o ur after approximately 2.5 minutes un-key-
ing the VHF PTT line. This unit is shipped with the jumper NOT CONNECTING the jumper posts;
therefore, the timer is in effe t.
K-4
HF-TIMER – This jumper is provided to DISABLE the HF "wat h dog" timer. The timer is disabled if
the jumper is installed. Time-out of the KAM will o ur after approximately 2.5 minutes un-keying
the VHF PTT line. This unit is shipped with the jumper NOT CONNECTING the jumper posts; there-
fore, the timer is in effe t.
K-5
AFSK OUTPUT - HF – This jumper is provided to alter the HF AFSK output level. The LO position
sets an AFSK output of 100 mV. The HI position sets an AFSK output level at 500 mV. Both levels
are peak-to-peak values. In general, trans eivers requiring a pre-amplified mi rophone will also re-

Chapter 3 - Conne ting your radio
14
quire the HI level AFSK output from the KAM. Removing the jumper entirely will provide the maxi-
mum possible output level of approximately 1.6 V p/p. Should you require an intermediate value of
AFSK modulation signal, it may be obtained by repla ing resistor R-25 with the appropriate value
hosen from the following hart. If you hange R-25 to obtain an intermediate value, pla e K-5 in
the HIGH position. This unit is shipped from the fa tory with the jumper in the LO position.
R-12 Value AFSK Output Level
680 Ω 48 mV
3.3 kΩ 209 mV
4.7 kΩ 282 mV
6.8 kΩ 377 mV
22 kΩ 800 mV
K-6
TEST/NORMAL – This jumper is provided to initialize the EEPROM and to allow some self-testing.
The unit is initialized at the fa tory and shipped with the jumper in the normal position.
K-7
RS-232/TTL – This jumper is provided to hange the KAM from RS-232 to TTL operating voltage
levels. This unit is shipped from the fa tory in the RS-232 position. If your omputer operates at
TTL level voltages, reposition this jumper prior to pla ing this unit in servi e.
* OPERATING NOTE *
As shipped from the fa tory, the VHF "wat h dog" timer is in effe t and the HF "wat h dog"
timer is not. The HF timer is not enabled sin e it annot distinguish between RTTY and Pa ket sig-
nals. Should you plan to operate a mode other than Pa ket, the HF timer will limit your transmis-
sion time to approximately 2.5 minutes if it is enabled.
CONNECTING KAM TO YOUR RADIO
The KAM is atta hed to your trans eivers via ja ks and onne tors on its ba k panel. There are
two radio ports labeled HF and VHF. Ea h of these is fully independent and is addressed individu-
ally from your omputer keyboard.
CAUTION: Make sure the power of the trans eivers, omputer and KAM is OFF before onne ting
any ables.

Chapter 3 - Conne ting your radio
15
VHF Radio Conne tor
* Same as 9-pin KPC-2/KPC-2400 onne tor
The prewired able assembly with a 9-pin oblong plug (DB-9) atta hed is for use with the VHF
port. You will need to provide the mi -ja k onne tor for your VHF trans eiver and wire the on-
ne tor to the provided able.
CAUTION: Che k your VHF trans eiver manual to orre tly wire the orresponding pins of the
trans eiver mi -ja k.
Pin 1 – AFSK OUT – white lead
This line arries the AFSK tone generated by the KAM to the Audio (mi rophone) Input line of your
trans eiver.
Pin 2 – XCD – green lead
This line may be used to onne t the squel h line from your VHF trans eiver if desired. This on-
ne tion will not normally be required, nor used, unless operating an a shared voi e hannel.
Pin 3 – Push-To-Talk – brown lead
This line ontrols the PTT line in your trans eiver, allowing the omputer to swit h the trans eiver
from/to transmit or re eive. Conne t dire tly to the PTT line of the mi -ja k onne tor.
Pin 4, 5 – Audio signal – 2 ondu tor audio able, enter ondu tor
Plug this lead to one leg of the Y- onne tor able provided in the KAM a essory bag. Plug the Y-
onne tor able into the external speaker ja k of the trans eiver. The remaining female onne tor
on the Y- onne tor able may be used for an external speaker. Do not use a headphone output
from the trans eiver. If you use an a essory or phone pat h output, it may be ne essary to pro-
vide a padding network to redu e amplitude of the signal being fed to the KAM. High level fixed
outputs may have a tenden y to "swamp" the KAM input ir uits. Fixed output signals in ex ess of
50 mV should be padded.
Pin 7 – +12 VDC in – red lead
This lead is provided as an alternate power input. It may be used in pla e of of the +12 VDC ja k.
If you do not plan to use this alternate input, you should lip the wire an insulate it. This lead will
be HOT whenever the KAM is powered. This onne tion should not be used to power any a es-
sory devi e.
Pin 6, 8, 9 – Ground/Shield – bla k and silver lead
Conne t the push-to-talk ground and AFSK shield to this line. With some trans eivers whi h do not
referen e PTT and audio shielding to a ommon ground, it may be ne essary to leave the AFSK
shield (braided wire) dis onne ted.

Chapter 3 - Conne ting your radio
16
HF Radio Conne tor
* Same as 5-pin UTU-XT onne tor
The prewired able assembly with an 8-pin DIN onne tor is for use with the HF port. You will
need to provide the mi -ja k onne tor for your HF trans eiver and wire the onne tor to the pro-
vided able.
CAUTION: Che k your HF trans eiver manual to orre tly wire the orresponding pins of the trans-
eiver mi -ja k.
Pin 1 – AFSK OUT - white lead
This lead arries the AFSK tones generated by the KAM to the Audio (mi rophone) Input line of
your trans eiver.
Pin 2 – Ground/Shield – bla k and silver lead
Conne t the push-to-talk ground and AFSK shield to this line. With some trans eivers whi h do not
referen e PTT and audio shielding to a ommon ground, it may be ne essary to leave the AFSK
shield (braided wire) dis onne ted.
Pin 3 – Push-To-Talk – brown lead
This line ontrols the PTT line in your trans eiver, allowing the omputer to swit h the trans eiver
from/to transmit or re eive. Conne t dire tly to the PTT line of the mi -ja k onne tor.
Pin 4 – Key Out - green lead
This line may be used to ontrol CW keying on your trans eiver. Separate a small length of this
lead and atta h a lead with the appropriate plug for your trans eiver key ja k.
Pin 5 – FSK OUT – red lead
This line is for use if your trans eiver provides FSK keying for radioteletype operation. Separate a
small length of this lead and atta h a lead with the appropriate plug for your FSK input onne tor
on the trans eiver. It will also be ne essary to provide for PTT keying via the mi ja k, a essory
port or other method spe ified by your trans eiver manual.
Pin 6 – Audio signal – 2 ondu tor audio able, enter ondu tor
Plug this lead to one leg of the Y- onne tor able provided in the KAM a essory bag. Plug the Y-
onne tor able into the external speaker ja k of the trans eiver. The remaining female onne tor
on the Y- onne tor able may be used for an external speaker. Do not use a headphone output
from the trans eiver. If you use an a essory or phone pat h output, it may be ne essary to pro-
vide a padding network to redu e amplitude of the signal being fed to the KAM. High level fixed
outputs may have a tenden y to "swamp" the KAM input ir uits. Fixed output signals in ex ess of
50 mV should be padded.

Chapter 3 - Conne ting your radio
17
Pin 8 – XCD – single yellow ondu tor lead
This line may be used to onne t the squel h line from your HF trans eiver if desired. This onne -
tion will not normally be required, nor used, unless operating an a shared voi e hannel.
Sp cial Cas s – Int rfacing Handh ld Radios
Many trans eivers, espe ially most handheld models, obtain Push-To-Talk keying by ompleting
a ir uit between the mi shield and PTT ground. A dire t PTT input to the mi shield line of units
with this type ele tret ondenser mi rophone is not usable without some type of isolation.
If you plan to operate with a handheld trans eiver, KAM has in orporated an isolation ir uit
whi h is available by jumper positioning. Enabling this ir uit is done as follows:
1. Refer to assembly/disassembly instru tions if ne essary and remove the KAM from its ase.
2. Lo ate point Z on the PC board. This point is at the rear, near the HF radio output port and
power ja k.
3. Lo ate the three pads asso iated with Z. Note that the enter pad and the pad marked 1 is
larger than the pad marked 2.
4. Carefully ut the onne tion between the enter pad and pad 1.
5. Make a new onne tion between the enter pad and pad 2. You may wish to make this
onne tion on the bottom of the PC board instead of the omponent side.
KAM is now ready for onne tion to ele tret ondenser type mi rophone input ir uits. Should
you later use a different type radio, this hange may need to be re onfigured. Most other radios of
urrent manufa ture will not require a KAM re onfiguration.

Chapter 4 - Operation
18
CHAPTER 4
OPERATION
OPERATING MODES
Before you put the KAM on the air, you should spend a few reading sessions learning how the
unit operates. The KAM operates in five modes: CW, RTTY, ASCII, AMTOR ARQ and AMTOR Mode B
(FEC or SELFEC) and Pa ket. Only Pa ket operation is available through the VHF port while any
digital mode, in luding Pa ket, may operated through the HF port.
INITIAL CONFIGURATION
Operator programmable parameters affe t operation of the KAM. When you initially turn the
KAM on, all parameters are set for normal operation (their default values). All the parameters are
explained in the ommands se tion of this manual. This se tion will deal only with those parame-
ters and ommands whi h affe t your initial operation of the unit.
The parameters of three ommands – MAXUsers , PMode and Kamport – determine the state or
mode that KAM will be in upon power-up. These ommands also perform other duties. See the
ommands se tion for details. Briefly:
MAXUSERS
MAXUsers set the allowable number of simultaneous Pa ket onne tions on HF and VHF. In
fa t, the KAM an be put in one of three distin t onfigurations using the MAXUsers ommand.
The default setting of 10/10 onfigures the KAM for HF/VHF operation. Simultaneous HF and
VHF Pa ket onne tions are possible. HF digipeating, VHF digipeating and HF/VHF gateway are
available. RTTY and CW type operations are available on the HF port while digipeating on the VHF
port. The available RAM (about 30 kBytes) is divided into 6 buffers: terminal input/output, HF
Pa ket input/output and VHF Pa ket input/output.
Setting MAXUsers to 10/0 onfigures the KAM for HF only operation; likewise, setting MAXUsers
to 0/10 onfigures the KAM for VHF only operation. In either of these onfigurations, the /H or /V
indi ators are suppressed and only the appropriate STReamsw hara ter is a tive. The available
RAM is divided into 4 buffers: terminal input/output and Pa ket input/output. The size of the buf-
fers are therefore a little larger in HF or VHF only operation.
FUlldup is only a tive in VHF only operation. Kamport is only a tive in HF/VHF operation.
PMode is only a tive in HF/VHF or HF only operation. EXTmodem is only a tive in HF/VHF or VHF
only operation.
PMODE
The default setting of this ommand is NONE. The parameter of PMode an be NONE or one of
the other operating modes. The PMode parameter determines the mode the KAM will be in upon
power-up. The default setting of NONE allows KAM to ome on in the Pa ket mode.
KAMPORT
The default setting of this ommand is VHF. The alternate setting is HF. The KAM will address
the port set by Kamport on initial power on.
With these parameters in their default fa tory settings, you an operate VHF Pa ket, HF Pa ket,
CW, ASCII, RTTY or AMTOR. Changing the settings or values of these parameters will determine
the overall operating apabilities and power-up onfiguration of the KAM.
COMMAND MODE
Command Mode is to enter ommands whi h alter the KAMs operating parameters. In addition,
Command Mode is used to enter all operating modes ex ept Pa ket. AT SIGN-ON THE UNIT IS SET
FOR PACKET OPERATION. All other operating modes su h as CW must be entered from Command
Mode. When the KAM is in Command Mode, the hara ters cmd: are printed as a prompt at the
beginning of ea h input line. This is the KAMs signal that it is waiting for instru tions. The KAM

Chapter 4 - Operation
19
signs on in the Command Mode at power-up unless you have designated otherwise with the
PMode ommand.
The default values of the units parameters are stored in the permanent EEPROM memory. If
you hange some of the parameters and want the new values used upon power-up, you an store
them in the EEPROM with the PErm ommand.
INITIAL OPERATION
After you have abled the KAM to the omputer and trans eiver, you will need to run the termi-
nal program you have for operation with the KAM. On e the terminal program is initialized, turn on
the KAM. It uses an autobaud program to set the Baud rate for ommuni ation with your om-
puter. To a omplish this, the KAM will send a short message that is printed on the s reen:
PRESS * TO SET BAUD RATE
The program is a tually sending this senten e to your omputer at 300, 600, 1200, 2400, 4800
and 9600 Baud. The senten e transmitted at the Baud rate ompatible with your terminal program
will be readable; the other will appear as random hara ters on the s reen.
To a ess the KAM you need to press the asterisk (*) while the readable senten e is printing
on the s reen, or within two se onds after it is printed. If you miss the senten e, the program will
repeat that pro ess every few se onds.
On e you have su eeded in a essing the autobaud feature, the following sign-on message
will appear on the s reen:
KANTONICS ALL MODE COMMUNICATOR VERSION 2.(nn)
ENTER YOUR CALLSIGN =>
Enter your allsign and press the ENTER or RETURN key on your keyboard. The KAM will re-
spond with:
cmd:
The KAM is now ready to a ept your input instru tions. Your allsign has automati ally been
entered into both "sides" of the MY all ommand. Also a guess has been made for your SELCALL
for AMTOR operation. To he k this, at the cmd: prompt type MYSel al<CR>. Your s reen should
look like this:
cmd:MYSELCAL
MYSELCAL WRGU
cmd:
If you wish to hange your SELCALL, type MYSel al xxxx followed by a arriage return. The
xxxx should be the four letters you use as a SELCALL in AMTOR.
If you found that you needed to turn the E ho ommand OFF during the initial he kout with
your omputer, you should also turn it OFF now.
Next, you may want to set an Abaud rate to avoid the autobaud routine if you have not already
done so. Be ertain that it mat hes the rate used by your omputer serial port.
Then, we suggest that your PErm these parameters so that you will not have to type them in
ea h time the KAM is turned on. To PErm these entries, at the cmd: prompt type PErm, followed
by a arriage return. The KAM will respond with a new cmd: prompt. These values are now set in
the EEPROM and will be used ea h time you power-up the unit.
You are now ready to operate Pa ket or enter another operating mode su h as CW or RTTY. Se-
le tion and use of ea h mode is dis ussed in the following paragraphs.

Chapter 4 - Operation
20
REMEMBER: You an always return to Command Mode if you enter a CTRL-C while in Pa ket on-
verse mode, three CTRL-Cs while in Pa ket transparent mode or CTRL-C X while in non-Pa ket
modes.
PACKET OPERATION
Pa kets are ex hanged between stations in one of several data modes. There are several ways
to get a Pa ket data mode from Command Mode. You an type the ommand CONVers or Trans,
depending on the data mode desired. This will ause an immediate mode hange to a data mode.
If you issue a Conne t ommand to initiate a onversation with another station, or if your KAM re-
eives a onne t request pa ket, then it will automati ally hange to a data mode after the on-
ne tion is established. The data mode is spe ified by the CONMode ommand as CONVers or
Trans .
TUNING PACKET SIGNALS
The re eption of VHF pa kets requires no tuning. Re eption is indi ated by the [RCV] LED
being lit. Tuning HF Pa ket signals is simplified by use of the LED bargraph. While observing the in-
di ator, tune your HF trans eiver for an alternate blinking of the end segments on the bargraph. If
you are tuning to monitor random Pa ket transmissions, be ertain you have enabled the Monitor
fun tion of the KAM. As the end segments illuminate, the HF XMIT LED will also be lit when you
are properly tuned, indi ating a arrier dete t.
CAUTION: When a band is noisy, put the AM/FM front panel swit h in the AM position and use only
the ne essary volume level to a urately re eive pa kets. Otherwise the arrier dete t (XMIT) indi-
ator will be lit nearly ontinuously, preventing the transmission of pa kets. The Pa ket proto ol is
designed to inhibit transmission of pa kets if the band ( arrier dete t) is busy.
We re ommend that your first Pa ket operation with KAM be tried on the VHF band. At initial
power-on KAM is onditioned for Pa ket operation with the Input/Output onne ted to VHF stream
A. The I/O is manipulated from port to port and stream to stream with the STREAMSW hara ter.
Further dis ussion of STREAMSW hara ter an be found in the se tion on Multiple Pa ket Conne -
tion, page XX.
CONNECTING and DISCONNECTING
In order to make full use of the KAMs apabilities for reliable Pa ket ommuni ations, you
should establish a onne tion with another station. This means that everything you type while in
Converse Mode will be automati ally addressed to that station, and pa kets sent between your sta-
tion and the other station will be automati ally a knowledged by the re ipient. The sending station
will ontinue retransmitting a message until it has been re eived orre tly. To onne t to W0XI, for
example, type
CONNECT W0XI
If W0XI is on the air, tuned to your frequen y and within range of your transmission, you
should noti e a message oming ba k to your unit. If you have your radio atta hed to a speaker as
well as the unit you will hear the pa kets; otherwise, you an see the the end segments of the
bargraph light for HF operation. When your onne t request (the pa ket your unit sent) has been
a knowledged, the unit will display the message:
***CONNECTED TO W0XI
and automati ally move to Converse Mode. If you now type a message, it will be formed into a
pa ket and sent to W0XI. When you are through with the onversation, either you or the operator
of the other station may initiate a dis onne t. To do this, return to Command Mode with a CTRL-C
and type the ommand:
DISCONNECT